The incident that occurred during the spring hunt was truly too unsettling. Even though the Empress personally dispatched palace servants to visit each household with warm inquiries, even though rewards were bestowed time and again, and imperial physicians made countless rounds, the atmosphere still could not improve.
Not to mention the noble young ladies who had been frightened, even the men who usually regarded the spring hunt as extremely important all shut their doors and refused to go out, no longer in the mood for riding horses or hunting—the incident had blown up too big. It was said that the daughter of the Vice Minister of Justice had broken her leg. Although the imperial physician had set the bone, he also said that it would be difficult for her to be the same as before in the future.
People’s hearts were in turmoil. Naturally, Emperor Jianzhang also lost his interest in touring, so he had the Imperial Observatory calculate an auspicious date for the return journey, and they returned to the capital in grand procession.
When Old Madam Song heard the news, she clasped her hands together and chanted “Amitabha” several times. The heart that had been hanging in her throat finally settled back into her chest. When news of the incident at the hunting grounds had come in, she had nearly been scared to death. The hunting grounds were quite far from the capital, and messages were delivered far from promptly. In her frantic state, she couldn’t get any news about Song Chuyi, Song Jue, Xiang Mingzi and the others. However, she did hear that the daughter of the Vice Minister of Justice had returned overnight by carriage, and it was said her injuries were very severe. Thinking again of her own children with no news whatsoever, she fainted on the spot.
Each of these children was her lifeline—if something happened to any of them, she wouldn’t be able to go on living.
Now knowing that everyone was safe, she breathed a great sigh of relief. The worries in her heart were temporarily suppressed, and she began giving instructions to the First Madam. “Although nothing happened, you should still discuss the current situation in the capital properly with your sister-in-law. It’s really not appropriate to hold a grand ceremony. When Little Four comes home on her return visit, we’ll combine it with the return visit banquet, but only invite family relatives and keep everything simple.”
Third Madam understood perfectly well. She had heard all about the outside situation from Third Master, and this was just when hearts were in panic. How could she dare request any grand return visit banquet? Without a second word, she agreed.
Who could have known this return visit banquet would ultimately not take place. Emperor Jianzhang’s imperial carriage had just entered the capital when the good news from Fujian and the news of Prince Duan’s death spread throughout the capital together.
Old Madam Song sighed, looking at Third Madam whose eyes had reddened. “Now there’s no need to invite relatives and friends either—it would be easy to run into others’ taboos. Such a major incident occurred at the hunting grounds, and if we invited people, it would likely just add trouble for them. Little Four will have to be wronged, I’m afraid.”
Third Madam didn’t dare say she felt wronged. Actually, there really was nothing to feel wronged about. When Song Chumi married, Old Madam had privately provided ten thousand taels of her personal silver to supplement her—this was a real, tangible benefit that couldn’t be matched by hosting however many banquets. She nodded and wiped her tears. “To talk about being wronged or not at a time like this—just the fact that Mingzi and Little Yi are safe makes me happier than hosting any banquet.”
First Madam had just received Xiang Mingzi and Song Chuyi from outside and brought them in. Hearing these words, she glanced at Third Madam—having been sisters-in-law for so many years, she only felt Third Madam had made progress during this period. Fortunately, it was progress in a good direction. In the current situation, everyone from top to bottom needed to pull together as one. It was best if there were no confused people in the family, otherwise pulling one hair would move the whole body. Thinking of this, she couldn’t help but worry somewhat about Second Branch’s affairs. Her younger brother-in-law hadn’t been an official for several years and seemed to have forgotten the ups and downs of official life—he had become increasingly naive.
Old Madam Song had already reached out her trembling hands, pulling one person with each hand, examining them carefully from top to bottom. Seeing pink scars on Song Chuyi’s face, her expression involuntarily sank. “I’ve warned you again and again not to show off, not to show off. A young lady—if your face is disfigured in the future, where will you find a good husband?”
First Madam and Third Madam exchanged glances, looking at each other without knowing how to console her. The facial scars were actually a minor matter. Any family with some foundation would have effective medicinal prescriptions passed down over the years to help young ladies eliminate scars. But the matter of Song Chuyi finding a good husband was truly somewhat difficult now—the reputation that Master Yuanhui had pronounced her as having an inauspicious fate had long since spread throughout the capital. This single statement from Master Yuanhui had brutally cut off Song Chuyi’s path to marrying a good husband in the future. Originally, with Song Chuyi’s status, who couldn’t she marry? Even a dragon’s son or phoenix’s grandson would be within reach. But now that this fate had been spoken of, even if she went looking for a match with a lantern, prepared to marry beneath her station, it would be extremely difficult.
Fortunately, Old Madam Song had no intention of saying more on this topic. After all, Xiang Mingzi wasn’t in good health, and Song Chuyi was injured. She kept them to talk for a while, and knowing they were alright, she let them return to rest.
It was said that Prince Duan had died from being too grief-stricken over Consort Rui’s death, and from the shock of being reprimanded by Emperor Jianzhang’s edict. But everyone understood in their hearts how he had truly died. How many people with old connections to Prince Duan had been exposed by the Yangzhou corruption case—anyone with a bit of perception knew.
Not to mention that the northern frontier connection had now also been revealed.
But everyone also knew these things were not enough to make Prince Duan die. According to Emperor Jianzhang’s previous temperament, at most he would imprison him for life, making him into a wealthy prisoner like the former dynasty’s Prince Zhongsu.
What truly enraged His Majesty was Prince Duan’s ruthless attack on the Crown Prince’s faction at the hunting grounds this time, showing no mercy whatsoever. This was not only declaring war on the Crown Prince—it was also slapping Emperor Jianzhang’s face. Emperor Jianzhang had given those injured at the hunting grounds the official explanation of Japanese ronin, but he still had to show the proper attitude. Otherwise, who would dare risk their lives for the court in the future? They might as well all go find patrons to rely on instead, to avoid being killed right under the Emperor’s nose.
Song Chengru came personally to Guanju Courtyard to see Song Chuyi in the evening. This was his first time returning home since coming back to the capital—previously he had been staying at the government office. Now that the matter was settled, though his face showed signs of fatigue, he was also in high spirits. Once upon a time, Prince Duan had been like a maggot in the bone, corroding you while also making you anxious and disgusted. Now that this major hidden threat had been eliminated, he felt even more relieved than when Empress Dowager Rongxian and Princess Shijia had fallen from power years ago.
But Song Chuyi didn’t feel very happy. Prince Duan’s ending had been predetermined long ago. Such an obsessive person—even if he hadn’t died from the matter of colluding with Japanese pirates that she had deliberately exposed together with Guo Huaiying, he would have died from his own unwillingness to accept his fate.
Victory and defeat had already been decided the moment Prince Duan and Chen Xiang planned to attack the female family members at the hunting grounds—regardless of whether anyone died, regardless of casualties, Emperor Jianzhang had to make him die in order to give these people an explanation.