Everyone looked closely and saw it was a young eunuch.
The young eunuch muttered, “I’ve received kindness from Lord Wu before. Fearing he might be implicated by you all, I decided to step forward.”
At this point, no one cared about such details anymore. They pulled the young eunuch closer and asked, “What solution do you have?”
The young eunuch smiled and said, “There are spares in your Flag Guard’s storehouse, and also in the inner storehouse! As it happens, I have an old friend who works in the inner storehouse. However, you must remember to return the items to me later.”
Everyone’s eyes lit up.
While others couldn’t enter the inner storehouse, these eunuchs could use their authority to retrieve items from there.
The Flag Captain searched his entire body but only found a few pieces of silver.
Seeing this, the others also took out the silver they had on them, gathering it into a pile and stuffing it into the young eunuch’s arms. They respectfully said, “We’ve troubled you, sir. We’ll follow you now to move the items.”
The young eunuch didn’t hesitate at all. Smiling, he accepted the silver and led them to the inner storehouse.
Upon seeing the token, the chief of the inner storehouse immediately stood up with a broad smile, ready to accompany the young eunuch to select items.
The young eunuch, full of confidence, waved his hand at the chief and said, “Go about your business. Having these gentlemen from the Flag Guard accompany me is enough.”
The chief bowed repeatedly and indeed remained outside the storehouse, appearing to let them take whatever they needed.
The Flag Guard members looked at each other, not daring to waste a moment. They took the items and rushed back to their quarters, finally managing to cover up this oversight.
Afterward, they discussed privately, “We usually see Lord Wu as quiet and unassuming. When did he make such powerful connections?”
As a result, many in the Flag Guard became more enthusiastic towards Wu Liang than before.
Of course, this was all hindsight.
When Song Mo received the news, he couldn’t help but laugh coldly to himself.
He had already prepared over a dozen contingency plans. With Wang Yuan acting under the Emperor’s authority unless the Empress personally intervened, this trap was destined to fail.
Nevertheless, when the Emperor’s procession was halfway through, another problem arose.
On the already cleared street, a hundred-year-old tree with lush branches and leaves inexplicably broke in half and fell across the road, completely blocking the path to the Western Garden. It nearly crushed the nearby Golden Feather Guards who were maintaining order.
The Golden Feather Guards were startled. Upon closer inspection, they found that the trunk had been sawed through more than halfway.
They couldn’t help but curse.
However, they couldn’t remain idle. Several men tried their best to move the tree aside first. But the tree was too thick and sturdy; they couldn’t budge it at all. Some quick-thinkers ran to find patrolling guards, but after a long time, they couldn’t find a single one. As the imperial procession was about to pass through, several Golden Feather Guards stood there, shoulders pressing and hands pushing against the immovable tree, as if doing so would lessen their punishment when responsibility was assigned later.
Among them, a young man who had spent most of his family’s savings to join the Golden Feather Guard less than a month ago couldn’t help but cry.
Some more experienced guards, embarrassed and angry, cursed their bad luck.
The young man cried even harder.
Suddenly, a few people emerged from the nearby woods, saying, “We’re from the Five Cities Cavalry. Do you need help?”
The Golden Feather Guards were overjoyed and quickly said, “We’re subordinates of Lord Song from the Golden Feather Guard. We’re all on the same side. Please, brothers, lend a hand and help us move this tree aside.”
The leader of the Five Cities Cavalry was a spirited young man in his early twenties. Hearing this, he smiled and said, “This is a hundred-year-old tree. If some bored censor exaggerates the story to the Emperor, saying it’s a bad omen, His Majesty might be displeased. I think we should work together to temporarily prop up the tree in its original position. We can let it fall in a couple of days.”
“Brother, you’re truly capable!” the Golden Feather Guards praised. “May we know your name? We must treat you to a drink another day!”
“No need for such formalities!” the Five Cities Cavalry men laughed. “My humble surname is Jiang, given name Yi, serving as the Southern City Commander. I brought a few brothers out to see the excitement today, didn’t expect to encounter such a situation.”
As they spoke, a few more people came running to help.
Many hands make light work.
Soon, the hundred-year-old tree was propped up in its original position with several wooden stakes.
Jiang Yi dusted off his hands and said, “That should do it. As long as no one disturbs it, it won’t fall for a while.” He added, “We’ll take our leave now, to avoid any trouble with the imperial procession. That’s not something to be taken lightly. You all be careful too.”
The Golden Feather Guards were on duty and couldn’t leave their posts. They thanked Jiang Yi profusely and hurriedly stood at attention before the imperial procession passed by.
The Golden Feather Guards stationed by the tree were trembling in fear, worried about any potential accidents.
Fortunately, the imperial procession passed by safely and smoothly.
However, paper can’t wrap fire, especially when many people are involved. The news that the Flag Guard had lost their flags and red silk-handled umbrellas and that a tree had fallen during the Golden Feather Guard’s watch, quickly reached Wang Ge’s ears. When Wang Ge heard that a young eunuch had borrowed items from the inner storehouse, his gaze fell on Wang Yuan.
A couple of days later, the Emperor asked Wang Yuan, “I didn’t know you and Yan Tang had such a good relationship?”
Wang Yuan was confused.
The Emperor smiled and said, “I heard you helped him out of trouble with the Flag Guard?”
Wang Yuan cursed Wang Ge in his heart but maintained a respectful demeanor, bowing slightly as he said, “This old servant truly didn’t help in this matter. I dare not claim credit for something I didn’t do.” He continued, “This old servant also heard about this incident, but what I heard was different from what Your Majesty heard.
