Song's father's legs began to tremble. This was the reckoning that had come. He had been uneasy about the secret switching of the two girls, but seeing that the emperor did not intend to pursue the matter, he had relaxed. He did not expect to be here waiting for him.
He dared not reply, fearing that the emperor would use this as an excuse to rage and implicate the Song family.
"I heard that the Crown Princess returned to her parents' home yesterday." The Emperor then changed the subject: "But the Crown Consort did not return."
Mr. Song was drenched in cold sweat, and his fingers trembled uncontrollably.
"Enough, these are all your family matters, but the affairs of state cannot be neglected!" The emperor's authority was natural, and Song's father forced a smile that was more like a grimace: "Your subject will do his utmost to share Your Majesty's burdens."
Xie Qianzhong spoke up at the opportune moment: "Mo Zhou is high in the mountains and far away, making the journey inconvenient..."
Upon hearing his words, hope returned to Song's father's face, which had been resigned to his fate. Could it be that Lord Xie wanted to speak up for him?
"Why don't you ask Lord Song to bring your wife along? That way, the two of you will have company on the journey!" These words sent a chill down Song's spine in the sweltering summer heat.
Mr. Song was dejected. If he and his wife were transferred away, the Song family would truly be isolated and helpless in the capital. What would Ali do then?
"That's fine too," the emperor nodded in approval.
Song's father stared blankly into the distance, his mind filled with a sense of impending doom.
"My dear minister, are you planning to defy the imperial decree?" Seeing that Song's father did not answer, the emperor spoke slowly and deliberately, as if there was room for discussion as usual, but his words were full of brooking no refusal.
Song's father dared not disobey the emperor and could only stammer, "Your subject obeys the decree."
He looked at Xie Qianzhong, who was indifferent to the matter, with hatred in his eyes. Xie Qianzhong had long disliked him as well.
After he agreed, the emperor softened his cold expression and said, "You shall temporarily hand over the affairs at hand to the Left Chancellor."
Mr. Song had no choice but to grit his teeth and say, "Yes."
As he stepped out the door, Song's father turned back reluctantly. Xie Qianzhong, who was looking out the door, raised an eyebrow at him with a defiant and nonchalant air.
Unfortunately, Song's father had no power or influence and could only grit his teeth and endure it.
Upon returning to the Song residence, Song's father was absent-minded, walking as if he were a wandering soul. Song's mother was greatly alarmed and dismissed the servants before asking him what had happened.
"His Majesty has ordered me to go to Mozhou to oversee water conservancy construction." Song Fu took a sip of tea, but couldn't taste anything in his mouth.
"What!" Madam Song raised her voice and stood up, then sat down again after looking at the figures outside, saying softly, "Why would His Majesty send you to that desolate land of Mo Zhou for no reason?"
“Ali’s actions have angered His Majesty, and this is His Majesty’s punishment.” Father Song dejectedly took off his hat, and couldn’t help but doubt whether his move was right or wrong.
Even though Song Tangli is closer to them on a regular basis, isn't it a bit of a loss to offend His Majesty for her sake?
Mother Song also sighed softly, noticing Father Song's regret, and comforted him: "What's done is done, there's no point in thinking too much. At least we still have the Crown Princess's daughter. Let her pull some strings, and maybe you can come back sooner. I'll also make more connections in the capital."
"You must go too," Song's father said. "His Majesty wants you to go with him."
Madam Song opened her mouth slightly: "Why would His Majesty suddenly launch such an attack?"
"Yesterday was the homecoming gift, so it seems His Majesty was holding back these past few days." Song's father vaguely sensed His Majesty's meaning, but Song's mother couldn't accept such a discrepancy.
The two looked at each other in silence.
A sense of regret welled up in their hearts without prior arrangement.
Song Tangxue was kept by the Empress Dowager until the sun was half setting before she stepped out of the Empress Dowager's palace. Granny Geng chased after her, saying, "By order of the Empress Dowager, this servant will escort you to the palace gate."
Song Tangxue bowed to thank her and walked slowly with Cui Xi among the tall red walls, appearing so small. Cui Yi had already returned to the Crown Prince's residence.
Upon arriving at the front hall, they bumped into Xie Qianzhong, who had just come out of the Imperial Study. The two nodded slightly, mindful of Granny Geng, and understood each other without saying a word.
"The Crown Princess is also leaving the palace?" Xie Qianzhong asked.
Song Tangxue nodded: "What a coincidence."
"Yes." Xie Qianzhong sighed deeply. The two were far apart, and the setting sun stretched their shadows long, overlapping at the ends.
She walked silently to the palace gate, bowed and took her leave. The setting sun swallowed her figure, making her seem like a microcosm of countless palace servants.
Once outside the palace gates, Xie Qianzhong pulled Song Tangxue into a deserted alley, pinned her against the wall, and kissed her. Song Tangxue pushed him away slightly, but then stopped moving.
"Your father has been punished and sent to Mo Zhou." Xie Qianzhong's tone was quite pleasant, his chest vibrating with his low laughter. Song Tangxue, trapped in front of him, blushed slightly: "Lord Xie, is this for the public good or for personal reasons?"
When she spoke to him, Song Tangxue's voice was always unconsciously soft and sweet, and the smile at the corner of her eyes affected Xie Qianzhong.
"Which type do you think I am?" Xie Qianzhong asked Song Tangxue, his eyes smiling.
"Lord Xie is clear about separating public and private matters, so it's naturally for official business. With the Right Chancellor gone, the power in his hands will definitely be reshuffled, and Lord Xie will be able to reap a lot of benefits from it," Song Tangxue said mischievously.
"Then you're wrong. I'm the kind of person who doesn't distinguish between public and private matters." Compared to when they first met, Xie Qianzhong had become much more down-to-earth. It was as if she had truly pulled Xie Qianzhong into the mundane world, and she was the one who dragged him down.
It's strangely fulfilling.
When Song Tangxue returned to the Crown Prince's residence, the Crown Prince was waiting at the door with a dark face. Upon seeing Song Tangxue, his face turned as cold as if he had emerged from ice.
Having seen this expression of his many times, Song Tangxue knew that Song Tangli had once again spoken to him in a negative way. Although Li Zhaoxian had recently disliked Song Tangli, their decades-long relationship made him stand by Song Tangli's side without hesitation.
Song Tangxue was not intimidated by any of this. She casually entered the room, and the guards on both sides immediately closed the door, blocking the view from the outside.
"What are your orders, Your Highness?" Song Tangxue asked calmly, unaffected by Li Zhaoxian's attitude, standing before him with a faint smile.
"You still have the nerve to ask?" Li Zhaoxian was almost laughing in anger: "It seems you haven't taken my words to heart at all!"
"His Highness the Crown Prince has said too much. My memory is poor, and there's nothing I can do about it." It's all nonsense anyway; remembering it would be a waste of time. Why bother?
Song Tangxue's indifference completely enraged Li Zhaoxian: "Song Tangxue, are you still unrepentant? Ali is your sister! An elder sister is like a mother. Ali came to the palace with you and fainted from heatstroke. Is this your attitude?"
Song Tangxue found it amusing and unconsciously burst out laughing, which drew Li Zhaoxian's attention. The anger in Li Zhaoxian's eyes grew even stronger: "You can still laugh? Do you have no heart at all!"
"Your Majesty, I just think you are really useless. May I ask, Your Majesty, was it I who made you kneel before the Crown Princess?" Song Tangxue said leisurely, making Li Zhaoxian seem particularly stupid in her anger.
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