Chapter 66 The Emperor Truly Shows No Compassion for His Subjects
On the imperial steps, the chief eunuch turned around and saw that the emperor's impatience was growing stronger. He said in a shrill voice, "Duke of Song, this is the imperial court. You cannot run wild here."
The Duke of Song froze, then quickly knelt down: "Your Majesty, please forgive me. I was disrespectful. I just... I just can't accept the truth right now."
The Duke of Song's words only elicited silence from the court. His and Song Chengliang's lackluster performance failed to move anyone. If this were not the main hall, they might have spat at it.
Minister of War Qi Hai glanced at the two men putting on an act, stepped forward and said, “Your Majesty, what Song Chengliang said is only his side of the story. He has been loyal to the Song family all his life, and he would be very willing to stand up for certain members of the Song family and take the blame. In my opinion, this matter must be thoroughly investigated.”
The Minister of Rites also said: "Your Majesty, the Duke's Mansion has switched two sons and requested that an heir be established. This is a crime of deceiving the emperor. If it cannot be investigated and clarified, I fear that future generations will follow suit and disrupt the established order and laws."
"Your Majesty, please summon Song Xi back to the capital immediately for investigation."
Many ministers spoke out, demanding that the emperor conduct a thorough investigation. After pondering for a long time, the emperor finally issued an edict to recall Song Xi from Xiling.
Then the emperor said, "The case of Song Yu shall be jointly investigated by the Ministry of Justice and the Court of Judicial Review. Song Chengliang shall be imprisoned in the Imperial Prison. As for the Duke of Song... he shall return to his Duke's Mansion to reflect on his actions and shall not be allowed to leave without an imperial edict."
"Your Majesty is wise." Tang Ming, kneeling at the front of the hall, was perhaps the only one among those present who genuinely wanted to seek justice for his former classmate.
Lei Tong, who was next to him, also kowtowed, and when his forehead touched the ground, the corner of his mouth curled up.
Whether the case can be solved or not is not important; what is important is that now that Song Xi has returned, there is no going back.
His Majesty cherishes the past and remembers the late Duke Song, so he wants to give the Duke Song's family a chance. But we'll have to see if they can handle this immense wealth.
Their Marquis's possessions are not something anyone can easily possess. The Marquis may not want them, but others cannot take them. That little brat is nothing compared to the previous Duke of Song.
Before the emperor rose to leave, he left a message: "I do not wish to hear any rumors before the case is thoroughly investigated."
"Your subject dares not." Since the emperor has spoken, no one will dare to spread this matter outside.
After the emperor left, the court officials also dispersed.
The Minister of the Court of Judicial Review and the Minister of Justice stepped forward to speak with Tang Ming and Lei Tong, inquiring about their whereabouts and requesting that they be protected. While the Duke of Song might not be foolish enough to assassinate the two at this time, it was not impossible.
The scene in the palace today made the two senior ministers wonder whether the Duke of Song knew about the replacement of the eldest son.
Even if he was unaware of the situation before, he didn't seem particularly heartbroken now that he knew. Compared to a deceased legitimate son, the heir apparent is probably his heart and soul; who knows what he would do for the heir apparent.
At this moment, the Imperial Guards stepped forward and took Song Chengliang away. Song Chengliang did not resist. Even as he walked out of the main hall, he was still looking back at the Duke of Song, who was standing there in a daze. The Duke of Song did not even glance at him.
After a long while, Song Chengliang finally turned his head back. From the moment he entered the palace to confess his crimes, he already knew his fate.
The petition drum was sounded in the afternoon, but no news came out until the next day.
Ah Chan went to ask Boss Xu, who was usually the most well-informed, but unfortunately, Boss Xu didn't know either, so she could only leave dejectedly.
A few more peaceful days passed, and the Ghost Festival was fast approaching. Achan, abandoning her usual laziness, started making new incense, the kind of stick incense she usually found troublesome.
Recently, she went to the hunting shop and bought some wood, all of which are tree species that can only be found outside of the Great Xia.
She processed the wood for several days before starting to grind it into powder today.
Chen Hui watched her busy herself and wanted to help, but was stopped by A Chan, so she could only watch from the sidelines.
"Didn't you say you wouldn't be selling incense during the Ghost Festival?"
During the Ghost Festival, every household has the custom of worshipping their ancestors. People who don't usually use incense will buy incense sticks to offer to their ancestors on this day.
However, Achan had never planned to do this business. The incense she made was a bit more expensive, and ordinary people wouldn't buy it. After all, burning incense is just a way of expressing one's feelings, and there's no need to buy expensive incense.
