Frost for a Thousand Years

Chapter 162 The Newly Appointed Noble Family, the Song Family of Huai County

Song Shi'an said he had something to do and had to go out, but he didn't come back until evening.

You might not believe it, but last night was the first time he stayed at home since he left home through the main gate for the provincial examination.

I thought this kid had learned his lesson, but he didn't come home the night before the results were announced.

Song Jing was really furious.

It's not that he's a feudal patriarch who's too controlling of his children; it's simply because he's a celebrity in the spotlight and even managed to get a high-ranking official into the Dali Temple. He should behave himself now.

The old saying goes, "Those who are arrogant will surely be punished by Heaven."

"Master, Young Master Shi'an is back. He seems to be drunk and was brought back by someone."

Just then, Song Gan went to the main room and reported to Song Jing.

"Tell him not to come in yet, I'm here," Song Jing said, half annoyed.

"Yes."

Song Gan quickly withdrew.

Sitting to the side, Madam Cui couldn't help but mutter, "This bad habit of excessive drinking must be broken."

“I know,” Song Jing said impatiently. “Don’t always have that long face. Be nicer to his mother and to him.”

"Am I, the mistress of the house, required to flatter her?" Madam Cui grumbled unhappily.

“I didn’t mean for you to flatter me. I meant, don’t be so harsh,” Song Jing said.

"I know." Madam Cui snorted and said, "I haven't given him a single face since he came back."

"Isn't that great?"

“But I am not afraid of him, nor do I want to curry favor with him,” Madam Cui said proudly. “He was able to become the top scholar in the imperial examination because my father used his cane to achieve it in the court.”

"Yes, yes, you're right." Song Jing stood up, not wanting to talk to her anymore. "Go back to your room and get some sleep."

After saying that, Song Jing, still somewhat angry, went to the door to greet Song Shi'an.

It's not that you can't drink alcohol; which man doesn't drink?
But why do they always have to get so drunk?

Excessive drinking is not the behavior of a gentleman, and it can also shorten one's lifespan.

Annoyed, he quickly walked to the side door.

However, they froze as soon as they reached the door.

It was that girl, Xinyue, who carried the drunken Song Shi'an back that day.

Meanwhile, his own son was already dazed and confused, and while being carried, his hands were still tightly wrapped around the other person's waist...

solid.

"I'm sorry, Your Excellency, it's inconvenient for me to perform the ceremony," Xin Yue said.

"It's alright," Song Jing said somewhat embarrassedly. "Thank you for bringing him back. I didn't expect the kid to be this drunk; I feel ashamed..."

"It was His Highness who offered him the toast that made him drink so much."

"..." Upon hearing this, Song Jing's face immediately changed, and he said with a smile, "When drinking with the Sixth Prince, it is only natural to keep him company and drink more."

"Then, Your Excellency, I will entrust the person to you."

As Xin Yue spoke, she gently pulled on Song Shi'an's hand, which was tightly wrapped around her waist, saying, "We're home."

"Go," Song Jing instructed his servants to go and hand over the documents.

Finally, Xinyue got the octopus off her body, and the servants of the Song family carried her away.

"Then I shall take my leave." Xin Yue was also about to depart.

“The road is too dark. How about I have my servants escort you away?” Song Jing said.

"I appreciate your kindness, Your Excellency. My residence is not far away, I will be there soon."

Having heard this, Song Jing stopped trying to persuade them.

After all, the fact that this woman could carry a grown man who was eight feet tall back without changing her expression shows that she is very strong.

Of course, the prerequisite for having killing skills is having maxed-out physical abilities.

After watching the other person leave, Song Jing led Song Shi'an back.

Looking at his son, he finally couldn't help but say, "Stop pretending."

The servants were all stunned.

"..." Song Shi'an slowly released his hand, slightly sobering up, but still looking very drunk. "Father... I still drank quite a lot."

"Can't you change your frivolous ways?" Song Jing said. "Do you really have to hold onto that girl's waist the whole way?"

"I was really a little drunk just now..."

"If you are interested in her, I will send someone to propose marriage tomorrow, with the dowry and pomp of a legitimate daughter of a prominent family," Song Jing said.

