Madam, don't do this!

Chapter 106 Another Green Hat (1)

Song Yan's status was that of a prince consort, which was a step below that of a princess consort.

The situation for imperial sons-in-law began to deteriorate during the Tang Dynasty. By the Ming and Qing Dynasties, they were essentially just figures of honor, and anyone with even a modicum of ambition would avoid becoming one. Of course, the biggest reason for the dire situation of Tang Dynasty imperial sons-in-law was that the princesses were all very martial and ambitious, and each one of them dreamed of rebelling and becoming emperor. If they were not careful, their husbands and their entire families would be executed.

In this world, the treatment of imperial sons-in-law was roughly between that of the Han and Tang dynasties and the Ming and Qing dynasties. They could wield some power, but not much, and military power was absolutely out of the question.

It seems that Emperor Ninghe's situation is truly dire.

As Song Yan was thinking this, Luo Yuheng beside her couldn't help but say, "Yan'er, let's wait until next year's spring imperial examination. There's no need for you to go to a place like Xinhou County. The Yang family must have already prepared many methods."

"It doesn't matter."

"Heh, I've heard that the Jurchens are skilled in archery and horsemanship. Although their cavalry is not as good as the Xiongnu, they still crush the Central Plains. I'm quite interested in seeing for myself."

As he said this, seeing that Luo Yuheng still wanted to say something, he smiled and shook his head: "Mother, there is no need to worry. Even if I am going, I will be prepared. If there is any danger, I will prioritize my life and will not joke with it."

Song Yan had his own considerations.

Now that we know what the Yang family plans to do next, we can prepare accordingly.

If we give up, who knows what methods the Yang family will use next time, perhaps even more dangerous ones?

Seeing that Song Yan had said this, Luo Yuheng could only sigh helplessly. She knew her son-in-law quite well. Despite his obedient appearance in front of her, he was very stubborn. Once he made up his mind, even she would find it difficult to change it.

Since it cannot be stopped, the only option is to find a way to protect the son-in-law.

Yan'er's guards need to be strengthened. Zhang Long and Zhao Hu alone are not enough. The five hundred veterans should also be brought along. After all, these people have trained with Yan'er before, and they should be able to cooperate more closely. With these five hundred people protecting her, Luo Yuheng will feel more at ease.

We also need to be wary of the other side arranging for top experts to carry out assassinations. If all else fails, let Tianyi go along too. After all, Tianyi is already by this brother-in-law's side every day. It's just a change of location, so there shouldn't be any problems.

Even if they encounter any danger, Tianyi's strength is enough to take Yan'er away.

A finger poked his cheek, and his fair face sank in. Luo Yuheng tilted his head and thought seriously, his gaze occasionally sweeping over Luo Tianyi and Song Yan, his eyes becoming somewhat suspicious. Was there really nothing between these two?

I always felt it wasn't that simple.

Normally speaking, no girl would agree to let her sister-in-law run around with her brother-in-law every day, right? Even though she arranged all of this herself.

Just then, the eunuch named Wei Liang waved his hand and summoned a young eunuch. The young eunuch handed Song Yan a box. Upon opening it, the box revealed a guerrilla general's token, along with a large pile of... copper coins.

Song Yan blinked, glanced at Wei Liang's old, chrysanthemum-like face opposite him, then looked down at the copper coins in the box in his hand: "Is this ten thousand taels of gold?"

Wei Liang blinked innocently: "This is Wan Jin."

Song Yan was a little unhappy: "Eunuch Wei, this is going too far."

"I know you close servants sometimes take kickbacks, but this is outrageous! You promised ten thousand taels of gold, but you turned it into ten thousand copper coins?"

According to the official exchange rate, one tael of gold could be exchanged for ten taels of silver, but in practice, because gold was rarer, it could often be exchanged for eleven to twelve taels.

Ten thousand gold coins would be equivalent to eleven thousand or twelve thousand silver coins.

But ten thousand copper coins are only worth ten taels of silver.

That's just too much.

