The Song residence had been fully restored, and the family moved back from the house where they had been staying temporarily. The Song estate had regained its former glory, and with people coming and going, it had grown lively once more.
That day, however, there was something unusual: two official matchmakers had actually come calling.
Song Xuemu and his elder brother, Song Wushen, happened to run into the matchmakers as they were leaving the residence after work.
“What are those people doing here, joining in the commotion?”
Song Xuemu voiced his doubt. Now that the Song family had regained its former prestige, new and old officials hoping to curry favor and form connections came flocking like carp crossing a river. Invitations arrived by the countless every day, and no matter what kind of person or official came by, it was hardly worth remarking on anymore. He simply had not expected even matchmakers to come and join the bustle.
He teased, “Could it be that those official matchmakers are still hoping to find a marriage match for Suisui? If Xiao Duan hears about this, won’t he lose his temper all over again?”
“Matchmakers in the capital can’t possibly be so ill-informed. Surely they know who is and isn’t married. And they deal with prominent families, too. If they were foolish enough to make such a mistake, what reputation would they have left in this line of work?”
After saying this, Song Wushen gave Song Xuemu a sidelong look.
“I think you’re the truly muddle-headed one. You’re actually trying to concern yourself with Sui Sui’s marriage, yet you haven’t stopped to consider that you’re the only one in the Song family who still hasn’t settled down.”
At his words, Song Xuemu let out an exclamation of dismay, then hurried into the residence.
Grandfather Song had finished work at the Imperial Academy earlier and was currently in the reception hall, feeding Little Ji crab-paste pastries. When he saw Song Xuemu enter, he did not even lift his eyelids.
Song Fengsui, who had been drinking tea nearby, was the one who called out with barely concealed amusement, “Second Uncle.”
Little Ji followed suit and called, “Second Granduncle,” then held out a piece of crab-paste pastry to him.
Song Xuemu cleared his throat. “Father, I saw some matchmakers here just now... Have you already met with them?”
“Your mother is gone. If they came here, who else could have met them but me?”
Song Fengsui could tell that this was not a scene he ought to remain in. He beckoned Little Ji over.
“Come on. Let’s go see whether Father has finished work yet.”
As soon as the elder and younger pair had left the room, Song Xuemu’s steady facade fell away completely. In truth, he had never been all that composed to begin with, but being left alone with his elderly father made him even more at a loss.
“Father, why did you meet with them? What use does our family have for matchmakers now? Surely you’re not thinking of arranging a match for Little Ji when he’s still so young.”
Grandfather Song glared at Song Xuemu.
“Little Ji has parents to worry about him. It isn’t your place to arrange anything for him. And you certainly shouldn’t be like your Second Granduncle, still acting so immature at your age.”
Song Xuemu choked for a moment.
“Father, you don’t need to worry about my affairs anymore...”
He appeared somewhat ill at ease, yet his tone was quite certain when he added, “I’ll bring Jinglan back in a few days.”
Grandfather Song raised his brows and looked at Song Xuemu, then gave a quiet snort.
“The two of you never got along. You could quarrel eight times in a single day. These past few years, I finally had some peace and quiet. Now you’re complaining that the house is too quiet and planning to bring her back?”
Song Xuemu knew perfectly well how much the two of them had bickered during those years together. The couple had provided nearly all of the Song household’s amusing stories, and even now, the thought of it still made his face burn with embarrassment.
He said, “In the past, when I was young and ignorant, I was rather hot-tempered, and that was how I ended up making such a fool of myself. These past few years in Qianzhou were difficult, and I have spent a great deal of time reflecting. I will never behave as I did before again.”
“Jinglan and I have been separated all these years, each of us in a different place and without the slightest word from the other. My heart has felt as though it were being boiled in oil. I have missed her terribly every single day. I always think that, if I could have another chance, I would never again be as childish and thoughtless as I was before. When two married people are together, they ought to be more understanding and tolerant of each other.”
