Chapter 181

Chapter 181

The wife of Grand Secretary Song came from a humble background, her family being farmers. In the Imperial City, she was known for beating up titled ladies and knocking down princesses with her fists. She even spared no mercy for her own young children.

For such a "sea hag," it was not surprising that she would do anything.

Climbing a tree was trivial compared to the things she had done before.

But Grand Secretary Song was wise beyond his years and was always serious, rarely smiling. In terms of wisdom and strategy, he was no less than the three-dynasty veteran, Grand Secretary Lu.

No one would have thought that such a person would now be doing something as childish as monkeying around in a tree with Jiang Niangzi and two one-year-old children to pick osmanthus flowers.

It shattered their worldview and made them question life. They were so shocked that they couldn’t speak for a long time.

In the end, it was the new Minister of Personnel, Hu Ningyuan, who broke the dead silence. He forced a smile and called up to Grand Secretary Song in the tree, "Grand Secretary Song, could you please come down to receive the imperial decree?"

Hu Ningyuan had outlasted Minister Gao and the previous Minister of Personnel, Song Shian, who had used the position as a stepping stone. Finally, last month, he officially became the Minister of Personnel.

Being wise, he was more casual compared to the other two ministers because he had been colleagues with Song Shian for a few years.

When Song Shian saw the three of them appear in the Osmanthus Courtyard, he finally remembered the important matter he had forgotten.

However, he thought that since Grand Secretary Lu had retired, the imperial decree promoting him to Grand Secretary would take a few more days to arrive.

Who knew that his brother-in-law would be so impatient that the decision was made in the morning, and by the evening, people were sent to announce the decree.

It was as if they were afraid that if the decree wasn’t handed over today, he would flee with his whole family at night.

It was indeed a bit unsteady!

"One moment, please."

Song Shian responded and then untied the sweat towels from Yi Ge'er and Yu Ge'er’s waists. He grabbed one under each arm and used his light-footed agility to jump down from the tree.

After placing the two children on the ground, he jumped back up the tree and swept Jiang Niangzi into his arms, intending to jump down with her.

Jiang Niangzi quickly grabbed the large bamboo basket and small bamboo basket next to her.

Joking aside, the results of the two little ones' hard work for an hour or two couldn’t go to waste.

Even if he hadn’t come up to get her, she could have easily climbed down the tree herself. She was very skilled at it.

But she was still very happy that he was willing to come up and get her.

Especially in front of the three first-rank officials, being carried like a princess by him, showing off their love so publicly made Jiang Niangzi secretly very pleased.

As pleased as she was, she didn’t forget about the task at hand. She quickly had the incense table set up and went to fetch the other members of the Song family.

She also reminded Song Shian, "Husband, you should quickly go change into your official robes."

After Song Shian changed into his official clothes and the rest of the Song family had gathered, Hu Ningyuan finally presented the imperial decree and read it aloud.

The content of the decree was ridiculously long, praising Song Shian as if he were unparalleled in the world.

Jiang Niangzi, already half-drunk from drinking wine, almost fell asleep listening to Hu Ningyuan’s long-winded showing off of his knowledge.

She pinched her thigh repeatedly to keep herself awake and barely managed to stay awake until the end.

After the imperial edict was read, the three Grand Secretaries immediately stepped forward and clasped their hands in congratulations to Song Shian.

Jiang Chun placed her hands behind her back and quietly extended two fingers.

Gui Zhi understood at once and hurried inside to fetch six large red envelopes, two for each Grand Secretary, containing a total of twenty taels of silver.

Jiang Chun smiled and said, "In a few days, we're hosting a banquet. It would be an honor if you gentlemen could join us."

The three naturally agreed without hesitation.

After seeing off the three guests, the Song family members were all beaming with joy. Song Shiqian, Song Shiying, and Song Shiyue, the three younger siblings, stepped forward to congratulate their elder brother.

Song Shiying shamelessly stretched out her hand to Jiang Chun and said, "Big sister-in-law, on this joyous day, you must give us younger siblings some red envelopes."

Jiang Chun gave her a sideways glance and said with a laugh, "You little miser, you really know how to take advantage of every opportunity."

Madame Zhuang chimed in with a smile, "Isn't this something you taught her? You've led the younger sister astray, and now you're getting your just desserts."

"She picked up the bad habits and not the good ones!" Jiang Chun said with a laugh, then had Gui Zhi bring three large red envelopes, one for each sibling.

Receiving ten taels of silver unexpectedly almost made Song Shiying burst into laughter.

Jiang Chun invited everyone inside and said, "Come on in for some tea. Today’s a special day, so I’m not holding back—plenty of Da Hong Pao for everyone!"

Old Madam Zhou was about to leave but hearing there would be Da Hong Pao tea made her change her mind instantly.

While sitting and drinking tea, Madame Zhuang suddenly remembered something and asked Jiang Chun, "When you invited those three officials just now, were you planning a celebration for Shian?"

If that was the case, she would need to make arrangements early. After all, her daughter-in-law was a lazybones. Even if there was a banquet, she would only contribute money and couldn't be relied upon to help with anything.

Jiang Chun sighed and said, "Two years ago, my husband wanted to host an osmanthus flower banquet, but I got pregnant, and my mother was busy with the weddings of my second sister and third brother, so we had to cancel.

Last year, everything was ready, but the late emperor passed away, so we had to cancel again.

This year, I wanted to make up for it, but my mother is busy organizing the weddings of my third brother and third sister, so she can’t help.

I thought this year's osmanthus flower banquet wouldn't happen, but who knew my husband would suddenly get promoted."

At this point, she grinned mischievously and said, "Looks like my mother can’t escape this osmanthus flower banquet anymore."

