Chapter 90
Taking a Concubine

After Jiang Xingjian went to Yanqing Palace, Song Wan was left alone.

Although it was a family banquet today, she arrived early and found herself among other concubines who had come to present gifts to Song Yunning. Not wanting to engage in small talk, she found a quiet spot in the garden to enjoy the scenery.

“Marchioness of Chengyang, I brought you some tea and snacks.”

A eunuch she had met a few times before approached with a silver-lacquered tray and set the snacks for her.

“Thank you, Eunuch. You’ve helped me many times before, and now I’m troubling you again.”

The eunuch smiled. “What are you saying, Madam? It’s my duty.”

Seeing Song Wan stand up to speak to him, he felt pleased. “My name is Changping. You can call me by my name in the future.”

“Thank you, Eunuch Changping.”

In the palace, people always flatter those in power and look down on the weak. Although Changping held a high position in Changxin Palace and no one dared to boss him around, he had seen many two-faced people showing respect in public but disdain in private.

Having spent a long time in the palace, he had developed a keen eye for sincerity. With just a glance, he could tell that Song Wan genuinely respected him, making him more attentive to her.

The two of them stayed in the corner, one admiring the flowers and the other keeping her company.

Changping, worried that Song Wan might be bored, noticed a few eunuchs carrying wooden boxes into the courtyard.

“Madam, look, doesn’t that hunched figure resemble the little eunuch from the Eastern Palace we saw last time?”

Song Wan looked up and found the figure familiar. Before she could respond, Changping called him over. “Come here and greet the Marchioness of Chengyang.”

Shen Qianyu bowed and slowly approached. “Greetings, Marchioness of Chengyang.”

The little eunuch’s voice was muffled and hoarse, making Song Wan feel awkward. She never intended to make fun of these unfortunate people, but she couldn’t ignore Changping’s gesture. So she stood up and asked a few questions.

Seeing the little eunuch struggle to respond, Song Wan felt pity.

Since Heng Zhi and Heng Wu hadn’t accompanied her to the palace today, she had no gold or silver ingots to reward the servants.

After a brief pause, she took out a silver note from her sleeve, originally intended for the eunuchs of Changxin Palace.

“Thank you for your hard work. Use this to buy some tea for yourselves.”

The stretched hands were delicate and flawless, with clean, pink nails.

Shen Qianyu glanced at his own fingers, which had been trampled by the chief eunuch of Yuxi Palace and were now swollen and bruised. Instinctively, he reached out but then pulled back.

Song Wan’s hand remained outstretched, so Shen Qianyu carefully wiped his palms on his robe before taking the silver note.

“Thank you, Madam.” After bowing, Shen Qianyu followed the eunuchs out of the courtyard while Song Wan continued to enjoy the scenery from her stone seat.

Soon, two unfamiliar faces entered Changxin Palace. The middle-aged woman had sharp features and wore a begonia-red embroidered robe. Her hair was styled high, and her expression was stern. Behind her was a round-faced young girl, her cheeks slightly flushed. Despite not wearing makeup, she looked as lovely as the morning sun reflecting on snow.

What Song Wan liked most were the girl’s eyes, clear and innocent, full of youthful charm.

The woman ignored Song Wan and walked past with a mocking smile.

The young girl, however, shyly stopped and greeted Song Wan.

Neither knew who the other was until the girl entered the inner hall to pay respects to Consort Yun. Song Wan then guessed that she must be Ming Xiang, the ninth young lady of Duke Ying’s family.

Thinking of the girl’s bright eyes and charming smile, Song Wan couldn’t help but smile.

Such an adorable and endearing girl would surely be liked by her brother.

Song Wan continued to sit quietly, waiting for someone from Duke Ying’s family to come find her.

The woman she had seen earlier was likely the current Duchess Ying. Although she appeared arrogant and domineering, she should still understand proper etiquette.

