Returning to Daohua Estate and Shiquan Estate, Song Jinzhao stood on the ridge of the field and stared at the physically disabled soldiers for a long time. Her gaze fell on their wives and children. If she were to report this to the authorities, these people would probably lose their lives as well.
After pondering for a long time, Song Jinzhao seemed to have made a very important decision.
Never mind. Even if the matter was exposed one day, it would be the fault of the Internal Affairs Department. She had not even been born back then; she was just an innocent scapegoat who inherited the mess.
The estates were bestowed by the Emperor, so the blame could not fall on her anyway. It would not go so far as to cost the lives of these disabled soldiers, women, and children when the matter had passed for over twenty years.
However, with a thirty percent rent, she would not be able to earn a single penny. Besides, their labor force was very weak. She still had to think of a way to resolve this.
Staring at Song Jinzhao's dashing figure as she rode away on horseback, Qu Ya and Guan Nianshan felt extremely heavy-hearted.
Why did the Linghui Princess of the County come again? Did she still want to expose them?
Over the following days, the two waited anxiously day after day, but everything on the estate remained as usual.
If there was any change, it was that Chen Fu and Li Hou went from door to door, informing them that the estate had a new owner and telling them to work hard and absolutely not slack off, striving to harvest more grain to pay the rent.
It seemed that this Linghui Princess of the County did not intend to expose the matter. The two men's uneasy hearts gradually relaxed as the days passed.
A few days after Song Jinzhao returned from the estate, Fang Zhixing, a director from the Ministry of Works' Construction and Repair Department, came to inform her that the Princess's residence had been fully repaired and cleaned. He also reminded Song Jinzhao that the day after tomorrow would be an auspicious day for moving.
The next day, Song Jinzhao took her younger brother and sister out to buy many gifts to thank Ye Liangyu for letting them stay at the Ye Manor during this time.
Looking at the famous teas and fine wines on the table, Ye Liangyu actually felt somewhat reluctant to see Song Jinzhao and the others leave.
Since his parents passed away, he had lived alone in the mansion as a solitary man. Although Song Jinzhao and her siblings had only stayed in the backyard for ten days, the sounds of their playful banter in the courtyard when he returned from court every day always drew him to speak a few more words. Even the dining table was much livelier than before, unlike the cold and desolate atmosphere when he was all alone.
But he also knew he could not stop them. After having Yunhe accept the gifts, he said, Miss Song, as a Princess of the County now, you have essentially stepped half a foot into the capital's aristocratic circles. Moreover, your residence was a gift from the Emperor. After moving, it stands to reason that you should host a housewarming banquet and invite the high officials and nobles in the capital to your home to celebrate.
This matter concerns the future prestige of the Song Manor in the capital. The guest list must be comprehensive. Whether they come or not, the invitations must be sent out. You absolutely cannot afford to offend anyone over this.
After all, the Song family came from commoner origins. Ye Liangyu was not worried about simple social interactions, but he was truly concerned that Song Jinzhao did not understand the rules among such noble families.
The housewarming banquet was not only an expression of gratitude for the Emperor's gift, but also the first step for the Song family to establish a firm foothold in the capital. There especially could not be any mistakes, otherwise, people would say she lacked manners and was indeed someone from a small place with an unchangeable baseness in her bones, thereby looking down on the Song Manor even more.
Before Song Qiming entered the court as an official, the lintel of the Song Manor could be said to be entirely supported by Song Jinzhao's title as the Linghui Princess of the County; she absolutely had to hold it up.
Song Jinzhao blinked. She had thought about hosting a housewarming banquet, but she merely intended to invite a few familiar people over for a casual meal.
Inviting all the high officials and nobles in the entire capital, ninety-nine percent of whom she didn't even know, would not only be troublesome, but she also wouldn't know what kind of chaos might ensue.
However, meeting the serious and earnest look in Ye Liangyu's eyes, Song Jinzhao could not help but start thinking about this matter.