"I...I don't have that plan yet."

"Then why did you hug her waist?"

“Dad…” Song Shi’an muttered, looking away, “They haven’t said anything yet.”

Hey! You little brat!

Song Jing raised his hand as if to strike.

My head is throbbing, my head is throbbing...

Song Shi'an held his temples, making a painful gesture.

"Take the young master back to his room."

Song Jing frowned as she looked at him, but could only feel helpless.

After all, he's really grown up now.

As soon as Song Shi'an returned to his room, Jiang rushed over, dismissed the servants, and took off Song Shi'an's shoes and socks.

He then had a maid bring hot water and placed it by the bedside, saying, "Shi'an, soak your feet first."

He was so tired that he lay down on the bed like a folded cell phone, letting the maid put his feet into the basin.

And then it's pulled out after a symbolic stir.

Before the maid could dry his feet, they were already on the bed...

"Son, tell me, do you really want to marry that Xinyue girl?" Jiang asked probingly.

"A real man should never worry about not having a wife."

Exhausted and suave, Song Shi'an rambled on incoherently.

“Don’t say such things. Only incompetent people say ‘Why worry about not having a wife?’ What’s wrong with you getting married now?” Jiang said. “Although Miss Xinyue’s family background is a bit inferior, as long as you like her, that’s fine.”

"Mother, I'm sleepy..."

Song Shi'an really didn't want to talk to her anymore.

"My God, you're twenty-one, you should have a wife by now, shouldn't you?" Jiang said. "Tell your mother who you've taken a fancy to, and your father will take care of it for you, no matter who it is."

As soon as she spoke, Song Shi'an turned his head to the side.

But Jiang seemed to have locked her head, and quickly moved closer again.

After several attempts, he finally couldn't take it anymore: "Then I'll ask Minister Sun for marriage proposals. I'll only marry the daughter of the Third Duke."

"He only married the daughter of the Third Prince?"

The following day, the Song family members gathered around a large table in the courtyard to enjoy breakfast.

As for Jiang, she gained status through her son and naturally became a member of the family.

However, that guy is still asleep because he drank quite a bit yesterday.

After repeating what Jiang had said to him, Song Jing asked again to confirm, "Did he really say that?"

"I don't know if what he said while drunk can be taken seriously..." Jiang hesitated to say, "But it seems difficult for him and Miss Xinyue to get together."

"If it doesn't work out, then let's try to match them up."

Madam Cui, unusually, spoke to Madam Jiang, and even offered encouragement.

But who couldn't see through her little scheme?
They wanted Song Shi'an to marry a commoner woman with no family background.

In this way, he would have little confidence to fight his son for the inheritance.

Therefore, Madam Jiang was not falling for the trap: "Master, since Shi An has said so, why don't we really go and propose marriage to that Minister Sun?"

“Use your brain. With things so tense, how could you possibly propose marriage?” Song Jing said.

“Yes, that Minister Sun even wanted to scold Song Shi’an at the banquet,” Song Qin said.

“But Shi An also cursed back later…” Jiang said.

"You know how to retort with insults, so how can you expect Situ Sun to swallow his pride?" Song Jing retorted. "And what about my reputation if he refuses my marriage proposal?"

There is only one way for the two parties to reconcile.

That is, it was Sun Situ who brought up this matter on his own initiative.

But if he could mention it, he wouldn't be Sun Situ.

"Are there any other three dukes?" Jiang asked.

In response, Song Ce explained, "Besides the Minister of Works, there are the Minister of Agriculture and the Grand Tutor. But since the old Grand Tutor was dismissed, the position has not been established. The old Minister of Agriculture is a member of the imperial clan and is so old that he probably doesn't have any daughters, but he might have granddaughters."

"Then the Three Dukes are gone," Song Qin suddenly thought. "Does the Duke count as one of the Three Dukes?"

"Oh, can the daughter of a Duke also be considered?" Jiang asked.

"Returning the Three Dukes and the Duke of the State? What, does he think he can just pick any woman from the Great Yu?"

Song Jing felt that the Jiang family truly didn't know what the world was like.

