After returning from Huangjue Temple, my mother would scrutinize me whenever she had the chance, making me feel a prickle of goosebumps. "Mother, have you had enough?"
"I've seen enough, but I don't quite understand," my mother mused, bewildered. "You're only slightly more than merely pretty, how did the Crown Prince become so fixated on you?"
"Heh."
I wished I could slap myself for being so glib.
My daughter was truly a treasure in her eyes, even more doted upon than my brother. But compared to the Empress's children, I was likely not even worth mentioning.
Aunt Ruyi entered with a stack of invitations. "Madam, these are newly arrived invitations. Please review them."
I leaned in and found them all for various banquets – full moon celebrations, first birthdays, birthday parties... In total, they stretched more than half a month into the future.
Perhaps the heavy snow before the Lunar New Year had left everyone cooped up. Now that the snow disaster had passed and the weather cleared, all sorts of banquets were being scheduled. I curiously asked, "Mother, didn't you used to dislike these gatherings the most?"
It had always been said that my mother lived a rather carefree life. Because she had the Empress's protection and my father's doting, her personality hadn't changed at all after so many years of marriage. She would avoid these social events in the capital's circles whenever possible.
Sending gifts but not attending was the norm.
"It's not that I'm in a hurry to marry you off, but I have to cast a wide net. You better make me proud and get engaged next month," my mother gave me a look and started sifting through the invitations.
I choked for a moment, as if stimulated by Situ Yao. "Mother, I know you're anxious, but the Spring Imperial Examinations are approaching. Shouldn't you focus your attention on my brother first?"
My son's imperial examinations, wasn't that far more important than marrying off his daughter?
But my mother said, "Your brother is much more sensible, I don't need to worry about him at all. Oh, a post from the Song residence."
"Is there good news at Uncle Song's? Oh right, Sister Song is about to come of age."
My mother handed me the invitation. "You go. I've already prepared your gift for the coming-of-age ceremony."
"Mother, you're not going?"
My mother glared at me. "Are you asking for a beating?"
"It's mainly that I feel it's unnecessary. You and Uncle Song have a pure relationship. Avoiding him like this might make people think more deeply, don't you think?"
"When have I ever avoided meeting your Uncle Song? It's mainly because I don't want to see Madam Han's face. Every time she sees me, she speaks sarcastically. I'd be dirtying my hands if I hit her."
"Mother, calm down. Uncle Song is the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, and Madam Song is already a third-rank noble lady. If you assault her, you'll have to drink tea at the Court of Judicial Review."
"I've been there before. They served me good food and drinks anyway. Could Song Ming really punish me with a plank?"
Wow, there's a story here.
I eagerly leaned in. "Mother, what happened? Did you really lay a hand on her?"
My mother grew impatient. "Go away, go away. Children shouldn't meddle in adult affairs."
"You can't just stop talking halfway, that's not fair."
"Hmph."
Life was boring, and I pestered my mother for half a day. But her lips were sealed like a clam, and no matter how I tried, I couldn't pry anything out of her. I could only give up. However, even if she didn't say, I could guess a little.
Uncle Song was one of the Emperor's earliest subordinates.
When the Emperor was a constable, he was a patrolman. When the Emperor became a garrison commander, he followed him to fight against the Wokou pirates. When the Emperor returned to the capital and entered the Court of Judicial Review, he also followed him to investigate cases. Even later, when the Emperor went to Shanxi to suppress bandits and make peace with the Khitans...
With every deed, he was like a small shadow, steadfastly following the Emperor.
Having come this far, how could the Emperor neglect him after ascending the throne?
If the Emperor's rise from an obscure illegitimate son of a marquis to an emperor was a legend, then Uncle Song was no less remarkable. After all, in the beginning, he was just a patrolman without any rank, and not a skilled martial artist either.
His martial arts were trained by my mother.
They had known each other since they were young, and their bond was deeper than that of ordinary friends. In recent years, as they both lived in the capital, he visited my family frequently. He never became distant with my mother due to his rising status, and he always liked to send a share of any rare items he acquired to my home, which often made my father intensely jealous.
But there was nothing he could do.
After all, my mother had always valued friends over romantic partners. Aunt Miao, Aunt Mian, Uncle Song, Uncle Mao, Uncle Meng... no matter who visited, my father had to step aside.
Fortunately, he was a sensible person and didn't fly into a jealous rage like Madam Song.
Uncle Song awakened to love quite late. By the time he married, my mother was already married to my father. At that time, the Emperor had already become Prince Rui, and Uncle Song had also secured a position in the Court of Judicial Review. Madam Song, Han Shi, was someone he sought out himself. It was said he caught a glimpse of her on the street and fell in love at first sight. After inquiring, he discovered she was the daughter of one of his subordinates.
The marriage was naturally smooth.
It's just that I don't know what Madam Song heard, but she became convinced that Uncle Song had feelings for my mother. Every time they met, she would glare at my mother. My mother had a fiery temper, but out of respect for Uncle Song, she couldn't act out, so she tried to avoid her.
Sometimes I truly wonder what Madam Song is thinking. Uncle Song has one wife and three concubines. Doesn't he have three concubines in his household to contend with? Why must she find an additional love rival for herself?
The key point is, she couldn't win against my mother.