CHAPTER 396: CHAPTER 364: SECOND UPDATE

Xu Shu didn’t experience the blood phobia phenomenon Song Fang anticipated; instead, he tenderly pulled her finger over to wipe away the blood and then instructed Mei Zhi to bring the ointment to apply it personally.

Throughout the process, Song Fang didn’t say a single word, just staring at him consistently. After the ointment was applied, she finally spoke, "Weren’t you supposed to have blood phobia?"

"I haven’t felt faint for a long time now." Xu Shu blew on the scratch on her finger and asked, "Does it still hurt, wife?"

Song Fang withdrew her hand and continued on the topic of his blood phobia, "How did you get over it?"

"I consulted a doctor!" Xu Shu admitted without concealment, "The doctor advised me to look at things with a reddish hue often and even to contact blood occasionally, saying I’d naturally get used to it over time. So I went to the kitchen every day to watch them slaughter chickens. After a year, I’ve become fearless of anything. I originally intended to surprise you with this news, but you brought it up first."

"You watched people slaughter chickens in the kitchen for a whole year?" Song Fang was initially quite angry, but his candid response tickled her into laughing slightly.

Seeing Song Fang smile improved Xu Shu’s mood, and he attentively massaged her legs, "How about it? Isn’t your husband pretty inspirational?"

Song Fang didn’t want him to be too pleased, so she casually replied, "So-so!"

Xu Shu kept flattering, "Look, if I can overcome a blood phobia that lasted over twenty years, then going into battle..."

"Don’t talk about it." Song Fang quickly turned her attitude, "Wait until you have the skill to earn the Emperor’s favor, getting your name on the royal decree to lead troops. I definitely won’t stop you."

"Alright, then I’ll go practice at the training ground, and someday, I’ll make you see me in a new light!"

Song Fang rolled her eyes, not expecting him to earn much from the martial field.

Nonetheless, Xu Shu no longer having blood phobia was indeed a matter worth celebrating, meaning he no longer needs to keep his head down due to this unmentionable weakness.

——

After Song Fang left, Wen Wan recalled her sister-in-law mentioning the war at the Northwest Border, and suddenly had an idea, immediately going to find Song Wei to tell him she had a way to prevent assassination incidents.

Song Wei was organizing some booklets for the journey south, his movement slowing upon hearing her, turning his gaze toward her, "What method?"

Wen Wan spoke truthfully, "Just now, my sister-in-law returned to her maiden home. I heard her say that there’s a war at the Northwest Border, and Xu Shu’s father, General Chang Wei, has already received the decree to lead troops to the Northwest.

At such a time, the Imperial Family’s focus should be entirely on the battlefield, rather than traveling south for pleasure; otherwise, the people will inevitably harbor resentment.

Husband, if you use this as an excuse to urge the Emperor to stay in the palace, I believe he won’t disagree."

Song Wei put down the booklets, "There’s a war in the Northwest? I haven’t received any news."

Wen Wan said, "You’re a civil official responsible only for explaining the Four Books and Five Classics to the Emperor, so naturally, not all significant affairs of the court will be disclosed to you. However, it’s not too late; now we know, should you not take advantage of the opportunity to persuade the Emperor as the night falls?"

"Yes." Song Wei nodded, entered the inner chamber to change into his official robe, and upon coming out, he thanked Wen Wan.

Wen Wan thought she had misheard, staring at him dumbfounded for a moment before snapping back to reality, "Why are you thanking me?"

Song Wei chuckled, "Without Wanwan, many things I might not handle alone."

"There’s no need for thanks! You suddenly being so courteous makes me feel embarrassed." Wen Wan finished speaking and urged him with a smile, "Hurry up, it’s going to be dark soon."

——

Song Wei had a waist card allowing free entry and exit from the palace, so when he arrived at the Imperial City Gate and requested to see the Emperor, the guards did not obstruct him.

From the Imperial City Gate to Qianqing Palace, it took approximately the time it takes for an incense stick to burn.

Emperor Guangxi was playing chess with the Eldest Prince Zhao Xi when he heard of Song Wei’s request to meet, somewhat surprised, and asked Mr. Cui, "We’re heading south tomorrow. Why is he coming to the palace now?"

Mr. Cui replied, "Emperor, Song Hanlin says he has urgent business to report."

Being his niece’s husband, Emperor Guangxi’s attitude toward him was a bit more forgiving and patient than with other ministers, motioning with his hand, "Let him in."

Mr. Cui went outside and shortly after ushered Song Wei in.

According to protocol, Song Wei knelt and saluted both the Emperor and the Eldest Prince.

Emperor Guangxi allowed him to rise, "I heard from Mr. Cui that Song Aiqing has urgent matters?"

Song Wei truthfully reported, "I believe, with the Northwest Border amidst war, the Emperor should not leave the palace to travel south at this time."

"You’re certainly well-informed, young man." Emperor Guangxi placed down a black piece, his gaze shifting to the tall man below him, "Do you know what major event is happening this year?"

