Chapter 41: Her Family Has Her Back

Beside the official road stood a relay station enclosed by a ring of fencing, with fodder piled like a mountain inside.

A lone rider came flying in from the distance. As he neared the station, he slowed slightly, then turned his horse directly through the gate.

Chen Guishuo reined in, jumped from the saddle, and flashed a token at the minor official who came forward to meet him.

Before long, the official led out a fresh, well-rested horse. Chen Guishuo mounted at once and charged back out of the relay station. The horses rested. The man did not...

On an official road somewhere within Guangyi Commandery, Niu Youdao led a party of ten riders at an unhurried pace. They had no relay stations available to them and therefore had to consider the endurance of their mounts.

All of Shang Chaozong's personal guards had changed into ordinary civilian clothing. Some had already been deployed along the road, while the rest remained with the party. Ahead, the towering walls of the commandery seat had come into view.

Yuan Gang made a hand signal. The two riders at the rear dropped away and turned into the forest beside the road, where they would remain hidden to receive and relay messages.

The rest continued onward.

At the city gate, everyone dismounted to submit to inspection. One of Shang Chaozong's guards naturally stepped forward to smooth things over.

Shang Chaozong might have fallen from power, but he still was not someone ordinary people could compare with. So long as the city was not under wartime lockdown and strict military alert, preparing some merchant-company identity as cover was hardly difficult. Once inside Guangyi Commandery's capital, the difference was immediately obvious. A prosperous land of fish and rice was indeed unlike ordinary places.

The streets were bustling, pedestrians flowed like woven cloth, shops stood one after another, and there was no shortage of people dressed respectably. Compared with the dilapidation and desolation outside, the contrast was striking.

Mounted on his tall horse, Niu Youdao eased his way through the crowd while looking left and right, taking in the prosperity of this world.

They found a respectable inn.

The inn's attendants took away the horses to be cared for, while the guards arranged the rooms. After everyone had gone up, identified their rooms, and gathered together again, Yuan Gang ordered three men to go out into the city and investigate the information they needed. Then he turned to another three.

"You've worked hard on the road. Use the time well and take turns resting."

"Yes!"

The three cupped their hands, accepted the order, and returned to their own rooms. Yuan Gang himself then left the inn with Niu Youdao and began strolling through the streets. The two genuinely looked as though they were simply out wandering.

When they passed a silk shop, Niu Youdao went inside, picked up bolts of fine silk and brocade, and stroked them appreciatively. From time to time he would turn to Yuan Gang and click his tongue.

"Look at this weaving. Look at the workmanship. Exquisite. Not bad, not bad!"

The praise delighted the shopkeeper.

Then Niu Youdao asked the price, bought nothing, turned around, and left. The shopkeeper's happiness had been entirely wasted.

Jewelry shops, livestock sellers, all sorts of places—everywhere they went, Niu Youdao left behind the same trail of questions about prices.

In short, the two men did not look remotely like people who had come to the city on important business.

They looked like shoppers...

In the capital, at the Song Residence, Song Jiuming stood in casual dress on the steps outside the reception hall, waiting to receive a guest.

Anyone capable of making the mighty Commandant of Justice personally stand outside to welcome him was naturally no ordinary visitor.

Song Jiuming appeared to be standing there casually, but expert guards could faintly be seen in the corners on either side. After a short wait, a group emerged from behind the rockery and screen wall.

At their head strode a burly, heavily bearded man. His steps were powerful, his face taut with displeasure. This man was Wang Heng, Grand Commander of one of the four great garrisons defending the capital region.

His official rank might not equal Song Jiuming's, but tens of thousands of troops answered to him. In the capital, no one dared underestimate such a man. Wang Heng was also Song Yanqing's father-in-law.

The plump young woman following close behind him with her head lowered was none other than Song Yanqing's wife, Wang Liufang. Song Shu and his wife walked alongside them, smiling ingratiatingly.

They had personally gone all the way outside the main gate to receive their in-laws and lead them inside. Unfortunately, their in-law did not seem inclined to give them much face today. His expression had remained ugly the entire way. Four cultivator guards accompanied Wang Heng, their attention constantly sweeping the surroundings. When he reached the foot of the reception-hall steps, Wang Heng cupped his hands toward Song Jiuming above.

"This subordinate official pays respects to the Commandant of Justice!"

Song Jiuming's normally expressionless face revealed a trace of a smile.

He quickly descended the steps, caught Wang Heng by the wrist, and said warmly, "In-law, there's no need for such ceremony. There are no superiors or subordinates here. We're one family. Grand Commander, please come inside!"

Still holding Wang Heng's wrist, he personally pulled him into the hall. Host and guest took their seats. Song Shu and the others had only standing room. Wang Liufang stood behind her father with her head lowered, looking thoroughly aggrieved.

Servants brought tea.

Host and guest each lifted a cup for form's sake, after which Song Jiuming asked the real question.

"What wind has blown the Grand Commander here today?"

Bang!

Wang Heng practically smashed his teacup onto the side table.

"If I hadn't come, I'm afraid my daughter wouldn't be able to go on living. My Wang family is only a small household. We climbed too high marrying into the Commandant of Justice's family. I've come today to ask the Song family for a letter of repudiation on my daughter's behalf!"

Song Jiuming looked surprised.

"Grand Commander, how can you say such a thing? Fang'er is obedient and virtuous. Our whole family cannot cherish her enough. How could she possibly be unable to go on living? The young couple love each other. Where does this talk of repudiation come from? Does the Grand Commander intend to tear apart a pair of mandarin ducks?"

Wang Heng's beard bristled as he glared.