A wise person does not fight a losing battle. Since they had come to the capital, they had to establish a foothold here eventually. They still needed to go through the motions of making connections and socializing.
In the future, when Qiming entered the court as an official, he could not be completely without social ties. Although a lone minister was commendable, a single tree cannot make a forest, and it is easily broken and snapped.
Song Jinzhao said, To be honest with you, Lord Ye, I really do not understand the relationships and social interactions among the various manors in the capital. I'm afraid the housewarming banquet will be difficult to handle.
Ye Liangyu reached out his hand, and Yunhe, who was standing to the side, immediately took a step forward.
There are no female family members in my manor. Yunhe manages all external social relations. Let him explain it to you. During the housewarming banquet, you can freely assign the servants in my manor as you see fit, and just return them after it's done.
Ye Liangyu had no heirs. Now that he had accepted Song Qiming as his student, and seeing how promising the boy was, he would naturally do everything possible to pave the way for him. Otherwise, he would not have repeatedly used his own network of connections to help Song Jinzhao. While there was certainly the favor of treating his legs involved, it was mostly for Song Qiming's sake.
With a family backing him up, he would always be able to walk a steadier path.
Moreover, Song Jinzhao was unlike ordinary women. She was truly too capable, and the assistance she would bring to Song Qiming in the future would be immeasurable.
The Song family had not brought much luggage on their journey to the capital this time. Adding what they had purchased these past few days, two carriages were enough to transport it all.
The Princess's residence covered an area of fourteen mu. Their belongings could not even fill a fraction of the more than seventy rooms.
Including the gardens, rockeries, and ponds, Song Jinzhao and her siblings, along with Lanxi, Qingshuang, and Qingshui who was responsible for cooking, totaled only eight people, plus a tiger.
Walking through the mansion, one could shout without anyone hearing it. It felt extremely desolate, and furthermore, there was no one to clean it.
The house was large, but tidying it up was also troublesome.
On the day of the move, Ye Liangyu walked around the mansion and couldn't help but nod continuously.
If it weren't for the former Vice Minister of Personnel's corruption and bribery, even if the Internal Affairs Department had repaired it perfectly, it wouldn't have such diverse scenery where the view changes every seven steps. He even secretly expanded the area by several mu back then. That small vegetable garden at the back used to be the houses of nearby commoners. He later secretly bought them and converted them into a backyard. I heard it was used for raising cattle, just so he could have fresh beef to eat every day.
The imperial court explicitly prohibited the arbitrary slaughter of draft cattle; even if one raised them themselves, it was not allowed.
But when that Vice Minister of Personnel's estate was confiscated, there were eighty head of cattle kept in the manor. Just the cattle bones buried beneath the vegetable patch amounted to more than two hundred excavated. If the evidence hadn't been irrefutable, no one would have believed the truth if it were spoken.
Song Jinzhao also felt that the scenery inside the mansion was beautiful, but no matter how good the scenery was, it needed someone to maintain it. Otherwise, after a month, it would definitely look terribly ugly.
Buying one or two servants this time would certainly not be enough; they had to be bought by the dozens.
She would also have to pay these people their monthly wages. Once the housewarming banquet was over, she still needed to hurry and think of ways to generate new sources of income. The more money she earned, the better.
Ten days had passed since Song Qiming entered the Imperial Academy to study. The most common discussion among his classmates was comparing him with Dongfang Yukun.
Originally, most people had already decided that the top scholar of next year's spring imperial examination would be Dongfang Yukun. After all, he had passed the provincial examination to become a Juren at the age of ten, and was even the Jieyuan, the first-place winner.
But now a Song Qiming had popped up. He started his education at the age of ten and, in just three years, passed the provincial examination to become a Juren, also securing the title of Jieyuan.
Both were young geniuses. With two of them appearing at once in this special imperial examination, it was absolutely a clash of the titans.
Just when everyone was watching and expecting them to dislike each other and fight to the bitter end, the relationship between these two people progressed surprisingly rapidly.
