A clear, melodious voice came from the doorway. Song Wenyue looked in the direction of the voice and the first thing she saw was the pink and purple peony embroidered skirt.
The other person was dressed in bright and eye-catching colors, with a preference for pink and purple. Fortunately, she was more beautiful than the flowers, which overshadowed the lifelike embroidery on her clothes. Otherwise, she would have become just a clothes hanger, and people would not have been able to remember her face.
Consort Lu waved her handkerchief at the kneeling palace maid and said, "Go and brew me a pot of tea. I brought some tea leaves with me, so my sister can have a taste."
Song Wenyue looked at her warily. She had never had any relationship with this Consort Xian and didn't understand why she would take the initiative to approach her.
Among the four concubines in the harem, Consort Xian was the most beautiful. If there was any flaw in her, it was that she was unable to have a child.
"Why did you come here, sister? Nobody likes me here," Song Wenyue said sarcastically.
Ever since she nearly miscarried at the New Year's Eve palace banquet, she had been confined to the palace and unable to leave. None of her close friends had come to visit her; Consort Xian was the first concubine to step into the palace.
In other words, she was so bored she was practically going to rot, and then Consort Xian arrived.
"My sister, this place isn't some dragon's den or tiger's lair. Do you think I can't come here?"
After exchanging pleasantries for a while, Song Wenyue asked only, "Does Your Highness have something to say?"
"It's nothing serious. I have a niece who was engaged to the Cui family, but the engagement was broken off inexplicably a few days ago, which really angered her. So she begged me to help her get revenge and also to find a reliable family for her."
Song Wenyue looked at her in confusion. What did this have to do with her?
Seeing her confusion, Consort Xian asked directly, "Is your second brother still unmarried?" Song Wenyue was surprised, not expecting that Consort Xian had taken a liking to her second brother. To be honest, ever since the series of embarrassing incidents in the family, her second brother's marriage had become a problem.
Consort Xian was from the Lu family of Fanyang. Since she was Consort Xian's niece, with the Lu family's backing, she was naturally quite capable. However, a girl from such a good family, even if she was jilted, wouldn't she be interested in Consort Xian's second brother?
It wasn't that she thought her second brother was bad, but rather that he was old, had no official rank, and had become a laughingstock because of his family, making him seem quite mediocre among the men in the capital.
Why would a woman from the Lu family be worried about getting married?
Seemingly sensing her confusion, Consort Xian sighed and said, "The Lu family is not what it used to be. Now, very few members of the Lu family hold official positions in the court. The Lu clan relies entirely on the prestige of its ancestors. My niece is from a collateral branch, and her father is a son-in-law who married into the family and holds only a minor official position, which is why she is bullied. I advised her to find a wealthy family in the local area to marry into and settle down, but she just can't swallow the insults and wants to marry into the capital. Among the families in the capital, I've looked around and found that only the second young master of your household is to my liking. He seems to have a bright future, so I came to you to make this suggestion. I wonder what you think? If you are interested, you can arrange for the two children to take a look from afar."
Upon hearing this, Song Wenyue's mind was filled with conflicting thoughts.
She did think about it.
If the Song family and the Lu family were to form a marriage alliance, then I could rely more on Consort Xian in the harem and wouldn't have to suffer the humiliation inflicted by Consort Gui. Furthermore, since Consort Gui had previously been stripped of her power to manage the six palaces, it was Consort Xian and Consort De who were in charge. It seems she wields considerable influence within the palace.
After all, those who can sit in the position of imperial concubine must have some real skills.
She is currently six months pregnant, a precious but also the most vulnerable time. If Consort Xian could be her help, that would be wonderful!
"My second brother's marriage still needs my mother, father, and grandfather's approval. I'll write a letter back home first and tell my family about the situation."
Song Wenyue wanted to agree immediately, but her mother's attitude towards her was not the same as before, so she dared not be willful anymore.
In the past, I could simply ask my mother for anything, and she would do everything in her power to fulfill my request. But now, it's already difficult enough to get a single reply to a letter I write home.
Her father said her mother was now a devout Buddhist, observing a vegetarian diet to atone for her sins. She truly didn't understand what her mother was thinking! Wasn't this world such that if you were weak, others would step on you to rise to the top?
She was used by Song Yaozhu to climb to the top; she understands this all too well!
Madam Lin, the eldest daughter-in-law of Song, did not see the letter; it ended up in the hands of Song Chengzhang. After reading it, he handed it to Grand Tutor Song and said hesitantly, "I think this marriage is a good one."
Grand Tutor Song looked at the letter and sighed deeply. He now held the title of Grand Tutor in vain, no longer serving in the palace to teach the princes. After the capital's examination, he would "retire and return to his hometown." But his descendants had not yet established themselves in the capital; how could he willingly leave the court like this?
Grand Tutor Song thought for a long time and said, "It is a great blessing for our Song family to be able to form a marriage alliance with the Lu family."
The implication is that he agrees to the marriage.
Song Chengzhang was overjoyed, thinking that his eldest son's life was in complete chaos, but his second son would finally be able to marry a girl from a prestigious family!
When Song Yaozhu received the news that day, she thought to herself: This Lu family girl is really unlucky. She just climbed out of one pit and fell into another.
Song Hanzhi is currently studying at home and has stopped going to the academy. I wonder how she will fare in this year's imperial examination.
This year's imperial examinations were once again organized by the Ministry of Rites, with Prince Xuan in charge. With him in charge, anyone who dared to cause trouble under his nose would be arrested and imprisoned in the Dali Temple!
King Xuan was busy with the imperial examinations, while Queen Xuan was busy dealing with the Cui family.
Madam Cui came again, accompanied by a matchmaker, and said with a smile, "The sixth day of next month is an auspicious day for betrothal. How about we set the date for that?"
Princess Xuan looked listless. Compared to Madam Cui's high spirits, she was like a penniless woman who had been forced to eat vegetarian food for a year and was so resentful that she could eat a whole cow.
"Not good."
Madam Cui took a deep breath. The matchmaker had been talking about it for days, but Princess Xuan had refused. Even if she was a stickler for logic, she still had to have some temper.
"Your Highness, we are sitting here today for the sake of the two children. If you are not cooperating, I can't handle it all by myself!" Madam Cui said, shirking her responsibility.
He thought to himself, "Although my family wants to marry your daughter, isn't it your daughter who shamelessly insisted on marrying my son?"
If it weren't for the son's concern for the family, he would have married his niece long ago. What chance would your daughter have?
My poor niece, alas!
Princess Xuan rolled her eyes, just as the gatekeeper announced, "Princess Xiaoyao has arrived!"
Princess Xuan immediately changed her expression, rising with undisguised joy to greet her: "My sister is here! Please, have a seat!"
Seeing her like this, Madam Cui understood perfectly well that she was being disrespectful, and immediately prepared to leave.
Unexpectedly, Song Yaozhu said, "Madam, don't be in a hurry. We'll be family soon. Let's just consider this a prelude to getting to know each other better."
Madam Cui was puzzled, and Song Yaozhu then pretended to have misspoke and explained, "Your niece is currently discussing marriage with my second brother, and I thought you knew about it."
Madam Cui's face turned pale, and unable to remain seated any longer, she rose to take her leave.
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