FYM - 108

These words were indeed spoken with great subtlety.

The newly ascended emperor had specially opened an imperial examination, allowing the selection of officials outside the regular system. At that time, scholars from all over the country would gather to take the exam, and in the future, they would become pillars of the nation. The Great Zhou dynasty was in dire need of capable individuals, and Song Shuyan placed extraordinary importance on this special examination. She intended to personally select a few talented new jinshi degree holders during the palace examination, who could later assist her in implementing new policies and counterbalancing the Luoyang and Jinling factions.

Song Bo’s phrase, “promoting the worthy does not avoid kinship, promoting kinship does not avoid suspicion,” carried deep implications. It seemed he hoped she would promote members of the Song family and even dreamed she would grant the position of chief examiner to them. If so, the Song family would surely rise significantly in officialdom and no longer be constrained by the Luoyang faction.

“During times of change, we should act decisively, not hesitating or being overly cautious.”

Song Shuyan smiled faintly, her gaze sweeping over the younger members of the clan who had come to the “family banquet” with their elders.

“The imperial examination has always been fair, ensuring that no talented person is overlooked and no incompetent person occupies a position. Our dynasty plans to restore its former glory and return to the old capital; there is no room to support idle hands.”

Her tone was not harsh, but the meaning behind her words was firm. The word “fair” clearly dashed her uncle’s hopes—she wouldn’t show favoritism to her maternal clan.

“As for the special examination…”

She paused again, looking at her uncle’s now irritated eyes with a half-smile.

“I have decided to entrust the entire matter to the Grand Tutor. Chen Meng, born a zhuangyuan scholar and highly respected for his age and virtue, is undoubtedly the most suitable person for this task.”

——This arrangement was one that Song Shuyan had already planned long ago.

Chen Meng was upright and impartial, never siding with either the Luoyang or Jinling factions. Now, as the imperial tutor and one of the five senior ministers, he was undoubtedly the best choice to preside over this Guangyou initial examination. Moreover, he came from a commoner background without any backing, having risen through the ranks solely due to the late emperor’s recognition. He was now wholly devoted to serving the young emperor to repay Renzong’s kindness. If used well, he could become a powerful ally in balancing the court.

Unfortunately, the Song family heard it quite differently.

“Entrusting it to the Grand Tutor?” “Born a zhuangyuan scholar and highly respected for his age and virtue?” The Song family of Jinling was the leading clan of Jiangnan scholar-gentry! Their ancestors had even been honored in the Imperial Ancestral Temple! How could they compare to Chen Meng, a mere commoner scholar? — She, Song Shuyan, was clearly forgetting her roots and showing ingratitude! Clinging to past grievances with the family, did she not realize that without the Song family’s protection, she might not have survived safely in the palace all these years!

Everyone present felt indignant. Though they said nothing outwardly, their faces visibly darkened. In their hearts, regardless of how high or far Song Shuyan rose, she would forever be a subordinate of the family. Not devoting herself entirely to the “Song” name was considered unforgivable disloyalty.

“So, Minister Song has objections?”

Song Shuyan no longer cared about the Song family’s reactions. Her tone when questioning her uncle was cold enough for even the young emperor to sense something amiss — on what grounds did they dare to act arrogantly before her? Had they forgotten how they pushed her into the palace to bear the brunt of danger during a critical moment of survival? Besides, even setting aside personal grudges, she would never entrust the crucial task of selecting officials to her maternal family, lest it give others ammunition to accuse her of favoring her relatives.

Song Bo was taken aback by the question, feeling both embarrassed and humiliated under the watchful eyes of his many descendants. What exactly did Song Shuyan want to do! To openly interrogate and push elders at a family banquet—did she not remember how he had risked his life to protect her in the palace after the late emperor’s passing? This was clearly venting anger! Transferring her resentment towards her father onto the entire Song family! Or perhaps she was dissatisfied that he had secretly sent a message to Fang Xianting urging him to come south!

“Your Majesty, Your Majesty…”

Song Bo struggled to find his words, his face turning unpleasant as he thought to add some dignity beyond mere courtesy to make his niece understand the importance of the family, not presuming that growing wings meant she could speak disrespectfully to her kin. Unfortunately, he was promptly interrupted by her cold indifference.

“This family banquet shouldn’t discuss court affairs, but since we’ve come this far, let’s clarify things.”

Her slender hand slowly placed down her jade chopsticks. Song Shuyan’s expression was calm yet distinctly aloof.

“Having been entrusted by the late emperor to rule behind the curtain and assist the young emperor, I must prioritize public matters over private interests. Within the family, if there are exceptionally talented individuals, they will certainly be cultivated and promoted. But those who are mediocre and talentless should not harbor any delusions of riding anyone else’s coattails. If anything, my relatives will face stricter scrutiny and more hardships than others. If dissatisfied, they can resign and retreat to nature, sparing themselves further thoughts.”

These words cut deep, exposing the innermost thoughts of her family like a slap across the face—not painfully, but with a crisp sound that left everyone embarrassed. Everyone noticed that when Song Shuyan spoke of being “mediocre and talentless,” her gaze swept over Song Mingzhuo, Song Mingshi, and other elder brothers. This was not only an open display of contempt and humiliation but also effectively crushed their aspirations for advancement!

This… was utterly outrageous!

