Chapter 1: Northern Witch Marriage "The Song family wants their son and minister to marry?!"...
Dark clouds covered the sunlight, the thick darkness made it hard to breathe, the wind whistled, the leaves wailed, foreign enemies were about to invade, and people were in panic.
"The Song family wants their son and minister to marry?!"
Min Shi'an's pupils constricted, and he continued in disbelief, "Even though the Song family has connections, how could they marry a legitimate princess? Mother, is there no room for maneuver in this matter?"
The woman opposite was now dressed in casual clothes, with only some pearl hairpins sloppily pinned on her head. Her hair was disheveled, and there were faint dark circles under her eyes.
"Don't worry, An'er. I have already informed your father. Besides, the Xiao family advocates war, the Jiang family is neutral, and if Lord Song insists on marriage, it depends on whether all families agree!" Queen Xie first comforted her and then left in a hurry.
Min Shian stayed in the Queen's palace temporarily, but she did not sit idly by and wait for death. She believed that the person who tied the bell must be untied, so she submitted a visiting card to the Song Mansion and made an appointment to meet Song Tinglan, the legitimate daughter of the Song family.
Within a quarter of an hour, the Song Mansion had a reply. Min Shian looked at the rejected visiting card and was not surprised. The various forces were entangled in unclear conflicts. At this critical juncture, Song Sheng would not allow her to see Song Tinglan.
In this case, let's think of other ways.
However, in order to reassure Song Tinglan, Min Shian wrote a letter:
The spring is chilly and the air is bleak. I recall our conversations at night during the Waking of Insects. Now, only dew has gathered in the quiet courtyard. I wish you would wear a thick coat during the Spring Equinox. [1]
Please don't worry, I am fine. I want to visit you and have a casual chat to get rid of the problem. Don't worry about your relatives. Everyone in the princess's mansion is fine, don't worry.
I will stop writing here and wish you well.［2］
After the messenger delivered the letter, Min Shi'an looked solemn and waited patiently for news in the Queen's Palace. At the same time, he asked his maid to deliver a letter to a villa in the suburbs of Beijing.
Now the Song family is the head of the Chancellery, with great power in the court and the country, and cannot be easily shaken. The imperial power has fallen, and this matter can only be restrained by the mother's family, the Xie family.
The Xiao family advocates war, but the war cannot be fought relying solely on the Xiao and Xie families. Ultimately, the Song family is the only one in power, and they need the Song family's approval.
After receiving Min Shian's letter, Song Tinglan became even more anxious. She burned the letter and went to find Song Sheng.
"Shi An and I have been good friends since childhood. Although my father has his reasons for doing this, I can't just sit back and watch. Brother, can you help Shi An?"
Song Tinglan frowned slightly, coughed a few times behind her handkerchief, and then continued, "Shi An grew up in luxury, so why would she go to a tiny place like Beiwu and suffer?"
"Not to mention the extreme cold, Bei Wuduofu is only eligible for one wife. How will Shi An cope with that?"
Seeing this, Song Sheng first put an extra coat on Song Tinglan, then helped her sit on the soft couch. He said slowly, "The national treasury is empty now, and a marriage alliance is the best solution. There is nothing wrong with this, father."
"I know that, but brother..."
Song Sheng's expression remained unchanged, but his gentle voice spoke words that pierced his heart: "Song Zhi, don't cause trouble for your father."
Song Tinglan was helpless, but when she saw her brother calling her name, she knew there was no room for negotiation on the matter, so she could only sigh and leave.
Song Sheng's eyes moved slightly, he stood there for a moment, and finally went to the study. It was not until the end of the night and dawn that the father and son finally finished their conversation and went to the morning court together.
The peace faction and the war faction were targeting each other as usual, engaging in a heated debate. Suddenly, the Minister of the Chancellery stirred up a huge uproar.
"The best policy now is to marry a princess to a royal family. If we go to war, it will only cost the people money and manpower. Marrying a princess who is a legitimate daughter of the Jin dynasty would be detrimental to the dignity of the Jin dynasty. We can adopt a princess from the royal family, give her a higher title, and marry her off in style."
Someone soon raised an objection and asked hesitantly, "Lord Song, but there has never been such a precedent in our Great Jin. Is it feasible?"
