CHAPTER 194: CHAPTER 192: SEDUCTION

Capital City.

Princess Jiahui spent half a day in the palace with the Empress before leaving with generous gifts, making her way back to the Princess Manor.

Chun Shan stepped forward to assist Princess Jiahui out of the carriage.

As Princess Jiahui’s foot touched the ground, she heard a voice say, "Be careful."

A stray dog suddenly appeared from nowhere, charging towards Princess Jiahui, but fortunately someone raised a whip and struck the dog’s back solidly.

The stray dog wailed and dodged, soon caught by the guards by Princess Jiahui’s side.

In such a place like the Capital, especially in the East City, it’s truly not easy for a stray dog to reach the doorstep of the Princess Manor.

Princess Jiahui contemplated and looked up to see the person who had helped.

That was...

Song Yu dismounted in haste and awkwardly saluted Princess Jiahui, saying, "Princess, I apologize for startling you."

Many people tried various ways to approach the Princess, and Chun Shan was used to it. She stepped forward and greeted, "Thank you, sir."

Song Yu replied, "I am Song Yu, the second son of the National Guardian General. I’ve long heard of the Princess’s name, and never expected to meet her in this way. Please forgive my abruptness, Princess."

Princess Jiahui was visibly surprised upon hearing Song Yu’s name but soon relaxed slightly, "Second Young Master Song, you are too polite."

After speaking, Princess Jiahui covered her cheek with a fan and bowed softly to Song Yu, then proceeded towards the mansion.

Song Yu gazed at her graceful figure, with Princess Jiahui’s face etched deeply in his mind. In fact, it wasn’t the first time he had seen the Princess.

Previously, when he accompanied Song Min into the capital, he had seen Princess Jiahui at the palace gates, but she had not noticed him, looking instead at Song Min.

After that day, Song Yu often heard Princess Jiahui’s name from Song Min’s mouth. When they returned to the Northern Border, Song Min frequently sent people back and forth to deliver messages to the capital.

He saw it clearly but needed to feign indifference.

It was during that time that Song Min began to aspire to succeed his father in controlling the Song Family Army. Song Min constantly claimed to have Song Yu’s interest at heart, while secretly plotting things that were all too clear to Song Yu.

He didn’t stop Song Min, intending to let Song Min know the consequences without his protection upfront.

Song Yu stood "lost in thought" for a while, and was about to turn and leave when the housekeeper of Princess Jiahui Manor brought out a cup of tea.

The housekeeper saluted Song Yu and said, "The Princess thanks Second Young Master, hence sent me with a cup of tea."

Song Yu felt a surge of excitement, finally understanding Song Min’s joy at that time.

This was just a small beginning. Despite the many children of officials and nobles in the capital, there were few from military families in the north. Song Yu knew why Princess Jiahui interacted with Song Min, because she wanted to reclaim Prince Guangyang’s territory.

Song Min was merely a bit taller than him, but some things can’t be achieved by strength alone, or they would all fall short compared to Song Xian.

Song Yu finished the tea, handed the cup back to the housekeeper, "Thank you, Princess."

The housekeeper smiled and said, "No need for thanks. The Princess said that Daqi’s stability owes much to the soldiers defending the border. Hence, we must not neglect Second Young Master Song when we meet in the future."

Song Yu’s eyes brightened upon hearing this. With today’s meeting, tomorrow he would send some northern pastries to remind Princess Jiahui of her homeland.

If the territory can be reclaimed, the Princess would no longer be empty in name. He also needed the Princess’s support.

After leaving the Princess Manor, Song Yu returned to the Song Family’s courtyard, waiting at home for two hours until Song Qizheng arrived.

"Father," Song Yu stepped forward, "How did it go?"

Song Qizheng looked gloomy, Henghai Jiedu Envoy Cai Rong was relentlessly pursuing Song Min. If the Emperor dealt lightly with Song Min, then Cai Rong also had to be treated that way, to demonstrate the Emperor’s impartiality.

Privately communicating with foreign enemies is a major taboo for border generals; the Emperor could not let it slide.

Song Qizheng said, "Tomorrow a decree will be issued; your third brother will face immediate execution."