"You've misunderstood, Your Highness." Wei Liang seemed to understand something, and his smile grew even wider.

Please, stop laughing. Your laughter is really creepy.

"Since ancient times, imperial rewards have always been in copper coins. They are called gold only because copper and gold are similar in color," Wei Liang explained with a smile. "Otherwise, if we rewarded this minister with a thousand gold coins today and that general with ten thousand gold coins tomorrow, even the national treasury would not be able to support it."

Song Yan's lips twitched. So he was just putting on a brave face?
They were overjoyed, thinking that with this 100,000 taels of silver, the military expenses for the three thousand soldiers would finally be covered.

It was a huge sum of money. Song Yan could be indifferent to other things, but he couldn't be indifferent to money. He was indeed somewhat disappointed.

Fortunately, his fifth brother Song Zhen and fourth brother Song An had kindly sponsored him with 100,000 taels of silver. With this large sum of money, he should be able to get by for a while.

“In that case, this old servant will take his leave. Your Highness, there is no need to be in too much of a hurry. His Majesty has given you three months to prepare.”

As Wei Liang spoke, he bowed to Luo Yuheng and then left with two eunuchs.

It was clear that Wei Liang was in a hurry, perhaps because he had other things to deal with, and Luo Yuheng did not try to stop him.

Song Yan didn't care much. He just casually glanced around, trying to find Linghu Rui. Although his debate with this guy was over, he still hadn't found out who was behind him.

After looking around, he did not find any of the scholars.

Song Yan chuckled. These scholars were so upright and unyielding when it came to lofty principles, but when it came to running away, they were all incredibly fast.

For Song Yan, this was just a minor incident. The imperial decree had already been delivered, and although three months had been given, there were still many things to prepare, so he was a little nervous. Ultimately, the outing could not continue.

Song Yan breathed a sigh of relief, looked at the refugees who were about to leave not far away, stepped forward a few steps, and bowed: "Seniors, may I have a chat with you?" If he was not mistaken, these people were veterans who had retired from the Liaodong border army for some unknown reason.

The hideous scars on their bodies are their medals.

Even though Song Yan was arrogant, he still maintained absolute respect for these people.

Not far away, two pairs of eyes were secretly watching this side. One of them was Song Hongtao, and next to Song Hongtao was a woman who was about twenty-four or twenty-five years old. She was petite and graceful, and although she was not particularly beautiful, she was still charming and attractive.

This is Song Hongtao's most favored mistress recently... well, she can no longer be considered a mistress, since she has been brought back to the Song State Duke's Mansion. Although she is not his legal wife, she is still a concubine.

She is now practically the mistress of the Duke's mansion.

This woman's name is Lin Xiangwan.

Although Song Hongtao took in seven concubines after Yang Miaoqing's death, Lin Xiangwan wasn't the most beautiful, but she was definitely the most favored. This was because she was intelligent, gentle, and never jealous; she even encouraged Song Hongtao to visit other women's rooms, ensuring he was treated equally. She was devoted to Song Hongtao, and what man wouldn't like such a woman?

After several days of continuous rain, the rain finally stopped and the sky cleared up today. Even Song Hongtao wanted to come out for some fresh air. Apart from his servants, the only woman he brought with him was Lin Xiangwan.

"That must be Yan'er, right?" Lin Xiangwan also looked at Song Yan's side: "Master, shouldn't you go over there? After all, the Ninth Young Master has been granted a title, which is a joyous occasion."

Song Hongtao's expression was strange. A few days ago, Song An came back and told him some things, such as... Song Yan's background might be strange.

He was a suspicious person to begin with, and the fact that none of Yang Miaoqing's eight sons were his own made Song Hongtao even more sensitive, and he inevitably began to have some doubts about Song Yan.

Song Hongtao had also pondered this in his heart. Since Mei Xue entered the Song family, she had never contacted anyone except for two maids. Even if she wanted to have an affair, she would not have had the opportunity. Therefore, there was only one possibility: Mei Xue was already pregnant before she entered the Song family, but neither of them knew it at the time.

