Chapter 107

Chapter 107: Practicing Martial Arts "What does she mean by this?" Song Shulan grew angrier the more he thought about it. "I've already given her a way out. Does she intend to remain at odds with me for the rest of our lives?" After a moment's thought, Song Shulan flicked his sleeves and turned away. "I've been giving her too much face!" Qingshan thought to himself—how could he possibly guess what the First Madam was thinking? He was merely a servant and rarely saw the First Madam in his daily duties. In his opinion, it was the Marquis who had wronged the First Madam, which was why she had grown disheartened. But such words he dared not speak to the Marquis. Seeing Qingshan remain silent, Song Shulan cursed "useless" and stormed off to the Wutong Courtyard in a huff. He hadn't visited in quite some time. The moment he stepped into the courtyard, he felt a chill of desolation. County Princess Rongjia ran out barefoot, staring at Song Shulan in stunned surprise. "Master Song, is it really you? Am I dreaming?" Seeing County Princess Rongjia without shoes, Song Shulan's heart ached as he went over and scooped her up. "How can you be so foolish—not even wearing shoes!" "I heard from Chen De's Wife that you had come. I didn't believe it, but I couldn't help hoping it might be true." County Princess Rongjia's eyes welled with tears as she wrapped her arms around Song Shulan's neck, her nose sniffling, which made Song Shulan's heart ache even more. Once inside, seeing the portrait hanging on the wall, Song Shulan felt even more guilty. "I should have come to see you sooner." "I don't blame you. It was my own fault, so I willingly accept my punishment. As long as Master Song still remembers me, I can go on living." Regarding County Princess Rongjia's several transgressions, Song Shulan indeed refrained from blaming her partly because of the Rong Prince Mansion. There was another reason: every time County Princess Rongjia acted out, it was because she cared about him and wanted him to favor her more. This, in Song Shulan's heart, secretly pleased him somewhat. He couldn't get that kind of attention from Cui Lingrong, but here with County Princess Rongjia, he received her wholehearted devotion. Ask any man—would he make a different choice? The two hadn't seen each other in a long while. Dry tinder met a blazing fire, and Chen De's Wife and the others tactfully withdrew. An hour later, County Princess Rongjia lay on Song Shulan's chest, listening to him talk about Xuan-ge's matter. Her heart clenched tightly as she asked in confusion, "Xuan-ge is actually that impressive?" "Who would have thought? I didn't expect him to become the top scorer either. Clearly he's been working hard all along. Speaking of which, he should thank you. If not for your help getting him into the Guozijian, how could he have achieved such a fine result?" Song Shulan held County Princess Rongjia close. He felt she was the better choice and once again regretted not having married her from the very beginning—then he wouldn't have all these troubles now. County Princess Rongjia couldn't muster any joy. Fortunately, Song Shulan couldn't see her forced smile. "It was Xuan-ge's own effort. As his elder, it's only natural that I should make plans for the children." "You love children so much, my lady—shall we have one of our own?" Song Shulan patted County Princess Rongjia's back. "I've always hoped to have a child with you. It surely wouldn't be any less capable than Xuan-ge." He and County Princess Rongjia had been married for some time now, but she still hadn't conceived. He had even wondered—could it be that his constitution had declined in recent years? But Huadie had become pregnant before. Perhaps fate simply hadn't arrived yet. County Princess Rongjia's body stiffened, however. She too wanted to bear her own child, but she couldn't. She gave a very soft "mm" in response, and the two settled down to rest. The next morning, Song Shulan went to court, where many of his colleagues offered congratulations. When he saw Prince Rong, he hurried forward to greet him. "Your son did well, earning the top scorer spot. If he can pass both the prefectural and provincial examinations in succession, then this son of yours has great prospects ahead." Prince Rong paused, then mentioned Song Shulan's other son. "What was his name again?" "To answer my father-in-law, it's Jin-ge." "Ah, I remember now. That boy is plump and adorable, and quite clever too." Prince Rong gave Song Shulan a meaningful look. Last night, the Princess Consort had mentioned Cui Lingrong's two sons—the elder was already grown and sensible, while the younger was still innocent and naive. Rather than waiting for other children to