Song Yu’s face turned pale, his body trembling involuntarily, seeming like he might collapse at any moment.

"Father," Song Yu said in a trembling voice, "You..."

Song Qizheng looked defeated, although he resented Mrs. Rong for not educating their son well, and Song Min for being incompetent, he still felt saddened when it came to this point.

Song Qizheng took a long breath, "He brought it upon himself. You... must take heed. If you dare to do such a thing in the future, no need to send you to the Capital for interrogation, I’ll personally execute you.

Do you hear me?"

Song Yu was momentarily speechless.

Song Qizheng yelled sternly, "I ask, do you hear me?"

"I... I heard..." Song Yu’s tears streamed down his face.

Song Qizheng said, "From now on, you are not allowed to run around for Song Min. If you truly wish to do something... prepare a coffin, handle Song Min’s funeral, and we will return to Zhenzhou."

Song Yu looked at Song Qizheng in disbelief, "Father... Is father not preparing to bury third brother in the ancestral tomb in Dingzhou?"

Song Qizheng said coldly, "With Song Min’s shameful deeds, how can he face his ancestors? The court allowing us to collect his remains is already a gracious act; he’s not a meritorious official or a valiant general, not worth wasting resources on him."

Song Yu wanted to persuade further, but Song Qizheng was unwilling, "Do as I said, keep it simple, no offerings, no memorial service."

Song Yu’s tears continued to flow freely, his whole being consumed by grief.

Song Qizheng wanted to reprimand Song Yu, but thinking of Song Xian’s composed demeanor, realized that Song Yu’s emotions were what an ordinary person should have.

Song Xian’s heart was still too cold.

Song Qizheng continued, "You are now Du Yuhou in the army. When we return to the North, you must help me lead the troops. Do not underestimate the position of Du Yuhou; your elder brother started this way, step by step reaching the position of Commander, now overseeing Zhenzhou and Zhaozhou..."

Before Song Qizheng could finish speaking, Song Yu choked up, "Son is not as good as elder brother, disappointing father."

Song Yu’s downcast demeanor brought memories of his childhood, constantly needing his father’s sheltering from wind and rain, softening Song Qizheng’s heart, "If you fear disappointing me then apply yourself more."

Song Yu’s leg weakened as he knelt down, bowing to the floor, "Son will surely be filial to father and mother, also for third brother... father, please don’t be sad."

Song Qizheng felt a prickling in his nose, unable to restrain himself from standing and waving his sleeve, "Go prepare, do not write to your mother yet, we’ll speak about it when we return to Zhenzhou."

Song Yu responded.

After Song Qizheng departed, hearing the increased volume of sobbing from behind, he sighed deeply, his eyes burning and sore, no longer contemplating the position of Military Governor, just hoping the Song Family would not encounter further troubles.

To this he thought, a vision of Cai Rong emerged within his mind. After leaving the Ministry of Justice today, Cai Rong coldly smirked before him, "The eldest son of the National Guardian General is surely formidable, capturing a Liao man, causing both you and me to suffer greatly; the court has taken from me twenty thousand soldiers from the Qian Ning Army, this year my military supply halved, losing Xiong State and Ba State, even my eldest son remains in Capital City...

Next time, what might Song Xian take away?

If the National Guardian General knows first, please send word on past friendship."

Cai Rong finished speaking and left, the animosity palpable to Song Qizheng.

Henceforth, the north, Song Family and Cai Family would certainly be at odds.

Song Xian, like a wolf, unpredictable on whom to bite next. This time, Song Min and Cai Rong encountered trouble, Song Xian was not unscathed, rumors flying in the capital, accusing him of malevolent intentions.

So young, yet so unrestrained, he will eventually become everyone’s target.

"Sir."

Song Qizheng stopped walking, turning to see a trusted aide hasten forward.

His confidant whispered, "Urgent news from the north states an epidemic spreading in Zhenzhou and nearby areas."

Song Qizheng’s heart sank, "What?"

The aide nodded, "The urgent report already entered the palace..."

Song Qizheng furrowed his brows, if the Zhenzhou epidemic were mishandled, Song Xian would first be held accountable.