Watching Huo Chong leave Suining City, the Shadow Guard returned to the government office to report to Song Jinzhao.
“Around half past seven this morning, Huo Chong left Suining City. These are the words the three of them spoke last night, and the rest is what Qu Ya and Guan Nianshan said alone after leaving the inn.”
The two sheets of paper were written clearly, not a single word omitted.
Song Jinzhao stared at the line that said not to tell him, and smiled.
“He’s probably pleased, thinking that when the time comes to attack Suining City, he’ll have someone to pass him information.”
The Shadow Guard remarked with meaning, “Qu Ya might, but Guan Nianshan still needs to be watched.”
Song Jinzhao removed the lamp shade and burned both pieces of paper.
“Time can change a person’s mind, and besides, they have weaknesses.”
“Withdraw the people from the inn, but keep watching Qu Ya and Guan Nianshan.”
The Shadow Guard nodded in acknowledgment. “Your subordinate obeys.”
Soon after the Shadow Guard left, Qingshuang entered from outside.
“County Princess, news has come from the capital. Prince Qi has died of illness in Jinzhou.”
Song Jinzhao’s hand holding the brush paused, and she looked up in surprise.
“It shouldn’t have happened this soon.”
Qingshuang said, “Officially, it’s being declared as death from illness, but actually Prince Qi went mad and accidentally fell into a pond and drowned. The emperor felt it would damage the royal family’s dignity, so he falsely claimed illness as the cause.”
“The emperor also decreed that aside from the Princess of Qi and the two commanderies’ ladies, everyone else in the prince’s household shall be buried alive with him—three hundred and twenty-one people in total.”
The ink smudged. Song Jinzhao set down her brush and fell silent for a long time.
“None of the court officials objected?”
Qingshuang clenched her teeth and let out a sigh.
“Lord Ye took another beating at court, and after that, no one dared to object.”
He truly spared no old feelings.
Song Jinzhao breathed deeply and let out a sigh.
“Inform Eldest Young Master about this. If Ye Liangyu stays in the capital any longer, he’ll eventually lose his life.”
Upon learning that his Teacher had been beaten again, Song Qiming’s face turned darker than the bottom of a pot.
He slammed his fist onto the table, barely containing his rage.
“In the history of the Eastern Zhao Kingdom, no emperor has ever made the living die with him. Has the emperor lost his mind?”
“Even if it’s grief over losing a son, I never saw the emperor treat Prince Qi well when he was alive.”
Thinking of her own son, Qingshuang said, “Perhaps regret only comes after death.”
Song Qiming shut his mouth, too furious to speak.
Summoned at will, dismissed at will; fickle in favor and harsh in gratitude.
And his Teacher was stubborn by nature. If this continued, it wouldn’t be impossible for the emperor to order his execution.
After calming down, Song Qiming began writing a letter.
He scribbled rapidly, the strokes revealing his inner fury.
“Deliver this letter to Teacher as quickly as possible.”
Qingshuang accepted the envelope with both hands and assured him, “It will be sent out today.”
Once the door was closed, Song Qiming grew restless, stood up, and paced the room, his thoughts churning with agitation.
As soon as the five-day period was up, Yang Cenan could hardly wait to return to Panzhou. The government physician stood before Song Jinzhao with full respect, bowing in gratitude.
“These past days, I am deeply grateful for the County Princess’s guidance. I have learned a great deal.”
Song Jinzhao replied calmly, “It’s because you are eager to learn. Remember to stay alive until we meet again.”
The physician’s face stiffened. Remembering Yang Cenan’s frequent outbursts of rage in recent days, he felt uncertain himself.
“I hope so. County Princess, I take my leave.”
On the city wall, the carriage convoy gradually disappeared from everyone’s sight.
Gu Jinghong lowered his head and whispered into Gu Baozhu’s ear, “Shouldn’t we be heading back?”
Having eaten and lived at the government office for a full month, even he felt a bit embarrassed.
Her pink lips were chapped from biting. Gu Baozhu sighed softly and said, “Let’s go back. We’ll leave this afternoon.”
Staying any longer would be pointless, and besides, she was starting to miss home a little.
After coming down from the city wall, Gu Baozhu went to bid Song Jinzhao farewell.
Seeing the cheerfulness in Gu Jinghong’s eyes, Song Jinzhao attempted to persuade them to stay but failed, so she stopped insisting.
After lunch, the two mounted their horses and left.
Yang Cenan’s departure lifted a heavy weight off the minds of all the officials in Suining City. The stone pressing on their hearts was finally removed.
