061 My Background Revealed
In the end, neither of them could persuade Yuan Chongjing otherwise, so the carriage turned onto a side road and went to the back gate of Prince Yu's private residence.
He left Li Yang and Bei Hai in the carriage and went inside with the driver.
His Highness Prince Yu was busy inside the courtyard and didn't even have time to see Shang Jin and his group of men in black when they arrived. Seeing Yuan Chongjing being helped in, Shang Jin immediately stepped forward, and the two of them helped Yuan Chongjing sit down: "Lord Yuan, what brings you here?"
Yuan Chongjing said, "I have some thoughts on this matter and would like to discuss them with Your Highness."
"His Highness is busy, he'll be here soon, let's wait here for now," Shang Jin said.
Yuan Chongjing nodded, enduring the stinging pain from the wound on his leg, and tried to calm his breathing.
Meanwhile, His Highness Prince Yu was quietly speaking to Yu Jin in the next courtyard. He said, "You saved my life, so I will spare your life for now. But you absolutely should not have caused such a ruckus at Shou'an Palace. If you ruin my plans, I will eliminate anyone, not just my savior, but anyone at all."
His voice was low and gentle, like lovers whispering sweet nothings. But the words he spoke sent chills down one's spine.
After such a long period of calm, Tulip had calmed down. She said, "Let's make a deal. I'll tell you something, and you promise me something in return."
His Highness Prince Yu said, "Speak."
Yu Jin looked up at him. Back then, his subordinate Xu Shan had searched everywhere for the legendary healer, the "Ghost Hand," hoping to cure his illness. She hadn't paid much attention initially, but she overheard Xu Shan mentioning the Prince of Yu's symptoms, which sounded remarkably like Song Xi's newly developed poison. She personally went to Yuzhou and confirmed that the Prince's symptoms were indeed caused by Song Xi. She found it strange; although Song Xi researched poisons, he never poisoned people. Anyone who could get him to do this must have some connection to Song Xi.
She remained hidden by Prince Yu's side, secretly inquiring about his connections in hopes of finding any clues about Song Xi. After all, it had been more than three years since she last saw Song Xi.
She remained hidden for five years. During those five years, she became his woman in order to gain his trust. He was indeed very gentle and respected her greatly. The people of Yuzhou respectfully called her Lady Yu, Lady Yu who could stand shoulder to shoulder with the Prince of Yu.
But now, looking at the ruthlessness and indifference in Prince Yu's eyes, Yu Jin realized that she had never truly seen through him.
Yu Jin said, "The Sixth Princess is a man."
Prince Yu said, "I already know about this matter, so it's not surprising."
"Then what about his background? Do you really think he is the child of the Emperor and Consort Jia?"
The Prince of Yu was somewhat surprised: "What do you mean by this?"
Yu Jin said smugly, "You wouldn't believe it if I told you, but he was born to the Empress Dowager and...and someone outside the palace. His real name is Song Xi. After Consort Jia's daughter died, the Empress Dowager missed her son and brought him back to the palace, raising him as a girl. Later, with the help of outsiders, the Empress Dowager drove Consort Jia insane and killed many palace servants to keep this news a secret."
This news truly surprised the Prince of Yu, who said, "Why should I believe you?"
Yu Jin said, "If you don't believe me, go and investigate. I've given you some clues, so you should know how to investigate. Even if the Empress Dowager is so clean, it's impossible for her to kill everyone. I believe that with Your Highness's methods, you can definitely get some information out of the people around her."
The Prince of Yu remained silent for a moment before asking, "What do you want?"
Yu Jin's eyes lit up, and she said impatiently, "I want Song Xi to live, I want him to be my man."
Prince Yu scrutinized her and said coldly, "You are my woman, yet you dare to mention other men in front of me?"
"So what? You didn't keep your chastity for me, so why should I keep mine?" Yu Jin sneered. "Don't try to use your old 'three obediences and four virtues' on me. There's no man in this world I can't have if I want him."
Prince Yu's eyes were slightly red as he stared at her with ill intent: "Fine, you stay here quietly for now, and I will give him to you after I have accomplished my mission."
