In the dead of night, the streets were quiet, the dark night sky was dotted with only a few stars, and every household had its doors closed, its lights off, and everyone was asleep.
Song Xinian stepped into the night, pushed open the door, and went home.
A small lamp in the main room flickered, and hearing the noise, a tiny child ran out and hugged his leg.
"father!"
Song Xiping followed closely behind, carrying an oil lamp.
"Big brother, why are you up so late? Qianqian is sleepy and insists on waiting for you before she will go to sleep."
Song Xinian bent down and picked up his daughter. Seeing her sleepy but still trying to stay awake, his heart softened, and he reached out to pat her head.
"Dad will be very busy from now on, Qianqian, go to sleep early, don't wait for Dad."
Song Qianqian shook her head.
"No!"
After saying that, she hugged Song Xinian's neck tightly.
Song Xinian knew that her daughter was timid and sensitive because of her past experiences.
For Song Qianqian, her home in the capital was unfamiliar; she was too young to remember when the Song family left.
Song Xinian took her daughter to the backyard, coaxed her to sleep, and then returned to the front.
Song Xiping was still waiting for him.
"How is Father?"
"It's alright, the Empress Dowager's condition has stabilized, but the follow-up treatment will take a long time, and Father will probably have to stay in the palace for a while."
Song Xinian briefly recounted what had happened in the palace.
Song Xiping first breathed a sigh of relief, then frowned.
"There's only one quilt in the duty room of the Imperial Pharmacy. I'll pack some things and send them to Father tomorrow!"
"This isn't a big deal. Father is quite favored by that person now, so these trivial matters will be taken care of."
Song Xinian spoke in a flat tone.
"Big brother, is there something else?" Song Xiping glanced at his older brother, sensing that there was something else beneath his calm face.
Song Xinian pursed his lips: "His Highness the Crown Prince summoned me today, wanting me to do something for him."
"Isn't this a good thing?"
Song Xiping's face showed joy.
After returning to the capital, the two brothers didn't have any proper jobs. Firstly, they were both cautious by nature and didn't know the situation in the capital. Secondly, they didn't want to enter the Imperial Hospital, but they didn't know what to do.
Now that the Crown Prince has taken the initiative to invite me, I'm not afraid of offending powerful figures, and I'll finally have something to do.
Song Xiping's thinking was rather simple: since his sister had married the Crown Prince, his family and the Crown Prince were now in the same boat, so he would definitely help the Crown Prince if he could.
Seeing that he was happy, Song Xinian smiled as well.
“I mentioned it to His Highness the Crown Prince, asking you to come and help me as well.”
"Your Highness won't be angry, will you?"
"No, His Highness is approachable and friendly. I can tell he really cares about Xixi, which is why he takes extra care of us."
"Won't this be bad for Xixi?" Song Xiping hesitated again. "Isn't it said that the infighting in the inner quarters of powerful families is fierce? Xixi has no background or backing, I wonder if she will be bullied?"
"It doesn't seem that way right now. The Crown Prince cares a lot about Xixi. He even knows what she eats every day and remembers that she likes spicy food. He is very affectionate with her. In addition, Xixi is pregnant now, so the Crown Prince will definitely do his best to protect her."
"Our family background is still a bit lacking." Song Xiping said somewhat sullenly.
“That’s why we strive to gain power and high positions, not only for Father, but also for Xixi and Qianqian.” Song Xinian paused, his tone becoming lower, “and also for your sister-in-law.”
Song Xiping was startled.
"Brother, you're not still thinking about revenge, are you? Our family is in a precarious situation and can't afford any more turmoil."
Song Xiping stared intently at his older brother.
After his sister-in-law passed away, the eldest brother tried to numb himself with alcohol. When drunk, he would point to the sky and curse, vowing to avenge his sister-in-law.
Song Xiping wasn't unaware of his elder brother's feelings, but that was the emperor!
Song Xinian looked away, avoiding eye contact with him, and instead looked outside.
"Don't worry, I won't gamble with my family's lives, and I won't take my anger out on others."
But he won't let any of those damned people get away with it!
Song Xinian clenched his fist again.
Song Xiping opened his mouth, but didn't know how to persuade him.
After a long while, he could only sigh and fall silent.
The silence didn't last long before Song Xinian spoke again, getting down to business.
"The Crown Prince wants me to open a trading company and establish trade routes between the north and south. I've thought about it, and I'll start with what we're familiar with, beginning with the medicinal herb business. Although the north is desolate and cold, it produces ginseng. I'll go and make the necessary contacts to secure a stable supply. As for the south, you can handle that!"
Song Xiping nodded.
The Song family had practiced medicine for generations. Their grandfather used to run a clinic and pharmacy in their hometown and had dealings with some pharmaceutical merchants. Although their father stopped doing this business, the relationships continued.
"Brother, how about I go back to my hometown first?"
“That’s right, it’s time to take back our shop.” A cold smile appeared on Song Xinian’s face.
After their father passed the imperial medical examination, he moved the whole family to the capital, leaving the old house and pharmacy in their hometown to be managed by their uncle.
Originally, it was agreed that the profits would be sent to the capital at the end of each year, but later on, not only did the amount of money decrease, but it was also often delayed for several months.
Song Siyuan couldn't bring himself to ask for it back, and besides, he was a royal physician at the time, and his salary was quite substantial, enough for his family, so he just let him have it.
Unexpectedly, their family was raided and exiled, and their uncle took the opportunity to seize the house and shop for himself.
“I’ll go back to your hometown with you first, and then head north. Oh, by the way, a Mr. Jin will be visiting tomorrow. He’s the Crown Prince’s advisor and will be accompanying me as my accountant. Please invite him along when we go back to our hometown.”
Song Xiping was taken aback: "Brother, are you trying to use the Crown Prince's influence?"
He wanted to say that this was not a good idea, but Song Xinian laughed instead.
"So what? Since we have readily available connections and influence, why not use them? Second brother, think about it. Father has always been dedicated to his work and never interfered with anything else, but what was the result? What did his loyalty get him?"
"Moreover, for the Crown Prince, subordinates with weaknesses are always more trustworthy to use."
Song Xiping looked at his elder brother and murmured, "Brother, you've changed so much..."
"I didn't want to either, but I had no choice." Song Xinian reached out and ruffled his hair like he did when they were children. "After we settle things with our uncle, go to Lin'an and bring your sister-in-law back!"
Song Xinian sighed softly.
Originally, when something happened at home, Tian returned home with a divorce agreement. Song Xinian was quite resentful about this, feeling that Tian was not good enough to his second brother. She could only share the good times but not the bad. When disaster struck, they each flew away. What kind of loving couple was that?
But Song Xinian's attitude changed after his wife passed away.
He thought countless times that if he had been more forceful back then, even if he had forced his wife to go back to her parents' home, would she have survived?
No matter how much you think about it, time can't be turned back.
Everything can never go back to the way it was before.
But since the Tian family is still alive, her second brother and she still have a chance to reconcile.
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