Chapter 667 - 445: Seizing Xu Anxing’s Lifeline

Chapter 667: Chapter 445: Seizing Xu Anxing’s Lifeline

The First Madam was visibly taken aback. She hadn’t expected Yun Zhao to want to use Song Qinghan.

Seeing the surprise on the First Madam’s face, Song Yunzhao smiled. "Song Qinghan’s life must be difficult now, don’t you think? Yan Liu may be dead, but that’s actually worse for Qing Han than if she were alive. Xu Anxing surely despises her more than ever."

The First Madam sighed. "There was no other way. If that Yan Liu had remained in the third branch, with the wife not a proper wife, the concubine not a proper concubine, the illegitimate son not treated as such, and a husband with no backbone... Qing Han was the only outsider, and the rest of them were thick as thieves. Her life would have been forfeit sooner or later."

If one of them had to die, the Song Family certainly couldn’t let it be Song Qinghan.

Therefore, Yan Liu could not be allowed to stay.

The Song Family didn’t take her life. They said she was exiled, but if Xu Anxing had truly loved her and couldn’t bear to part, he could have easily spent some silver to arrange things for her. She wouldn’t necessarily have had to become an official prostitute. But Xu Anxing is obviously the epitome of selfishness. He never even considered it; he didn’t even lift a finger to help Yan Liu.

Such an irresponsible man. After Yan Liu’s death, he just pushed all the blame onto Song Qinghan, as if doing so would make him a good person.

He failed to realize that it was precisely because he lacked a man’s backbone and couldn’t manage his own household that things ended up this way.

Unfortunately, there’s no reasoning with a person like that. He’s convinced it’s everyone else’s fault.

"Song Qinghan must see things clearly now, right?" Song Yunzhao said with a laugh.

The First Madam gave a sardonic smile. "She’s not stupid. She knows better than anyone. The only reason she won’t divorce him is to save that last shred of dignity."

After a divorce, she would no longer be the daughter-in-law of the Marquis Wuxin Mansion. She might never be able to remarry. While her parents are alive, she would have a place in her maiden home, but once they pass away, she’d have no choice but to live out the rest of her days in a Nun Temple.

If Song Qinghan were a kind and gentle person, then when Song Bu Yue becomes the head of the family, he certainly wouldn’t cast her out. After all, the two siblings have always had a good relationship.

But Song Qinghan’s personality isn’t easy to get along with. And Song Bu Yue’s wife is the daughter of Princess Fuke, who has always been treated like the apple of her eye. Those two are destined not to get along.

"But there are different kinds of dignity." Song Yunzhao smiled. "Eldest Aunt, wouldn’t you agree?"

Song Qinghan was relying on the Song Family to suppress Xu Anxing. That might work for now, but in the long run, it was bound to fall apart.

"Your Ladyship’s meaning is...?" The First Madam couldn’t quite grasp what Yun Zhao was getting at.

"What if Xu Anxing could only live a good life by relying on Song Qinghan? Do you think his attitude toward her might change then?" Song Yunzhao asked.

Hearing this, the First Madam immediately nodded and said, "Naturally, it would. But that won’t be easy to accomplish, will it?"

Song Yunzhao laughed. "Xu Anxing has no ambition for an official career, but he desperately wants to be rich. He’s a total playboy who craves luxury, loves beautiful women, and is easily swayed. Even a mere concubine can wrap him around her finger. Wouldn’t you say a man like that is easy to control?"

The First Madam: ...

’Now that Yun Zhao put it that way, that Xu Anxing really did sound useless.’

"The Baozhuang Building’s business needs to expand, and I’m short on people. Tell Song Qinghan that if she helps me, I’ll give her the distribution rights for the Baozhuang Building in an entire prefecture. She can use that to get a grip on Xu Anxing. If you can’t tie Xu Anxing down with a person, then use money."

The First Madam: !

’Come to think of it, that really was an excellent idea.’

’Tsk, Yun Zhao’s method really had Xu Anxing by the throat.’

