Chapter 140 Extra 2 Song Mingde
In the ninth year of Wende, the new emperor had been on the throne for nine years when the retired emperor died.
The eunuchs and palace maids in the hall were utterly silent. Outside the bright yellow bed curtains, Song Mingde stood with his hands behind his back, twirling an ornate and expensive jade ring on his thumb. His face was pale, his slender eyebrows slightly furrowed, his bright red lips flattened and straightened. He wore a golden crown to hold his hair together, and his scarlet dragon robe exuded an imposing air.
Governor Song, notorious throughout the world, exudes a cold-blooded and disloyal air without him even saying a word, a typical cruel and treacherous minister.
The Imperial Hospital's chief judge was meticulous. He lowered his head and placed his fingers on the wrist of the skeletal old man on the bed. He double-checked that the retired emperor had passed away before turning his knees, raising his hands above his head and bowing deeply to Song Mingde. He spoke in a low voice, "Eunuch Song, the retired emperor is gone."
As soon as he finished speaking, the already quiet palace became even quieter. No one spoke, and no one cried.
Song Mingde felt impatient and withdrew his gaze from the window like a wandering soul. He asked the guard beside him, "Where are His Majesty and the Queen Mother now?"
The guard replied in a low voice, "Your Majesty has asked Prime Minister Zhang to discuss Princess Jinyun's return to the court; the Empress Dowager has said she is ill and unable to get up, so she will not be coming."
The eunuch's voice was soft and gentle, and in just a few words, the nobles from all over the country were almost overflowing with their frivolous comments towards the retiring emperor. His words were so blunt that even the Imperial Hospital official kneeling beside him broke into a cold sweat. He lowered his head and closed his eyes, thinking he was a fool who couldn't understand what was being said.
Since the border situation was settled nine years ago and the rebellious king was executed, Tianshui has been free from even a major natural disaster. The imperial palace was peaceful, and the government and the people were stable. But despite the abolition of the storm, the masters of Bianliang were peculiar. While still in Bianliang, the Prince of Yan was crowned the King of the Court, wielding immense power over the government and the people. This irritated many in Tianshui, who complained that the young ruler was causing the country to be in turmoil, and that the power of the young emperor was being ceded to others. Later, the Prince Regent held a grand wedding banquet, returned the military power a few days later, and disappeared. Before some could even breathe a sigh of relief, the entire court, led by Prime Minister Zhang Yun, launched a drastic crackdown on the aristocratic families. The imperial power versus the aristocratic families, a clash of forces that had fought for countless dynasties, plunged Tianshui into another year of turmoil.
Now that the emperor has reached fifteen, the empress dowager has stepped down from government duties and taken her people to live in the Tangshan Palace outside the city of Bianliang, never returning to the palace unless necessary. But now that the emperor has passed away, the empress dowager can actually just say she won't come?
It really works.
Although His Majesty is not the Queen Mother's biological son, he was raised by the Queen Mother single-handedly, and has a very close relationship with her and is extremely filial.
The sound of the bead curtain swaying came from the outer hall, followed by a clear and bright voice and footsteps.
"My mother is not in good health. It's a long way from Tangshan to Bianliang. Please don't make her travel so fast." The young emperor walked hurriedly, followed by Zhang Yun in casual clothes.
Song Mingde turned his head and glanced at the latter. The young prime minister, dressed in white as white as snow, had an extraordinary temperament and smiled at him with his fox eyes.
Song Mingde had no good impression of this cunning fox. He raised his hand and saluted the emperor with an expressionless face.
Zhao Xuanyi waved him to his feet, walked over to the bed, and lifted the curtain. He studied the old man for a moment, a hint of curiosity in his eyes. After a moment, Zhao Xuanyi said without turning his head, "Everyone, get out."
Song Mingde stood with his hands hanging down. The guard beside him looked at his expression, and then he followed the other palace ladies out one after another.
