Chapter 35
The eldest princess has very few scenes in the storybook. The text only uses the sentence "Song Yanting is the eldest sister who grew up with her" to introduce the relationship between the two.
If she hadn't appeared to rescue him just now, that huge blame might have really been put on him.
For this reason, You Yang had a good first impression of Song Qingwan, at least better than Song Anyao.
Song Qingwan led her straight past the sedan chair waiting at the palace gate.
"Let's move the sedan chair away." Song Qingwan instructed the eunuch behind her and led Youyang to continue walking.
"It's just right that you accompany this princess for a walk."
You Yang didn't dare to disobey, "Your Majesty obeys your command."
Along the way to the palace, Song Qingwan looked at Youyang carefully without saying a word.
"When the Queen Mother wanted to arrange a marriage between you and my fifth brother, I noticed that you looked unhappy. Do you dislike my fifth brother?"
You Yang was terrified: "Your Highness dare not."
Is she really that obvious? I guess I need to be more restrained next time.
"I grew up in the countryside and feel I am not worthy of such a distinguished person as the Fifth Prince."
"Don't be nervous." Song Qingwan smiled, "I'm just asking casually."
You Yang observed Song Qingwan's expression, made sure that what she said was true, and breathed a sigh of relief.
"But if Song Yan heard that boy like you, would you accept it?"
"Cough cough cough..." You Yang almost choked to death on her own saliva.
She blurted out, "What did you say?!"
After a moment, he realized, "Princess, please stop joking with me, haha..."
"I'm not kidding you." Song Qingwan's smile deepened. "You're beautiful and I like you very much. If you can become my sister-in-law, I will make sure you can walk all over the capital."
Is this the promise of the daughter of heaven?
Youyang was actually a little moved, feeling the sensation of lying down.
Unfortunately, she could only think about such a great temptation. She had to find ways to get involved in the plot and be ordered around by Song Yan like a cow. How could she just lie down and do nothing?
"No, Your Highness."
"Really not going to consider it?" Song Qingwan tilted her head and moved closer to her. Their faces were only a fist's length away. She said regretfully, "Although my brother's temper is a bit annoying, he's still quite good-looking. How beautiful would the children you two have?"
You Yang didn't dare to think about it, "Hehe... maybe not..."
Song Qingwan sighed regretfully, "Forget it."
"You two should just talk it out among yourselves." As she said that, she looked behind You Yang.
Following her gaze, Song Yanting was leaning against the giant stone sculpture at the palace gate with his arms folded, waiting for them.
Song Qingwan gently patted Youyang's shoulder and moved closer to her, "Go ahead, come to the princess's mansion next time you have time." After that, she left with her maid.
——
Purple Palace.
Song Yunlan left Shoukang Palace and came straight here.
When the chief eunuch Zhou Xiangzhong saw that it was him, he hurriedly greeted him with a smile.
"Hey, Fifth Prince, what brings you here today?"
"Stand inside quickly, don't get caught in the sun."
Song Yunlan grabbed Zhou Xiangzhong's arm with an anxious look on his face.
"I have an important matter to discuss with the Emperor. Please let Eunuch Zhou know for me."
"This..." Zhou Xiangzhong was a little embarrassed. "The emperor just invited His Highness Prince Lin and several ministers to discuss disaster relief. Now that everyone is inside, I'm afraid they won't have time to see His Highness for the time being."
"Eunuch Zhou." As he spoke, Song Fuyu came quietly and stood behind the two of them.
Zhou Xiangzhong only realized his arrival when he heard the sound.
"This servant greets His Royal Highness Prince Lin."
He bent over and opened the door for Song Fuyu, "Your Highness, the emperor and the adults have been waiting for you inside for a long time. Please come in."
Song Fuyu raised his hand to stop him, "Wait a moment."
He glanced at Song Yunlan, his black eyes moved, and he pulled his hand aside.
The two whispered, "Fifth brother, the emperor knows why you are here."
Song Fuyu looked calm and gentle, and as an elder brother he was patiently comforting Song Yunlan.
"But now is not the time to discuss this matter. Please wait outside. After the officials have left, I will help you persuade the emperor. Don't be anxious."
Political affairs are naturally more important than personal affairs, and Song Yunlan clearly distinguishes between priorities.
"Thank you, my dear brother."
Song Fuyu lifted her robe and walked into the hall. It was not until the door slammed shut that Song Yunlan came to his senses.
Inside the hall.
Emperor Chongde and ministers from all parties have begun discussing disaster relief for the people who were displaced due to the mistakes in border defense battles and the loss of city gates.
Wei Liancai had just taken up the position of a Bachelor of the Hanlin Academy. Because of his extraordinary knowledge, proper conduct and moderate words, he was highly appreciated by Emperor Chongde and had now become his confidant.
He was standing in a crimson court robe on the left side of Emperor Chongde, below the Prime Minister Ji Ping. While others were still arguing over disaster relief manpower, Wei Lian had already noticed Song Fuyu's arrival.
"I'm sorry for being late, I hope your Majesty will forgive me." Song Fuyu raised his voice and bowed.
The arguing officials paused for a moment because of his arrival.
Prime Minister Ji Ping, wearing a purple robe and a golden belt, led a group of officials and said, "Your Highness, Prince Lin."
Song Fuyu's arrival replaced the two of them standing on the left side of Emperor Chongde.
"Why did you come only now?" Emperor Chongde said impatiently, "You wasted so much time just for a flower viewing banquet."
Song Fuyu said tactfully, "Some unexpected events occurred at the flower viewing banquet, but it went smoothly."
