"Mother, Yu Ning is disappointing; she has never been able to gain a proper status in the Fourth Prince's mansion. How is Father at home? Are my younger brothers alright?" Song Shi asked, tears welling up in her eyes.
“Mother, my sister must be missing her family a lot while she’s here. She has no choice in the matter,” Song Shucheng said.
"Ah, I know that daughters who marry into the royal family are truly like water spilled from a cup. At least we can still see you today. Yu Ning, your mother sees that you're living a pretty good life," said Old Madam Song.
"Thanks to our Prince's good fortune, although Yu Ning is not favored, she is still living a decent life. She is not lacking in wealth and honor," Madam Song said with a smile.
"Elder sister, I heard that my niece has had a baby. Mother really wants to see her!" Song Shucheng said.
"Yes, Yu Ning, you're a grandmother now. I wonder how my great-grandson is doing?" Old Madam Song said with a smile.
“Alright, Yi Mo’er is now the head of the Xu family and has given birth to a son, so she won’t have to suffer from her mother-in-law’s temper anymore. Mother, you and Shu Cheng stay a few more days, and I will immediately send someone to call them over so they can meet their great-grandmother and uncle.” Song Shi said.
"Yu Ning, your father is almost sixty years old now, and he won't be able to serve as a garrison commander for many more years before he has to step down. Your eldest brother is useless, and your second brother is now a seventh-rank captain, already married with children and a grandfather. Now there is only your youngest brother, Shu Cheng. As his mother, I brought him here today because I hope you can help him find a way to improve his future. This child is good at studying, but he hasn't been doing well in the imperial examinations. Yu Ning, do you have a way to help your youngest brother?"
Song Shi never expected that her mother, whom she hadn't seen for twenty-three years, would bring up this matter as soon as they met. She had mentioned helping the family in her letters before, but Song Shi was indeed not favored, and the Fourth Prince was not the kind of person who favored relatives, so he ignored it and didn't mention it again. But she didn't expect that they had just met and hadn't even started talking about it before the old matter was brought up again.
Looking at her younger brother, who was already twenty-four, Madam Song asked, "Shucheng, you're a Xiucai now, right? Did you take the imperial examination this year?"
Song Shucheng nodded and said, "Eldest sister, I was originally coming to the capital to take the imperial examination, and I just happened to receive your letter inviting Mother, so I came along."
Madam Song nodded, then turned to Old Madam Song and said, "My third brother is very intelligent; he will definitely get good grades. Mother, you don't need to worry too much."
Madam Song said, "Oh dear, your third brother has failed several times already, and I'm so worried about him!"
Song Shucheng said, “Mother, please don’t make things difficult for my eldest sister. If she could decide my future with just a word, what would be the point of this imperial examination? Now that the Fourth Prince is in charge of the examination, I’ve heard that all the bookstores in the capital are worried. In previous years, they made a fortune selling all kinds of exam questions, but now they’re afraid they’ll be deserted!”
Madam Song didn't understand these things, but she knew that the Fourth Prince had indeed been busy with the autumn imperial examinations recently, so she said, "Mother, Secretary, let's go to the Consort's place first and pay our respects to her. Over the years, we've been so fortunate to have her care for us, and it's only because of her kindness that we can see you again now. Secretary, you might as well mention the autumn imperial examinations to the Consort; she might know something about it. The Prince and the Consort are very close and talk about everything."
The three of them, accompanied by their maids, arrived at Lanqin's Wanfang Anhe. Lanqin personally came out to greet them. She immediately saw Old Madam Song beside Madam Song, and then looked at the youngest brother of the Song family. This family really looked alike, and they all inherited Old Madam Song's appearance.
Lanqin grabbed Old Madam Song's arm and said, "Sister Song's mother is here. Sister Song's beauty is truly due to Old Madam Song's good genes!"
"What gene?" Old Madam Song was confused by the word Lanqin used and looked at the concubine in front of her who clearly lacked any authority.
"Mother, she often says things that are hard to understand. Just let it go," Madam Song said with a smile.
Song Shucheng couldn't help but take a few more glances at Lanqin, after all, she was the Fourth Prince's most favored concubine. He also wanted to see what was so special about this concubine.
"Yes, don't take my words too seriously, but what I really mean is that Sister Song is just like you!" Lanqin said.
"Hehe, all three sons and one daughter I have are very much like me. It's strange, though, none of them look like their father." Seeing how casual Lanqin was, Madam Song also spoke casually.
Lanqin chuckled and said, "Sister Song, please invite the old lady and the young Song family into the house. They will be dining here. I specially asked Chef Niu to prepare the meal."
After they all entered the inner room and took their seats, Lanqin carefully examined Old Madam Song and the younger brother of the Song family.
"Consort, my daughter says that you have been very kind to me. I thank you very much." Madam Song suddenly stood up and bowed to Lanqin.
Lanqin immediately winked at Sihua, signaling them to quickly help her up, and said, "Why are you being so polite, Madam? Sister Song and I get along very well and have long been like sisters. Madam, you're making me feel so bad."
With the help of Si Hua and Jin Ju, Madam Song sat back down in her original seat. Song Shucheng also stood up and bowed to Lan Qin, saying, "This junior greets Consort Lan Qin. May Consort Lan Qin enjoy boundless blessings and peace!"
When Lanqin saw a pale-faced scholar-like man who looked older than her bowing, she had no choice but to sit down and accept the greeting, saying, "Third Master Song, please sit down! No need for such formalities." She had just addressed him as "Younger Brother Song," even though he was actually two years older than her.
After exchanging greetings, Lanqin instructed her maid to bring tea and snacks. After exchanging pleasantries about their families, Madam Song finally broke the ice and began to discuss the autumn imperial examinations with Lanqin.
"Sister, I heard that this year's autumn imperial examination is different from previous years?" Madam Song asked. It wasn't that she was unwilling to help her younger brother, but it was impossible for her to ask the Fourth Master such a question.
Lanqin glanced at Song Shucheng and understood. She smiled and said, "Is Third Master Song also participating in the autumn imperial examination this year?"
Song Shucheng hurriedly said, "I am not capable. I have taken the exam for several years, but I have not yet made the list. I am truly ashamed before my father and mother."
Lanqin said, "I think your third brother is a scholar. As long as he studies hard and performs normally, he will be fine."
Song Shucheng cupped his hands towards Lanqin and said, "If everyone were as the concubine said, there would be no cheating in the imperial examinations. It is said that the Fourth Prince made many changes to this year's autumn imperial examinations. At least there are fewer discussions about test-takers and the sale of exam questions in the teahouses of the capital."
Lanqin smiled and nodded, saying, "Exactly. This year, our Prince is the examiner. He's determined to change the examination method. That way, we can crack down on a large number of cheaters who sell so-called exam questions in advance."
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