Song Ke felt deeply troubled, unable to find peace day or night in his home. Lin Jinting came to see him privately and said, “Your situation looks dire. I’ve had people inquire around – this Li Jia was instigated by someone to cause trouble. Initially, I thought he was just greedy and could be silenced with more silver, but who knew he would be completely unreasonable.”

Song Ke frowned, “Of course, someone instigated this. Otherwise, how could such a minor matter escalate to the point where an Imperial Censor would submit a formal complaint? How unjust that I’ve been accused of ‘oppressing the common people.'”

Lin Jinting worried, “I don’t know who you’ve offended. I regret that I’m too insignificant to help investigate. Tomorrow I’ll go ask Uncle to see if he has any connections that could help.”

Song Ke sighed deeply, “I just hope this storm passes quickly.” After discussing further with Lin Jinting, the matter was set aside for the moment.

However, the situation only grew more serious. When the Emperor heard of this matter, he was displeased and ordered Song Ke to remain at home in contemplation, forbidding him from entering the capital until he showed true remorse. When this news arrived, Song Ke felt as if he’d been struck by lightning from a clear sky, leaving him completely stunned. The Emperor’s words had effectively cut off his bright future – over a decade of diligent study and ambitious dreams had dissolved like flowing water. In his extreme anger and despair, he fell ill in bed with a high fever, speaking deliriously. Aunt Song and the others felt as if they’d lost their anchor, crying day and night in deep distress.

Lin Zhengzheng had originally planned to submit a memorial defending Song Ke but was stopped by Lin Zhaoxiang who said, “His Majesty just ordered him to reflect at home. If you submit a petition declaring his innocence now, wouldn’t that be challenging His Majesty’s judgment? Lou’er is currently working in the capital to secure you the position of Shanxi Governor, with a promotion in rank. The appointment is about to be made. You should prioritize stability now and avoid rash actions. After a year or so, when this matter has faded, you can bring it up again. If His Majesty remains displeased, you can always take the Song boy to Shanxi and give him an important position there.”

Lin Zhengzheng had no choice but to agree. He sent Lin Jinting to the Song household with some high-quality medicinal herbs and conveyed Lin Zhaoxiang’s message.

Xianglan also heard of this matter but could do nothing to help, only worry in secret. Using the excuse of visiting Song Tanchai, she brought some items to the Song household and managed to see Song Ke privately. She found him just recovering from his serious illness, his face pale and sickly.

Xianglan’s heart ached, and tears nearly fell from her eyes. She quickly put on a smile and brought out her food box, saying, “I made some dishes for you at home. Try them. I heard from Junxi and the others that you haven’t had much appetite lately, but you should still eat something.” She laid out the dishes one by one, “Back when I was a maid in the Lin household, you had Ludou secretly send food to Rongcui Residence for me. Now the roles are reversed, and I’m repaying your kindness.” She handed the chopsticks to Song Ke, “Please try some.”

Song Ke forced himself to take one bite and then put down the chopsticks.

Xianglan sighed and slowly consoled him, “When I was in the Lin household, I also felt like I would never see the end of my suffering. As a servant, I was like a blade of grass that anyone could step on. Who could have imagined that in just a year I would be free from the Lin family? You should take heart too. Though it seems there’s no way forward now, perhaps things will brighten up soon?”

Song Ke smiled bitterly, “How could I not understand this reasoning? But there’s no one at court to speak for me. Even if Lord Lin clears my name in a year or so, I’ve already displeased His Majesty, so my prospects remain dim.” Having said this, he fell silent and lay down on his bed to sleep.

Xianglan stared at Song Ke’s back for a while. Knowing he was unhappy, she didn’t stay long and quietly withdrew.

From the Song household, Xianglan went directly to Jingyue Temple to burn incense and draw a fortune slip for Song Ke. It turned out to be an auspicious sign indicating “After extreme adversity comes prosperity.” Xianglan couldn’t help but feel relieved. She then drew a slip for herself, shaking for a long time before one fell from the container. Xianglan vaguely saw the characters “Birds of the Same Forest” written on the bamboo slip. As she was about to pick it up for a closer look, she saw it was stepped on by a pair of arhat shoes, and looking up, found Master Ding Yi standing before her.

Xianglan quickly pressed her palms together and softly called out, “Master.”

Master Ding Yi bent down to pick up the slip, looked at it, then tucked it into her sleeve, asking, “What did you pray for just now?”

Xianglan blushed and said softly, “Marriage fate.”

Master Ding Yi started, made a sound of acknowledgment, and stared at the bamboo outside the window for a while before saying, “You need not ask about this. In your previous life, your destined years were not complete, and you had not yet enjoyed all your blessings when you met with an untimely death. In this life, your marriage fate is predetermined. There’s no need to ask further, so set your mind at ease.”

Xianglan had always been respectful toward her master, and though full of curiosity, she dared not ask more. However, she remained worried about Song Ke and visited the Song household frequently. Fortunately, Aunt Song was too busy crying and lamenting to pay attention to her, and Song Tanchai was willing to let her comfort Song Ke. The servants were also friendly with Xianglan, so things remained peaceful for the time being. Only Song Ke remained depressed. Later, as his health improved and his spirit recovered somewhat, he began to show traces of smiles, but he was still not as cheerful as before, often staring blankly at his four treasures of study on the desk. Though Xianglan tried countless ways to cheer him up, nothing seemed to work.

