038 Illegitimate Child
The sunrise in the east brings forth a myriad of rays of light.
Bathed in the soft, refreshing sunlight, Yuan Chongjing walked out of the gates of the Dali Temple prison.
Standing several steps down, Li Yang waited quietly for him. Her gaze was gentle, her smile serene, as if this were just another ordinary late night for him and a normal wait for her in their lives.
Yuan Chongjing's heart suddenly softened beyond belief.
He strode down the steps and stopped in front of her: "Li Yang."
When Yuan Chongjing got closer, he noticed that she was wearing no makeup, her face was very plain, and he could even see the light yellow down on her cheeks. Her hair was simply tied up, and she wore no jewelry, but Yuan Chongjing felt at peace looking at her like this.
Li Yang smiled and said, "I received news this morning that the Dali Temple was going to release you. I was thinking of coming over to check on you, but it was such a coincidence that I ended up picking you up."
Bei Hai, who was getting off the carriage, secretly curled his lip and said in a voice that Yuan Chongjing could hear, "It's quite a coincidence. We've been waiting here for more than half an hour. How could it not be a coincidence?"
Yuan Chongjing could hear it, and naturally, his words also reached Li Yang's ears. She craned her neck past Yuan Chongjing and said to Bei Hai, "Could you please say less? I never knew you were such a gossip."
Bei Hai dared not speak out against his anger. After they boarded the carriage, he sat alone on the carriage shaft, feeling depressed, and drove back to his residence.
Inside the car, Li Yang scrutinized Yuan Chongjing for a long time: "Brother Jing, Song Hezhou didn't torture you, did he?"
Yuan Chongjing shook his head with amusement: "No. Lord Song is not one to blur the lines between public and private matters."
During his night in prison, the most he got was a little dirty clothes.
Li Yang said, "That's good."
Thinking that Yuan Chongjing would be surrounded and bombarded with questions once they returned to the Yuan residence, Li Yang took advantage of the fact that it was just the two of them now and asked, "Brother Jing, tell me the truth, are you trying to win over Song Hezhou for the Crown Prince?"
Yuan Chongjing paused for a moment, then smiled with relief: "Yes."
Seeing that Li Yang had something to say, Yuan Chongjing spoke first: "I know your concerns. Song Hezhou is a piece of fat meat. If I can keep an eye on him, then the Third Prince and the Fifth Prince certainly can too."
As the saying goes, fortune favors the bold, and he wouldn't be satisfied without personally testing the waters. This opportunity would be perfect for him to get to know Song Hezhou better.
“But it is true,” Yuan Chongjing said, “He represents a huge background, and he himself is not so easy to deal with. It is normal that the Third Prince and the Fifth Prince did not manage to subdue him.”
Li Yang understood the meaning behind his words: "Song Hezhou wants to remain aloof? I'm afraid that's impossible."
As she spoke, she suddenly realized a fact that had kept everyone in the dark: there was a prince in the Song family's bloodline!
This person is none other than the 'Sixth Princess' who has been disguised as a woman for so many years!
If the current Empress Dowager truly harbors such intentions, she will undoubtedly devote all of the Song family's resources to helping the "Sixth Princess," and then find an opportunity to restore the "Sixth Princess's" true identity. With the support of the Empress Dowager and the Song family, the "Sixth Princess's" quest for the throne will be virtually guaranteed.
No wonder the Empress Dowager didn't say much about the Crown Prince's deposition five years ago. Over the years, she has allowed the Third Prince's power to grow gradually. Perhaps she had long seen through the princes' intentions and wanted the Sixth Princess to remain hidden until the very end, so she could reap the benefits.
The more Li Yang thought about it, the more terrified she became, until Yuan Chongjing noticed her pale face and called out to her worriedly, "Li Yang? Li Yang! What's wrong?"
Li Yang snapped out of her daze: "I'm fine. Where were we?"
Yuan Chongjing said, "I said that after we return to the manor, I can no longer go out freely. What about the acupuncture treatment?"
"I'll go talk to Young Master Song and Elder Yue," Li Yang said. She hadn't properly thanked Song Xi about the makeup incident that morning.
“Alright. But don’t force them if they refuse. I’ve been having occasional headaches lately, and I can vaguely recall some things from the past. In a few more days, I should be able to recover my memories.” Yuan Chongjing looked at her, his eyes filled with affection, and his tone became increasingly tender and loving.
Li Yang was still pondering the Empress Dowager's 'scheme' when she heard this and casually replied, "Hmm, okay."
"Li Yang~" Yuan Chongjing reached out to touch her, but the carriage slowed down, and with a melodious "whoosh" from Bei Hai, his irritating face entered the carriage again: "Second Young Master, Young Madam, we've arrived. Madam and the others are waiting for you at the door."
