Chapter 1841: Chapter 1829: Song Hong Divides the Family (Part 2)

As for Song Chongqin, aside from his share of the estate, a sum of Silver was set aside for his future marriage.

Since Song Chongqin was still young, he wouldn’t be moving out of the Duke’s Mansion until he got married.

Regarding the concubines, those who wished to stay in the Duke’s Mansion could remain, as the cost of their living expenses was negligible. Those unwilling to stay could leave with their married sons, and Song Hong would not hold them back.

Every concubine received a portion of private Silver Coin, meant for their retirement and comfort, provided they didn’t squander it away foolishly.

And because Maternal Aunt Meng only had two daughters, with the younger one still unmarried, she naturally stayed in the Duke’s Mansion.

Among the other concubines, Lady Yuan’s only son, Song Chongming, was married. Because his health was consistently poor, Lady Yuan was deeply worried, and her sole reliance in her later years would be this son, so she naturally left with him.

Now older, she no longer sought favors, with the family estate divided and no benefits left to gain. She preferred to stay with her son outside, living as the Old Marquis—wasn’t that more enjoyable?

As for Maternal Aunt Hou, she had two sons, one ruined and the other useless, yet she wished to cling to the Mansion and not leave.

But Song Chongjun was enamored with Pearl, the concubine. Pearl, not foolish, realized that staying in the Mansion under everyone’s watch made things inconvenient. Hearing they could move out, she was eager.

Once outside, she could please her Lord, no longer obliged to drink Contraceptive Soup, and quickly bear a child, which would ensure stability.

Thus, she enthusiastically persuaded Song Chongjun of the benefits of living separately, urging him to soon gather his things and move to his allotted residence.

There, he would be the leader, and who would dare disobey him or show disrespect to his beloved Pearl?

Lady Hou, however, wished to live with her eldest son, not for any other reason but to ensure Song Chongjun married an official wife. It wouldn’t do to let a concubine run the household.

But Song Chongjun wanted to be in charge himself and didn’t want a burden over his head, decisively refusing.

Maternal Aunt Hou cried deeply, then thought of her second son, Song Chongzhao.

Little Lady Hou didn’t want a mother-in-law imposing on her, and she saw clearly now that Lord Duke favored the Princely Heir Song Chongjin. Otherwise, wouldn’t the old saying go, "Family isn’t split while parents are alive?"

The Duke, in good health, split the sons out—not to prevent them from benefiting at the Princely Heir’s expense but to keep the Dukedom’s assets for him! She realized now that relying on them was futile, and in the future even more so—the only hope for her husband lay with the Hou Family. 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚

Understanding this, Song Chongzhao, a person guided by self-interest and selective attention, found her words sensible. His mother had favored the second brother earlier, giving him everything nice while he felt like a mere spare.

Now that his brother didn’t want her and she turned to him? Dream on!

He promptly refused, speaking nicely, suggesting that since the second brother had no woman in charge at home, leaving his cousin’s sole offspring to be cared for by his mother seemed best, and as the younger brother, he certainly should yield to the elder.

Maternal Aunt Hou was dumbfounded, not expecting her second son to dismiss her as well, crying and complaining that Song Chongjun didn’t need her there, hoping her second son would sympathize with her.

But Song Chongzhao, hardened, straightforwardly advised, "It’s better to stay and serve our father in the Duke’s Mansion, isn’t it? Why go outside? Our father isn’t dead yet. Discuss it once he passes!"

Enraged, Maternal Aunt Hou returned in tears.

Lady Meng naturally remained in the Mansion, while Maternal Aunt Fong hesitated for a few days before leaving too. Being older, they were long out of favor with Lord Duke, though their living conditions in the Mansion were luxurious. Lady Fong was perceptive.

If Lord Duke intended to keep the concubines, why would he say they could stay if willing or leave with their sons if not? Wasn’t his attitude clear?

Especially when Lady Yuan mentioned leaving with her son—the next day, Lord Duke bestowed many tokens from his private treasury, reportedly including several thousand silver notes.

The implication was unmistakable, so Lady Fong promptly declared her intent to leave too.

She, too, received Song Hong’s gifts and silver.

Yet her heart ached, recalling years of marriage, fond memories, and tender moments, only to now witness Lord Duke’s coldness.

Sighing deeply, she subdued her emotions and dutifully packed her belongings to leave the Mansion.

Within half a month, aside from one unmarried daughter and son, all other sons had been moved out—a swift and resolute action.

Few understood why Song Hong acted so, the Emperor among them, who curious summoned Song Hong to the palace for inquiry.

Song Hong, weary, could only say that ideally, one would see their children interact amicably and the large family live together in harmony.

But he aged, his health faltering, worrying that if he fell and Song Chongjin couldn’t return from Chicheng County, what would happen to this vast Duke’s Mansion? Couldn’t let it be ruined by the time his son returned.

Additionally, the recent incident concerning the Crown Prince and Second Prince sobered him. Keeping his sons together risked their potential greed, possibly leading to fratricide and usurpation—a dire situation.

Better to divide the estate now while he managed, preventing such ambitions from emerging falsely later.

His familiarity with his heir’s character reassured him that if the sons behaved, he could tolerate them somewhat.

Listening to Song Hong, the Emperor was initially startled, later annoyed, gesturing for Song Hong’s departure, then spent half a day alone in the Imperial Study Room before exiting.

Reportedly afterward, the Emperor favored the Empress of Changchun Palace and the Ninth Prince’s lineage more, extolling the virtues of legitimate heirs.

For a time, civil and military officials, within the Imperial Court and outside, began to speculate quietly.