CHAPTER 298: CHAPTER 298 SONG CI: I FORCED A GOOD MAN TO...

As soon as Song Zhiyuan took action, Song Zhiyu immediately backed down and agreed.

When Song Ci got the news, she seized the opportunity and quickly invited Madam Shen to the tea house for a chat. While there, she arranged for the two children to have a chance encounter, and naturally handed over a jade bracelet, said to be passed only to daughters-in-law, as a token. The other side returned with a longevity lock piece inscribed with a name.

The exchange of tokens between the two families marked the preliminary agreement of the marriage. Madam Shen was now waiting for the Song Family’s matchmaker to formally visit.

Song Ci, however, felt uneasy. Thinking of the little rascal pretending to smile, she felt as though she was forcing a good person into something unsavory.

"How come you’re sighing when Fourth Young Master’s marriage is settled?" Nanny Gong asked curiously.

Song Ci replied, "I feel like I’m forcing a respectable person into something unsavory, acting as the villain."

Nanny Gong: "..."

She stirred the orange peel in the incense burner and smiled, "Don’t think like that. I think Fourth Young Master is actually quite pleased."

Song Ci thought, once entering the matrimonial city, what’s there to be pleased about?

Since the matter was set, there was no point in overthinking it. Song Ci adjusted her mood and said, "What do you think of inviting Old Madam Wei to discuss the match?"

Since her arrival here for nearly half a year, she had encountered many noblewomen, but the one she got along best with was the Wei Family’s Old Madam. After all, they had once considered becoming in-laws, and after everything that happened, their relationship became even closer.

"The Wei Family’s Old Madam does have a sharp tongue," Nanny Gong observed. "It would work, but the Wei Family might also be preparing for Miss Wang’s engagement, so I’m not sure if she has the time."

Song Ci said, "True, then have someone inquire about it first. Have the Yan Family arrived in Shangjing already?"

Nanny Gong nodded and said, "It seems they arrived in the past couple of days. They mentioned that once they settle in, they will come to pay their respects to you."

Since Song Ci had matched Yan Zisheng, it made sense for Yan’s mother to visit and pay respects. Even though Song Ci might not meet her given her status, bowing at the mansion’s entrance was also a courtesy.

"Yan the Scholar’s mother and sister are here?" Song Ci showed interest.

"The autumn examinations are in mid-September, so Yan the Scholar will participate. The family must be anxious, and since he’s already engaged to Miss Wang, it makes sense to be here. They say he seems to be looking for a house outside." Nanny Gong said, "The people below have mentioned this."

"Buying a house? The Yan Family can afford property in the capital?"

"They come from a farming and scholarly family, with some landholdings, likely planning to sell and move to the capital. Besides, since he passed the provincial exam, other residences might register land under his name to avoid taxes, providing a bit of a profit. While large houses in the capital might be unattainable, they could likely find a modest one or two-courtyard house in West City."

Song Ci nodded, "Indeed, buying a one-courtyard home, at least it’s their own small home. When they marry in the future, they won’t have to live in the wife’s dowry house, avoiding gossip."

Although she thought otherwise, men cared about face, especially those in ancient times, with their machismo. Living in the wife’s dowry house could feel like entering into a matrilocal marriage.

For the sake of marital harmony, owning a small property seemed wise. The Yan family wasn’t large, and once Yan Zisheng succeeded in the future, they could always move.

"So let’s do that, have someone check if Old Madam Wei is available, tell her I invite her to be the matchmaker, and I’ll prepare a generous red envelope for her." Song Ci shifted her focus back to her son’s marriage.

"Should I handle it personally?" Nanny Gong smiled.

Recognizing it as a sign of respect, Song Ci nodded, "Then I’ll trouble you to take a trip."

Before Nanny Gong could speak, Hong You coughed at the door, entered, and reported, "Madam, the Old Master has just returned to the house."