072 The Truth
Li Yang's first thought was that Yuan Chongjing was joking. She said incredulously, "What are you talking about?"
The fire at Shou'an Palace had just passed, and Song Xi and Madam Zhao had escaped the palace using the fire as a means of survival. How could something like this have happened in their residence just a few days later?
Yuan Chongjing said very seriously, "It's true. The place has been burned down to the point that even the roof beams are gone."
Seeing the seriousness in his eyes, Li Yang knew he wasn't joking, and quickly asked, "Where is Song Xi, and Madam Zhao and Xiao Han? Where are they?"
Yuan Chongjing said, "Don't worry, they're fine. They've been moved to a safe place."
Li Yang breathed a sigh of relief. "How could a fire suddenly break out? Brother Jing, I think there's something fishy about this."
Yuan Chongjing's eyes flickered, avoiding Li Yang's gaze.
Remembering that he wasn't there when she woke up twice last night, Li Yang couldn't help but ask, "Brother Jing, about this..."
It can't be related to you, can it?
“Of course I didn’t do it,” Yuan Chongjing immediately explained.
Although Li Yang believed him, she still asked the question that was on her mind: "I woke up twice last night, and you weren't in the room either time."
Yuan Chongjing was surprised that she woke up and said, "I felt something was wrong when I went to sleep last night, so I went out to check and found that someone was watching our room. Later, I got rid of him and went to Song Xi's residence. I saw a figure that looked like he was pouring kerosene, so I went to inform Song Xi."
"What is the relationship between this Song Xi and Prince Yu?" Li Yang asked. There was no direct conflict of interest between Prince Yu and Song Xi.
Yuan Chongjing said, "That's what I'm wondering about too. Yesterday, His Highness went to so much trouble to keep us here and even suggested adopting Xiao Taozi as his goddaughter. His purpose was to divert our attention. Do you remember? Yesterday, he repeatedly mentioned the Princess Consort of Yu. I think Song Xi is probably related to the death of the Princess Consort of Yu back then."
Li Yang lowered her eyes. She had long known that the Fifth Prince, such a cunning person, would not leave the capital so easily. Before he left, he would definitely try every means to stir up trouble in the capital, which would be beneficial to his later rebellion.
Now it seems that if Prince Yu really did what Song Xi did, then he must have learned something from the Fifth Prince. For example, Song Xi is the one who orchestrated the natural disaster five years ago and caused the death of Princess Yu.
The Fifth Prince's actions were intended to sow discord between Prince Yu and the Song family. After all, with Song Xi and Madam Zhao in trouble, the Song family would no longer easily cooperate with Prince Yu.
His Highness Prince Yu could not possibly give up the opportunity to cooperate with the Song family. Last night's fire was just a way to vent his anger, which is why he allowed Song Xi and Madam Zhao to escape from the fire.
As for the Song family, Song Xi quickly realized what was going on, so even if the Song family was very protective of their own, they wouldn't go to the Prince of Yu about this matter.
Yuan Chongjing also thought of this: "I sent someone to check this morning, and the Song family was completely calm and there was nothing unusual. Given Lord Song's protective nature, it's impossible that he would remain inactive after Madam Zhao and Song Xidu's incident, even though they have already sided with Prince Yu. Unless, the Song family is in the wrong in this matter."
Li Yang tugged at his sleeve and said, "Back then, when His Highness traveled, you secretly escorted him, didn't you? Princess Yu was troublesome on the road and died after giving birth to Xiao Taozi."
This was something Yuan Chongjing experienced firsthand. He said, "Yes, we encountered a natural disaster on the way."
“That wasn’t a natural disaster; it was designed by Song Xi based on the weather and terrain at the time,” Li Yang said.
Yuan Chongjing opened his eyes in shock, and he immediately understood the key point: "How could he... He didn't have any connections with His Highness either... He's in cahoots with the Fifth Prince?"
Li Yang nodded: "Not really, he was threatened by the Fifth Prince."
Regardless of whether he was threatened or not, he was the main cause of Princess Yu's death. Yuan Chongjing said, "In that case, you and Xiao Taozi should not have any more contact with Song Xi openly in the future. It just so happens that Song Xi has now 'disappeared'."
"Okay," Li Yang replied, but she was still a little worried: "Is he, Madam Zhao, and Xiao Han still in the capital? Will His Highness send someone to assassinate them?"
Yuan Chongjing also had this concern: "I will find time to secretly meet with Song Xi today. In any case, let's get them to leave this place first."
Not long after he finished speaking with Li Yang, he quietly slipped out of the back door, avoiding everyone in the mansion.
Song Xi owned many residences in the capital, ranging from grand courtyards with high walls to dilapidated thatched huts, scattered throughout the city. The three of them were temporarily staying at a poor farmer's house. Fortunately, the facilities were fairly complete, except for a lack of medicinal herbs for treating burns. Madam Zhao, in trying to save Song Xi, had been struck on the back by a falling beam, sustaining burns to half of her back.
When Yuan Chongjing arrived, Song Xi had just finished applying medicine to Madam Zhao and was washing his hands in the courtyard. Yuan Chongjing asked, "How is Madam Zhao?"
Song Xi said, "He took the sedative and has already fallen asleep."
Before Yuan Chongjing arrived, he had already inquired about the matter: "This matter has been handed over to Song Hezhou. He found a woman's corpse in your courtyard. The coroner confirmed that she was killed first and then burned."
After failing to find Yu Jin, Song Xi suspected that she was in grave danger. He said, "It should be Yu Jin."
He paused for a moment, then said with some regret, "Yu Jin is already pregnant with his child, why... Never mind, it's all my fault, and I should pay for it. My mother's trip was just to help me pay off this debt. Uncle Song came this morning, and I told him everything. He said he would communicate with Prince Yu. We should leave the capital as soon as possible; there shouldn't be any more danger."
