Ji Xinhe listened to Ling Feng’s report, for a moment entranced, almost thinking that this person was not the Duan Lan she had once known. That aloof and arrogant man, who presently could spend a day and a night kneeling outside the Golden Throne Hall just for an escape route. The man, who was almost inflexible, always straightforward, had begun to be calculating and scheming.
Her face turned a bit stern. She felt that she might have to start getting to know this opponent anew.
"So Duan Lan has resigned?" Ji Xinhe asked.
"If nothing unexpected happens, he’s likely to be reinstated soon." Mu Houchu’s voice was gloomy, "I have to admit, Duan Lan is now quite aware of the emperor’s mind. If he can get out of this incident unscathed, it would indeed showcase his ability."
Xinhe slightly furrowed her brows, apparently worrying, "If he can really dodge this bullet by figuring out the Emperor’s intentions, I’m afraid there will be more troubles in the future."
Mu Houchu squeezed her palm, "Even if he can escape this time, he would have to lay low for quite some time. He wouldn’t dare to disobey the command. Don’t worry, even if we can’t pull him down completely this time, it will be enough for him to suffer. We will have much more time."
What they needed most at the moment was indeed time.
When Mu Houchu initially arrived in Yu State, he was already in a vulnerable position. If there were still constant threats from the capital, it would be a thorny situation inside and out. As for Ji Xinhe, who wanted to develop the economy of Yu State, it was in its initial stages. They needed plenty of time to prepare for this tough battle.
Xinhe felt relieved at this point and nodded, "Good."
"In this matter, the Song Family has been a great help. After a long period of detailed investigation, I’ve found nothing unusual in the Song family, at least the main branch of the Song Family, they could be trusted to some extent."
If Mu Houchu said he could trust them, it’s likely that he had thoroughly investigated the entire lineage of the Song Family.
"So who’s in charge of negotiating with us on the Song family’s side?" Xinhe asked.
Everyone in the main branch of the Song Family was far away in the capital city, which made it seem quite inconvenient. The second and third branches had a facade of harmony, but they couldn’t be trusted. Xinhe guessed that Patriarch Song quietly sent a trusted subordinate from the capital city.
However, Mu Houchu simply smiled and said, "Young Master from the Song family, Song Xi."
Xinhe widened her eyes, "That six-year-old kid?!"
"Don’t underestimate that child," Mu Houchu said, "I find him rather exceptional. He is older beyond his age and can definitely make things happen compared to ordinary kids. Plus, he’s ’seriously injured’ and convalescing in Yu State. It’s rumored that he won’t return to the capital within the next three years, so he’s specifically here to negotiate and collaborate with us."
Xinhe frowned, somewhat puzzled, "Can a six-year-old kid understand so much?"
Mu Houchu patted her head, "Never underestimate the kids of today. The six-year-olds understand so much, who knows what thoughts the eleven-year-olds have in mind."
As he spoke, Mu Houchu’s tone became chilly, clearly implying something.
Ji Xinhe knew who he was referring to, and she quickly retorted irritably, "Why do you always dislike that little guy, Chaihuo? He’s always been well-behaved and understanding, where did he offend you?"
Mu Houchu pinched her face, "You seem very protective of him."
Xinhe slapped his hand away, "I can discern who’s loyal to me and who’s pretending. Stop being so wary of him. The kid is a little deep, but at least he’s loyal to me."
Mu Houchu naturally understood, but he just couldn’t tolerate him for some inexplicable reason!
"Let it pass. We will talk about this later. Although we are currently allied with the Song family, we can’t fully trust them yet, especially the second and third branches, you should still be careful." Mu Houchu advised.
Xinhe nodded, "I understand."
——
Prefecture City, the Song family.
The Song family was extraordinarily chaotic today. Ever since Madam Song from the second branch returned with a group of daughters from the Song family, the place had been in an uproar.
"Kneel down!" As soon as Madam Song from the second branch came back, she took Song Ya Lan directly to the ancestral hall and intended to seek family laws.
Song Ya Lan’s face was full of defiance, but she didn’t dare to resist. She had to reluctantly kneel.
Madam Song from the second branch shouted, "You’ve done such a disgrace, now the whole town of Yu State knows about what you’ve done, isn’t it a mistake!"
"I, I, I... know my mistake." Song Ya Lan said, all the while looking out the door, hoping for the arrival of the third madam, otherwise she really was in for some bad luck.
Madam Song from the second branch coldly remarked, "You still have some self-respect. From yesterday when you rudely spoke to Lady Mu to today when you publicly lied and maliciously spread rumors, I have come to know you, Song Ya Lan, anew. It’s surprising that the Song family could raise a daughter like you."
Song Ya Lan turned paler and paler as she knelt there without uttering a word, only now did she realize the huge mess she had unwittingly gotten herself into.
"We don’t need to seek family law, bring forth the people! Send fifth miss directly to the family temple and confine her for three years. Have her copy the rules for women several hundred times. When her heart has calmed down, she can consider returning to the mansion." Madam Song from the second branch said coldly.
Song Ya Lan was frightened to death, "No!"
At this point, Madam Song from the third branch stormed in, complaining, "What are you doing? What did my Lan Lan do wrong that you have to be so harsh? Aren’t you afraid that outsiders will point fingers at you?"
Madam Song from the second branch, as if she had anticipated it, immediately asked her maid to detail out Song Ya Lan’s offenses.
Madam Song from the second branch’s face turned red and then white as she heard the explanation, she inwardly cursed her incompetent daughter while still managing to force a smile, "Second Sister-in-law, you can’t just look at the issue this way. Look at what happened at the Sun Family. Many people, more or less, think that you are forcing Lan Lan to jump into the lake. They think you are forcing her to go to the family temple because she doesn’t fit in. Now, as soon as you return, you directly send her to the family temple, won’t you just be fulfilling other people’s expectations?"
Madam Song from the second branch’s face looked uglier. Third Madam was indeed threatening her!
Outraged, Madam Song from the second branch was about to order her to be sent away when Song Yalin grabbed her arm and said in a deep voice, "Mother, calm down. Since the fifth sister has the intention to repent, give her another chance. Such a big commotion would also make you lose face."
Then, an old woman came in, "The order of the Grand Elder is that since the fifth miss has committed a huge mistake, she should be confined in the family ancestral hall. There’s no need to send her to the family temple, Madam Song should think thrice before acting. Don’t be impulsive."
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