The youngest branch produces an elder.
Jiang Baisun was only twelve years older than Song Mo.
He stood tall and straight, wearing a lilac-colored straight robe. His face was bruised black and blue, and his right eye was so swollen that only a slit remained visible. One look was enough to understand the treatment he had endured. Logically, he should have appeared quite disheveled, yet as he stood there, his posture was upright, his spirits high, and his face showed complete nonchalance, exuding the hearty demeanor of a northern man.
No wonder he was someone the master of Tan Family Village deemed worthy!
Dou Zhao merely glanced at him before lowering her gaze respectfully and coming forward to pay her respects.
Jiang Baisun examined her carefully for a few moments, then said with a smile, “For our first meeting, I should give you a gift, but unfortunately, your Fifth Uncle is currently penniless. I’ll have to make it up to you later.” Without waiting for Dou Zhao to respond, he turned to Song Mo with a laugh, “Years ago, your sister praised Miss Dou to your mother, saying she was as capable as any man, and wanted to get to know her. Who would have thought that with time, Miss Dou would become her daughter-in-law? If your sister knew this in the afterlife, she’d probably smile even in her sleep.” As he spoke, he punched Song Mo’s shoulder, “This is the best thing you’ve ever done, boy. Your grandmother and I were worried about your marriage before!”
His high praise made Dou Zhao blush slightly.
Song Mo, however, laughed heartily, his expression full of pride.
Dou Zhao retreated, instructing the serving maids and boys to attend to them well. She returned to the main courtyard, allowing her uncle and nephew to talk privately.
Dou Shiyingj had already learned about the incident at Xiangshan Villa. Due to the curfew in the capital prohibiting carriages and sedan chairs, he had sent Gaosheng to inquire about the situation.
Naturally, Dou Zhao only shared the good news, emphasizing that her grandmother was unharmed. Gaosheng couldn’t help but sigh in relief and returned jubilantly to report.
Song Mo returned to the main room.
“Why are you back so early?” Dou Zhao asked as she wrung out a towel to help him wash up. “I thought you’d be having lunch with Fifth Uncle.”
“He’s still injured and taking medicine,” Song Mo replied. He took the towel from Dou Zhao, first leaning down to kiss her cheek before smiling and saying, “Let him rest and recover first. We can host a banquet for Fifth Uncle in a few days when he’s feeling better.”
Dou Zhao pondered for a moment, then asked, “Does His Highness the Crown Prince know about Fifth Uncle? Is he staying for a few days or planning to recuperate here? If relatives and friends come to visit, should we receive them or not?”
“I haven’t had a chance to tell His Highness about this yet,” Song Mo said. “But I’ve already sent someone to deliver a message to the palace. However, given the special circumstances these days, I’m not sure if the message will reach His Highness in time. While the situation in the palace remains unclear, Fifth Uncle should stay here and recover. As for news of Fifth Uncle’s return, I’ve instructed Wuyi and the others not to spread it around. You should act as if you don’t know, keep the gates closed, and make sure the household doesn’t wander about.”
With Prince Liao’s rebellion causing such a major incident, all the noble houses were closing their doors to visitors, fearing any association with the matter. Their family was no exception.
Dou Zhao nodded repeatedly in agreement.
Wuyi rushed in, sweating profusely: “Young Master, Madam, a eunuch from the palace has arrived. He says he’s here on the Crown Prince’s orders to summon the Young Master to the palace. He won’t even drink a cup of tea and is waiting in the hall. He won’t answer any questions, just keeps saying that His Highness wants the Young Master to go quickly, that the matter is urgent…”
The Song couple exchanged a glance.
Could the Crown Prince have learned about Fifth Uncle so quickly?
Song Mo said, “I’ll go to the palace right away!”
As Wuyi ran off to reply, Dou Zhao directed the maids to help Song Mo change into his official robes. Song Mo then headed back to the palace under the scorching sun.