The vermilion door slowly closed from the outside, and Zhao Xuanyi paced and sat down. Time flew by. In just a few years, he had grown rapidly, his face shed its childishness, and his handsome features were now clearly defined. The bright yellow clothes fitted him perfectly, and his words and actions were calm and composed, a noble demeanor beyond words.
Zhang Yun and Song Mingde stood in front of the emperor, one on the left and one on the right.
"My father is gone." Zhao Xuanyi pressed his forehead and sighed maturely, "With Princess Jinyun's return, we should have a grand annual banquet, but it's difficult to organize under the current circumstances."
Song Mingde said calmly, "Our dynasty governs the country with benevolence and filial piety, so the princess will naturally understand."
"Teacher, don't you know?" Zhao Xuanyi glanced at Zhang Yun and smiled. "In the letter from the Western Dynasty, the Princess specifically mentioned that Zhang Aiqing and the Ministry of Rites should prepare for the reception. Right now, we can't afford to be extravagant, but we also have to satisfy the Princess. I'm afraid Zhang Aiqing will have sleepless nights."
When the current emperor was young, he learned calligraphy from a factory supervisor. He risked the public's disapproval and respected a eunuch as his teacher.
Zhang Yun couldn't bear to hear this. The moment he heard it, he thought of Jinyun's whip, wielding it with such force, and phantom pains immediately began to well up in his body. His pretentious demeanor as a distinguished minister faltered, and he bared his teeth in a wry smile, saying, "Your Majesty, you're joking... Your Majesty, the Emperor Emeritus has been given a state funeral. Will the Prince of Yan return?"
"My brother has been traveling the world, and I heard he recently began preparing to travel west. At this juncture, given his personality, I doubt he and Commander Wen will return." The emperor's smile faded, and he sighed, "My queen mother has long missed Commander Wen, and she's been asking about him many times, taking advantage of the princess's return... She can't survive in this vast palace and Bianliang city without Commander Wen."
After saying this, the emperor glanced around and said, "I also know that it's not just my mother who can't stay. I suppressed the teacher's resignation letter three times, and yesterday I received the fourth one."
"With the integration of the Factory Supervisor and the Three Departments, the complicated branches have been removed, and the work that this servant has to do is almost done." Song Mingde lowered his eyelashes, with a half-smile: "The merit is complete, and all I look forward to is returning home in glory."
The emperor shook his head, pointing at him and then at Zhang Yun. "Except for my mother, the only ones who can speak to me like this are my teacher and my beloved Zhang. If my teacher leaves, I will truly be left alone."
The emperor spoke in a calm tone, but his words were sincere.
Zhang Yun said nothing.
A lonely man, a lonely and helpless person. Since ancient times, emperors have always claimed to be lonely and helpless. It is lonely at the top. The emperor is still young, and he has been raised under the care of his elders. He has a gentle temperament. It is not surprising that he would have such feelings.
Song Mingde's smile faded, and he said calmly, "Your Majesty, you are too kind."
The fire in the palace burned fiercely, and the corpse lying on the huge bed was a veil on the conversation between the three most powerful men in the court. The palace gates opened from the outside, letting in a gust of cold wind. Song Mingde refused to give up until his death, so the emperor said no more and waved him and Zhang Yun away.
Song Mingde didn't look at Zhang Yun. He stepped out of the palace gate, and the surrounding guards immediately swarmed over him. With the sleeves of his wide robe flying, he strode away, riding back to his own residence.
Compared to nine years ago, everything in the Factory Supervisor's residence remained much the same, though Song Mingde had rarely returned in recent years. The merger of the Factory Supervisor and the Three Departments was not easy, even with Song Mingde's personal efforts. He used his ruthless methods against his own people, removing the thorns in the Factory Supervisor's body one by one, and taking advantage of many people's prey. He killed many, and many also came to kill him. He was so busy that he often rested directly in the Factory Supervisor's quarters.
