The Valued Lady is Truly Dominant

As the saying goes, strike while the iron is hot. Although it was already the end of the year, Princess Anping had taken on the task of matchmaking and the very next day had someone prepare a carriage to head to the Duke Dingguo Mansion—to discuss the prospects of a grand match.

Both Duke Dingguo and Madam Guan were somewhat surprised; they hadn’t expected the Song Family to invite such a noble person to act as a matchmaker. Their hearts were genuinely pleased, but out of decorum, they restrained their joy and maintained a reserved attitude, saying they needed some time to consider.

Princess Anping understood that on the first visit, the Duke Dingguo Mansion wouldn’t agree outright. Wisely, she said she would return for a visit during the New Year, and then left the Duke’s mansion to relay the message to the Song Family.

With these comings and goings, Princess Anping didn’t conceal her activities, and those interested in the capital soon found out she was matchmaking for the eldest son of Prime Minister Song, and the intended match was with the youngest daughter of the Duke Dingguo Mansion.

Well then, both families were of prestigious status and well-matched in family background. Instantly, those who had been eyeing the eldest son of Prime Minister Song laid down their banners and redirected their attention to the male members of the Song Family’s second branch.

There were just three marriageable ones in the Song Family, but apart from Song Lingsu, the eldest from the second branch seemed to have been sent away to learn some skills, and wouldn’t return until mastery. The one remaining, however, was a study companion to the legitimate imperial prince, making him a highly sought-after figure.

The Wen Family.

Madam Wen, having received the message from the maid, trembled slightly and took a deep breath, saying, ”Understood, you may leave.”

After the maid withdrew, she smashed a teacup painted with a magpie atop a branch on the table, showing a glimpse of menace and anger on her usually gentle face.

If it weren’t for this... if it weren’t for that...

Such prestige would belong to the Wen Family.

But now, the Wen Family had become a joke. The matter concerning Wen Zishan had even reached her family, and a cousin from the same Wang Family in Langya residing in the capital had further invited her over to mock her with sarcasm.

The fact that Wen Zishan was being conferred as a concubine was not something glorious. Those with an interest would naturally find out upon investigation.

Precisely because of this, she felt shameless, even reducing her visits to other households. Were it not for her status as the Governor Wen’s wife, they probably wouldn’t even bother associating with her, right?

Now that news of the marriage alliance between the Song and Guan families had spread, she felt her face burn as if she had been slapped several times.

There was an inexplicable sense that those you looked down upon had someone better suited willing to accept them.

Madam Wen, filled with pent-up resentment, rose and proceeded to Wen Zishan’s courtyard.

Wen Zishan had naturally also heard about the prospective marriage alliance between the Song and Guan families, and was momentarily dazed. Seeing a set of newly delivered festive attire hanging in the room, the color of it stung her eyes.

A dark red.

Only the legitimate primary wife could wear true red.

Wen Zishan clenched her fists, a hint of resentment rising in her chest, and she bit her lip, glaring at that dark red, ceaselessly finding excuses to comfort herself.

Even as a concubine, she was still above the wife of Song Lingsu. She belonged to the Imperial Family, whereas Song Lingsu, what did he have now? Merely a scholar, without rank or position, even if he managed to earn some official rank in the future, could his wife’s imperial decree surpass that of a concubine?

No, it couldn’t.

”Young Madam, the Madam is here.”

Wen Zishan snapped back to reality, looking towards the doorway, indeed seeing Madam Wen entering. She hurriedly stood up, looking at her with a pitiful expression, and bowed, ”Mother.”

Madam Wen uttered a sound of acknowledgment, her gaze catching on the dark red festive attire hanging on the sandalwood clothes rack, and her newly settled mood was stirred by an inexplicable anger.

Her composure broke.

She looked at Wen Zishan and asked, ”Have you finished copying the Women’s Precepts?”

She walked over to the desk, only to see a book lying there. Picking it up and flipping it open, her expression changed, and she scolded, ”Who gave you this book?”