Only ten days had passed, and they had already begun to come and go together. They even stayed together for lunch, after class, and when going to the latrine, leaving everyone absolutely dumbfounded.
You have to know that although Song Qiming's older sister was now a County Princess, the Song family had risen to power too quickly and lacked a solid foundation. Aside from Song Jinzhao, they had no one backing them.
But the Dongfang family was different.
Dongfang Yukun's grandfather was a veteran minister who had served two emperors. Both his grandfather and his biological father held high-ranking positions at court. Even Prince Ying and Prince Qi wouldn't dare offend them easily.
It truly dropped many people's jaws that two individuals with such vastly different family backgrounds, who were also competitors, could become friends in such a short period.
After entering the Imperial College, Song Gaoli did not follow Duan Yanhua's instructions to socialize with the rich and powerful to gather information. Instead, he chose to stick closely to Song Qiming. Over time, everyone naturally assumed he was Song Qiming's lackey.
However, Song Gaoli didn't care about this at all. His only goal right now was to pass the imperial examination and become a Jinshi. Being called a lackey was far better than being bullied.
On his very first day at the Imperial College, everyone found out that he had placed dead last in the Longbei Provincial Examination. The disdainful looks they gave him then were still vivid in his mind.
Every time he recalled it, it was like reliving the scene all over again. He could almost see people pointing at his nose, cursing him for having no real talent and getting in through the back door. That sense of inferiority and humiliation was so awful that he wished he could dig a hole and bury himself on the spot.
Moreover, after entering, Song Gaoli discovered that there were many students from ordinary backgrounds in the Imperial College.
Not only were they bossed around like servants by the young masters of noble families, but they didn't even dare to outperform them in class or in writing essays. They were oppressed anytime and anywhere, and he definitely didn't want to end up like that.
By following Song Qiming, he was treated as a brother. If he followed anyone else, he would truly be a servant, serving them tea, pouring water, and constantly flattering them. How could he possibly focus all his energy on studying then?
At this very moment, standing before the flowerbed, Song Qiming and Dongfang Yukun were composing poems about the blooming yellow chrysanthemums, while Song Gaoli stood by and observed.
He savored and analyzed their poems while reciting his own, waiting for Song Qiming and Dongfang Yukun to offer their guidance.
Song Qiming's feedback was relatively tactful, but Dongfang Yukun had a truly venomous tongue. The moment he spotted a flaw, he would point it out mercilessly, always following up with: You just change it exactly as I said, and I guarantee the teacher will praise you.
After critiquing Song Gaoli's poem, Dongfang Yukun turned to Song Qiming. Your family is hosting a housewarming banquet? My mother said she received an invitation.
Song Qiming nodded. My teacher had my sister send invitations to everyone. I am just not sure how many will actually come.
Dongfang Yukun proudly threw an arm over Song Qiming's shoulder. Don't worry, I will definitely make my parents go. I absolutely won't let your Song family lose face.
Song Gaoli's eyes lit up. If the Dongfang family attended, many court officials would definitely give them face and show up. At the very least, it wouldn't end up with half of the dozen tables empty, that would be far too embarrassing.
Song Qiming smiled gently. It would be best if your parents could grace us with their presence, but if they cannot make it, just having you there is enough. I have already boasted to my sister and younger sister about how incredibly talented and devastatingly handsome you are, like Pan An himself. They have to see you with their own eyes this time.
Dongfang Yukun removed his hand from Song Qiming's shoulder and lifted his chin with a look of defiance. When it comes to talent and looks, how could Pan An possibly compare to me?
Song Qiming met his gaze, while Song Gaoli stifled a laugh beside them.
I was just giving an example. You are definitely a thousand times better than him.
When they first met, Song Qiming thought the other boy was an aloof, brilliant, and stunningly handsome flower on a high peak. But after spending time with him, he realized the guy was not only arrogant but also incredibly narcissistic, absolutely reveling in having others swoon over him.
