Chapter 22 I watched him die with my own eyes
Who was Song Shang?
That was someone who, together with the current emperor, overthrew the previous dynasty's corrupt policies, purged the anti-government faction, and held power for over 20 years, second only to the emperor in the court.
The Grand Secretary of Song was also a notorious traitor.
He murdered his father and relatives, plotted against his colleagues, framed royal relatives, was utterly devoid of conscience, and was ruthless...
At a time when many people, even those who didn't know the emperor's name, his name was so obscure that it stopped even infants from crying.
However, there are always some people who don't know this.
"Who is Song Shang? The name sounds familiar."
Niu Tielan murmured the name, her beautiful eyes filled with confusion as she looked at the unusually serious Song Xingzhi, then at her own daughter, hoping for a hint.
"..."
Song Jin, who had thought she was about to uncover a new chapter in her mother's story, sighed and whispered in her ear, "It's that treacherous prime minister."
Niu Tielan suddenly remembered and exclaimed, "Oh, it was him!"
It's no wonder she couldn't remember. Although the Song merchants were being discussed a lot outside, that was only within the county. She mostly stayed in the town and rarely even left home, only occasionally hearing gossip from her daughter—who also used the title of "treacherous minister."
This reminder made Niu Tielan realize the truth, while Song Xingzhi on the other side felt a pang of disappointment.
Don't think he can't hear you just because you're speaking softly.
Song Xingzhi bowed slightly and emphasized the name again: "My father is Song Shang."
Song Shang, did you hear that? His father is this guy. Doesn't he look familiar?
Niu Tielan still looked at her with some doubt. After thinking for a moment, she hesitated and said, "My apologies?"
This guy has quite a powerful background.
Realizing what had happened, she quickly gave Song Jin a meaningful look, asking if she was sure no evidence had been left behind. What if they had dismembered the mother and daughter together?
Song Jin scratches her hair
Okay, she understood.
Song Jin feigned a polite bow, pretending not to know his purpose: "Ahem, hello, hello. I didn't expect you to be the son of Lord Song. It's truly an honor to have such an important person visit our home."
Song Xingzhi was truly heartbroken, but he quickly composed himself and asked again, "I hope Madam will not take offense at my unannounced visit."
Startled, Niu Tielan scooted to the side, avoiding his greeting: "No, no, please sit down, please sit down, please sit down."
Song Xingzhi saw this and felt a lump in his throat, but he smiled and asked, "Please sit down, Madam. I came here because I heard you came from Yun County, and thinking of an old friend, I wanted to ask you about you."
Niu Tielan paused, a hint of unease flashing across her face, and said somewhat reluctantly, "I see. But I rarely go out, and besides my husband, I don't know many outsiders. I'm afraid you'll have made a wasted trip."
"It's nothing, just to put my mind at ease," Song Xingzhi smiled nonchalantly, then his eyes darted around before he said...
"That man happens to be the accountant at your local money exchange. He should be forty-one this year, and his name is Luo Zhuangyi. I had drinks with him before, and he mentioned that his mother was unwell. I was busy at the time and didn't get a chance to visit her, and I still feel a little regretful about it. I wonder if she's better now."
Song Jin's eyebrows twitched as soon as he spoke.
There are too many traps in those words.
She knew beforehand that this person's identity was not simple. Since she had suspicions, she knew he would take action. The mother and daughter could only wait and see, otherwise they couldn't just run away without knowing anything, could they?
As for why she didn't tell Niu Tielan, one reason was that she wasn't sure what Song Xingzhi would do, and the other was that even if she knew they were hopeless, it was better to take it one step at a time than to let her mother worry along with them. If she could fool them, she could fool them; if she really couldn't, she could always run away.
However, investigating behind her back was one thing, but to deceive her mother to her face was quite another. Song Jin frowned and said directly, "This place isn't far from Yun County. It's such a pity that you don't go visit her yourself, but come here to ask. It's clear that your relationship isn't very deep."
Niu Tielan, unsure how to respond, nodded, frowning. "That's exactly right. My health has always been poor, and I rarely leave the house. I'm not very familiar with the outside world, and I've been away for so long. Why don't you go and take a look, sir?"
After saying that, Song Jin closed her eyes.
It's over.
