CHAPTER 322: CHAPTER 291: SONG WEI AND SU XIANG’S FIRST COLLABORATION (SECOND UPDATE)

After idling at home for a year, Prime Minister Su not only didn’t grow moldy, but in this year, the matters he was concerned about added up to more than the preceding decades combined.

First, his investigations into Wen Wan’s identity were obstructed at every turn, followed by multiple attempts to undermine Song Wei.

However, as if cursed, each meticulously planned scheme always had some mishap at the last moment.

The result was that Song Wei still went to and from the Lower Court every day, single-minded, while Prime Minister Su stayed home, watching him commute with single-minded focus.

After finally shifting his focus to the Seventh, a fire not only failed to bring Su Qing into his camp but also drove the entire family to the border area, now with no news.

This year, Prime Minister Su encountered failure in everything he did, bringing bad luck to anyone associated with him.

He almost involved his son, without reaping any benefits, and instead, a considerable amount of money flowed out.

On the day of entering the court, after putting on his official court attire, Prime Minister Su strolled outside the room where the pi xiu was placed, then ordered to have the golden, eye-searing creature melted down, strictly forbidding anyone in the household from wearing a pi xiu. Anyone who violated this would be beaten to death with sticks.

Prime Minister Su was adept at psychological self-construction, thinking that with the melting of the pi xiu, the days of suspension were over, and the time for his success and happiness should arrive.

However, just as he stepped out the door, he was informed that the Emperor was unwell and would not attend court today.

Prime Minister Su: "..."

It was definitely not bad luck, just a coincidence.

He changed out of his court attire, took a look at the lush spring garden, and rarely feeling interested, picked up a watering can and went to water the flowers under the watchful eyes of the servants.

——

At this time in the Imperial City, Qianqing Palace.

Song Wei responded to a summons from the Imperial Chief Steward, and after paying respect to Emperor Guangxi, stood to the side.

Emperor Guangxi squeezed his brow and asked Song Wei, "Are you aware of Prime Minister Su’s entry into the court, Song Aiqing?"

Song Wei nodded, "I heard it would be today."

But since Emperor Guangxi feigned illness, Prime Minister Su did not come.

However, if not today, he will come tomorrow; sooner or later, he will enter the court.

Song Wei perceived that the Emperor was worried that after Prime Minister Su re-entered the court, he might engage in factional activities and control the court again, though he did not voice it.

It would not end well for an official to presume the Emperor’s mind.

Emperor Guangxi was silent for a while and asked him, "If I don’t intend to let Prime Minister Su regain power but also don’t want to directly offend him, what do you think should be done, Song Aiqing?"

Song Wei suggested, "Why not give him a promotion in name but a demotion in practice, Your Majesty?"

"Oh?" This answer piqued Emperor Guangxi’s interest, "Explain in more detail."

"Last year, the Su Family was implicated in the coal mine case, now is a perfect opportunity for them to redeem themselves. You can assign a case to Prime Minister Su; if he fails, you will have a reason to distribute his power to the Cabinet; if he succeeds, being the Imperial Uncle, gifting him with a nominal but hollow title would be more than enough, thereby also stripping his actual power."

Emperor Guangxi squinted his eyes, "Do you think the Cabinet can replace the Prime Minister?"

"Yes." Song Wei nodded, "The Prime Minister’s duty is mainly to assist the Emperor in handling state affairs, and I believe the Cabinet is capable of doing so. However, the Prime Minister holds all the power alone, while the Cabinet has several scholars, each sharing a part, making the position of Prime Minister virtually empty."

Obviously, Song Wei’s suggestion pleased the Emperor, and Emperor Guangxi’s demeanor brightened, "Well said!"

These three words indicated the Emperor’s approval of his explanation.

Though approval was given, its implementation wasn’t solely at the Emperor’s discretion; it required convening several key ministers for discussion.

...

Emperor Guangxi feigned illness for three consecutive days, during which he secretly met with several trusted veteran ministers to solicit their opinions on the Cabinet replacing the Prime Minister.

Ultimately, a feasible result was derived.

The ones who arrived were founding ministers, long discontent with the external family’s dominance over the court. Unfortunately, the Emperor had few heirs, and as long as the Eastern Palace remained without a crown prince, the Su Family’s ambitions remained unquenched. Even though they were subdued for almost a year due to the coal mine case last year, given Su Family’s tangled relationships in the court, mounting a comeback would not be difficult.

Ultimately, the Su Family’s audacity could be attributed to two reasons: the Prime Minister in the previous court, and the Empress in the harem.

If the Empress couldn’t be moved, it would be equally beneficial to target Prime Minister Su.

...

Given the lack of significant cases recently, Song Wei had a thought and proactively mentioned the gang of bandits on Black Wind Mountain in Ningzhou.

He wanted to avenge his brother and sister-in-law, so he volunteered, saying if Prime Minister Su agreed to go, he would accompany him as an assisting minister.

...

Emperor Guangxi found an opportunity the next day to summon Prime Minister Su alone.

