This was something Madam Song had completely not anticipated, she was taken aback for a moment, but soon expressed candidly: "She..... remains shut up in her room, refusing to come out."
As Madam Song spoke, her face was painted with a touch of worry. After all, this was her own daughter, once the belle of Yu State, who had now fallen to such a plight. How could she not be upset?
Xin He’s gaze closely followed Madam Song, taking in every detail of her expression. Her eyes narrowed slightly. Madam Song’s reaction did not suggest she was lying.
If Madam Song truly knew about the emperor’s decision to grant Song Yalin’s marriage, she wouldn’t be showing such subtle worry when mentioning Song Yalin. The Madam Song sitting before her now was no different than the one Xin He had met before. 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚
Xin He was now quite sure that Madam Song was unaware of this matter.
Judging from the way Madam Song’s husband had been attentively treating her, it was clear that he valued the Prince of Pingyang’s mansion and cared about Xin He’s feelings. It didn’t seem like he was in cahoots with Duan Lan.
The only possibility now was that Song Yalin herself was in collusion with Duan Lan.
But Xin He was always prudent, especially when it came to these matters. She was not one to be careless or hasty in drawing conclusions. To confirm this, she would need to meet Song Yalin in person.
"Always locked up in her room? Wouldn’t it drive her crazy?" said Xin He, frowning.
Madam Song sighed lightly: "Indeed, but I have no means to change the situation. This child has always been very proud and ambitious. Since she was young, she’s always been the best and has never faced great adversity before. The marriage proposal from the Great Prince hurt her deeply and she still doesn’t want to go outside."
Xin He put her tea cup on the table beside her, and said lightly: "I recall Madam Song once mentioned arranging another marriage for her. She even made a special trip to Lian’an Town. How’s that going now?"
Madam Song helplessly replied, "I did find several suitable families, but Lin Lin is already in her twenties, which is actually quite old. Moreover, with the cancelled marriage to the Great Prince, her reputation took a hit. It’s hard to find any really good families. I just hope she can live a peaceful life and get along amicably with her husband in her next life. So, I don’t really mind the family background anymore, instead, I pick families with good character and mild temperaments, like the Wang family in Lian’an Town."
Xin He raised her eyebrows: "Oh? The Wang family? Aren’t they just ordinary merchants?"
The Wang family managed half of the canal transportation business in Yu State. Though they were indeed wealthy, they were completely a merchant family. For the Song family, this was quite a humble match.
"I’m aware of that but the Wang family is gentle and kind. And their eldest son is of good character. This alone makes them quite decent. Plus... a slightly lower status might allow our Song family to exert some control and at least prevent Lin Lin from being bullied in her married family," said Madam Song, with a light smile.
Xin He nodded gently. A mother’s heart indeed holds the most concerns for her child, and this concern is the most pragmatic.
The saddest thing about women in this era is that once they marry, no matter how the marriage turns out, they have to endure it. Chasing after family, wealth, or status without realizing that living a lifetime with a cruel husband is truly terrifying.
"Indeed, Master Wang and Lady Wang are indeed very soft-hearted people," Xin He laughed.
"But...." Madam Song said somewhat helplessly, "this child seems to have been scared by the marriage arrangement with the Great Prince. She’s very resistant when I bring up this marriage proposal now, saying she doesn’t want to remarry in this lifetime. I’ve tried persuading her every which way but to no avail, so things have stalled for the time being."
Xin He’s eyebrows slightly lifted. Not wanting to marry in this lifetime? Is she really not willing to ever marry again, or is she just buying time, waiting for the Emperor’s Imperial edict?
Xin He’s eyes turned colder at the corners, her lips lightly lifted: "It appears the third miss is being a little narrow-minded. Giving up her happiness for the second half of her life over this inappropriate proposal is quite unwise."
"Who’s to argue otherwise." Madam Song sighed.
Xin He responded: "Why don’t I meet the third Miss? Perhaps she might be willing to listen to my advice."
Madam Song was taken aback: "The Princess herself is going to persuade her?"
Xin He laughed: "Seeing Madam Song so worried about her daughter, I can’t help but think of my own Ah Guai’s future. A parent’s heart indeed knows no bounds, I naturally want to help Madam Song."
Upon hearing these words, Madam Song smiled: "Thank you, Princess, but I’m worried she might not want to meet anyone."
Xin He casually stood up: "It’s okay, I’ll visit her."
Madam Song was taken aback. At this point, she was even more confused. Over the years, although Xin He’s relationship with her was quite good, Xin He always seemed indifferent to Song Yalin’s affairs. But why was she so concerned about her marriage this time? Madam Song found it puzzling.
Xin He glanced at Madam Song in a daze and smiled: "Madam Song?"
Only then did Madam Song come back to her senses. With no time to ponder further, she quickly said, "Alright, let me take the princess."
"Alright."
Madam Song ushered Xin He to come with her, and Xiao Chaohuo bowed respectfully.
Xin He looked at him, laughing: "How come you’re not with Xiaobei?"
Xiao Chaohuo said, "I was waiting for the princess."
Xin He guessed that Xiaobei probably wanted to meet his sweetheart and had deliberately left Xiao Chaohuo behind. With a smile and a shake of her head, she walked away with Madam Song.
Xiao Chaohuo dutifully followed behind, without making a sound. His presence was so low-key one might easily overlook him.
Madam Song looked at Xiao Chaohuo in surprise and asked, "I remember seeing this child a few times in the royal mansion."
This Xiao Chaohuo’s status in the Prince Pingyang’s Mansion is a mystery. He is not treated as a servant by anyone. It’s said that even the Princess had taken care of him along with her own brother since childhood. But you can’t call him master like you could do with Young Master Xiaobei.
Madam Song, who’d seen him only a few times, was naturally curious.
Xin He turned to look at Xiao Chaohuo, who was following quietly, and laughed: "His name is Li Nan, he grew up with Xiaobei. The two have always been very close. As Xiaobei’s engagement was being arranged, naturally he wanted to come over and see. He’s a very smart child."
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