Chapter 433 — Thanksgiving
Purple Streets of Chang'an · Page 2 of 4
Dou Huaiying gave a sound of acknowledgment. Returning to the east wing, he told Song Yan of Dou Bingheng's purpose in coming.
Song Yan broke into a cold sweat.
If Dou Huaiying agreed to tutor the Imperial Grandson, he would be branded as the Crown Prince's man. Should the Prince of Liao succeed in his ambitions, would not Dou Huaiying be ruined?
He hastened to say, "Thank goodness, Father-in-law, you are open and aboveboard, unswayed by power and position, and did not agree to Fifth Uncle at once. Fifth Uncle is so urgent in this—I suspect it has much to do with the several ministers of the Grand Secretariat. Let me make a round of the palace tomorrow, and it will not be too late for you to decide then."
Dou Huaiying felt greatly comforted to hear this and nodded again and again. Seeing the hour was late, he repeatedly charged them to look after Yuanheng, and then went to his room to rest.
Dou Yan pressed her lips together and smiled, teasing Song Yan: "Your father-in-law, open and aboveboard, unswayed by power and position?"
Song Yan said with a solemn face, "I meant every word! Were it anyone else, knowing he might become the Emperor's tutor, he would likely agree on the spot. Only a man as indifferent to fame and gain as Father-in-law would hesitate." He added, "I am not mistaken in my judgment of people."
Dou Yan could only sigh.
It seemed that even between people there was such a thing as fate.
In her former life, Wei Fan had thought her father weak and incompetent; in this life, with Song Yan, she found her father's conduct to be indifference to fame and gain.
She could not help setting down her needlework and said gently, "You must go into the palace again tomorrow—best rest early. This place is not so close to Chang'an Street as home; you will likely have to rise at the hour of the tiger."
Song Yan winked at her and said in a low voice, "Will you not keep me company?"
Dou Yan gave him a light pinch at the waist. "I will deal with you when we are home."
Song Yan laughed heartily and went back to the southern room, which had been made into a small study.
Dou Yan, meanwhile, rested with the child and the wet nurse in the northern room.
Early the next morning, while Dou Yan and the child were still asleep, Song Yan and Dou Huaiying had already left the Heming Temple Lane together.
Dou Huaiying went to the Hanlin Academy, and Song Yan to the duty room of the Jinwu Guard in the palace.
His colleagues came forward one after another to congratulate Song Han on his imperial marriage.
Song Yan smiled and returned each courtesy. Only Dong Qi, with a half-smile, glanced at Song Yan and remarked blandly, "Truly double happiness for the Song family," before withdrawing to his own duty room.
Families of any standing all had their own channels for gathering news, and it was no secret that the Empress Dowager Yi and Consort Miao were at odds. That Song Han was to marry Consort Miao's grandniece—no one who knew the inside story would consider it a good match.
In times past, Song Yan would have racked his brains to ruin this marriage, but now... he did not take it to heart at all.
Having changed into his court robes and made a round of the palace, Song Yan was still hesitating over whether to seek news directly from Wang Yuan, the eunuch of the Vermilion Brush, or to sit a while in the Court of Receptions, when he came face to face with the palanquin of the Crown Prince.
Song Yan stepped aside to avoid it.
But one of the Crown Prince's personal attendants hurried over and said respectfully, "Lord Song, His Highness Prince Zhaohua asks you to come and speak with him."
Song Yan went forward and paid his respects to the Crown Prince.
The Crown Prince smiled and said, "I have just come from the Hall of the Golden Throne. His Majesty is deliberating with several of the Grand Secretaries in the study. Come along with me and sit a while in the Eastern Palace."