The Song Family’s New Year’s Eve was filled with joy. From top to bottom, everyone stayed up to usher in the new year, and all members enjoyed dumplings wrapped with copper coins.
Song Ci lounged inside the room, with the window slightly ajar, listening to the laughter and shouts of the children outside, while wives gathered around to play majiang, and couldn’t help but smile.
"It’s always more comfortable at home, unlike in the palace where you constantly have to fight with others."
Song Zhiyuan personally poured her tea, saying, "Mother, are you still worried about Consort Fan targeting you?"
"It’s not so much a concern, I just don’t understand why she insists on clashing with me, an old woman. If she loses, she’s disgraced; if she wins, she’s still disgraced, gaining a reputation for being arrogant and harsh." Song Ci nodded towards her head, saying, "Could it be there’s something wrong here?"
Or perhaps it’s menopause, making her unreasonable and quick-tempered, firing off angry words at anyone in sight.
However, it’s best not to discuss this with him, lest he asks what menopause is, which would be challenging to explain.
Song Zhiyuan remarked casually, "It’s just because the Crown Prince was established, she’s frustrated, like a cornered beast taking desperate measures."
"No, even if she’s frustrated, it’s not just aimed at your mother."
"Did you forget, our Song Family and the Fan Family have always been rivals."
Song Ci pursed her lips, saying, "Speaking of which, the Fan family’s grandson will be out of mourning this year, and the Prime Minister Fan will be out of mourning and reinstated at the latest next year or the year after. What’s the likelihood of the Prime Minister Fan being restored to his position?"
Song Zhiyuan replied, "Supporters on Prime Minister Fan’s side are mostly old conservatives, hoping for his return. However, with the Emperor, you never know. You are aware, the Emperor is passionate about establishing new factions, especially with matters of maritime transport. If conservatives continue to obstruct, then..."
Understood, if you want reform and conservatives are obstructing, you’ll be hindered at every turn, which as Emperor, you surely wouldn’t wish to see.
Yet, while the Emperor isn’t keen on seeing Prime Minister Fan reinstated, he wouldn’t want Song Zhiyuan to dominate alone either.
"If Prime Minister Fan isn’t reinstated, then what about here?" Song Ci lowered her voice.
Song Zhiyuan smiled, saying, "Don’t worry, the Emperor focuses on balancing. Not pushing new people forward now doesn’t mean leaving the position vacant. In a few years, new people will fill in. Though not now, the Crown Prince’s support base is already being nurtured."
Next year, Prince Consort Cui Changxiao and the Princely Heir of Jing’an Marquis will certainly be heavily utilized.
Song Ci sighed, "The Emperor’s Heart Technique is always as deep as the sea; as long as you understand it yourself, it’s fine."
"Mother, please rest assured, your son knows his boundaries."
Song Ci nodded, looking outside where Song Zhicheng was helping Mrs. Jiang with her tiles, pointing out her mistakes, resulting in her losing the game, prompting Mrs. Jiang to push him away repeatedly, complaining that he made her lose.
She withdrew her gaze, saying, "After eating dumplings, I haven’t seen the third one, where has he gone?"
Song Zhiyuan’s eyes flickered, saying, "He said a colleague invited him for a couple of drinks, there’s a matter to discuss."
Song Ci’s expression darkened, saying, "What kind of colleague lacks such perception, calling someone out to discuss important matters on New Year’s Eve? Isn’t everyone gathered, staying up together for the new year? The third one is also thoughtless. If there’s something urgent, why must it be discussed now? Can’t he visit tomorrow? Truly absurd."
"Who knows, perhaps it’s genuinely urgent." Song Zhiyuan uttered lightly, "Mother, don’t be angry. It’s not the first time he’s been undisciplined."
Song Ci glanced at him, sensing something amiss.