The Valued Lady is Truly Dominant

Song Zhiyu and Niu Pan’er left the study, and only then did Song Zhiyuan look at Song Lingjie and say, ”Do you have something to say?”

Song Lingjie said, ”Uncle, according to what you said, if the Emperor wants to keep the hostage, then wouldn’t Shendi never be able to leave the capital city?”

”There’s no such thing as a hostage being a hostage for a lifetime. If you want to return to your fief, you must plan and find a way; the right timing, geographical advantage, and harmony among people are all essential.” Song Zhiyuan instructed meticulously, ”This is true for everything; you must plan before you decide, in order to achieve twice the result with half the effort. If you can see ten steps ahead for every step you take, that would be even better.”

Song Lingjie blinked and said, ”But I’ve also heard from Grandmother that plans can’t keep up with changes.”

Song Zhiyuan was momentarily speechless but calmly said, ”That’s also true, and it depends on your experience in handling matters. Stay calm during events, remain unflustered in the face of challenges, avoid rashness, and practice patience. You must remember these words. When people get anxious, they tend to make mistakes, revealing flaws hastily; the calmer and steadier you are, the less likely you are to make wrong judgments.”

Song Lingjie respectfully clasped his hands, ”I’ve learned something, Uncle.”

Song Zhiyuan lowered his voice, ”Your fourth aunt’s matter doesn’t really concern you. Having you here today was just for you to listen and learn about the issues you might encounter when advising a monarch in the future.”

Song Lingjie’s eyes flickered.

”You must remember, emperors are suspicious by nature; no matter how close a ruler and a minister may be, the ruler is still the ruler, and the minister is still the minister. Even the most enlightened monarch, after sitting in the throne for a long time, will become suspicious.” Song Zhiyuan’s voice was somewhat distant, with a touch of etherealness, ”And for a minister, the interests of the family always come first.”

Song Lingjie was surprised, ”Even you, Uncle?”

”Even me!” Song Zhiyuan showed a helpless smile, ”I knew the Emperor since our humble beginnings; there is no one closer than us. It is well known that the Emperor’s most trusted person is Song Yunzhi.”

”But even so, sometimes we inevitably strategize and test each other. I exhaust every possibility, striving with all my strength, contending with the world to ensure the development and succession of our family. Jie’er, you must do the same. In the future, if you serve a wise monarch, always remember that there must be boundaries between ruler and minister, and always maintain a respectful distance.”

Song Lingjie showed a solemn expression, deeply moved, as he nodded heavily, ”I will remember, Uncle.”

Song Zhiyuan looked at him sternly and said, ”I am the pioneer laying the foundation. What the Song Family will achieve in the future, whether we will flourish, depends on you brothers, and even the next generation.”

Song Lingjie blushed, ”We’re just young boys; we’ll need Uncle’s guidance often.”

”You’ll be fifteen soon enough. When your elder brother’s marriage is settled, we should arrange a marriage for you as well.”

Song Lingjie’s handsome face turned somewhat red, and he muttered, ”I’m not in a hurry; I’m still young.”

Song Zhiyuan made no comment and gave him some pointers on his studies before letting him leave.

Walking out of the small study, Song Lingjie looked up at the sky, his heart surging. His uncle’s careful guidance also had a sense of entrusting responsibility. He couldn’t let down his uncle’s expectations, after all, having such a dedicated uncle was his fortune.

”Young Master, where to now? Should we bring out the martial arts uniform and modify it? It seems you’re growing taller,” Tian Yong asked.

Song Lingjie’s face turned slightly green, his good mood gone, as he said gloomily, ”There’s no need for you to be so concerned.”

At that moment, he greatly missed his brother, who could take a beating like a champ. If his brother were here, he would surely be eager to spar with Fourth Aunt, right?

In the northwest, where snow was being shoveled, Song Lingzhao sneezed twice, rubbed his frostbite-reddened earlobes, pressed his chest, and mumbled, ”Is Ajie thinking of me again?”