Chapter 454 — The Division of the Household

"Father, I know this pains you. But I am the second son—it is only proper that I set up a household of my own. Sooner or later, what difference does it make?" And the sooner he was divided out, the more the world outside would see Song Yan as venomous and ruthless, cold-hearted enough to turn even his own brother loose.

He was a man not to be crossed, let alone befriended. So he brooded inwardly, while his face wore an expression of the utmost deference and humility.

"And even once I am divided out, am I any less your son? Perhaps you might even keep a foot in both houses then, and wander about as you please to lift your spirits." If Father took up residence in his mansion often, perhaps he could even burden Song Yan with a reputation for

unfilial conduct—and that would be all the better.

"Father, you must not quarrel with my elder brother over my affairs. What if the anger ruins your health? You are advanced in years now, and all we children wish for is that you stay hale and hearty and live to a hundred. When troubles come to us, we still have someone to instruct us. You must not come to any harm!"

At these words Miao Zhi's heart leapt with joy.

True, when she had married in, the matchmaker had said Song Han was the second son and would be divided out to live on his own—but those were only words. Whose new bride was separated from the household the moment she crossed the threshold?

So though she had known she would be divided out, she had never imagined it would come so soon.

Had she not known the rumors about Song Han's parentage, had she not witnessed Song Yan's coldness toward him, she would surely have thought Song Yan could not tolerate his own brother and was cruel at heart. But now she only hoped the division would come as early as possible. At least Song Han would no longer be forever under Song Zhi's nose; Song Yan's loathing for him would ease a little, and her own position would be safer.

Miao Zhi hastily lowered her voice. "Then what does the Duke of Ying say?"

"I don't know yet," Ji Hong whispered. "The little maids only caught an earful when they went in to refill the tea."

Miao Zhi nodded, pondered a long while, then said, "Then let us go back first. Today is no time to speak of my brother's affairs."

With the household about to be divided, Song Han surely had his own calculations. To bring up her brother's business now would not help him in the least—it might even stir Song Han's disgust.

Ji Hong understood as well, and with a supporting hand she led Miao Zhi back to the inner rooms.

Song Han did not return until the lamps were lit.

Miao Zhi waited on him herself as he washed and changed his clothes, then brewed a pot of hot tea before she said softly, "Second Lord, why are you so late today? I have had the kitchen stew a pigeon soup. Will you take a little?"

Song Han waved a hand and went to the study.

Miao Zhi stamped her foot in fury.

Over in Yizhi Hall, Dou Yan sat on the kang by the window, stitching a bellyband for Yuan Heng while she talked with Song Yan. "So the Duke of Ying refuses to divide the household?"

Song Yan took a sip of tea, reached over, and plucked the needle and thread from her hands. "It's too late," he said. "You'll strain your eyes. Do it tomorrow." Only then did he go on: "Father will certainly refuse, but this is not for him to decide. I have already spoken with the maternal uncle. If Father sets his jaw and refuses to the end, then we shall find Song Han an official post and send him out. I should like to see whether Father's mouth stays as stiff as it is now once Song Han is packed off to the Northwest Camp!"

Dou Yan was startled. "If the Duke of Ying won't divide the household, you mean to send Song Han to the Northwest Camp?"

That was a land of bitter cold, where many went with their lives and came back without them, and where a man was lucky to return once a year. It was little better than exile.

Song Yan gave a cold laugh.

Song Cen, however, flew into a rage.

Pointing at Lu Zhan, who had come to persuade him, he roared, "Get out of my sight!"

Never in his life had Lu Zhan suffered such humiliation. His whole face flushed red enough to drip blood.

He barely scraped a bow to Song Cen before hurrying out of the Duke of Ying's mansion.

When word reached Dou Qu, he instructed Song Yan: "Go after Elder Uncle Lu at once. The humiliation he suffered today was all for your sake."

"I know," Song Yan said, his face darkening. "I will give Cousin Zhan an accounting for this." With that he changed his clothes and left the mansion.

Dou Yan had word sent to keep watch on the goings-on at the Osmanthus Fragrance Court.

Who would have guessed that the one to talk Song Cen around would be Song Han himself?

"Father, I know this pains you. But I am the second son—it is only proper that I set up a household of my own. Sooner or later, what difference does it make?" And the sooner he was divided out, the more the world outside would see Song Yan as venomous and ruthless, cold-hearted enough to turn even his own brother loose. He was a man not to be crossed, let alone befriended. So he brooded inwardly, while his face wore an expression of the utmost deference and humility. "And even once I am divided out, am I any less your son? Perhaps you might even keep a foot in both houses then, and wander about as you please to lift your spirits." If Father took up residence in his mansion often, perhaps he could even burden Song Yan with a reputation for unfilial conduct—and that would be all the better. "Father, you must not quarrel with my elder brother over my affairs. What if the anger ruins your health? You are advanced in years now, and all we children wish for is that you stay hale and hearty and live to a hundred. When troubles come to us, we still have someone to instruct us. You must not come to any harm!"

Hearing this, Song Cen's expression softened a little.

Song Han smiled. "What do you say to my buying a house over on Four Lane? It needn't be large. I'd be close enough to come back and see you, and if anything should happen to you, I could hurry over..."

The Duke of Ying's mansion stood on one lane; Four Lane was three lanes away. Close it was, but property there did not come cheap, and often there was a price quoted but no seller. To buy a so-called small house there would not be easy.

Yet these words of Song Han's stirred Song Cen deeply.

If he refused to divide Song Han out, Song Yan would surely find a way to pack Song Han off to the Northwest Camp. And since Song Yan was the Duke of Dingguo's nephew and had long enjoyed prestige in the army, if he meant to send Song Han to the Northwest Camp, the camp was likely full of his men. One word from him, and Song Han might die without ever knowing how. Better, as Song Han said, to divide him out and buy a house nearby, so that at the least sign of trouble he could summon Song Han back and use him to needle Song Yan, and give Song Yan no peace either...

At this thought Song Cen's face broke into a faint smile, and he sighed. "You are the filial one after all... Leave the house to me; I will have it seen to. When you go back, speak well to your wife, lest her family think it is because we of the Song family cannot abide the two of you that we divided you out."

If it was not that they could not abide him, what was it?

Father said this out of fear of losing face before the Miao family, did he not?

And what were the Miao family but trash? Even the Song family's dogs were nobler than they. Was there any need to fear them?

Still, at least he had got himself a house—not too poor a bargain.

But that Father should think to move him out just like that—that would never do!