The gatekeeper spotted the stallion's galloping horse from afar and rushed forward with a start. Song Mingde threw away his whip, dismounted from the jade-saddled steed, and strode through the doorway toward his study. But before he had taken a few steps, a commotion erupted from the backyard. Song Mingde, a quiet man who always disliked noise in his presence, immediately frowned, his eyes as cold as a knife, and he glanced in the direction of the noise.
Several young men in brocade robes came towards them with their servants and waiters, all of them looking very proud. But when they turned their heads and saw Song Mingde standing in the distance and the ferocious barbarians beside him, they were all stunned. The arrogance on their brows disappeared, and after a bit of pushing and shoving, they stood aside timidly with their hands folded, and greeted Song Mingde.
Song Mingde didn't say anything, but the look between his eyebrows revealed a meaning.
What are these colorful things?
The guard whispered, "Master, they are Song Qing's sons."
Oh, Song Qing’s son.
Song Mingde remembered.
Song Qing was his only brother, a close relative. He had casually killed someone, then sent someone to select a few of Song Qing's children and raise them by his side. But that was just a whim. Aside from the day the children arrived at the palace, Song Mingde never summoned them. Anyone who worked under Governor Song could see that Governor Song had no interest in raising children.
This attitude was so obvious that the children naturally knew it. But it didn't matter. The immense wealth that slipped through their uncle's fingers was enough for them to walk with their heads held high among the powerful and wealthy in Bianliang City. They were also tactful and usually avoided Song Mingde. Today, Song Mingde hurried back from the palace without notifying them in advance, so they accidentally ran into him.
Several young men lowered their heads, like mice being stared at by a cat, standing stiffly, not daring to move, with cold sweat pouring down their faces.
Song Mingde seemed to suddenly become interested. He walked a few steps closer with his hands behind his back, carefully sizing them up, and even condescended to ask, "How are your preparations for the Spring Examination?"
He was so powerful that several people lowered their heads and stammered, not daring to answer. Instead, a servant who followed him, who looked intelligent and courageous, probably wanted to show off in front of Governor Song, and answered for his master first, saying, "Young Master studies hard every day and has great talent. I'm sure he'll pass the imperial examination and bring honor to you!"
Hearing this, Song Mingde raised his bright red lips, as if smiling.
The guard at Song Mingde's side turned cold, and he immediately drew his sword and mercilessly struck the servant across the face. The blade didn't draw blood, but the force was swift and powerful. The servant was caught off guard and fell to the ground, half his face flushed red. The searing pain was overwhelming, his vision blackened, and his head was buzzing.
"Master, please spare me!" The servant boy had no time to react, a huge panic gripping his heart. He rolled and crawled, covering his face, kneeling on the ground and kowtowed. His eloquent tongue was tied, and he could only utter one sentence over and over again: "Master, please spare me! Master, please spare me!"
Two guards came forward, pulling him away from the left and right. The crying and shouting became farther and farther away until they could no longer be heard.
Song Mingde didn't say a word from beginning to end, but lowered his eyes to observe the reactions of his nephews.
Their faces were pale and they were shaking like dustpans with fear, not even daring to look up at him.
Not at all.
After reaching this conclusion, Song Mingde was a little disappointed.
He remembered that when he came back from redeeming Song Qing, Wen Yao was sitting on the steps in the courtyard beating bamboo strips and said that he looked nothing like Song Qing.
Indeed, if Song Qing had not been brought back by himself, Song Mingde would have suspected that he had found the wrong person. Now, not only did Song Qing not look like him, but none of the many sons Song Qing had given birth to looked like him.
Song Mingde felt bored and stopped looking at these people. He turned around and walked straight towards the study.
His study was a forbidden area in the factory director's office, and even the cleaners were not allowed to enter on weekdays.
Song Mingde pushed open the door, and the guard paused outside. The study, untouched for a long time, remained bright and tidy. Next to the candlesticks was a round table covered with a brocade handkerchief, and a round, pale yellow bamboo cat head sat neatly and quietly on it.
