Chapter 467 — Marrying Off a Sister
Purple Streets of Chang'an · Page 2 of 4
"That's right!" His tail was practically wagging in the air. "Those fools at the Ministry of Works had the good ocean-going ship plans sitting there feeding bookworms. Now they come to me for instruction. I didn't hold back—I made them trade the old treasure-voyage ship plans for it." At this he grew excited and leaned toward Song Yan. "Brother Tianci, why don't we build a few great ships and go to sea? Those merchants in Jiangzhe are robbers—a cargo worth ten thousand taels, and they'll turn it into a hundred thousand. It's like turning stone into gold!"
Song Yan was glad to see his attention diverted. He smiled and rapped him on the forehead. "Don't covet the food in the pot while you've still got some in your bowl. Build your ships well, and you needn't fear no one will pay good money for them. Doing the work in front of you well is what matters. There's silver enough in the world—how could it all end up in our laps? Eat alone, and mind you don't choke!"
Gu Yu looked sheepish. Just then the wet nurse brought Yuan Heng over. Delighted, he began playing with the boy and put the whole matter out of his mind.
Song Yan and Dou Yan both breathed a quiet sigh of relief.
That evening, after Gu Yu had gone, Dou Yan took Song Yan aside. "Best settle A Yan's marriage early. The Prince of Liao only sought her as a consort, so that's easy to refuse. But if someone petitions to take A Yan as their lawful wife, we can hardly defy an imperial decree from the palace, can we?"
Song Yan was still uneasy at heart, but thinking of how Chen Jia had run himself ragged in the aftermath of Jiang Yan's abduction, he gave a muffled "Mm."
Dou Yan laughed despite himself and urged him, "Don't be like that! Chen Jia will be family from now on. Be a little warmer when you meet him—it'll give Sister Yan some face too!"
At that Song Yan leapt up like a cat whose fur had been rubbed the wrong way. "His ancestors must be smoking in their graves for him to marry my sister! What more could he want!"
Like a child whose treasure had been snatched away.
"All right, all right, all right!" Dou Yan was both exasperated and amused, humoring him as one would a child. "We'll tell him not to darken our door without cause—after all, you're his elder brother-in-law!"
Song Yan snorted a few times, but his expression did soften.
On the day the Chen family came to deliver the betrothal gifts, he was cool toward Chen Jia, but at least he did not show him a sour face.
Chen Jia did not mind; after all, it was the Song family who had him come propose. As for Chen Jia's colleagues, their eyes nearly popped out of their heads. Once Song Yan had left, someone cried, "Pinch me, quick—I just saw Lord Song smile! Am I dreaming? I've been to the Golden Guard on official business no fewer than ten times, and I've never once seen Lord Song smile!" Another said enviously, "Zanzhi, you've really done it now! You've become the brother-in-law of the Duke of Yingguo's heir!"
Everyone burst out laughing.
Song Cen, however, was fit to be tied.
He summoned Song Yan and demanded, "Why did you settle Jiang Yan's marriage without a word to me?"
Song Yan said, "Didn't you say Jiang Yan had nothing to do with you? I figured that since she bears the Jiang name, the consent of the Jiang elders was enough, so I didn't tell you. You're not angry, are you? If you are, then just acknowledge Jiang Yan, and I'll break off this match and find her a distinguished family instead!" Seeing Song Cen's eyes widen in shock and dread, he could not resist needling him. "What a pity! I don't know what the Prince of Liao got wind of, but a few days ago he sent an advisor over saying he wished to take Jiang Yan as his consort. Fearing it would rouse the Emperor's and Empress's suspicion, I had to swallow my pride and decline the match! Just think—had you acknowledged Jiang Yan back then, you'd have a prince for a son-in-law now. How much would that be worth!"
With that, he strode off.