As expected, upon hearing this, Song Xingzhi, who had been speechless because of Song Jin, laughed, waved his fan, and said, "You're right. I'll go and visit him after I finish my business here, however..."
Niu Tielan glanced at her daughter's expression and a sense of unease crept in: "But what?"
Song Xingzhi: "However, Luo Zhuangyi is Song Mingli's sworn brother, and he and Madam have known each other since childhood. How could Madam not know him?"
Niu Tielan froze
Song Xingzhi leisurely drank another cup of water and then chuckled, "Song Mingli and his wife Niu Tielan have known each other since childhood, but her parents disliked her because of her blacksmith family background and the fact that she had caused the deaths of her parents. They were unwilling to let her marry, but their beloved son insisted, so they finally had to agree. After the marriage, the couple were very loving, but unfortunately, they had no children for three years. Their parents then pressured them to take a concubine, so the couple went on a trip under the pretext of studying. Unexpectedly, they encountered bandits, and Song Mingli died on the spot, leaving behind Niu Tielan and the unborn child in her womb."
"Enough!" Song Jin's face turned cold. She patted her mother's shoulder tenderly and glared angrily at Song Xingzhi. "Just say what you have to say. Don't talk nonsense here."
“…Speak more politely,” Song Xingzhi shook his head and sighed. Looking at Niu Tielan’s noticeably paler face, he felt a pang of pity and couldn’t bear to be too harsh on her.
He then said, "Madam, please don't be offended. These days, there are too many things we can't control. I've come not because of your status, but only for Song Jin."
Niu Tielan's small, delicate face quickly paled, and her bright eyes dimmed, but she showed no fear whatsoever. She simply stretched out her hand: "Cuff me. I've lived a long and fulfilling life. Don't let the child suffer; she knows nothing."
Song Xingzhi was taken aback by her reaction.
Qi Zheng, who had been sitting expressionless to the side like a ghost, slightly raised his eyes, glanced at Song Jin who had instantly changed expression while leaning against the table, subtly pressed his hand on the table, and slowly spoke, breaking the stalemate.
He asked, "Madam, may I ask you two questions?"
Niu Tielan turned to look at the person she hadn't paid much attention to before. If it were before, she would have just thought it was a coincidence, but now, Song Xingzhi was the son of the current Grand Secretary, which made her even more respectful. Moreover, his surname was Qi, so his status was self-evident.
She gritted her teeth, gently pulled Song Jin aside to prevent her from acting impulsively, and nodded to her: "Ask away."
Qi Zheng: "Is the death of Song Mingli and his wife related to you?"
Niu Tielan was stunned for a moment, then quickly shook her head: "How could this be? I only regret that I arrived too late, otherwise I could have saved them."
Qi Zheng nodded and then asked, "Did you steal any important assets from the Song family?"
Niu Tielan frowned: "When I left, I took their old, everyday clothes, books, and jewelry with me; they're all in the house."
Qi Zheng's dark eyes softened slightly. He nodded and said, "Although we share the same name, you neither harmed any evildoers nor abused your name for personal gain. You were merely forced into this situation by circumstances. Once you return the items in silver, this matter will be considered insignificant."
He's a grown man who's been around for so many years, he's probably fabricated countless identities. This kind of thing is perfectly normal, nothing special.
Niu Tielan was a weak woman; she neither harmed anyone nor swindled money. It was more reasonable for her to fabricate a false identity. As for anything more, given the chaos of the previous dynasty, there was no need to clarify everything about a woman of her outstanding beauty.
If it were the old Yan Zheng, his words would have been just words, but for Qi Zheng, they were golden words; once spoken, they were law.
Niu Tielan stared blankly at the stern-faced young man, her eyes gradually welling up with tears, which quickly turned into a look of delight at the unexpected turn of events. She exclaimed in surprise, "Really?"
Qi Zheng said, "Of course, this is a very small matter, Madam, you don't need to worry."
With his repeated assurances, Niu Tielan felt emboldened. She suddenly stood up and glared fiercely at Song Xingzhi, who had threatened her earlier: "Did you hear that? Even the Prince said this is nothing. You, the son of a great traitor and a little traitor, don't even think about threatening me. My Jinjin would rather never marry a dissolute like you than marry a prodigal son like you."
"..."
Song Xingzhi couldn't help but look at Song Jin. Looking at her face, so strikingly similar to Song Shang's, made his stomach ache. He clutched his stomach, his expression weakening, and said listlessly, "I like gentle, considerate, and good-tempered women."