“Yes, our Song family is only a third-rank official in the capital.” Madam Cui echoed Song Jing, saying, “Marrying the daughter of a third-rank official is a good match.”

Jiang Shi Sui was provoked by her, but still maintained her smile: "Then Ce'er's marriage must be a good match, a third-rank official, it can't be just a casual matter."

"How can those be the same!"

Cui became anxious immediately.

“They are all the master’s sons, so of course they are the same,” Jiang said with a smile, but her smile concealed a sharp edge.

Look at this woman, she's about to talk about the distinction between legitimate and illegitimate children.

Dare to say it?
hold head high?
“But Ce’er…”

After stammering for a moment, Madam Cui suddenly laughed: "Doesn't his maternal grandfather also have a second-rank official position? A third-rank official plus a second-rank official position, marrying a first-rank official's daughter is no problem."

Jiang bit her lip, her anger rising, and her tone became harsh: "Well, Ce'er's surname is Song, after all, not Cui."

The two-person argument left Song Qin and Song Ce in an awkward, frozen state.

But Song Jing was different; he was already fed up with it.

I don't know when I'll be able to be discharged and return to the Sheng'an Magistrate's Office...

I'd rather go to work than stay home.

"My lord, someone from the palace has arrived!"

Just then, a servant urgently reported the news.

Everyone was surprised and looked over, wondering why someone from the palace would come.

Song Jing remained relatively calm and asked, "How many people came?"

“There are many, and the one others call the leader is Eunuch Xi. He also said that all the masters of the Song family should come to receive the imperial decree,” the servant said.

"It's actually Eunuch Xi from the Directorate of Ceremonial... He must be someone important." Song Jing stood up and said, "Go and call the young master, and have him change his clothes and straighten his hat."

"Father, isn't it a bit much to keep the people in the palace waiting?" Song Ce reminded him.

“That makes sense.” Song Jing thought he was right. “Then let’s go.”

"Me, a girl, want it too?" Song Qin was a little timid.

"Don't embarrass yourself, be more dignified."

Song Jing admonished.

So, everyone nervously went to the atrium outside the main hall.

At this time, the eunuchs were already in place, all inside the main gate of the mansion.

The head eunuch, Xi, was holding the imperial edict, but he did not read it aloud.

"Greetings, Lord Xi." Song Jing took the lead in bowing, and the members of the Song family behind him followed suit.

Eunuch Xi returned the greeting, then asked curiously, "What's going on? Where is Lord Song?"

“My son went out drinking yesterday and got completely drunk. He collapsed on the bed... and he’s still not awake,” Song Jing said with difficulty.

“But he also has an imperial edict,” said Eunuch Xi.

"Go quickly and wake the young master up, even splashing him with cold water will do," Song Jing immediately said to Jiang Shi behind him.

"Hey, hey, no need to put Lord Song through all this trouble." Eunuch Xi laughed, then said, "Then let's receive the decree first."

Therefore, under Song Jing's leadership, everyone knelt down with great reverence and prostrated themselves to receive the imperial decree.

"The Emperor, by the Will of Heaven, decrees:
I, the Emperor, regard the civil officials who govern the country by harmonizing Yin and Yang, and the upright officials who help the people by braving wind and rain. Therefore, I hereby bestow upon you, Song Jing, the magistrate of Sheng'an, the title of Marquis of Wenxiang.

And bestowed:

A white jade tablet, engraved with the proverb "Respect Heaven and Diligently Serve the People".

A robe embroidered with golden threads, featuring auspicious grain and wheat patterns.

The Kui Xing sword, inlaid with rubies and gemstones.

When the imperial edict was issued, a eunuch presented these three items.

Slowly, Song Jing raised his head.

It took him twenty years to enter the imperial court.

His own son, however, made him a marquis in just one year.

He was the only marquis in the Great Yu Dynasty besides the nobles and Minister Sun.

Song Jing raised his hands: "Your subject receives the decree."

Behind them, Madam Cui and Madam Jiang, who slowly raised their heads together, were also overjoyed:
I've become the Marquis's wife!
(End of this chapter)