CHAPTER 262: CHAPTER 259: RETURNING HOME

Song Qizheng had an unsettling suspicion and closed his eyes to calm himself.

Only after realizing he had wronged Song Xian’s biological mother back then, he now had to suspect his step-wife Mrs. Rong. Song Qizheng didn’t want to think further, but he couldn’t avoid it.

Mrs. Zhao, beside Mrs. Rong, married He Kuan.

He Kuan was a Liao spy, what about Mrs. Zhao? Could Song Min and Song Yu’s escape from the Liao people have anything to do with Mrs. Rong? Did Mrs. Rong do something for Xiao Xingzong to exchange for the children?

Or was there some other reason?

Under usual circumstances, Song Qizheng would immediately return to the mansion to question Mrs. Rong, but after Song Min’s incident, he already felt a change in his heart, almost knowing exactly what Mrs. Rong would say if he confronted her.

"Go interrogate Mrs. Zhao," Song Qizheng instructed the household general beside him, "Increase the number of people watching over the madam, but don’t let her notice."

The household general responded.

By gradually verifying, many things and people will emerge. Song Qizheng strode out of the government office, increasingly uneasy with He Kuan’s confession, constantly paying attention to matters within the military during these days.

Mounting his horse, Song Qizheng saw the quiver on the horse’s back and suddenly recalled when Song Xian, at three years old, stood beside the training field watching him practice archery.

While in the mansion, he would rise before dawn to practice martial arts, shooting arrows at the training field with the first ray of morning light.

In the harsh winter, Song Xian wrapped himself in a cloak, braving the snow, stood quietly under the veranda, without making any sound, just watching him, as if he found practicing martial arts exceedingly interesting.

At that time, Mrs. Feng had already been gone for two years, yet his resentment towards Mrs. Feng had not dissipated. Facing Song Xian, he felt complicated and didn’t want to deal with him.

It wasn’t until Song Xian cautiously ran to the edge of the training ground, raised his frost-reddened face, and chirped, "Father, can you teach me archery? When I grow up, I can practice martial arts with you at the training ground."

Song Xian knew nothing, thinking just by saying a word, he could bridge the gap between father and son.

Naturally, he refused, leaving the small figure behind with various excuses.

Previously, everyone said Song Xian was cold-hearted, unwilling to call him father, or recognize Mrs. Rong as mother. Reflecting now, Song Xian wasn’t like that initially.

...

Song Yu came directly back to the mansion from the government office.

Upon hearing her son returned, Mrs. Rong hurried out to the courtyard to meet him.

"Mother," Song Yu supported Mrs. Rong’s arm, "Why are you coming out? Let me accompany you inside to talk."

Song Yu’s grip slightly tightened, and Mrs. Rong immediately understood.

They went to the inner chamber, and Mrs. Rong dismissed everyone around before urgently asking, "How did it go? Did you gather any news?"

Song Yu pursed his lips, "I saw father take a lot of people to the secret prison again, mostly women this time. I asked around outside, and people were seized from a house in the city. The owner of that house claimed to be a merchant with shops in both Dingzhou and Zhenzhou."

On hearing this, Mrs. Rong was taken aback, recalling the shops Mrs. Zhao went to for sending messages. Could it be that Song Qizheng discovered it?

"Mother," Song Yu said softly, "Do you know anything about He Kuan’s matter?"

Mrs. Rong was startled, "How would I know? What did your father say to you?"

Song Yu shook his head, "Nothing, I just fear it. Father’s expression looked terrible, especially when I mentioned Mother... Father wouldn’t normally treat Mother this way."

Mrs. Rong’s heart sank further.

Song Yu looked at Mrs. Rong, "Mother, Father is becoming increasingly unpredictable to me. What is wrong with him? Could it be because of Third Brother’s issue that he suspects us all? Nowadays, the only one Father trusts might be Eldest Brother."

Mrs. Rong’s hand trembled slightly, but fortunately, Song Yu didn’t notice. After a long moment, she steadied her heart and grasped Song Yu’s hand, "Yu, don’t worry. Mother will protect you. Your brother is gone, now Mother only has you. As long as you are well, it will be worth my risking everything."

Song Yu immediately held Mrs. Rong’s hand, "Mother, what nonsense are you talking? It should be me protecting Mother."

