Chapter 1442: Faction Planning
Chapter 1442: Chapter 1442: Faction Planning
When Song Zhiyuan walked out of the discussion hall in the mansion, it was already the latter half of the night. He lifted his head to look at the bright moon in the sky; the cold, clear moonlight made his eyes narrow involuntarily.
"Since it’s still some time before morning court, my Lord should go back and rest for a while. These past few days you likely haven’t had a full night’s sleep." Mister Jun came to his side, following a step behind as he advised.
Song Zhiyuan gave a faint smile. "It’s strange—clearly my body is utterly weary, yet the more it is at times like these, the clearer my mind becomes, and I don’t feel much like sleeping. Speaking of which, these days I’ve relied greatly on Mister Jun to preside over matters in the mansion; otherwise, the Prime Minister’s Mansion would probably be in complete disorder."
As he spoke, he turned slightly to the side and gave Mister Jun a formal bow.
Mister Jun hurriedly stepped aside and said, "My Lord, you’ll crush your subordinate with such courtesy. No word from the palace has leaked out; even if someone wished to come prying and stirring up trouble, they would not dare act rashly with the news still unclear, so it’s hardly worth mentioning."
Song Zhiyuan said, "All the more reason to respond with caution. With the mansion steady, I can be more at ease in the palace."
Mister Jun smiled and diverted the topic. "This time, it counts as a false alarm for His Majesty. Having suffered this ordeal, he has now brought the person he favors into the open. As for the Empress’s natal family, the An Yang Marquis Mansion, what does the Prime Minister intend? I recall that the second master of the An Yang Marquis Mansion has a daughter, thirteen years of age, graceful and intelligent, and rather close in age to the Third Young Master."
If one wished to cultivate amity, the most direct way was a political marriage.
Once the two families were joined by marriage, the Song Minister’s Mansion would be completely tied to the Empress and the legitimate Prince’s faction, and would be counted, solidly, among the external relatives’ party.
Song Zhiyuan stroked his beard and said, "What you say, sir, I understand to be the most effective way of choosing a side. But Su’er has already been betrothed to the daughter of Duke Dingguo; if Jie’er were then to be betrothed to a Noble Lady of the An Yang Marquis Mansion, the two noble daughters would stand as equals. For the household to remain harmonious in the future would likely be difficult, and disputes would be endless. That is one point. Secondly, once we settle on a Noble Lady of the An Yang Marquis Mansion, the Prime Minister’s Mansion will indeed be firmly in the Empress’s camp, but it will also easily become an eyesore in His Majesty’s view."
Mister Jun’s eyes narrowed slightly.
"It’s not that I, as the eldest uncle, harbor selfish motives and do not wish Jie’er to wed a noble lady. It’s that the An Yang Marquis Mansion is a bit too exalted. Once the Crown Prince is established, the status of the An Yang Marquis Mansion will only rise higher and higher. You might not see anything in a day or two, but as time goes on, His Majesty’s suspicions will only deepen."
By the time Song Zhiyuan finished speaking, his voice had sunk to almost inaudible, tinged with a faint helplessness.
He bore no resentment; he understood well the principle that an Emperor is prone to suspicion. Even if it is the son he himself favors that he pushes to the throne, an Emperor is still an Emperor, destined to be solitary. The longer he reigns, the older he grows, the more he will even suspect the Crown Prince—suspect whether the Crown Prince intends to seize the throne, and suspect whether the Prince’s faction will try to have him killed.
By then, the Song Family would be in trouble as well. Just think of who the Song Family’s in-laws are—could the Emperor not harbor suspicion?
Mister Jun pondered for a moment, then let out a wry chuckle. "It seems your subordinate lost his cool and thought too simply."
"You were only thinking for the Song Family’s future, that’s all." Song Zhiyuan smiled lightly and said, "Forming a marriage alliance with the An Yang Marquis is unlikely. Doing some business together, however, is feasible. If I recall correctly, Madam An Yang Marquis is herself from a great clan in the Northeast."
Mister Jun nodded. "That’s right. Madam An Yang Marquis seems to have a large fur business; with the Empress as her backing, most of the fur trade in the capital is in her hands."
"I’ll discuss this matter in detail with my second son later. You must be weary as well, sir; go and rest for now."
Mister Jun cupped his hands. "After you, my Lord."
Song Zhiyuan turned and left.