The Second Prince's words puzzled Song Zan, "What does your Highness mean?"
He is the daughter of the Song family, he can marry whoever he wants, why is it that she is the most suitable to marry him?
Sensing a hint of displeasure in Song Zan's tone, the Second Prince simply smiled.
"Uncle, please don't be offended. Let me explain slowly. The Song family must have looked for quite a few families for Cousin Wan recently, right?"
"Apart from the dukes and earls, the highest-ranking families are the royal family. The relationships between the various families are complex and intertwined. My uncle must be afraid that the Song family will be dragged into the fight for the succession, so he has been hesitant to make a decision."
"Needless to say, my uncle also looks down on those from lower social classes. It's not that I'm snobbish, but those families raise their children differently from families like ours, so my uncle would definitely look down on them."
Song Zan chuckled, "The Second Prince is also a member of the royal family. Why are you suitable when others are not?"
The Second Prince also smiled upon hearing this, "Uncle forgot, I will never be able to hold that position in my lifetime."
"I believe my uncle doesn't want the Song family to have another queen. If he does, the Concubine Xian and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince will not be happy about it."
"Uncle, you know I don't have any big ambitions. Now I'm in charge of the west, and I'm considered a local lord, so I'm quite content. I treat His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and His Royal Highness King Cheng equally. No matter who comes to power, they'll treat me, a brother who poses no threat, well."
The second prince's biological mother was from Xiyue, and it was impossible for a prince with foreign blood to ascend the throne.
Among all the princes, the Second Prince was the most low-key. He had guarded the western border for the past two years, maintaining peace in the border towns, and was only crowned king today.
Song Zan carefully considered the Second Prince's words and admitted in his heart that the Second Prince was indeed an excellent candidate.
Born a military commander, he is a righteous and open-minded person. He is a descendant of the royal family, but he is not involved in the struggle for the throne.
He had also heard that the Second Prince had returned to the capital today and had gone to the Eastern Palace and Prince Cheng's mansion to deliver the earthenware ceremony. This was consistent with the Second Prince's behavior over the years, where he would only talk about brotherhood with the other princes and not discuss state affairs.
Seeing that Song Zan was still lost in thought, the Second Prince said, "I know that the Song family only has this one daughter, and they treasure her very much."
"Whether she wants to live in the border town or stay in the capital, it's up to her."
Song Zan and his two sons looked at each other. Although they were somewhat moved, since it was a major event after all, marriage, they were at a loss for a moment.
The Second Prince was accustomed to observing people's expressions and added, "Marriage is no joke. I am not trying to pressure my uncle by bringing this up today. I just hope that my uncle will consider me when choosing a husband for Cousin Wan."
Afterwards, the second prince changed the topic and talked about the customs of Western Vietnam.
It did not embarrass the Song family at all and also gave them enough face.
Seeing that it was almost noon, Song Zan ordered his servants to prepare a banquet and invite the second prince to have dinner.
I thought the Second Prince would be happy to stay and take the opportunity to build closer ties with the Song family. However, he simply stood up and said goodbye, not staying for dinner.
After the second prince left, Mrs. Song Wang walked in from outside.
"My Lord, the Second Prince is coming here to ask for marriage so openly?"
A few people sat down and a servant brought in more tea.
Song Zan said, "I think what he said today is quite straightforward."
Wang's tone suddenly became anxious. "My Lord, are you saying that you've chosen the Second Prince? Didn't my Lord say that he doesn't want to marry into the royal family?"
Her daughter's marriage had become a major concern for Wang. She would meet with any suitable man she found, but after meeting them, she would feel that none of them were worthy of her daughter.
He has been so worried these days that he has not been able to sleep well. Last night, he even talked to Song Zan for half the night, saying that children are a debt.
Song Zan comforted his wife, "What the Second Prince said makes sense. If the Song family marries him, it will really save them a lot of trouble."
"Besides, the Second Prince is a person who really has no shortcomings."
Song Zan also asked the brothers Song Hongyuan and Song Hongshen what they thought about the second prince's proposal of marriage.
Song Hongyuan pondered and said, "We still need to think about it. This is Wanwan's life, so we can't be careless."
Song Hongshen's eyes were dark. "Father thinks he is upright? But I think he is a man of deep thoughts, a man whose loyalty may appear treacherous."
"For so many years, he really hasn't had a single flaw to be found. But that very fact is the problem. Even saints have some flaws. Unless... he's just pretending."
Song Zan, however, felt that Song Hongshen was overthinking things and glared at him. "Am I the one who's looking for your sister? Is there anyone you like?"
"If I listen to you, your sister won't be able to get married."
Song Hongshen disapproved and said, "Is this a matter of urgency? At least the character, talent, and family background must be worthy of my sister."
"I don't even want to tell you what the identity of that guy you showed me the other day was. He was from a poor family, with nothing. Even if he were to become the top scorer in the high school entrance exam next year, he wouldn't be a good match for my sister."
Song Zan glared at Song Hongshen, "What's wrong with being a student from a poor family? Do you still look down on students from poor families? Our families all have ancestors from poor families, don't forget your roots."
Seeing his father's anger, Song Hongshen also slowed down his tone, "Dad, I don't look down on students from poor families. But we are not selecting officials, we are looking for a marriage for my sister."
"We don't care whether the other party has money or not. The dowry we give to our sister is enough for her to spend in ten lifetimes."
"But my sister is marrying into a family. She has been pampered since she was a child, and has never suffered any hardship. Apart from other things, she might get used to the food and clothes she uses after marrying into a family."
"Take the bamboo salt my sister uses to clean her mouth in the morning, for example. The amount she spends on it in one day is enough to feed someone for a month. What we consider ordinary is a waste of money for others."
In Song Hongshen's view, marriages must be made between families of equal status, not too far apart. Even if his father and mother were anxious, they shouldn't have shown Wanwan a match with such a family.
Wang secretly gave Song Hongshen a thumbs up. She also asked Song Hongshen to find an opportunity to say these words.
In the past few days, Song Zan has introduced his daughter to several young men from poor families, which has frightened Wang and made her even more anxious.
Of course, Song Hongshen's description of being penniless was only in comparison with the Song family. In fact, those poor students in the countryside were considered to have some wealth.
After hearing what Song Hongshen said, Song Zan coughed lightly and said, "I didn't think too much about it. My original intention was to let her marry down so that she wouldn't be wronged."
Song Hongshen snorted, "Whether or not you suffer injustice has nothing to do with whether or not you marry down. Rich families still care about face, but small families don't care so much."
Song Zan was at a loss for a moment, "Then what do you say we should do?"
As soon as he finished speaking, an imperial decree came from the palace, ordering a palace banquet to be held in the Hall of Supreme Harmony in the evening to welcome the second prince.
Wang Shi thought, "My Lord, why don't I bring Wan Wan to the palace tonight? Let her have a few words with the Second Prince, and then listen to what Wan Wan means."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com