In fact, Jiang Chun and Song Shian had already decided not to host the banquet this year. Otherwise, she would have started preparations earlier and wouldn't be without any progress until now.

Unexpectedly, he was promoted to Grand Secretary ahead of time. Truly, man proposes, but heaven disposes.

Madame Zhuang was both thrilled and proud that her eldest son had been promoted to Grand Secretary. She didn't object but teasingly scolded Jiang Chun, "I think you just can't stand to see me relax for even half a moment."

Then, as if casually, she asked Jiang Chun, "How many tables are you planning to set up?"

Jiang Chun didn't answer directly but instead shouted, "We’re talking about the Grand Secretary here! The top official under the emperor, second only to the emperor himself! Shouldn't we celebrate properly?

Even if the banquet is large and the food and wine are of high quality, others should understand, right?

If it were their family's child who became Grand Secretary, they would be even more extravagant than us."

Madame Zhuang, knowing Jiang Chun's personality well, sensed she was up to something and asked warily, "Just how large are you planning?"

Jiang Chun said something shocking, "Oh, just about a thousand tables."

"Just a measly thousand tables?" Madame Zhuang nearly fainted at the suggestion.

The other Song family members, who had been eagerly listening to the conversation between mother- and daughter-in-law, couldn't help but gasp in astonishment.

They had attended countless grand feasts and small banquets before, but they had never seen anyone host a thousand-table banquet.

A thousand tables, with ten people per table, meant a full ten thousand guests.

Even if they used every room in all the Song family's courtyards, they could barely fit everyone.

Jiang Chun nodded, unconcerned, and said, "A mere thousand tables. Mother, you've organized countless banquets before, so you'll definitely manage this."

"I’m not saying I can’t do it," Madame Zhuang clarified, then added irritably, "But do you know how much a thousand-table banquet costs? At least five to six thousand taels of silver!"

Jiang Chun smiled at Zhong Wenjin and said, "If my second sister-in-law can supply the wine at cost, five thousand taels should cover it."

Zhong Wenjin joked, "When the Prime Minister’s wife speaks, how could I, a mere fourth-rank official, possibly refuse?"

Jiang Chun laughed and pointed at her with her finger.

Then she turned back to Madame Zhuang and said with a smile, "Mother, rest assured, I can afford the cost of a thousand tables. Just go ahead and organize it."

Madame Zhuang said helplessly, "I know you can afford five thousand taels of silver, but aren't you being too extravagant? Aren't you afraid that the imperial censor will impeach Shian for lavish spending?"

Song Shian sipped his tea calmly, unfazed.

Jiang Chun said with a grin, "I’m the one organizing the banquet. As a mere husband who is a son-in-law living with the wife's family, how could he dare to defy his wife's orders?

Let the imperial censors impeach all they want. Even if it reaches the emperor—or heaven itself—it won’t change the fact that my husband is the Jiang family’s son-in-law."

Madame Zhuang was speechless.

The Song family members were also speechless.

Her logic was so sound that they couldn’t refute it.

When it suited them, he was the Jiang family’s son-in-law living with the wife's family; when it didn’t, he was the Prime Minister and the emperor’s brother-in-law.

By being so brazenly shameless, even the most stern and impartial imperial censors would be stumped and powerless against the couple.

Madame Zhuang had nothing more to say and could only let her do as she wished.

After all, it was her money being spent. If she wasn’t worried, why should Madame Zhuang be concerned?

After seeing off the Song family members, Jiang Chun finally had time to ask Song Shian, "What's going on? According to the trajectory of your previous life, weren't you supposed to become the Prime Minister next year? Why did it happen earlier?"

*

Song Shian replied, "Maybe Prime Minister Lu saw that Senior Minister Gao wisely stepped down. His brother-in-law not only gave him an honorary title but also rewarded him handsomely.

As a veteran of three dynasties, if he acted wisely, he’d receive an honorary title, a large sum of money, and possibly promotions for his descendants.

So, he submitted his resignation early.

Of course, it also has to do with the fact that I’ve basically sidelined him, leaving him with just the title of Prime Minister.

Now, the other four members of the Grand Secretariat follow my lead, and at over seventy, there’s no reason for him to stick around."

Jiang Chun gave Song Shian a thumbs-up and praised him, "My husband is really something else."

As she spoke, she stood up, performed a formal bow, and smiled as she said, "I haven't formally congratulated my husband on his promotion to Grand Secretary."

Song Shian hurriedly stood up and bowed back with a salute, laughing, "We’re both celebrating! I also congratulate my wife on becoming the Grand Secretary's wife."

Jiang Chun burst into laughter.

After a long conversation, she finally remembered the two kids. She asked Gui Zhi, "Where are Yi Ge'er and Yu Ge'er at?"

Gui Zhi smiled and said, "Gui Ye just helped them dry the osmanthus branches they picked on bamboo screens. They’re out in the yard, riding their tricycles right now."

Jiang Chun: "..."

Those little boys sure have boundless energy! They had just come down from the osmanthus tree, and now they still had the strength to ride tricycles.

Since Zhong Wenjin gave them each a small tricycle, those foot-powered twist cars were instantly forgotten and officially retired.

Without any help from Jiang Chun, they figured out how to ride the tricycles after some trial and error.

Yi Ge'er pedaled so fast it looked like sparks might fly, turning that tricycle into a race car! On the other hand, Yu Ge'er took it easy, only pedaling when he needed to keep moving, just enough to keep going.

One’s all hustle, the other’s laid-back—just like her and Song Shian.

Jiang Chun smiled and said, "Sure, let them ride their tricycles."

Riding tricycles is good exercise too, way better than climbing walls and rooftops!