be born, Song Mingjin was actually also an option. However, Prince Rong didn't make an immediate decision. A child raised halfway was still not the same as one raised from infancy. It was just that raising Jin-ge was a last resort—a move he wouldn't employ unless absolutely necessary. But if he brought it up, he imagined Song Shulan would agree. Prince Rong cursed his daughter for being useless, unable to outmaneuver Cui Lingrong, but in truth he still doted on her. Perhaps he owed his daughter from a past life. "Jin-ge is still too young to understand much—he's only good for being adorable." Song Shulan was in excellent spirits and didn't catch the deeper meaning in Prince Rong's words. Along the way, Song Shulan received many congratulations, and his smile never left his face. As for Song Mingxuan, he didn't let pride go to his head. Instead, he immediately picked up his books and threw himself into his studies. The prefectural examination was two months away, and he didn't have much time. Not only did he study himself, but he also brought his two younger brothers along to study with him. Song Mingjin, enjoying a rare break, didn't want to study and lay sprawled on the table, drooling. Five-year-old Song Mingzhou was actually more patient, though being young, he couldn't recognize all the characters and read haltingly. Song Mingxuan would pause from time to time to offer guidance, occasionally tapping Jin-ge on the head to remind him not to slack off. "Big brother is already the top scorer of the regional examination, so the prefectural examination should be a breeze. Why drag me into studying?" Song Mingjin was thinking about the crickets in the garden, his mind nowhere near his books. "Who said I'm guaranteed to pass the prefectural examination?" Song Mingxuan was annoyed. "The county examination is only the first step of the Imperial Examination. The prefectural examination is twice as difficult, and the candidates competing are far more talented. Do you take me for Wenquxing reincarnated, that I could earn the xiucai title without hard work?" Seeing that Jin-ge was still being lazy, he grabbed Jin-ge by the ear and made him stand up to read. Song Mingjin covered his ear, daring to be angry but not to speak, and reluctantly began to read aloud. Cui Lingrong and her daughter walked to the window and saw the scene. She handed the food box to the nanny, didn't go in to disturb them, and turned around with her daughter to leave. Song Yu asked, "Jin-ge doesn't like studying. Mother, why don't you go in and talk to him?" "With Xuan-ge keeping an eye on him, his schoolwork will be passable. If I pressure him too, children tend to develop a rebellious streak," Cui Lingrong said. "Besides, I can see that Jin-ge has average talent in academics. Forcing him to study won't necessarily yield good results, and it will only breed resentment. I've already spoken with Aunt Yuan—in a few days, Jin-ge will leave the Guozijian and go to the Jiang family to practice martial arts." Teach according to aptitude—Cui Lingrong had always kept that principle in mind. Song Yu worried that Old Madame and her father wouldn't agree. "Jin-ge does have a good physique and great strength. But the Marquis's household has been a literary family for generations. I'm afraid they won't approve. Can Mother convince them?" "Where there's a will, there's a way. As long as Jin-ge is willing himself, I have my methods to persuade your father and the rest." Although her son had barely gotten into the Guozijian, after observing him for so long, she could see that Jin-ge truly had average talent in academics. The old Cui Lingrong would never have thought of letting Jin-ge learn martial arts, but the more she found herself without choices now, the more she wanted her children to be able to make choices they loved. In the evening, Cui Lingrong called Jin-ge to her side. The moment she mentioned practicing martial arts, Jin-ge's eyes lit up immediately. "Really, Mother? I don't have to go to the Guozijian to study? I can go learn martial arts from Uncle Jiang?" Every time Song Mingjin went to the Jiang residence, he would play with the Jiang brothers, and he envied them especially. "You still need to read the necessary books. Whether in letters or in arms, one must have a certain level of knowledge to possess strategy. If you've made up your mind, I'll go discuss it with your father," Cui Lingrong said. Song Mingjin said he didn't like studying—he didn't need to think it over. Cui Lingrong then sent someone to fetch Song Shulan. Song Shulan assumed Cui Lingrong had finally come around and wanted to extend an olive branch to him, so he deliberately delayed for half an hour before heading to Qiushuang Zhai.