The Command to Pamper the Husband - Chapter 57

Standing in the study, Madam An faced Duke, a look of resignation on her face.

“I’m just relaying Consort Li’s message. How you handle it is up to you. As for Xin’er, since you forbid her, you must explain it to her yourself.”

With that, Madam An turned and left.

Women understand women.

She had been young once and understood Xin’er’s passionate love for the Fourth Prince.

Family opposition wouldn’t extinguish that fire.

Stop dreaming.

You go persuade Xin’er and be prepared to have cold tea splashed in your face.

Humph!

Stupid men.

Basking in the sunlight, Madam An sighed deeply.

She was different.

As a loving mother, to break her daughter’s infatuation with the Fourth Prince, she needed to address the root cause.

“Have you found out what I asked you to?”

Walking outside, Madam An asked the maid beside her in a low voice.

The maid immediately replied, “Yes, Madam. I had portraits drawn of the candidates who will be taking the imperial exams in spring. The portraits just arrived.”

Madam An’s heart fluttered with excitement.

She rubbed her hands together.

“How do they look?”

The maid responded, “I took a quick look. The most handsome and distinguished one is Zhao Ke, the son of Zhao Jide, the Yuzhou Magistrate. He comes from an official family, so his status is quite good. Yuzhou is also prosperous, so the Zhao family’s background should be substantial.”

Madam An nodded in satisfaction.

“Did you bring the portraits?”

The maid took a piece of paper folded into a small square from her sleeve and slowly unfolded it.

At the sight of the handsome young man in the portrait, Madam An sighed, “Such a fine young man. Too bad I’m too old.”

The maid…

This is for the third young miss to choose a husband!

That’s not appropriate!

“I remember Zhao Jide was the top scholar back then. He was known for his skill in butchering pigs with a single chop, a talent that was talked about for years. Indeed, the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.”

The maid…

That description is also somewhat inappropriate!

Never mind, Madam has the final say.

“There is another candidate from Shanxi…”

Before the maid could finish, Madam An said, “Let’s see the portrait first.”

The maid took out another portrait from her sleeve.

After unfolding it, Madam An clicked her tongue and shook her head, “This one isn’t bad, but compared to the first, there’s quite a gap. How can people look so different!”

The maid…

Our household also has eighteen lovely Consorts!

Madam An waved her hand dismissively, “That’s different. A woman who looks good but has no other skills is just a vase. I can smash a vase with one finger. As a woman, looks are important, but skills are the key. Relying on looks to get by won’t last long.”

If you have skills, you have confidence.

Even if you don’t get along with your husband, you have the grounds to argue.

Worst case, get a divorce. You can always support yourself.

Without skills, you rely on someone else’s mood for sustenance.

Men are different.

If they’re too ugly, by middle age, they’ll be unbearably greasy!

Ugh…

Annoying!

Especially officials, who tend to bald in middle age. If they’re ugly on top of that…

Never mind, no more troubling thoughts.

“Go find out about Zhao Ke’s character. I’ll review the remaining portraits at home.”

The maid nodded and left with a bow.

At that moment, Zhao Ke, unaware that he was being considered as a son-in-law, was crouching by the mourning hall, handing Sun Qiyao a clean handkerchief.

Sun Qiyao took it, wiped the tears from her eyes, and sighed.

“I still feel that even though the mourning hall is set and the coffin is here, it doesn’t seem like Song Jin is really dead.”

Zhao Ke…

If Song Jin isn’t dead, why are you acting like a widow?

Zhao Ke didn’t want to upset Sun Qiyao and instead glared at Song Jin’s coffin.

“Why do you say that, Yao’er?”

Sun Qiyao said, “Do you remember last year when we went to Qingquan Temple to offer incense?”

Zhao Ke immediately nodded.

Not just last year, even if it was ten years ago, if it involved Sun Qiyao, he remembered it.

After all, he had a diary full of their memories together!

Sun Qiyao looked at the bright sun outside and said, “There was a murder case in the backyard of Qingquan Temple. I was the first to smell the stench. If I hadn’t noticed, that person would have died unjustly.”

Zhao Ke said, “You mean you haven’t smelled any stench from Song Jin?”

“Exactly, I’ve been here for days and haven’t smelled anything strange.”

Zhao Ke couldn’t help but ruffle Sun Qiyao’s hair.

“Silly, it’s only been a few days. It wouldn’t smell yet. Besides, there’s incense burning constantly, and the scent from the monks.”

Sun Qiyao looked up at Zhao Ke and smiled.

“You’re right. Maybe I’m overthinking it.”

She turned to look at Song Jin’s coffin.

She really felt it was empty.

This feeling was very strong.

“By the way, I heard from my father yesterday that the girl Song Jin married had a mother who went mad from grief over her daughter’s accident.”

“Mad?” Sun Qiyao’s eyes widened.

Zhao Ke nodded.

“The girl also has a younger sister who is seventeen…”

Sun Qiyao’s eyes widened even more.

“A seventeen-year-old sister means she’s older? My god, not only did Song Jin marry a tall and strong woman, but an older one too! He didn’t marry me, beautiful and blessed, but a jinxing old maid.”

Isn’t that asking for trouble!

She almost said this out loud.

Zhao Ke…

Could you consider my feelings?!

Interrupted by Sun Qiyao, Zhao Ke continued.

“My father said that out of pity, Master Song took in the widowed mother and daughter. Since there are renowned physicians in the capital, he plans to take the madam there for treatment. The daughter, out of gratitude, changed her name to Song Jin and recognized Master Song as her adoptive father.”

Sun Qiyao…

Her eye twitched, and twitched, and twitched again.

“Changed her name to Song Jin? How shameless. Why not change her name to the Jade Emperor?”

Zhao Ke…

That’s not possible. The household registry wouldn’t approve it.

Sun Qiyao…

Pouted angrily.

“The elder sister jinxed the son to death, and she takes his place, calling herself Song Jin. How shameless! No wonder her mother went mad. And Master Song is even getting her treated.”

At that, Sun Qiyao paused.

“Does that mean Master Song is going to the capital?”

Zhao Ke nodded, “My father said that Song Jin’s death was too much of a shock for Master Song. Staying in Yuzhou wasn’t good for his spirits. Fortunately, the Song family has businesses and a house in the capital. After Song Jin’s burial, they’ll move there for the madam’s treatment.”

Hearing this, Sun Qiyao immediately started walking out.

“Where are you going?”

Zhao Ke quickly followed.

“I’m going to see that shameless woman who changed her name to Song Jin!”