Chapter 424 — A Strategic Proposal
Purple Streets of Chang'an · Page 1 of 4
Song Yan had barely settled into his study when Gao Sheng arrived, laden with tonics. "My master is overjoyed," he said. "He asks that you look after the young lady with the utmost care. Once her month of confinement is over, he will send someone to fetch the young master home for a few days' stay."
By custom, the third-day washing and the month-end celebration were affairs managed by the women of the household; even Dou Huaiying, though the child's own father, would be expected to keep his distance.
The old master was beside himself with delight. He had always held Dou Yan in high regard, and must be even happier now than anyone.
Song Yan thought for a moment, then said, "Tell my father-in-law this: whenever he has a free day, he should come round for a visit, and I will carry the little one out so he can have a look at him."
Gao Sheng was overjoyed to hear this. He kowtowed to Song Yan several times before taking his leave.
Song Yan picked up his brush to draft the glad tidings, but just then Gu Yu, who had caught wind of the news, hurried over.
His delight was written plain across his face. "I hear it's a boy, six catties seven taels—is it true?"
Song Yan nodded vigorously. He had quite lost the mood for writing announcements and simply sat there talking about the child: "...He opened his eyes in less than two hours... The midwife says other women's babies cannot open their eyes for a full seven days... His brows favor mine, his lips favor your sister-in-law's—he is simply beautiful beyond words... I was just worrying myself sick over a name for him, and here you are, just in time. Help me see which one suits him best."
The two men sprawled across the kang table by the window, poring over the list of names Song Yan had written out earlier, picking and choosing among them.
When Song Cen, who was practicing his calligraphy, heard that Dou Yan had a son, his face darkened at once, and he flung down his brush in a fit of irritation.
The young servant who had brought the news stood trembling, not daring to move.
Song Cen looked at him, his expression turning blacker still, and waved him off with a frown.
The servant, as though granted a great pardon, fled at a run.
Tao Jun sat alone in his quarters for a long while, then decided he had better go and see Song Cen.
Song Cen had said nothing to him about the trouble Song Yan and Song Han had stirred up, but he had more or less guessed at it.
He had entered the Yingzhen Ducal House shortly after Song Han's birth. The old Duke had not long been dead, and many of the house's old retainers had been sent back to their villages to live out their days in comfort; Lady Jiang had then taken charge of the household affairs. At the time he had thought it no more than the ordinary passing of the old order, and had paid it little mind. Now it seemed to him that Song Cen was bolder than he had imagined—and yet also more incompetent, more impetuous, and more witless.
If he kept drifting along in Song Cen's company, he feared he would come to a bad end at Song Yan's hands.
The thought of withdrawing began to take root in him.
But just now Song Yan had gained a firstborn son, and his position was more secure than ever; Song Cen must surely be feeling wretched. This was hardly the moment to speak of leaving. More than that, he ought to soothe Song Cen and lift his spirits, so that when he himself took his leave, he might go in peace and honor the bond between patron and retainer.
With these thoughts settled, he hesitated no longer. He changed his clothes and set off for the Xixiang Courtyard.
Sure enough, Song Cen was there in the thick of a temper.
On inquiry, it turned out the maid had brewed his tea too hot.
Tao Jun sighed and asked a servant to announce him.
Presently a maid came out and drew back the curtain for him.
Tao Jun entered the study with a grave countenance.
Song Cen said at once, "You must have heard by now? Song Yan has a son."