The eldest son of the Jiang family frowned but said nothing. He glanced at his younger brother who was about to speak, and then the two of them watched in silence.
Everyone was confused and didn't know why the Shangshu Ling suddenly changed his mind and no longer asked Princess Yongkang to marry a foreign prince, but instead wanted to adopt a daughter of the royal family.
Song Sheng, the instigator of the incident, heard this and answered on behalf of his father, "Royal family, blood is thicker than water, we are one, so why not?"
As soon as these words were spoken, the peace faction immediately echoed them.
"Song Pushe's words are very reasonable and brilliant."
"I think this plan is feasible!"
Although the Xie family was puzzled, they were happy to hear that the adoption into the royal family had nothing to do with them, so they kept silent.
The overall situation had been decided, and the Xiao family was no longer obsessed with sending troops, so they could only remain silent.
Emperor Tianchong, who was sitting on the dragon throne, saw that the Song father and son had made a decision, and then he said, "Then let's do as Song Pushe said and send the Ministry of Sacrifice to handle this matter."
Empress Xie was always paying attention to the developments in the court. Without time to go into details, she returned to the palace and talked to Min Shian about the situation, and then discussed the next countermeasures together.
"Shi An, it's time to put your marriage on the agenda."
Empress Xie wore a green silk gown with wide cuffs embroidered with golden cloud and phoenix patterns. Her hair was done in a meticulous bun, and she wore a golden phoenix crown, showcasing her elegance and grace.
Min Shian pursed his lips and said with difficulty: "Mother, you know that I have no intention of doing this."
Empress Xie was furious and said angrily, "You have already reached marriage age. The border tribes are restless, and the Song family is the only one in power. How can I protect you?"
"I have already set my sights on the Xiao family. What do you think?"
Min Shian thought for a long time, then tentatively said, "Mother, I already have someone I love."
Upon hearing this, Empress Xie's eyes lit up and she asked, "Who is he? It doesn't matter what his family background is, as long as he has good character, I will make the decision for you."
Min Shian gritted his teeth and whispered with a guilty conscience, "I'm from Huailin."
Queen Xie nodded with satisfaction.
"Very good, since we are both in Shangjing City, it will be more convenient to travel."
"Huailin...Song family."
Empress Xie's expression instantly turned cold, and she sternly said, "The only unmarried member of the Song family is Song Yanxuan, Min Ji! Could it be that you've fallen for him?"
Song Sheng, whose courtesy name was Yan Zhao.
Min Ji, whose courtesy name is Shi'an.
Min Shi'an started to lie, and the more he spoke, the more fluent he became. He was full of confidence and talked eloquently, "At the age of eight, he could write freely and effortlessly. At the age of ten, he wrote "Ode to the Distant Mountains", which was famous in the capital and circulated widely."
"Putting aside his talent, Young Master Song is nearly eight feet tall [3], gentle and refined, with a divine appearance. There has never been a single bad rumor about him. Furthermore, he was appointed Shangshu Pushe at the age of fifteen, and he handles his affairs in an orderly and decisive manner."
"Why not a good match?"
Empress Xie couldn't tell whether her feelings were genuine or fake, but she was sure that Min Shi'an had no intention of getting married, so she could only sigh and say, "You!"
"Forget it, forget it. I won't force you. But Song Yanxuan is very scheming and definitely not a good match for him. Don't even think about it."
Min Shian breathed a sigh of relief and quickly bowed to take his leave. Fortunately, he had managed to calm Queen Xie down first. She didn't want to get married yet, not even with Song Sheng.
Then she went to the Song Mansion.
The only one who could persuade Song Linggong, who always kept his word, to change his mind was Song Sheng. Song Sheng loved his younger sister Song Tinglan very much. Min Shian knew that Tinglan must have said something to Song Sheng for her.
"Tinglan, didn't I write in the letter not to cause any conflict with my family? Why has Lord Song Ling changed his mind again? Are you okay?"
Min Shi'an was a little anxious. Although he had deliberately made friends with Song Tinglan when he was young in order to get close to Song Sheng and then gain some real power from Song Sheng, the friendship between the two became deeper as they grew older.
There are many things that Min Shian is unwilling to embarrass Song Tinglan.
