The Crown Prince’s words reminded Song Mo of something.
He asked the Crown Prince, “Has the cause of death for the Liao Prince’s eldest son been determined?”
“Yes, it has,” the Crown Prince replied with frustration. “Father Emperor personally sent people to investigate. It seems the Liao Prince’s household heard that Fifth Brother was ill in the capital and realized their plot was exposed. Unable to get news of Fifth Brother, many of his former recruits fled, while those who remained lost the will to protect their master. The Liao Princess even committed suicide. My nephew, shocked and frightened, fell gravely ill. The Chief Historian of the Liao Prince’s household, fearing the Emperor’s anger, wanted to wait a few days before reporting the death and illness to the capital. Who knew this delay would lead to the current situation!” He added bitterly, “Everything’s been ruined by these petty men.”
He could deal with one or ten, but how could he handle hundreds or thousands?
Thinking this, the Crown Prince slumped into the grand chair and waved at Cui Yijun, saying, “You may leave. I have more to discuss with Yantang. If it’s not safe here, nowhere in the world is.”
Cui Yijun glanced at Song Mo with a smile, but as he turned, his face showed a hint of obscurity.
Song Yantang was indeed worthy of his ancestors who were once adopted by the royal family. Even joining halfway, the Crown Prince treated him with extraordinary affection!
Song Mo couldn’t care less about Cui Yijun’s thoughts.
In the past, with Wang Yuan residing in Qianqing Palace for a lifetime, he could still place a few of his people there. Cui Yijun had just moved into Qianqing Palace; if he wanted to play mind games, Song Mo could easily team up with Wang Yuan to sideline him.
However, the Emperor was in his twilight years. Even if Wang Yuan wanted to peacefully guard the Emperor’s mausoleum, he’d need to be extra cautious. This was a perfect opportunity for Song Mo to arrange some people in Qianqing Palace…
Lost in thought, Song Mo took a sip of tea and asked the Crown Prince with concern, “What happened?”
The Crown Prince pondered for a moment, then said in a low voice, “I wanted Cui Yijun to pass a message to Wang Yuan, but Cui said it wasn’t good to tell Wang Yuan, lest it deepen His Majesty’s misunderstanding that I’m manipulating the eunuchs around him. Do you think I should send a message to Wang Yuan?”
Song Mo couldn’t help but marvel. Having gone through recent events, the Crown Prince was no longer merely weak as before; he now knew to use his mind to find solutions.
He said, “I think Eunuch Cui’s words make sense. In the future, you should not only minimize contact with people around the Emperor but also take a stance. If anyone dares to bring the Emperor’s affairs to you, have them beaten to death immediately.”
The Crown Prince nodded thoughtfully.
The room fell silent.
Suddenly, voices came from outside.
Song Mo frowned and called out loudly, “Wuyi! Who’s talking outside? Such a lack of manners. Tell the Madam to have the matchmaker come in and punish them all.”
Wuyi hesitated, not immediately retreating as usual.
The Crown Prince, curious, asked Wuyi, “Is there some urgent matter that can’t be delayed?”
Addressed by the Crown Prince, even Wuyi, who had experienced the upheaval at Duke Ying’s mansion, felt his legs weaken with nervousness. He knelt, stammering, “It’s the Young Master. He had us keep an eye on the Yunyang Earl’s mansion… Today, they suddenly moved all of Young Master Gu’s belongings to their villa in Daxing. I fear Young Master Gu might be in trouble… He’s still in Tianjin helping our Young Master with the ships…”
“Gu Yu?” The Crown Prince, who had been overwhelmed lately, murmured, then gave Song Mo a bitter smile. “You’re indeed a loyal friend. Even in these dire circumstances, you’re still looking out for Gu Yu.”