Since the incident last night, he had already guessed the whole story and knew the purpose of Prince Yu's actions. When Lord Song came over, he told him his thoughts and decisions.
“Oh, right,” Song Xi took three paper packets from the shelf next to her, tied them with hemp rope and handed them to him: “This is the medicine I prepared for Yangyang. As long as she takes it on time, she should be fully recovered in five or six days.”
Yuan Chongjing accepted the medicine: "Thank you. If you need anything, please have someone come to us anytime."
"good."
***
With the medicine in hand, Yuan Chongjing took a long detour back to the back gate of the Yuan residence.
Li Yang was waiting for him in the courtyard. When he returned, she couldn't wait to ask, "Brother Jing, how's Song Xi doing?"
Yuan Chongjing said, "Song Xi and Xiao Han are alright, but Madam Zhao was hit on the back and suffered a minor injury. As for Yu Jin... she couldn't escape."
Li Yang felt a little sad.
Seeing the invitation on the table out of the corner of his eye, Yuan Chongjing changed the subject: "What's this? The Duke of Zhongyong's Mansion... Is it your aunt who invited you?"
Li Yang nodded: "I don't really want to go." Putting aside Zhao Qiu'er, just the thought of Zhao Chi coming made her not want to have anything to do with the Duke of Zhongyong's mansion anymore. But after all, it was her aunt's invitation.
Moreover, she had a vague suspicion that her aunt's actions were probably because the Duke of Zhongyong's mansion had already discovered the affair between Zhao Chilai and Jinghe.
“Go ahead,” Yuan Chongjing said, reaching out to smooth her slightly disheveled hair. “So much has happened lately, you should go and clear your head. Besides, some things are unavoidable.”
Li Yang knew that Jinghe's matter had to be resolved sooner or later. If it dragged on any longer, it would likely involve even more people.
Following the time on the invitation, she and Jinghe boarded the carriage to the Duke of Zhongyong's residence.
At first, Jinghe didn't notice anything amiss, only thinking that she would see Zhao Chi when she arrived at the Duke of Zhongyong's residence. She happily lifted the carriage curtain, looking at the crowds coming and going on both sides of the street, constantly thinking about what she should say when she saw him.
Until she inadvertently turned around and saw Li Yang looking at her with a meaningful gaze.
Jinghe immediately lowered her head: "Young Madam, why are you looking at me like that?"
Li Yang said, "You and Zhao Chilai, Jinghe, tell me carefully, what exactly are you thinking?"
Jinghe's face immediately turned red. She fidgeted with her fingers and pursed her lips shyly: "I, I don't know either. I just think that Young Master Zhao is a very good person. He is gentle and knowledgeable, has literary talent and patience, and will inherit the title in the future. He is an extraordinary person."
"And what about you?" Li Yang asked.
Jinghe didn't understand what she said and looked a little confused: "Huh?"
Li Yang repeated, "And what about you? Zhao Chilai is such an outstanding person, so what do you have to offer that makes you worthy of him?"
Jinghe had never thought about this question before, and she was somewhat at a loss: "Me?"
“Yes, you.” Li Yang looked directly at her, pointing out a question that Jing He had never thought about, nor dared to think about: “How much difference is there between you and Zhao Chilai? Who will bridge this gap, and how will it be bridged?”
Jinghe's face gradually stiffened. She stammered, somewhat uncertain, and tried to say, "Young Master Zhao said I don't need to worry."
Li Yang stroked her hand and gently squeezed it.
They arrived at the Duke of Zhongyong's residence quickly, but Jinghe hesitated as she approached disembarking from the carriage. Even after Li Yang had disembarked, she remained inside, too afraid to get off.
Li Yang lifted the car curtain and looked at her: "Get out."
Encouragingly, Jinghe dismounted from the carriage.
As soon as the two arrived at the gate of the Duke's mansion, they saw many exquisitely decorated carriages parked nearby. Li Yang realized that this was indeed a trap.
The steward of the Duke of Zhongyong's mansion immediately stepped forward and warmly welcomed the two inside.
Upon entering the gate and arriving at Qiufeng Courtyard, where the Lady of Zhongyong Duke resided, Li Yang glanced at Jinghe with concern as she listened to the laughter of various women coming from inside. Just as she was about to speak, a woman dressed in an autumn-colored long dress walked out from within.
Upon seeing the two of them, she raised an eyebrow slightly: "Oh, isn't this our Madam Yuan? What, you didn't bring your crybaby today?"
Li Yang smiled and said, "Qiu'er, what are you doing here?"
"Nonsense, this is my home. If I weren't here, would I be living in your Yuan family's house?" Zhao Qiu'er sneered.
She glanced at Jinghe, who was standing behind Li Yang with her head down, and said sarcastically, "I thought you were very pretty. With your looks, there are plenty of women like you in our Zhongyong Duke's Mansion. I don't know how my brother could possibly be interested in you."
Li Yang leaned to the side, blocking Zhao Qiu'er's critical gaze: "I heard you recently got engaged? Which family's young master is he?"
Zhao Qiu'er snorted, her expression slightly awkward: "What's it to you? As long as he's better than your Yuan Chongjing, that's all that matters."
"Of course, your taste has always been better than mine."
Zhao Qiu'er was finally satisfied and stepped aside to let you in: "Alright, come in, the people inside have been waiting for you for a long time."
Her gaze was filled with blatant schadenfreude, which made Li Yang feel somewhat displeased. She frowned and called out, "Zhao Qiu'er!"
Zhao Qiu'er pursed her lips, said nothing, and turned to walk into the courtyard.
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