To show respect, the Crown Prince didn’t meet with the ministers in the East Side Hall where the Emperor usually handled state affairs. Instead, he received his officials in a side room east of the main hall.
When Song Mo arrived, not only were the several Grand Secretaries of the Cabinet present, but also the Duke of Huainan, Earl of Yunyang, Marquis of Xuanning, Earl of Huichang, and other senior royal relatives and nobles. The side room was eerily silent. The Crown Prince, looking somewhat agitated, was fiddling with a string of agarwood prayer beads. The other princes and high officials all wore grim expressions, with the Earl of Yunyang particularly cowering behind the Duke of Huainan, as if afraid to be seen. The atmosphere was very strange.
He stepped forward to pay his respects to the Crown Prince, but as he looked up, he saw Dou Shixu giving him a meaningful look.
Song Mo was utterly confused.
The Crown Prince had already gestured for Cui Yijun to bring a stool for Song Mo.
Song Mo could only express his thanks and sit down below the Duke of Huainan.
The Crown Prince glanced at Liang Jifen and said, “Prince Liao has taken Father Emperor hostage. We’re in a dilemma, unable to launch a forceful attack. But we can’t let this situation continue indefinitely! I’ve invited Uncle Wang and several respected Marquises and Earls to help me come up with a plan, to see if we can persuade Prince Liao. However, Grand Secretary Liang recommended you—saying that you grew up with Prince Liao, that Father Emperor favors you the most, and that the Empress and Madam Jiang have a close personal relationship, always treating you like a nephew. He said you’d be the most suitable person to persuade Prince Liao to surrender. That’s why I urgently summoned you to the palace!”
In a matter of life and death, how could a few words resolve this?
He couldn’t recall offending Liang Jifen in any way.
This wasn’t a recommendation; it was throwing him onto the fire!
No wonder Fifth Uncle had been signaling to him!
Song Mo cursed Liang Jifen viciously in his heart, but he knew this matter had become a thorn in the Crown Prince’s side. If he rashly refused the Crown Prince, His Highness would likely be displeased.
After some thought, he said, “Your Highness, may I speak with you privately for a moment?”
Everyone was surprised, not expecting Song Mo to be so bold as to request the future heir apparent.
The Crown Prince, however, didn’t hesitate and went with Song Mo to an adjacent room that had been partitioned off as a rest area.
Song Mo spoke in a low voice, “Your Highness has always been known for your kindness and benevolence. Prince Liao is now merely cornered and desperate. Perhaps Your Highness could publicly announce that Prince Liao was misled by his advisors and that out of brotherly affection, Your Highness intends not to pursue Prince Liao’s treasonous actions, but instead confine him to his residence.”
The Crown Prince sighed, speaking dejectedly, “Brothers are still brothers. Only Yantang is willing to speak honestly with me. When I ask the others, they all avoid giving a direct answer, afraid of offending me. I never intended to take his life. No matter what, brothers fighting each other would break Father Emperor’s heart the most. If Prince Liao is willing, I’ll petition Father Emperor to merely strip him of his title, demote him to commoner status, and let his eldest son inherit the title of Prince Liao. This should satisfy Father Emperor and explain the subjects…”
This was already the best possible outcome.
Song Mo nodded and left the rest area with the Crown Prince, heading straight for Yuquan Mountain.
Hearing that the visitor was Song Yantang, the Heir of Duke Ying, neither side stopped him. They allowed him to enter the mountain with two of his guards.
Prince Liao and his group were resting in an Earth God temple at the foot of Yuquan Mountain. In just one night, streaks of white had appeared in his sideburns.
“Why are you here?” he asked acidly. “Have you come to mock me or to deliver a message from the Crown Prince? How can your Duke Ying’s household be so spineless? Always cleaning up our family’s messes, aren’t you ashamed of such dirty work?”
Song Mo tossed his saber to his guard and stepped forward, punching Prince Liao squarely in the face.
