Chapter 363 - Chapter 363: Our Surname Is Song
Chapter 363: Our Surname Is Song
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
“Yes, Xuan’er’s illness has been cured. After gaining the emperor’s favor and being named the Crown Prince, he hasn’t forgotten us. Finally, we have returned to the capital.”
This family belonged to the maternal side of the eleventh prince’s mother. Of course, he is now recorded under the empress, which meant he had two maternal families.
Because it’s only a nominal record, they don’t have a strong mother-son relationship. Therefore, the empress has never demanded he should treat her maternal family well.
In the future, when she becomes the empress dowager, she will take care of her own family. Therefore, she has never forced him.
Eleven’s affection for his birth mother is deep. Now, he brought her family over, and their residence has been returned to them.
This family’s surname is Song. Old Master Song is a veteran of three dynasties but never held high office. Due to the eleventh prince’s mother, he was expelled from the capital in the emperor’s anger.
After Eleven got the emperor’s consent, they were allowed to return to the capital.
Both the elderly members of the Song family are still alive, nearing seventy.
They have three sons, and Eleven’s mother is the daughter of the eldest son.
The three sons of the Song family have numerous children, including grandchildren. The dozens of people are not conspicuous at all in their spacious residences.
Upon hearing that his maternal family had returned to the capital, Eleven immediately put down the memorials in his hands and went to the Song family with his entourage.
Upon meeting, they all embraced and wept. It seems that the eleventh prince has a deep bond with them.
After the tears, they introduced themselves, and everyone took their seats in the front hall.
“Grandfather, Grandmother, although Father promised to let me bring you back, your official positions have not been restored.”
“There’s no hurry. It’s good enough to come back. We are all pretty old. If there’s an opportunity, elevate your cousins, and that will be sufficient.”
“Stay for now. After my wedding next year, you can try to enter the scene.
Based on your talents, I will arrange tasks for you.”
“Thank you, Crown Prince.”
The Song family has several daughters of marriageable age. They all looked at the Crown Prince with admiration, and their eyes revealed different feelings.
The girls secretly tugged at their mothers and whispered.
“Mother, I heard that the Crown Prince doesn’t have a consort yet.”
Which mother wouldn’t understand? Fortunately, they could ask him as a way of showing concern. Presumably, the Crown Prince won’t be angry.
“Xuan’er, is the date set for the wedding?”
“Yes, Aunt. It’s the first day of March next year.”
“Which family’s girl?” “The Duke of Blessing’s.” “Will you bring her to visit us?”
“If there’s time.’
“After marrying her, do you have to take concubines? How many are you planning to take?”
“I won’t take any. I will have only one wife in this lifetime.”
“What?”
The Song family was shocked. “There’s no such rule throughout the dynasties. Which emperor or prince didn’t have wives and concubines?”
“This is my voluntary choice.”
“What if she cannot bear a son in the future?” “Then we will choose another heir from the branch family.”
“Good heavens, isn’t this too unconventional?”
The Crown Prince, seeing their shocked expressions, didn’t say much. He left some silver notes and used the excuse of busy state affairs to leave.
The Song family’s girls stared eagerly at his departing figure, captivated.
If they could marry this man in their lifetime, what regrets would they have?
“There must be something special about the Qiao family’s girl to make the
Crown Prince swear to have only one wife for a lifetime.”
“Exactly. We must find out more about her another day.”
Hearing the whispers of the girls, the Song family members secretly made plans.
Nobody believed that the future emperor would only marry one woman. They must find a way to fit their daughters into that position.
Outsiders can never compare to his blood family, but there’s no rush for now. They need to settle down and establish a status in the court before anything else can be considered.
Moreover, even though they were from his maternal family, the empress was still between them. Without a solid footing, how could they compete with others?
In the palace, the old emperor and Eleven were in conversation. “Have arrangements been made for your mother’s family?”
“Yes, Father.”