Yuan Chongjing: "..." His hard-won courage was completely dispelled by Bei Hai's shout. He'd have to find a chance to teach Bei Hai a lesson sooner or later!
The two alighted from the carriage one after the other. Upon seeing Yuan Chongjing, Madam Yuan grabbed his hand and bombarded him with questions. After exchanging a few words at the entrance, they saw Yuan Chongyue walking over from the courtyard: "Mother, quickly take my second brother inside. The divine physician is still waiting."
Madam Yuan then remembered, wiped away her tears, and led Yuan Chongjing inside: "The divine doctor came early this morning, saying that it was inconvenient for you to go out, so he would give you acupuncture in the mansion."
Even though they already knew that Song Xi had connections, Li Yang and Yuan Chongjing were still surprised by his rapid arrival.
Li Yang thought it was Elder Yue who had arrived, but upon entering the main hall, she saw an elderly man with a full head of silver hair and an air of otherworldly wisdom chatting and laughing with Yuan Heng. This was exactly how he appeared when Li Yang and Song Xi first met.
Li Yang leaned closer to Yuan Chongjing and whispered, "It's Song Xi himself."
Yuan Chongjing had seen Song Xi's original appearance. Later, when Song Xi took a liking to herself and transformed into different beautiful young women with different looks and charms several times, he never recognized her. Including this time, if Li Yang hadn't reminded him, he would never have been able to connect this old man with Song Xi, who was as exquisite as the finest jade.
Watching Li Yang greet Song Xi with a smile, Yuan Chongjing was secretly surprised as to why Li Yang could always recognize Song Xi's attire.
He was distracted for a moment, and when he came back to his senses, Li Yang had already spoken with everyone and led him and Song Xi back to their courtyard alone: "I said that the divine doctor doesn't like crowds, and that there shouldn't be a third person present during acupuncture, so Mother let us come out."
Song Xi stroked his white beard naturally and nodded in agreement: "This acupuncture technique is my top secret, how can I let outsiders see it?"
The two looked at each other and smiled: "Indeed, great minds think alike. Yangyang and I are truly of one mind."
Li Yang gave a haughty 'humph': "My husband and I are the ones who are truly in sync."
"Tsk tsk," Song Xi said disdainfully, "Can't you all shut up a bit and give this old man some peace and quiet?"
Li Yang chuckled smugly and turned to Yuan Chongjing, saying, "I asked Beihai to prepare some hot water. Brother Jing, why don't you go and wash up first before coming over for acupuncture?"
For some reason, Yuan Chongjing had a vague feeling that Li Yang was trying to get rid of him, and that there was definitely a secret between her and Song Xi that he didn't know about. But he couldn't find a reason to refuse: "Okay, I'll be back as soon as possible."
Li Yang nodded, and after watching him walk away, she said to Song Xi, "Young Master Song, why did you come here in person?"
Song Xi replied, "How would I know such a big thing happened to you if I didn't come? I heard that Luo Minzhi accused Yuan Chongjing of murdering his elder brother?"
“Well, Luo Minzhi hasn’t provided any evidence yet. Even if Song Hezhou has doubts, he can’t just listen to Luo Minzhi’s side of the story and proceed with the case.”
“I’m afraid it’s not just Luo Minzhi’s side of the story,” Song Xi said. “I already inquired on my way here, and new rumors have started circulating today, saying that Yuan Chongjing and Xu Biyun were already pregnant, and that Luo Song is their son. They plotted to kill Luo Yanzhi so that they could be together. Oh dear, the power of rumors can be immense. The power of these rumors cannot be ignored.”
Li Yang said, "Yes, I understand. Young Master Song, thank you for telling me this news. Jing Ge and I will be prepared."
"I told you, you don't need to be so polite with me. We're real friends," Song Xi said with a smile. "I haven't asked you yet, where did you go this morning, all that makeup and rushing around? Is there anything I can help you with?"
“I went to meet someone, but it wasn’t convenient for him to know my real identity,” Li Yang said.
Everyone has secrets, and she was no exception. Song Xi knew that she had already told him so much, and seeing that she wasn't going to continue, he didn't press her further: "That's good. Be careful not to get discovered."
“Okay.” Li Yang paused for a moment, and then saw Yuan Chongjing, who had finished washing up, walk into the hall: “Divine Doctor, I’m ready.”
Song Xi gestured for Xiao Han to open her medical kit and began to focus on performing acupuncture on Yuan Chongjing.
Li Yang sat to the side, seemingly watching them, but in reality, she was thinking about Song Xi's words. Having spent many years in the streets, she knew how powerful rumors could be; it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that a single word could kill.
