Chapter 32: Eyeing Her Silver?

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Song Congzhi was leisurely feeding the birds when Steward Lu hurried in.

“Master, someone from the palace has arrived.”

Song Congzhi frowned. “Why the fuss? If someone from the palace comes, just invite them in.”

Steward Lu swallowed nervously. “It’s… it’s Lady Liu, the nanny attending the Empress. She says she has come to present a gift to the eldest young lady.”

The birdseed slipped from Song Congzhi’s hand, scattering on the floor. He rose in surprise. “You said Lady Liu, the Empress’s nanny?”

Steward Lu nodded repeatedly. “Yes, Master. Lady Liu is waiting in the front hall. You should see this…”

Song Congzhi quickly tidied his clothes and urged, “Quick, come with me to receive her.”

He strode out, then paused after a few steps and turned back. “Wait. Go fetch Tang’er at once. She must come immediately.”

Steward Lu hurried off to summon her. Soon, Song Tang arrived with Song Congzhi in the front hall.

As Song Tang entered, she saw the nanny dressed in splendid palace attire, exuding a noble grace, seated while sipping tea.

Hearing their footsteps, Lady Liu looked up. Seeing Song Congzhi and Song Tang, she promptly rose with a warm smile. “Your humble servant greets Lord Song and Miss Song.”

Song Congzhi waved her off politely. “Lady Liu, please, have a seat.”

Once Lady Liu was settled again, Song Congzhi asked, “May I inquire the purpose of your visit today?”

Lady Liu smiled. “Her Majesty, upon hearing that Lord Mu is soon to wed Miss Song, specially sent some dowry gifts for her.”

She then signaled to the palace maid behind her, who presented an elegant sandalwood box.

Lady Liu gently opened it to reveal a set of exquisite head ornaments.

First was a set of kingfisher feather headpieces, crafted mainly from pure red gold. The floral and bird motifs were adorned with kingfisher feathers, the vivid blue feathers contrasting beautifully with the golden patterns, lifelike and vibrant.

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Matching the headpieces was a pair of gold and jade earrings, with pure gold hooks supporting smooth white jade, intricately carved with orchid patterns, radiating refined elegance.

There was also a filigree gold phoenix hairpin, crafted entirely from gold. The phoenix was delicate and light, each feather distinct and fine as silk threads. At the phoenix’s beak hung a string of pearls, each with a gentle luster.

Lastly, a pearl necklace completed the set. Each pearl was uniform in size, round and full-bodied, with the clasp adorned by an emerald, epitomizing luxury.

Song Congzhi promptly ordered the box to be taken, bowing respectfully. “We are deeply grateful for Her Majesty’s kindness. I cannot thank her enough.”

Lady Liu smiled. “Lord Song is too polite. This is but a token of Her Majesty’s affection. I hope Miss Song will like it.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty, Tang’er likes it very much,” Song Tang replied.

Lady Liu carefully appraised Song Tang, admiration shining in her eyes. “Miss Song grows more remarkable with each passing day.”

Song Congzhi’s joy was boundless. That the Empress would send her personal attendant was a great honor—truly a source of pride!

After exchanging a few auspicious words, Lady Liu rose to take her leave.

Song Congzhi personally escorted her out of the mansion.

Returning to the front hall, he found Song Tang still there.

“Is there something else?” Song Congzhi asked cheerfully.

Song Tang nodded. “Father, I heard mother has prepared a large dowry for my cousin. I don’t want the portion mother sets aside for her, but grandmother said the items reserved for me must not be diminished. Please remind mother to be sure of that.”

Upon hearing “dowry,” Song Congzhi’s expression darkened. “Why concern yourself so much? The thirty-six sets of betrothal gifts Lord Mu is giving you have all been agreed upon as yours to take. Why do you want anything else?”

“Father, that’s not right,” Song Tang’s face grew cold. “You and mother may give anything to my cousin, but you cannot take what grandmother left for me and give it to her!”

Veins bulged on Song Congzhi’s forehead. A few days ago, Lady He had approached him, saying Wei’er’s dowry was too small; it would be embarrassing for the two daughters to leave home with such disparity. They had considered reallocating some of the items grandmother left for Song Tang to Wei’er’s dowry. But the betrothal gifts from Lord Mu must not be touched, and with two sons still unmarried, the plan was to include the items for Song Tang in Wei’er’s dowry list instead.

Originally, this matter didn’t need to be discussed with Song Tang, but now that she had asked, he decided to be frank.

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Song Congzhi’s voice grew stern and loud. “Song Tang, do you want to disgrace our Marquis household? As the eldest daughter, you should understand the family’s dignity! If Wei’er’s dowry is too small to hold her head high in her husband’s house, it will bring shame upon the Song family!”

Song Tang looked calmly into his wide eyes and replied slowly, “Father, since you allowed the heir to falsify twenty-four sets of betrothal gifts, why not allow my cousin to have thirty-six sets of dowry gifts? I only want what is rightfully mine—I am not disregarding the honor of the Marquis household.”

“What do you mean, ‘your own things’? Is everything grandmother left really yours?” Song Congzhi snapped in frustration.

Song Tang’s voice remained even. “Father, you know grandmother never liked my cousin. If she were watching from the afterlife, she would never want what she left me to be given to her. Moreover, once I marry into the Marquis household, I will be the lady of the house. If I am not financially secure, won’t that bring more shame to the Song family?”

In truth, what grandmother left her was not much—besides a Lingxi jade bracelet, there were some antique jewelry pieces, eight thousand taels of silver, and a dozen or so fields and shops.

But no matter the amount, it was what grandmother left her, and she would not let Song Wei benefit from it!

“How can you say you’re not financially secure? Lord Mu’s betrothal gifts alone amount to thirty-six sets, all genuine treasures!” Song Congzhi retorted angrily.

Song Tang spoke calmly, “Father, as you said, those are from Lord Mu. Naturally, I dare not touch them. But if you and mother give me nothing, how do you expect me to stand firm? Will the Marquis household’s dignity not fall to me?”

“Not to mention the fifteen thousand taels your mother and I gave you recently, and the two hundred thousand taels the heir compensated you—now you have over two hundred thousand taels in private funds. How can that not be enough?” Song Congzhi’s face turned dark. He himself did not have such wealth.

Song Tang smiled faintly. “So, father and mother have long had their eyes on the two hundred thousand taels I hold?”

Song Congzhi was embarrassed by her words, stammering a denial. “What do you mean by ‘had their eyes on it’? When have your mother and I ever demanded it? We never made you hand it over. How dare you mention those few things grandmother left!”

Song Tang sighed deliberately. “Father, to be honest, I only have a little over a hundred taels of silver on me now. If you and mother refuse to give me grandmother’s share, I will have to marry with only this hundred taels and Lord Mu’s betrothal gifts. I might not even have enough to reward the servants on the wedding day.”