Immediately, people rushed forward to attack Song Mo.
Song Mo’s guards drew their swords in response.
Prince Liao, slightly stunned, then showed a fierce expression and swung his fist at Song Mo.
The two began brawling.
Prince Liao’s guards, unsure of what to do, could only watch as they fought.
After about the time it takes to burn an incense stick, their movements finally slowed.
Prince Liao’s guards moved to restrain Song Mo, but Prince Liao shouted, “Who do you think you are? Get back!”
The guards exchanged confused glances and retreated to the side.
Song Mo and Prince Liao stumbled apart, glaring at each other like fighting roosters.
Finally, Prince Liao spoke first, “Tell me. What does he want?”
“Release the Emperor. You’ll be demoted to commoner status and confined to the Prince Liao residence,” Song Mo said, his eyes flashing with a hint of darkness as he summarized. “Your eldest son will take your place guarding Liaodong.”
“What about Mother Empress?” Prince Liao pressed aggressively.
“That’s between the Emperor and the Empress,” Song Mo sneered. “Do you know why you lost? At this point, you’ve forgotten about the Emperor, but the Crown Prince always remembers who he is. You deserve to lose!”
He intentionally planted a seed of doubt about Prince Liao’s abilities.
Sure enough, Prince Liao’s expression subtly changed, and he seemed lost in thought.
Song Mo said, “Yes or no, give me an answer!”
Prince Liao snapped back to reality.
He pursed his lips and said, “As long as Mother Empress’s dignity can be guaranteed, I’ll surrender quietly.”
Song Mo stood up and said, “I’ll convey this to His Highness the Crown Prince.”
Prince Liao nodded and stood up as well.
“No!” The Empress, looking haggard, emerged from behind the Earth God statue. She grasped Prince Liao’s hand and said, “You can’t surrender! This is just the Crown Prince’s promise. Once the Emperor returns to the palace, he will decide on matters of right and wrong. They won’t let you off!”
Song Mo’s feelings towards the Empress had changed from initial respect to contempt.
He said coolly, “What does Your Majesty suggest we do then?”
The Empress was left speechless for a moment.
Song Mo turned to Prince Liao: “Some decisions you should make for yourself. Always wavering like this, what can you accomplish?”
Prince Liao’s face flushed red. He glanced at his mother and slowly said, “Help me ask the Crown Prince how he plans to deal with Mother Empress.”
“My son!” The Empress grew anxious.
Song Mo acted as if he hadn’t seen her, bowed to the Empress and Prince Liao, and left the Earth God temple.
The Empress’s influence in the inner palace was too strong, and the Crown Prince couldn’t enter the Six Palaces freely. He wasn’t confident he could restrain the Empress. After hearing Song Mo’s report, he paced back and forth with a dark expression.
Song Mo reminded him, “Your Highness, why not go ask the Empress Dowager for advice?”
After the incident in the palace, the Crown Princess had been staying in Cining Palace with their three sons to accompany the Empress Dowager.
The Crown Prince’s eyes lit up, and he hurried off to Cining Palace.
When he returned, his face was expressionless. He pulled Song Mo into the side room, but couldn’t contain the smile that spread across his face: “The Empress Dowager knows that to respectfully invite Father Emperor back to the palace, I’ve not only promised not to pursue Prince Liao’s treason but also to preserve the Empress’s title. She praised me for being filial and said I should just keep the Empress’s title. There are plenty of concubines in the palace with titles but no favor. She said she simply didn’t want to torment her daughter-in-law before. She also said to let the Emperor handle this matter and that I shouldn’t interfere. I am the future heir apparent, and my words are golden…”
Song Mo smiled slightly and made several more trips to Yuquan Mountain.
In the afternoon, at the hour of You, the Crown Prince personally went to Yuquan Mountain to respectfully escort the Emperor back to the palace.
Only then did Song Mo realize how hungry he was, remembering that he hadn’t eaten all day.