Song Mo quickly stood up and said, “I beg Your Highness’s forgiveness…”
The Crown Prince waved his hand, interrupting Song Mo’s words. “I think Gu Yu is fortunate to have a friend like you.” He sighed and instructed Wuyi, “Go tell the Yunyang Earl’s people that the late Empress was kind to the Shen family. Am I not even as generous as a woman? Tell them not to be opportunistic and make things difficult for Gu Yu.” He added, “Your words might not be enough. I’ll have Cui Yijun go with you!”
Song Mo hastily thanked the Crown Prince on Gu Yu’s behalf.
Wuyi kowtowed nine times before retreating.
The Crown Prince sighed, “In this world, many add flowers to brocade, but few send charcoal in snowy weather!”
Song Mo could only comfort him: “Though few, they do exist. Please be at ease for now. Things will get better day by day.”
After talking with Song Mo for a while, the Crown Prince felt much better.
Song Mo then said, “Have you considered arranging a marriage for Gu Yu?”
The Crown Prince was stunned, then seriously considered the idea.
With the deaths of the Empress and the Liao Prince’s eldest son, he not only needed to show great sorrow but also show favor to Gu Yu, whom the Empress had regarded as her child… This was indeed a good idea!
He couldn’t help but get excited.
“And there’s Jingyi. Her previous engagement with the Xingguo Duke’s family didn’t work out, and she’s still unmarried. With the Empress gone, she must be anxious, thinking no one will care about her fate. I’ll discuss with the Emperor about personally choosing a good match for her. The Emperor will surely be energized by this… it’s a good topic…” The more he thought about it, the more he liked Song Mo’s suggestion.
Seeing things finally moving in the direction he wanted, Song Mo smiled slightly and said, “Speaking of Princess Jingyi, do you think it might be possible for Gu Yu to marry Princess Jingtai?”
The Crown Prince was surprised. “Marry a princess?”
“This is my thinking,” Song Mo explained. “If we arrange a marriage for Gu Yu with someone of too high status, they might not agree. If the status is too low, it won’t show enough sincerity. Why not let him marry a princess? He could then inherit the Yunyang Earl’s title and live as a peaceful nobleman. This would also put Consort Su’s mind at ease.”
Consort Su was a shrewd figure in the palace. If he arranged this marriage for Jingtai, surely Consort Su, being clever, would put in a good word for him with the Emperor.
The Crown Prince excitedly said, “Good! Let’s do it this way. I’ll go back to the palace immediately, first console Father, then bring up Jingyi’s situation and her marriage, and then mention Jingtai…”
He had brotherly affection, which would surely please the Emperor.
The Crown Prince stood up and left as hurriedly as he had come.
Song Mo heaved a long sigh and went back to give Dou Zhao an embrace, smiling, “It was you who had Wuyi pass me that message, right?”
Duke Ying’s mansion was no declining household, and the rules of Yizhi Hall were even stricter. Even if the Yunyang Earl’s household was merely moving Gu Yu’s belongings out, let alone if they were pursuing to kill Gu Yu, there was no reason to burst in and report during the Crown Prince’s visit.
Dou Zhao smiled, pressing her lips together, and said, “If you had brought up Gu Yu’s matter directly, it would have been too obvious. If you didn’t mention it, and the Crown Prince started reorganizing the administration after things settled down, Gu Yu would have been implicated. I had to take a risk and try.”
Song Mo laughed heartily, “We are indeed of one mind. You thought the same as I did. However, the Crown Prince is in high spirits now and won’t think about this for a while. Given time, he’ll surely find it strange. Wuyi can’t stay in the mansion anymore.”
He called Wuyi in: “Do you want to go to a garrison or a government office?”
Going to a garrison meant entering the military registry, with his descendants becoming military households for generations. Going to a government office meant he could only become a constable, which was also hereditary, but his son would need the ability to take over his position.
He didn’t think either option was good.
He looked up at Dou Zhao without answering.
Dou Zhao nodded encouragingly at him, teasing, “This chance won’t come again. Make up your mind quickly.”