In short, Niu Tielan had no rebuttal. Looking at her tall, strong daughter who could kick a wild boar away, she asked without much confidence, "Then what exactly are you doing here?"
Anyway, they didn't think about it themselves.
It wasn't that she was slow-witted, but rather that she was already thirty-four this year, which was no longer considered young in this day and age, while Song Xingzhi looked only in his early twenties. There was a generational difference between them.
Niu Tielan could only think of Song Jin. Although this girl had a terrible temper, her looks and figure were unmatched, so it wasn't surprising that she was being eyed. Besides, Song Xingzhi had said he came for her.
Whether it was because her past had been exposed or not, Niu Tielan felt a vague unease, as if something had passed through her. She suppressed that strange feeling and spoke in an agitated tone.
"Are you even a man? Can't you just say what's on your mind?"
Song Xingzhi felt as if he had been shot in the heart, but having been put on such a pedestal, he didn't mince words. After a moment of silence, he stood up and said, "Song Jin is my father's child."
? ?
Niu Tielan roared, "Bullshit! She's my child!"
She no longer looked graceful at all. Song Xingzhi finally understood why Song Jin was like this; it was all due to her family's tradition of learning.
He forced a smile and asked, "Is she your biological daughter?"
Niu Tielan retorted angrily, "Or was he born to your father?"
Song Xingzhi: "...You could say that, she looks exactly like my father."
Niu Tielan found it even more ridiculous: "There are millions of people in the world, and just because they look alike doesn't mean they're related. I think you just want to forcibly take a woman from the countryside. Please, Your Highness, do me justice!"
Song Xingzhi had a headache and emphasized, "Exactly the same."
Niu Tielan: "You think they're the same just because you say so? Besides, even if they are the same, my own mother isn't the same, so why should my father be the same?"
The two men faced off. With a headache, Song Xingzhi said tactfully, "Think again, is it possible that the child's father is my dad?"
Niu Tielan sneered: "Then tell me, is it possible that your mother is me?"
Song Xingzhi was also somewhat annoyed: "I can be sure about my mother, but can you be sure about the child's father?"
Before he could finish speaking, the already shattered tabletop shattered into pieces, crashing directly towards Song Xingzhi and slamming him to the ground, splattering crimson blood everywhere.
Qi Zheng sat steadily in his seat, his hands still resting flat on the table. He glanced sideways, his gaze passing over the pale-faced Niu Tielan, and quietly settling on the murderous face of Song Jin behind him.
He abruptly stood up, his tall figure blocking the way, his hand resting on her left shoulder, his dark eyes fixed on her. He was tall and broad-shouldered, his glossy black hair falling across his neck, just reaching his hand, carrying the crisp scent of bamboo leaves, tinged with sandalwood—the scent of the deep forests Song Jin frequented.
Song Jin raised her eyes, her beautiful face now filled with a chilling aura, all traces of her usual playfulness gone. She said, "Get out of the way."
Qi Zheng didn't speak. He looked up past her and faced Niu Tielan, whose breathing was becoming increasingly rapid. His gaze swept over her exposed collarbone, and he said in a low voice, "You should take her to see a doctor."
Niu Tielan was so angry that her head ached. Clutching her throbbing chest, she suppressed her rapid breathing and gritted her teeth, saying, "I don't need it. I'm perfectly fine. No matter what kind of prime minister or chief minister you are, it has nothing to do with my daughter and me. We don't care. You can leave."
"Jinjin, move aside and let them go."
Song Jin's phoenix eyes fell on the unconscious Song Xingzhi, her gaze still filled with murderous intent. However, under Niu Tielan's words, she reluctantly stepped back, her face extremely grim.
Qi Zheng nodded to the mother and daughter: "Prime Minister Song has many enemies abroad, including some who are unscrupulous. I hope you two take care."
After saying that, he went over and helped up the person who had been knocked unconscious, easily hoisted the person onto his shoulder, and strode towards the door. Just as he was about to reach the door...
Niu Tielan's emotionless voice came through: "Although my past is shameful, it's not to the point that I don't even know the father of my child. He could never be that Song Shang. His surname is Qu, and his given name is Maoze. Back then..."
I watched him die with my own eyes.
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