363 Elder Song's Passing

Suddenly, a mist clouded Zhao Zhitong's vision.

Even the most radiant life cannot escape the day it withers and falls; time spares no one.

This realization lasted only a moment. Zhao Zhitong regained her composure and stepped forward to take Elder Song's pulse.

After a while, Zhao Zhitong's expression grew serious.

However, she did not say much, only rose to write a prescription and instructed the servants to fetch the medicine.

At that time, Qiao Muchen and the Emperor were discussing state affairs in the study. When Zhao Zhitong arrived to report on her examination, their conversation was nearly at its end.

The Empress, who in former days possessed a spirit in no way inferior to any man, now bore a trace of the vicissitudes she had endured. Upon seeing Zhao Zhitong, she inquired about Song Renying's condition.

Zhao Zhitong did not conceal anything and reported the truth.

Elder Song had been suffering from a chronic illness and was already advanced in age. He was persisting only due to his strong will. The prescription Zhao Zhitong provided could only delay the inevitable by a few days.

Hearing this, the Emperor sighed. Her eyes, always filled with boundless authority, now reflected a hint of sorrow. She lamented, "Why must Heaven take my Wenchang away so soon?"

Zhao Zhitong slightly raised her gaze to the one seated on high; the sorrow in the Empress's eyes was undeniably real.

The trust between the Emperor and Elder Song deeply moved her. General Feng had once remarked that their relationship was like 'a swift steed meeting its Bo Le'—a great talent finding an appreciative patron.

Elder Song was the Emperor's most cherished minister. Whenever important matters arose, the first person she thought to consult was always Elder Song.

Furthermore, the Emperor placed great trust in the talents recommended by Elder Song, appointing them to significant positions.

One only needed to look at Qiao Muchen to see this was true.

They had been hastily summoned back this time precisely so Qiao Muchen could take over a case Elder Song was investigating.

Upon hearing this dreadful news firsthand, the Emperor was overcome with grief. Not wishing to speak, she waved her hand, dismissing Zhao Zhitong and Qiao Muchen.

「Meanwhile」

After taking his medicine, Elder Song awoke from his daze. He sent for Zhao Zhitong and Qiao Muchen, who were just departing the palace, and spoke with them at length.

Mostly, he briefed Qiao Muchen on the details of the case he was about to take over.

Finally, seeing the sorrowful expressions on the young ones' faces, Elder Song managed a smile on his pale face. "Children," he said, "don't be sad. Everyone meets this day. Seeing you both grown up now, I can close my eyes in peace."

Not long after this conversation, news of Elder Song's passing spread.

For a time, the imperial court was thrown into disarray. The people of the Capital City lined the streets for his procession, and the Emperor suspended court for three days in mourning, posthumously bestowing upon Song Renying the title of Grand Chancellor Wenchang.

Elder Song had dedicated his life to serving the state and its people, upholding loyalty, filial piety, and integrity as his greatest virtues. He never feared power and always put the people's welfare first, his heart encompassing all under Heaven.

The loss of such a minister, deeply trusted by the Emperor and beloved by the populace, naturally brought immense sorrow to the people.

Three consecutive days of heavy snow seemed to bid farewell to Elder Song.

「Three days later」

Qiao Muchen and Zhao Yue were summoned to the palace. Afterward, they both assumed their duties at the Dali Temple.

With Elder Song's death, the imperial court began to show signs of turbulence.

The Emperor, already in frail health after several previous upheavals, was dealt a severe blow by Song Renying's passing.

Now that the Emperor had appointed Prince Gongqin as the Crown Prince, various court officials began to stir restlessly, sensing opportunity.

In these precarious times, Qiao Muchen, upon taking office, immediately took charge of the case Song Renying had been investigating.

This was a case Elder Song had been investigating discreetly. He had discovered that certain individuals within the imperial court were colluding with people from all corners of the country.

Combined with the previous counterfeit money case, this meant they had access to both funds and manpower. If one person was behind all of this, their ambitions were undoubtedly immense.

Therefore, the Emperor was also deeply concerned about this. However, just as the investigation was beginning to show progress, Elder Song suddenly fell ill.

「Dali Temple」

Qiao Muchen and Zhao Yue brought out the research materials related to this investigation, and Zhao Zhitong and Wei Shulan both came to help organize them.

After scrutinizing the documents in a room for half a day, they began to grasp some aspects of the case.

Supplies being transported to the borderlands had recently been intercepted frequently. Elder Song's investigation had suggested that people from all corners of the country were responsible.

Actually, the imperial court and the people from all corners of the country had always maintained a clear separation, existing in a state of mutual non-interference. Such proactive acts of rebellion against the court were rare.

Later, when similar incidents occurred, Elder Song managed to apprehend a few individuals. Under interrogation, it was discovered that these people were colluding with elements both within and outside the imperial court.

However, those captured were merely low-level operatives; the mastermind remained elusive.

"Huh? What's this?" Wei Shulan's surprised voice suddenly rang out.

Everyone looked over. Wei Shulan was holding a bronze token, turning it over in her hand. "This insignia looks somewhat familiar," she remarked.

Zhao Zhitong also recalled something abruptly. "Lanlan, let me see," she said, reaching out.

Taking the bronze token, she examined it and exclaimed, "Ah! I've seen this token before!"

All eyes turned to Zhao Zhitong. She then retrieved a similar bronze token from her bag—or rather, from her space—and placed it on the table.

Comparing the two, they found the tokens to be identical.

Qiao Muchen asked, puzzled, "Tongtong, where did you get this token?"

Zhao Zhitong explained, "Do you remember the counterfeit money case? I found this in the cave by chance back then. Afterwards, the cave collapsed, and I completely forgot about this token."

Later, Elder Song was ordered back to the Capital City, and the captured Prefect Li had gone completely mad, so the case was temporarily shelved.

So, it seemed Elder Song's guess was correct: the counterfeit money case and the courtiers colluding with people from all corners of the country were likely connected to the same group. Qiao Muchen and Zhao Zhitong both nodded frequently.

At this moment, Wei Shulan, who had been examining the two tokens closely, suddenly had a thought. "Hey," she said, "don't you think this token looks a lot like the waist tokens from Lingjian Villa?"

Hearing this, Zhao Zhitong's eyes lit up. "Ah! You're right! I knew it looked familiar."

She then frowned. "Could someone be deliberately imitating Lingjian Villa?"

Qiao Muchen pondered for a moment. "It's not impossible," he said. "However, Lingjian Villa is the foremost sect in all corners of the country, and Villa Master Liu is the Martial Arts Alliance Leader. There probably aren't many in those circles who would dare to frame Lingjian Villa."

Zhao Yue concurred, "Indeed. This matter is quite likely connected to Lingjian Villa in some way. We should investigate thoroughly."

Zhao Zhitong thought for a moment. "I'll make a rubbing of this token and send it to Xiao Ge," she suggested. "He travels extensively in all corners of the country; he might know something."

Everyone agreed this was a sound idea and nodded their approval.

Zhao Zhitong immediately found paper and ink, made rubbings of both sides of the bronze token, and dispatched them to Suzhou via a fast horse.

Another heavy snowstorm raged for three days and nights. Only on the fourth day did the long-awaited sun finally reappear.

A reply arrived to the letter sent to Xiao Ge in Suzhou.

In his letter, Xiao Ge mentioned that the token did indeed look very similar to those of Lingjian Villa, but he had not yet encountered such a waist token in his travels throughout all corners of the country.