Chapter Ninety-Six: Sent Soaring to the Blue Skies?

As the old saying goes, a householder should not be deaf or mute if he wishes to keep peace in the family. Song Ci had always found that saying true, which was why she chose to turn a blind eye to the affairs of her son and daughter-in-law’s household. But what was this old maid up to? Reporting on them behind their backs?

“So she was slapped in the face by her own maiden family?” Song Ci arched a brow at Granny Gong. “Did Qier and the others suffer any loss?”

Granny Gong shook her head. “No, not really. Even if the Lady of the Loyal and Brave Marquis’s Residence had a bit of selfishness in her, she would not dare to act recklessly. At most, she would just arrange for the two children to meet. It’s a pity our Second Miss has no such inclination.”

Song Ci smiled faintly with her lips pressed together. “I’d never have guessed the girl had such ambitions.”

She had thought that in this age, young ladies were all innocent, simple, and devoted to love, judging men by their looks and falling at first sight for some handsome youth. It seemed she had been the shallow one. Some people were, after all, quite levelheaded.

For example, this Second Miss of the Song family.

Granny Gong handed her a camellia blossom. “If she has grand ambitions, it is because the Prime Minister and the others put the idea in her head.”

Song Ci’s hand, which held the scissors, paused. She looked at Granny Gong in confusion.

Seeing her blank expression, Granny Gong explained, “The Dowager Lady also knows that Second Miss comes of age at the end of this year, yet she still has no betrothal. And in the palace, there are already three princes of marriageable age. Not to mention that they have now begun attending court and listening to state affairs.”

At this, Song Ci frowned. “You mean the Eldest Son and the others want to send Qier soaring to the heavens?”

That was a novel way to put it, but the meaning was clear enough. Granny Gong nodded. “This old servant cannot say for certain, but even if it is not to become a prince’s consort, there are several princely houses in the capital, and some of the young heirs there are still unmarried. This is only my own guess, of course. The Prime Minister’s thoughts are not something ordinary people can easily fathom.”

Song Ci snipped off the excess leaves from the camellia with a sharp snap.

“The Song family does not need to produce a prince’s consort.”

Granny Gong lifted her brows and looked at her. “What does the Dowager Lady mean by that?”

“Gong-maid, hearts are hard to read, and the Emperor’s heart is even harder. The Eldest Son now stands at the very peak of power, but truth be told, no matter how capable he is, has the Song family not risen on the strength of the Emperor’s favor? What if that favor one day leaves the Song family? Then wouldn’t that position be as hot as a brand fresh from the fire? What the Emperor gives you, he can grant with a single word. What he takes back, he can do with a single movement of his lips.”

Song Ci placed the camellia into a rounded pastel porcelain vase and said, “At present, no crown prince has been established. If the Song family were to produce a prince’s consort, even if they later refused to take sides, no one would believe it. The one above would not believe it either. Why invite such a threat into our own home? The Song family only needs to remain as it is now, ever more loyal to the throne and ever more attentive to the sovereign’s concerns. That is enough to carry our wealth and honor forward for generations. We do not need a more exalted connection to bolster our own standing.”

Granny Gong’s eyes shone again and again. “The Dowager Lady truly has a seven-orifice exquisite heart. You see through everything so clearly.”

Song Ci smiled dryly. “Oh, it’s nothing. I just used to watch too many serial dramas...”

“Hmm?”

“Too many storybooks,” Song Ci corrected herself, covering it with a smile as she picked up another camellia. “There’s no need to say more about the rest. As for Qier’s temperament, how could she possibly be suited to becoming some prince’s wife or princess consort? All her thoughts show on her face, and she is no match for schemers. She’d be cannon fodder in no time.”

“So the Dowager Lady does not approve of Second Miss aiming too high.”

“Of course not. Even if one climbs high, one must live long enough to enjoy it. If she dies by mischance, what use is the highest branch? If she falls and is shattered to pieces, then so be it—it ends there. What I fear most is dragging the whole clan down with her. That would be a catastrophe that wipes out an entire family.” Song Ci blurted the words out at once.

Granny Gong: “...”

That really did not sound like you were talking about your granddaughter at all.

Song Ci, however, let out a sharp sound and pushed herself up from the table. Oh no—could it be that the old matriarch in the original body had meant for her to protect the Song family by this very thing?