Song Mingde came back to get something. He walked to the secret compartment behind the bookshelf and pulled out a letter, unfolding it and reading it slowly. As he was reading, his eyes suddenly moved and fell on the cat's head.
Although it was windy today, the weather was pretty good. A faint light leaked in from the window, making the cat's head bright and soft.
According to the itinerary, Jinyun's convoy will soon arrive in Bianliang.
Wen Yao will not come back.
Song Mingde was more perceptive than the young emperor. He had long known that the Chu family's patriarch had dispatched a caravan to the border, which was rumored to have reached the Hexi Corridor and was about to cross the trade route to the Yuezhi. If Zhao Xuanxu hadn't said anything, Wen Yao might not have known about Jinyun's return.
Wen Yao is going to Daluo.
In the deserted study, Song Mingde's gaze shifted from the urgent secret letter, his brow furrowing unconsciously. He stared at the pale yellow cat's head, unconsciously and skillfully reaching out to stroke its skull. He truly couldn't understand why Wen Yao wanted to go to Daluo. The desert was filled with wind and sand, and Daluo was an incalculable distance away. A single round trip by a caravan would take nearly ten years. How many decades does a person only live for? What good would it do her to go through all this trouble?
Is this world so fun?
Song Mingde thought with a depressed look on his face.
He crumpled up the letter and set it aside on the candlestick to burn. He turned around, took out a box, put the cat head and the brocade inside, and then pushed the door open and walked out. The guard waiting outside called out to his master, saying, "The people Wu Peiming mentioned are now in the East Prison."
Song Mingde responded nonchalantly, "Not one less?"
"They've been interrogated, and two are dead." The guard hesitated for a moment, then said, "After all, one of our men is inside. Should we bring him out?"
Song Mingde didn't answer, but walked straight out, passing him. The guard immediately understood what his commander meant and couldn't help but sigh. Although they were on the same side now, the inertia of competing for power with the Three Officials for so many years made him feel a little regretful.
Another great opportunity was given away for nothing!
No one knew what had become of their supervisor these past few years; it was as if he had taken the wrong medicine. He no longer cared about power or money, and was completely obsessed with merging the three departments and the factory supervisor, whom he had once considered a thorn in his side.
...These two behemoths, not only did they not fight, but they also merged. Initially, outsiders were confused and dared not say anything, but secretly they were waiting to see the joke. Unexpectedly, not only did Governor Song act rashly, but the new head of the Third Division, Wu Peiming, also joined in the antics. Under the pressure of the powerful leaders of both sides, the two factions reluctantly engaged in contact. Over the years, they gradually managed to bring their current affairs together without any major hiccups.
Not only that, the master is thinking about retiring and returning home every day.
Age aside, the master was currently in the emperor's good graces, honored as his mentor. It was a truly magnificent gesture. He knew with a single thought that his master would rise to prominence in the future. He simply couldn't understand why his master had to retire at this juncture. Wasn't this a clear sign that he was handing over the power of the factory supervisor to the emperor?
If the emperor took over the factory supervisor, and the factory supervisor was inseparable from the three departments, then he would become the biggest winner. His control over the factory supervisor of the three departments would be greatly improved. It was equivalent to stepping on his master to do something that the emperor's nominal father or even grandfather could not do.
Thinking of this, Fanzi secretly looked up at his own leader.
Over the years he had been by the Governor's side, he had seen some things clearly, realizing that these actions were not forced by the Emperor, but were entirely driven by the Governor himself. Sacrificing himself for the benefit of the King, such an act of loyalty should have been seen by his master years earlier, and he would have already called in someone to exorcise the evil spirit.
The big shot's thoughts really made him confused and puzzled.
*
After much haste, Princess Jinyun's guard of honor finally arrived in Bianliang a few days before the annual banquet.