“I can’t wait that long, I have to hurry!” Tulip said.
The Prince of Yu stood up: "I agree."
He instructed Xu Shan to guard the door to ensure that Yu Jin wouldn't run out halfway before going to the main hall to see Yuan Chongjing and Shang Jin.
Yuan Chongjing had intended to use the identities of these assassins to accuse the Fifth Prince of harming court officials before the Emperor. Unfortunately, after Shang Jin investigated, all the assassins had been silenced. It was unclear whether Song Hezhou genuinely didn't know or did it intentionally.
Upon hearing their words, the Prince of Yu said, "Besides the three of us, who else would know that there were no survivors?"
Shang Jin said, "No, none of the brothers know. I checked it myself."
Yuan Chongjing saw through Prince Yu's thoughts: "Perhaps we can spread a message that there are survivors. If the Fifth Prince really orchestrated this, he will definitely send people to rescue them or silence them. Once their people arrive, it won't just be about harming court officials anymore."
Instead, they plotted to murder the current emperor's son.
Prince Yu pondered his words and asked, "Was it Song Hezhou who rescued you? What did he say?"
Yuan Chongjing said, "It is said that he met him by chance. He was originally going to the military camp in the west of the city. By the way, he made an appointment with the Eighth Prince. Your Highness can ask the Eighth Prince indirectly."
Prince Yu nodded: "Regardless of whether the Fifth Prince did it or not, it must have been the Fifth Prince. Chongjing, when you go back, find Song Hezhou and try to get him to submit a memorial to the Emperor, mentioning this matter. Although we have people in the capital regarding security, the attitude of the Governor of the Capital is still unclear. We can take this opportunity to test his attitude."
“Alright,” Yuan Chongjing said, “but the Song family has always remained neutral in Songhe Prefecture, and I’m afraid they won’t listen to us.”
Prince Yu said, "That's true. The Song family has a secret heir in the palace."
Yuan Chongjing and Shang Jin were somewhat surprised. They exchanged a glance, and Shang Jin asked, "What do you mean by that, Your Highness?"
Prince Yu made no attempt to hide it from them: "The sixth princess in the palace is actually a man."
Shang Jin gaped in shock: "So that's how it is! No wonder the Sixth Princess rarely sees outsiders, and never even attends the palace's New Year's banquets. I've heard that the Sixth Princess is always in a wheelchair and wears a veil over her face; it turns out she's hiding all that. Your Highness, why does the Sixth Princess do this? Could it be that the Song family instructed her to save his life?"
Prince Yu shook his head: "Their purpose is still unclear."
Shang Jin hadn't reacted yet: "Your Highness, if a 'Sixth Prince' really appears in the palace, he would be a formidable enemy for us. Why don't I go into the palace and kill him before His Majesty discovers his identity?"
It's important to know that behind this "Sixth Prince" are the Empress Dowager and the Song family. Given the current Emperor's attitude towards the Empress Dowager, he probably won't face any punishment even if his cross-dressing is exposed.
Prince Yu raised his hand to signal Shang Jin to stop talking: "It is still unclear whether they are enemies or friends, so we cannot eliminate them rashly."
Shang Jin asked anxiously, "When will we have to wait?"
Prince Yu glanced at him and said, "Go and see if Minister Zuo and Minister Yang have arrived. I will discuss this matter with them again."
Seeing that Shang Jin was about to persuade him again, Yuan Chongjing stood up and said before him, "Then Your Highness, I shall take my leave."
The Prince of Yu nodded, signaling them to go out together.
Shang Jin, somewhat helpless, helped Yuan Chongjing, who was limping, out the door: "Lord Yuan, why won't you let me continue?"
Yuan Chongjing said, "Didn't you realize that His Highness has his own ideas? This matter is of great importance, concerning the Empress Dowager and the entire Song family. Do you think you can just kill someone with a flick of your wrist?"
Shang Jin was somewhat unconvinced. He was slow-witted, and His Highness had said more than once that he was straightforward. In terms of cunning and strategy, he couldn't compare to Yuan Chongjing. He was a little dejected: "Alright then, let's see what His Highness and the others have to say later."