“Now that the clouds have parted and the moon has appeared, and life is finally getting better, if you truly made me sever things with her and stop being husband and wife, I really would not be able to sleep. I fear I would never know another moment of happiness for the rest of my life.”
As he spoke, Song Xuemu truly did stir up his own sorrow. Raising his sleeve, he dabbed at the corners of his eyes. “I really do miss her terribly. I have already sent her several letters, and she says in hers that she misses me so much she can hardly bear it…”
“That’s enough, that’s enough!”
Even Grandfather Song, usually the most composed of men, could neither listen to nor watch any more of this. He repeatedly called for him to stop, interrupting his performance.
The saccharine, oily words had filled his ears and turned his stomach.
He impatiently urged Second Uncle Song to get out of the room. Before he left, he even scolded him several times, telling him not to wipe his tears and snot all over his court robes. It was utterly disgraceful.
“Father truly won’t let Second Brother bring Jinglan back?”
Song Wushen entered the room right after him and found the old man sitting there, drinking tea to calm his anger. He stepped forward and gently rubbed his back.
“Who could stand the sight of him carrying on like that?”
Grandfather Song scolded, “He seemed to have improved quite a lot over these past few years, but his true nature is still exactly the same.”
Song Wushen said, “Second Brother really has grown a great deal over the years. Perhaps this time, he and Jinglan will truly learn how to live well together.”
Grandfather Song exhaled heavily and shook his head. “Jinglan is a child I watched grow up as well. The two of them still have feelings for each other, so of course I’m happy about that. Do you truly think I want to break up their marriage?
“I already spoke with Uncle Wu. We need to teach the two of them a proper lesson and give them a few difficulties to overcome, so that once they are together again, they won’t go back to raising a terrible ruckus every day. If they can appreciate how difficult it was to reconcile, perhaps they will be more peaceful in the future.”
A smile appeared in Song Wushen’s eyes. “In the end, you and Uncle Wu truly have gone to great lengths for their sake.”
And so, Song Xuemu spent more than two months flattering and coaxing Grandfather Song before finally winning his consent.
It was September, and the fragrance of golden osmanthus filled the air. Song Xuemu had specifically taken a day off, yet he was as restless as a young man in love, pacing anxiously at the city gate as he waited for half the day.
Duan Yan was returning to the capital after leaving the military camp in the western suburbs. One of his attendants asked whether he wanted to stop and greet Young Lord Song.
Duan Yan was still wondering where they were supposed to meet him when the attendant pointed him out. He raised his eyes and—oh! What a strikingly impressive gentleman.
Second Uncle Song was dressed in pale-moon brocade with a subtle pattern. A jade crown rested atop his head, black boots covered his feet, and a jade belt was fastened around his waist. From it hung a fine piece of white mutton-fat jade, along with decorative blue silk tassels.
The Song family members were handsome to begin with, and after such careful grooming, Second Uncle Song looked every inch the refined young scion of an eminent household.
Duan Yan suddenly remembered why Second Uncle had been waiting at the city gate.
When the Song family returned to the capital, the Wu family, which had remained there all along, had already received a transfer order from the new emperor and been sent to take up posts in the provinces.
The Wu family had served as important officials under the previous dynasty. Unlike the Song family, there was naturally no reason for the new emperor to favor them after taking the throne. The fact that they had not been purged, but merely reassigned to continue serving in local posts, was already an excellent outcome.
Thus, with the Wu family now based in a provincial city, it was only natural that someone should go and welcome them back.
Duan Yan held back a laugh and did not step forward to disturb the couple’s reunion. Quietly mounting his horse, he hurried back, eager to share this juicy bit of gossip with Young Master Song.
Not long after Duan Yan left, an official carriage appeared on the road before the city gates.
Inside the carriage sat a lovely, jade-faced woman. Regardless of the curious looks around her, she repeatedly lifted the curtain and craned her neck to look out. Only when she caught sight of a familiar figure did her trembling hand finally lower the curtain.
The wind at the city gates was strong, sending sleeves fluttering wildly. The fragrance of osmanthus drifted through the air.
