Song Yan only learned through Song Jue that Song Chuyi had sent people to Xiangfan, and he couldn’t help but feel somewhat worried—in his view, it would be more appropriate and much safer for Song family members to step forward or for people from the Grand Prince’s side to be dispatched, rather than Song Chuyi personally sending people out. Now Song Chuyi was directly confronting the Prince of Dongping, and someone like him was truly not easy to deal with.
Master Qingfeng was currently buried in a pile of books searching for something. Hearing this, he laughed and looked at his young disciple, shaking his head: “From the moment your sister entered the Empress’s Qingning Hall, she was already in a fight to the death with the Prince of Dongping and the Fan family of Xingyang. Whether this incident happens or not makes no difference. Since that’s the case, she might as well follow through herself at every step—that way she’s less likely to be harmed. As for you, you’d better be careful lately. If they can’t do anything about your sister, they might just set their sights on you instead.”
Song Yan’s expression immediately darkened. These people always used him as a raft to attack his sister—it was truly both irritating and embarrassing, as if they were all picking at Song Chuyi’s weakest spot to strike. He didn’t want to be the ostrich who could only hide under his sister’s wing waiting for protection. What he wanted to be was an eagle standing before his sister, able to shield her from wind and rain.
Master Qingfeng saw his displeasure but didn’t comfort him. After a long while, he finally found what he was looking for. Sitting up, he looked at Song Yan and asked: “Are you feeling very unwilling?”
Actually, in terms of age, Song Yan was still quite young. With Song Jue, such an excellent Song family son, standing before him, he really didn’t need to work so desperately hard. Most noble sons from ordinary families at this age were idling at home, waiting for death. Even if he remained mediocre his whole life, the Song family had the means to support him. But the problem was that Song Yan was not content with such a life, and the Song family had no intention of raising him toward mediocrity. Master Qingfeng stared at him seriously: “You’ll be going to Shu soon. This trip will take at least two or three years. Previously, when you hadn’t yet emerged and weren’t in the capital, you still faced so many dangers on the road. Now you’re far more important than before, and the difficulties you’ll face on this journey will be much greater than before. If I were your sister’s opponent, I would take advantage of you being alone and still unfledged to eliminate you in one fell swoop. Even if for nothing else, just to vent some anger—killing your sister’s only brother would be worth it.” As he spoke, he looked at Song Yan, his gaze profound: “Have you thought of this?”
Song Yan honestly nodded: “When I returned from Shu, Sister specially sent Ma Changjiang and others to meet me. Our travel times were never fixed—sometimes in the morning, sometimes at night. Our rest times also constantly changed, never at a fixed time…” He looked at Master Qingfeng, his eyes unwavering: “I’ve also been thinking that this journey to Shu will only be more dangerous than when I returned. Even after reaching Shu, I cannot let my guard down.”
This was the price of his sister becoming the Grand Princess Consort. He, the Grand Princess Consort’s only brother, the young and famous noble son of the Earl of Changning’s manor, had long since become meat on the chopping block for certain people.
Master Qingfeng smiled slightly, lowering his head to flip through the book in his hands. He seemed to ask casually: “So have you figured out what you’re going to do? You should know…” He looked at Song Yan without mincing words: “By the time your sister was your age, she already had her own forces she could mobilize. Her first group of people have followed her until now. I’ve watched with cold eyes—this kind of understanding and loyalty can’t be cultivated overnight. Compared to your sister, your starting point is already quite late.”
Song Yan’s eyes widened. Master Qingfeng’s meaning was clearly encouraging him to cultivate his own forces—or rather, encouraging him to learn from his sister Song Chuyi, to have a group of usable people at his disposal.
That’s right—people like Ye Jingchuan and Han Zhi had long had large numbers of available personnel. Elder Brother also had many usable people under him, like Wang Yue and Wang Feng, who played significant roles when by his side. Although he had Qin Ying, compared to these people, it was truly insufficient.
Seeing that he seemed to have understood, Master Qingfeng reminded him unhurriedly: “Only with your own people can you protect yourself without causing your sister trouble, and even help her at critical moments. You’re not the only one holding her back. I heard your father also has soft ears, doesn’t he? If he acts foolishly in the future when your sister has already married out, won’t you have to take care of the things your sister can’t attend to?”
Song Yi was indeed an existence that greatly worried Song Yan. Although they now had a reasonable stepmother who stood with them, and Song Yi had done fewer foolish things these past two years, after all, one must always guard against the unlikely possibility.
Song Yan felt as if he’d been doused with enlightening wisdom, instantly understanding Master Qingfeng’s meaning—he was the Grand Princess Consort’s brother. From now on, if nothing unexpected happened, his sister would accompany the Grand Prince toward that position. He absolutely could not be too weak.
Tang Mingzhao could teach him the civil examination system and learning, but what Master Qingfeng could teach him went far beyond these things. Song Yan willingly bent down and bowed deeply to Master Qingfeng, respectfully saying: “Please teach me, Master.”
Master Qingfeng stroked his beard and smiled faintly: “I don’t have much to teach you. It’s just that when people get old, they always need a place to earn their meals. You’re a fairly clever and quick-witted little fellow, and you’re quite fated to me. Those two fellows Cui Shaoting and Cui Yingshu have too strong temperaments, and the places they’re going are too far. I don’t get along with them, so I can only follow you.”
Song Yan couldn’t help but laugh. His two uncles had quite deep connections with Master Qingfeng when it came down to it, but Master Qingfeng wasn’t very willing to deal with them, always finding them troublesome. After laughing, he immediately restrained his expression—if Master Qingfeng were someone who feared trouble, he wouldn’t still be staying by the side of someone like him, who had “tall tree catches the wind” written all over him.
Having followed Master Qingfeng for so long, he deeply understood Master Qingfeng’s temperament. Hearing this, he bowed deeply without hesitation: “One day as teacher, father for life. This student will naturally support Master until the end of his days.”
Master Qingfeng was very satisfied with this final disciple’s attitude. He rolled up the book in his hand and tapped Song Yan’s head with a light smack: “Since that’s the case, first go ask your uncle for some people. Don’t be embarrassed—your sister’s people were also obtained from him. Uncle must treat nephew and niece equally, mustn’t he? Cui Shaoting won’t work—all his people staying in the capital are needed urgently. Go ask Yingshu for people. He always has some who can be used. Go pick some out and bring them back for me to see.”