Chapter 125 Amidst the Clouds (Fifteen) Zhi Rou hid against his chest, roughly...
After Wei Yuanzhan followed the Crown Prince, he realized that Zhi Rou's behavior was unusual.
The deer she shot was called a "Lin Beast," over half a zhang tall, with a body like an ox but even more ferocious, and antlers as wide as a palm. I had heard my father say that it was a deer from the north, solitary and brave, and hunters rarely dared to approach it.
Zhi Rou's acquisition of this deer can be considered as capturing a fierce beast before the assembled officials; according to custom, he should receive a reward from the emperor.
Wei Yuanzhan's expression turned serious, and he gripped the reins even tighter.
"Is Prince Wei alright?" As the sound of horses' hooves approached, Ling Cunyu observed his expression and asked with concern.
He tilted his head slightly, as if he hadn't heard her clearly.
Their eyes met briefly, and Ling Cunyu paused for a moment before smiling and saying, "Was that Miss Song from a military family? I saw her arrow pierce through the beast's neck. Such skill is unlike that of an ordinary young lady."
At this moment, Wei Yuanzhan's expression had returned to normal, and his gaze swept back to the person sitting in front of him: "She is the daughter of Minister Song of the Ministry of Works."
"Is this Lord Song?" The man who had been listening idly suddenly spoke up, "Then she must be your cousin. I was wondering why you insisted on coming to see this spectacle. It turns out you're more interested in your cousin than in the beasts."
Having his secret exposed, Wei Yuanzhan subtly pursed his lips, feigning ignorance: "What cousin?"
The boy glanced at him sideways, still in his playful tone: "Oh, not my cousin? Then I..."
He didn't elaborate further, since they hadn't parted ways yet, and he feared that if he joked too much, His Highness would turn around and protect his brother-in-law.
Suddenly, the cries of birds and roars of beasts echoed from the wilderness. Everyone's breath caught in their throats. They reined in their horses and listened intently. The horses' hooves swirled in the dust, kicking up wisps of fine dust.
Zhi Rou ultimately failed to meet the Emperor.
After she finished hunting the giant deer, the sky darkened.
Water droplets "drip-drop" onto the shoulder and sleeve. In a short while, dark clouds gathered overhead, and the forest floor was shrouded in gloom, with not a glimmer of light.
Zhi Rou was worried about Song Han Jin and was conflicted for a moment, but finally she spurred her horse and hurried back.
When news of the first hunt reached the Emperor, it was indeed a "Song" character, but it was not the Fourth Miss Song, but the Tenth Miss Song.
Upon learning of this, Zhi Rou showed no emotion on her face, but instead walked with Song Han Jin toward the tent: "Does anyone know how Second Brother is doing?"
Their clothes were soaked with rainwater. Before they even entered the door, a sharp-eyed maidservant had already brought them a handkerchief and was serving them inside. She kept her head down, neither raising her face nor replying.
Zhi Rou hesitated and frowned. Her gaze shifted slightly from the maid and she saw Song Congzhao in the spacious tent, dressed in official robes. He exuded an air of authority as he sat on the couch, with a pot of boiling tea beside him.
Zhi Rou lowered her hands to her sides and stood obediently in place, first calling out, "Father."
Song Hanjin paused slightly, her gaze falling upwards for a fleeting moment before she reacted with surprise, her eyes lowering and her body involuntarily shifting to the side, standing three feet in front of Zhirou, thus blocking her view.
There seemed to be a very faint laugh coming from the person at the head of the table, but the two didn't hear it clearly. After waiting for a while, the expected anger did not ignite.
Song Congzhao's voice was calm: "Are either of you injured?"
Her father had strictly forbidden Zhi Rou from holding a bow, but now that he had caught her, Song Han Jin knew that her fourth sister was doomed. In an instant, she heard him speak, but there was no anger in his words, so she relaxed her shoulders and revealed Zhi Rou's appearance.
"You got a little rained on, it's nothing. Why did Father come over? Is it Song Qi...? Has there been any news about Second Brother's matter?"
"Your second brother just had a quarrel with someone, nothing serious."
Song Congzhao casually tugged at his wide sleeves, stepped off the bed, and walked to Zhirou with his robes.
His unfathomable gaze fixed on her, and Zhi Rou's palms were sweaty, clutching her shame.
The tent fell silent for a moment.