Song Bo was livid, his hands trembling under the table. The reactions of the Wan family were even more dramatic. Song Mingzhuo’s face turned red, then white, and soon purple. His mother looked tearful, frequently glancing at her husband, hoping he would seek justice for her beloved son.

Song Shuyan calmly observed her father, curious about how he would address her. Song Dan finally looked up deeply at his daughter, his expression calm yet complex, markedly different from the angry and embarrassed looks of the surrounding clansmen.

“Her Majesty speaks wisely,” he finally said, his voice sounding aged like his appearance. “Today, it was our fault to speak out of turn. We hope Her Majesty and the Emperor will forgive us.”

These words were a clear sign of submission, lacking any semblance of paternal authority. The Song family members present were greatly dissatisfied, wondering why their master was being so accommodating to his daughter. Meanwhile, the young emperor had been sitting uncomfortably amidst the unexpected tension. Upon hearing Song Gong concede, he hurriedly tried to smooth things over awkwardly, saying: “Yes, yes... today is a family banquet. Let’s not talk about these things… let’s not talk about these things…”

As he spoke, he quickly signaled Wang Mu to serve dishes to his mother. Wang Mu’s gaze subtly shifted between the Empress Dowager and the Song family before respectfully attending to Song Shuyan. Song Shuyan knew Wei Xi was anxious, and despite his filial heart painstakingly planting the plum grove and arranging the feast, it had been disrupted by the Song family’s words.

“Let’s eat…”

She grew more weary but still turned to the young emperor with a faint smile.

“Don’t waste your efforts.”

As the sun set in the west during the Shen and You hours, the family banquet, which ended in mutual dissatisfaction, was nearly over. The Song family members left with grim faces, bowing to their master. The plum grove and waterside pavilion finally regained their tranquility.

The palace attendants had already lowered their heads and removed the dishes, but Song Shuyan still leaned against the beauty rest by the water, not rising. Wei Xi cautiously approached, tugging at her sleeve and softly calling: “Mother…”

He was unaware of her past conflicts with her maternal family and was caught off guard by today’s scene. Seeing his mother look at him, he mustered the courage to ask: “Did I do something wrong today? Mother, and the Song family…”

Song Shuyan had no intention of discussing the past with him, especially since much of it was unspeakable. She sighed faintly, replying: “Xi’er made no mistake. Some things simply had to be said upfront.”

After a pause, she added: “The problem of relatives always inadvertently sows the seeds of trouble. Having been entrusted by your late father to guard the empire for you, I naturally need to prevent them from harboring inappropriate ambitions… Besides, the situation in the court is complex after the southern migration. The Jinling faction originally benefited; if they were to oversee the special examination, it would invite nationwide criticism…”

These words were spoken with great detachment, moving Wei Xi to the point of tears. After his father’s death, he should have been left vulnerable and facing disaster, with many wishing to drink his blood and eat his flesh. Yet his mother hadn’t betrayed him but instead treated him with such gentle generosity, making him…

He gripped her hand tighter, his complex emotions churning within. Song Shuyan’s expression remained calm, her gaze shifting to the vast plum grove outside the waterside pavilion. She smiled: “Are all the plums you planted flowering varieties? You should also plant some fruit-bearing ones. By summer, you can pick them and make preserves yourself.”

Her tone lightened, and he immediately felt cheered, laughing after a while: “Mother ate very little during the evening meal. You must be hungry now. Let me order more food.”

Indeed, she had eaten little, and dealing with the large Song family had hardly whetted her appetite. As she pondered whether to agree, Chaohua entered the pavilion, announcing that General Song had arrived and was waiting outside to wish her a happy birthday.

Second Brother?

Upon hearing this, Song Shuyan raised an eyebrow, realizing he had deliberately avoided their father and the others today. As she chuckled softly, Chaohua added: “Lord Yingchuan has also come, stating he has urgent military news from Youzhou to report to Her Majesty.”

…Fang Xianting?

Song Shuyan’s smile faded. At the mention of “military news,” her heart tightened. She immediately straightened her posture and sat up, solemnly ordering: “Summon them.”

Chaohua responded and left. Wei Xi anxiously moved closer to her. Soon, footsteps echoed outside the pavilion. The moonlight was soft, the night breeze gentle—it was the most tender and romantic season of early spring in Jiangnan.

He walked in with his second brother, the cascading moonlight adorning his deep purple sleeves. Behind them stood the lush plum trees, silent witnesses to this ordinary yet meaningful reunion—a scene that had unfolded before in Qiantang and Luoyang.

“What happened in Youzhou?”

She dispensed with formalities and hastily inquired, mentally preparing herself for devastating news. However, his brows were relaxed, and his expression held a subtle, indistinct…

She couldn’t place it, but the next moment she heard him reply: “The two regional commanders, Xie Ci, reported a small victory in Fanyang. The second son of the Duolu Khan, Bi Hunu, was captured. The Eastern Turks may intend to send envoys to Jinling to sue for peace. Whether to cease fighting awaits Your Majesty and the Emperor’s decision.”

This was…

…good news?

Song Shuyan’s heart eased, and her palms were already sweaty. The first victory after the southern migration was crucial for the political situation and morale. The next moment, she finally smiled genuinely for the first time in months, saying: “Good, good—order Commander Xie to continue the battle; Hedong must not be lost. Additionally, strictly guard the second son of Duolu. I need to think further about the peace talks…”