“Brother thinks Han Zhengqing has ulterior motives.” Song Chuyi’s tone was calm. This difficult-to-digest notion that seemed incredible upon consideration only stirred a small ripple in her heart before immediately settling down again.
Actually, it wasn’t without traces to follow. Song Chuyi was so calm because she had long harbored suspicions.
From the moment Old Madam Song told her about the secrets of the Fan sisters, she had felt that everything was inexplicably illogical—for instance, if Han Zhengqing truly valued Young Madam Fan and the relationship between the Eastern Palace’s Elder Madam Fan, why had he and Young Madam Fan been separated for so many years? Thinking about it now, perhaps what he cared about wasn’t his first wife at all, but his first wife’s elder sister?
Thinking this way, many things seemed perfectly logical.
The truth hidden behind layers of fog seemed about to emerge, yet something still felt missing. Song Chuyi furrowed her brow: “I’ve always thought the Crown Prince’s poisoning was connected to Prince Gong.”
But if it was Han Zhengqing’s doing… then the Crown Prince’s poisoning wasn’t done by Prince Gong?
How could things be so coincidental? How could the Prince of Dongping have chosen the perfect moment to poison the Crown Prince? This was clearly just one link in a chain of elaborate plans.
Song Jue drew a conclusion for her: “Perhaps it really is connected after all.”
Thinking of Yang Xuan who had inexplicably died so quickly in the northwest, thinking of the Fan family who had recently stopped causing trouble, Song Chuyi understood—when the news of Young Madam Fan and Han Zhi’s deaths reached the northwest, Han Zhengqing had made no move whatsoever for over a year. But now that Elder Madam Fan was dead, he suddenly made a move. Wasn’t the hidden scheme here self-evident?
Based on their speculation, if Han Zhengqing truly cared about Elder Madam Fan, then blaming the Crown Prince for Elder Madam Fan’s death didn’t seem incomprehensible.
Song Chuyi furrowed her brow, her voice turning cold: “He’s thrown in his lot with Prince Gong.”
Otherwise, how could the timing of the Crown Prince’s poisoning be so perfect? If Prince Gong’s plan had succeeded, then the Crown Prince would have died, and the blame for the Crown Prince’s poisoning would have been pinned on Zhou Weizhao.
But there was still something off. Song Chuyi looked up at Song Jue: “Why would they specifically exclude the Prince of Dongping?”
“You young ones—you’re smart, truly smart, but you still lack experience!” Qingfeng Xiansheng leisurely emerged from behind the enormous yellow sophora tree, glanced at them, and unceremoniously took a seat on the stool between them.
The air around them fell completely silent, so quiet they could hear the sound of wind blowing down flowers. Song Jue remained seated on his stool without moving.
Song Chuyi sincerely sought advice from Qingfeng Xiansheng: “I would be grateful to hear your guidance, sir.”
Qingfeng Xiansheng loved the longevity fruit from the Marquis of Changning’s household most. He pulled one from his pouch and began peeling it while not forgetting to respond to Song Chuyi: “Though it sounds sensational, the same rice feeds a hundred different kinds of people—there truly are all sorts in this world. You’re still young, and your family’s values are upright, so many things don’t occur to you.”
“Let me give you a hint.” Qingfeng Xiansheng had finally finished peeling the shell. He raised his hand and tossed the fruit into his mouth. “Why do you think Fan Liangdi has commanded Marquis Jinxiang’s unwavering loyalty for so many years, so much so that even with his wife and children dead, he still hasn’t changed his original intentions?”
“I’ve heard that Marquis Jinxiang only has Han Zhi as his one legitimate son.” Qingfeng Xiansheng looked utterly composed. “A normal man raised in a prominent family clan cares about his legitimate son and bloodline. If he doesn’t care… then he must have other support to rely on.”
Song Jue and Song Chuyi blurted out simultaneously: “Dongping?!”
But as soon as they said it, both froze, looking at Qingfeng Xiansheng in disbelief.
Song Chuyi reacted first, instinctively shaking her head: “How could Fan Liangdi be allowed to confuse the imperial bloodline? This is impossible!”
Qingfeng Xiansheng wasn’t the least bit anxious. He reached for a loquat from the fruit dish on the table and toyed with it, chuckling: “The imperial bloodline naturally cannot be confused, but what’s to stop people from lying?”
“I told you you’re still children.” Qingfeng Xiansheng sighed, feeling the Song family had raised their children too well. They didn’t let them hear sordid affairs, and they surely heard few theatrical plays. How could they not know that all sorts of people existed in this world, and all sorts of things could happen? The affairs in the inner courts of many great households were even more bizarre than what was performed in theatrical plays.
“Think about it—his legitimate son died at the hands of his wife’s younger sister and that sister’s son. Why wasn’t he the least bit heartbroken? Why did he show no intention of revenge whatsoever? Didn’t your uncle say that before Yang Xuan died, the Fan family was still causing trouble? The Fan family was causing trouble—you, your uncle, and we all know perfectly well who was behind them, don’t we? Unless he has a son more important than his legitimate son Han Zhi, one who pleases him more, I don’t believe there are such saints in this world.”
Even Song Jue and Song Chuyi, who had been through countless battles, couldn’t help but be stunned speechless by Qingfeng Xiansheng’s words.
Qingfeng Xiansheng sighed and picked up another longevity fruit to peel: “I’m just speculating. If you listened to plays more often, you’d know there are stories in them a hundred times more bizarre and shocking than this—it’s really nothing unusual. The imperial bloodline naturally can’t be faked, and looking at the Crown Prince’s shrewd nature, he’s not someone who would raise another man’s son. But… if Fan Liangdi wanted to deceive a fool, it’s actually not that difficult. Given her scheming and methods, it’s quite normal, isn’t it?”
If things were truly as Qingfeng Xiansheng said, then everything would make sense.
Han Zhengqing himself wasn’t clean. If he wanted to move against the Crown Prince, he himself would certainly be dragged into the vortex as well. So he threw in his lot with Prince Gong, wanting to use Prince Gong’s hand to deal with Zhou Weizhao and the Crown Prince, avenging Elder Madam Fan. As for the Prince of Dongping—since Han Zhengqing had become Prince Gong’s capable general, protecting the Prince of Dongping wouldn’t be that difficult, would it?
Even if only for the value of Han Zhengqing in the northwest and the great help Han Zhengqing had given him, Prince Gong would do his utmost to protect them. He could still peacefully enjoy his wealth and honor, and after the deed was done, might even be enfeoffed as a prince—truly a scheme that killed several birds with one stone.
Seeing both of them too shocked to speak, Qingfeng Xiansheng couldn’t help but shake his head. Young people—smart, yes, but they thought about things too rigidly.
“I’m giving you a hint.” Qingfeng Xiansheng finally set down the fruit in his hand. “The Commander of the Imperial Guard going to the Imperial Mausoleum surely isn’t as simple as going for tea, is it? Now that His Majesty wants to give Prince Gong a way to live, Prince Gong can’t possibly be content with something as simple as staying alive. If my speculation has any possibility of being true, it will be a sharp sword for you to use against Prince Gong and Han Zhengqing in the future.”