Princess Jinyun, who married into the Western Dynasty as a peacemaker, is a legendary figure known throughout the land. Legend has it that while still in Bianliang, she was favored by the retired emperor. Later, when Tianshui and the Western Dynasty formed an alliance, the princess took advantage of the opportunity to marry into the Western Dynasty. However, upon entering the Western Dynasty, the emperor was assassinated.
According to the secret legend in the martial arts world, there were two assassins who broke into the Western Dynasty Palace that day. One was Hao Chunhe, a leaf-flying assassin who had once broken into the Western Dynasty Palace twenty or thirty years ago. The other was a very powerful swordsman, a woman, whose origins were unknown.
Later, the Crown Prince of the Western Dynasty ascended the throne and departed for the borderlands, secretly waging a war against the Western Dynasty court—all these turbulent events had nothing to do with Princess Jinyun. She had become a young Consort Dowager, a position of high rank. In recent years, the Tianshui Dynasty had enjoyed stability and growing national strength. The Emperor, appreciating his sister's difficult life abroad, frequently contacted the Western Dynasty. With the support of her natal family, Princess Jinyun enjoyed a happier life in the Western Dynasty. Her palace troupe of musicians and opera performers was renowned, and she had countless close friends. She had a love-hate relationship with Prime Minister Zhang, now known as the "White-robed Prime Minister," and their affairs were recounted on stage for years, becoming increasingly exaggerated.
The Western Emperor must have had a headache dealing with this young and unruly concubine. After a few brief negotiations with Tianshui, he quickly released her, renewed the alliance with Tianshui, and sent Princess Jinyun back to Tianshui. However, the Emperor had just passed away, and the entire nation was mourning him. The annual banquet originally planned for Jinyun's return was kept simple, ultimately confined to a small gathering with a few important officials and the Emperor.
Song Mingde naturally had to go.
One day it was snowing heavily. After he finished his work as factory supervisor, he changed his clothes and went to the palace for a banquet.
The banquet was filled with the sound of music and string instruments. Princess Jinyun, dressed in red, with her hair adorned with pearls and jade, looked very cheerful, her complexion even rosier than the emperor's. She greeted the emperor first, then glanced around, her eyes landing on Zhang Yun with unerring accuracy, staring at him for a moment.
Under the strange gazes of the others, Jinyun laughed unrestrainedly and said with full energy: "Zhang Yun, you have only been the Prime Minister for a few years, how come you have aged so much? You are not as good-looking as when you were young."
Song Mingde sat upright, drinking, his wrist bones cold and white, his eyes indifferent, watching the show coldly.
Jinyun's words were quite biased. Zhang Yun had indeed lost a lot of weight due to his busy schedule over the years, but this only made him look even more elegant and handsome. At such a young age, he had reached a high position in the government, and with a beautiful appearance, many people had been interested in establishing connections with the Prime Minister's Office. However, Tianshui's most important minister was extremely busy, and he wished he could split every moment of his time in half. He had no interest in women and remained unmarried.
Zhang Yun looked at Jinyun with a smile in his eyes, not minding at all: "Your Highness's elegance is still as great as before."
"Of course." Jinyun was smug. His eyes flicked across the banquet table, and he suddenly curled his lips and said, "I thought Wen Yao and the Third Prince would come back to visit after I returned, but I never thought they really wouldn't come back. It's a shame that they got married, and I even carefully selected wedding gifts to send them. Humph, how heartless."
"My sister isn't the only one who's suffered this loss," the emperor said with a smile. "My mother embroidered a pillowcase herself, I copied the Shanglin Fu as a gift, and Minister Zhang even gave me his long-collected guqin, symbolizing the harmony of qin and zither. I heard that the teacher also sent a gift. I wonder what treasure it was?"
What treasure?
Perhaps the banquet was too boring, and Song Mingde suddenly felt bored.
"I am a common man." He put on the characteristic forced smile of a factory supervisor and said softly, "Gold, silver, and jade are just extras."