When the husband and wife, separated for five or six years, saw each other again, the first thing that came was not a greeting, but reddened eyes. Their lips trembled as though they wished to speak, yet instead they burst into tears. Hand in hand, they wept so hard that neither could utter a single word.
Seeing this, the servants hurriedly coaxed and supported the pair into the carriage.
“Have you been well?”
“No. How could I be well when I couldn’t see you?”
“I missed you too. Even food had no taste. I pleaded with Father for so long before he finally allowed me to return.”
“I know I’ve made you suffer. I deserve punishment. Punish me by making me wash your feet for the rest of my life, by having me rise every morning to comb your hair—punish me…”
The maidservants and attendants, who knew better, had not remained in the carriage to serve them. Instead, they followed alongside it on foot.
Before long, they all tightly shut their mouths and silently moved even farther away. If only they could shut their ears as well—that would have been perfect…
That evening, Duan Yan and Song Fengsui brought Little Ji to the Song residence for a reunion dinner. The whole family gathered merrily together.
It was Wu Jinglan’s first time meeting Duan Yan and Little Ji. She had long heard that Suisui had married and had a child, and had specially prepared a gift for Little Ji. The child was as exquisitely adorable as a carved doll, and she liked him immensely. She even placed a gold necklace around his neck.
The family reminisced until late, so Duan Yan and Song Fengsui simply stayed the night there.
After returning to their courtyard and putting Little Ji to sleep, Duan Yan lay down with Song Fengsui in his arms. Shoulder to shoulder on the pillow, he said idly, “Uncle and Aunt truly do have a wonderful relationship. At dinner tonight, they sat together, serving each other dishes and refilling each other’s soup.
“When Aunt put the necklace on Little Ji, she even told Uncle that she wanted a child too. The two of them were exchanging such meaningful looks.”
Song Fengsui gave a soft sigh. “They were always like that in the past. When things were good between them, they were so affectionate it was almost painful to watch. But when things were bad…” He cleared his throat. “Well, there is still a long road ahead. Let’s wait and see.”
Little did they know that, at that very moment in the Fragrant Blossoms Courtyard, Song Xuemu was washing Wu Jinglan’s feet, the two murmuring sweet nothings to each other with great intimacy.
“Everyone says you’re a good man. Now that you’ve risen again, you still haven’t forgotten our old bond, and you were willing to remember me. It moves me deeply.”
Song Xuemu raised his brows and smiled. “We’re an old married couple. What’s the point of saying such things?”
Yet Wu Jinglan was displeased by those words. Her brows drew together as she gave him a reproachful look. “Who are you calling old?”
“Even Sui Sui’s Little Ji is already four. Aren’t we old by now?”
Song Xuemu cheerfully brought up exactly the one thing better left unsaid. “Besides, you’re two years older than I am.”
“Song the Second, what exactly do you mean by that?!”
“What did I mean? I merely said you were older—nothing else. Who doesn’t grow old?”
“I think you’re saying I’m old on purpose, beating around the bush to take a jab at me!”
“You really do have far too many thoughts in that head of yours, always twisting everything in the wrong direction.”
Before long, the two of them were arguing again, red in the face and thick in the neck, leaving the servants so intimidated that none of them dared so much as breathe too loudly.
It did not take long for the matter to be brought before Grandfather Song, with the two demanding that the old man judge who was in the right.
Grandfather Song shut his door and had them both thrown out. He cursed that he might as well quit his post at court, retire, and spend his days settling their disputes.
If their father would not arbitrate, then they would have their eldest brother and sister-in-law do it. The two of them made a fine racket of it, stirring up the whole household.
Duan Yan had now seen the full extent of his second uncle and second aunt’s “talents.” No wonder people called them a pair of sworn enemies—there was not the slightest exaggeration in it.
“I’ve heard it said that what is too full is bound to overflow. Everyone in the Song family is capable and accomplished; if everything went smoothly and everyone behaved perfectly, that would be far too complete—and all too likely to invite disaster.”
With a laugh, Duan Yan tried to comfort the family. “A few imperfections are what make things truly complete.”
