Chapter 433 — Thanksgiving
Purple Streets of Chang'an · Page 4 of 4
"Cousins through aunt and uncle are flesh and blood," said Song Yan. "I have no brothers of my own, and my several cousins are as true brothers to me. Whatever there is, Princess, simply have them summon me."
Princess Ninghuai was well pleased with this speech, and asked about Jiang Yan: "Do you mean to keep her in the household, or do you wish to find her another husband?"
Thinking of how successfully the Princess had arranged a match for Song Han, Song Yan spoke plainly: "She is still young. If a suitable family could be found for her to marry into, nothing could be better."
Princess Ninghuai nodded with a smile, took the matter to heart, and pressed Song Yan to stay for the evening meal.
Song Yan, however, had his wife and child on his mind, and pleaded that he had eaten before coming; only then did he extricate himself and return to the Hening Temple Lane.
He first went to pay his respects to Dou Huaiying.
But Dou Huaiying was in the eastern wing.
So he went to the eastern wing and told Dou Huaiying what he had learned at the Directorate of Ceremonial: "His Majesty wishes to give the Imperial Eldest Grandson his first formal lessons. He Wendao recommended Du Jialun, but His Majesty thought Du Jialun rigid in temperament, and had his eye on Chen Rong of the Court of Receptions. Chen Rong's father was once of the same graduating class as Dai Jian, and while in the Hanlin Academy a rift arose between them over a matter of the imperial lectures; Chen Rong's father even resigned his post and returned home on that account. So Dai Jian recommended you..."
And Dou Bingheng, thinking this a fine opportunity, had simply gone along with the current, feigning ignorance and intending to push Dou Huaiying forward.
Hearing this, Dou Huaiying flew into a rage: "Is this not roasting me over the fire? If it succeeds, I make an enemy of Chen Rong; if it fails, I earn a name for toadying to power—would that not make me the laughingstock of my colleagues?"
From Dou Huaiying's standpoint, Song Yan certainly thought Dou Bingheng's conduct underhanded; but from the standpoint of the Dou clan, he felt Dou Bingheng's course was not without justification.
He counseled Dou Huaiying: "Fifth Uncle meant it for your good. Since you are unwilling, simply decline."
Dou Huaiying nodded and said, "I am going to the Locust Tree Lane."
Fearing that Dou Huaiying and Dou Bingheng would fall to quarreling, Song Yan said, "Shall I go with you?"
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Today's update is here!
o(n_n)o~