Song Mansion.
Ever since Song Yue entered the palace as Empress and gave birth to the eldest prince, the Song family's status has risen accordingly.
Even cabinet officials like Cao Song and Yuan Feng were exceptionally polite when they saw the Empress's father, Song Feng.
This made Song Feng feel extremely pleased, and he often sighed in his heart that he had given birth to a good daughter.
Although Song Feng's status was now exceptionally high, he always kept his daughter's instructions in mind and remained law-abiding, unlike the domineering and arrogant relatives of the past.
Moreover, in order to protect the reputation of his daughter and grandson, Song Feng deliberately distanced himself from the officials in the court and spent his days studying poetry, songs, and classical texts.
Therefore, the Song residence became the only one on East Street that only received literary luminaries.
The study of the Song family mansion.
Song Feng was also discussing with Huang Chengyan, Qiao Xuan, Zang Yan and others who had come to visit the Han Dynasty the new theories of engineering, agriculture and mechanical engineering that had emerged in recent years.
Just as everyone was engrossed in their discussion, a servant from the Song family quietly approached Song Feng.
"Sir, Dr. Cai Yong has come to pay a visit with gifts!"
"Oh? Lord Cai has arrived?"
Upon hearing that Cai Yong had arrived, the group, who were having a pleasant conversation, immediately stopped talking and stood up.
Song Feng also cupped his hands to the crowd and said, "Since Lord Cai has come, I will personally go to welcome him. Please wait here!"
Qiao Xuan said with a smile, "Ah~, Lord Cai is a great scholar of classical studies, we should all go together to welcome him!"
“Yes, we should go together!” The others chimed in.
"Very well, then let us all go together!"
Song Feng smiled and then led everyone toward the front hall.
While waiting for Cai Yong in the front hall, Song Feng was slightly taken aback when he saw him leading a large group of people toward them.
His purpose in coming here was to quietly ask Madam Song to recommend his daughter.
Unexpectedly, there were so many people in Song Feng's mansion, and they were all acquaintances from the same circle. How was he supposed to start the conversation?
If word gets out, he'll inevitably be accused of using his daughter to climb the social ladder and marry into the royal family, ruining his reputation for life.
Seeing Song Feng, Qiao Xuan, and the others getting closer, Cai Yong quickly put aside his thoughts and stood up from his chair, pretending to be a visitor.
"Oh dear, I was unaware of your arrival, Lord Cai. I apologize for any neglect you may have caused!"
As soon as Cai Yong stood up, Song Feng took three steps in two and walked up to him, bowing respectfully.
"We greet Lord Cai!"
Qiao Xuan and the others approached with smiles and greeted Cai Yong.
Cai Yong smiled and returned the greetings one by one: "Lord Song, gentlemen, you are too kind. I hope my unannounced visit has not disturbed your enjoyment?"
"Haha~, Lord Cai, what are you saying? We are more than happy to have you here!"
Song Feng laughed loudly, then pointed to the chair at the head of the guest seats: "Please sit down, Lord Cai!"
Cai Yong: "Thank you!"
After everyone was seated, Song Feng asked with a smile, "May I ask what brings Lord Cai here today?"
Cai Yong's mind raced, and he immediately said, "It's nothing much. The end of the year is just around the corner, and I have been ordered to choreograph court dance music."
However, I am unaware of His Majesty and the Empress Dowager's usual preferences, and I have come specifically hoping that Madam Song can help me enter the palace and inquire with the Empress!
Song Feng raised an eyebrow, puzzled, and asked, "That's all?"
“That’s all!” Cai Yong affirmed.
Song Feng smiled and said, "If it's just a matter of asking these questions, then of course there's no problem. I'll go and tell Madam to come to the palace right away!"
Cai Yong politely replied, "In that case, thank you very much, Lord Song!"
"You're too kind, Mr. Cai!"
Song Feng smiled, then summoned his servants and gave them detailed instructions.
After the servants left, Song Feng looked at Cai Yong with a pleading expression: "Lord Cai, it will take some time for the news to reach us. Why don't you stay here and explain some of the classics to us?"
"Yes, Master Cai, today is a rare opportunity, and I hope you will not hesitate to offer your guidance!"
"That's right, Lord Cai, you mustn't refuse!"
The people in the hall also spoke up, looking at Cai Yong with eager eyes.
"Very well, since you gentlemen have invited me, I will not stand on ceremony!"
Cai Yong smiled, then stood up and cupped his hands in a gesture of respect to the crowd: "I have been studying the Book of Changes recently and have gained some insights. Today, I would like to discuss them with you all..."
Afterwards, Cai Yong began to discuss with the others.
...
Just as Cai Yong was discussing scholarship with Song Feng, Qiao Xuan, and others, Madam Song arrived at the palace and met the Empress, who was attending to the eldest prince.
After exchanging greetings, Madam Song then addressed Song Yue, saying, "Dr. Cai Yong visited our residence today and asked me to escort him to the palace hall to hear His Majesty and the Empress Dowager's favorite dance of the year..."
Song Yue frowned slightly: "Oh? Is that all?"
Madam Song: "Yes, that's all!"
Song Yue asked doubtfully, "That shouldn't be the case. Dr. Cai is in charge of choreographing royal dance music. He could ask His Majesty directly. Why would he go through such a roundabout way to ask my mother to go to the palace?"
"I'm not too sure about that. Perhaps Dr. Cai knew that the head of the family now enjoys associating with these literary masters, so he went to visit him specifically and asked about it casually!"
Song Yue nodded: "That's not impossible."
Madam Song: "Then, shall we tell him?"
Song Yue smiled and said, "Of course, it's not a secret!"
Madam Song nodded, and then said, "By the way, before you came here, your father instructed me to make sure you continue to persuade His Majesty to take in more concubines, so as to fulfill your duties as Empress!"
"Alas, I have often advised Your Majesty, but Your Majesty is always unwilling!"
Hearing her mother's words, Song Yue sighed, feeling rather helpless about Liu Hong's unwillingness to take a concubine.
After thinking for a moment, Madam Song said, "Daughter, do you think the girls you recommended didn't suit His Majesty's taste?"
Although those girls all come from prestigious families, His Majesty's current prestige means he no longer needs the support of any particular family. Taking them as concubines would only bring some negative effects to the royal family.
My daughter, could you perhaps try recommending to His Majesty women from scholarly families who are learned and knowledgeable, or perhaps simple, honest women from the common people…?
Upon hearing this, Song Yue's eyes lit up: "Mother's words have enlightened me!"
Madam Song smiled and said, "By the way, speaking of Dr. Cai, his daughter seems to be fourteen years old this year, which is old enough to enter the palace. Why don't you recommend her to His Majesty and see what his attitude is?"
"Okay, daughter, let's try it tonight!" Song Yue nodded with a smile.
That night, Liu Hong came to Weiyang Palace as usual, intending to sleep with the Empress.
Song Yue also took the opportunity to tell Liu Hong about what she had discussed with her mother that day.
"Does the Empress wish for me to take a daughter from the Cai family as my concubine?"
Upon hearing the implication in Song Yue's words, Liu Hong was slightly taken aback, and the scene in the private room involuntarily came to mind.
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