Madam, don't do this!

Chapter 161 Reencounter with Princess Gaoyang (2)

"Emperor Ninghe may be dying soon."

Song Yan's pupils trembled slightly.

To openly declare that the emperor might be dying was utterly disrespectful, but Song Yan had no time to ponder such matters. His expression shifted as various possibilities began to race through his mind. Although there were currently no rumors of Emperor Ninghe's poor health, after careful consideration, Song Yan had to admit that Liu Yisheng's deduction was quite plausible.

After all, those people had done things like killing the emperor before.

For them, if Emperor Yuanjing on the dragon throne was disobedient, they would simply kill him and replace him with someone more obedient. However, they never expected the replacement to be even more troublesome. Generally, as long as their fundamental interests weren't threatened, they might be able to tolerate it, but once they sensed the situation was about to spiral out of control, these people would likely resort to the dirtiest methods.

Emperor Ninghe had clearly sensed something, which is why he distributed all the military power he had to take a gamble. As for how well it would go, Emperor Ninghe probably had no idea.

I just don't know what methods those people will use to kill Emperor Ninghe.

It's unlikely that he would commit regicide in the street.

After all, that would be a stain on their reputation for thousands of years; the Sima family has been cursed for this matter for over a thousand years.

Perhaps it was poisoning.

It is also possible that he died of illness, like Emperor Yuanjing.

Being an emperor is a high-risk profession. Except for a very few exceptional ones, the vast majority of emperors do not live long and it is normal for them to die.

There is a high possibility that Emperor Ninghe is Luo Tianxuan's real father. I wonder if Luo Tianxuan would be very sad if he died.

With a strange thought in mind, Liu Yisheng's voice rang out again: "Once Emperor Ninghe passes away, the eldest prince will surely inherit the throne."

"As the eldest son, and with the Yang family as his backing, his position is almost unshakeable."

"When the eldest prince becomes the new emperor, the influence of the Yang family will expand to an unprecedented level. The original royalists and civil officials will either be eliminated by the Yang family or have no choice but to attach themselves to them."

"My lord, I don't need to elaborate on your relationship with the Yang family, do you think it's possible for you to rely on them?"

Liu Yisheng's voice was very calm, but Song Yan felt immense pressure. At this moment, he finally understood what Liu Yisheng meant when he said there was no other way but to rebel. Even if he didn't want to rebel, in order to survive and for the sake of those he cared about, he would eventually be forced to embark on this path.

Song Yan had a headache.

She let out a soft breath, her mood returning to calm.
"gentlemen."

"From now on, you shall follow me."

“Perfect timing. I, a minor county magistrate, am short of a clerk. It’s just that with your talent, sir, you’re a bit of a waste.”

Liu Yisheng's smile blossomed completely at that moment. If he didn't have to maintain his image, he would have even wanted to burst out laughing. He knew that Song Yan had finally been persuaded. He actually knew better than anyone how dangerous this path was, but he didn't regret it. Even if he failed, even if he was torn apart by death, having had this experience would have made his life worthwhile.

He turned around and looked at Song Yan's back: "I am willing to die for my lord."

"Let's go. First, come with me to Songzhou and see if we can borrow some troops from Fang De. The problem of the Japanese pirates should be solved by now," Song Yan said with a sigh.

Japanese pirates?

Liu Yisheng was a little confused, but at this moment Song Yan had already called out to Zhang Long, Zhao Hu, and Kong Chan Bu Yu.

The group returned to the carriage. Zhang Long, Zhao Hu, and Bu Yu remained silent, seemingly uninterested in Song Yan and Liu Yisheng's lengthy conversation. Although Kong Chan wanted to know, she was still a young girl at heart. However, as a maid in the Princess's residence, she had received training in this area and knew what it meant to not ask questions that shouldn't be asked.

On the way, Song Yan briefly told Liu Yisheng about Horikawa Sousuke's invitation and his own deductions.

Liu Yisheng's eyes lit up with excitement. As expected of the lord he had chosen, even knowing that the enemy's numbers were several times greater than his own and that most of the Japanese soldiers were greenhorns, his lord's thoughts were not on fleeing or defending, but on setting a trap to annihilate the enemy.

Perhaps, capable people all have such unique ways of thinking.

But Liu Yisheng wasn't sure if it was just his imagination, but he always felt that Song Yan harbored a unique, almost obsessive, hatred for the Japanese pirates. He found it hard to describe that feeling.

But he knew that compared to the Jurchens and Xiongnu, Song Yan even wished he could exterminate the Japanese pirates.

