Chapter 58 I, Song Tangning, expelled myself from the Song Family
The whole hall was filled with whispers and all kinds of speculations came flooding in, making Song Jinxiu's head buzz, as if something had drilled into his brain, causing him so much pain that his face turned pale and torn.
Madam Song was even more embarrassed and wished she had never come to Prince Cheng's Mansion today. She hated Song Hong for being too sentimental, hated the Song family for deceiving her, and wanted to tear up Song Qin who brought Song Shulan back. However, she knew very well that she had been tied to the Song family for a long time.
After today, Song Hong is ruined, and her son is ruined too.
Lu Zhinian had never expected things to turn out this way. He looked at Gu Helian and said in a deep voice, "Master Gu, do you have any evidence for what you said?"
"See if Prince Cheng has any objections, and if the Song family has any questions?"
Gu Helian spoke softly, but her words pierced Prince Cheng's face.
"I'm not like our Prince Cheng, who knew the truth but still helped the Duke of Song's Mansion cover up and had people fabricate a bunch of ridiculous things."
"My people have been to Suyun Town and investigated everything, including Xu Zhen's past. They have thoroughly investigated it. Song Shulan was able to sneak into the second branch of the Song family without being noticed because she looks different from Song Hong but resembles his mother. Many people in the capital have seen the Xu family girl before. If anyone doesn't believe it, just ask the old man who knew her to identify her."
"As for Song Hong, when the Crown Prince was in trouble, the Xu family was sentenced to death for treason. It was no easy feat for Song Hong to secretly rescue Xu Zhen. Even though many years have passed, it might be possible to find out if someone wanted to."
Gu Helian paused and looked at Lu Zhinian.
"Come to think of it, it was Prince Cheng and Secretary Lu who were responsible for carrying out the executions and clearing out the rebels during the suppression of the Crown Prince's rebellion..."
Mrs. Lu, who had been watching the show with a frown on her face, could no longer sit still. She slammed the table and stood up, shouting angrily:
"Talk about the Song family, then talk about the Song family. What does Patriarch Gu want to do by hinting at something? What Prince Cheng did is his business. My Lu family has no knowledge of what the Duke of Song's Mansion did, and we have never done anything for them!"
Upon hearing this, Gu Helian shrugged innocently, "I didn't say anything about Lu Zhongshu. The Crown Prince was immoral and was executed by the late emperor for his failed treason. Lu Zhongshu was right to suppress the rebellion. I only mentioned it when Mr. Lu asked me what evidence I had. Why is the old lady so angry? Later, people will think I said something I shouldn't have said and slandered the Zhongshu Ling."
"you!"
Old Madam Lu was so angry that her face turned blue, but she couldn't find any fault with Gu Helian's words.
Even though his words just now were too ambiguous and caused misunderstanding, he did not say what Lu Chongyuan had done. He just said that Lu Chongyuan was involved in the case of Prince Li and did take part in the suppression of rebellion.
These are obviously facts, but in the current situation, especially when Prince Cheng just concealed Song Hong's actions for the Duke of Song's Mansion and even deceived Princess Cheng to fabricate the truth, it would make people imagine.
Madam Lu took a deep breath to suppress her anger. "My Lu family has always been upright and has never done anything that goes against the will of the emperor, let alone had any ties with the rebels. My Lu family is completely unaware of what Prince Cheng and the Duke of Song have done. I ask Patriarch Gu not to involve the Lu family in this matter, or else I will be rude to you."
Prince Cheng's face was already ugly, and he became even angrier after hearing what Old Madam Lu said. This old woman from the Lu family wanted to step on him to elevate Lu Chongyuan.
"Madam Lu, the Minister of the Central Secretariat is innocent, and so is I. I never knew that Song Shulan was related to the traitors!"
At this moment, he no longer cared about Princess Cheng and Song Tangning beside him. He only knew that he must not be involved in the affairs of Prince Li.
Prince Li was a person who could not be mentioned in the court. He still remembered clearly how big a commotion the fire in the Forbidden Palace had caused. Countless people were killed in that bloodbath, and the entire Eastern Palace was massacred. All those involved in the case were killed, their property confiscated, and their families exterminated.
The capital was shrouded in blood for more than a month, and no one who had anything to do with the Crown Prince had a good ending.