Song Tinglan's eyes were slightly red, and her frail body seemed like it would collapse if the wind blew. She said in a trembling voice, "Brother... Brother is naturally worried about me. I just hope you're okay."
Min Shian helped her sit down. Hot tea was already prepared on the table. She said softly, "It's a pity for Princess He Jing."
Princess Hejing was a woman of marriageable age who was adopted from the royal family. She was officially promoted to the title of Hejing three days later and got married half a month later.
Her hand was held by Song Tinglan, and the two pairs of cold hands were tightly intertwined, oozing with cold sweat.
The two looked at each other deeply, their eyes full of fear.
Women are nothing but victims of power. If Song Sheng had not loved his sister, no matter that she was born to Queen Xie, she would have gone to marry in the end.
Min Shian turned his head away so that Song Tinglan wouldn't see the desire surging in his eyes.
Only those who hold great power have the right to refuse.
Song Tinglan is a woman of great talent and good character, and should not be associated with power. Born into the Song family and loved by her brother, she is enough to live a carefree life.
The house was too stuffy, so the two of them went to the pavilion in the courtyard to continue their conversation.
"Shi An, I'm more than a year younger than you. The marriage has already been decided, so it's time for you to put the marriage proposal on the agenda."
Min Shian choked, feeling a little annoyed, but then she thought of someone older and replied, "Your brother is eighteen years old now, two years older than me, and he's still unengaged, isn't he?"
She added with a smile, "Besides, Secretary Song has already discussed the marriage, so why hasn't Pushe Song sent any news yet?"
Song Zhongshu, Song Sheng's younger brother, served as Zhongshu Ling.
The conflict shifted to the issue of her two brothers. Song Tinglan's cheeks flushed and she said vaguely, "My brother has his own plans."
Min Shian caught a glimpse of white from the corner of her eye. She curled her lips and deliberately said jokingly, "Then do you know why I disdain even the young masters of the capital?"
Song Tinglan became interested and asked, "Why?"
"Of course, Song Pushe is the best, so the others are naturally not worth mentioning."
Before Song Tinglan could reply, she saw Song Sheng approaching. She quickly stood up, wondering if he had heard what Min Shi'an had said. She asked anxiously, "Brother, Shi'an and I were just chatting. What's going on?"
Min Shi'an had already turned around and stood up, pretending to be unaware. After Song Tinglan finished speaking, he immediately said, "If Song Pushe has anything else to do, I will take my leave first."
Song Sheng shook his head and said softly, "It's alright, I don't have anything important to do. The pharmacy prepared a new prescription for Tinglan, and I came to give her a copy."
Song Tinglan took it, glanced at it briefly, and then placed it on the table. She said, "Brother, why did you come here in person? You can send a servant for such a small matter."
"I'm worried about the prescription being in someone else's hands." Song Sheng seemed to suddenly remember something and looked at Min Shi'an and said, "I've heard that Your Highness is well versed in pharmacology. Could you please take a look at this prescription and see if there are any improvements you can make?"
Min Shian laughed dryly and secretly complained that Song really knew everything about the court and even knew about her talents that she had never shown to the outside world.
Song Tinglan knew a thing or two, and she spoke on behalf of Min Shian, "How can you be considered proficient? Shian is just killing time, brother, please don't make fun of him."
Min Shi'an took advantage of the situation and said quickly, "Yes, Song Pushe, I was just having fun because I was bored. I can't say I'm an expert. I'm sure the doctor who treated Tinglan must be an excellent one."
Song Tinglan was a premature baby and had always been weak. Min Shian had secretly observed that her condition was gradually improving imperceptibly, which must be the result of careful conditioning.
She was sure that Song Sheng had heard what he said. It was already late and she didn't want to stay any longer, so she said goodbye to the two of them and prepared to return to the princess's mansion.
Although Min Shian frequently visited the Song Mansion, she didn't know whether Song Sheng was interested in her. She didn't have many opportunities to contact him. She was always nowhere to be seen. When they met occasionally, they would just greet each other as usual and then leave in a hurry.
She was not sure whether this method would attract Song Sheng's attention. The words "Pearl and Jade" were no different from directly expressing her feelings.
After all, if you want to get close to someone, you must first let the other person see you.
Song Tinglan followed him to the gate of the mansion and continued with her previous words in a whisper: "Shi'an, do you really care about your brother?"
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