Whenever there is a social gathering, seeing a suitable young girl appear, she is bound to be asked about marriage. It’s part of the social etiquette and mutual understanding.
The promoting family showcases their daughters who are coming of age, and the eager families evaluate which of their sons would be suitable. Even if there is no one in their own family, they can matchmake for another young man. If they achieve a good marriage, it brings prestige and connections.
This is how socializing works among aristocratic won.
Song Ci waved a round fan, reminiscing about future social circles where aristocratic won would probably discuss family business investnts first, or which charity balls and social events require attendance. Marriages?
Marriage alliances are well understood as tied with interests, aid at pushing family businesses and social status to greater heights, with very clear goals.
Indeed, different tis have their own ways, but one thing that remains the sa is the emphasis on equal status in marriage.
"The dance is finished, and the competition is about to start."
Song Lingzhou munched on a bag of popcorn, exclaiming excitedly.
This popcorn was made on Song Ci’s request before the event, as watching a competition without snacks seed pointless.
The sweet fragrance attracted many kids around Song Lingzhou’s age. They didn’t understand the adults’ banter, only focused on the food.
What kind of thing is this? So crispy and sweet.
More and more children gathered around the Song Family’s spot, chattering loudly and cheerfully.
"What’s this snack? So sweet and fragrant."
"This is called popcorn, made by popping corn and coated with syrup, so of course it’s sweet," Song Lingzhou said proudly. "It’s made by my grandmother, impressive, right?"
"Very impressive."
Song Ci turned and smiled, saying, "You can make noise, but no pushing, otherwise you might fall into the river. Xiaoman, share the popcorn you have with them, don’t fight over it."
"The ancestors of the Song family, did they really have such snacks?" a little boy with a bun hairstyle asked with wide eyes.
Song Ci pinched his chubby cheek lightly and said, "Of course, the ancestors specially had people make extra to carry with them, just to feed you all."
"The ancestor is truly prescient. How did you know we would co and eat these snacks?"
Song Ci pretended to calculate like a Bodhisattva with his fingers and said, "Since you called prescient, naturally I am. With a calculation, I knew you little monkeys would co here craving snacks!"
The children giggled, each calling him wonderful and saying how delicious it was, bowing with swaying bodies.
The adults, seeing this, used the children’s nature as an opportunity to get closer to the Song Family.
In this circle of officials and nobility, many were sharp-eyed; seeing others move, they also joined in. Before long, the Song Family’s gathering grew considerably.
This popularity and connections were plain to see.
The Fan Family, seeing this, felt disdain yet also so irritation, thinking these people were such opportunists.
In the past, before Pri Minister Song was appointed to the highest rank, everyone was trying to curry favor with Madam Fan. But in recent years, the Fan Family’s status had declined, and if not for a daughter becoming a princess, it would have been worse.
Now, the Elder Lady Fan lay bedridden, her mind unclear, and who knows when she may pass away. When that ti cos, will the Fan Family still have a place in the Beijing Circle?
Madam Fan, watching Song Ci laugh like an old chrysanthemum, tightened her grip on her fan, refusing to entertain the thought!
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