As the staff members were engaged in heated discussion, an unexpected person appeared outside the Wenhua Hall.
The Crown Prince then instructed his advisors to go back and devise a plan, and asked Eunuch Feng to bring the person in.
A young man dressed in plain clothes entered the hall and knelt down respectfully to pay his respects to the Crown Prince.
The ceremony was only halfway through when the Crown Prince quickly stepped forward and pulled him up.
"We're all family, no need for formalities."
"Your Highness, etiquette must not be disregarded."
The other party insisted on completing the greeting before getting up.
Seeing the identical nature of this family, the Crown Prince couldn't help but shake his head and chuckle.
"Brother, let's go to the study for a chat!"
The person who suddenly appeared was none other than Song Xibai's elder brother, Song Xinian.
Song Xinian followed the Crown Prince to the study next door, and Eunuch Feng immediately ordered someone to bring a stool. This time, Song Xinian did not refuse.
After dismissing the servants, the Crown Prince felt much more at ease and first spoke to Song Xinian about Song Siyuan.
"Imperial Physician Song is still in the Empress Dowager's palace. The Empress Dowager's condition has just stabilized, but further treatment will still require Imperial Physician Song's help. I'm afraid he won't be able to go home for the next two days."
Song Xinian's brows relaxed slightly.
"Thank you for the reminder, Your Highness. My father often didn't come home when he was practicing medicine, and we were used to it. However, the Empress Dowager's condition is so serious, I wonder if it will affect my father?"
"Don't worry about that. With me here, I will never let what happened two years ago happen again."
The crown prince spoke with a firm tone.
Song Xinian secretly observed his expression and felt much more at ease.
As for what illness the Empress Dowager had, how she contracted it, and how she was treated, Song Xinian did not ask.
He was more concerned about Song Xibai's situation.
After Song Siyuan returned home, he told her about Song Xibai's pregnancy. Both of her older brothers were very worried and afraid that she might experience some discomfort.
However, there is only so much that his family can do now, and they can't even openly discuss their relationship, which fills Song Xinian with a sense of powerlessness.
"Xixi has been eating and sleeping well lately, and she doesn't have any pregnancy symptoms. She just has an unusual craving for spicy food. She always needs two extra spicy dishes, otherwise she can't eat. Before, at the estate, she was even researching hot and sour noodles with the cook..."
When the Crown Prince talks about Song Xibai, he becomes very talkative, his eyes shining and the corners of his mouth involuntarily turning up.
Song Xinian listened quietly, and her mood calmed down.
Since they're both men, it's easy to tell whether someone truly cares or is concerned.
Song Xinian was a thoughtful person. From the Crown Prince's expression and words, she could tell that the Crown Prince truly liked her younger sister.
The affection they showed was unlike that of ordinary couples today; it was more intimate.
Hearing the girl complaining and acting coquettishly to the Crown Prince, Song Xinian couldn't help but chuckle and say something.
“Xixi has been using this trick since she was a child. Usually, it’s when she wants to go out but her father won’t allow it. It’s also when she wants to experiment with new needlework techniques and when she wants to coax her second brother.”
After talking for a while, the atmosphere became much more relaxed, and their relationship became closer.
Immediately afterwards, the crown prince changed the subject.
"Now that you've been back in Beijing for over a month, have you thought about what you'll do next?"
When this was mentioned, Song Xinian paused for a moment before replying.
"If nothing had happened at home, I should have followed my father's plan and entered the Imperial Hospital, starting as an apprentice. My medical skills are decent, and I should have been able to become a formal imperial physician in three years."
The Imperial Medical Academy held annual examinations. Apprentices who passed the exams were promoted to physicians, and physicians who passed the exams were promoted to imperial physicians. However, there was a prerequisite for becoming a physician: one had to practice medicine at the Imperial Medical Academy for more than two years.
So, it adds up to about three years.
The Crown Prince understood the meaning behind Song Xinian's words.
"You don't want to?"
Song Xinian sighed, a serious expression on his face.
"Your Highness, to be honest, although both thunder and rain are expressions of the Emperor's grace, my father was unjustly punished, causing many separations among the Song family members. In my heart, I cannot be as loyal to the Emperor as my father was."
The fact that Song Xinian was able to speak his mind shows that he highly approves of the Crown Prince.
At the same time, it's clear that Song Xinian was aware of the Crown Prince's situation. Although the Crown Prince and the Emperor weren't exactly at odds, anyone with a little inquiry could find out that the Emperor was suppressing the Crown Prince.
Song Xinian paused, his gaze sweeping across the Crown Prince's face. Seeing that the Crown Prince showed no surprise, he knew he had made the right bet.
"If that's the case, why didn't you come and help me back then!"
The crown prince had a friendly smile.
Upon hearing this, Song Xinian immediately stood up and solemnly bowed to the Crown Prince.
"It is my honor to have gained Your Highness's favor, and I will certainly live up to Your Highness's expectations!"
Ever since Song Xibai mentioned his two older brothers a few days ago, the Crown Prince has been considering this matter and has also come up with ideas on how to arrange things for Song Xinian.
"It just so happens that I need manpower to open up trade routes between the north and south. If you don't mind working as a merchant, how about I start as the manager of a trading company?"
The crown prince can't possibly do business himself.
Since ancient times, merchants have been of low social status. Powerful and noble families, considering themselves superior and aloof, do not wish to be tainted by money. Therefore, even if they want to do business, they do so under the name of others, such as relatives, in-laws, or servants.
In the Crown Prince's view, the Song family was related by marriage, making them the most suitable family to do this.
Song Xinian did not refuse, but still raised questions.
He knew nothing about business.
He didn't need to worry about that. Since the Crown Prince had brought it up, he would naturally arrange the appropriate manpower for him.
"Among my advisors is a Mr. Jin, who is well-versed in the Nine Chapters on the Mathematical Art. His family were originally wealthy merchants in Jiangnan. I will have him assist you at that time."
The business will be operated under Song Xinian's name, so Kim's advisors can only play a supporting role.
With the help of professionals, Song Xinian felt much more at ease, and then made a small request.
"Could my second brother come as well?"
The Crown Prince laughed twice and patted Song Xinian on the shoulder.
"You brothers can make your own decisions about yourselves. I will not interfere in how the business is run after it is established."
The Crown Prince was exceptionally lenient towards the Song family.
It wasn't just because the Song brothers looked like Song Xibai, but also because of Song Xinian's way of handling things and his personality.
The events that happened to the Song family in the northern lands during their exile had already been investigated by the Crown Prince last year when Song Xibai entered the Eastern Palace.
It can be said that the Song family was able to gain a foothold in the north thanks to Song Xinian's tireless efforts.
The trading company was merely a facade to conceal their true purpose.
Therefore, the crown prince does not need to be boastful or brave; being cautious and prudent is enough.
The two talked for a long time before Song Xinian got up to take his leave.
Eunuch Feng personally escorted him to the Donghua Gate and only returned to the Wenhua Hall after watching him walk out of the palace gate.
Not long after walking out of that deep doorway, Song Xinian suddenly stopped.
He turned his head and looked at the towering vermilion city wall, a cold, dark light flashing in his eyes.
The sky had darkened, and his gaze blended into his surroundings.
This slight change in emotion vanished in an instant.
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