Chapter 429 — Matchmaking
Purple Streets of Chang'an · Page 1 of 4
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.