Chapter 429 — Matchmaking

While Song Yan and Wang Ge were conversing in the small study, Princess Ninghuai, Old Madam Lu, and Dou Yan were talking in the warm chamber behind the flower hall.

"In those days, the old Duke of Zhenguo meant for your father-in-law to take charge of the household, with your mother-in-law at his side to assist him. But after the matter of the Earl of Guang'en, your mother-in-law pleaded with the old Duke on your father-in-law's behalf, and your father-in-law took it into his head that she and the Duke of Dingguo were playing out a farce between them, one posing as the kindly face and the other the stern, making a monkey of him. No matter how others tried to persuade him, your father-in-law would not bend. It was only then that the old Duke of Zhenguo gave up entirely and handed the family fortunes to your mother-in-law." Old Madam Lu sighed. "So you see, your father-in-law's muddleheadedness is no matter of a day or two—everyone in the household knows it. Now that you have a son, you must plan everything for your son's sake. As for the affairs of your elders, just close one eye and let them be—whatever you do, do not take them to heart."

Pity a man, and you will find something in him to hate.

Ever since Dou Yan had come to know Old Madam Lu, she had seen that everything the old lady did was for the good of Song Yan and herself. Though she had no intention of letting Song Cen off, she did not wish to worry Old Madam Lu either, and so she answered vaguely, "Rest assured. We of the younger generation—even if our elders are in the wrong, we can only bear it and give way, and will not hold a grudge against the old gentleman."

Old Madam Lu nodded with a smile and sighed. "That is true enough, but we cannot have you practicing a blind, foolish filial piety either." Then she exchanged a glance with Princess Ninghuai. "As it happens, there is a matter I would like to discuss with you!"

Something told her this was no small matter.

And moreover, it concerned Song Cen.

Dou Yan's heart tightened, though her face betrayed nothing. She smiled and said, "Please, instruct me as you will, Old Madam."

Old Madam Lu said, "I see that Song Han is no longer young and has reached the age for discussing a match. The Princess and I were thinking: the palace is full of consorts and concubines, and which family does not have a niece or two, a sister's daughter or two, of marriageable age? Why not ask the Empress Dowager to act as matchmaker and choose a capable wife for Song Han? Once he is married and set up in a separate household, he will have someone to manage his domestic affairs. What do you say?"

Dou Yan was rather taken aback, feeling that Old Madam Lu was reaching a little too far this time.

Song Cen might not agree to let Song Han set up a separate household after his marriage.

She thought for a moment, then weighed her words carefully. "We, as his elder brother and sister-in-law, wish only for his good—for if he does well, he can lend a hand to his nephews in the future. Only, first, a matter of an imperial marriage grant is hardly ours to decide; and second, to have the Second Master set up a separate household once married—well, the old couple's eyes are ever on their youngest son and their eldest grandson. I fear the Duke of Zhenguo may not agree, and may even think it is our Young Marquis who cannot abide the Second Master and has set the uncles of the bride's family to speak such words on his behalf."

Princess Ninghuai smiled. "That is nothing for you to worry about.

If you think it a good idea, I shall go and ask the Empress Dowager for the marriage grant. Since he is to take a wife of noble birth from the palace, it would hardly do for him to go on forever watching his brother and sister-in-law's expressions to know how to live. There will naturally be noble ladies in the palace to take it up with the Duke of Zhenguo."

If it could be so, nothing could be better.

The past life was the past life; this life was this life.

Song Yan now hated Song Han to the marrow. She knew Song Ke would let Song Han off, but if, as in the past life, he insisted on killing him to vent his hatred, Song's name would be ruined as well. Letting them be apart would also spare Song Han from hovering before Song Ke's eyes every day, as though constantly reminding him that he must forget the vengeance for his mother's murder. Song Ke's own mood would be the better for it.

As for Song Han having a powerful maternal family to back him, Dou Yan did not take it to heart, thinking her own family was no worse.

She rose and made a respectful curtsy to Old Madam Lu and Princess Ninghuai, saying, "Were it not for you two ladies, we could only have swallowed our grievances in silence."

Old Madam Lu and Princess Ninghuai both smiled with gratification.

Princess Ninghuai simply spoke frankly to Dou Yan. "Your several cousins have been kept under a tight rein by us since they were small. They are men who will live out their days in peace, but they are not the stuff to revive a family's fortunes. In the days to come, Yantang will have to look after them more than a little—we cannot let the Duke of Zhenguo go on making such a muddle and ruin the family estate! But you, after all, are his children, and even if you wished to stop him, you could not. So let us be the villains."

Even so, Dou Yan was deeply grateful. "You two ladies are all warm-heartedness. Our Young Marquis will surely keep this firmly in mind."

Old Madam Lu and Princess Ninghuai nodded in satisfaction and went to the flower hall to take their seats.

Though Dou Yan was pleased with this arrangement, she feared Song Yan might have other plans, and thought to speak with him about it once the banquet broke up. Just then a young servant hurried in and, bowing to Dou Yan, said breathlessly, "His Highness Prince Zhaohua and the Crown Princess have sent eunuchs with gifts for the young master's full-month celebration. The Young Marquis bids you go to the front courtyard to give thanks."

The eunuch from Prince Zhaohua could be received by Song Yan, but for those sent by the Crown Princess, Dou Yan must needs appear in person.

Dou Yan changed into a crimson overcoat.

The eunuch attending the Crown Princess had already been brought into the inner courtyard, accompanied by Gu Yu.

The Lady of the Marquis of Changxing and the others all withdrew and did not come out from the flower hall.

Dou Yan curtsied toward the imperial palace to the west and gave thanks, and the eunuch had the gold and silver locks, the eight-treasure necklaces, and the clothes, shoes, and socks bestowed by the Crown Princess carried on trays and passed to Dou Zhiwei, who in turn passed them to the maidservants behind Dou Yan.

For a time, the little maidservants of the main courtyard of Yi Zhi Hall came out in full force.

Those who had come to drink to Yuanheng's full month could not but stare in astonishment.

The Lady of the Marquis of Changxing even said, "Yuanheng truly has been born under a lucky star as far as the Crown Prince's household is concerned. When he grows up, he is sure to be a fortunate man."

Dou Yan thanked the Lady of the Marquis of Changxing, pressed a large red envelope into the eunuch's hand, and ordered a separate table of fine wine and dishes laid out to entertain the visitors.

But the eunuch waved his hands again and again, saying, "This slave came out on business with Eunuch Cui. I had best stay with Eunuch Cui."

Cui Yijun was the foremost favorite at Prince Zhaohua's side. Since the eunuch had brought him up, Dou Yan could hardly press the matter, and had two more choice red envelopes pressed upon the eunuch.

The eunuch's eyes crinkled into slits with laughter, and he thanked Dou Yan without ceasing.

Cui Yijun did not linger. After handing over Prince Zhaohua's gifts to Song Yan and exchanging a few polite words with him, he rose to take his leave.