Mrs. Rong’s nose tingled.

Suddenly, a thought crossed Song Yu’s mind, "They say that He Kuan was Xiao Xingzong’s man; I remember when I was captured back then, it was Xiao Xingzong who stopped the Liao people and let us go... I..."

Mrs. Rong covered Song Yu’s mouth, her voice low and hoarse, "Don’t say anything hastily. No matter who asks, you know nothing. You’re unaware."

"If Father asks, say you weren’t locked with Min. It was Min who led the household generals to rescue you."

Song Yu stared blankly at Mrs. Rong, "Why?"

Mrs. Rong’s eyes reddened, "You remember, Mother would never harm you. For the sake of a child, a mother’s strength is mighty. Even to save you, Mother wouldn’t stoop to that level." Even if Song Qizheng discovered it, she still had a fighting chance, refusing to become that pitiable Mrs. Feng.

As though he didn’t grasp Mrs. Rong’s meaning, Song Yu murmured, "What are you talking about? What level?"

Mrs. Rong reached out to pat Song Yu’s shoulder, "You don’t need to know."

After a while without speaking, silence fell between mother and son. Finally, Song Yu spoke again, "Mother, I like someone. She is in trouble now, but I can’t help her. I am too weak now to help her or protect Mother. It’s useless."

Mrs. Rong was slightly startled, "Who do you like?"

Song Yu lowered his head, as if making a difficult decision, "Princess Jiahui, but she has been punished and confined in the mansion."

Of course, Mrs. Rong knew this was how He Kuan was caught.

With Song Yu’s reminder, Mrs. Rong’s mind suddenly cleared up. Who said this was a dead end? Perhaps they still had a chance to turn the tables. As long as Song Qizheng hadn’t obtained conclusive evidence to act against her, she could still plan.

Maybe they could succeed in one move. Who said the one to win over the Eight States was Song Xian? Maybe by then, Song Xian and Song Qizheng had perished in battle, while her son Song Yu achieved military success.

Then the court’s rewards would be for Yu.

Such thoughts floated through Mrs. Rong’s mind. It’s either you die, or I live. Song Qizheng shouldn’t blame her; he was the one who harmed her son first.

It’s not that she ignored the couple’s love. Knowing Xiao Xingzong had done so much for her, she never intended to act against Song Qizheng. It was Song Qizheng who forced her to this point. If she didn’t rally, the next ones to die would be her and her child.

Mrs. Rong softly said, "Let me think carefully about what to do."

"Alright," Song Min said, "I will stay with you."

...

The people of Dingzhou had no idea what had happened at the National Guardian General Mansion.

These days, Dingzhou’s people were all busy heading towards Zhenzhou and Zhaozhou.

The first batch of spring cocoons could now be put onto the spinning wheel. Zhaozhou and Zhenzhou were short of labor, leading women from neighboring states and counties to go seek employment.

From a distance, the official roads were filled with traveling people. Those unaware might’ve thought it was famine migration, but upon approaching, they realized it wasn’t famine.

Who migrates with such cheerful expressions?

They were going to earn Silver Coin.

As the women walked and talked, they chatted: "Zhenzhou’s spinning wheels are huge. They said a small room can’t fit them, able to use dozens of ingots at once. Turning the spinning wheel is done by men."

"Really?"

"Certainly not false. My sister-in-law went first, earning Silver Coin daily. She’s been there half a month and already got a little piglet for the family."

"Truly able? You can get a piglet in half a month?"

"Yes."

"Nowadays, every village in Zhenzhou has a spinning wheel, even more than Zhaozhou."

"I know because that large spinning wheel was made by Sister Chen from Chen Family Village."

"Is Sister Chen really that capable?"

"You’ll know when you see her."

"Oh dear, why couldn’t I give birth to such a daughter."

"You’re dreaming."

Sister Chen from Chen Family Village was busy managing accounts at home, as the manpower from several villages was too much; the village’s bookkeepers couldn’t cope, causing some mistakes. Fortunately, errors were discovered during final auditing.

"Miss," Chang Yue said, "Master has returned."

Xie Liangchen lifted her head from the accounts, instinctively looking out the window, seeing the crape myrtle budding but not yet blooming. He truly made it back.