CHAPTER 326: CHAPTER 295: THE SECRET IN THE PAINTING IS NOT SIMPLE (PART 3)

Song Wei understood his master’s personality. This was someone who was obsessed with ancient paintings and calligraphy. If he didn’t give it to him today, he would surely do something astonishing that would leave people speechless.

Once again gripping the wooden box behind his back, Song Wei said, "It’s not gentlemanly to rob openly. If Master wants it, why not tell your disciple whether you left everything behind and departed from the Capital because of these four paintings? What secret is hidden in these four paintings?"

Old Marquis Lu smiled openly, "That’s right. I left the Capital back then for Shifang Cliff. As for the secret, give me the Hundred Inches Heart, and help me find the last one, then I will tell you."

Hearing this, Song Wei’s eyes showed a thoughtful expression.

No wonder Master has stayed in Pingjiang County for so many years without leaving. It seems he long knew there was a Hundred Inches Heart on Black Wind Mountain, but refrained from action because it was concealed by a band of bandits.

However, for a dignified Marquis to abandon riches and honor and reside in a remote place like Ningzhou for decades just for a painting, it is evident that the secret within the painting is not simple.

Song Wei collected his thoughts, offering the wooden box with both hands. The moment Old Marquis Lu took it, he suddenly said, "Actually, your disciple isn’t interested in the secrets among the four paintings. I just want to prove that I didn’t choose the wrong master back then."

Song Wei had known his master for over twenty years and was thoroughly familiar with his master’s temperament.

All along, he couldn’t quite believe that the cold-hearted and ungrateful Old Marquis Lu described by his mother-in-law was the master he knew.

It cannot be denied that Master indeed was someone who could be tireless for ancient paintings and calligraphy, but it also indicated that such a person had a deep-seated affection, and he wouldn’t fail someone without even an explanation or apology.

There must be some misunderstanding in between.

Old Marquis Lu did not offer much explanation after hearing Song Wei’s words. After taking the wooden box, he quickly rode away.

Wen Wan watched as the person rode away into the distance, then turned to look at Song Wei beside her, her face full of puzzlement, "Husband, who exactly is he?"

Song Wei said, "Old Marquis Lu."

Wen Wan was a bit slow to react, "Is it... that Lu Family?"

"Yes."

"How come he’s your master?"

"It’s a long story."

"Then what was that about you asking him if he wronged someone because of an item?"

Song Wei raised a hand, straightened the Attendant Student cap on Wen Wan’s head, wiped the sweat off her forehead, and his voice became softer, "It’s just hearsay. Once there’s concrete evidence in the future, I’ll tell you."

Knowing that her husband was not one to gossip about others, Wen Wan nodded and did not ask further.

The two followed the path they came and returned to the station.

Su Xiang was instructing his subordinates to tally the stolen goods. Seeing Song Wei walking over, he looked at him with a sarcastic smile, "The bandits have all been sent away, yet Mr. Song is only returning now. Could there be more good things behind this?"

Song Wei replied with a light smile, "If there truly were good things, the Prime Minister wouldn’t rest easy letting me go up to clean them up."

Su Xiang shifted his gaze to the stolen goods, seemingly reluctant as he squeezed out a sentence from between his teeth, "Go back and pack up. We’ll set off for the Capital early tomorrow morning."

Staring at him, Song Wei suddenly curved his lips, "Having contributed to the battle against bandits this time, may I suggest that the Prime Minister refrain from blowing confusing smoke into my room tonight? I truly don’t wish to see the Prime Minister put in effort for something impossible and end up in a thankless situation."

Su Xiang’s face darkened as he glared at him with eagle-like eyes, "What nonsense are you spouting? When did I ever have anyone blow confusing smoke into your room?"

"Oh." Song Wei’s expression became even more indifferent, "If that’s the case, then just take it as me letting the Prime Minister know that I am immune to all poisons. Whatever confusing smoke or poison that could be fatal to others has absolutely no effect on me. If the Prime Minister is unwitting, let it be. But if there’s intention, it’s best to save the trouble and not spend that unnecessary money, it’s not worth it."

Su Xiang: "..."

...

Back in the room, Wen Wan’s mind was still occupied with Su Xiang’s dark, grim old face, helpless against Song Wei despite wanting to kill him—truly a memorable scene.

Turning his head, Song Wei saw Wen Wan trying to suppress her laughter, her fair little face flushed red.

"Is it that funny?" he asked.

Seeing through her, Wen Wan simply stopped hiding, nodding sincerely, "I just suddenly felt like husband inherited this from your mother."

Song Wei: "Your mother-in-law is my birth mother. If I didn’t inherit from her, who else would I inherit from?"

"I mean being able to make people angry just by speaking." Wen Wan said, a smile spreading across her face, "When I first married into the family, I found mother-in-law’s words especially infuriating. But now, I think you’re even better at it, husband."

