Chapter 393 — The Idea Takes Root
Purple Streets of Chang'an · Page 1 of 4
Dou Xin said, "The old madam came from a military family, so her health ought to have been excellent. How is it that after giving birth to the Second Master, her health deteriorated so badly?"
Song Zhi's expression darkened. He said in a low voice, "My mother was closest to my second uncle. Cousin Hanzhu was my second uncle's posthumous daughter. When my mother was carrying Tian'en, Cousin Hanzhu suddenly came down with the measles and ran a stubborn high fever. My mother was frantic with worry — she made a special trip into the palace to beg medicine from Empress Dowager Yi, and then spent several days and nights with my second aunt, not even bothering to undress, tending to Cousin Hanzhu. After that, she disturbed the fetus.
"Then my grandfather passed away. Though the palace sent eunuchs and female officials to help manage the funeral, my mother could not simply wash her hands of it, and she disturbed the fetus again.
"When the time came to deliver Tian'en, she hemorrhaged badly and nearly lost her life. Tian'en was born extremely frail because of it — for three days after birth he could not suckle or take milk. My grandmother had all her attention fixed on my mother at the time and had none to spare for Tian'en, so she handed him over to my father. What did my father know about caring for a child? He had no choice but to ask my eldest aunt to come and look after Tian'en for two or three months.
"My mother, feeling she owed Tian'en so much, indulged him excessively — all she asked was that he grow up healthy and live in peace and security, nothing more." He smiled bitterly. "Overcorrecting, as it were — and Tian'en turned out like this!"
In the hundred-odd years since the founding of the dynasty, most of the sons of meritorious families were like Hanlin Song.
If not for her memories of a past life, Dou Yan thought that having a brother-in-law like Song Han would not be so bad. But she was convinced that Song Ke would kill his father and brother for no reason — which meant Song Cen and Song Han certainly had their problems.
But she had no evidence whatsoever.
So Dou Yan comforted Song Yan with insincere words: "Even the ten fingers differ in length. You cannot expect the Second Master to be the same as you, can you? His constitution was never as good as yours from the start. That he has grown up safe and sound to this age is already a blessing from Heaven. You must not be insatiable and provoke Heaven's displeasure."
Song Yan put his arm around her shoulders and smiled, kissing her cheek.
Dou Yan changed the subject. "Tell me — what do you think about handing the Hanlin Academy matter to Boyan?"
"Boyan?" Song Yan was quite surprised. He hesitated. "Is that wise?"
"I think he is rather suitable," Dou Yan said. "First, he has traveled to many places over the years. He is steady and prudent without losing his integrity and chivalry, and he is quick-witted and adaptable. If he, as a newly minted jinshi, were to deal with Zhao Jiepei and Chen Songming, he would not draw much attention, and it would keep Zhao and Chen from becoming too wary." She smoothed Song Yan's collar as she spoke and smiled. "Second, I have a selfish motive — if things really are as we suspect, then given his status and his eloquence, he would more easily move Fifth Uncle to make the right choice. That way we can avoid dragging the Dou family down with us."
Dou Yan said that Boyan was, after all, one of their own.
Song Yan naturally preferred to use his own people.
He pondered and said, "Then I will find an opportunity to talk to Boyan and sound him out first."
There were only three years left until the Prince of Liao's coup. Time was growing more pressing by the day.
Dou Yan urged Song Yan: "Then speak to him sooner."
Song Yan was struck by a thought. He said, "I wonder what the Prince of Liao is actually planning? Waiting like this with no end in sight — it truly tries one's patience."