He held a high position of authority, and even with this, someone immediately shouted compliments. The bright hall was abuzz with laughter and joy. Song Mingde, however, couldn't laugh. He ignored them, lowering his eyes and continuing to drink. Perhaps it was because the wine had cooled, but it suddenly lost its flavor.
Song Mingde's expression changed, and the palace maid who was warming the wine for him behind him was immediately frightened and trembled as she tried to change the wine for him.
"This wine is pure. Master, you've always had a good alcohol tolerance, so you won't drink it easily." The emperor glanced at Song Mingde and said proudly, "Go get some strong, aged liquor. My sister has returned to the court today, and I'm so happy. Let's get drunk together, my dear ministers."
When he said this, several people at the table heard it and their thoughts immediately turned into a thousand twists and turns.
The emperor was so considerate of Song Mingde, and his tone was so cordial that it didn't sound like he was trying to force the factory supervisor to hand over his power. Could it be that the several letters of resignation Song Mingde submitted were truly his own will, and not forced by the emperor?
Under the bright candlelight, Song Mingde thanked the emperor and took the warm wine handed to him by the palace maid and drank it all in one gulp. The wine was indeed good. As the full bottle of wine went down his throat, the spicy and sweet taste immediately rushed along Song Mingde's throat.
His fingertips burned, and his head, unusually dizzy after so many years of lucidity, felt as though his empty body and thoughts were being cleaved in two by a sharp sword. Amidst the endless heat, his tiny, icy soul rose from his body, folding its arms and floating in the air as he watched the red-robed factory supervisor pour cup after cup.
The emperor's slightly surprised voice came from a distance. Song Mingde stood up, stumbling slightly, and pushed away the hands around him who were trying to support him and walked out of the palace door.
The sky was gray, and snow was blowing hard between the ground and the sky. The fire in the hall was burning brightly, making people feel no cold at all. But when they stepped out of the hall, they were hit by a chill that penetrated their ears.
The snow fell endlessly, settling on Song Mingde's fine clothes and his face. He raised his eyes and stood between heaven and earth, suddenly remembering that it was in a winter like this that his parents had put a straw tag on him and taken him to the market to sell him.
So much time had passed, so much had happened, that he had long forgotten what his parents looked like. But he still remembered how kind they were to him during those few days. His mother, her face blurred, gently stroked his cheek with her rough hands, dressed him in clean clothes, and even secretly fed him an egg.
But he had been bright since childhood, unlike the other children in the village. Facing such abnormal parents, he immediately had a premonition. Finally, one morning, his mother held Song Qing in her arms and sent him and his father out, weeping. He said nothing, silently following his father to a crowded and grimy market.
At that time, Tianshui and Northern Liao were at war, a time of chaos, but even in times of chaos, there was no shortage of powerful families. Although he was skinny, he still had a good appearance. The trafficker was very pleased with him and gave him a good price. He was pushed into a corner, his hands tied with hemp rope, and he watched coldly as his father accepted the silver and disappeared with the crowd.
From then on, he never saw his father and mother again.
It's hard to say whether his luck was good or bad. That day, the government came to select servants to serve in the palace. The retired emperor, in his youth, was quite extravagant, requiring numerous servants for the palace. When servants were scarce, they would go to the villages and towns near Bianliang to select. Back then, he had no idea what a palace was like, or what it entailed. But as he watched his father's trembling, panic-stricken figure disappear from the world, he quickly realized his own predicament and understood why he had fallen into this situation.
Because they have no money, because they have no power, and because in these chaotic times, the lives of ordinary people are worthless.
After thinking this through, he quickly adjusted his mindset and walked towards the group of people in gorgeous clothes, white faces and no beards with a calmness that was completely different from the crying children around him.
Nothing in the world was more important than being alive. He followed a sharp-tongued old eunuch into the palace, castrated, and entered the most powerful place in the world. Remembering his father's surname was Song, he chose his own name and then hid half his body in the imperial city. He made up his mind not only to live, but to live well. He had seen the filthiest mud in the world, and he wanted to climb up and see the sky at the top.
