Chapter 83 : Conferred

Fifteen recounted one by one the people he had met that day.

After listening, Song Yunshan said, “These are all insignificant. Remember, when judging a person, you must look at their inner character.”

Fifteen said, “I finally met Wen Jun, the son of Marquis Dingyi.”

Song Yunshan stroked his beard. “Tell me more.”

Fifteen replied, “At Shangyue Building, he saw me stepping out for some air and came to find me. Later, I got lost, and he brought me back.”

Song Yunshan asked, “Did he say anything to you?”

Fifteen answered, “He said that the way I stay silent reminds him a bit of the eldest young lady.”

Song Yunshan smiled. “What else?”

Fifteen thought for a moment and said, “He’s a contradictory person. He keeps saying bad things about the young lady, but he also keeps remembering the bad things about her.”

Song Yunshan stroked his beard and said, “Song Ying has provoked the most troublesome person in her life. It’s fate.”

Fifteen frowned slightly. “Young Marquis Wen is ill.”

Song Yunshan replied, “A serious illness.”

Fifteen whispered, “So… is this also why Elder Song and the Marquis originally opposed the engagement with the Marquis Dingyi’s household?”

Song Yunshan closed his eyes and simply said, “Song Ying is the eldest daughter of the Song family…”

The women of the Song family are naturally expected to marry someone who is of benefit to the family.

Seeing that Song Yunshan was about to rise, Fifteen stepped forward to help him onto the bed, undressed and removed his shoes, tucked him in with the quilt, blew out the light, and quietly left the room. A servant then led Fifteen back to his own quarters to rest.

—

Meanwhile, Song Ying was lying on her bed, flipping through a book out of boredom.

Faer came back from outside. “Miss, Taoist Priest Fifteen is back. Guess who brought him back?”

Song Ying said, “Wasn’t it Song Shihe?”

Faer replied, “It was Young Marquis Wen. I asked Xiaoduo, and Xiaoduo heard it from the gatekeeper.”

When Song Ying heard Wen Jun’s name, she immediately lost interest.

The wind blew in, and Faer went to close the window, but was stopped by Song Ying.

“Don’t close it all the way, just leave a small gap.”

Faer: “Okay.”

Song Ying yawned. “I’m sleepy. You can go rest now, but leave the lamp on for me.”

Faer: “Yes, Miss.”

After Faer left for the side room, Song Ying lay on the bed and slowly closed her eyes.

The night deepened.

Suddenly, the candle flame flickered. Song Ying opened her eyes, blew out the oil lamp, pushed open the window, and said to Huo Zhen, who was still standing there looking dazed, “Didn’t I tell you not to come?”

Huo Zhen smiled innocently. “As the saying goes, not seeing you for a day feels like three autumns. And now three autumns have already passed.”

After gaining some benefits yesterday, Huo Zhen had gotten greedy and came back hoping for more today.

Song Ying rolled her eyes at him. “I get it. Now go back.”

Huo Zhen said, “You want me to leave just as I got here?”

Song Ying replied, “Do you still want to come into my room?”

Huo Zhen dropped the pretense and grinned. “Yes, I do!”

Song Ying warned, “I’m going to count to three…”

Huo Zhen quickly said, “Alright, I’m leaving, I’m leaving! But you can’t let me come here for nothing.”

Song Ying said, “I didn’t ask you to come.”

Huo Zhen pointed to the lamp on her desk. “You left the light on for me. You knew I’d come.”

Song Ying said, “Well then, to ensure General Huo sleeps soundly tonight, I’ll give you a little reward.”

Huo Zhen closed his eyes expectantly and leaned his face in closer.

But Song Ying didn’t move. She just stared at him.

Huo Zhen waited for a while but felt nothing. He opened his eyes, about to urge her…

When suddenly, Song Ying leaned in and kissed him right on the lips.

Huo Zhen went completely blank, his eyes wide like a startled bear.

Seeing him frozen like a block of wood, Song Ying smiled and said,”General Huo, it’s time to go home and sleep.”

“Uh…” Huo Zhen’s neck was stiff. He turned it twice, then looked down at Song Ying’s sparkling eyes. He was suddenly moved. His rough hands ran through her hair, gently held her head, and kissed her…

The atmosphere shifted. This time, it was Song Ying’s turn to glare.