Seeing that the situation was not good, Song Hanjin hurriedly walked back to Zhirou's side. Just as she was about to speak, her father raised his hand to stop her.
His gaze remained fixed on Zhi Rou's face, the candlelight casting a deep, unreadable shadow over her.
He brought Zhi Rou along for this spring hunt not at Song Hanjin's request, but because the Empress had already seen her, and further concealment would only arouse suspicion; and he forbade her from hunting because he did not want her to be too conspicuous. The more eyes were on her, the easier it would be for her secret to be exposed.
From the day he brought Ling Xi and her daughter to the capital, he promised to protect Zhi Rou and ensure her safe growth. As for her background, if Ling Xi is willing to tell him, then whether she wants to investigate old cases or become a member of the Song family, he will follow her wishes and will not stop her.
Even now, he still keeps his promise and is even willing to support her and be at her beck and call.
Therefore, when news of Song Qizhang's detention and the two women's retreat to the mountains arrived, he was initially quite annoyed.
If she has something to ask of him, she should come to him instead of acting on her own.
On the way to the camp, Song Congzhao's gaze unexpectedly fell on a horse that was resting quietly. Unlike the domesticated animals in the stable, in the unstable environment, it would rather stand than lie down, ready to run away at any time.
The moment he saw it, he was immediately reminded of the days when Zhi Rou was all alone in the north.
Did she also dare not sit or lie down, having long been accustomed to relying on her own strength?
The pity in his heart grew deeper, and when he faced her, his initial anger had long since dissipated.
Outside the tent, the sky was overcast and gloomy, tinged with loneliness. Inside, one lamp after another cast their light, and Song Congzhao's voice, as gentle as its shadow, sank into the room.
What did you hunt in the mountains today?
"My daughter was lucky; she hunted a giant deer."
"Not bad." Song Congzhao praised, then looked at the long couch behind him and said to the two of them, "There's some tea that's been brewed, go and have some."
Zhi Rou raised her eyelashes in surprise, and before she could respond, she heard him instruct: "When the emperor reviews the hunt in a little while, you will stay in the tent. I will have your second brother take your place."
This is the procedure for the officials to present their spoils to Your Majesty after the hunt, record their merits, and bestow rewards upon them. One person per team is sufficient; Zhi Rou need not come to see the Emperor.
She nodded in agreement. Song Congzhao said nothing more, glanced at her again, and strode out of the tent.
At the beginning of the hour of You (5-7 PM), the emperor held a banquet in front of the camp to reward the princes and officials, allowing them to unsaddle and relax. The entire open space was covered with felt carpets, with long mats arranged on both sides, stretching for tens of feet. In the center stood the main seat, with golden goblets and animal-shaped plates scattered among them, and the melodious sounds of string and bamboo instruments carried on the mountain breeze.
Song Lang was trusted by the Crown Prince and was placed in the front of the list. Song Congzhao, who held the second rank, was placed next to him, looking at each other across the central aisle.
Zhi Rou smiled at him slightly, a smile that was more irritating than a calm stare. Before he could retort, she turned her face away and casually began talking to Song Hanjin.
Enraged, Song Peiyu bit his cheek, grabbed the dew from the table, and drank it down. Before he could react, Song Lang glanced at him sideways, then followed his gaze to the opposite side. His eyes met those of a woman, and he froze for a moment.
Song Lang thought she had long forgotten what he looked like.
While still reeling from the shock and doubt, he also reasoned that there couldn't be so many coincidences in the world. Chang Yu was dead, and the Chang family no longer existed.
Gradually, his expression returned to normal. Seeing that Song Peiyu was still staring at the other person, Song Lang tapped the table with his finger, reminding him, "What are you looking at?"
Song Peiyu regained his composure, his tone heavy with frustration: "Father, you may not know this, but my previous conflict with Prince Wei was all because of Song Zhirou."
She lowered her eyelids, her voice softening, "A worthless wretch, I don't know what Wei Yuanzhan sees in her, she's just blind..."
Upon hearing the whimpering, Song Lang immediately frowned, as if questioning, but his tone was stern: "What did you say?"
He seemed not to notice the difference, moved forward a bit, and whispered, "Father forgot, that year my second uncle brought back a mother and daughter from the countryside in Jiangnan. She, Song Zhirou, is this very woman."
Long-forgotten memories surged upwards. Song Lang slightly raised an eyebrow and glanced in that direction without leaving a trace, then remembered.
