CHAPTER 616: CHAPTER 203: ENDURANCE AND SORROW (PART 2)

Xiao Jinsen gave a slight nod.

Everything Song Yanqing said, was exactly what he had in mind as well.

In fact.

He also knew that going to the border might be better.

It would please his father, the Emperor, and his mother, the Imperial Concubine, could influence his father in his absence. The chances of Xiao Jinxing plotting something during his departure were slim to none.

However, the reasons he didn’t wish to go, even those of his mother, the Imperial Concubine, included two main points.

Firstly, the border was rife with war and danger, and he too feared death. Should he die on the battlefield, he would never rest in peace.

Secondly, their patience had run thin. Now, they preferred taking quick action while Xiao Jinxing was absent.

Just as Song Yanqing had said.

If he left for the border, upon returning, he could still potentially become the Crown Prince.

But once Xiao Jinxing left, all his endeavors would fall short just before success.

He didn’t need the icing on the cake.

But he did delight in seeing Xiao Jinxing add frost to the snow.

"I will not go to the border," Xiao Jinsen stated his opinion.

"Prince..."

"There are many reasons not to go, but the most crucial one is that my mother won’t allow it," Xiao Jinsen shunted all responsibility onto the Imperial Concubine, "My mother has only me as her child, and the death of the Crown Prince has affected her greatly. She fears outliving her child and adamantly refuses to let me go to the border; I must comply with my mother’s wishes."

Song Yanqing pursed his lips.

Many things that came to his lips were swallowed back down.

He truly believed that if Prince Chu went to the border, and if he won the battle, given his current status, King Chen would not stand a chance in the court or on the battlefield.

But if Prince Chu did not go, and King Chen went instead.

The Bai Family’s army already had a delicate relationship with King Chen, and he feared that King Chen would take advantage of the situation to win over the Bai Family’s army. Then, Prince Chu might indeed be caught off guard and eliminated.

But Prince Chu had already spoken to such extents, Song Yanqing dared not speak any further.

After all, there were challenges to going to the border as well.

Victory would be great.

But if they were to be defeated... not only would there be no heroic deeds to speak of, but one could also become a sinner through the ages.

From Prince Chu’s standpoint, he wouldn’t take that risk either.

"Tomorrow, the Emperor wants me to decide in court whether to go to the border or not. You know, if I choose not to, the Emperor will definitely hold deep-seated prejudices against me, and I don’t wish to disappoint him. You must think of a way for me to get out of this situation smoothly."

"This servant believes, it won’t be difficult," said Song Yanqing.

Xiao Jinsen’s eyebrows lifted slightly, "Let’s hear it."

"This servant believes King Chen will surely volunteer."

"You mean to say, Xiao Jinxing also wishes to curry favor with the Emperor."

"Not entirely," Song Yanqing explained, "Winning favor from His Majesty is one aspect, but more importantly, he has no choice. If he doesn’t volunteer, His Majesty will have a bias against him, and without any support, he will be left with nothing. He has to choose to go to the border and fight."

Xiao Jinsen nodded.

If Xiao Jinxing were at all smart, he would indeed make such a choice.

It has to be said, Xiao Jinxing was in fact clever.

"Moreover, this servant just heard from the Prince, General Bai Mowan has been injured," Song Yanqing brought up.

"Hmm."

"Regarding the relationship between King Chen and General Bai Mowan, this servant also believes that King Chen will take the initiative to go to the border."

Xiao Jinxing indeed harbored an obsession with Bai Mowan.

"Therefore, I believe His Highness merely needs to step forward and volunteer at the main hall tomorrow. King Chen will go to great lengths to obtain the opportunity; when that happens, His Highness can yield to the current for a favor, allowing King Chen to take the chance to go to the border. In doing so, His Highness not only demonstrates his unwillingness to shirk responsibility in the face of national affairs, showing his magnanimity and courage, but also displays the leniency of brothers competing, highlighting the grace of a great general. I believe His Majesty will hold no dissatisfaction towards His Highness."

Xiao Jinsen nodded.

It signified his recognition of Song Yanqing.

Song Yanqing’s thoughts were clear, and every time they discussed matters, his arguments were cogent, giving him more confidence.

"What if Xiao Jinxing doesn’t compete?" Xiao Jinsen couldn’t risk it all.

Xiao Jinxing now was cunning and deceitful; one had to be on guard.

"The Princess of King Chu is pregnant. If it turns out that King Chen does not act as we expect, we can use the Princess of King Chu to persuade His Highness to stay. His Majesty places great importance on his offspring as they are few in number. Once it is certain that King Chen will go to the border, the Princess of King Chu could plead with His Majesty on his behalf. At that time, should His Majesty have any objections, they would concern the Princess of King Chu and would not implicate King Chen."

"Excellent!" Xiao Jinsen was in high spirits.

Having everything figured out brought him great relief.

He said, "Yanqing, for all these years, I have never admired and trusted anyone as much as I trust you, apart from you."

"I am thankful for King Chu’s appreciation."

"As long as you remain dedicated to me, I will never let you be at a disadvantage," Xiao Jinsen stated. "My intention for elevating Xie Ruilin to your principal wife is twofold: first, to fulfill the love between you and Xie Ruilin—since you both have mutual affection, I also wish to act benevolently. Second, you know the close relationship between Xie Ruiyao and her twin sister Xie Ruilin, so I must also support Princess Consort and give Xie Ruilin a hand. In fact, I am aware that Xie Ruilin cannot bear children due to a miscarriage caused by an accident. But rest assured, once the opportunity arises, I will know how to fill your inner chambers, and you will not be treated unfairly. That said, I do have a few sisters who are yet to be married."

Upon hearing this, Song Yanqing quickly knelt on the ground, "I am grateful for King Chu’s generous treatment, but my feelings for Xie... Ruilin are profound. I currently have no plans to remarry or even take concubines."

"For a man to have three wives and four concubines is most normal; forget it, I will not force you." Xiao Jinsen did not press further on the emotional aspects.

However, as long as Song Yanqing remains sincere, he will naturally grant him unending glory and wealth!

After settling the important matters.

Song Yanqing left the residence of King Chu.

Sitting in the carriage, he just stared blankly at one corner of it.

His mind was entirely filled with the words spoken by Ye Qichi, stating that Xie Ruotong could no longer become pregnant.

Before his eyes, he seemed to see again the night when Xie Ruotong miscarried in front of him: her eyes of despair, her gaze of severance, her blood-covered form, all vividly before him.

A single tear fell.

Song Yanqing wiped it off without a trace, then maintained his usual indifference.

The carriage arrived at the Song Residence.

Song Yanqing stepped out of the carriage, and the butler led him to Song Yuanzhong’s study.

Clearly, he wanted to know if anything significant had occurred during King Chu’s sudden summoning.

Song Yanqing told his father everything.

Song Yuanzhong sighed, "King Chu’s move is not very shrewd."

"But it’s relatively safe," Song Yanqing said.

"Indeed." Song Yuanzhong nodded.

"If there’s nothing else, I will take my leave."

"Yanqing," Song Yuanzhong called him.

"Father," Song Yanqing responded respectfully.

"You have been wronged," Song Yuanzhong said gravely.

Song Yanqing’s Adam’s apple moved.

He was never the one who suffered.

He was just selfish.

"To secure King Chu’s absolute trust in you, your father had you give up on making Xie Ruotong your principal wife in favor of Xie Ruilin..." Song Yuanzhong said helplessly. "Under the current circumstances, the Song Family can only depend on King Chu."