They say it was Lord Song who sent a message to the Song family’s Fourth Master, and it was the Fourth Master who helped borrow items from the inner storehouse. No wonder they say rumors can kill. This old servant has been wrongly accused! Last time, when the narcissus in Your Majesty’s study cabinet didn’t bloom by Spring Festival, some people in the palace said it was because I overwatered it…” As he spoke, he pitifully wiped his tears with his sleeve. “This old servant is truly damned if I do and damned if I don’t!”
The Emperor laughed heartily and waved for Wang Yuan to withdraw. He then summoned the Superintendent of the Western Depot: “Go investigate who borrowed the flags and red silk-handled umbrellas from the inner storehouse for the Flag Guard.”
If a mere lackey of a eunuch could take things from the inner storehouse without any formalities, wouldn’t the Emperor’s domain become the playground of these eunuchs?
The Emperor was furious. He asked one of Wang Ge’s disciples nearby, “What is Wang Yuan doing?”
Wang Ge’s disciple couldn’t lie and said, “Wang Yuan has been sitting in the corridor sunbathing!”
The Emperor snorted coldly.
At least the old dog knew his place.
At this moment, a cold, gleaming dagger was pressed against the throat of the chief of the inner storehouse.
At the desk, the expressionless Superintendent of the Western Depot was ominously questioning him: “Was it Lord Song who borrowed the items?”
The chief nodded vigorously: “If I’m lying, may heaven strike me down with five thunderbolts and deny me a good death!”
The Superintendent of the Western Depot gave a signal to his men. They withdrew the dagger and began beating the chief mercilessly.
The chief wailed in pain but also felt relieved.
It was fortunate that he had followed the instructions of the masked person who had jumped into his bedroom the night before. Otherwise, if the Emperor suspected him of colluding with palace eunuchs to steal from the inner storehouse, he wouldn’t have enough heads to be chopped off.
Now, as long as he stuck to this story, he would be fine.
Even the Imperial Guards would need a plausible reason to harm a court official, let alone the Western Depot!
He wailed even louder, all the while crying out that he was wronged.
Seeing that he couldn’t get any more information, the Superintendent of the Western Depot left to visit Song Tongchun.
Hearing that this matter was related to Song Mo, Song Tongchun felt that if he flatly denied it, he would surely offend Song Mo. But then, considering that the one questioning him was the Superintendent of the Western Depot, he thought it better to find a way to distance himself.
Song Tongchun alternated between saying it was him and it wasn’t, back and forth, making people think he was trying to shirk responsibility.
The Superintendent of the Western Depot didn’t press him further and returned to the palace to report.
The Emperor pondered and said, “After all, it was a violation of regulations. Song Tongchun is timid and afraid of trouble, so it’s normal for him to speak incoherently.”
With this, he believed Wang Yuan but became somewhat displeased with Wang Ge, who was always whispering in his ear.
Seeing this, Wang Yuan was so happy he almost laughed out loud.
This was truly a blessing in disguise!
Song Yan Tang had casually thrown Wang Ge under the carriage!
That fellow was truly full of schemes, cunning, and treacherous!
As the thought crossed his mind, Wang Yuan felt a bit uneasy.
He didn’t seem to have offended Song Yan Tang in any way, had he?
As he pondered in the corridor, the Empress arrived.
Wang Yuan hurried forward to attend to her.
However, the Empress smiled kindly and said, “Wang Yuan serves His Majesty. I dare not use him presumptively. Let Wang Ge attend to me.”
Wang Yuan retreated with a fawning smile, but in his heart, he cursed the Empress.
Let’s see how long you can remain smug.
When the Crown Prince ascends the throne, see if you’ll have any say in this palace!
But if the King of Liao were to ascend the throne…
Wang Ge would be able to defecate on his head for the rest of his life.
Being stabbed in the back by an adopted son, he would be the first among the eunuchs to achieve such “eternal fame”!
Wang Yuan’s heart felt like it was being clawed by a cat. He kicked his young disciple who was lounging nearby and said, “Go! Listen to what the Empress is saying to His Majesty!”
The young disciple scurried away.
After about two incense sticks’ worth of time, the cry of “The Empress departs” rang out from Qianqing Palace.
Wang Yuan hurried out.
The Empress’s carriage had already gone far, but Wang Ge was still standing at the door, looking into the distance.
Wang Yuan spat at Wang Ge’s back and returned to the corridor.
His young disciple returned: “The Empress spoke to His Majesty about moving palaces. She also said that although Lord Song’s duties were completed without major errors, it was nerve-wracking. She suggested assigning a more experienced deputy to assist Lord Song. His Majesty said that Lord Song is young, and it’s already impressive that he could smooth things over. He’s much better than most people his age. Regarding the Golden Feather Guard incident, His Majesty said to let Lord Song handle it himself. After a few more experiences, he won’t make mistakes. His Majesty also said, ‘Who doesn’t make mistakes when they’re young? Lord Song is doing extremely well.’ Hearing this, the Empress didn’t say anything more and started discussing the first birthday celebration for the third imperial grandson.”
A wasp’s tail holds its sting; a woman’s heart is most poisonous.
If this had happened a few years ago when the Emperor was younger, even if he wanted to promote Song Yan Tang, he would have followed the Empress’s suggestion and placed an experienced person to watch over him.
Wang Yuan laughed coldly. He returned to his residence and drank three large bowls of wine. Thinking about how Young Master Yuan was about to celebrate his first birthday, he secretly sent over a set of solid gold small bowls and plates made by a silversmith.
Song Mo dismissively pursed his lips and said, “Now Wang Yuan has finally behaved himself.”
Dou Zhao smiled and asked, “How many birds did you kill with this one stone?”
Song Mo laughed and replied, “However many birds fall, that’s how many we’ll count.”
Dou Zhao couldn’t help but laugh heartily.