Chapter 705 - 483: Sincerity or Pretense

Chapter 705: Chapter 483: Sincerity or Pretense

Next on the agenda were several marriages. Song Boqian and Song Bu Yue had once again gone south to study, so their weddings would have to wait. Song Buchang and Song Buming, however, were to get married now that they were establishing their careers.

Song Bu Yue of the third branch was the elder brother, so logically, he should have been the first to marry. However, he insisted on continuing his studies and even left word for his younger brother to marry first. Thus, even though Mrs. Cai was displeased, she couldn’t overrule her husband—not to mention Aunt Che was there fanning the flames.

Besides, now that Song Buming had been appointed a scholar, Mrs. Cai could no longer treat him with her former disdain. She had no choice but to grit her teeth and agree.

Song Buchang was betrothed to the youngest daughter of the Minister of the Ministry of Rites, while Song Buming was set to marry the daughter of an Assistant Lecturer. In the Capital City, neither of their future in-laws were considered powerful, high-ranking clans, but both families had excellent official reputations.

Song Buran had already married a Commandery Princess, so there was no need for his younger brothers to marry into families of excessively high standing.

Aunt Che wasn’t very satisfied with Song Buming’s betrothal, but Song Jinxuan came to persuade her. "So many people are watching right now, Mother. You absolutely must not do anything foolish. Brother has entered the Hanlin Academy, so he is destined for the path of a pure and noble scholar. This is the best possible match for him."

Aunt Che was, after all, only a concubine of humble birth who didn’t understand worldly affairs. Hearing her daughter’s words, she could only drop the matter. "That’s easy for you to say," she muttered. "Just wait. When the Eldest Young Master gets married, we’ll see what kind of match the Madam chooses for him."

Seeing how Aunt Che’s face had aged in recent years, Song Jinxuan felt a pang of heartache. She knew her mother hadn’t dared to relax for even a moment for her brother’s sake. Now that they had finally pulled through, life would get easier.

"The Eldest Young Master is the legitimate heir; Song Buming can’t compare. His future lies in being a good official and forging his own path. Instead of worrying about that, you should be thinking about how to get Father to give Brother more silver to establish his own household. That’s what’s truly important," Song Jinxuan said playfully.

’It’s better to give Mother something to do than to let her worry endlessly. That way, she won’t cause trouble with good intentions, only to have the Madam find fault with her. If that happened, it would be Brother who would be disgraced.’

Aunt Che did indeed perk up. "You don’t have to tell me that! Your brother won’t inherit a title, so the Master must compensate him for it."

"Then what are you worried about? Brother has a plan and knows which path he’s on. Once he’s married, you’ll have to be even more careful, Mother."

A bitter expression crossed Aunt Che’s face. As a mere concubine, she couldn’t put on the airs of a mother-in-law in front of the Second Young Master’s wife. The thought brought a pang of bitterness.

’What was the point of being a concubine? A lifetime of bowing and scraping, only to end up with nothing.’

Afraid of worrying her daughter, Aunt Che didn’t let any of her feelings show. Instead, she began discussing with her daughter what sort of welcome gift to prepare for the new bride and how she should present it.

’Song Jinxuan initially wanted to discourage Aunt Che. Her future sister-in-law came from a family of scholars and would be very particular about etiquette; she would likely hold a mere concubine in contempt. The most her mother could expect was a modicum of daily respect for being her husband’s birth mother.’

But seeing the hopeful look on Aunt Che’s face, her heart ached, and she began to help her plan anyway.

Since neither man was young anymore, their wedding dates were set before the year’s end. One after the other, they welcomed their new brides into the family.

Yun Zhao couldn’t attend the ceremonies, but she sent gifts to the new brides. The leading portion of the betrothal gifts was also from her, ensuring a sufficiently grand display.

After winter set in, the weather turned cold abruptly. The chill was more severe than the previous year’s, and the elderly Empress Dowager was the first to fall ill.

Song Yunzhao was now the Imperial Consort; she could no longer have Consort Shu take the lead and act as a buffer for her. Therefore, this time, she was the one who led the three other high-ranking concubines to visit the Empress Dowager.

