Song Ning felt a hand supporting him and naturally pushed Qin Junyue’s wrist away.
The movement was light, yet without a hint of hesitation.
He leaned his body slightly toward Qi Chuyao, a faint smile on his face.
After all, she was the woman who was about to become his wife; it wouldn’t do for two different women to be supporting him at the same time.
Qi Chuyao naturally witnessed this scene.
Her face remained calm, but she couldn’t help but feel a small spark of smugness in her heart.
That bit of pride came out of nowhere, so subtle that even she barely noticed it.
She had been full of reluctance just moments ago, yet because of a single act of pushing someone else away, her mood had inexplicably improved.
Qin Junyue’s hand paused in mid-air for a moment before dropping back down as if nothing had happened.
No emotion showed on her face as she maintained her bright smile, walking into the house alongside the two of them.
She rubbed her fingertips together, feeling the lingering warmth from Song Ning’s skin.
The three of them crossed the corridor and entered the main hall.
The hall was elegantly furnished, with sandalwood tables and chairs arranged neatly.
Several landscape paintings hung on the walls, and a faint scent of incense wafted from a burner in the corner.
Song Ning took a red card from his sleeve and felt around before handing it toward Qi Chuyao.
“This is my reply card,” he said, his voice gentle. “I thought it would be better to hand it to you personally.”
Even though Qi Chuyao hadn’t delivered the invitation herself, he felt he should do things properly.
Qi Chuyao looked down at the card.
It was red with gold lettering, the envelope embossed with intricate patterns that shimmered festively under the sunlight.
She stared at it for a while before finally reaching out and taking it.
“Mhm,” she grunted softly through her nose, accepting it.
Just then, there was a commotion at the door.
Song Youyi was about to step inside when she was stopped by the servants at the entrance.
“Please wait, young lady,” a servant said with a bow. “The Family Head has ordered that she has private matters to discuss with Young Master Song. She asks that you and the other ladies wait in the outer room for a moment.”
Song Youyi’s footsteps faltered, and her brow furrowed slightly.
Behind her, Xia Ling and Xia Shuang also stopped.
The two exchange a glance, showing no surprise.
It wasn’t the first time their master had to be alone with Mother Qi and Mother Song.
Only at times like these was there no need for anyone to accompany him.
“I am his sister,” Song Youyi spoke, her voice soft and tinged with a hint of grievance. “Can I not go in either?”
The servant looked troubled but remained bowed. “Please forgive us, young lady. These are the Family Head’s orders…”
Song Youyi pursed her lips and glanced inside once more.
Song Ning had already walked far ahead. She could only see a moon-white silhouette disappearing around the end of the corridor, accompanied by Qi Chuyao and Qin Junyue.
Her gaze lingered on that back for a moment before she finally withdrew it.
“Very well,” she said quietly, her expression returning to that of a poised young lady from a prestigious family. “Then we shall wait in the outer room.”
With that, she turned and walked away, her skirt sweeping lightly across the floor.
As she reached the door, she looked back one last time, her gaze sweeping over the two servants with a subtle, inexplicable coldness.
Xia Ling followed behind her, silently taking everything in.
…..
The door to the inner room was slowly closed.
With a creak, the last sliver of light was shut out.
The room grew dim, the air thick with the scent of sandalwood mixed with a certain indescribable solemnity.
Qi Chuyao was slightly stunned.
‘Why close the door in broad daylight? Why not let Song Ning’s sister and servants in?’
Just as she was about to ask, a burst of hearty laughter rang out from the inner chamber.
“Hahaha! Ning’er, it’s been a long time!”
A figure emerged from behind a screen.
She was a woman of lean, powerful build, wearing casual clothes that could not hide the commanding aura of someone who had long held a high position.
Her face was kind, yet her features held a sense of majesty. Her eyes were bright, and her steps were steady, possessing the practiced efficiency unique to a Martial Artist.
She looked fifty percent like Qi Chuyao, especially those slightly upturned eyes, though hers were much deeper and more calculating.
She was the Minister of War for Great Qian and the Family Head of the Qi Family.
Hearing the voice, Song Ning immediately bowed in that direction, his movements standard and respectful.
“Mother-in-law.”
Upon hearing this address, Mother Qi’s smile widened.
Far from thinking Song Ning was being too forward, she looked as if she thought he had waited too long to call her that. She stepped forward in a few quick strides, taking Song Ning’s arm from Qi Chuyao.
“Come, come, let me look at you.” She scanned Song Ning from head to toe, fussing over him. “Was the journey exhausting? How is your health? How has your mother been lately? She doesn’t come to see me often…”
As she spoke, she guided Song Ning further inside, leading him straight to the guest of honor’s seat and pressing him down right next to her.
Qi Chuyao followed behind, her mouth twitching as she watched the scene.
She gave Qin Junyue a look that was filled with helplessness:
‘See? I told you. This is how my mother acts toward him.’
‘It’s like he’s the biological child and I’m the one marrying into the family.’
Even she hadn’t taken that seat of honor next to her mother, yet Song Ning had sat down just like that.
Receiving the look, Qin Junyue shrugged slightly and returned a reassuring glance.
The two followed suit and took the lower seats.
Mother Qi waved her hand.
From behind the screen, several servants withdrew silently.
The door was pulled shut, leaving only the four of them in the room.
Qi Chuyao became even more confused.