"Oh?" Emperor Chongde couldn't help but be curious, "Does Lan'er have any favorite candidates?"
"Not only does my fifth brother have a favorite candidate, but Concubine Rou also has one."
Song Fuyu answered casually, and then, as if suddenly realizing something, he immediately changed the subject, "But I'll explain these matters to you in detail later. Right now, there are more important matters that require your father's decision."
"Ah, yes." Emperor Chongde put away his playful expression and frowned, "Then, my son, who do you think would be the best person for your father to send on this disaster relief mission?"
"Were you two lords arguing over the candidate just now?" Song Fuyu looked at the two ministers who were arguing with red faces and thick necks in confusion.
Zhao Shunlian of Kaifeng Prefecture cleared his throat and replied, "Your Highness, I think the Ministry of Revenue can arrange for a capable official to lead this trip."
"I don't think so," Privy Councilor Tang Fu retorted sharply, "If the Ministry of Revenue had managed the transportation properly, a full 80% of the military rations at the border wouldn't have been embezzled. This clearly shows there are corrupt officials within the Ministry who haven't been caught yet."
"Until the culprit is found, I do not agree with the Ministry of Revenue supervising this trip."
Lord Zhao questioned, "Master Tang's words sound nice. Besides the Ministry of Revenue, does Master Tang have any other candidates?"
Tang Fu stiffened his neck and refused to give in. "Anyway, I don't agree with the Ministry of Revenue."
The two of them were about to start arguing again after just a few words.
Seeing this, Ji Ping coughed twice, and glanced coldly at the two of them with his sharp and old eyes. Only then did the two of them fall silent and return to their seats.
Song Fuyu frowned and thought deeply for a few breaths, "Then do the emperor and the other lords have any favorite candidates?"
Prime Minister Ji Ping stepped forward and said, "Your Highness, my student Wei Lian has a candidate."
Song Fuyu shifted his gaze to Wei Lian beside him, "Oh?"
Wei Lian responded, "I believe that disaster relief is not only to relieve the suffering of the people, but also to reassure them and demonstrate that Your Majesty is a wise ruler who cares about the people."
"In the court, there are only three princes of the right age who are qualified enough to represent the authority of Your Majesty."
"Your Highness is busy with court affairs, and Your Highness the Third Prince is indifferent to court affairs and is obsessed with women. Therefore, in my humble opinion, Your Highness the Fifth Prince is the best person to supervise this trip."
Song Fuyu's eyes flashed with surprise, "Fifth brother's character is indeed qualified for the position of transport supervisor."
"However, my fifth brother has only just reached the age to leave the palace and establish his own residence. He has just returned to the capital from the frontier. Not only did he experience an assassination attempt on his way, but he is also investigating the case of missing military rations and has also impounded the capital's largest gang, Chun Hongfang. He is currently very busy."
"Let him put aside these trivial matters and go to the border town to provide disaster relief. Then you will investigate these cases in the capital?"
Song Fuyu turned and bowed respectfully to Emperor Chongde, saying, "I feel that my fifth brother is still young, and the trivialities of the capital are already stressful enough. It would be better to choose someone else to handle the disaster relief this time."
"Hmm..." Emperor Chongde thought what he said made sense.
The people in the border town are rioting and the situation is extremely dangerous.
Song Yunlan was his most beloved child. It had been hard enough to send him to the frontier military camp to temper his character over the years. On the way back to Beijing, he was assassinated and seriously injured. He couldn't bear to see his child in danger again.
Emperor Chongde asked in return: "Then do you have any other candidates?"
Song Fuyu shook his head, "I don't have any candidates, but you, Father, do."
"What do you mean?" Emperor Chongde asked in confusion.
Song Fuyu lifted his robe and knelt. "Although the person Lord Wei chose is not suitable, his words make sense. Apart from my fifth brother, the only eligible princes left in the court are me and my third brother. The two of us are your choices, father."
Song Fuyu dared to recommend himself in this way because he understood Emperor Chongde's character and was sure that he would not choose him.
The affairs of the court were complicated, and the forces within them were even more chaotic. Emperor Chongde knew that he was incompetent. If it had not been for the support of the Xuan family, he would never have been able to sit in this position.
Since Song Fuyu cannot leave the capital, there is only one candidate.
Emperor Chongde said without hesitation, "Then let Prince Xuan go."
Upon hearing this, Wei Lian objected, "Your Majesty, please reconsider. His Highness Xuan Wang is not qualified for this mission. Moreover, the border city is in turmoil. With His Highness Xuan Wang's ability, his life may be in danger."
It seems like there are two choices, but in reality, Emperor Chongde has no other choice. After listening to Wei Lian's repeated admonitions, he also became angry, "If you can't handle this job, why not just study? I raised a son who is useless. He might as well die!"
"With the Imperial Guards protecting him, at most he'll see some blood and get hurt. But compared to the pain his brother suffered from being assassinated, that's nothing."
He said in annoyance, "I have made up my mind. You don't need to persuade me anymore. Go down and make the arrangements."
Everyone said: "We obey your order."
Everyone left, said goodbye to Ji Ping at the palace gate, and Wei Lian boarded the carriage back home.
He looked relaxed, holding a brand new folding fan in his slender white hands, fanning it leisurely.
A blue-green snake was vividly carved on the fan bone, with a faint green glow. The fan seemed to be endless green mountains, but if you looked closely, it was exactly the snake pattern on a snake's body.
But compared to the folding fan, what is most similar to a snake is his extremely sharp eyes.
Wei Lian waved to the servant sitting next to him.
"Go and tell His Highness that everything is going according to his plan."
"Also, Chun Hongfang should start preparing to reopen."
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