Chapter 2: A powerful family, not something that ordinary people can climb up to
Although the Song family was a famous family, they had few descendants, and Song Jian only had one daughter.
Eighteen years ago, He Jingyi, a poor candidate, passed the imperial examination and ranked second in the imperial examination. He was handsome and talented, so Song Jian chose him as his son-in-law and betrothed his daughter Song Min to him.
The couple had a son named Zhang Zhihe, with the courtesy name Mingtai.
Therefore, when the servant mentioned the young master, Song Jian and the others naturally thought it was Zhang Zhihe.
The servant looked embarrassed and whispered, "It's the young master from Ruzhou..."
The two were stunned when they heard this, looked at each other, and were speechless for a moment.
"But he is Song Fu's son?" He Jingyi asked.
Steward Huang quickly agreed. Song Jian placed the teacup on the table with a clatter. "Who am I to think it was?" he sneered. "Father and son are the same. As soon as I was reinstated, they couldn't wait to come to the capital to enjoy the wealth and luxury!"
Song Jian gritted his teeth and said, "I was so blind back then that I actually chose such a fool as my heir!"
He Jingyi echoed, "Song Fu is indeed confused. He thought it was a gift from the emperor, the Xuanqiongxi, and squandered it all in the gambling house."
As soon as these words were spoken, Song Jian's face became even gloomier.
If it were in the past, when Song Jianjian was in the emperor's favor, such a matter could be covered up with just a few words.
But now the emperor is ill, and the court is turbulent. Although Song Jian holds the title of a first-rank official, it is only an honorary title, with no real power, except for a generous salary. Now that he has offended the ruling Li Party, he is already walking on thin ice in the court. And his heir's absurd behavior is simply handing a ready-made handle to his political enemies.
No wonder Song Jian looked so displeased when he heard about Song Fu's son.
Steward Huang said helplessly, "Then, Master, are you going to see this young master or not?"
Song Jian's face flushed. "What are you meeting? Just arrange a guest room for him to stay in, and let him and his father return to Ruzhou tomorrow!"
Steward Huang said in embarrassment, "This was also the arrangement made by the old servant at the beginning, but he insisted on bowing to you and paying his respects. When his wish was not fulfilled, he stood in the main hall for a long time and did not leave."
Song Jianzhi snorted, "Are you trying to rely on me?"
Hearing that Song Qianzhao was determined to kowtow and show filial piety, he couldn't help but become interested, "It's rare for him to have such a heart."
He Jingyi raised the corner of his mouth slightly, and looked sideways at Song Jian: "In this respect, he is better than his father."
"What victory?"
Song Jian's face was as dark as the bottom of a pot. "He insisted on kowtowing to me, just to confirm his status as the adopted grandson so that he can use my name to show off his power."
He Jingyi twitched the corners of his mouth, but the smile did not reach his eyes, and he shook his head.
Song Fu did something stupid and touched Song Jian's sore spot, and both Song Jian and Song Qianzhao were classified as the same kind of people.
"Let him stand there. I want to see how long he can stand there!" Song Jian said coldly.
Manager Huang knew Song Jian's temper very well, so he naturally didn't say anything and bowed and left the Mingtang.
He Jingyi lowered his eyes and said nothing. He gathered his sleeves and picked up the teapot. As he poured the tea from high to low, the Biluochun buds slowly expanded in the teacup, the tea fragrance was thick, and a cup of tea was ready.
He Jingyi picked up the celadon teacup and handed it to his father-in-law. The tea was clear, steaming, and a faint fragrance emanated from it.
Song Jian took it and took a sip. As the fragrance of the tea entered his throat, his brows relaxed, the corners of his lips curled up slightly, and he nodded slowly, saying, "I've been drinking tea for so many years, and this is the best tea you've brewed."
He Jingyi picked up the teacup, blew on the hot air, took a sip, and said worriedly, "Father-in-law, now is the critical moment when you are competing with Lu Zhong, the doctor of the Ministry of Revenue, for a chance to enter the cabinet.
But in this temple, most people form cliques for personal gain, either the Lantai Party or the Li Party.
