Chapter 470: My Scheme, The Song Family’s 100 Years
The main room was tense, a battlefield ready to erupt.
Madam Song pursed her lips as she looked at Song Zhiyuan. She felt a sense of alienation, unable to believe that the person in front of her valued his nephew over his own son.
She suppressed her anger, gritting her teeth as she asked, "Just because you think Jie’er is more suitable than Su’er to be the Prince’s study companion, you gave him such a great opportunity? So in the future, if you think Jie’er is more suitable to take over as the Song Family Head, you’ll give him that too?"
"Are you questioning me?" Song Zhiyuan’s voice was as cold as ice.
Madam Song felt a shiver run through her heart.
"If you must have an answer, I will tell you, yes."
Madam Song was shocked, the words "you’re crazy" stuck in her throat, pricking her painfully.
"If Su’er is unfit to be the head of a family, I will choose another more capable person," Song Zhiyuan said forcefully.
"Even if he is not your son?"
"Even if he is not my son!"
Madam Song collapsed onto the Arhat bed, thinking he was mad, completely mad.
Song Zhiyuan looked at her and said, "I am Su’er’s father; I naturally know what is best for him. He is already fourteen, his temperament is set, and he is about to be examined. Letting him be the study companion means he must accompany the Prince in his studies, which is not beneficial for his own progress."
"That is just one reason, and not the most important. The most important reason is that I believe Jie’er can better adapt to the Imperial Palace and better understand how to survive within it." Song Zhiyuan looked at her and said, "Is there no danger in being a study companion? Without enough intelligence and cunning, how can one remain unscathed? And Su’er is too upright and honest."
As he spoke, his tone carried a hint of helplessness and regret.
In the past years, he was eager to lay the foundation for the Song Family, endlessly busy, neglecting the upbringing of his eldest son. By the time he had the time, the child’s nature had already been set. Fortunately, he did not grow crooked, just lacking in cunning and boldness.
Madam Song was shaken to her core.
"You, you really look down on him this much." She murmured.
Song Zhiyuan said helplessly, "It’s not that I look down on him. As a Family Head, I am more inclined to choose someone capable, even if that person does not come from the main house, because sometimes one’s decisions and actions can implicate the entire family."
Tears slid down Madam Song’s face: "So, in your heart, you just think Su’er is not as outstanding as you ideally wish. But he is your own son, how can you not plan for him as a father?"
"I will certainly plan for him. Who says being the Prince’s study companion is the only path? Even being the Family Head doesn’t necessarily require being the most cunning one. As a Family Head, he must have the courage to control the entire situation, and the magnanimity to embrace diversity, so he can lead the family further."
Madam Song was somewhat dazed.
Song Zhiyuan stood up and said, "This matter is settled, no need to mention it again. If you want to do something for him, it would be better to help him pack well for his journey in the coming days."
As he walked out, he stopped at the door, his voice distant, "Xiangyi, perhaps you are only planning for one generation of Family Heads, but what I am planning for is the Song Family’s hundred years!"
This was the difference between a man’s and a woman’s thoughts. A woman only sees the land in front of her, while a man looks further, with grander schemes in mind.
Madam Song trembled all over, watching him walk out of the room, her tears rolling down.
Nanny Fang walked in carefully, calling softly, "Madam."
Madam Song hugged her and cried loudly, "He has such a cruel heart!"