“In Your Highness’s opinion, is what Censor Wang said true or false?” Song Chuyi had naturally also received news that Cui Yingshu was about to be sent as an imperial commissioner to provide disaster relief in Hubei. Earlier, not knowing that the situation in Hubei had deteriorated to such an extent, she had been extremely worried. If the facts were truly as Censor Wang had said, then going to Hubei would definitely not be an easy assignment to handle.
“If it weren’t true, why would he risk his life to rush into the capital?” Zhou Weizhao knew what Song Chuyi was worried about and rubbed her head. “Let’s wait until the Imperial Guard interrogates him before discussing further.”
Song Chuyi lowered her head. “I also think this matter is true—I just don’t know what leverage Minister Jiang actually has that would force Censor Wang to create such a huge commotion.”
Since Censor Wang was from the capital and his family was in the capital, how could he not know how many people would be on Zhuque Street during the Mid-Autumn Festival each year? He had clearly done this deliberately to create such a commotion, forcing people to take notice—the court would have to give an explanation for this riot.
Yin Zicheng was also utterly perplexed. He had heard from his uncle that Censor Wang had deliberately run toward Zhuque Street to incite a riot. He opened his mouth slightly in shock. “With all this commotion today, how many people died? Even the young son of Minister Dong’s family next door was trampled and injured. If the family servants hadn’t rescued him quickly, who knows what would have happened? Moreover, more than half the shops on Zhuque Street were burned down. Those burned to death, choked to death by smoke, or who jumped from buildings in panic are countless. Creating such a huge commotion…”
Tao Dinghu sighed, his brush hovering above the paper for a long time before he finally hung it back on the brush rest. “What he said about Hubei should be ninety percent true; otherwise, he wouldn’t burn all his bridges like this.”
“Then Uncle, why help him?” After two years of guidance from this uncle, Yin Zicheng had come to understand quite a bit about such matters. Hearing Tao Dinghu say this, he couldn’t help but become somewhat anxious. “Since Minister Jiang has allies in the court, if this matter comes to light, won’t Uncle end up offending the powerful backer behind Minister Jiang?”
Tao Dinghu stared at the rice paper on his desk and only slowly sighed after a long while. “What other choice is there? Censor Wang has already thrown caution to the wind. After creating such a huge commotion and then running into our house, if I help him, I can still be praised as impartially upright and sympathetic to the common people.” If he didn’t help and the Imperial Guard investigators discovered this, he would become Jiang Tianping’s accomplice in the future.
Jiang Tianping must have truly been blinded by greed—how could such a major matter possibly be covered up?
He felt somewhat of a headache. Supporting his head with one hand, it took him a while to emerge from his contemplation. He beckoned his nephew to leave. “Your aunt still hasn’t returned. Go out and check on her.”
Hearing that among the candidates recommended by the Cabinet to provide disaster relief in Hubei was Cui Yingshu, and if Cui Yingshu truly had to go to Hubei, this would certainly not be an easy assignment to handle.
Yet Cui Yingshu had no idea that he was currently the subject of people’s concern. He had just received news that something had happened in Hubei. His brows furrowed tightly as he looked toward Song Chengru. “I never imagined the situation in Hubei had already deteriorated to such an extent. If His Majesty truly intends for me to go to Hubei, I’m afraid I won’t be able to return for three to five years.”
Before Song Chengru could respond, Lin Hai’s voice rang out from outside. “Old Master, Old Madam sent Nanny Huang to inquire. She says that Sixth Miss and Miss Mingzi still haven’t returned.”
Song Chengru and Cui Yingshu had both received news that something had happened on Zhuque Street. However, since Song Chuyi had Song Jue and Ye Jingchuan by her side, along with Song Yan accompanying her, and although Ma Wangkun and the others hadn’t been brought along, Song Chuyi did have three martial arts-trained maids with her, they hadn’t been particularly worried. But now, hearing that Song Chuyi still had no news, they both became somewhat anxious.
Cui Yingshu immediately stood up. “I’ll go take a look!”
Hearing that even the Five Divisions Cavalry had people injured while fighting the fire, although Song Chuyi had people with her, if something truly serious had happened, those few hands might not be enough.
Old Madam Song heard Nanny Huang return saying that Cui Yingshu had already personally gone out with the Elder Master and others to search, and only then did she breathe a sigh of relief. Yet her hands still trembled terribly. “If I had known that viewing the moon would result in such an incident, I wouldn’t have let them go out. If something truly happened, what would we do…”
The First Madam Song, Yin Yunduan, and the Third Madam had all heard the news early and come over to keep Old Madam Song company. Hearing these words, they all hastened to console her. “Nothing serious will happen. Master Jue is with them. Please set your mind at ease.”
But how could Old Madam Song possibly listen? She was terribly anxious. Before long, she urged Nanny Huang to go out and inquire again. Finally, hearing that Song Jue had returned, her voice changed with urgency. “Quickly! Quickly bring him in!”
The news that Nanny Wu and the others had just returned with wasn’t very good. They had heard that even official ladies had suffered many injuries, and that even the wife of Grand Secretary Chang had been trapped in the crowd with her whereabouts unknown. Old Madam Song was frightened out of her wits.
Fortunately, Song Jue hadn’t returned alone—he had brought Xiang Mingzi back. Old Madam Song closed her eyes, finally feeling her soul return to its place. Seeing that Xiang Mingzi was safe and sound except for her disheveled hair, she asked repeatedly, “Where’s Xiaoyi? She just returned home and suffered such a great fright. What matter couldn’t wait until she had rested? Where’s Brother Yan? Did your grandfather keep Brother Yan as well?”
Only then did Song Jue become alarmed. He exchanged glances with Xiang Mingzi, furrowed his brows, and asked her, “Grandmother, are you saying Xiaoyi hasn’t returned yet?”
The smiles on everyone’s faces in the room froze. Second Madam Yin Yunduan was so shocked she stood up directly. “Young Master’s meaning is that Xiaoyi wasn’t with you all?”
Xiang Mingzi’s voice carried a sob. “We were together at first, but then Xiaoyi and I were separated by the crowd. Big Brother found me later. When we were searching for Xiaoyi, we encountered Madam Chang’s party, and Madam Chang said Xiaoyi was fine!”
Old Madam Song felt her heart, which had just settled, rise again. She cried out in alarm, “What did you say?!”
If nothing was wrong, why hadn’t she returned even now?
First Madam Song and Yin Yunduan saw her complexion change and quickly stepped forward to support her on both sides. “Old Madam, don’t worry. Since even Madam Chang said Xiaoyi is fine, she certainly won’t have any trouble…”
Old Madam Song was still terribly frightened. Fortunately, another message came from Song Chengru’s side, saying that His Highness the Crown Prince had sent someone with news that Song Chuyi was safe, and he would send her back shortly.
Old Madam Song’s emotions had risen and fallen too rapidly. It took her a long time, with Nanny Huang patting her chest, before she recovered. She endured the tightness in her chest and nodded. “Have Brother Jue send someone to meet them. It’s chaotic outside—don’t let another incident occur.”
Zhou Weizhao and Song Chuyi were together. If another incident like what happened at the capital outskirts occurred, it would be too late even for tears.