“Mmm… Miss, the bun was taken by a bear…”

Faer’s sleep-talking startled both Huo Zhen and Song Ying, causing them to hurriedly pull apart.

Song Ying panted slightly. “You really should go.”

Huo Zhen’s ears and face were also flushed. “Yeah…”

At that moment, Song Shihe was stumbling home drunk, supported by his servants.

“Hiccup… the wine at Shangyuelou is so good… hiccup…”

“Young Master, please be careful.”

“Why should I be… careful? Can’t I be careful about the sky… hiccup…”

As he looked up, a dark shadow suddenly flashed before his eyes.

Song Shihe was so startled that his hiccups came back full force. He burped so much he couldn’t speak, then finally closed his eyes and passed out.

“Someone help! The young master is drunk—”

—

Song Shihe was woken by someone shaking him. It was already dawn. He rubbed his aching head and asked, “What time is it?”

The servant replied, “Young master, it’s almost noon.”

Holding his head, Song Shihe tried to remember, “How did I get back last night? I feel like I saw something terrifying…”

After a quick meal, he dozed off again. Just as he was about to drift into sleep, someone came to wake him.

“Young Master, please get up quickly. An imperial decree has arrived from the palace.”

Still groggy, Song Shihe dressed and went to the front courtyard.

At that time, the entire Song family was already kneeling. He hurriedly knelt beside Zhou and listened as Chief Steward Ji Li announced the decree.

“By the order of Heaven and His Majesty’s decree: Song Ying, eldest daughter of the Song family, is intelligent, graceful, and virtuous. She is hereby granted the title of Princess Changyin…”

The moment Song Shihe heard that Song Ying was conferred the title of Princess, he was stunned. He even wondered if he was still drunk and dreaming.

He looked at Zhou next to him and saw that she was also frozen in disbelief.

After the decree was delivered, the steward announced another decree, this time a marriage decree bestowing Song Ying in marriage to General Huo Zhen.

Song Shihe stared at Song Ying, and one big question filled his mind: Who exactly is this Huo Zhen?

Why was she suddenly given in marriage to him? Wasn’t she involved with Boss Fang and Boss Chen?

After sending the steward off, Song Yunshan said to Song Jinzhuo and Zhou, “Aying’s wedding will now be in your hands. Make sure it’s a grand affair. Jinzhuo, you’ll handle the elders of the Song family.”

Song Jinzhuo: “Yes.”

When Song Ruoer got married, not a single elder from the Song family showed up. But when Song Ying got married twice, the elders made appearances both times.

Zhou tried her best to suppress her inner imbalance and kept up the composure of a proper mistress. “Ying’er is the eldest daughter of the Song family, and now that she has been granted the title of Princess, as a mother, I will do my utmost to support this marriage.”

Song Yunshan gave a faint nod. “Good. Everyone can leave now. Aying, come with me.”

“Yes.”

Song Ying followed Song Yunshan and heard him say, “You are now a Princess. When you enter the Huo household, even Huo Leiming will have to show you respect.”

Song Ying: “Yes.”

Song Yunshan continued, “Huo Zhen likes you. After you marry him, you should have children as soon as possible to add to the Huo family’s lineage.”

Song Ying looked down at the stone bricks beneath her feet. “Your granddaughter understands.”

Song Yunshan said, “Now that you have the status of a Princess, it will be easier for you to enter the palace. When you’re free, accompany the little emperor more often.”

Still staring at the bricks, Song Ying replied, “I will.”

Song Yunshan added, “After your marriage, I will return to Nanshan. Shiwu will stay.”

Song Ying looked up curiously. “Why isn’t the Fifteenth Taoist returning?”

Song Yunshan smiled as he stroked his beard. “He has returned to secular life.”

Song Ying: “Oh, I see.”

Song Yunshan’s eyes were calm. “I’ll let your father take care of him.”

Song Ying picked up on his meaning and replied, “Grandfather has made his arrangements. Soon, I’ll be the Huo family’s daughter-in-law.”

No matter what the old man planned, Song Ying only wanted to get married first. No matter what happened afterward, the Huo family was far cleaner than the Song family.