Capítulo 1297: Chapter 1296: Beauty Doomed to Tragedy

“Qi Le was once a renowned socialite and talented woman in the Capital City, known for her radiant beauty and straightforward personality. She was an untouchable goddess in the hearts of many young nobles.”

“At that time, she was the companion reader of Princess Changyang, frequently visiting the palace, and had a very good relationship with several princes. It was said that she was already internally destined to become a princess consort; it just depended on which prince would be lucky enough to marry her.”

“Because of this, all the princes were eager to please Qi Le, and for a time, she was the center of attention in the Capital City. Later, Scholar Qi was dismissed from his official duties for offending the former Emperor, and he wandered around, while the Qi family kept a low profile.”

“However, Qi Le continued to shine brightly, and later, Scholar Qi was reinstated, reportedly due to Qi Le’s involvement, somehow persuading the former Emperor, who was greatly pleased and summoned Scholar Qi back.”

“This should have been a good thing, but when Scholar Qi returned, he was very angry and confined Qi Le at home for a month, forbidding her from going out. Regardless of who came to plead for her, even royal relatives or princes, they were all turned away.”

“Later on, an imperial decree was issued for a palace banquet, specifically summoning Qi Le to the palace, and only then did Scholar Qi allow her to leave the house, but once she was set free, an incident occurred—”

At this point, Lady Qi took a sip of tea to steady her nerves before continuing: “That palace banquet seemed to be for welcoming envoys from various countries. At that time, Qi Le shone brightly at the banquet, and the Emperor praised her personally. Unexpectedly, after the banquet ended, Qi Le stayed overnight in the palace. It was something she often did, being hosted by Princess Changyang for a few days, so no one thought much of it.”

“Who would have imagined that in the latter half of the night, a major incident occurred. In one night, hundreds of people died in the palace, including palace maids and eunuchs, and it was reported that several nobles also perished. Qi then disappeared from public view after that night.”

“Some said Qi Le died in the palace that night, some said she was disfigured and then taken back by the Qi family, quietly married off afar. Others said Qi Le was caught up in palace intrigue and secretly executed by the palace, with various speculations circulating.”

“Soon after, the Qi family announced that Qi Le had been married off to a distant place, refusing to say anything further when asked. Later, families who inquired about Qi Le were blamed by the palace. Everyone wasn’t foolish; they understood that Qi Le must have become a forbidden topic in the palace, and no one mentioned her ever again.”

“Such a vibrant and prominent person disappeared without a trace. During that time, the noble maidens of the Capital City were mournful for her fate, just feeling the vicissitudes of life. About a year later, somehow the Qi family angered the former Emperor, leading to the confiscation of their assets and exile.”

Recalling that night decades ago, Lady Qi’s eyes still showed traces of terror.

Wang Yongzhu pondered Lady Qi’s words deeply for half a day, corroborating with what the old lady of the Duke Weiguo had said, a vivid image of a woman as beautiful as a peony, dazzling in the Capital City, emerged.

It’s a pity that her beauty was short-lived, unknown if she died in the palace that night, or miraculously escaped, hiding her identity to stay concealed.

Wang Yongzhu suspected that the latter possibility might be more likely.

He wondered if Scholar Qi’s alleged offense to the former Emperor was related to Qi Huan, otherwise, why would the former Emperor accuse Scholar Qi of deceiving him?

Was it because Scholar Qi took the risk of deceiving the Emperor to send Qi Le away quietly?

But then, why did the Emperor keep pursuing the whereabouts of the Qi family members, even not sparing Qi Huan’s remains?

Where did that Small Golden Seal come from?

Wang Yongzhu grew increasingly suspicious with more questions, deciding not to think about it anymore.

After thanking Lady Qi, he planned to leave.

Lady Qi reminisced about the past with a tired spirit, and was not in the mood to see guests off, just nodded to acknowledge.