It seems that the Duke of Luo's mansion is truly leaving Xu Biyun and Luo Song no way out.
It remains to be seen what choice Xu Biyun will make under these circumstances.
After finishing his acupuncture, Song Xi left without lingering. Li Yang personally escorted him to the entrance of the Yuan residence. Looking at his hunched back, she recalled the angry and embarrassed expression on his face when she exposed him as an old man during their first meeting, and she smiled absentmindedly.
Life is unpredictable. Now that the Yuan family has aligned themselves with His Highness the Crown Prince, if the Song family really allows Song Xi to vie for the throne, will she and Song Xi become enemies and no longer be the simple 'close friends' they are now?
His early life was controlled by the Empress Dowager. He lived disguised as a woman in the cannibalistic palace, where he had to live a life of constant shame. Even if he were to openly appear before the world as a man, his future path would be extremely difficult, even if he still recognized his brother as his father.
But upon closer reflection, whose path is truly easy?
Yuan Chongjing harbored great ambitions from a young age, and to achieve them, he still had to risk his life and exhaust himself. The Third Prince, despite his privileged background, went from being outspoken to being cautious and suspicious, a consequence of suffering many losses. The Fifth Prince, to protect himself, concealed his wolfish ambitions and for years carefully ingratiated himself with the Third Prince, living in his shadow.
Li Yang sighed deeply.
Not far away, Song Xi had already boarded the carriage. Hearing her sigh, he got off again. Seeing her worried expression, he asked with amusement, "What's wrong? Why are you sighing like that? Are you making yourself look old?"
Li Yang smiled and said, "It's nothing."
Song Xi was a little worried and added, "When I came over this morning, Madam Yuan secretly inquired about your pulse, as if she wanted you to give birth to a son for Yuan Chongjing. I think that once the rumors from the Luo family get around, she might have some thoughts about you, so you should be prepared."
“Hmm,” Li Yang replied. In the year or so since she and Yuan Chongjing returned to Kyoto, Madam Yuan would bring up this matter almost every month, and Yuan Chongjing would just have to deal with it.
Seeing that she didn't take it seriously, Song Xi said earnestly, "You really need to think about this. It's your life, and there's no need to put yourself in such a situation for Yuan Chongjing." What fake marriage and fake child? Don't be fooled by how well everyone is getting along now. When the lies are exposed, it will undoubtedly be the woman who gets hurt.
Li Yang helplessly pushed him towards the carriage: "I understand, I'll find a way to handle it. The divine doctor is so old, he should go back and rest well. Don't worry about us juniors."
Song Xi was amused by her words and got into the car with her help: "Then I'll go first. If you need anything, go find Xiao Han. If I'm free these next two days, I'll stay at home too."
"Alright, alright, take care, divine doctor. I won't see you off any further." Li Yang lowered the carriage curtain and urged Xiao Han to hurry up and catch the carriage.
Song Xi sat in the car, lifted the curtain to look at her, and then helplessly lowered it again.
Unexpectedly, Song Xi's words came true. Li Yang returned to the courtyard and saw Madam Yuan sitting and talking with Yuan Chongjing. Just as she was about to go over and greet them, she heard Madam Yuan cautiously ask Yuan Chongjing, "Jing'er, while Yang'er is not here, tell your mother the truth, what exactly is going on with Xu Biyun and her illegitimate child?"
Yuan Chongjing was unaware of the rumors.
Upon hearing this, he asked in confusion, "What illegitimate child? Isn't Luo Song her and Luo Yanzhi's son? Where did this illegitimate child come from?"
Madam Yuan knew her son well; she could tell from his expression that he genuinely didn't know anything about it. She explained in a low voice, "People outside are saying that you were arrested and taken to the Dali Temple because the Duke of Luo's mansion accused you. The reason they accused you is that you had an affair with Xu Biyun and even secretly had a child with her, a boy named Luo Song."
Yuan Chongjing found it somewhat laughable. These were just things Luo Minzhi had made up yesterday when he couldn't win an argument with him. He advised, "Mother, those are all nonsense from Luo Minzhi. Don't believe them."
He was about to stand up when Madam Yuan quickly pulled him back down: "What's this about whether it's believable or not? You've lost your memory now and don't remember anything from before. As the saying goes, there's no smoke without fire. Maybe that Luo Song really is your son."
Yuan Chongjing didn't want to talk to her anymore: "How old is Luo Song now? She's over two years old, right? Two years ago, I was still in Chenzhou. She hadn't left the capital and I hadn't returned. Luo Song has nothing to do with me. Mother, just relax and have some tea and sunshine when you have time. Can you please stop worrying about me?"
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