Chapter 88
As a brother

Upon learning that Jiang Xingjian intended to keep the illegitimate child, Song Fu felt that the Marquis Mansion was beyond redemption, with no good people left from top to bottom. He was already worried about Song Wan’s situation, and now he had completely given up hope that Jiang Xingjian would change his ways.

The fact that Jiang Xingjian would even consider keeping the illegitimate child showed that he had long harbored thoughts of breaking ties with the Song family.

No matter what, he didn’t want Wan’er to stay in the Marquis Mansion any longer.

Previously, Jiang Xingjian had repeatedly humiliated the Song family, causing Wan’er to lose face. Song Fu wanted to take Wan’er away from the Marquis Mansion at all costs, but his father intervened, and Jiang Xingjian swore oaths, so he reluctantly let it go.

Suppressing his anger, Song Fu hurried to the study to find Song Lan’an.

Song Lan’an was handling official business and putting down his documents leisurely when he saw Song Fu enter.

“What is it?”

Song Fu said, “Father, do you know that Jiang Xingjian and that concubine have an illegitimate child, and he plans to keep it?”

“This child will not be born. You worry too much.”

“How can you be so sure, Father? What if he insists on keeping the child?”

Song Lan’an’s expression darkened. “Even if Jiang Xingjian wants to keep it, the one in the palace will not allow it. You are too impatient. How can you not see through such a small matter?”

“You should focus more on your career and not be so concerned with the affairs of the Marquis Mansion.”

Hearing this, Song Fu pressed his lips tightly, feeling disappointed.

When he first learned that Jiang Xingjian had encountered trouble at the border, he had suggested that his father break off the engagement with the Marquis Mansion, but his father had refused, citing his mother’s dying wish.

It was then that Song Fu realized that Wan’er was not as important to his father as his ambition and reputation.

With a somber expression, Song Fu said, “Neither Jiang Man nor Jiang Xingjian has ever respected the Song family. They have repeatedly disregarded Wan’er’s reputation and life. What use is such an alliance? Moreover, the palace situation has changed, and everyone knows that Wan’er is Aunt’s weakness. If one day…”

Raising his hand to interrupt Song Fu, Song Lan’an’s eyes were deep. “You keep saying Wan’er, Wan’er. Why is Wan’er your sister, but Song Yao and Song Nian are not?”

“What about the entire Song family, the second and third branches, and your cousins’ children?”

“For the sake of my daughter, should I ruin the reputation of nearly a hundred daughters in the family? How do you think outsiders will view me as the head of the Song family?”

Song Fu replied, “It would be wrong for the Song family to break off the engagement without reason, but now it is the Marquis Mansion that has acted improperly. If the Song family stands by and does nothing, won’t it damage the family’s integrity even more?”

“If we set this precedent, are we telling the world that the daughters of the Song family can be mistreated after marriage?”

Song Lan’an asked, “Then what do you propose we do with Wan’er?”

“I want to gather the relatives of both families to witness Jiang Xingjian writing a letter of divorce.”

Song Lan’an looked at Song Fu without speaking.

“The Crown Prince has awakened, and the palace situation has changed. Although the Fifth Prince is still young, Consort Jiang is ambitious and will surely take action. Father, are you waiting for Consort Jiang or Jiang Xingjian to harm Wan’er, so you can show the world their malicious nature and flaws, even to the point of harming their sister-in-law?”

“In this way, the Song family can stand undefeated without any effort?”

If Consort Jiang used such dirty tactics, she would lose the people’s support. If his father wanted to win without a fight, he might even push Consort Jiang to harm Wan’er.

Thinking of this, Song Fu felt a surge of anger and wished he could immediately take Song Wan back to the family.

Seeing his son’s intense words, Song Lan’an narrowed his eyes slightly. “Is this how you speak to your father? Have all your studies gone to waste?”

“Or do you think that just because you’ve entered the Ministry of Personnel and become a fifth-rank official, you can separate yourself from the Song family and establish your own household?”

“I wouldn’t dare.”

“Wouldn’t dare? I think you’re quite bold.” Song Lan’an sneered. “A mere fifth-rank official, and you dare to challenge your father? Do you think this position came without effort?”

“If you weren’t a member of the Song family, how would you have obtained this position?”

Song Fu said, “Father, do you mean that this position was arranged by the family?”

Song Lan’an snorted, neither confirming nor denying it.

“Getting Wan’er out of the Marquis Mansion is not difficult.”

Closing the documents in front of him, Song Lan’an stood up. “I am both Wan’er’s father and the head of the Song family. How can I, for personal reasons, burden the entire Song family? Your thinking disappoints me.”

“As the eldest son of the Song family, you will bear the family’s responsibilities in the future. If Wan’er returns home now, how will you handle it? How will your marriage prospects with noblewomen be affected?”

“You will inherit the position of the family head, and the next mistress of the Song family must come from a prestigious background.”

“Do you think I haven’t considered these things?”

Song Fu lowered his eyes, unsure if his father was sincere or if he had plans for his marriage, using Wan’er to control him.

He stood silently, letting Song Lan’an continue.

Song Lan’an said calmly, “I have already chosen a match for your marriage. Once the two families agree, the Song family will have no worries, and everything will be settled.”

“Which family does Father have in mind?”

“The ninth young lady of the second branch of Duke Ying’s family. What do you think?”

Song Fu looked at Song Lan’an and, after a long time, nodded slightly. “I will follow Father’s decision.”

Duke Ying was originally the son of Duke Qi, and both father and son died in a war with Nanqing forty years ago. Duke Ying’s wife is the current Emperor’s aunt, the Grand Princess Yi He.

The Grand Princess has two sons and a daughter. The ninth young lady is the daughter of the second son. However, the second son died young, and the ninth young lady’s mother died in grief, so the Grand Princess raised the ninth young lady.

It is said that the Grand Princess deeply loves the ninth young lady, and her maternal uncle, Yan Tongfu, the Deputy Minister of War, also dotes on her. Although her status is far above that of the Song family, no one in the capital has ever seen the ninth young lady. It is rumored that she has a speech impediment and speaks with difficulty. The Grand Princess, not wanting her to be ridiculed, never lets her go out to meet guests. Despite her noble birth, it is impossible for her to become the mistress of a household. The Grand Princess is known for her high standards, and few noble sons in the capital can meet her expectations, not to mention the spoiled and illegitimate sons.

Father must have put in a lot of effort to arrange this marriage with the Grand Princess.

Song Fu lowered his eyes to hide his emotions. “Since my marriage is settled, can Wan’er return home? If it’s inconvenient, I can arrange for her to stay elsewhere.”

Song Lan’an smiled faintly. “After your wedding, you will be able to handle things on your own. You can take care of these small matters yourself.”