When high-ranking officials and nobles worship their ancestors, they always choose to use incense made of sandalwood. Although Achan felt that even if they didn't use such expensive incense, their ancestors wouldn't have any objections, she couldn't say for sure.
“I didn’t plan to sell it.” Achan tossed a piece of dried, brittle wood into the millstone and started working hard. “I plan to make some incense for my ancestors.”
"Is it a sacrifice to the Lin family's ancestors?" Chen Hui asked, thinking it probably wasn't a sacrifice to the Ji family's ancestors.
Achan paused for a moment, then mumbled, "Ah, um."
Presumably, the Lin family members who were exiled would be worshipping their ancestors. Since she was not a member of the Lin family, she would not presume to do so.
This was her first Ghost Festival since arriving in the capital. Her ancestors probably didn't celebrate this festival, but the incident with Xiao Lin made A Chan realize that although they had never acknowledged her identity, they were still protecting her.
Since everyone is going to worship their ancestors on this day, she can't let her ancestors be without incense offerings. What other families' ancestors have, her ancestors must have too!
Achan mixed the ground incense powder with rootless water to form incense paste, then put the incense paste into a pump to squeeze out incense sticks. Finally, she placed the three coils of incense sticks in a cool place to dry.
When Wen Zhong arrived, Chen Hui was carrying the last tray of incense sticks out.
Wen Zhong glanced at it and asked, "Did Miss Ji make new incense?"
“Yes, the Ghost Festival is coming soon, let’s make some incense to worship our ancestors.” Achan replied casually to Wen Zhong, then turned around and took out two incense balls and put them in. “These are the incense balls that Mr. Wen wanted.”
Wen Zhong took the incense pills, paid with copper coins, and seeing A Chan staring at him, he couldn't help but ask with a smile, "Miss Ji, do you have something to say to me?"
"Does Mr. Wen know about the incident a few days ago when someone beat the drum to appeal?" Others might not know, but Mr. Wen, as an imperial censor, certainly did.
Ah Chan thought Mr. Wen had a good temper, which is why she asked the question.
"I know a little." Before she could ask any questions, Wen Zhong interrupted her, saying, "His Majesty forbids me from speaking."
"Sigh." Ah Chan sighed. The emperor really didn't understand his subjects at all.
"However, news should come out in a few days." Seeing her disappointed look, Wen Zhong added.
It would have been better if she hadn't asked. After she did, Achan became even more curious. What exactly is "a few days"?
"Thank you for informing me, Mr. Wen." While the little devil inside Achan was still rolling around on the ground, she maintained a dignified appearance on her face.
After seeing Mr. Wen to the door, Achan turned around and saw Song Yan walking out of the bookstore next door and heading in her direction, seemingly about to enter her shop.
It had been several days since I last saw Song Yan, and he didn't look well. Although A Chan didn't know anything about physiognomy, he looked like he was under a dark cloud.
"Is Young Master Song feeling unwell?" Achan asked with concern.
Song Yan shook her head, her voice weak: "Thank you for your concern, Miss. I just haven't been sleeping well these past few days. Manager Xu said that the calming incense you sell can help me sleep, and I'd like to buy some."
"Of course, no problem."
Achan led Song Yan into the shop and brought out two kinds of calming incense for Song Yan to choose from: one was incense powder, and the other was incense cone.
Song Yan chose the tower incense, probably for convenience.
Ah Chan packed ten incense sticks into a box and casually chatted with Song Yan, "Did you play chess with Mr. Wen just now, Young Master Song? Who won this time?"
Every time the two played chess, it would attract many chess enthusiasts from the neighborhood. She occasionally heard people comment that their chess skills were among the best in the capital. However, it seemed that no one was gathered outside the bookstore today.
Song Yan smiled and said, "I didn't play chess today. Mr. Wen noticed that I didn't look well and said we could play again another day."
Achan couldn't help but glance at Song Yan's face again, reminding him, "If Young Master Song continues to have trouble sleeping, he should see a doctor as soon as possible. Tranquilizing incense can only help with sleep, it cannot cure the illness."
"I understand, please rest assured, young lady."
"That's good." Seeing that he had taken her to heart, Achan didn't say anything more and casually changed the subject, "Just now, Mr. Wen told me that we'll know why the petition drum was sounded in a couple of days. I wonder what kind of big case it is?"
Song Yan turned to look in the direction of the palace, and only reacted when he heard A Chan call him. He smiled and said, "No matter what the case is, I think the culprit will be punished and the victim will rest in peace."
"Probably."
Song Yan suddenly said, "I plan to go back to my hometown in a few days."
"Going back to his hometown? Why so suddenly?" Achan was a little surprised. She felt that with Song Yan's talent, even if he didn't take the imperial examination, he would have a good life in the capital and might even become a famous scholar.