‘Isn’t today just for returning the reply card? Why dismiss the servants? What is going on?’
Qin Junyue sat to the side, her expression calm.
She kept her eyes slightly lowered, appearing as if she were already accustomed to such scenes.
After a few moments of small talk, Mother Qi’s expression gradually turned serious.
“Speaking of which,” she began, her voice dropping lower, “the Empress hasn’t attended court for a long time. I have news saying she has fallen gravely ill and has been recuperating recently.”
Song Ning frowned slightly.
“She hasn’t attended a single session?” he asked. “What about verbal edicts? Are there none of those either?”
Mother Qi gave a bitter smile and shook her head.
“The Empress only has a few people close to her. Court affairs have naturally been handed over to Wei Yang.”
Wei Yang.
The female eunuch who held power over the entire court.
Currently, more than half of the officials in the imperial court were Wei Yang’s people.
Whether in the capital or the provinces, any official who didn’t curry favor with her would not only lose their chance at promotion but might even be demoted or imprisoned.
The eunuchs of this world were divided into two types.
One was the male eunuch, similar to those Song Ning knew of in his past life, who were castrated to serve in the palace and handle trivial matters in the inner court.
The other type was the female eunuch, like Wei Yang. Through a special process of “purification,” they lost certain female characteristics and the ability to bear children in exchange for the opportunity to enter the palace and hold office.
Song Ning nodded, falling into deep thought.
He had a rough idea of what Mother Qi was worried about.
If the Empress stayed in the inner palace with failing health, who knew if she might suddenly drop dead one day?
The Empress’s sister, Prince Xin, was not in the capital but far away in another territory.
No one in the court knew the Empress’s true condition.
Wei Yang controlled the inner palace and had so many followers; there was no telling what might happen.
Those officials who relied on her might remain silent when at a disadvantage, but the moment she gained the upper hand, they would flip sides in an instant.
As Qi Chuyao listened, she began to understand.
But at the same time, a strange sense of absurdity welled up in her heart.
‘My mother, the Minister of War of Great Qian, a Second Grade official, is actually discussing court affairs with a blind man?’
‘Has Song Ning even seen what a court session looks like? Does he know how to handle government affairs?’
‘How humorous.’
She rubbed her chin. Perhaps her mother was just asking casually and was actually pulling her in to consult together?
‘Have I finally grown up in Mother’s eyes?’ Qi Chuyao felt a bit excited.
“Find an excuse first,” Song Ning spoke, his voice calm and slow. “Say there’s a great drought in the south or a crisis in Liaodong. Mother-in-law, you should lead the Ministry of War officials and try your best to make the Empress show herself.”
He paused, then added, “If she still won’t appear and Wei Yang continues to dominate the government, then we must make other preparations.”
Song Ning clenched his fist.
He hadn’t never seen this situation before.
If a eunuch monopolized the government, one couldn’t just watch idly.
Even if one didn’t follow the path of He Jin, could one not emulate Yuan Shao?
“The Empress has no daughters,” Song Ning continued. “I suspect even if Wei Yang wants to seize power, she can only let another vassal prince or princess inherit the throne.”
“Those few vassals who are close to her, especially the young ones, must be watched closely.”
“As for Prince Xin, you can find other excuses to contact her, but you cannot use the Empress’s illness as a reason.”
Mother Qi nodded silently, a flash of approval in her eyes.
Qi Chuyao thought for a moment and suddenly spoke up:
“Mother, why don’t we secretly bring Prince Xin into the capital?”
Her eyes were bright, sparkling with excitement.
“If that damn eunuch dares to cause trouble, we can just have Prince Xin step forward and execute her. How about that?”
No matter how much power Wei Yang held, she would ultimately be powerless against a new ruler.
Song Ning’s mouth twitched slightly.
He didn’t respond. It wasn’t right to contradict his own wife, so he silently lowered his head.
Mother Qi shot her a glare and asked irritably:
“Is the Empress dead?”
Qi Chuyao blinked, shaking her head. “No.”
“Then does the Empress have a final edict? Has she summoned Prince Xin to the capital?”
“No.”
“Then do you know what it means for a royal daughter with succession rights to sneak into the capital while the Empress is critically ill without a decree?”
Qi Chuyao opened her mouth but found no words.
“What if the Empress is perfectly fine?” Mother Qi sneered. “Do you know what would happen to our family?”
Qi Chuyao stuck her tongue out and muttered under her breath:
“Isn’t the Empress critically ill? Just in case…”
“Even if the Empress is critically ill,” Mother Qi interrupted her, “and assuming your method actually works, do you know what the first thing Prince Xin would do after taking the throne is?”
Qi Chuyao thought about it carefully, and a sudden chill ran down her spine.
Even if the plan succeeded and Prince Xin ascended the throne, changing from a vassal to an Empress, how would she view the Qi Family?
If they dared to sneak her into the capital today, what would they dare to do tomorrow?
Song Ning smiled slightly and spoke up at the right time, changing the subject to save face for his wife.
“It’s fine,” he said gently. “We’ll just wait and see for now. Just be prepared for emergencies. Most importantly, ensure control over the city defenses and the Imperial Guard.”
He turned his face slightly toward Qi Chuyao, his white eyes appearing as if they could see her.
“Speaking of which, after the wedding, it’s about time for my wife to enter the court as an official.”
Qi Chuyao froze.
Enter the court as an official?
She blinked and looked at Song Ning.