Chapter 100 : The Song Family’s Reputation

Song Ying snatched the bowl from his hand and refused to give it back. “Aren’t you afraid you’ll have nightmares talking about your mother and aunt like that?”

Huo Zhen replied, “My mother hasn’t appeared in my dreams since she passed away. If she shows up this time, that’d actually be great. I’ll talk about her flaws every day. Now give me the bowl, I’m starving.”

But Song Ying still wouldn’t hand it over. “I just find it strange. Your cousin was so confident at first, but overnight, her whole attitude changed. How does your aunt usually teach her?”

“Well, my cousin’s timid because of my aunt. When I was a kid and went to her house to play, she’d keep saying things like, ‘Don’t be impulsive, don’t be flashy, don’t stand out otherwise you’ll get knocked on the head.’ She told my cousin the same. Just blend in and make do. What she feared most was Luoer becoming too competitive.”

Huo Zhen fixed his eyes on the bowl and tried to sneak his hand over. Just as he was about to grab it, Song Ying slapped it away.

“Are you seriously trying to starve me to death?”

Song Ying rolled her eyes. “Did your aunt experience something before? Why is she so afraid of letting her daughter stand up for herself?”

Huo Zhen clutched his empty stomach, still staring longingly at the bowl. “I don’t know either. She’s been like that ever since I can remember. My mother used to say she was just overly cautious.”

Feeling a bit sorry for him, Song Ying handed the bowl back.

Huo Zhen happily took it and continued eating.

“It’s fine to be cautious, but if it’s taken too far, it becomes repression. Luoer clearly had the ability to come in first, but now she didn’t even make the top three. I’m afraid she’ll be upset for a while.”

Huo Zhen swallowed a mouthful and said, “This isn’t the first time. From what I know, she’ll be back to normal in two days.”

Sure enough, just like Huo Zhen said, the girl came to visit Song Ying two days later for no apparent reason.

“Princess, I embroidered this sachet for you.”

“Thank you.” Song Ying accepted the sachet and knew what it contained just by smelling it, she really was a thoughtful girl.

The pattern on the sachet was Ji Yuefang flowers.

Ye Luoer blushed slightly. “I saw princess growing Ji Yuefang in the courtyard, and I heard from my cousin that you like this flower, so I embroidered it.”

“I love it very much.”

Seeing Song Ying wearing the sachet made Ye Luoer very happy. “As long as princess likes it.”

Song Ying asked, “I don’t know what you like. Is there anything you want?”

Ye Luoer quickly waved her hands. “No, no, I never expected a gift in return from cousin’s wife. I made this sachet to thank you for accompanying me to Xiu Rui Tower and for encouraging me…”

Song Ying smiled. “Then would you like to visit my Xiaohanju and sit for a while?”

Since arriving in the capital, Ye Luoer had rarely left the house. She wasn’t familiar with the area and had no one to talk to.

So when Song Ying invited her, she hesitated for a moment, then nodded. “I’d like to go.”

When Ye Luoer first arrived at Xiaohanju, she was both excited and nervous.

She was amazed to see rows of servants welcoming Song Ying.

These people were completely different from the servants at the Ye household. Every one of them wore a smile and worked contentedly.

Faer even chased several maids around the courtyard, laughing right in front of Song Ying. If this happened in another household, it would definitely be considered inappropriate and punished.

Ye Luoer looked again and saw Song Ying casually browsing the bookshelf. She couldn’t help but wonder, how could she be so relaxed? Letting the servants run wild like this… wasn’t that too indulgent?

Song Ying turned around, noticed the young girl staring at her, and asked gently, “Do you feel they’re disturbing you?”

Ye Luoer shook her head, glanced enviously at Faer, and whispered, “Actually… it’s nice to have a little liveliness.”

Song Ying handed her a book and said, “I bought this a few years ago. I never had a knack for this kind of thing, so it’s better to give it to someone who’ll use it.”

Ye Luoer looked down and saw that it was an out-of-print embroidery collection, full of various techniques.

“Princess gave this to me?”

Song Ying: “Yes.”

Ye Luoer took it with trembling hands, just like how Song Ying had held Master Yu’s notes, and treated it like a treasure. “Thank you, c-cousin.”

She was so moved that she bowed to Song Ying. It was the first time she had received such a precious gift.

Song Ying: “You’re always welcome here.”

Just then, a servant reported, “Princess, your uncle has returned.”

Song Ying asked Faer to keep Ye Luoer company and went to the guest room to meet Han Zhu.

“Uncle.”

Han Zhu: “Aying, I’ll be leaving tomorrow.”

Song Ying: “Alright, I’ll see you off.”

Han Zhu: “No need, just handle your own affairs.”

He glanced outside. Even though everyone there was one of their own, he still remained cautious and signaled Song Ying to follow him into the inner room for a private conversation.

“Uncle, is something wrong?”

Han Zhu: “Did Huo Zhen not return home after court today?”

Song Ying: “After court, he went straight to the military camp with his brothers. Why?”

Han Zhu: “I just received word that Yue and Xiyue are sending envoys to Dayin to negotiate peace.”

Song Ying: “Oh? Are they scared of getting beaten?”

Han Zhu: “Yue and Dayin have fought each other back and forth dozens of times, we’re used to it. But Xiyue’s behavior this time was unexpected. I thought they were ready to fight to the bitter end.”

Song Ying: “What did the Emperor say?”

Han Zhu: “From what I’ve heard, the Minister of War will handle the peace talks, while your father-in-law will be responsible for fighting to the end.”

Song Ying: “Looks like this will drag on for a while.”

Han Zhu: “Now you and Song Ruoer, one is the Regent Princess, and the other is the daughter-in-law of a general. Your father is playing the balance game very well.”

Song Ying snorted. “The Song family is greedy. They don’t care about saving face, only about results.”

Han Zhu agreed. If Song Jinzhuo had cared about appearances, the Zhou family wouldn’t have been destroyed. If the Song family valued face, Song Ruoer would never have become a princess, being a concubine would have already been a stretch. Otherwise, she would’ve been beaten to death.

To the Song family, face means nothing it’s just an obstacle to ambition.

Abandon face, ignore the process, and get the results. That’s the Song family’s way.

—

That night, after returning home, Huo Zhen came back as well.

Every time he saw Song Ying, he would rush over and hug her tightly, making Ye Luoer, who was standing nearby, cover her eyes and run away in embarrassment.

Huo Zhen: “Where did you take the girl today?”

Song Ying: “To Xiaohanju. My uncle’s leaving tomorrow.”

Huo Zhen: “I have to go to court tomorrow. See him off for me.”

Song Ying: “Already arranged. Someone will take him.”

Huo Zhen: “Alright. When I’m free next time, I’ll invite Uncle for a drink.”

After dinner, Song Ying noticed that Huo Zhen didn’t seem willing to talk about what had happened at court, so she didn’t press him. They just chatted casually before going to bed.

—

The next morning, as she helped Huo Zhen get dressed, Song Ying said, “I’m going to Hejun Mountain with Liuliu to burn incense and pray today. I won’t be back for lunch.”

Huo Zhen: “Praying for me?”

Song Ying: “You, your father, and your brother.”

Huo Zhen bit her earlobe playfully and said with jealousy, “Don’t worry about them, just focus on me.”

Song Ying giggled and dodged to the side. “Father and sons fighting together on the battlefield, you have to protect one another. Right now you’re Dayin’s main force. None of you can afford to get hurt.”

Huo Zhen suddenly hugged Song Ying tightly, his eyes narrowing slightly.

“What did you hear?”