"Have you seen Miss Guan Liu at Madam’s courtyard?"
Song Zhiyuan looked at his eldest son sitting upright in the carriage and asked with a smile.
Song Lingsu’s face heated up slightly, he nodded: "I have seen her."
"How was it?"
Song Lingsu touched his neck and said: "Just a glance, we exchanged greetings but didn’t have a chance to say much, she hid away quickly, and when I left, she didn’t co out again."
"That’s understandable," Song Zhiyuan said with a slight smile. "In the presence of elders, getting a genuine, unguarded look is quite good. Since you’re not engaged, if the young girl were to co out to see you off or speak with you, it would seem a bit frivolous. But if you were engaged, then eting privately to chat wouldn’t be a problem. The reputation of a woman is far more important than that of a man, Su’er; you must understand to avoid suspicion and respect the other party, and learn restraint, because sotis your one mont of indulgence can ruin the other’s life."
Song Lingsu quickly responded: "I didn’t an to bla; I was just saying, I understand."
Song Zhiyuan nodded and continued, "What do you think of the girl?"
Song Lingsu pressed his lips together, feeling a bit shy, and honestly said, "She’s nice, but I haven’t interacted with her much, so character and such are things you and mother would need to investigate further. She should be filial and accommodating, able to manage a household and handle family affairs, and if she’s open-minded, even better."
"Why, does appearance not matter?" Song Zhiyuan raised an eyebrow.
Song Lingsu laughed and said, "Even the most beautiful woman will age one day, as long as she’s not ugly to the point of being intolerable, it’s fine. Character, however, is highly important, as is managing the household. With a good temperant, she can get along well with sisters-in-law and aunts and teach the children, resulting in fewer troubles. Being good at managing the household, she can help grandmother and mother in handling interpersonal relations and family affairs. But if she is boastful and competitive, always comparing and stirring troubles, even if she were as beautiful as a fairy, it wouldn’t do any good."
Song Zhiyuan was sowhat surprised: "These are teachings from the Grand Tutor?" Such maturity.
Song Lingsu replied, "The Grand Tutor does occasionally speak about principles of conduct; these are conclusions from listening to so classmates’ chats. So classmates’ families are very turbulent, causing turmoil at ho, so that classmate can only hide at the Academy to find peace, even delaying going ho during holidays. I don’t want our family to be like that, nor do I want to be a source of irritation often."
A ho should be gentle and full of warmth; if it’s only noisy, how can one find rest?
Song Zhiyuan firmly pressed his shoulder: "You’ve indeed grown; what you said is very true. A virtuous wife benefits three generations, while a foolish woman ruins a household. Finding a wise and reasonable wife is crucial, especially for the eldest legitimate son."
Song Lingsu felt a bit elated receiving his father’s affirmation.
"Being able to et, the young girl’s character has been scrutinized. Since you like her, your mother and I will prepare to settle it. You are of age now; once settled, you could marry next year or the year after if possible."
Song Lingsu’s handso face ward slightly, feeling sowhat uneasy, and said: "I will follow your lead, father."
Seeing him shy, Song Zhiyuan couldn’t help but laugh heartily; the sound carried outside the carriage, prompting the servants and guards on either side to exchange glances and share a knowing smile.
The Pri Minister is in a good mood today; it seems there’s joyous news in the manor, which ans relief for those who serve.
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