The scent of medicine washed over them as they entered Shoukang Palace. Under the eaves of a covered walkway, a little palace maid was brewing a decoction. Upon seeing the procession, she hurriedly rose and curtsied.

The doors to the main hall opened, and An Shutong hurried out. "This concubine pays her respects to the Imperial Consort, Lady Shufei, Lady Wanfei, and Consort Zhuang."

"There is no need for such ceremony, An Pin. You may rise," Song Yunzhao said, stepping into the hall. "How is the Empress Dowager today? Are her spirits fair?"

An Shutong followed them into the hall and said softly, "The Empress Dowager just took her medicine and has fallen asleep. I’m afraid she won’t be able to receive you. The Imperial Physician came to take her pulse today and said that she has caught a severe chill. She must be treated slowly with medicine and will likely need a long time to recuperate."

After all, the Empress Dowager was elderly, so the Imperial Physician dared not prescribe potent medicine, opting instead for a course of gentle, careful treatment.

Knowing the Empress Dowager was not in any serious danger, Song Yunzhao felt a small sense of relief. Her relationship with the Empress Dowager had been quite poor over the years, but ever since she became the Imperial Consort, the older woman had been sensible enough not to cause her any more trouble.

If they could continue to coexist this peacefully, Yun Zhao naturally hoped the Empress Dowager would remain in good health.

Just then, Nanny Yao hurried into the hall. "This servant greets Your Ladyships. The Empress Dowager is awake and invites you to come in and speak with her."

Song Yunzhao was taken aback for a moment, then rose to her feet. "Please rise, Nanny Yao. I will go in to pay my respects to the Empress Dowager at once."

Consort Shu and the others followed. Princess Consort Wan, having a delicate constitution, could not tolerate the cold. After braving the wind and snow to get here, she still hadn’t recovered upon entering the warm hall, and her face was a little pale.

The smell of medicine in the bedchamber was even thicker, and mingled with the scent of sandalwood, it was quite unpleasant.

Yun Zhao let none of this show on her face. Seeing the Empress Dowager propped up in bed against a soft pillow, she led the three other concubines forward to offer their respects. "Your servants pay their respects to the Empress Dowager. Is Your Majesty feeling any better today?"

The Empress Dowager waved a hand for them to rise. "It’s good of you to come, but the weather is terribly cold. You needn’t come again." Looking at Princess Consort Wan’s face, she added, "Just look at Princess Consort Wan. Her complexion is even worse than this old woman’s."

’Has the Empress Dowager had a change of heart?’ Song Yunzhao wondered. ’She’s actually cracking jokes, putting on an act of being one big, happy family with us.’

She had no intention of spoiling the act. Sitting on a nearby chair, she spoke in a soft, gentle voice, "The Emperor had intended to visit you himself today, Your Majesty. However, there have been constant dispatches from the border city, and I saw his grave expression and dared not inquire further. His Majesty instructed me to attend to you well. Please focus on your recovery. He will come to see you as soon as he is free."

Hearing the Imperial Consort’s words, the Empress Dowager held a handkerchief to her lips and gave a light cough. She sighed before speaking. "Matters of state are paramount. This Dowager is merely suffering from a minor ailment; there is no need to make such a fuss. You also have the Second Prince to look after, so there’s no need to tire yourself traveling back and forth. This Dowager has An Pin here. You can all rest easy."

An Shutong quickly rose to acknowledge her duty.

Consort Shu then spoke up with a smile, "We are deeply grateful for Your Majesty’s consideration. The Imperial Consort must look after the Second Prince, and Princess Consort Wan is too frail to be out in the cold. But Consort Zhuang and I are healthy and have no children to mind. You mustn’t find us tiresome. Whenever you are feeling lonely, just have us come and keep you company."

Song Yunzhao observed the harmonious scene in the room. ’If Feng Yi saw this,’ she thought, ’his jaw would hit the floor.’

’In all the years since the Empress Dowager returned to the palace, this was the very first time things had been like this.’

’It was hard to tell if she was being sincere, or if she had some other motive.’