What the Crown Prince didn't know was that the Second Prince instigated him to attack the Song Family, not only for revenge against the Song Family, but also to reap the benefits.
The two brothers discussed the next steps. The Second Prince was cunning and his words made the Crown Prince nod repeatedly. He said frankly that with a think tank like the Second Prince around, he would not have to worry about anything.
In the following days, the news of the marriage between the Song and Qin families also spread in Beijing.
In a blink of an eye, it was August 14th. Su Shunci prepared six carts of holiday gifts, intending to send two carts each to the Song family, the Shen family, and the Su family.
Of course, the two cars of the Su family are for the third uncle and aunt.
Just before she went out, Su Zhilan came to see her and gave her some mung bean cakes made by her mother Hai.
After thanking her, Su Shunci asked Su Zhilan, "I'm going to give the Song family and my elder sister some festival gifts. Will you come with me?"
"The last one I sent to the Su family was just the right one to send you home."
After saying that, he hesitated and said, "You are engaged to the King of Loyalty and Bravery. Is it convenient for you to go to the Song family like this?"
Some families in Beijing would take these things into consideration, and after the engagement, the unmarried couple would rarely see each other.
Su Zhilan said nonchalantly, "Go ahead. It's a good opportunity to go see Sister Wanwan and pay our respects to the old lady and Madam Song."
She and Song Hongshen had met privately several times regarding shipbuilding. She had even accompanied him to the Ministry of Works several times. Therefore, she did not consider it unethical to go to the Song residence with Su Shunci.
A few days ago, Song Hongshen went to the Su family to give them a holiday gift, and her parents returned the favor. She didn't need to worry about things like holiday gifts. This time, she was just going out to play with her fourth sister.
On the way to the Song family, Su Shunci leaned against the wall of the carriage, with fatigue unconcealed between her brows.
"What's wrong, Fourth Sister? I haven't seen you for a while. Are you very busy these days?"
It had been almost half a month since the Qin family's old lady celebrated her birthday. Su Zhilan had gone to Prince Ning's mansion twice but hadn't seen her.
Su Shunci smiled bitterly, "I've been busy with sea shipping for the past half month. The first batch of goods was finally shipped out yesterday, so I can finally take a few days off."
"Ordinarily, this gift should have been given a long time ago, but I was really too busy to do it, so I put it off until now."
She and Lin Wuchen worked hard for several months and finally delivered the goods successfully.
The two had already divided their responsibilities for the shipping business. Su Shunci was responsible for cotton brocade and jewelry, while Lin Wuchen was responsible for porcelain and tea. They each made their own purchases and calculated their own profits. Only the expenses incurred during the sea voyage were shared equally.
Su Zhilan held Su Shunci's hand and comforted her, "We are all family, who can find fault with you?"
"Now that you're done with your work, you should take a good two days off. Fourth sister is only one year older than me, and she's already so impressive. If I had to say who I admire the most, it would be Fourth sister."
She wasn't being deliberately nice; it was truly what she said. When she couldn't sleep at night, she'd thought about it. If she had the same background and circumstances as her fourth sister, could she possibly have made such a name for herself?
At that time, she subconsciously shook her head. She felt that it was not possible because she did not have the temperament and means of her fourth sister.
The fourth sister’s success today is not only due to the help of noble people like her eldest sister and third cousin, but also thanks to her own resilience.
My father once said that everyone will meet benefactors and have their moments of luck in life, but in the end, it all depends on oneself.
No matter how good a bricklayer is, he cannot support rotten mud on the wall.
Su Zhilan spoke slowly and steadily, looking at her with concern in her calm eyes.
Su Shunci touched her cheek lovingly, "It's okay, Fourth Sister. When you get married, Fourth Sister will definitely give you a big dowry."
Su Zhilan didn't politely say no, but rubbed against Su Shunci again, "Well, then I will wait to enjoy the blessing of Fourth Sister."
When the two sisters arrived at the Song family, they first went to pay their respects to the old lady and the Marquis' wife, Wang.
The old lady held the two of them and talked for a long time, then gave them Mid-Autumn Festival gifts separately. Each of them received a pair of translucent white jade bracelets.
Song Wanwan got the news and came over, and the two of them learned that the virtuous concubine was hosting a banquet for the ladies of the capital today, and the Marquis's wife Wang had entered the palace.
The old lady of the Song family was particularly happy today. She had a biological granddaughter, a goddaughter, and a granddaughter-in-law who had not yet married into the family.
They are all beautiful and charming girls, and she likes them all from the bottom of her heart.
Su Shunci originally planned to chat with her and go to Shen's house so that she could have lunch with her elder sister at noon.
But Old Lady Song kept holding them and ordered people to prepare a feast.
No one wanted to spoil the old lady's mood, so they had lunch with her.
After lunch, the old lady wanted to rest, so Song Wanwan took Su Shunci and Su Zhilan to her own yard.
Without the elders around, the few of them were much more casual.
After entering and sitting down, Song Wanwan asked someone to bring her newly made rose perfume and asked the two to take it back and use it when bathing.
Su Shunci asked, "Sister Wanwan, why did you suddenly get engaged to Mr. Qin San?"
Ever since Song Wanwan announced her engagement, Su Shunci had always wanted to come and ask about it, but she had never had the time.
The last time I celebrated Old Madam Qin’s birthday at the Qin family, I hadn’t heard about this. I always felt it was a bit hasty.
Song Wanwan felt like she was dreaming these days. Sometimes she would suddenly remember that she was engaged and find it unbelievable.
Thinking of Qin Yuan, she pursed her lips and smiled, "A good husband must be taken as soon as possible, what if he is snatched away by someone else?"
Su Shunci and Su Zhilan both looked at her in surprise, and then they looked at each other, with expressions of disbelief.
Song Wanwan didn't explain much, but she felt that it would be difficult to find someone like Qin Yuan who was afraid of pain and cried out in pain, and who hurt himself because of his consideration for her.
So when her father said that he would think about it for a few more days, it was she who suggested replying to the letter and settling the marriage as soon as possible.
Her mother said that getting married was like gambling, and she was afraid she would lose. But since marrying anyone was a gamble, she might as well marry someone she liked.
She counted all the noble men in Beijing in her mind. Apart from her brothers, she liked Qin Yuan the most.
Even if she really lost the bet, Song Wanwan could afford it.
While they were talking, a maid came in to report that the lady had returned.
The three of them stood up and headed towards the main courtyard where Wang lived.
Before even entering the door, Song Wanwan noticed something was wrong.
The two maids serving at the door were silent as a mouse, not daring to breathe.
After entering the room, Song Wanwan glanced at her mother and knew that she had returned home in anger.
The three of them stepped forward and saluted. Song Wanwan asked, "What happened? What happened when you entered the palace today?"
Seeing that her mother had a sullen face and didn't say anything, she looked at the maid beside her mother, Rendong.
Rendong didn't dare to explain, so she could only give Song Wanwan a look to indicate that it was indeed a matter of the palace.
After a moment, Wang's expression relaxed. "Don't stand anymore, all of you. Sit down."
Then he instructed Rendong, "Serve the tea, and bring up the big tangerines that were sent from the south a few days ago for the young ladies to eat."
All the irrelevant people in the room were sent away by Wang.
When there were no outsiders around, she talked about what happened in the palace today, and Song Wanwan was so angry that she almost smashed the teacup.
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