In the past few days, Mr. Xu secretly told her that Song Yan's paintings have attracted the attention of many high-ranking officials and dignitaries, making them increasingly valuable.
Achan had been thinking about whether to buy a painting from Song Yan to keep as a collection.
"I've done everything I wanted to do, so it's time to go back and take one last look, to put my mind at ease."
Achan felt that returning to her hometown should be something to look forward to, but Song Yan didn't seem very happy.
"That's a real pity. I was hoping to ask Young Master Song for a painting."
"What kind of paintings does the girl like? Landscapes, figures, plants, or animals?"
Achan immediately said, "An animal, preferably a chicken, the kind that looks lifelike."
After dinner time, Hui Niang usually wouldn't allow her to eat any more meat, because her spleen and stomach were weak and eating meat at night would easily cause indigestion.
She could only hang up a painting to quench her thirst, and look at it a few more times when she was hungry, thinking that Young Master Song's painting skills would surely meet her requirements.
"Before I leave the capital, I will definitely paint the picture that you requested."
Achan immediately replied happily, "Then thank you very much, Young Master Song."
Four days later, the Ghost Festival was tomorrow. Achan got up early and went to the flower-selling lady on the street to order a basket of flowers for the ancestral worship tomorrow. The lady recognized Achan's face and readily agreed. She didn't ask for Achan's deposit, saying that her daughter would deliver the flowers to her shop early the next morning and she would pay then.
On her way back to the shop, Achan smelled the aroma of mutton flatbread again and followed the scent.
The flatbread stall was doing very well. Many people sat on the stools set up next to it, drinking meat soup and eating meat pies, while a group of people were queuing up like her.
While waiting, Ah Chan got bored and listened to the people at the stall talking. She happened to hear them talking about the incident of beating the Dengwen Drum that day.
The two people chatting casually didn't look like ordinary people, and they spoke without any restraint.
One of them said mysteriously, "Did you know that someone went to Jizhou to find the eldest son of the Duke of Song's family according to Mr. Baomu's words, and actually found him?"
The other person's companion asked eagerly, "What happened next? Did you return to Beijing?"
"They did return, but unfortunately they were carried back. When they were found, all that was left were a pile of bones."
"Hiss, according to Mr. Baomu's story, that person was..." The speaker made a throat-slitting gesture.
"Of course he was murdered. Otherwise, why do you think they would beat the Dengwen Drum? The eldest son's classmate, after being advised by others, had the remains examined and confirmed that he was murdered. He resolutely took the coffin to the capital to appeal to the emperor, accusing the heir of the Duke of Song of murdering him to cover it up."
"He's really bold. That's the heir of the Duke's mansion. Isn't he afraid of being silenced on the way?"
"Hehe, anyway, they got to see the Emperor alive. I heard that the heir of the Duke of Song's mansion returned to the capital this morning. He didn't even go home but went straight to the palace. I wonder how this case will be judged?"
"Didn't Mr. Baomu say that the heir killed the legitimate son? Murderers must pay with their lives," someone suddenly interjected.
Many people at the stall had read Mr. Baomu's revenge story, and upon hearing the two talking, a group of people quickly gathered around.
Seeing that there were many people, the two speakers became even more interested. The one who had first brought up the topic shook his head upon hearing this: "That's not right. The body of the eldest son of the Duke of Song has turned into a pile of bones. It's not that easy to identify the murderer. I vaguely heard that someone from the Duke of Song's mansion is taking the blame. I think this matter is in jeopardy."
"These nobles are truly despicable!" someone spat.
"Even if no evidence is found, I imagine His Majesty will punish them, right?" someone said with anticipation.
“What’s the use of punishment? That legitimate son is dead just like that. He was living a good life, first his identity was changed, then he was abandoned, and finally he was murdered. The murderer might even become a duke in the future. If I were that legitimate son, I would haunt them even as a ghost.”
Listening to the group of people discussing, Achan's doubts were finally resolved.
At the same time, she shared the same curiosity as those others: if the murderer really was the heir of the Duke of Song's mansion, would he truly receive the punishment he deserved?
Mr. Baomu only wrote the first half of the revenge story; the second half is still unfolding.
She likes happy endings in storybooks, but this is reality, not a storybook, and the plot may not develop according to the author's wishes.
At this time, the morning court session had just ended, the emperor had not yet left the dragon throne, and the ministers were still inside the hall.
The commander of the Imperial Guards entered the hall and reported: "Your Majesty, Song Xi, the heir of the Duke of Song's mansion, is waiting outside the main hall."
"Summon Song Xi to the palace."
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