You remained neutral, isolated and helpless, yet you still offended the Li Party. They are trying to find ways to punish you. Now with the Song Fu incident, let alone your chances of joining the cabinet, your position in the court is in jeopardy!"
Song Jian snorted softly, "They are just scoundrels, why should I be afraid? I act in broad daylight, so I don't need to worry about the tricks of these treacherous people. Your Majesty will stand up for me!"
He Jingyi advised, "As the saying goes, it is better to make enemies with gentlemen than to make friends with villains. Most of the civil and military officials are followers of the Li Party. If they use this incident with Song Fu to attack you, even if you are in the position of Central Counselor, you will inevitably be slandered. We must be on guard.
"Furthermore, the Lu family has a long-standing feud with you. If they enter the cabinet first, they will inevitably cause a conflict. Your situation is like a precarious situation, with the situation becoming even more dire. You must give it your due consideration."
Song Jian raised his eyebrows, "Do you want me to be like them and let those tricks fail?"
Song Jian said disdainfully, "If I were truly willing to resort to those treacherous tactics, how could I have experienced so many ups and downs? I've spent two years in officialdom, and I've long seen through the filth of power. I don't want to be a traitor."
The look in He Jingyi's eyes was indescribable, and he seemed to be hesitant to speak.
Song Jian was reluctant to use despicable means to resolve the mess caused by Song Fu, and he always felt that he had lost face. Whenever He Jingyi thought about this, he always felt uncomfortable.
He already knew his father-in-law's temperament very well.
There is an old saying: Even if you die nine times, you will never regret it.
Song Jian is the kind of person who has experienced life and death several times but never regrets his choices.
Some people may think that this is a stupid move.
But he doesn't think so.
Many of his followers did not think so either. They called this behavior righteousness.
He is not a famous official and does not have the character.
So they admired his character and followed him wholeheartedly.
Song Jian and his partner were brewing tea and discussing politics in the courtyard.
Song Qianzhao and Xun Jiu, the master and servant, stood in the corridor waiting.
At the end of the corridor in the front courtyard, people would occasionally look out and look at the two of them.
Under the servants' prying eyes, half an hour passed in a flash.
After standing for a long time, both of them felt a little sore in their lower limbs.
Xunjiu secretly moved his shins to ease the numbness in his legs.
But Song Qianzhao stood still as still as a stake, her brows furrowed.
Judging from Manager Huang's attitude before, she guessed that Song Fu was not welcome in the mansion. Now his long wait confirmed her thoughts.
As the saying goes: A prime minister has a broad mind.
Although Song Jian has resigned from the position of Grand Councilor, he once held this position, so this sentence is appropriate for him.
This was enough to force Song Jian to give a junior the cold shoulder, which shows how serious the incident Song Fu had caused was.
Song Qianzhao had just arrived in the capital and didn't know what was going on, so he could only wait.
Time passed quickly and another half hour had passed.
Xunjiu's legs felt weak and were shaking.
Song Qianzhao was not much stronger either. Her legs were weak and trembling, but she deliberately suppressed the amplitude of the trembling, and because of the cover of her clothes, others did not notice her changes.
There was a loud "boom".
The blue sky suddenly turned gloomy without any warning, and in an instant it began to rain heavily, with raindrops hitting the ground and splashing countless water.
The rain was pouring down, and even though they were sheltering under the porch, the raging rain still soaked most of their clothes. Water dripped from the hems of their clothes, forming small puddles at their feet.
Xunjiu's teeth chattered with cold: "Should we wait?"
She stretched out her palm, letting the raindrops from the eaves gather in her palm. "Wait."
She spun backhand, and the rain splashed on the ground.
There is no reason for this rain. It falls whenever it wants. What does it have to do with human joy?
God doesn't care about Song Qianzhao's feelings.
But Song Jian and the other man, who were sitting in the courtyard and sipping tea slowly, noticed.
Under the four-cornered eaves.
As the drizzle fell, Song Jian glanced towards the front yard from time to time.
He Jingyi knew what Song Jian was thinking at a glance.
Then he asked, "Where is Steward Huang?"
Manager Huang, who was waiting at the small door between the inner courtyard and the front yard, suddenly appeared outside the pavilion upon hearing the summons.