Only then did Wuyi feel at ease and say, “I want to do business with Zhao Liangbi!”
Both Song Mo and Dou Zhao were surprised, but Dou Zhao had many businesses. If he was willing to follow Zhao Liangbi, being a manager somewhere wouldn’t be bad. After ten or eight years, the Crown Prince wouldn’t recognize him anymore.
“Alright!” Song Mo smiled, “Then go find Zhao Liangbi!”
Wuyi happily kowtowed to Song Mo and withdrew.
Dou Zhao smiled, “Since you’re going to make a show of reorganizing internal affairs, shouldn’t we also sort out the people on the Duke’s side?”
Song Mo couldn’t help but laugh out loud again, “That was your real purpose, wasn’t it?”
Dou Zhao just smiled without speaking.
Song Yichun’s wounds had long healed, but he could no longer speak and had lost his position as the Seal-holding Commander of the Five Army Command. He had been bedridden ever since. Song Mo had sent the Lv Zheng couple to take care of his daily needs. Lv Zheng was fine, having served Song Yichun since childhood and remaining loyal, tending to him carefully. However, Lv Zheng’s wife harbored resentment towards Song Yichun for abandoning Lv Zheng, constantly whispering in Lv Zheng’s ear until he beat her, after which she dared not mention it again.
But Lv Zheng’s wife still held this grudge against Song Yichun, becoming careless in washing clothes and preparing meals. Lv Zheng, being a man, had to deal with Song Yichun’s inexplicable temper and the scattered hearts of the Xiangxiang Court, leaving no time to notice these things. Even if he occasionally discovered and mentioned it, Lv Zheng’s wife would sincerely apologize and let the matter pass, but afterward, she would continue as before.
The servants below, seeing this, followed suit. Song Yichun couldn’t speak and felt that Lv Zheng should be able to see his discomfort at a glance, so he vented his anger on Lv Zheng. To appease Song Yichun, Lv Zheng spent more time and energy on him, neglecting daily trivialities even more, causing the servants to become increasingly negligent towards Song Yichun… Xiangxiang Court was in chaos, filled with resentment every day, making people reluctant to enter.
Song Mo had Yan Chaoqing handle this matter.
Within a few days, many people were sold or driven out of Duke Ying’s mansion.
When the Crown Prince heard about this, he said to the Crown Princess, “It seems Duke Ying’s mansion still needs Song Yantang to manage!”
Song Yichun’s muddleheadedness was quite well-known within certain circles.
The Crown Princess said, “It should have been done long ago. If it weren’t for Song Yantang’s unwavering loyalty, the palace coup would have been troublesome.”
Both of them still remembered that at that time, Dou Zhao and her son were being held hostage by the Liao Prince’s men.
The Crown Prince nodded and said, “You should send some rewards over there now and then. After all, Duke Ying’s mansion has always been close to the palace.”
“I understand,” the Crown Princess smiled, and sent a basket of peaches that the Chanxing Marquis had recently presented to Duke Ying’s mansion.
“Peaches at this time of year?” Dou Zhao was very delighted and naturally sent some to the Dou family and Jiang Yan.
When the Chanxing Marquis heard this, his face darkened slightly.
He had long received news of the Crown Prince visiting Song Mo.
Could it be that not only had he failed to outmaneuver the old Duke Ying, but now he couldn’t even defeat Song Mo?
He invited Cui Yijun for tea.
Cui Yijun smiled and politely declined: “This slave cannot leave the palace without orders. I appreciate the Chanxing Marquis’s kind intention.”
He didn’t want to get involved in these matters.
After all, Song Mo and Wang Yuan had a long-standing friendship.
If he were to move against Song Mo, even using all his strength might not succeed. But if Song Mo wanted to move against him, he would only need to say a word to Wang Yuan.
That old dog Wang Yuan was probably eyeing him vigilantly, looking for any fault!