Old Master Chen had taken on a grandson-in-law not much younger than his own son, and he was exceedingly pleased. Summer nights were long, and waiting for news was tedious, so he simply had his second son and eldest grandson set up a small banquet in the rear garden to drink under the moon while awaiting news.
Second Master Chen had truly felt as if a piece of his heart had been carved out before. Though constrained by his father’s authority, he had returned home to reprimand his wife and daughter, but in his own heart he had been somewhat resentful and unwilling. After all, she was his legitimate daughter raised with such effort—surely she should have had a better use. But now seeing how Yang Qing was especially favored before Old Master Chen, who regarded him with particular importance, that bit of grudge in his heart dissipated. Forget it, forget it—he still had a son. Better to think more about his son. If his daughter married Yang Qing and Yang Qing truly rose to prominence, he would be an asset in the future. Moreover, now that Father had already been demoted to Jinling, they couldn’t be too choosy.
Yang Qing was always skilled at reading people’s expressions and gauging their thoughts. In no time at all, he had gotten on the same page with Second Master Chen, coaxing him into complete submission. Just as he was about to take the wine pot to pour him more, a young servant who had been keeping watch outside came running in and whispered something in his ear.
Yang Qing immediately stood up, his eyes gleaming as he looked at Old Master Chen, smiling with triumphant satisfaction. “It’s done! Teacher, it’s done!”
Old Master Chen almost simultaneously stood up as well. After the initial shock, only a face full of smiles remained. He grabbed Yang Qing’s hand and said, “Come! Let’s talk in the study!”
This left Second Master Chen and Young Master Chen looking at each other in bewilderment. Though curious, they dared not meddle. Father (Grandfather) didn’t know what he’d been busy with lately, so busy he was never to be seen. Since arriving in Jinling, this seemed like the first time he’d eaten with them together. He was clearly doing something very important, yet he refused to reveal anything to them. Second Master Chen was confused for a moment before coming to his senses—regardless of what it was, Yang Qing was certainly a crucial figure, that much was certain. He had a few more drinks with his nephew, then returned to his room with hands clasped behind his back, humming a little tune. He even told his wife to comfort their daughter and make sure she didn’t throw any tantrums.
Old Master Chen had no time to consider what his son and grandson were thinking. He had someone guard the door, and once in the study, he urgently asked Yang Qing, “It truly succeeded? Is the news reliable?”
Though Yang Qing had said before that the plan was very thorough, this was after all a crucial matter and a key link. He didn’t want anything to go wrong at the critical moment that would be difficult to handle. He’d actually been anxious all evening.
Yang Qing’s voice carried a hint of excitement as he nodded with a smile. “This student had people keep watch on the adjacent pleasure boat to listen for news. The person who returned reported that at first there was no reaction from Young Master Wang’s pleasure boat, but later there was a commotion… Someone died on the Bian River. Right now the messenger has already rushed to the Wang family to report.”
He really died! The heart that had been stuck in Old Master Chen’s throat finally settled back into his stomach. He had already thoroughly investigated the Wang family’s situation. This son was both legitimate-born and the eldest son and grandson, extremely doted upon at home. Now that he had died at Song Yan’s hands, the Wang family would probably want nothing more than to devour Song Yan alive and tear him limb from limb.
After a moment of joy, he calmed down and instructed Yang Qing, “Though things are progressing smoothly, we mustn’t let our guard down. Have someone watch the Wang family and see what their attitude is.”
Yang Qing respectfully agreed, then added, “This student has already sent people to monitor the Wang family’s movements. Once something happens to Song Yan, there are several shrewd people at his side who will certainly write to Song Chuyi and the Song family in the capital for help. Then we’ll wait for them to send out their letters before replying to Huangjue Temple.”
Old Master Chen only cared about Song Yan’s matter. As for whether Huangjue Temple could successfully eliminate Crown Prince Zhou Weizhao, he really didn’t want to get involved. In his selfish heart, he naturally hoped Huangjue Temple would succeed. After all, Zhou Weizhao wasn’t close to the Chen family anyway. If only Prince Dongping remained, the Chen family’s restoration would be effortless. But he also felt this matter was too difficult. Though he couldn’t fully see through Huangjue Temple’s power, the Crown Prince had after all successfully returned in triumph as an imperial envoy who pacified the rebellion. He not only had personal troops led by Prince Consort Ye Jingkuan at his side but also had the Imperial Guard escorting him all the way. Huangjue Temple probably had a long and arduous road ahead.
The person sent to spy on the Wang family quickly returned to report, saying the Wang family had kept their lanterns lit all night. Even the Wang family’s patriarch had been alarmed. The Wang family’s eldest master led the clan’s young men in a mighty procession toward the Bian River.
This time, Song Yan probably couldn’t clear his name even if he jumped into the Yellow River. Old Master Chen sat down with complete satisfaction and calmly composed a letter to Huangjue Temple to be sent out. Only then did he turn his head to look at Yang Qing. “You still have much to do.”
That male companion was an extremely important witness. Though he was their own person who accused Song Yan and trapped him in the mire, they still had to guard against him changing his story—the Song family had many methods and would certainly try every means to exonerate Song Yan.
Yang Qing nodded. “With such a major incident, the authorities will certainly be alarmed. Song Yan’s status is special, so the Song family should write to Yingtian Prefecture.”
Old Master Chen couldn’t help but sneer coldly. Let them write, let them write. Cui Yingshu was now too preoccupied with his own troubles, imprisoned. If the Song family still couldn’t see the situation clearly, that would naturally be even better. Indulging their young to harm and kill someone—the Wang family also had officials. Young Master Wang’s father, who served as a Regional Commander in Taizhou, Zhejiang, would probably be the first to rush and dash himself before Emperor Jianzhang, begging the Emperor for a clear answer.
“Let them write. It’s better if they do.” Old Master Chen curled his fingers and tapped lightly on the table. The Prefect of Yingtian Prefecture was his close friend. When the time came, he would analyze the pros and cons with him and have him submit the Song family’s plea letter upward, impeaching the Song family for interfering in local government affairs, treating human lives as worthless, threatening and bribing court officials, and disrupting court law and order—making the Song family unable to bear the consequences.
Yang Qing also understood Old Master Chen’s meaning. He was very confident in the trap he had set—Young Master Wang neglecting his newlywed bride, the Wang family indulging him in carousing outside, that was secondary. They had even confined the new bride and wouldn’t let her see her family. Then Song Yan discovered Young Master Wang seeking pleasures with courtesans while boating, and in his rage, accidentally killed someone in the heat of the moment. Wasn’t this perfectly reasonable? Even Miss Song Six and the Song family probably wouldn’t think anything was amiss here, would they?
He was eager to instruct that male companion on what he should and shouldn’t say, and also eager to coach Young Master Wang’s servant on how to clear himself and shift responsibility onto Song Yan. He cupped his hands to bid farewell to Old Master Chen.