After the family property was divided, Xu Anxing’s share of the inheritance definitely wouldn’t be enough to support his extravagant lifestyle for long. He couldn’t keep running to Marchioness Wu Xin for her private funds, either. If Xu Anchen and his wife found out, they certainly wouldn’t be pleased.

So, making money was also a very important matter.

"But if you really hand over an entire prefecture to Xu Anxing, aren’t you worried something will go wrong, Your Ladyship?"

"This prefecture will be different from the others. I will set the prices and forbid him from selling at a markup. I will also establish rules to ensure he earns his silver coins within my guidelines. That way, he won’t be able to cause any major trouble. Besides, I’ll send over my own accountant. He’ll earn his silver, but he won’t be allowed to tarnish the reputation of the Baozhuang Building."

The First Madam nodded. ’That was also a good way to handle it.’

’Such a huge temptation would allow Song Qinghan to get a handle on Xu Anxing. At the very least, they could pretend to be a loving couple. If she were in Song Qinghan’s shoes, she’d be willing to walk through fire to give it a try. After all, for someone willing to waste her entire life on Xu Anxing rather than get a divorce, this method was undoubtedly the best strategy.’

"I’m sure Song Qinghan will agree. I just don’t know what Your Ladyship wants her to do?" the First Madam asked.

"After I’ve thought it through, I’ll have someone send you a letter. For now, you should go talk terms with Song Qinghan and see what she says," Song Yunzhao said.

The First Madam nodded. "Alright, I’ll go see her after I leave the palace."

Song Yunzhao smiled. "Then I’ll have to trouble you, Eldest Aunt."

"We’re all family. Your Ladyship needn’t be so polite," the First Madam said gently.

"How is my cousin-in-law doing now? She has a weak constitution; is everything alright with the pregnancy?" Song Yunzhao asked with a hint of concern.

The First Madam sighed. "The Princess and I had hoped to have the Commandery Princess return to the Capital City, but her health is too poor for a long journey. The Princess sent over her personal health-cultivation mama, who has been with her for decades, to look after the Commandery Princess. A message came back saying the Commandery Princess is able to eat now, and her complexion has improved a lot."

Song Yunzhao nodded. "That’s good. If the family is short of anything, please tell me. When my cousin-in-law is about to give birth, I will ask the Emperor to send an Imperial Physician and a midwife from the palace to make the trip. That way, I can rest easy."

The First Madam was overjoyed. "Then I must thank Your Ladyship! With your words, this heart of mine can finally be at ease."

’The doctors outside the palace, of course, couldn’t compare to the exquisite skills of the Imperial Physicians.’

The First Madam then brought up Song Yexi’s situation. "Now that the boy Guan Lan is by the Eldest Prince’s side, the Yue Family is deeply grateful to Your Ladyship. Ye Xi can now hold her head high in the Yue Family, and it’s all thanks to Your Ladyship’s blessing. Jinxuan is studying abroad with her husband, so she isn’t in the Capital City. Young Madam Yang is with her husband at his post, and her mother came with Madam Yang to pay a visit and express their gratitude. They are also extremely thankful to Your Ladyship."

Song Yunzhao smiled. "This time, the credit isn’t really mine. The Emperor chose them himself, and it’s also because the two boys, Guan Lan and Weiqing, are outstanding. Eldest Aunt, when you go back, please inform the Yue and Yang Families. The Eldest Prince will definitely be adding study companions next year. I want Guan Lan and Weiqing to be more than just playmates; they should study alongside the Eldest Prince. Tell them to pay close attention to the boys’ education. The Emperor will certainly test them when he selects the companions next year."

The First Madam promised to do so seriously. ’With this message passed on, the two families will surely be even more loyal to Her Ladyship in the future. With their support, if Her Ladyship wishes to advance further—whether to be named Imperial Concubine or even Empress—they will definitely give their full support.’

’Slowly, their family was building its own circle of influence.’

The more the First Madam thought about it, the happier she became. She turned to Yun Zhao again and said, "Your older brother wrote back saying he received a first-class rating in his evaluation. He’ll surely be transferred to a new post after his next performance review."

Song Yunzhao was delighted as well. ’This was truly wonderful news.’