Chapter 102: The Youngest Seeks the Eldest’s Advice on Marriage

Song Zhiyuan was somewhat surprised; his mother had actually taken the initiative to summon him. This was the first time such a thing had happened since she fell ill.

Since his mother had summoned him personally, he could not afford to be pretentious. Song Zhiyuan said to his attendant, Fuquan, "Go tell the First Madam that I will be dining with the Matriarch this evening, and there is no need to set a place for me."

"As you command, Prime Minister."

Song Zhiyuan strolled toward Spring Splendor Hall. Upon arriving, he happened to see Lin Qing walking out of the main hall and paused.

Lin Qing stood by the doorway, turned slightly to offer a respectful bow to Song Zhiyuan, and then walked through a side gate toward her Bamboo and Wood Studio.

Song Zhiyuan entered the main hall, bowed to Song Ci, and said with a smile, "Mother, your complexion is looking better every day. It seems Dr. Lin’s medical skills are truly exceptional."

Song Ci replied, "With these daily acupuncture sessions, medicated baths, and medicinal meals, how could I not improve? Sit down, sit down. You are always so busy with state affairs; I hope this talk won't take up too much of your time."

Facing this shrewd son of hers, Song Ci dared not be as casual as she was with Nanny Gong and the others, but instead exercised a degree of caution.

Song Zhiyuan sat on the other end of the arhat bed, removed his shoes, propped one leg up, and let the other hang down. "It is rare for Mother to call me for a talk; no matter how busy I am, I would certainly come."

"It’s nothing major. It’s just that the Matriarch of the Wei family came to visit me today, and she brought a young lady with her." Song Ci recounted her meeting with the Wei Matriarch and asked, "Do you think this young lady would be a suitable match for your fourth brother?"

Song Zhiyuan asked, "Mother, have you taken a liking to this girl?"

"She is a good girl—composed and magnanimous. Your fourth brother has a restless nature, so perhaps their personalities would complement each other. However, I worry that he might not like her, thinking her nature too dull. Besides, the girl is a year older than him."

"If you have taken a liking to her, Mother, we can just have him meet her. If worse comes to worst, we can simply decide the marriage for him." After all, in an era of parental decree and matchmaker's words, it was not uncommon for children's marriages to be settled without their direct input.

Song Ci shook her head. "That cannot be done. He must see her and be satisfied himself. After all, they have to spend a lifetime together. If they are not happy, then a marriage bond becomes a bond of resentment. That would be bad for him and for the girl."

Although arranged, blind marriages were common in this ancient era, she remained a modern person at heart and preferred a bit of democracy, wanting to respect her youngest son. Whether the future turned out good or bad, it should be his own choice.

"Then we shall arrange a meeting." He would also have someone look into the girl's background in the meantime.

Song Ci looked at him and said, "She is the eldest daughter of a mother who has passed away; you are fine with that?" Didn't the ancients tend to be quite superstitious about such things?

Song Zhiyuan paused, surprised. "Is Mother seeking my opinion?"

Song Ci replied sheepishly, "You know I lack experience, and your father is someone who doesn't involve himself in these matters. When it concerns your fourth brother’s lifelong commitment, naturally I must be cautious. As you are the eldest brother, I have no choice but to consult with you."

So that was it.

Song Zhiyuan smiled, "Being the eldest daughter of a late mother is of no consequence. What matters most is whether she is virtuous, filial, and capable—someone who can be dutiful to you in the future."

Song Ci: "..."

A waste of breath.

However, since he didn't care, she would just ask little Baoyu later; after all, it was he who would be marrying the wife.

Song Ci picked up her tea and took a sip, then pondered before saying, "Your fourth brother is doing fine. He is unlikely to enter the civil service, so living out his life as a wealthy, idle gentleman is not a bad path. If his wife brings a generous dowry, then he will have even less to worry about."

Song Zhiyuan agreed.

"As for Qi'er, she will be reaching womanhood this year, yet her marriage prospects are still unsettled. As her father, what is your plan for her?"