The Dongfang family wasn't the only one to receive an invitation; the families of many students at the Imperial College received them as well.
Upon hearing that the Dongfang family was attending, many students went home and told their parents.
News spread quickly among the officials. The very next day at morning court, an acquainted minister asked the Minister of Personnel if he had received an invitation from the Song residence.
Dongfang Shaoting nodded without the slightest hesitation. Not only did he confirm it, but he also turned the question around on the others.
I have heard the scenery at the County Princess's estate is quite lovely. Since it was bestowed by the Emperor and the County Princess has extended an invitation, as an official, I naturally must bring my family to offer our congratulations. Are you gentlemen not going?
The group looked at a loss, turning their heads to glance at Prince Qi and Prince Ying standing not far away. Could they go?
Xiao Rongche and Xiao Rongyan's faces darkened. Whoever attends is making an enemy of us princes.
The Song family wants to integrate into the capital's noble circles? Keep dreaming!
On the day of the housewarming banquet, almost all the servants from the Ye residence were at the County Princess's estate helping out, and Ye Liangyu arrived very early.
Song Jinzhao had even spent a fortune to hire the head chef from the Moon Gazing Pavilion to oversee the kitchen, determined to ensure no one could find a single fault.
As the Si hour approached, guests began to arrive one after another with gifts to offer their congratulations. Most of them were minor officials, such as Dong Yuanbin, the Chief Minister of the Court of National Granaries, and Duan Yanhua, a compiler at the Hanlin Academy. Song Gaoli arrived with him.
It wasn't until halfway through the Si hour, when Ou Shinian, the Minister of Works, and Fei Yanzhang, a scholar of the Hanlin Academy, arrived with their families that the situation underwent a subtle shift.
Officials who were currently exchanging pleasantries looked in surprise at Ou Shinian, who was speaking with Song Jinzhao with a face full of smiles. The Minister of Works is actually the first to arrive. When did the Linghui County Princess establish a connection with him? Do you think the other five Ministers will come?
The official he was talking to whispered back, You must be out of the loop. The Ministry of Personnel will definitely come. As for the others, it is hard to say.
Ou Shinian cheerfully handed over his gift. As expected of an estate bestowed by the Emperor, the County Princess's residence is much grander than my ministerial manor.
Song Jinzhao smiled warmly. Lord Ou is too generous with his praise. It is all thanks to the excellent renovations done by the Department of Construction.
Sitting at a table in the back, Fang Zhixing heard Song Jinzhao praising his work and proudly lifted his chin. It was a pity Minister Dongfang hadn't arrived yet; it would have been great if he could hear it with his own ears.
Seeing Song Jinzhao smiling, Ou Shinian quietly stepped to her right side and spoke in a hushed tone.
If the County Princess invents anything else to present to the Emperor next time, could you please send me a message first? I don't want the credit; I only ask that when the Emperor questions me, I can at least say a few words. To be honest with the County Princess, my salary for next year has already been completely docked.
Song Jinzhao curled her lips into a teasing smile. Surely Minister Ou isn't lacking this one year's salary?
Ou Shinian: ...Actually, I really am.
Their eyes met, and they shared a silent smile, as if they had reached a mutual understanding, or perhaps not.
On the other side, Fei Yanzhang walked up beside Ye Liangyu, observing Song Qiming, who was standing at the door greeting guests. He was elegant in his bearing and proper in his speech. Although he was still young, he knew exactly how to advance and retreat, and was quite steady.
Even when facing important court officials, he was neither haughty nor humble. He was a promising young talent worth nurturing. His good friend had indeed taken on the right student.
Seeing that Fei Yanzhang's gaze was fixed on Song Qiming, Ye Liangyu smiled and nudged his friend's arm. Well? This student of mine isn't bad, is he?
Fei Yanzhang nodded. He is indeed quite good. If you weren't so anxious for him to enter the court, this child should have waited another three years. Thirteen is ultimately too young.