"I know." Song Wei responded, "It’s the Empress Dowager’s sixtieth birthday."

"And you still dare to prevent me from going to Jiangnan?"

"If the Emperor wishes to please the Empress Dowager, it doesn’t necessarily have to be by going to Jiangnan," Song Wei said. "Although this war is not overly severe, it can still cause significant panic among the people. If we orchestrate an extravagant celebration for the Empress Dowager on the waterway to the south at this time, it will inevitably leave the impression among the Jiangnan populace that the Imperial Family is indulging in extravagance and luxury without care for the Northwest’s turmoil. This would be of no benefit to either the Emperor or the Empress Dowager."

Zhao Xi, who had been silent, suddenly spoke, "Father, I agree with Song Hanlin’s view. During times of border conflict, the Imperial Family should set an example and not indulge in exorbitant extravagance. The Empress Dowager’s birthday celebration can be held in the palace; just have the Ministry of Rites put more thought into it. In such special times, there’s truly no need to tarnish the people’s perception of the Imperial Family for temporary enjoyment."

Interrupted by these two youngsters, Emperor Guangxi immediately lost interest in the chess game, tossing the obsidian chess piece back into the box with a heavy voice, "Don’t you two understand that the words of a ruler are not to be taken back lightly? Once I’ve spoken, how can I simply retract it?"

Song Wei spoke with conviction, "Peace in the land, and the country’s stability are the utmost priorities of those in high positions. I believe that the Emperor, who implemented the ’Single Whip Law’ to relieve the burdens of the people’s labor, is indeed a wise sovereign."

At surface level, it was praise, but in truth, it was moral coercion. Emperor Guangxi, incensed by his words, retorted, "Can you speak properly for once, young man?"

Song Wei looked unfazed, "Every word of mine is from the heart."

Emperor Guangxi questioned him, "In front of me, which words have you ever spoken that weren’t from the heart?"

Song Wei answered back, "For now, it seems there have been none."

Zhao Xi glanced at Song Wei, whose expression hadn’t changed from start to finish, then looked at the dark-faced Emperor Guangxi, thoughts crossing his mind that he could almost empathize with. He coughed lightly, attempting to ease the tension: "Does Song Hanlin know how to play chess?"

"I know a little."

"If so, why don’t you come and play a game with my father?"

As Zhao Xi spoke, he stood up and offered his seat.

Song Wei didn’t respond immediately, waiting calmly for Emperor Guangxi’s decision.

Seeing him standing still, Emperor Guangxi furrowed his brows, "What are you standing there foolishly for? Can you not play or are you afraid?"

Song Wei spoke mildly, "Since the Emperor hadn’t spoken, I thought you hadn’t agreed."

"Since the Eldest Prince has spoken, how can I not give you face?" replied Emperor Guangxi and then looked at the two boxes of chess pieces, "This is the first time I’m facing off with Song Aiqing face to face. So here’s what I’ll do; I’ll let you choose the pieces first and give you two stones as a lead, how about that?"

"With the Emperor’s generosity, I am truly unworthy."

Emperor Guangxi said, "When it comes to chess skills, there’s no one in the entire court who can defeat me. I don’t want my son to later say I won without merit."

Song Wei didn’t respond, seeming to be deep in thought.

Emperor Guangxi reprimanded him, "Young man, you dare to daydream in front of me?"

Song Wei laughed, "I was merely pondering whether, when playing chess with the Emperor, I should act like the civil and military officials, hesitating because of your imperial stature and deliberately holding back, or whether I should go all out. What if, in going all out, I happen to win against Your Majesty? Won’t that ruin the illustrious reputation of ’superior chess skills’ you are known for? Should such a day come, would the Emperor drag me out and execute me in anger?"

Hearing this, Zhao Xi instinctively looked at his father’s expression.

Sure enough, Emperor Guangxi’s face did not look pleasant, and it wasn’t just unpleasant.

If his son wasn’t present to consider appearances, he might have already flung a cup of tea.

Plucking two hairs from his mustache, Emperor Guangxi gruffly barked, "Less talk, make your move!"

Song Wei chose the white pieces.

The Emperor said he’d give him two stones, and he didn’t refuse, obediently taking two steps first.

Zhao Xi held the teacup, occasionally taking a small sip, his eyes fixed on the board.

He was only fourteen years old, his chess skills not yet on par with his father’s, and in previous games, only when Emperor Guangxi intentionally let him win, did he emerge victorious; otherwise, he lost every game.

Since Yuanbao had been in the Yutang Palace for so long, Zhao Xi had never heard him mention that Song Wei could play chess. The rare chance to witness it today piqued Zhao Xi’s curiosity about who would ultimately become the winner between these two.

Thinking this, Zhao Xi’s gaze moved to Song Wei, whose tall figure sat upright, holding a white piece in his hand and making his moves in quick succession after the Emperor, showing no outward signs of tension.

Inexplicably, Zhao Xi felt that today, Song Wei might just win against his father.