Chapter 81 Discussing Countermeasures
Song Yiqiu listened quietly, memorizing each clue and quickly combining and analyzing them in her mind.
After listening, I had a general idea of what direction to take in the investigation.
Xiao Yongjing glanced at the sky outside the window, which was gradually turning white, and reminded him:
"General Song, it's getting late, it's time to leave."
Song Yiqiu nodded, took one last look at Wang Feiran and Wang Rusu, exchanged pleasantries, and then left with Xiao Yongjing.
As we emerged from the dark prison, the sky was just beginning to lighten.
Xiao Yongjing turned his head to look at Song Yiqiu:
"General Song, after listening to what these people have to say, what are your thoughts?"
Song Yiqiu pondered for a moment, then sighed:
"This case has many loopholes and is obviously a hasty frame-up. The other party took advantage of Wang Shilang's position in charge of some military affairs, forged letters, and may even have tampered with military equipment records, in an attempt to solidify his crime of colluding with the enemy."
"But a forgery is still a forgery. The ink marks, the penmanship habits, and the sudden appearance of the minor official are all breakthroughs."
Her expression was solemn:
"However, this case was personally decided by His Majesty and involves the serious crime of treason. If we rashly report the doubts through the regular channels, we are very likely to be falsely accused and labeled as accomplices. Not only will we fail to save the person, but we will also be in danger ourselves."
"We can't confront him head-on; we must let His Majesty discover the suspicious points himself. So, Your Highness, what we need to do is not to prove how innocent Minister Wang is, but to prove how corrupt the people who accused him are. This is the most ingenious way to overturn a case."
Xiao Yongjing nodded, a hint of admiration flashing in his eyes.
"The best approach is to avoid falling into the self-justification trap, and the most opportune time right now is..."
He spoke almost simultaneously with Song Yiqiu:
"Autumn hunt".
"Autumn hunt".
Xiao Yongjing looked at Song Yiqiu with a complex smile on his face:
"Song Yiqiu, I knew I hadn't misjudged you."
...
At the fork in the road, after Xiao Yongjing and Mo Yu left first, Bai Mei spoke with concern:
“Miss, do you really believe in the Crown Prince? People say he is treacherous, cunning, and a wolf in sheep's clothing. I always feel something is off about him.”
Song Yiqiu gazed thoughtfully in the direction where Xiao Yongjing had disappeared.
"Bai Mei, you must remember that in this vortex of power, no one will protect a worthless person without reason. Cooperation between people is essentially an exchange of equal value."
"The Crown Prince is not simply helping me; he is testing me to see if I have any value to him. A useless pawn will only be discarded."
"So... it's not that I chose to cooperate with him, but that I had to pass his test to prove that I was qualified to stand on the chessboard, rather than become a pawn."
Bai Mei stomped her foot in anger:
"But he is the Crown Prince after all! If even he finds it difficult to do, why should you, Miss, take the risk? It's outrageous!"
Song Yiqiu, however, had calmed down:
"Let's go back first. Qingzhu must be getting impatient."
Inside the main courtyard, Qingzhu was pacing anxiously. Upon seeing them return safely, she burst into tears of joy.
"Miss! Sister Bai Mei! You're finally back! I was just about to go find Miss Ruan as instructed!"
Bai Mei proudly raised her chin:
"With me here, who can harm Miss in the slightest?"
Qingzhu burst into laughter through her tears, then her expression turned serious:
“Miss, Aunt Yun came by after you left.”
Bai Mei didn't take it to heart.
"Aunt Yun? What's she doing here? Did Miss Ruoling send over a new handkerchief she embroidered again?"
Qingzhu nodded and took out a pink silk handkerchief from her bosom, embroidered with an exquisite peony pattern:
“That’s right. She said it was recently embroidered by Miss Ruoling and was specially sent to you. Miss Ruoling’s intentions are certainly good, but…”
She hesitated, as if she wanted to say something but then stopped.
“I have a vague feeling that Miss Ruoling has been getting a little closer to the Second Miss lately. I’m afraid of this handkerchief…”
Song Yiqiu took the handkerchief, and without making a sound, brought it close to her nose and took a light sniff. A very faint scent of hibiscus flower perfume lingered on it, which was Song Sangyu's most frequently used perfume.
She nodded, seemingly lost in thought:
"I see."
She casually placed the handkerchief on the table and looked in the direction of Lianqingyuan. It seemed that not only was she busy, but Song Sangyu was also busy.
The next day, in the garden of the Song family mansion.
As usual, Song Sangyu set out tea and refreshments in the pavilion and invited Ruan Jiawen and He Jianren.
Unlike before, this time she specifically asked someone to invite Song Ruoling.
When Song Ruoling received the invitation, she was flattered and overwhelmed.
Such gatherings among legitimate daughters were never relevant to her, an insignificant illegitimate daughter.
She dressed up carefully and came nervously, thinking that Song Sangyu had finally acknowledged her as her older sister, just like Song Yiqiu had.
Even when they arrived at the pavilion, her three younger sisters were all sitting while she, the older sister, stood by their side. She was still happy, as this was the first time she had been included in such a circle.
Ruan Jiawen took a sip of tea and, feigning concern, brought up the matter:
"Sister Sangyu, I heard that Brother Tianhan has been..."
Song Sangyu waved her hand impatiently, interrupting her:
"Sigh, don't even mention it. He always messes up at crucial moments! The autumn hunt is in three days. With that injury on his back, he probably won't be able to even crawl by then. He definitely won't be able to go."
"What?!"
Ruan Jiawen raised her voice in surprise, her face revealing undisguised disappointment.
"Then...what about the Third Young Master? Shouldn't he go?"
Her favorite was her third brother, Song Haochu, who was handsome and talented.
Song Sangyu glanced at her, knowing what she was thinking, and casually said:
"Third brother? He'll probably go. Anyway, you're going to marry into the Song family eventually. I have four older brothers, so it doesn't matter who you marry, right?"
She spoke so casually, as if Ruan Jiawen were a commodity that could be freely mixed and matched.
He Jianren, standing to the side, couldn't help but roll his eyes and complained:
"If you ask me, Jiawen, you should also consider her second brother! I'm really annoyed by him lately. He invites me over to admire the flowers every few days, but every time I'm halfway through, he just disappears without a trace, I don't know where he's gone!"
Upon hearing this, Ruan Jiawen was consumed by jealousy. She twisted the handkerchief in her hand and said sourly:
"Is Sister He showing off to me?"
She felt contempt for her second brother, Song Wenbin, whose fat head and big ears made him look just like a pig in a pen! Her fourth brother, Song Yutang, was even more cunning and had a mean-spirited look on his face.
Only her eldest brother, Song Tianhan, had some of the heroic spirit of a military general, while her third brother, Song Haochu, was gentle and refined, and could catch her eye.
He Jianren was speechless at Ruan Jiawen's inexplicable jealousy and simply rolled his eyes at her even more.
"You like it? You can have it! I'd be more than happy to!"
"Enough!" Song Sangyu slammed her teacup down, splashing water onto the table, her expression displeased.
"Are you here today to discuss countermeasures, or to chat about these pointless gossips? I've called you here for serious business!"
He Jianren forced a helpless, bitter smile:
"Aren't we just trying to help you solve your problems?"
Ruan Jiawen quickly echoed:
"That's right! Sangyu, calm down."
She glanced at Song Ruoling, who was standing there silently to the side, and asked curiously:
"But... why did you bring this little idiot along? Aren't you afraid she'll eavesdrop and then tell that little bitch Song Yiqiu?"
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