At the time, it was only known that Song Congzhao's concubine was sickly and cold, so he sent her and her daughter back to Jiangnan to recuperate, intending to bring the daughter to the capital when she was a little older. Unexpectedly, there was another version of events.
Suddenly recalling Han Rui's return to his hometown, after which there was no news of him, for some reason, all the muscles in his body tensed up instantly, and he subconsciously looked towards the main seat.
The imperial desk lay empty; His Majesty had not yet arrived.
As the music played, Song Lang turned his head slightly, his gaze slowly sweeping over Song Congzhao and Zhiyou's faces. After a moment of thought, he turned to Song Peiyu and instructed, "Don't provoke your second uncle's family. Do you hear me?"
Not understanding what he meant, he grunted a soft "hmm" and lazily agreed.
Song Lang's eyes lingered on Zhi Rou for a moment, then he heard someone outside singing that the emperor had arrived. He composed himself, rose with the others, and bowed his head in respect.
Zhi Rou had never seen the Emperor's face before. Perhaps out of curiosity, she lowered her neck more than others, so that her view covered the entire corridor and extended to the opposite side.
The edges of his dark gold-embroidered dragon robe swayed gently with each step. Although the emperor was old, his figure was not frail. As he slowly walked toward the main seat, he smiled gently and said, "Today's banquet is not for court discussions. No need for formalities, please make yourselves at home."
Even so, everyone stood at attention and waited until the emperor sat down before returning to their seats.
The eunuch poured wine, and the emperor raised his cup: "Where is the brave warrior who hunted the bear this afternoon?" His gaze lingered between Song Lang and Song Congzhao, then settled on the former, and he said with a smile, "I remember, it was the young master of Minister Song."
Song Peiyu then composed himself and stepped forward. Having already obtained His Majesty's wish in the afternoon, and now having received wine, he was in the limelight, his brows beaming with a triumphant smile.
Unexpectedly, in an instant, the emperor's gaze swept across the other side, and he looked down at the person with a meaningful look in his eyes: "Today, the Crown Prince mentioned to me that the fourth daughter of the Song family has hunted a fierce beast. In previous years, it was your brother who fought for me, but now that he is not in the capital, it is you who bears this burden of courage."
When the emperor called her, Zhi Rou didn't think about anything. She naturally raised her face, her back was already straight, and with her plain clothes, she looked just like a clear and cool green bamboo.
Song Hanjin noticed that she was staring directly at the emperor's face, which startled her and caused her to lose her composure. She desperately tried to wink at her while quietly scolding her fourth sister. She heard this and hurriedly covered her eyelashes.
The emperor smiled broadly and said, "Minister Song, your daughter is no less capable than any man."
Song Congzhao felt a tightness in his heart upon hearing this. He composed himself, smiled casually, and deliberately avoided looking at Zhirou.
In an instant, all eyes of the courtiers were drawn to the woman who was unassuming in her clothing and reputation, yet whose beauty was as stunning as her archery skills.
Wei Yuanzhan remained unusually silent, simply gazing at her.
At the start of the banquet, countless civil officials struck up conversations with him, but when His Majesty arrived, he used every spare moment to observe Zhi Rou.
It was probably nearing summer, and the nights were sultry. She had somehow gotten hold of a fan, and she and Song Hanjin were holding it together and fanning themselves. Occasionally, she would catch his gaze, and she would smile brightly, as if the fragrance from the fan was being sent to him, making him momentarily stunned and unable to move.
After His Majesty took his seat, he first glanced in that direction, almost instinctively, while she had already raised her head, her gaze seemingly casually drifting towards the head of the table.
She was curious.
Wei Yuanzhan couldn't help but worry.
At present, the crowd's scrutiny, whether direct or subtle, did not make Zhi Rou show any fear. Her clear and delicate eyebrows and eyes were slightly lowered, like a sword sheathed under the moonlight.
The emperor's gaze lingered on her face with interest for a moment, then he suddenly ordered an eunuch: "Bring me my bow and give it to Miss Song."
The emperor has not bestowed his personal troops upon his subjects for many years, let alone an ordinary woman with no merit.
While onlookers were filled with envy and surprise, none could discern the emperor's intentions. At this moment, they glanced a few more times at the unassuming Miss Song, who was known for her beauty.
She rose from her seat and bowed to the emperor in gratitude.