Then, Liu Yisheng became even more excited.

He even planned that if another Jingguan (a mound of skulls) were to be built this time, he would personally build a large one, and perhaps even design a unique shape that would be remembered for generations.

The carriage swayed along the road and before they knew it, they had arrived at Songzhou Prefecture.

Songzhou Prefecture also suffered from floods, but as it was the prefectural capital, it had abundant resources. So, although the flood swept through the middle of the prefectural capital, there were no major casualties except for those along the banks of the Yi and Luo Rivers. Moreover, the buildings along the river had already been swept away once before this major flood, and the new buildings had not yet been completed, so there were not many people living near the riverbank.

As for the refugees, the vast majority went to Ningping, so Songzhou Prefecture didn't face much pressure.

However, since it was a prefectural city, there were still some disaster victims entering Songzhou. Fang Hai might be very capable in handling interpersonal relationships and court politics, but he was rather lax in handling government affairs. Nevertheless, Luo Yuheng also sent Fang Hai a copy of the disaster relief regulations written by Song Yan.

If it weren't for Fang Hai's memorial, Song Yan and Luo Yuheng's benefits would have been greatly reduced. In addition, given their business dealings, the Fang family should also be considered royalists, and the two sides are currently allies. Luo Yuheng wouldn't mind providing some support.

For Fang Hai, following the example was not a difficult task, so the disaster victims in Songzhou Prefecture were handled in an orderly manner.

It was only rumored that some refugees who had committed crimes during their escape, upon hearing of Song Yan the Butcher's name, dared not go to Ningping and instead went to Songzhou Prefecture. At first, they were relatively well-behaved, but as time went by, their true nature gradually emerged, causing considerable trouble in the refugee camps. Initially, Fang Hai hoped to appease them, but the more he tried to appease them, the more arrogant they became, eventually provoking Fang Hai as well. After arresting and beheading a few typical cases, the remaining refugees finally behaved themselves.

When Song Yan learned this, he scoffed. Did Fang Hai, a member of a big family, really think that he was some kind of innocent white lotus?

Now, the disaster victims have gradually left.

Songzhou Prefecture gradually returned to its former order.

However, the soldiers guarding the city gate were quite strict. The carriage was immediately stopped when it arrived at the gate, and only after showing its baron's identification card was it allowed to pass. Although barony was only the lowest rank of nobility, it still held some usefulness.

Because the roads in Songzhou Prefecture were damaged and had not yet been repaired, making the carriage ride even more uncomfortable, the soldiers guarding the city suggested that Song Yan leave the carriage near the city gate temporarily so they could help look after it. Since carriages don't offer much shock absorption, and Song Yan didn't want to suffer in silence, he tied the carriage to a large tree near the city gate.

Kong Chan was also very well-mannered. With a smile, she took out a few pieces of silver from her purse and stuffed them into the hands of the soldiers.

Their faces were all beaming with smiles, and they all patted their chests and assured each other that they would take good care of the VIP's carriage.

Upon entering the city, it became clear that the guards were right; the roads were riddled with potholes of all sizes, and laborers were paving the way. Driving a carriage in would likely be quite troublesome. Songzhou Prefecture was no longer as bustling as it used to be; everyone was probably dealing with the disaster. The streets were devoid of the children running around, the acrobats, the deafening gongs and drums, and the eloquent storytellers…

For a moment, it felt somewhat deserted.

Even in the Qunyu Garden, there were hardly any guests. Inside the hall, some girls, dressed either in flamboyant attire or pure and lovely appearances, sat listlessly, whispering to each other.

Occasionally, when I hear footsteps outside the door, I look up and see that they don't intend to come in, which makes me feel disappointed.

After all, their income is tied to the number of customers.

This flood meant almost no income for two months, and my mother was always worried.

Speaking of which, in this Jade Garden, there is also a girl named Mingyue who, like Yang Siyao, practices the art of seduction... Thinking casually to herself, she unknowingly arrived at the city center, and a figure unexpectedly came into view.

It was a woman, accompanied by two maids.

Perhaps because the weather was getting cooler, a shawl draped down to her plump waist, and a Shu brocade skirt was tied high at her chest. Her full figure was elegant and composed, and her black hair was piled up high. She was a woman.

Looking from behind, the snow-white skirt reveals a herringbone pattern.

Although I haven't seen her face, with such a plump and full figure, if she isn't Fang Jun's wife, then who is Princess Gaoyang?
Then my gaze shifted to the other side, to the corner of the wall, where I could see several figures acting rather furtively.

(End of this chapter)