He didn't seem to hate Mei Xue and Song Yan as much as he hated Yang Miaoqing. Of course, Song Hongtao also knew that Song An wasn't his biological son, and he didn't completely believe Song An's words. However, meeting Song Yan like this was somewhat awkward.

Looking at Song Hongtao's expression, Lin Xiangwan smiled gently: "Is there something you're worried about, sir?"

"Although the Ninth Young Master is a son-in-law, Yang Miaoqing is the one who is handling this matter."

"Even if there is resentment, it is mostly resentment towards Yang Miaoqing. After all, the master is his biological father. There is no such thing as a grudge that lasts overnight between father and son, don't you think?"

"I've also heard from Steward Wang and the servants in the manor that although the Ninth Young Master hates Yang Miaoqing and Song Zhen and those people, he has never done anything to harm you, Master, has he?"

Lin Xiangwan said softly, "Besides, sir, you might as well think about it. Now that the Ninth Young Master has become a baron and has the backing of the Eldest Princess, his future is limitless..."

"In the end, the Luo family and the Duke's family are still related by marriage."

Lin Xiangwan is very good at the art of speaking. Some things are best left unsaid; saying too much will only make a man feel embarrassed.

Song Hongtao began to think seriously. Lin Xiangwan was right. Although he was not sure if what Song An said was true, nor whether Song Yan knew about his background, judging from Song Yan's recent performance, he had not done anything detrimental to the Duke's Mansion.

Song Zhen and Song Yun are dead, but they were both bastards, so it's better that they're dead.

Yang Miaoqing is dead too. That woman kept cheating on him; she deserved to die.

Compared to them, I was not injured at all.

Moreover, the Luo family has now risen again, Luo Yuheng has regained her status as the eldest princess, and even Song Yan has been granted a title. In comparison, the Duke's mansion has been declining day by day. If we could establish this connection...

Thinking this, Song Hongtao felt a surge of excitement in his heart.

It's a pity. If it could be confirmed that Song Yan is indeed their biological son, that would be the best outcome. With such a successor, the Song family would surely rise to prominence in no time.

Even if it's not true, it doesn't matter, as long as Song Yan doesn't know the truth. That way, if any of the seven concubines he brought home gave birth to a son, he would be Song Yan's brother. Considering this relationship, it wouldn't be difficult for Song Yan to lend a hand, right?

However, by avoiding seeing her for this period of time, Song Yan may have already harbored resentment. It seems I need to figure out a way to win back Song Yan's heart.

Thinking of this, Song Hongtao no longer hesitated, took a deep breath, and led Lin Xiangwan toward Song Yan.

On the other side, just as Song Yan was about to ask about the specific identities of the refugees, a voice came from the side: "Yan'er... I didn't expect you to be granted a title. Not bad, not bad, worthy of being my son, Song Hongtao."

Song Yan turned around and saw a man and a woman who had somehow gotten close to him. Song Hongtao was even patting his shoulder gently, looking very pleased with himself.

Although Song Yan was displeased at being interrupted, he did not show it. He simply bowed and called out "Father" before looking at the petite woman beside him.

She was about the same age as Gu Banxia, ​​with delicate features and a dignified demeanor.

Her eyes narrowed slightly, and a smile curved her lips: "Auntie."

It's correct to call a concubine of the head of the household "auntie," even though the status of an auntie is not much different from that of a maid.

The woman seemed flustered and hurriedly waved her hands, saying, "I don't deserve to be addressed as Ninth Young Master."

Song Yan didn't mind, and after glancing at the woman a couple more times, his expression suddenly became somewhat strange: "Auntie, could you extend one of your hands?"

Although Lin Xiangwan was somewhat suspicious, she looked at Song Hongtao and obediently extended her right hand. Song Yan's fingers then rested on her wrist. After a few seconds, Song Yan released his fingers and looked at Song Hongtao with a strange gaze.

In the dim light, Song Yan felt as if a sheep village had appeared out of thin air above Song Hongtao's head, with a vast green grassland below it!
(End of this chapter)