He was, by divine grace, gifted with the ability to stir up trouble. He was ruthless and vindictive, climbing the ladder with a vengeance, his hands stained with countless lives. From an obscure eunuch to a close minister under the emperor, factory supervisor, he was described as a venomous jackal, clinging to the meat in his mouth. He scoffed but never denied it, for it was the truth. He secretly colluded with alchemists, manipulating and seducing the emperor with elixirs. He controlled the factory supervisors, embroiled in countless illicit dealings... Every one of his deeds would be condemned in the official history books.
He and the emperor's half-crazy third son became the most useful knives in the emperor's hand.
The entire court, both civil and military, was his enemy, and he had long since prepared to be shattered if he could no longer maintain his position. It didn't matter; at least he enjoyed his glory while he was alive. The sons of noble families, high-ranking officials, and noble nobles all fawned over him, a eunuch. That was enough.
Even to this day, Song Mingde doesn't regret his decision. If he had to choose again, he would still resolutely approach the old eunuch. He was born with a rebellious streak, craving power. He would never accept being forced to lie low and watch others, especially those corrupt officials who, relying on their grandfather's glory, abused their power.
The alcohol was rising again, and Song Mingde suddenly stumbled, his body unstable, and he raised his hand to hold on to a railing. A biting coldness instantly jumped from his palm, making his mind clear.
At this moment, he suddenly thought of the day when he was walking on the street with Wen Yao in Caomen Street, wearing a bamboo dress.
Wen Yao was an extremely bold man. Although he was not familiar with the woman, he called her "brother" as soon as he opened his mouth. His few words stunned the woman.
He was naturally unhappy at the time, having been taken advantage of for no reason, and frowned at the words "brother." But now, standing deep in the palace, with white snow falling from the endless sky, drizzling onto the corners of his robes and sleeves, he suddenly fell into an inexplicable illusion.
In this illusion, there was no war or famine. He grew up in a poor but harmonious family. He was intelligent, and despite his family's poverty, he learned to read and write, writing letters and copying books to supplement his income. Perhaps he would have joined other scholars throughout the country, traveling to Beijing to take the imperial examinations and achieve fame. Or perhaps he didn't study, but instead saved money to start a small business. In short, he lived a comfortable life.
Then one day, he will meet a female knight in black clothes and carrying a sword somewhere in the world.
The female knight possessed extraordinary martial arts skills, sparkling eyes, a red headband, and a heartwarming smile. He was known for his harsh temper, but she possessed a gentle disposition. Their initial encounter might not have been pleasant, but they would eventually become friends. The female knight would come and talk with him when she had time, but more often she preferred to be outdoors. He would buy a yard, drape it with lanterns, and fill a bamboo rack with woven raccoon dogs.
Occasionally, when the weather was nice, they would go out for an outing. More often, he would be writing in his study, and the female knight, holding a bamboo cat head and freshly baked biscuits, would slowly knock on his window outside the study, and even as he gently scolded her, she would smile and look in to talk to him.
Very good, that's good.
"Eunuch Song, Eunuch Song!" It was freezing cold. The people chasing after him held cloaks and umbrellas, shielding Governor Song from both sides as he stood motionless in the snow. They kindly advised him, "The snow is getting heavier. You'd better be careful and don't get your clothes wet—"
His heart trembled. The bright spring scenery, the gentle stream, and the female knight who had turned back to talk to him vanished into fluttering fragments. Song Mingde felt as if he had been pulled out of the water—or as if he had been pushed into the icy cold water. In short, he suddenly came to his senses.
The evil factory supervisor's eyelashes were covered with cold white. He looked up at the chaotic sky, smiled suddenly, waved away the umbrella that was lying on his side under the astonished gaze of everyone, and walked alone towards the palace gate.
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