Sure enough, after about half a cup of tea’s time, Ming Xiang, accompanied by a maid, walked over with a flushed face. She rarely met guests and was unfamiliar with Song Wan’s personality. Moreover, the person in front of her was her future husband’s sister, so Ming Xiang didn’t know how to face her.

She was a few years younger than Song Wan and should have addressed her as “sister,” but her future status would be higher. However, since she hadn’t married into the Song family yet, this…

Ming Xiang became increasingly nervous, her face turning red. Seeing her so anxious that her nose was sweating, Song Wan gently spoke, “Are you the ninth young lady of Duke Ying’s family?”

Ming Xiang’s eyes widened, and she looked at Song Wan with bright eyes as if asking how she knew.

Song Wan smiled gently, though she felt a bit worried inside.

The ninth young lady had not spoken a word yet.

Song Wan took out a small, intricately made bat-shaped pendant and handed it to her. The pendant was beautifully crafted with seven or eight bright colors, and the bat’s eyes were inlaid with gemstones.

“I didn’t know what you liked, so I made this based on a book.”

Seeing the pendant, Ming Xiang’s large eyes instantly curved into crescents, and she couldn’t hide her joy and shyness. She blinked and carefully took it.

The young girl’s voice was soft and tender, “Th-th-thank you, Marchioness…”

“Miss, have some tea.” The maid beside Ming Xiang handed her a cup of tea.

After being interrupted, the innocent and joyful look in the young girl’s eyes gradually faded. She lowered her head, removed the pendant she was wearing, and handed it to the maid, then hung the bat-shaped pendant from Song Wan on herself.

After doing all this, she shyly smiled at Song Wan.

Song Wan felt a sudden warmth in her heart and gently pulled the young girl to her side to protect her.

Ming Xiang stayed by Song Wan’s side until the end of Consort Yun’s birthday celebration. Unfortunately, the young girl never spoke another word, making Song Wan feel both heartache and worry.

She felt sorry for Ming Xiang’s suppressed nature and worried that she wouldn’t be able to support Song Fu in managing the Song family in the future.

When the celebration ended, Song Wan hadn’t heard another word from the young girl.

Jiang Xingjian came to pick up Song Wan after the banquet had ended.

With Changping leading the way, they left Changxin Palace. Duchess Ying snorted coldly as she watched them leave.

When Ming Xiang was seated in the carriage, Duchess Ying finally softened a bit. “Aunt saw that you got along well with the Marchioness of Chengyang?”

Ming Xiang smiled and nodded.

“That’s good.”

After returning to Duke Ying’s residence and sending Ming Xiang back to her room, the Duchess sneered. “The Duke must have lost his mind to arrange such a marriage for Xiang’er. I don’t know what Mother-in-law saw in Song Fu to pursue Song Lan’an.”

“They were rejected once before, but now that Hua Xin is marrying the daughter of the General of the Imperial Guard, Song Lan’an immediately agreed to the marriage. How can such a profit-driven family treat Xiang’er well?”

As soon as she finished speaking, a young girl with a delicate face said, “Grandmother’s judgment shouldn’t be wrong. Little Xiang’er is her precious treasure. Although the Song family is ambitious, Song Fu must be a good person.”

“Moreover, Lord Song values the Yan family’s connections and our family’s military power. Isn’t Father also betting on the Third Prince? It’s just a matter of mutual benefit, and it’s hard to say who will lose more.”

The Duchess’s expression softened. “Tomorrow, I’ll find someone to teach Xiang’er how to manage the household. Maybe…”

Ming Shiyi shook her head. “Grandmother has protected Xiang’er all her life. What has she learned? Instead of wasting time, it would be better to find a couple of capable and loyal servants to accompany her as dowry. They can help her manage the household and prevent concubines from overpowering her.”

“We can’t let the Song family’s stepmother take control of the household.”

Ming Shiyi thought for a moment and added, “The Song family’s maternal clan has a half-brother with two unmarried daughters. Now that I think about it, they might be intended for Song Fu.”

“Instead of hastily preparing Xiang’er, it would be better to find a way to dissuade the Song family from taking concubines.”