Song Tang: “……”
“I’m not joking with you,” Mu Shu’an said seriously, beginning to analyze the situation.
“Think about it, my third brother is Mu Ziyu’s third uncle, meaning he’s his elder. If Song Wei marries Mu Ziyu, she’ll have to call my third brother ‘third uncle’ too, right?”
Song Tang obediently nodded.
Mu Shu’an continued, “If you marry my third brother, wouldn’t you become their elder? Both Song Wei and Mu Ziyu would have to respectfully address you as ‘third aunt.’ Wouldn’t that directly put them beneath your feet?”
Seeing Song Tang’s eyes light up, Mu Shu’an went on, “Moreover, my third brother isn’t like those frivolous noble sons. He has no concubines or maidservants, never lingers in pleasure quarters, let alone engages in those romantic scandals.”
“And you know my third brother—a rising star at court, commanding significant military power, even the Emperor shows him some respect. If you become his wife, naturally no one would dare look down on you. Even my eldest sister-in-law wouldn’t dare treat you disrespectfully lightly, and no one would dare speak ill of you behind your back.”
“You’d essentially gain a powerful backer. No matter how biased Lord Song is, he’d have to think twice because you married my third brother.”
Mu Shu’an’s words instantly enlightened Song Tang. Becoming Song Wei and Mu Ziyu’s elder meant she could deal with them however she pleased.
Marrying Mu Changxiao would make her the rightful Marquess’s Lady of the Marquis’s Mansion. With Mu Changxiao’s status before the Emperor, she could borrow his authority to intimidate others.
Most importantly, after canceling the engagement with Mu Ziyu this time, her father and mother would still find ways to marry her off.
If she found herself the best protector first, she wouldn’t have to submit to their arrangements.
However, Song Tang wasn’t entirely sure whether Mu Changxiao would be willing to marry her.
Mu Changxiao would probably find it embarrassing, after all, she had been engaged to his nephew, and she had previously done many things chasing after him.
“Using the debt of saving his life to force the Marquis to marry me—isn’t that too dishonest?” Song Tang hesitated. “Besides, your third brother doesn’t like me.”
“Force? This isn’t forcing; it’s ‘mutual benefit.’ Third brother should have married long ago. He only delayed it to reassure eldest sister-in-law and the others.”
“But eldest sister-in-law and Mu Ziyu are ambitious, wanting to inherit the noble title early, and actually harbored wicked intentions!” Mu Shu’an said angrily.
“Could it be that what happened to Marquis Mu last time was really done by Mu Ziyu and the others?” Song Tang exclaimed in surprise.
Mu Shu’an waved her hand. “It’s just suspicion.”
To Mu Shu’an, Mu Changxiao was her own brother, while Mu Ziyu and Madam Sun were merely her nephew and sister-in-law. The closeness was clear at a glance; naturally, she sided with her own brother.
Moreover, if Song Tang married Mu Ziyu, there would be a generational gap between her and Song Tang, which felt rather odd.
As for her own brother Mu Changxiao, she knew him all too well—outwardly cold and stern, but deeply loyal and righteous inside. If he truly married Song Tang, he would undoubtedly treat her with all his heart.
If Song Tang could win his affection, her later years would surely be peaceful and secure.
Furthermore, third brother took Song Tang’s life-saving favor very seriously. Yesterday, he specifically sent Wan Xing to tell her about Song Tang wanting to cancel the engagement, clearly hoping she would comfort Song Tang.
Mu Shu’an genuinely felt that this marriage between Song Tang and her third brother might not be impossible.
“Tang’er, listen to me. Tomorrow, go find my third brother and tell him you want to marry him, ask him to take you as his wife!” Mu Shu’an said with a beaming smile, looking into Song Tang’s eyes.
Though Song Tang felt somewhat swayed in her heart, the thought of Mu Changxiao’s icy, frost-like face still made her hesitate.
“What if he rejects me? Wouldn’t that be terribly embarrassing?”
Mu Shu’an laughed. “He won’t, absolutely not. My third brother gave you a promise, and with his character, he always keeps his word.”
“Besides, if you were afraid of embarrassment, would you have taken the initiative to propose canceling your engagement with Mu Ziyu? There’s no difference between being embarrassed in front of everyone and being embarrassed in front of my third brother alone.”
Song Tang: “…”
“Tang’er, marrying my third brother is your best choice. Are you willing to watch Song Wei marry Mu Ziyu and become the Heir’s wife, overshadowing you?”
“Of course not!” Song Tang blurted out without thinking.
Mu Shu’an continued to persuade her. “Then be brave and go straight to my third brother.”
“The red plum blossoms in this courtyard are truly beautiful,” Song Tang tried to change the subject.
Mu Shu’an smiled faintly. “Of course they are beautiful. This is my third brother’s villa, and he planted these red plum blossoms himself. Every winter, he takes meticulous care of them.”
Song Tang found it hard to imagine that Mu Changxiao, a man who leads troops into battle, would have such leisurely refinement to tend to flowers and plants.
Perhaps the red plum blossoms reflecting the snow were like the gentle heart beneath his stern exterior—delicate and profound.
“Let’s not talk about this. I actually want to ask you, what’s the latest on entering the palace?”
Mu Shu’an’s face flushed instantly. “Third brother said he would find an opportunity to speak with His Majesty.”
Song Tang was also worried for her friend. Of all people to fall for, why did it have to be the current His Majesty?
Mu Shu’an was the apple of Old Lady Mu’s eye, and given her status, entering the palace as a consort would not be inappropriate. However, His Majesty had always feared that Mu Changxiao’s merits were so great they overshadowed the sovereign, and he had no intention of allowing a Mu family daughter into the palace.
Yet, Mu Shu’an was precisely infatuated. She said she had glimpsed His Majesty’s youthful majesty once as a child and had been longing for him ever since.
Song Tang didn’t know how to advise her. Mu Shu’an had always been stubborn; once she decided on something, not even ten oxen could pull her back—much like Song Tang herself in her previous life, stubbornly determined to marry Mu Ziyu.
Obsession never leads to a good outcome. Only after suffering a loss might one turn back…
Meanwhile, Mu Ziyu was growing increasingly anxious. Early in the morning, he went to see Song Congzhi, fearing that Song Tang might regret her decision and seek out his third uncle again. If that happened, he would lose both the suburban estate and the chance to marry Song Wei.
He needed to settle this matter quickly, lest his long kneeling session the previous night go to waste. Mu Ziyu was no fool; he knew perfectly well that his kneeling last night was his third uncle’s way of venting anger on Song Tang’s behalf!
“Uncle Song,” Mu Ziyu adopted a humble posture today.
Song Congzhi deliberately put on airs. “What brings the Heir here today?”
“Uncle, yesterday Song Tang proposed to cancel our engagement. After careful consideration, I believe it truly should be canceled,” Mu Ziyu stated bluntly.
Song Congzhi frowned, his expression turning cold. “You two were Betrothed Before Birth, a marriage arranged by your grandfathers. Canceling it so easily would surely invite ridicule?”
Sensing Song Congzhi’s displeasure, Mu Ziyu hurriedly explained, “Song Tang and I are incompatible in temperament, and I fear we may not grow old together. Neither of us wishes to become a burden to the other. I hope Uncle will grant us permission to each find someone truly suitable.”
“You already have someone in your heart?” Song Congzhi pressed coldly, a glint of sharpness flashing in his eyes.
Mu Ziyu paused slightly, then nodded solemnly. “Yes.”