In truth, throughout these past days of investigation, he had gradually sensed that someone close to him definitely had problems. Though his heart had premonitions, when the person was actually discovered, he still couldn’t help but gasp in shock. His father hadn’t treated him particularly well, and while his grandfather had been loving, he had grown up on Longhu Mountain. In his life’s journey, though Old Kong couldn’t be compared to Zhang Tianshi, honestly speaking, he wasn’t much inferior either.
For an instant, he truly wanted to ask in person why Old Kong had betrayed him. But some things—asking about them held no meaning. If he kept asking, perhaps he could obtain even more information, such as how Elder Master Lu had long been in league with Han Zhengqing, and sending him to Zhou Weizhao’s side was merely to have the opportunity to hedge his bets when the time came. But knowing these things would only make his heart feel even worse. He self-mockingly tugged at the corner of his mouth, tossed the closed letter onto the small table, circled his arms around Song Chuyi, and slowly let out a sigh.
“I’m sorry.” He rested his chin on Song Chuyi’s faintly fragrant hair, nuzzled it, then lowered his eyes to look at her. “If I had been more attentive after Qing Bai’s incident, or if I could have been more ruthless in pursuing Old Kong and the others, your subordinates wouldn’t have died.” Putting himself in her shoes, he knew how grieved Song Chuyi must be that these subordinates who had risked their lives with her until now had died.
The carriage had already entered Zhuque Street. Before long, it turned out of Zhuque Street again. But for some unknown reason, the originally smooth road became impassable at this point. After a long while without any movement, Qing Bai’s somewhat excited voice finally carried into the carriage. “Your Highness, Your Majesty, the road is blocked by common people—we can’t get through!” The capital, which had already been lively for several days, was now even more bustling than ever. No one had expected Emperor Jianzhang to wake up again. Previously, news had continuously leaked from the court saying Emperor Jianzhang was gravely ill. Later, proclamations were posted everywhere recruiting skilled physicians from among the people, which showed that Emperor Jianzhang’s condition was indeed dire. Everyone thought Emperor Jianzhang was going to die. With the Crown Prince being a terrible person, Emperor Jianzhang had suddenly awakened instead.
Moreover, the one who poisoned Emperor Jianzhang wasn’t the Crown Prince at all, but Prince Gong, who had supposedly suffered injustice in previous rumors before raising his rebellion banner. This was truly… Though the common people didn’t understand grand principles, they were very clear on one point—whether it was Prince Gong or the Crown Prince, whoever truly moved against the Emperor was genuinely a scoundrel without human ethics.
Prince Gong had actually poisoned his own father and rebelled, then framed his nephew for it. Simply detestable. When people thought about it, they couldn’t help but feel this person was utterly unforgivable—and he had even colluded with the Tartars!
Therefore, when they heard that the first thing Emperor Jianzhang did upon waking was to have the traitors and spies Prince Gong had bribed executed by a thousand cuts, everyone felt it was deeply satisfying. As for the earlier incident between the Crown Prince and Crown Princess with the Five Cities Military Commissioner’s Office, they could now understand it too—when anyone was framed like that and nearly driven to death, they couldn’t possibly have a good temper. Besides, they now heard from those who were present that even though the Crown Princess was angry, she had only ordered the procession to leave quickly and merely hadn’t shown her face—she had never ordered any harm to come to the common people.
If His Majesty the Emperor had truly never awakened, the court would still be busy changing emperors and fighting over the throne. By then, the warfare in the northwest would be delayed, and the unlucky ones would still be these common people. Now that the Emperor had awakened, naturally there was nothing better than this.
Therefore, while the Five Cities Military Commissioner’s Office had originally patrolled the streets daily guarding the Earl of Changning’s manor and the Cui manor, they now began guarding the area around the execution ground instead. Because people knew that Scholar Chen and these other true traitors who had plotted to harm His Majesty would all be executed by a thousand cuts at the execution ground, those going to watch the spectacle had surrounded the area so tightly that not even water could trickle through.
Under these circumstances, it was perfectly normal that Zhou Weizhao and Song Chuyi’s carriage could barely advance. Zhou Weizhao smiled at Song Chuyi. “How about we change routes and visit the Earl of Changning’s manor? Imperial Grandfather just asked me to notify the Old Master that it’s time to get to work.”
Song Chuyi naturally had no objections. The Earl of Changning’s manor opened its central gates wide to welcome them in. The Grand Madam stood at the second gate waiting for Song Chuyi, looking as if she had survived a calamity. Upon seeing Song Chuyi, even her tears couldn’t help but fall. She came forward and performed her courtesy, but still couldn’t help asking about Consort Song and the little prince.
“His Majesty awoke before anything happened.” Seeing the Grand Madam fall back a step, Song Chuyi waited until the Grand Madam drew closer before continuing, “So nothing happened in the palace at all. Even the Imperial Guards weren’t needed. Both Her Ladyship the Consort and the little prince are well.”
Only then did the Grand Madam completely set her heart at ease. She really couldn’t help but invoke the Buddha’s name. She accompanied Song Chuyi into Ningde Courtyard, then tactfully withdrew. Just as she exited, she ran into Song Jue hurrying in and couldn’t help but pause. “Why aren’t you in the front study hall? They just went in.”
Old Madam Song hadn’t learned until this morning when news spread that Emperor Jianzhang had awakened why Song Chengru and Song Chuyi had been so composed. But even knowing that Emperor Jianzhang’s awakening represented the success of Song Chuyi’s plan, her heart still couldn’t be at ease at all. She had been afraid something would go wrong with Song Chuyi. Only now, seeing Song Chuyi in person, did she let out the breath she’d been holding. Trembling, she rose to perform grand courtesy to Song Chuyi.
Song Chuyi immediately reached out to support her, somewhat helpless. “I didn’t bring the Crown Princess’s ceremonial guard precisely because I was afraid you’d do this.”
Old Madam Song shook her head. “The proprieties cannot be abandoned. From today onward, your every word and action can no longer follow your heart. How many people are watching?” As she spoke, she sat together with Song Chuyi on the daybed. “The fish have mostly been caught?”
Song Chuyi nodded and also recounted the results of interrogating Xu Da. “After this time, Prince Gong’s and Han Zhengqing’s remaining followers in the capital have been mostly cleaned out. Those other fence-sitters who were originally wavering should now know which side to fall toward. As long as the northwest side remains stable, there probably won’t be anyone so blind as to raise matters of appeasement or marriage alliances again.”
Old Madam Song snorted derisively. “How they even thought of such things! Since the founding of Great Zhou, even when we formed marriage alliances, we never sent anyone when we couldn’t win battles. When fighting wars, what use is sending a woman? What are the men for? If they can’t even accomplish the four words ‘protect home and defend country,’ what use are they? These words should never have been mentioned. Zheng Sansi too—cautious his entire life, yet in the end stumbling so badly on this matter.”
She caught her breath, drank some water, and shook her head again. “Though he’s not a fence-sitter either—purely because he truly felt the national treasury was empty. Afraid to spend silver, he was overly cautious and this matter occurred. In the future, how could those civil officials who are harsh critics possibly let him off? They’ll all point at his nose and scold him to demonstrate their own integrity. He’ll probably request retirement.”