As this scene came to an end, after several rounds of drinks, the emperor said that he was getting old and would not force himself to drink, telling them to enjoy themselves as they pleased, and then he left.
After the emperor departed, the atmosphere at the banquet became more relaxed.
Song Congzhao, however, remained expressionless, his fingers clenched between his knees, his knuckles stiff from prolonged exertion.
Colleagues came over one after another to offer him a toast, and he loosened his fingers, the dullness spreading instantly. Before long, he stood up to cover it up, becoming easygoing and warm.
Zhi Rou lowered her eyelids and shifted her gaze from Wei Yuanzhan to the person in front of her.
The candlelight flickered, and beside the wine table, Song Qizhang propped his head up with one hand and fiddled with his wine cup with the other. You could tell he was listless without even looking at his face.
Zhi Rou propped herself up on her knees and walked over to sit down beside him.
Hearing a rustling sound, Song Qizhang turned his head for a moment and straightened up slightly.
She remained silent.
He smiled and said, "I've never seen Fourth Sister so quiet before. Say what you want to say."
Zhi Rou carried the bow today for her second brother's sake. She hadn't paid much attention to the emperor's gift earlier, knowing she would have time to plan carefully after returning home. However, she didn't want to keep her second brother looking so troubled.
Seeing the bruises on his cheeks with blood running down to behind his ears, Zhi Rou remained silent for a moment, then suddenly tilted her head and whispered to him, "Father won't let me drink alcohol."
Just as he finished speaking, Song Congzhao turned to them through the gap, and Zhirou immediately sat up straight, adopting an obedient posture.
Song Qizhang couldn't help but laugh, and he leaned closer to her, whispering, "Your uncle won't let you go hunting."
As soon as they finished speaking, both of them covered their faces with their hands, and their shoulders trembled slightly.
Seeing that Song Congzhao was being pulled away by her colleagues again, Song Qizhang quickly poured Zhirou a cup, then pressed his elbow on the table and leaned half of his body against it to block the view from outside.
Unexpectedly, not only Song Congzhao was blocked, but also Wei Yuanzhan.
From his perspective, the disheveled Second Young Master Song was leaning against the table with his arms slightly open. His seemingly thin frame could hide a person. Zhi Rou was hiding in front of his chest, mostly bent over, and her face was completely hidden. Only the top of her hair was faintly visible on his shoulder. He glanced around a few times, then lowered his head to talk to her.
"Fruit wine, drink only a little, it won't make you drunk," Song Qizhang said in a low voice.
Zhi Rou quickly raised her chin and drank it all in one gulp.
The wine is sweet and smooth, like peaches and plums melting softly on the lips and teeth.
Song Qizhang looked at her for a moment: "Is it good?"
Zhi Rou nodded, reached for the teapot on the table, and poured herself a cup.
Her second brother, who had just been her accomplice, suddenly grabbed her wrist and forcefully pulled her hand off the table. His words sounded like they were being uttered through clenched teeth, his lips barely moving: "Don't drink anymore."
She froze for a moment, her body seemingly bound by puppet strings, even her struggles appearing comical.
Song Congzhao's expression remained unchanged. The lanterns hanging high in the room cast a soft light, enveloping his refined and upright face, making it difficult to see clearly. Zhi Rou suddenly felt that her father's expression was even more somber than usual.
A lump formed in her throat. She only came to her senses when Song Qizhang called her. The temporary commotion returned to her ears in a noisy din.
"My uncle has passed away."
After Song Qizhang finished speaking, he glanced to his side and saw that she looked worried. Just as he was about to ask her what was wrong, the three of them suddenly appeared in front of the table, casting a shadow.
He looked up, his face filled with surprise: "Cousin Wei..."
As he was about to get up, Wei Yuanzhan reached out and patted his shoulder, refusing to accept his polite gesture.
He pressed Song Qizhang back into his seat. His eyelids lowered slightly, and his gaze lingered on the mutton soup for a moment before he said, "Cousin, have some soup. It will nourish your blood and remove blood stasis, so your facial injuries will heal faster."
He then took the white glazed cup in front of Zhi Rou and handed it to the side, which Lan Ye immediately accepted.
Zhi Rou looked up, and the sleeve on the table was pulled by a force, and her burning body temperature was transmitted through the thin fabric.
Wei Yuanzhan pulled her up: "Come with me."
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