Chapter 1255: Chapter 1255: Seeking Advancement
As Song Zhiyuan was engaged in a verbal spar with the Qingcheng Marquis, Song Ci was also chatting with Nanny Gong about the gossip of the Qingcheng Marquis Mansion after the grandsons brought Yuan Hao to pay their respects.
After hearing the whole story about the eldest son, Yuan Liren, Song Ci couldn’t help but exclaim how melodramatic it was. Such an old trope, yet it happened just like that.
"Judging by the manners of that young Yuan gentleman, he seems to have been strictly educated. You can see the adult from the child; his mother’s rules of etiquette must be quite good," Song Ci recalled Yuan Hao’s manners and praised fairly.
Nanny Gong said, "I heard that her maternal family was once a prestigious one fallen from grace, but the specifics are not very clear."
Song Ci didn’t mind and said, "No matter what, I reckon Yuan Liren must have a headache, one side is a passionate woman, the other is a deeply loved person, he is indebted to both." She paused and continued, "Actually if he hadn’t come back, it wouldn’t have made people feel so troubled. Now that he’s back, what do you think these two women should do facing each other?"
That Mrs. Luo has held on for so many years, surely feeling bitter and resentful, especially seeing her rival with children while she remains alone as if she has no husband at all, must be even more melancholy.
And Mrs. Li, from being the official wife to the concubine, is equally wronged, not to mention that she and her husband have been affectionate for many years, and now in front of her, there’s someone else, how can one not feel troubled.
"So, arranging marriages for children without proper consideration could harm two women, or even offend two families," sighed Song Ci.
"Isn’t that the case indeed."
"The Prime Minister has arrived," Xiao Man lifted the curtain and announced.
Song Zhiyuan walked in from the outside, warming himself from the cold, and sat on the Arhat bed, accepting the hot tea handed over by Nan Shan.
"So, I see you look relieved. Is this matter resolved?" Song Ci asked, resting one hand on the bedside table.
Song Zhiyuan nodded: "The Qingcheng Marquis might not truly want to arrange a marriage."
Song Ci was surprised and asked, "Is it for his eldest son?"
"How did Mother guess?"
"Su’er just came and paid respects with that little fellow named Yuan Hao. His family’s lawsuit is like that. Now that he’s back, he can’t just let things drift, right? If he’s not really seeking a marriage, then maybe he’s looking to secure a future for his eldest son? I heard that the Qingcheng Marquis Mansion has already settled on the Princely Heir."
Song Zhiyuan gave a thumbs-up: "Mother, your mind is truly clear. Currently, the Princely Heir of the Qingcheng Marquis Mansion is Gui Ping, who is Yuan Liren’s second brother. For the sake of family stability, the Qingcheng Marquis is unlikely to change the Princely Heir, especially since the current Heir’s character and talent are not lacking."
Song Ci pursed her lips: "If Yuan Liren had two wives, actually making him the Princely Heir would indeed cause trouble."
Both sides are the same, which would be the legitimate Heir’s wife? If both have children, which one should be made the Princely Heir in the future?
"So you’ve agreed to secure a future for his eldest son?"
Song Zhiyuan nodded: "Resolving it this way is the simplest. Yuan Liren also has the background of a scholar. Arranging a government position is not difficult. He is adept with the Mo Family techniques, and the Emperor lacks such talent, especially in Liangjiang, with annual floods. I plan to place him in the Ministry of Industry. Solving the hardships brought by the floods would be a blessing to the people."
Song Ci nodded: "Since you have thought it through, that’s fine. However, despite aiming to solve this issue, you must ensure the other party is truly capable of taking on the responsibility. Don’t, for selfish reasons, engage in favoritism and incur the Emperor’s disfavor."
Song Zhiyuan smiled: "Mother, rest assured, I will examine thoroughly, thinking of inviting him over to the mansion for a discussion during the annual banquet."
