On the Lantern Festival, the longing for relatives and friends is strongest.
The reason why Song Lin's sword dance was so successful today is because it took advantage of the late emperor's affection for him.
That is why he felt immense anger the moment he saw the late emperor's sword defiled.
"Insolence! Insolence!"
Emperor Jingyuan roared angrily, raised his sword, and thrust it fiercely at Zhang Mama's neck.
While still unconscious, Zhang Mama died on the spot.
Blood splattered onto the elder's wife's shoes. She clutched her chest, nearly fainting, her lips trembling involuntarily.
Granny Zhang had served her for decades, and they had a deep bond; she never expected her to die like this.
He died so suddenly that he didn't even have time to explain what had happened.
Zi Que stood behind Gu Yurong, her face as pale as paper.
The undergarment on the sword hilt was hers; without Song Yu, her fate would have been unimaginable.
The guards quickly carried the body away.
But how can the emperor's wrath be quelled by the life of a mere servant?
Seeing Emperor Jingyuan holding a sword and staring intently at Song Lin, Gu Yurong was so frightened that her legs went weak and she knelt down on the ground with a thud.
Song Ziyu and Song Tingyue also knelt down, repeatedly apologizing.
The matriarch struck Song Lin with her cane: "You wretched child!"
Song Lin was awakened by the pain, and his eyes were glazed over for a moment.
The matriarch pleaded, "Your Majesty, please forgive him! Lin'er drank some wine at the banquet and became disoriented, which led to this terrible disaster! Please, for his youth and inexperience, spare his life!"
Song Lin also realized what was happening and lay prostrate on the ground.
"That's right, Your Majesty, it was all... it was all that slut who seduced me first!"
He looked around and pointed at Zi Que in the crowd, saying, "You shameless woman! If you hadn't deliberately seduced me, how could I have fallen for your trick!"
Zi Que opened her mouth wide, both surprised and angry, and was about to start arguing.
Jiang Wan narrowed her eyes, noticing the strange look on her face, and spoke first.
"Lin'er, even if you accidentally caused trouble, you can't just falsely accuse others. Zi Que came with us. If anyone seduced you, it should be Granny Zhang."
She frowned.
"But she's over fifty, and she was trained by my grandmother, how could she..."
The matriarch gritted her teeth inwardly, her eyes bloodshot with anger.
She always considered herself dignified and elegant, but now that her own nanny was mingling with her great-grandson, it was an utter disgrace to her!
Only she knew that Granny Zhang must have been framed.
But when it came to the matter of murdering Song Yu, she dared not say a word and could only swallow this bitter pill.
"Granny Zhang? How is that possible!"
Song Lin stared wide-eyed, a surge of anger rising within him.
"What nonsense are you spouting? How could I possibly be interested in an old geezer!"
He felt that Jiang Wan was simply humiliating him.
"I know! No wonder Song Yu arrived at such a convenient time, it was all your doing! You instructed him to send Zhang Mama here just to frame me!"
Song Lin thought he had discovered the truth, so he crawled on his knees to Gu Yurong and the others, acting like a madman.
"Mother, Aunt, it was Jiang who harmed me! She must have found out what you did, and she's taking revenge on me, she..."
Song Tingyue's face turned deathly pale, and she wished she could cover his mouth: "What are you saying!"
"It's true! And Song Yu too, he's the one who knocked me unconscious, it's all a conspiracy! It's a conspiracy by him and his mother!"
Song Lin said urgently.
The Empress frowned and listened for a long time before finally speaking.
"Lady Jiang has been with me all night and hasn't seen anyone else. How could she possibly be instructing Song Yu to do anything?"
"You dare to make false accusations in front of me, which shows that the matter about Song Yu and the maid Zi Que is also a lie of yours. You are truly full of lies."
Song Lin was extremely anxious.
He was telling the truth, so why doesn't anyone believe him?
Gu Yurong sobbed, "Your Majesty, please forgive him, considering that Lin'er just performed a sword dance!"
Emperor Jingyuan roared angrily, "Hmph! Shameless and morally corrupt, how can you be worthy of the late emperor's sword?"
He sheathed the sword, clearly not intending to return it to the Song family.
The revocation of the imperial gift was a great humiliation.
Song Ziyu was filled with shame.
The matriarch glanced at General Shaoguang, hoping he would plead on behalf of the Song family once again.
General Shaoguang had a somber, aged face and a grave expression.
He had just praised Song Lin, and then this embarrassing incident happened. He couldn't even hold his head up high.
However, unable to bear seeing the descendants of the Song family die, he stepped forward and said.
"Your Majesty, in consideration of General Song's numerous military achievements, please spare Song Lin's life."
Emperor Jingyuan let out a heavy sigh.
“Your behavior is improper and has disgraced the spirit of the late emperor. I hereby order you to kowtow from the General’s Mansion to the Fushou Hall for the next seven days to apologize to the late emperor.”
Song Lin dug his fingers into the ground, unwilling to accept the situation.
When that happens, all the people in the capital will point fingers at him and know that he had an affair with a nanny... He is proud and arrogant, how could he stand that?
Song Ziyu knew that it was already a great blessing to be able to save Song Lin's life, so he pressed him down to kowtow and express his gratitude.
Emperor Jingyuan turned and left.
The matriarch slowly stood up, her face ashen.
Not only have we lost a trusted confidant, but Song Lin has also caused this enormous disaster, rendering all of the General's Mansion's efforts today futile.
This also angered Emperor Jingyuan and the Empress, who both harbored resentment towards the Song family.
The road ahead for the General's Mansion will only become more and more difficult...
After calming herself down, she found General Shaoguang and thanked him for his help.
"No need."
General Shaoguang shook his head.
Out of consideration for General Song's sworn brotherhood, he disregarded principles and deceived the emperor to repeatedly help the Song family. Now it seems he may have made a mistake.
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