In the Imperial Study Room, Emperor Guangxi was engrossed in reviewing memorials, and after nearly a year, when Prime Minister Su finally saw the Emperor, he knelt down with a thud, genuinely performing a grand salute with tears in his eyes, "This old official is guilty. I have been overly indulgent towards my nephew, causing him to commit a grave mistake, taking several lives at a young age. This is due to my lack of proper guidance, and now, with Your Majesty’s leniency in re-employing this old official, I vow to devote myself to alleviating Your Majesty’s burdens."

As he spoke, he knelt and kowtowed three times with a resounding thud.

His attitude was very proper, his expression very sincere, his tone very solemn, his manner... well, his manner was very much like Su Xiang.

It seemed like he was confessing, but in reality, every word was secretly mocking Lu Yanqing.

Emperor Guangxi chuckled, "After a year apart, Su Aiqing’s fondness for kowtowing hasn’t changed a bit."

Su Xiang: "... Your Majesty is the ruler, and this old minister is your servant. It’s the rule set by our ancestors for a servant to bow and kowtow to the ruler."

"There’s another rule from our ancestors, called ’The servant cannot surpass the ruler.’ I wonder if Su Xiang remembers it?"

Su Xiang: ".... Of course, this old minister remembers."

Emperor Guangxi: "Then kneel a little longer!"

Su Xiang: "......"

Watching the old fellow choke, Emperor Guangxi felt secretly pleased; the tea that usually tasted bland seemed much more fragrant.

The Emperor did not say to rise, so Su Xiang did not dare to get up. The Imperial Study Room fell into silence. After about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Emperor Guangxi’s somewhat troubled voice came from above, "I have received reports that bandits in the Pingjiang County area of Ningzhou are rampant, even daring to openly abduct respectable women. The local government cannot suppress them. Su Aiqing, do you have any good strategies?"

Su Xiang furrowed his brow almost imperceptibly, "Ningzhou again?"

The last coal mine case was in Ningzhou, coincidentally in Pingjiang County, and now these bandits are also in that godforsaken place?

Ningzhou truly is a rotten egg with cracks, attracting nothing but flies and maggots. First, there was the annoying Song Wei, now these loathsome bandits. None are good!

Emperor Guangxi leisurely watched Su Xiang’s reaction.

After pondering for a while, Su Xiang finally spoke, "This old minister is willing to personally lead troops to suppress the bandits to ease Your Majesty’s worries."

Emperor Guangxi disagreed, "Su Aiqing is a civil servant, and also the head of the officials. How can you personally lead troops to suppress bandits?"

"This old minister bears guilt and wishes to atone by meritorious service."

Emperor Guangxi appeared very pleased, "Since Su Aiqing insists on going, I must fulfill your wish. I will arrange for Song Hanlin to assist you."

Su Xiang twitched his lips, "Your Majesty, Song Wei is a Hanlin Official, and the bandit suppression has nothing to do with him."

"You can’t say that," Emperor Guangxi replied. "If a civil servant like Su Xiang can personally lead troops to suppress bandits and atone with meritorious service, then it’s only natural for Song Hanlin to want to avenge his elder brother who died tragically at the hands of bandits many years ago."

This time, Su Xiang was completely at a loss for words.

——

The imperial decree stirred a lively discussion in the court.

The Prime Minister personally leading troops to suppress bandits could be understood as his wish to atone through meritorious service.

Song Wei’s involvement could be seen as reasonable due to his familiarity with Ningzhou’s terrain, providing clues about the bandits.

But, Su Xiang and Song Wei going to suppress the bandits together?

Considering Su Xiang’s level of affection for Song Wei, are we sure he won’t mistake him for a bandit and deal with him first on the way?

Actually, Emperor Guangxi had such concerns before issuing the decree, but he had no choice since Song Wei insisted on going.

——

At the Song Mansion.

When Wen Wan heard that Song Wei was going to assist Su Xiang in suppressing the bandits in Ningzhou, she was startled and stared wide-eyed at the man, "Husband, did I hear wrong?"

Who is Su Xiang?

Day and night he thinks, constantly wishing he could flay Song Wei and drink his blood. At this moment, isn’t it better to avoid if one can? Yet he volunteered to go; is this sending a sheep into a tiger’s den?

Seeing the worry on Wen Wan’s face, Song Wei replied with determined eyes: "Thirteen years ago, my brother and sister-in-law were killed by these bandits. Now there is a chance to avenge them with my own hands; I must go."

Wen Wan opened her mouth, but swallowed her words of dissuasion. After thinking for a moment, she sighed and said, "Since you insist, I’ll request leave tomorrow."

Knowing it was unsafe to be around Su Xiang, Song Wei didn’t prevent Wen Wan from doing so.

The teacher at Hongwen Academy was used to Wen Wan frequently having family matters, and in recognition of her usual diligence, approved her leave without inquiry.

This was the second time Wen Wan accompanied her husband on a case. Her mother-in-law understood her intentions without asking much, but her father-in-law inquired briefly. In front of him, Yuanbao, and Song Jiao, Wen Wan simply stated her wish to take this opportunity to visit her hometown.

Her father-in-law wasn’t one to meddle, so upon hearing her explanation, he merely reminded the couple to be careful, especially Song Wei.

Every time he leaves, he makes the family anxious.

Song Wei gave Wen Wan a reassuring smile, telling Old Song not to worry and that they would surely return safely.