The little incident at the Duke Ying Mansion could hardly be concealed, especially when the Ministry of War suddenly received a donation of tens of thousands of taels of silver. The Minister of War was smiling so widely that lines etched his face.
Upon asking about the origin of the donation, it turned out it was due to Song Ci’s words defending the soldiers. Deeply moved, he almost wanted to write a letter of gratitude to praise the Song Family’s Matriarch.
Unable to conceal it, the news naturally reached the Emperor’s ears.
Emperor Chu listened to the whole story and was imnsely pleased, laughing heartily.
"What a fine example of ’no country, no family.’ The Song Matriarch is indeed a woman of great virtue."
Song Zhiyuan bowed deeply with hands clasped: "Your Majesty flatters us. My mother has shallow knowledge, only having endured the hardships of war and unable to bear seeing soldiers suffer."
Nearby, Pri Minister Fan secretly rolled his eyes from an unseen angle.
Pri Minister Song is truly hypocritical. He’s probably overjoyed inside, yet outwardly speaks such diplomatic words, pretentious.
"Pri Minister Song, there’s no need for such modesty. I am well aware that every year the Song Matriarch makes anonymous donations of grain and goods to the Military Relief Hall," said Emperor Chu, warmth in his eyes.
The Military Relief Hall, noble in na, actually provided compensation to the families of soldiers who were disabled or died in battle, either with money, grain, or reemploynt arrangents—all of which requires silver.
And every year, Song Ci would donate a sum of her own private funds anonymously to this cause, sothing scarcely known among the nobles of the capital.
Even Pri Minister Fan was surprised upon hearing this. Why had he not been inford of this?
Had none of his subordinates reported this? Or did the Military Relief Hall have people from Pri Minister Song covering up the matter thoroughly?
Pri Minister Fan looked at Song Zhiyuan, his mustache twitching. What a cunning Pri Minister Song, adept at catching others off guard—hiding it from others, yet ’not hiding’ it from the Emperor, thus making the Emperor feel that the Song Matriarch is noble in character and worth respecting.
Bah!
The sly old fox!
Song Zhiyuan sensed Pri Minister Fan’s gaze and looked over, seeing the other with an expression half smirking, as if to say: I know what cunning plots you’re up to.
Song Zhiyuan smiled gently at him: I know you know, what’re you going to do about it?
Pri Minister Fan: "..."
What a brazen young fool!
"Your Majesty, the Song Matriarch is of noble character, defending the Commandery Princess... oh, I an, defending the imperial officials. It is only fitting for a comndation," Pri Minister Fan said with a smile.
Song Zhiyuan’s gaze flickered, his little finger subtly curling; was Pri Minister Fan hinting to the Emperor about the close ties between his mother and the Commandery Princess, suggesting the Song Family had dealings with Prince Dingbei’s Mansion?
Emperor Chu watched the two’s exchange of glances with interest and asked, "Oh? What does Pri Minister Fan think would be an appropriate comndation?"
Pri Minister Fan stroked his beard in contemplation, then suddenly recalled sothing and said with a smile: "Pri Minister Song is already at the pinnacle of his career, and his household lacks neither gold nor silver, but the family seems a bit sparse. The elderly most enjoy having a full house of descendants. I heard that Pri Minister Song’s younger brother is yet unmarried. Perhaps Your Majesty could grant him a marriage, so the Song Matriarch might embrace another golden grandson?"
Emperor Chu narrowed his eyes: "A marriage? Pri Minister Song, what do you think?"
Silently cursing Fan Zhang for being a sly old fox, Song Zhiyuan smiled when asked by Emperor Chu: "Your Majesty, Pri Minister Fan’s words are mistaken."
"Oh?"
Emperor Chu and Pri Minister Fan raised their eyebrows.
Feigning humiliation, Song Zhiyuan said, "Pri Minister Fan said we don’t lack gold and silver, but that’s not true. Your Majesty knows well, I co from humble beginnings, with shallow foundations, unlike Pri Minister Fan’s abundant resources. My mother always says she wants to be a rich old lady. If Your Majesty were to reward us, a reward in gold and silver would make her very happy."
Emperor Chu and Pri Minister Fan: "..."
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