"Commandant, let's speak plainly in front of clear-eyed people. Back then, it was your Song family that wanted the marriage. After taking my daughter through the door, it was also your Song family that cast her aside! A married daughter is water poured away. Marry a chicken, follow the chicken; marry a dog, follow the dog. How the young couple live their life is their own affair. I can't interfere in everything. But there's no one who bullies people the way that bastard Song Yanqing does!"

Bang!

He slapped the side table again, making the teacups jump.

At the insult, the corner of Song Shu's mouth twitched. Calling Song Yanqing a turtle bastard was awkward enough. If the son was a turtle bastard, did that not make the father the turtle? The entire Song family was dragged into the insult with him.

"Grand Commander, your words are too severe," Song Jiuming said flatly.

"Not severe in the slightest!" Wang Heng snapped. "Song Yanqing spends his days drinking and whoring outside, haunting pleasure quarters. Don't think I don't know. We're all men. I understand that some social dealings are unavoidable. I'm not an unreasonable person. Some things I can close one eye to and pretend I didn't see. If he wants to play around outside, I can leave it alone. I can't tie him up with a rope. But there has to be a limit to everything. He has a family. He can't play so hard he forgets his home entirely! My daughter often cannot even see the man. What kind of life is that? This time is worse. An entire month has passed, and she hasn't even seen his shadow. Every day she sits alone in an empty room, washing her face with tears. Is that how you bully a person? If they can't live together anymore, then stop forcing it. Give me the letter of repudiation and let both sides go their separate ways!"

His voice was so loud it nearly lifted the roof. Behind him, Wang Liufang's eyes had reddened and tears streamed down her face. She looked aggrieved beyond measure. The Song family was thoroughly embarrassed.

It was rare for anyone to storm into their home, shout, pound tables, and throw ugly looks at them.

An ordinary person would never possess such qualifications. Let someone else try behaving this way and see what happened. But Wang Liufang's family background was different. There was an old saying: her natal family had people behind it.

However unhappy Wang Liufang might be in daily life, everyone in the Song household still treated her courteously. Her living arrangements were absolutely generous. Even those who disliked her inwardly—including her own parents-in-law—still had to speak to her gently and amiably. Song Jiuming had lost considerable face and was suppressing a bellyful of anger. His cold gaze landed on Song Shu.

Suddenly he pointed and thundered, "If a son is raised but not taught, the father is at fault! Today, in front of our in-law, I will make this clear: if anything like what the Grand Commander described happens again, I will break that bastard's legs..."

Wang Heng raised his head and stared at the roof without saying a word. He let Song Jiuming berate Song Shu as much as he liked.

The talk about demanding a repudiation letter had mostly been talk. Coming here to stand up for his daughter was the real point. Song Jiuming cursed Song Shu for quite some time, reducing the man to repeated meek acknowledgments. Only then did Song Jiuming rise, walk over to Wang Heng, and speak with a pleasant expression.

"Grand Commander, this was my negligence. Rest assured, nothing like this will happen again. Besides... regarding this particular matter, the Grand Commander may have misunderstood that bastard somewhat."

"Misunderstood?"

Wang Heng raised an eyebrow and slowly stood. He had assumed Song Jiuming would apologize, the two sides would exchange a few pleasant words, and the matter would be smoothed over. He had not expected this new claim of a misunderstanding.

His displeasure immediately returned.

Was the Song family truly bullying the Wang family this badly? If even he was denied face like this, what sort of life could his daughter possibly have in the Song household afterward? Song Jiuming lifted one hand slightly, signaling for him not to become agitated.

Then he leaned close and whispered, "A month ago, before the one in the Imperial Prison was released, orders came down from above. Yanqing rushed back to the Shangqing Sect overnight on important business. He wasn't lingering outside and refusing to come home. He had little choice in the matter himself. I hope the Grand Commander can understand."

"Oh!"

Wang Heng blinked.

He more or less understood the implication. The anger on his face gradually subsided, replaced by thought. Just then, the Song Residence's steward appeared outside the hall and called toward Song Quan inside.

"Eldest Master!"

Song Quan hurried out.

One look at the steward's expression told him something had probably happened. The two moved to the eaves nearby.

"What is it?"

The steward lowered his voice. "Something happened to Third Master's young lord."

He handed over a secret letter. Song Quan took it and read.

His expression gradually turned grave.

He immediately returned to the hall, drew Song Jiuming away from his quiet conversation with Wang Heng, and whispered a few words. Then he passed over the secret report. After reading it, Song Jiuming slowly closed his eyes. Everyone in the room could see that something was wrong. All eyes were fixed on him. When Song Jiuming opened his eyes again, he looked toward Song Shu's wife, Hu Guizhi.

"Third Household, take Fang'er out for a walk."

Hu Guizhi acknowledged the order and went to Wang Heng to invite Wang Liufang away. Wang Liufang, however, looked toward her father.

Wang Heng realized that Song Jiuming probably had some matter to discuss. He raised one hand, telling his daughter to go with her mother-in-law. Once the people who might complicate matters were gone, Song Jiuming passed the secret report to Wang Heng. After reading it, Wang Heng's face changed dramatically. He looked sharply at Song Jiuming.

"Your Excellency, is this report true?"

"There is no reason to fabricate a matter like this," Song Jiuming replied indifferently.

Wang Heng slowly sat down.

He seemed to collapse into the chair, his expression somewhat lost. The guards behind him exchanged looks, none knowing what had happened.

"Third Brother, prepare yourself."

Song Jiuming turned his head toward his son.

"Something happened to Yanqing. He's already dead."

"..."

Song Shu froze, unable to believe what he had heard. Then he rushed toward Wang Heng, snatched the secret report from his hand, and read it. Once he understood what had happened, he stumbled backward several steps, looking as though he might collapse. Song Quan quickly stepped forward and caught him.

[End of Chapter 41]