Chapter 263 — The Lady (Bonus Update, Begging for Pink Votes)

"Now that I am married and have a small household of my own, the affairs of the inner courtyard must naturally be kept separate from those of the outer." He looked at Dou Yan with a smile, his expression somewhat casual, yet for some reason Dou Yan felt he was scrutinizing her, and that he was a little nervous too. "You are good at managing a household. I will allocate more silver to you—let it be our private savings." He laughed. "I have always wanted Master Ou, the famous ironworker of Henan, to forge me a spear in the style of the great generals of the Sui and Tang. Unfortunately, my mother thought it too dangerous and would not agree, and afterward there was never a chance to see it done. I will give the silver to you—keep it for me, and when the time comes, have the spear made for me."

Boys, it seemed, all loved such things.

Famous swords, fine horses.

Dou Yan thought this a good thing.

Compared with keeping actors in the pear garden or scattering gold in the Eight Great Alleys, this sort of pastime was worlds apart—and it could strengthen the body and prolong life besides.

She agreed without a moment's hesitation, but only after agreeing did she realize that if Lady Jiang had refused, then having the spear made could not be a simple matter; perhaps there was something awkward about it.

Dou Yan asked, "What does forging a spear require?"

"Only a great deal of time and a great deal of silver." The moment Dou Yan agreed, he knew he had found the right approach. Dou Yan was generous and open-handed, never giving a thought to mere worldly goods; the only thing that could move her was genuine care. Suppressing his excitement, Song Yan smiled and said, "For instance, a spear three chi long needs fine poplar wood, but this poplar grows only in the borderlands and grows slowly—less than two fen a year—and the trunk must be perfectly straight, which makes it hard to find... And that is only the least of it. Since I was small I have loved the blade and the spear, but my eldest uncle thought it would leave calluses on my hands, and that a knowing eye would grow wary at the first glance. So he had me train in internal martial arts instead." He held out his palm for Dou Yan to see—it was indeed translucent and flawless, like carved jade; not a callus, not even a scar. Dou Yan thought it finer and softer than her own hand. "My mother feared that once I had the spear I would take up spear techniques and neglect my internal training, and that is why she would not agree to have it forged."

Since Dou Yan had promised Song Yan, she would naturally see it done for him; whether it was truly as he said, she need only ask around to find out.

She did not want Song Yan to be in any danger.

He was someone she had gone to great lengths to protect.

She looked at his thin clothes and could not help saying, "Is the mattress on the kang soft enough? Would you like to come up and sleep on the bed?"

"Yes!" Song Chu sprang up, unable to hide the delight on his face.

Dou Yan was embarrassed.

She had only been showing concern for him, nothing more... yet to explain now would only make it look like a clumsy cover-up and seem rather affected.

Dou Yan's face burned. She was just about to make room for Song Yan when Suxin's voice came from outside the door: "Young Master, Madam, the Duke of Zhenguo has returned. He has sent word that the two of you are to go over."

Song Yan and Dou Yan were both taken aback; a flicker of displeasure crossed Song Zhi's brow. He said, "Understood," and told Suxin to come in and help Dou Yan change her clothes.

Dou Yan, for her part, breathed a secret sigh of relief.

As she got down from the bed and dressed, she asked Song Yan, "Do you know what it's about?"

Song Yan thought for a moment. "Probably he's heard that the Emperor wants me to bring you into the palace tomorrow. Tao Jun would not be back this quickly."

Dou Yan nodded.

If the Emperor meant to vent his anger on Song Yan, he could simply have punished Song Chu. Since he was having Song Yan bring her into the palace, it was most likely a favor.

Once she had won the recognition of the Empress Dowager or the Empress, unless she ruined the family's name and was caught in the act, the Duke of Ying could never force Song Yan to divorce his wife. Song Cen surely understood this, and surely worried about it.

Dou Yan and Song Yan went to the Osmanthus Fragrance Court.

In the ninth month, the Osmanthus Fragrance Court no longer carried its courtyard-wide fragrance, but the osmanthus trees were still lush with green.

Song Cen had come back from drinking somewhere, and though he had washed and changed, the smell of wine still clung to him.

After Song Yan and Dou Yan had paid their respects, his eyes flickered, his expression somewhat strange, and he said slowly, "I have made up my mind. I will take the eldest daughter of Hua Tang, commander of the Wei Prefecture Guard, as my second wife. The betrothal gifts will be sent in a few days. If you have nothing else to do, stay at home and help make the arrangements." The last sentence was addressed to Song Yan.

Song Yan and Dou Yan were both greatly shocked, but neither let it show. Together they answered respectfully in assent, asked whether Song Cen had any further instructions, and said that if there was nothing else, they would take their leave.

Song Cen was somewhat disappointed.

This son of his, at any time, wore the look of one who would not change countenance even if Mount Tai collapsed before him; who knew what could ever surprise him.

He felt a little awkward.

But the calm of his daughter-in-law, Lady Dou, took him greatly by surprise.

From the look of her, she should be a clever woman. Did she not know his purpose in taking Lady Hua as his wife?

At this thought, a bit of hope rose in his heart again.

If his daughter-in-law dared meddle in his affairs, he could strip her of her position as madam on the grounds of unfilial conduct.

The wife of an heir without the position of madam would lack confidence from the start. What could she do then?

Song Cen smiled again, smug and self-satisfied.

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Sisters and brothers, here is a bonus chapter. It is the end of the month, so I beg for your pink votes!

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