Wang Yongzhu helped Old Granny Zhang to the door and heard Lady Qi’s leisurely voice: “Yongzhu, stop investigating! Let the events of the past rest! When it comes to Royal Family secrets, it never ends well! Don’t investigate further!”

Wang Yongzhu just turned back and said: “You can rest assured, Teacher’s wife!”

But he did not directly respond to Lady Qi’s words.

As he walked far away, he could still hear a light sigh from Lady Qi.

Though Old Granny Zhang didn’t understand these matters, she sensed the gravity of the situation. Wanting to say something, she looked at her daughter’s face and swallowed her words.

Over there, Song Chongjin and Old Master Du had finished their conversation, and were outside waiting for mother and daughter. Seeing them come out, they greeted with smiles: “Mother, Yongzhu, let’s go home!”

Heading out and getting into the carriage arranged by Yao Da, heading home, Jinhoo wanted to say something, but seeing his family’s expressions, wisely pretended he was not there.

The ride was silent.

Back home, Jinhoo very smartly claimed he was tired and disappeared into his room.

Wang Yongzhu and the other two were not tired.

In the main room, they had Gu Yu bring tea and guarded the door.

First, they discussed tomorrow’s ceremony to honor Qi Huan.

This was the right thing to do; now that they had returned gloriously, having passed the Scholar examination, they naturally wanted to console Qi Huan’s spirit.

Song Chongjin was of the same mind.

Wang Yongzhu instructed Gu Yu to call Yao Da and Shitou over to prepare for buying items for the ceremony in the morning.

Yao Da and Shitou heard and went to fulfill the task.

Wang Yongzhu was going to talk about today’s incident at the Du family, but Old Granny Zhang stood up, yawned, and said: “It’s getting late, this old woman can’t stay up like you young folks. You have matters to discuss, go to your rooms, I’ll rest now!”

Saying this, she was chasing them away.

Wang Yongzhu knew this was Old Granny Zhang avoiding involvement, as concerning the Qi family, it was inappropriate for her, the mother-in-law of the Qi family’s grandson-in-law, to interfere.

Seeing Song Chongjin seemingly had something to discuss personally too, since the Qi family matters involved too many aspects, she also did not want to let Old Granny Zhang know too much to prevent her from worrying.

She went along with the flow, stood up telling Old Granny Zhang a few words, and went with Song Chongjin to their room.

Song Chongjin spoke first.

At today’s feast, naturally different from usual, all the people at the table were respectful, calling him Lord Song, and some more cunningly calling him Master Heir-Apparent or Lord Heir-Apparent.

Everywhere he looked were eager smiles, everywhere he listened were flattering words.

Even if Song Chongjin was impatient, he politely greeted people.

Fortunately, his habitual sternness made no one accuse him of arrogance; instead, they felt his nodding was extremely personable.

Thinking of Jing County, starting from Lv Wenguang, how many people were fortunate enough to dine with the Heir to the Duke from the Lord Duke’s family?

Saying this could be bragged about for half a lifetime, couldn’t it?

Everyone competed to host a feast for Song Chongjin, but if he agreed, he wouldn’t have to do anything else but eat from the beginning to the end of the month.

Song Chongjin naturally wasn’t interested in them, though at the Hanlin Academy, with guidance from Gu Changqing and accompanied by Song Hong, he learned some smooth skills.

He just politely declined, saying he appreciated everyone’s kind intentions, but couldn’t spare the time since he was going to honor his mother tomorrow.

The day after, he hosted a lunch at the tavern to thank the headmaster and teachers from the Changqing Academy, inviting Lv Wenguang, the County Magistrate, the Magistrate, and several respected local scholars to join.

The third day, he would invite everyone again.

Then he would set out back to his hometown since the imperial decree ordered him to return home to see his family, and he shouldn’t delay.

Saying this, who would dare say no? Moreover, Song Chongjin also managed it all fairly, inviting all those present for a return favor, stating when he’d return to say they had been hosted by the Heir to the Duke’s banquet.

Thus, he freed himself from obligations.