Speaking of Song Ke’s troubles, there was another extremely worried person. When Zheng Jingxian heard the news, she was immediately both anxious and angry, constantly pestering Zheng Baichuan to speak up for Song Ke. Zheng Baichuan, unable to bear it anymore, said, “That Song boy has offended someone who’s now stabbing him in the back. Why should we get involved in this mess? There are plenty of good men in the world besides him, let’s choose another family!”

Zheng Jingxian glared and said, “But I’ve set my heart on him! In my heart, I’m already his wife. If I can’t marry Song Ke, I’ll become a nun!”

Zheng Baichuan trembled with anger, pointing at Zheng Jingxian, “You… you… how can you say such shameless things!”

Zheng Jingxian clung to Zheng Baichuan’s arm, acting coy and sweet, “Father, he’s the only one I’ve ever liked. He’s talented and capable, becoming a Jinshi at such a young age. Didn’t you say to yourself that his future was limitless? Just think of it as appreciating talent and say a few good words for him. Consider it fulfilling your daughter’s wish.” She pulled Zheng Baichuan to his writing desk, dipped the brush in ink, and placed it in his hand, urging, “Father, hurry!”

Zheng Baichuan dropped the brush and sighed, “How could it be so simple?”

Zheng Jingxian put her hands on her hips and raised her eyebrows, “Why not? Wasn’t your old friend’s son accused of assaulting women? When the Imperial Censor filed a complaint, didn’t you find someone to help smooth things over, and in the end, nothing came of it? Song Ke must have been wrongly accused. Father, just speak up for him!” Seeing Zheng Baichuan still hesitating, Zheng Jingxian’s stubborn nature emerged, and she declared with round eyes, “If Father won’t help, I’ll go to First Brother and Second Brother!”

Zheng Baichuan quickly grabbed her and said resignedly, “Alright, alright, I’ll help.” He then sent people to investigate the matter. They discovered that the person behind Li Jia was Wu Liang. Li Jia had been Wu Liang’s gambling and brothel companion, pretending to buy the Song family’s estate before causing a scene, which led to the Song family’s manager beating him. Li Jia then made a huge fuss and extorted quite a sum from the Song family. Wu Liang had also connected with his father’s former subordinate, now an Imperial Censor in Jinling, who submitted the complaint against Song Ke.

Wu Liang had originally intended to simply annoy Song Ke with this incident but hadn’t expected it to cause such waves since Song Ke was the top-ranked second-class graduate of the recent imperial examinations.

Learning the whole story, Zheng Baichuan had a plan in mind, thinking to himself, “Though Wu Youwei is a Circuit Inspector and has some authority in local matters, he’s merely an insect in the grand scheme of the imperial court, not worth mentioning. Because of Song Fang’s previous matter, Song Ke has developed a grudge against me. If I help clear up this situation, he’ll be deeply grateful, and I can use this opportunity to win him over. Moreover, since Xian’er has feelings for him, he’s likely to become my son-in-law.”

However, to Zheng Jingxian he said, “Though we could help that Song boy, does he have any interest in you? If he has no intention toward you, why should I go to such lengths to do him this favor?”

This question left Zheng Jingxian dumbfounded. She felt some resentment toward Song Ke – her mother and the other women in the family had hinted at this match to the Song family multiple times, but they had pretended to be deaf and mute. With her usual temperament, she would have given up in hatred long ago, but uniquely with Song Ke, she couldn’t bring herself to hate him and only continued to hope earnestly.

Now that Zheng Baichuan had spoken thus, Zheng Jingxian went to the Song household and said directly to Song Tanchai, “Regarding your brother’s matter, we could help somewhat, but my father is hesitant and can’t make up his mind. If… if our two families were to become one, then it would be… would be a family matter, and my father would naturally help with all his might.” Before she finished speaking, her face had turned completely red.

Song Tanchai was a perceptive person and understood the implications perfectly, immediately telling Aunt Song. Aunt Song felt as if she had grabbed onto a lifeline and called Song Ke to her, explaining the situation, “My son, Miss Xian has already spoken so plainly, what more are you waiting for? In our current situation, being able to marry a noble family’s daughter is already a heaven-sent opportunity. The Illustrious Duke can even help you – you foolish boy, what more could you want?”

Song Ke kept his head down and remained silent.

Aunt Song asked several times, but Song Ke still maintained his silence like a closed jar. She began beating her chest and stamping her feet, crying, “You’re going to be the death of me! After so many years of study for your degree, it’s all about to be ruined, and now when heaven sends a wonderful opportunity that would benefit both your career and marriage, you show no interest. Since your father died, I’ve thought of nothing but hoping you would make something of yourself, so your sister and I would have someone to rely on. Who knew you would be so useless… My husband, you died too early, take me with you!” Her eyes rolled back, and she fainted.

Song Tanchai hurriedly went to help Aunt Song breathe, saying through tears, “Brother, just… just agree!”

Song Ke’s eyes also reddened, and he said, “I…”

Song Tanchai said softly, “Although the Illustrious Duke isn’t an honorable person, Miss Xian herself is very good…”

Song Ke clenched his fists tightly, his nails nearly digging into his palms.