Chapter 304 — In a Sorry State

The two of them lingered a while before getting up, washed and dressed, and went to the upper courtyard of the Ying Duke of Jingguo's residence.

Of the nine gates of the capital, only Xizhi Gate, which carried water, opened at the hour of the Ox; the other eight all closed at the hour of the Rooster and opened only at the hour of the Hare.

Judging by Song Cen's travel-worn appearance, he had clearly entered the city straight through Xizhi Gate.

Dou Yan and Song Yan stepped forward to pay their respects.

But before they could straighten up, Song Cen's teacup came flying at them.

Song Yan stepped forward and pulled Dou Yan behind him.

Song Cen was so furious his lips trembled. "Mutiny! Mutiny! You, a son, dare to strike back!"

Song Chu said not a word, gazing coldly at Song Cen.

Song Cen felt a chill in his heart under Song Yan's gaze, which was cold as thousand-year ice, utterly devoid of human warmth. Seeing Dou Yan hiding behind Song Zhi without a word, he could not help but glare fiercely at Dou Chu and say angrily: "Is there such a daughter-in-law anywhere under heaven? I, out of consideration that you had no one to discipline you, had the elders of the clan teach you how to manage the household. And you—you actually drove the family's elders away in a rage..."

He would not allow anyone to sully Dou Zhiwei's good name.

"Father, that is not so!" As soon as Song Cen finished speaking, Song Ke retorted without the least show of weakness. "There was a fire in the house, and Aunt was frightened, so she handed the household tallies to Madam. And Madam managed the Western Residence's household back in Zhending. Though Aunt has returned home to rest and recover, Madam has kept the household affairs in perfect order—the Young Madam of the Marquis of Yan'an, the Third Madam of the Jing Duke of Jingguo's residence, and others have all seen it with their own eyes. If Father does not believe it, he may go and ask. To scold Madam so, without distinguishing right from wrong—what would the Dou family think if they heard of it? I beg Father to think thrice before speaking hereafter!" As he spoke, he cast a blade-sharp glare at Tao Jun, who stood silently in the corner. "Do not listen to slanderous talk and ruin the good name of the Ying Duke of Jingguo's residence, and the affection between kin!"

Tao Jun could not help but seethe inwardly.

What business is this of mine?

But who would care what he thought!

Song Cen was choked into silence, and only after a while said: "Even so, you should not have offered such a lavish reward! Do you know how much silver that costs? You have studied so much household management—where has it all gone?"

In truth, he wanted to settle accounts with his son over the Bai family's broken engagement, but seeing his son, he could hardly show weakness and admit that his son had not only wrecked his marriage prospect but also opened a faint rift between him and the Marquis of Anlu. So he had to make an issue of these trivial matters instead.

"Father is reluctant to spend the silver, is that it?" Song Yan understood well enough in his heart, and simply seized on the opening in his father's words to lead him astray, twisting Song Cen's intent and playing Tai Chi with him. "There was a fire at home, and repairing the buildings cost no small amount of silver. I also considered that the New Year is near, and feared the household silver might be tight for the moment, so I used silver from Yizhi Hall for the reward. Father need not worry—if there is no silver to repay it, then so be it. Business in Guangdong has gone smoothly these past few years, and the dowry income my mother left me is considerable. Yizhi Hall is not short of this bit of silver!"

Song Cen's face could not have looked uglier.

At last he could hold back no longer. "While I was inspecting Datong, I met the Marquis of Changxing. The Marquis has agreed to stand as guarantor for a marriage alliance with Wang Hong, the Datong deputy general. Make your preparations—in a few days the two families will exchange betrothal gifts."

"Congratulations, Father!" Song Dan said. "I actually think our family ought to ally with the Marquis of Changxing's household! After all, the Marquis of Changxing is a favorite of the Emperor, while I am merely a lowly commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard's Front Guard—he likely does not take me seriously at all! And I think Father's marriage ought to be properly deliberated as well, lest today it be this one and tomorrow that one, and after all our preparations we end up with nothing but a vain joy for Father. I say, wait until the two families' marriage is settled before having us make preparations—there is no rush! As for the Marquis of Changxing, I ought to thank him properly on Father's behalf!"

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Brothers and sisters who read my books, the power went out at home. They said it would be back in half an hour, but it kept not coming, and I was afraid that if I left the neighborhood the power would come back on, so I had no choice but to keep waiting. I could not update, and I was frantic with worry...~~~~(_