The Valued Lady is Truly Dominant

Chapter 980: Chapter 980: Crushing My Son’s Prestige

Song Zhiyuan somehow managed to persuade the stubborn one, otherwise, with this imperial marriage decree, whether they wanted to marry or not, they would have to go through with it.

Since Emperor Chu has already extended a ladder, naturally he has to climb it. Governor of Jiangnan, indeed?

Song Zhiyuan rubbed his hands together, pondering deeply.

Marriages among the families of nobility are often political alliances. Just like the two imperial marriage decrees in their family, they were also the Emperor’s intentions. Now, this Governor Wen, alas.

Song Zhiyuan and Song Ci returned to the mansion together, with matters weighing on their mind. He first escorted the old lady back to Chunhui Hall and sat down to have tea.

Song Ci saw that he hadn’t even changed out of his official robes and was sitting in his own room drinking tea. She frowned and asked, ”Did Dan’er go to see the Emperor and displease him? You look troubled, you haven’t even changed out of your official robes.”

Song Zhiyuan personally served the tea and glanced at Nanny and the others, who sensibly retreated to the door with Nan Shan, standing guard outside.

”Dan’er has been raised well, the Emperor seems pleased, how could he be displeased? Do you think the gifts the Emperor bestowed on that boy are just ornaments?” Song Zhiyuan said with a smile.

When leaving the palace, to show favor, Emperor Chu sent many precious greeting gifts to Dan’er. Upon hearing the news, the concubines in the harem also sent some gifts to follow suit. They had no choice; whether to please the Emperor or Prime Minister Song, it was a win-win.

Speaking of gifts, Song Ci’s eyes twinkled, and she smiled, ”With just one trip to the palace, our Dan’er is considered to have acquired some minor assets.”

Song Zhiyuan chuckled, lowered his head and took a sip of tea, then said, ”The Emperor mentioned the eldest daughter of Governor of Jiangnan, thinking she would be a good match for our Su’er. That’s what I’ve been calculating.”

Intrigued, Song Ci set her tea down on the small table and asked, ”Why, does the Emperor want to decree another marriage?”

”It seems like that’s the intention, but I declined.” Song Zhiyuan recounted to his mother what he had said to the Emperor, ”When water overflows, it spills. Another imperial marriage decree, though our Song Family might shine, I’m afraid that too much red would turn black, and that’s something I don’t wish to see.”

Song Ci nodded, ”That’s true, being overly prominent can indeed be conspicuous. For now, the Emperor seems fine, but as you all are still young, it’s hard to say what the future might hold.”

She lowered her voice very much, ”Historically, emperors are often suspicious, becoming more so with age, that is the truth.”

Song Zhiyuan nodded solemnly, ”That’s why I refused the imperial marriage. The position of Governor of Jiangnan is not used by anyone other than trusted confidants. The Emperor’s mention of the Wen Family naturally intends to bind the Wen Family to our faction, and this Miss Wen is not unmatchable.”

”Since that’s the case, why are you worried?” Song Ci was somewhat puzzled. Since the Emperor had already hinted, what was he worried about?

Song Zhiyuan laughed at himself, ”The Wen Family is a distinguished family, and the wife of the Governor of Jiangnan is from the prestigious Langya Wang Clan. This Miss Wen, being of noble birth, our Song family’s status might not quite match, and Su’er has not yet achieved scholarly titles.”

Song Ci did not like what she heard and snorted, ”The Wen Family is prestigious, is our Song Family inferior? After all, our family is also the Prime Minister’s Mansion, your official rank is higher than that of the Wen’s. And speaking of scholarly titles, our Su’er is already a Scholar. When he takes the examinations in the future, there’s no reason he can’t advance further. Su’er is an upright and noble young gentleman, who maintains his dignity at such a young age, unlike those who recklessly bring people into the house. What’s lacking compared to others? It’s just you, his father, diminishing your own son’s prestige, humph!”