"Sir, what do you want?"
He Jingyi asked, "Is that person still waiting in the front hall?"
Manager Huang bowed his head and smiled helplessly: "I haven't touched it yet."
He Jingyi glanced at Song Jian calmly, "You're quite perseverant."
Song Jian said coldly and disdainfully, "Just because I got caught in a rain, I can live a life of luxury. I'd be happy to get drenched to death."
He Jingyi smiled. "Compared to the perils of officialdom, getting caught in the rain is nothing. But his stubborn nature is very similar to yours."
Song Jian hesitated for a while, then swallowed the words back.
He Jingyi couldn't help but ask: "Want to meet?"
Song Jian flicked his sleeves and said, "If you want to see me, go ahead. I won't see you!"
He Jingyi smiled and stood up, bowed to Song Jian and said, "Then I will go and see him."
Song Jian did not try to stop him, but frowned slightly and said, "Song Fu is very cunning. On a rainy night last year, he begged me to teach him and solve his doubts. I took him as my heir because he was a man of learning. I never thought..."
Song Jian didn't need to explain clearly, He Jingyi already understood.
As the saying goes, like father, like son, you reap what you sow.
Song Jian was reminding him not to be fooled by Song Qianzhao who was pretending to be pitiful.
He Jingyi raised his lips slightly and nodded, saying, "Don't worry, father-in-law. I will test him. If he can pass my test, then he must not be a cunning person."
"Go ahead!" Song Jian waved his hand nonchalantly. "Anyway, I've made up my mind. I'll send them back to Ruzhou in a few days."
He Jingyi said nothing more, bowed, and turned to leave.
Manager Huang held an umbrella to protect him from the rain.
The two entered the Mingtang.
A moment.
Under the vermilion lacquer door, the figures of He Jingyi and the other person gradually appeared.
Song Qianzhao and his servant felt relieved when they saw the person standing at the door.
Xun Jiu knelt on the ground and was about to salute.
But Song Qianzhao kicked him without leaving any trace.
And then in Xunjiu's confused eyes.
Song Qianzhao took two steps forward, clasped his hands together, and bowed slightly: "Nephew greets uncle."
Xunjiu quickly bowed, "I greet you, Master."
He Jingyi was startled at first, then looked at Song Qianzhao with interest: "How do you know that I am your uncle?"
Song Qianzhao spoke slowly and calmly, "Just now, the steward said that my uncle was discussing things with my grandfather in the hall. Your age is obviously younger than my grandfather's, and you can make the steward nod and bow as he pleases. Naturally, you are my nephew's uncle."
He Jingyi nodded and said, "He's young, but quite clever, much more lively than your father."
Song Qianzhao bowed slightly, "You are too kind."
He Jingyi laughed out loud: "I called your father stupid, but you didn't defend him. It seems that you have guessed that something has happened in the mansion, and it is related to your father."
Song Qianzhao said frankly: "I guessed a little."
He Jingyi said, hands behind his back, "I won't beat around the bush. Your father did something stupid, a truly stupid thing, one that put your grandfather in danger. Fortunately, it's not too late to save him now."
He Jingyi looked at Song Qianzhao and said coldly, "Your father did something stupid, and your grandfather punished him by making him kneel in the ancestral hall. He was powerless and could not remedy the situation. I wonder if you have the courage to take on this matter."
Song Qianzhao was stunned for a moment, and after a while, he said seriously: "It is only natural for a son to inherit his father's debts."
He Jingyi was stunned. "I was just asking tentatively, but I didn't expect you to actually agree. You're truly a young man who's not afraid of tigers!"
Song Qianzhao smiled and said, "At least give it a try, what if it works?"
He Jingyi chuckled and shook his head. "You live in the countryside, so you don't understand the dangers of the capital. Let me tell you first, even I may not be able to perfectly solve what your father did."
Song Qianzhao smiled and looked up, "I still want to give it a try."
"good!"
Although He Jingyi praised him, he was actually quite suspicious of him in his heart.
Those who are steady and reliable are respected by everyone; those who are arrogant and domineering are disliked by everyone.
In He Jingyi's mind, Song Qianzhao is the one who shows off his ability.
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