Song Wei’s eyes gleamed with interest as he gazed at her, "Are you sure these words aren’t an insult towards me?"

"How could I be insulting you?" Wen Wan averted her eyes, no longer meeting his gaze, "I’m just speaking the truth."

Song Wei’s gaze followed her eyes, "Is it because you didn’t want to scold or couldn’t bring yourself to?"

Wen Wan was confused by his question, "Is there a difference?"

"There is."

"Anyway, it’s not scolding." To avoid slipping up and falling into a trap, Wen Wan answered cautiously.

After speaking, she pushed him away, "You go out first, I need to pack."

"Can’t I be here while you pack?" he asked back, clearly amused.

Wen Wan turned her back to him, her face inexplicably hot.

Even though she came to Ningzhou under the guise of an attendant student, supposedly staying in the outer room to keep watch for him at night, in reality, the couple shared a bed every night. However, Song Wei was always restrained in matters of intimacy, never troubling her too often.

After five years of marriage, they were practically an old couple; when facing each other, they should be more relaxed than a pair of young lovers.

Yet, often, Wen Wan couldn’t resist his deep and affectionate gaze, inevitably blushing, her heart fluttering, and pounding.

No matter how she tried to adapt, she still couldn’t act casually in front of him.

Seeing her bent over and busy, Song Wei shook his head with a chuckle and stepped outside the door.

Hearing him leave, Wen Wan took the opportunity to close the door, draped the clean clothes she had just found over her arm, and went behind the screen to change.

She had a small frame and her deceptively innocent face suited the role of an attendant student; however, having given birth and developed well, she needed a chest wrap for complete concealment.

It was fine in the previous days since she didn’t go out; at most, she wore it briefly when necessary, but otherwise, while staying indoors, she habitually removed it and put on a loose robe.

However, today, she not only went out under the blazing sun but also climbed a mountain, sweating all over. Now, the wrapped areas were sticky and uncomfortable. If she weren’t worried about someone from Su Xiang bumping into her unexpectedly, Wen Wan would have liked to take it off for some relief.

...

They were set to depart early the next morning, and fearing they wouldn’t dry in time, Wen Wan decided against washing the dirty clothes she’d changed out of, placing them in a separate small sack. When she opened the door and saw Song Wei still standing outside, she quietly said, "I’ve already found clean undergarments, you can go in and change."

Song Wei nodded and stepped into the room, emerging after a quarter of an hour in fresh clothes.

Wen Wan was standing under the eaves, fanning herself with a palm fan.

Seeing no sign of Su Xiang’s people around, Song Wei took the fan from her hand, fanning her with a steady rhythm.

Summer in Ningzhou was hotter than in the Capital, and standing in the sun for too long could make one’s skin feel scorched.

Wen Wan was indeed hot, and with someone fanning her, she took the liberty to drag a chair over, enjoying this rare moment of coolness.

——

Stimulated by Song Wei’s words, Su Xiang refrained from causing any trouble on the return journey to the Capital, though every time he saw Song Wei, he wore a sour expression that clearly conveyed his displeasure.

Song Wei wasn’t bothered in the slightest; with his unique fate since childhood, he wasn’t concerned with every person in the world who didn’t like him.

Upon entering the Capital, the bandits from Black Wind Mountain were imprisoned in the Ministry of Justice Prison, and Song Wei accompanied Su Xiang to report their success to Emperor Guangxi.

The plan to eliminate the bandits was Song Wei’s, and Su Xiang didn’t forget to mention it during his debriefing.

Song Wei chimed in at just the right moment, "It was all thanks to the Prime Minister; I just tagged along."

Emperor Guangxi also said, "I knew Su Aiqing wouldn’t let me down."

Praised by the Emperor, Su Xiang was moved to tears, "As long as Your Majesty allows this old minister to offset his sins with merit, that would be enough."

"Su Xiang has been suspended for a year and penalized for three years of salary. Now having rendered great service, how can offsetting merit be enough? Here’s the thing, we’ll bestow a title upon the Su Family, and from today, I’ll grant Su Aiqing the title of Duke, with the title Jing."

Duke Jing.

This title, how ironic.

Su Xiang was about to express his gratitude when he heard the Emperor’s voice continue, "I’ve heard that Su Aiqing fell ill several times during his suspension, presumably due to overwork for the court in previous years, depleting his health. I am truly moved by Su Xiang’s passion and loyalty to the court. You have served the court loyally, and the court must care for you as well. I’ve ordered the construction of a summer palace beside Qing Lake. Su Xiang, when you’re free, should go there to relax. As for the tedious court affairs, leave them to the Cabinet."

Su Xiang’s face changed, realizing that Emperor Guangxi intended to make a visible promotion but an actual demotion. He quickly spoke up, "Your Majesty!"

Emperor Guangxi waved his hand, "These are the rewards Su Aiqing rightly deserves; there’s no need to offer thanks."