Chapter 883 I can't stand people who are brainless yet arrogant and smug.

Madam Song was dumbfounded. She never expected that simply accompanying her son on a trip to Shengjing would lead them into such a huge disaster.

Madam Song was a woman of self-awareness. Between sobs and curses, she said, "How could they dare assassinate the Emperor with such incompetent brothers like yours? And what ability did they have to hunt that deer? Someone must be framing us! Qing'er, think about it! Have you offended someone? Are you blocking their path? They're jealous of us, so they're framing your two brothers! You must find a way to save them, to save the Song family..."

Even now, Madam Song still believes that her son would not cause trouble, and that it was her daughter who was envied and that caused trouble for her two brothers.

Upon hearing this, Song Qing could only think that she hadn't offended anyone. Looking at the tears in her mother's eyes, she finally calmed down and said, "Mother, you're worried now. The Emperor himself ordered them to be imprisoned. Even if the Emperor himself came, he couldn't save them now."

Madam Song was stunned, then pointed at Song Qing's nose and said angrily, "They are your own brothers, how can you be so heartless? Are you trying to watch them die?"

"His Majesty has already issued an edict ordering me to behave myself. My mother has told me how to save them. They dared to assassinate His Majesty, which is a capital offense."

Song Qing felt that the Emperor hadn't directly banished her to the Cold Palace, probably out of consideration for her uncle. Sending someone to advise her was also to avoid damaging the relationship between the royal family and General Peng.

If Song Qing had any brains, she wouldn't care about anything right now.

She was also very flustered, and afraid that what her two brothers had done would implicate her and the second prince.

She said, "Mother, go find your uncle and ask him for help."

She knew that the Emperor would investigate the case out of consideration for General Peng. Song Gan and Song Kun had no reason to assassinate His Majesty unless they were truly framed.

Madam Song suddenly realized, "Yes, find your uncle. He will definitely have a way to rescue your two brothers."

Madam Song was also in a hurry; she ran away in an instant.

Dong'er said, "Madam is still so biased towards the young masters. Even though the Empress is so badly injured, she doesn't say a word of concern."

Song Qing was already used to it; only sons could carry on the family line, while daughters were like water spilled out of a bowl.

She couldn't care less about that now; if she didn't want to be implicated by the Song family, she had to find a way to rescue Song Gan and Song Kun first.

She said, "Help me change my clothes, I need to go and pay my respects to Her Majesty the Empress."

"Your injury?"

"I can't worry about that now. Find someone to carry me over."

When Song Qing arrived before Jiang Fenghua, her eyes were red. She wanted to rise and pay her respects, but her injuries prevented her from doing so. "Your Majesty, I pay my respects to Your Majesty the Empress."

Jiang Fenghua had already guessed that Song Qing would come. She said gently, "Since Consort Shu is injured, there's no need for such formalities. Didn't I send someone to escort Consort Shu back to the palace? Why hasn't Consort Shu returned yet?"

Song Qing said, "I do wish to return, but my injuries are not suitable for movement yet. The imperial physician said I should rest for two days. I have already informed His Majesty, and His Majesty has agreed."

Jiang Fenghua smiled faintly, "Since you have reported to the Emperor, you may stay!"

Song Qing smiled slightly and explained, "Actually, I wanted to report to Her Majesty the Empress, but His Majesty came to me to inquire about General Peng's condition, so I just mentioned it casually. His Majesty probably knew that I was badly injured and couldn't bear to let me travel on the road."

Jiang Fenghua remained expressionless, listening quietly as she openly and subtly boasted about her relationship with the Emperor. She said, "Very well."

Song Qing could have directly asked the Emperor for mercy, but after careful consideration, she still felt it wasn't safe. The Emperor might not pardon her brother, but it was possible that he would listen to the Empress's advice.

Despite the pain, Song Qing suddenly knelt on the ground, saying, "Your Majesty, I am guilty."

Jiang Fenghua paused for a moment, then asked, "What is Consort Shu doing?"

"Your Majesty, I have heard that an assassination attempt was made on Your Majesty at the hunting grounds today. Those two men are my brothers. I am willing to swear on my life that they would never assassinate Your Majesty. It must be a frame-up, or a case of using someone else to do the dirty work. I beg Your Majesty to have mercy and to investigate thoroughly..."

Jiang Fenghua said calmly, "Why doesn't Consort Shu go directly to the Emperor for help? If I remember correctly, Consort Shu has recently gained the Emperor's favor. If Consort Shu asks His Majesty for help, His Majesty will surely grant her a special favor."

Song Qing was stunned.

Hongxiu, who had been waiting nearby, couldn't stand it any longer and said directly, "The Empress wanted to send Consort Shu back to the palace to recuperate, but Consort Shu informed the Emperor, and the Emperor allowed Consort Shu to stay. Now that Consort Shu's brother has caused a great disaster, Consort Shu should be pleading with the Emperor, not the Empress. Assassinating His Majesty is a capital offense. If the Empress pleads with His Majesty and he disagrees, the Empress will anger him. Consort Shu is asking the Empress to plead for the Song family so as not to offend the Emperor. What is Consort Shu planning?"

For a moment, Song Qing couldn't refute a single word.

After a moment of stunned silence, she quickly said, "Your Majesty, I didn't mean anything by it. I was just afraid that my brother would really be killed. They really don't have the guts to murder Your Majesty. Besides, they offered their prey to you. How could they be so stupid as to put a hidden weapon in their own prey to kill Your Majesty? Wouldn't that be blatantly leading to the extermination of the Song family by Your Majesty?"

Jiang Fenghua and Xie Shang discussed it and asked the Song brothers how they hunted the sika deer. They explained the whole process.

Someone had hunted and killed the sika deer first, waiting for the Song brothers to reap the benefits. They were greedy for credit, so they claimed the prey as their own, which gave the enemy an opportunity.

Ultimately, it was the Song brothers' stupidity that almost ruined Xie Shang.

Fortunately, Xie Shang managed to dodge it; otherwise, the consequences would have been unimaginable.

Jiang Fenghua said in a deep voice, "I am powerless to do anything about this matter. The Emperor is indeed angry, and no one dares to plead for him. I advise Consort Shu to listen to the Emperor and behave herself. Otherwise, even General Peng cannot protect your Song family."

Song Qing's heart raced with fear. If it were a member of the Jiang family who was imprisoned, would Empress Jiang still say such a thing?

She knew this was a tricky matter, and her brother might really be guilty.

She said, "Your Majesty, I shall take my leave."

Song Qing was a concubine who had a son. She knew that the emperor valued imperial offspring highly, so after this incident, the emperor did not imprison her as well.

Song Qing was grateful that she had a royal heir. She unconsciously touched her belly. If she could have another son, her status in the palace might rise even higher.

After Consort Song left, Hongxiu said, "Consort Song is really insidious. Her own brother made a mistake, but she made the Empress plead with the Emperor. I really don't know what she's thinking."

Jiang Fenghua said calmly, "If I don't help her, she will definitely run around like a headless fly... If she behaves herself, I can let her go and let her raise the Second Prince in peace. But she is too proud. I can't stand people who are brainless yet proud and arrogant."