As the weather grew colder, Song Ci heard news of the death of the Fan Family’s Grand Madam. Pri Minister Fan imdiately submitted a request for mourning leave to the palace and organized the funeral at his residence. The palace reacted swiftly, approving Pri Minister Fan’s mourning leave and bestowing a posthumous title, honoring the Fan Family’s Grand Madam as the esteed Madam of Peace and Glory.
Having held office for over a decade, Pri Minister Fan had many disciples, and a significant number of them ca to pay their respects. The inns and guesthouses in the capital were filled, as many disciples sought new prospects following Pri Minister Fan’s mourning leave, engaging in various dealings.
Even the Song Mansion received many visitors wishing to offer their allegiance, with a considerable number coming to pay visits.
This is the reality; people leave, and the tea turns cold. A three-year mourning period raises uncertainty about whether Pri Minister Fan would resu his duties or be placed in an honorary position, like Grandmaster, rendering political maneuvering too late.
"The world is bustling for profit; this saying rings true. Even the strongest friendships must take a backseat to family interests and future prospects." Song Ci, attended by Palace Nanny and others, changed into somber attire.
With the passing of the Fan Family’s Grand Madam, her stature and rank commanded respect, and Song Ci should go to pay her final respects.
Palace Nanny remarked, "Naturally, people leave, and the tea grows cold. This is just the passing of the Fan Family’s Grand Madam. If it were Pri Minister Fan... it would be even more so."
Song Ci sighed and said, "For the past two years, the Fan Family’s Grand Madam has been bedridden. There were already rumors of her poor health two years ago, yet she lasted this long, perhaps to buy ti for the Fan Family."
The longer it was delayed, the better prepared the faction around Pri Minister Fan beca. They needed to settle affairs, regardless of whether they could regain their official positions. First, they had to secure the family’s interests; later, even if they didn’t regain their positions, the loss wouldn’t be too severe.
"That’s true. I heard Pri Minister Fan secured an exemption for his fourth grandson. He’s serving as a Fifth Rank General in Guangzhou, where the Southern Barbarians occasionally cause disturbances, and the Emperor approved it."
Song Ci responded, "State affairs take precedence. A re Fifth Rank, considering Pri Minister Fan’s years in power, the Emperor couldn’t be too harsh. I’m sure Pri Minister Fan exerted his efforts to gain this exemption."
Palace Nanny only smiled without speaking.
Song Ci was not mistaken. To secure this exemption for his grandson, Pri Minister Fan discreetly offered a share from a private bank to Song Zhiyuan, who naturally contributed it to the Emperor Chu’s private treasury.
Such behind-the-scenes deals need not be elaborated upon.
Palace Nanny draped a cloak over her shoulders and said, "You’re going to pay your respects, and I won’t say much. It’s cold now, and there’s no need to overdo it. Just light so incense as a gesture of respect, then feign discomfort and return to the mansion. Don’t linger at the Fan Family’s too long, lest you be jostled by the visitors, which wouldn’t be good."
Song Ci glanced at her sideways, teasing, "Nanny, you really treat like a child now, constantly reminding like a wet nurse. I’m not Dan’er."
Palace Nanny laughed and said, "If you were Dan’er, it would be easier. Just feed, cuddle to sleep, and play, but you are more willful than he is."
Song Ci sighed and said, "There will co a day, as you say. Now that the Fan Family’s Grand Madam is gone, I fear my frail body won’t outlast her, living to eighty."
In fact, the Fan Family’s Grand Madam lived to seventy-seven, but people of the past liked to embellish for aesthetics, so her age was announced as eighty, marking a life well-lived.
Palace Nanny felt a pang of discomfort and did not respond to her remark, only repeatedly reminding her not to be willful.
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