He escorted Yuan Chongjing to the outside of the courtyard, watched as Beihai led him into the carriage, and then turned back into the courtyard.
Having rested for so long, Bei Hai felt he was fully recovered. After letting the driver leave, he returned to the carriage shaft and prepared to drive away.
As the carriage started moving, Yuan Chongjing was certain he heard voices coming from the courtyard. They were shouting: Madam Yu had drugged Xu Shan and run away.
Tulip ran away.
Yuan Chongjing looked at Li Yang, who was pouring water with her head down, and asked, "Did you hear something?"
Li Yang shook her head and handed him the water glass: "Drink some water first. We'll have a doctor come and check your wound when we get back to the manor; you look so pale."
Yuan Chongjing took the water and drank it all in one gulp. Listening to Bei Hai driving the car outside, he leaned closer to Li Yang and whispered, "Your Highness already knows that Song Xi is a man."
Li Yang's heart skipped a beat: "Did Yu Jin say that?"
Yuan Chongjing said, "It should be. She did this because she wanted His Highness to do something for her, but His Highness is worried about the Empress Dowager and the Song family and hasn't made a decision yet. I just heard that Yu Jin has already run away. I wonder if His Highness's men can catch her."
The thing Yu Jin wants Prince Yu to do for her must be related to Song Xi. Prince Yu is still hesitant, and if Yu Jin is impatient, she'll definitely turn to someone else. The Third Prince is currently imprisoned and has no hope of being released anytime soon. The Eighth Prince doesn't concern himself with these matters, so the only person Yu Jin can turn to is the Fifth Prince.
If she joins forces with the Fifth Prince, then Song Xi will be in danger.
Li Yang said, "Once we get back to the manor, I'll use the excuse of checking your injuries to go find him."
"good."
After settling Yuan Chongjing in, Li Yang turned and left the mansion, heading directly to Song Xi's residence. She was filled with unease the whole way. Song Xi had just been injured in the palace, and the Empress Dowager had been drugged. There had only been two or three hours between then; surely he wouldn't leave the palace again?
Li Yang was somewhat surprised when she heard Xiao Han say that Song Xi was there. However, she didn't have time to think about why Song Xi had left the palace. She told Song Xi everything Yuan Chongjing had said: "In case Yu Jin and the Fifth Prince conspire to report you to the Emperor, Song Xi, you need to think of a way to deal with it beforehand. Or how about this, you should leave and leave the capital. Anyway, you used to travel and study every year."
Song Xi remained calm: "The Empress Dowager is in the palace. How far can I go? It's alright. She already had a plan when she decided to make me the Sixth Princess. But you're right, it's better to get things done sooner rather than later. I need to get back to the palace immediately. Yangyang, you go back first. I won't see you off today."
Li Yang was still somewhat worried. If the Emperor only found out about Song Xi's identity, that would be fine. But what if the Emperor also discovered that Song Xi was not his son, but rather the son of the Empress Dowager and an outsider? Would the consequences be even more serious?
“It’s alright,” Song Xi bent down, put his hands on her shoulders, and looked into her eyes. “Who am I? I am the Divine Healer and Ghost Hand. As long as I don’t want to, even the King of Hell can’t take my life, right? So don’t worry, I will be fine.”
He still had gauze hanging over the wound at the corner of his mouth, and to bandage it, he used a long strip of burlap to wrap around his ear, almost covering half of his chin.
This appearance is quite comical and has nothing to do with his former beauty.
Li Yang blinked, holding back the tears welling up in her eyes.
Song Xi sighed, reached out and hugged her, gently patting her shoulders and back: "It's alright, don't worry. When you go out later, go straight back to the Yuan family and stay by Yuan Chongjing's side. He will protect you. I'll come to visit you next time I leave the palace."
Li Yang rested her chin on his shoulder, nodded, and said in a tearful voice, "Okay."
Song Xi let go of her and wiped away her tears: "I'll have Xiao Han take you back. Remember, don't come to this courtyard again until I find you."
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