The current Emperor An was once suppressed by the Crown Prince Li and was unable to move for many years. Later, when the Crown Prince Li got into trouble, he had the opportunity to ascend the throne. Even though he has been sitting on the throne for many years, Emperor An still cares about the Crown Prince Li. How could Prince Cheng dare to let himself be involved in the past affairs of the Crown Prince Li?
"Gu Helian, I have a personal grudge against you, but you can't slander me like this without any reason."
"This prince did know that Song Shulan had a strange background, and he helped the Song family cover it up. But that was because he cared about Tang Ning's relationship with the Song family. Song Hong only told this prince that Song Shulan was his daughter, but never mentioned her biological mother. Although this prince detests what the Song family has done, the matter is done. The Song family has already treated Song Shulan as the daughter of their second wife. If Song Hong's actions become known, the title of Duke of Song will certainly be lost."
"Song Hong begged me profusely, even using Yue Niang and Tang Ning's relationship as a threat. I was afraid that the Song family's decline would implicate Tang Ning, and even Yue Niang and the Cheng Palace. I didn't want to see them get out of control, so after weighing the pros and cons, I was forced to cover up for him. However, I didn't know that Song Shulan's biological mother was a traitor, and I had no knowledge of this matter!"
Gu Helian burst out laughing upon hearing this: "So that's how it is. Prince Cheng is quite thoughtful. Rong Yue, did you hear that? You must be very grateful for Prince Cheng's kindness to you."
Princess Cheng glanced at Gu Helian, who was gloating over the other's misfortune, frowned, and said coldly, "Tang Ning and I don't need your kindness."
"Mother Yue..."
Prince Cheng looked at her and whispered, "I know I shouldn't have lied to you, but I didn't mean to. Don't believe Gu Helian's instigation. Can we talk about it later if there's anything?"
Princess Cheng: "Not good."
"Ayue."
Prince Cheng's face was pale, his eyes filled with pleading: "Do you really want to embarrass me like this?"
Princess Cheng looked at his humble attitude, the way he wanted her to get over the matter, and his earnest pleading, wanting her to remember their old relationship and soften her heart, which reminded her of his hypocrisy in front of her during this period of time.
The sudden discomfort in her stomach made her unable to suppress it, and her throat felt sour. Princess Cheng's expression was not much better than Song Jinxiu and the others.
After she turned her head to avoid Prince Cheng's gaze, Tang Ning saw that Prince Cheng was still trying to entangle her, so she stepped forward and blocked Princess Cheng's way. "Your Highness, you can resolve the lawsuit between you and the Song family. For now, wait for me to resolve the matter between me and the Song family."
Without waiting for Prince Cheng to speak, Song Tangning turned to look at Song Jinxiu and Madam Song.
"You've all heard about my relationship with the Song family. I believe I've never done anything against the will of heaven or morality. Although my father and mother passed away young, I served them faithfully in the Song family, obeying them for years without slacking off. However, the Song family showed no affection towards the three of us. They schemed against my late father in every possible way, tarnishing his reputation. I repeatedly tolerated them, but all I got in return were lies and bullying. I even nearly lost my life at their hands."
Her eyes were filled with fear and coldness. "Although the Song family and I are close relatives, I will never allow anyone to bully me like this. I don't want to stay in such a shameless, despicable, cruel and vicious place."
"It's said that a filial son doesn't flatter his parents, a loyal minister doesn't fawn on his ruler, and that only when the elders are kind can the younger ones respect him. Song Hong disobeyed the late emperor's will first, and then falsely accused his brother of murder. Yet, such a disloyal and unbrotherly person is favored and condoned by the elders of the Song family. I disdain to associate with such a filthy family."
The people around listened to Song Tangning's cold words and vaguely realized what she wanted to do.
Lu Zhinian and Xie Yin all looked up in disbelief, and heard the veiled little girl with a pair of dark and cold almond eyes say:
"Please bear witness, from this day forward, the second branch of the Song family will sever ties with the Duke of Song's mansion. I, Song Tangning, voluntarily withdraw from the clan membership and will no longer consider myself a daughter of the Song family."
"The second branch of the Song family never divided up the Song family fortune. Most of the belongings left by my parents were my mother's dowry and gifts from the Rong family. I will only take those things with me. I will not touch anything belonging to the Song family. Later, I will move my parents' graves out of the Song family ancestral tomb. From now on, I will have no connection with the Song family and will have no contact with them until I die."
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