Chapter Twenty-Two: Arranging a Marriage for Her

"It is getting late, I should return now." Song Tang suddenly remembered the letter Wang Mengqi had asked her to deliver to Song An the previous night, which she had not yet handed over.

Returning from the Mu residence, Song Tang went directly to Song An's study. Song An was practicing calligraphy, and Song Chao was there as well. Both appeared surprised to see her enter.

"Why are you here?" Song Chao's tone was noticeably unpleasant.

Ignoring him, Song Tang placed the letter on Song An’s desk. "Someone asked me to bring this to you." She then turned to leave.

"Who is this from?" Song An asked, looking at the letter on the table.

Without looking back, Song Tang replied, "Open it and see for yourself." She had no desire to waste her breath.

Feeling ignored, Song Chao grew angry. "Song Tang, who do you think you're putting on a face for?" He strode over and blocked her path. Song Chao was two years older than Song Tang and a head taller.

Song Tang glanced at him coolly. "Second Brother, a good dog does not block the road. You certainly aren't a good dog, are you?"

"Of course I'm not a dog—wait, that's not right!"

Before Song Chao could untangle the logic, Song Tang sidestepped him and walked straight out the door, leaving him fuming in the study.

Arguing with a fool is foolish in itself. She had neither the time nor the inclination to bicker with an idiot. She understood the temperaments of both men clearly: her eldest brother, Song An, lacked initiative but possessed a tolerable temper, while her second brother, Song Chao, was impulsive, short-tempered, and easily provoked. One had to use different tactics and separate strategies for each.

Although it was not snowing outside, the wind remained biting, and Song Tang tightened her cloak. Passing the flower corridor, she caught sight of her third sister, Song Si, standing outside Lady He’s courtyard gate, seemingly being punished. Song Tang’s heart tightened as she approached, finding Song Si’s face pale from the cold and her body trembling slightly.

Song Tang remembered that before Song Wei entered the household, her third sister, despite being born of a concubine, had been treated kindly by their mother. But since Song Wei’s arrival, Lady He had become dissatisfied with everyone, her eyes filled only with the obedient and sensible Song Wei; nothing anyone else did seemed to please her.

"What is going on?" Song Tang asked, turning to Song Si.

Song Si looked up, her eyes filled with fear. "Eldest Sister, I was late for my morning greetings today, and Mother made me stand here as punishment."

"Why were you late?" Song Tang knew her third sister was always cautious and would not be late without cause.

Song Si lowered her head. "My mother was ill last night, and I stayed with her..."

"Did you tell Mother this?"

"Yes." Song Si nodded; she was too honest to lie.

Song Tang frowned. Even as a concubine's daughter, Song Si was still a member of the household. Staying with her own mother and missing the morning greeting was a minor matter; a tolerant mistress would not have held it against her. Clearly, Lady He had grown less tolerant over the years.

"Go back now; I will speak to Mother." In her previous life, her third sister was the only one who had visited her after her marriage. However, because she had married a low-ranking official, her mother-in-law, Lady Sun, had accused Song Si of coming to sponge off them, and eventually forbade her from visiting.

Just then, Nanny Chen emerged. Seeing Song Tang, she hurried over. "Eldest Miss, you’ve arrived just in time. The Mistress was just sending me to see if you had returned."

Song Tang nodded slightly and followed Nanny Chen into the inner chamber, where Lady He was sipping tea in the warm pavilion.

"Tang’er offers her greetings to Mother." Song Tang performed the ritual with perfect decorum.

Lady He was somewhat surprised. Song Tang seemed to have truly changed over the past few days, and she looked at her with a hint of anticipation. "Tang’er, what did Lord Mu say? Did he agree?"

"One could say he agreed."

"What do you mean by 'one could say'?"

"Lord Mu plans to have Lady Sun acknowledge this marriage tomorrow night in front of the Old Madam of the Mu family."

Lady He’s expression softened upon hearing this. "That is good, that is good. With Lord Mu willing to step in, the matter is finally settled. Giving Song Wei a good future is the least I can do to honor the memory of your late aunt."

"Mother, there is something I am curious about. Could you enlighten me?"

"What is it?" Lady He asked, unaware of what she wanted to ask.

Song Tang asked with a serious expression, "Mother, you cherish Cousin Wei because of our blood ties and your gratitude for my aunt’s sacrifice. But why is Father also so partial to her? Don't you find that strange?"

Lady He paused, setting down her teacup. "Your father is a man who values feelings and loyalty above all else. That child, Song Wei, lost her mother at a young age, and he has a soft heart. It is natural for him to show her a little extra care."

Song Tang fell silent.

"Mother, I cannot agree with that. Take my third sister, for example—has Father ever shown her even a shred of concern?"

"What is wrong with your third sister's life that she needs your father’s special concern? Besides, Song Tang, you were born from my own womb, why are you speaking up for them?" Lady He looked displeased.

Song Tang smiled faintly. "Mother, my third sister stood at the gate all morning, and Father must have seen her. If he is such a man of deep affection and soft heart, why did he not plead for her?"

"Your third sister did something wrong; why should he plead for her?" Lady He glanced at Nanny Chen, who made a gesture.

"Did you let her go back?"

"Yes. My third sister has been standing there all morning. If she continues to stand, people in the household will inevitably think you are mistreating a concubine's daughter, which would damage your reputation for virtue and kindness. With Cousin Wei’s marriage negotiations imminent, that would be bad for her."

Thinking of Song Wei, and considering that Song Tang had successfully handled Lord Mu, Lady He softened her tone. "Once Wei’er’s marriage is settled, yours must be finalized as well. After all, you are the eldest sister; there is no sense in the younger sister marrying first. Your father and I have been looking for a suitable match for you."

"My marriage?" Song Tang had expected this. "Mother and Father need not trouble yourselves. Lord Mu, indebted to me for saving his life, has already arranged a good marriage for me."

"Lord Mu is arranging your marriage? How absurd! Marriage is a matter of parental orders and the words of a matchmaker; it cannot be decided by Lord Mu." Lady He was anxious; Mu Changxiao was overstepping his bounds.

Song Tang said calmly, "That is what Lord Mu said. The Marquis is currently in high favor with the Emperor, and I could not contradict him to his face."

Lady He’s face changed slightly. "Do you know which family he has arranged for you?"

"I do not."

"..."

"By the way, Mother, there is one more thing I thought I should tell you."

"What is it?"

"Young Miss Mengqi of the Wang family asked me to bring a letter to my eldest brother, and I have already given it to him."

"The Wang girl is writing to your brother?"

"Yes. It seems she has taken a fancy to him."

Lady He’s face darkened, filled with disdain. "She wants to marry your brother? She actually wants to marry your brother? Her, of all people?"