The Valued Lady is Truly Dominant

In fact, given the current status and reputation of the Prime Minister’s Mansion, inviting someone to arrange a marriage for the legitimate eldest grandson is simply too easy, second only to the Emperor and the Empress Dowager.

But if Song Zhiyuan wanted the Emperor to arrange the marriage, he wouldn’t have asked Song Ci and the others to negotiate it, so it’s clear he wasn’t considering that option.

The original Song Ci’s social interactions were also simple, with only a handful of close acquaintances. The current Song Ci maintains the original old lady’s low profile and hasn’t expanded her social circle. Her close contacts remain just a few people, with the Empress Dowager Wang first, followed by the old Wei family, Princess Anping, and others.

The intended marriage match for Song Lingsu is the noble lady of the Duke Mansion, so Song Ci thought of approaching Anping. A princess matchmaking is both dignified and full of sincerity.

”This old servant finds it excellent, just don’t forget that in the first month, Commandery Princess Shou Ning is also getting married, so it’s uncertain if Princess Anping has the time to manage this matter,” Nanny said with a smile.

Being a matchmaker isn’t easy, as one must go back and forth between the two families to pass messages. The girl’s family won’t usually agree immediately upon the matchmaker’s visit. To appear reserved, they will certainly play hard to get a few times, causing the matchmaker to run back and forth several times until the girl’s family agrees.

Once the girl’s family agrees, the matchmaker must then arrange for both families to officially engage and exchange marriage details, which is not a simple task.

Princess Anping herself needs to marry off her daughter and will certainly be busy with many trivial matters, so it’s uncertain if she has the time.

”I will personally visit to ask. If she cannot spare the time, then I will boldly ask the Empress Dowager to arrange the marriage.” The Empress Dowager arranging the marriage is not less prestigious than the Emperor’s arrangement, and it might not matter much.

Nanny thought that if Song Ci personally visited, no matter how busy Princess Anping was, she would surely spare some time to help matchmake, considering that the Princess Mansion also has children whose futures need attention, and forming a good relationship with the Prime Minister’s Mansion couldn’t hurt.

Despite her high status, a princess is still a person, with a husband. A favored princess is one thing, but a princess without favor is less than a noble lady from a regular aristocratic family.

Therefore, for the sake of her own family and children, or even the entire family, a princess will try to expand her network as much as possible. Who can guarantee lifelong favor and prestige?

Song Ci made her decision, and a few days later, Song Ruqi sent an invitation for Madam Guan and her daughter to visit, along with two old friends from the inner chambers as companions, staying in the Prime Minister’s Mansion for half a day. Both sides were pleasant, and they waited for the matchmaker to come.

After Madam Guan and her daughter left, winter solstice and the small new year passed, various government offices were sealed, and Song Ci went out and presented an invitation to the Anping Princess Mansion.

When Madam Song heard her mother-in-law’s destination, she knew her mother-in-law intended to ask Princess Anping for help in matchmaking. Although she felt a bit regretful, considering the princess’s status, the sense of loss wasn’t too great. She couldn’t help but mention it when Song Zhiyuan was leisurely in the main courtyard.

Song Zhiyuan wasn’t surprised and said, ”Princess Anping’s status is noble, her help in matchmaking would indeed be excellent.”

Madam Song carefully said, ”Noble as it may be, is it nobler than the Empress Dowager and the Emperor?”

Song Zhiyuan looked over and said, ”The Empress Dowager is unwell and not suitable. As for the Emperor, he is not aware, and I haven’t mentioned it. Su’er’s intended match is a noble lady of the Duke Mansion, which is prestigious enough, so there’s no need to trouble the Emperor for an arrangement. Madam, great prosperity begets decline.”