“While I understand your sentiment for your late mother, it’s better for the
Song family to stay at a distance.”
“Why?”
At the mention of this, the emperor awkwardly coughed. To prevent his son from repeating his mistakes, he had to speak the truth.
“Back then, your mother was the woman I cherished the most. But why didn’t I promote the Song family? Because… you understand why I drove them out of the capital, right?”
After the emperor finished speaking, Eleven broke into a cold sweat. He knew his father had no reason to lie.
“I will be more careful, Father.”
“Do not bring your fiancée to their house. Those with ill intentions won’t miss any opportunity. You are now a piece of juicy meat; everyone wants a bite.
Ling’er is a simple and kind child, lacking suspicion. Don’t let her be tarnished.” “Yes, Father.”
“Just remember to protect Ling’er well. Don’t let her suffer any grievances. Love each other for a lifetime. Otherwise, your mother-in-law can be formidable.”
“Yes, Father.”
The news of the Song family’s arrival in the capital didn’t cause much of a stir, but the empress’s family visited her after hearing about it.
It was the empress’s mother who came. “Rui’er, the eleventh prince is listed under your name. He brought his birth mother’s family here ostentatiously. What are we going to do?”
“No worries. We should handle things as usual. They are his mother’s family, and although he is listed under my name, I cannot act narrow-minded.”
“After his grand wedding, when he comes with the Crown Princess, will he come to our house or go to the Song family?”
“Both. He can go wherever he wants. When the time comes, I am the Empress
Dowager, and he should respect me.”
“That’s true, but I still feel uneasy about it.”
“Remain calm. If he comes, welcome him; if he doesn’t, don’t say anything. It would make our family appear magnanimous.”
“Then I’ll listen to you.”
Time passed quickly. Over a month has flown by. Eleven had only visited the Song family twice and hadn’t been there since.
When he went to the Song family, they asked about the Crown Princess. He could tolerate it the first time, but the second time was annoying.
He hadn’t married yet, but they wanted Ling’er to visit them. They probably intended to assert their seniority. Fortunately, they hadn’t been given official positions. Otherwise, he wondered how they would try to handle Ling’er.
His fiancee was such a good girl; he couldn’t allow her to be criticized.
He used state affairs as an excuse not to visit again. The Song family was desperate. Trying to enter the palace was impossible without permission, but they knew no one in the capital.
It wasn’t until September that the Song family still hadn’t seen the Crown Prince. Anxious, they found out about Lucky Garden and came with the whole family.
The gatekeeper was troubled to see these people. She didn’t even let them in, peering through a crack, and asked.
“Who are you? Whom do you want to see?”
“We are the Song family, the Crown Prince’s maternal family. We want to see Princess Tianshui.”
The gatekeeper rolled her eyes. When did this family appear in the capital? Isn’t the Crown Prince’s maternal family the Rong family? The gatekeeper figured it out. “Wait here.”
She went in to report hurriedly, not to Ling’er but to Qiao Mai.
“Mistress, the Crown Prince’s maternal family is at the main gate, saying they want to see Miss Ling’er. This servant feels they don’t seem like good people. I reported to you directly.”
“Alright.’
Qiao Mai put down the book in her hand and followed the gatekeeper to the courtyard gate. When the gate opened, she opened her mouth in slight surprise. There were many people; she wondered if they were here to cause trouble.
She scrutinized the Song family. “What business do you have with my daughter?”
“Um, I am the Crown Prince’s great-grandfather; I am the Crown Prince’s grandfather, I am…” It took a round of introductions before they finished. “No need for introductions. Just tell me why you’re here to see my daughter.”
“We want to see the Crown Prince but can’t enter the palace. It’s been so long, and he hasn’t visited us.”
“So, you’re here for the Crown Prince. Go back and wait. I’ll send someone to the palace to inform him.” “In-law, won’t you invite us in?”
“I will when the Crown Prince brings you here himself..”