Madam, don't do this!

Chapter 322 I'm here, and you're about to die (Thanks to Yong Su for being the Alliance Leader)
The twentieth year of Ninghe.

January 14th.

The azure sky was dotted with fluffy white clouds. The temperature in Dongling was pleasant, and even in winter it was not too cold. The trees on both sides of the official road were bare, which made it look somewhat desolate. Occasionally, some resident birds would search for plant seeds and fruits on the withered grass.

Perhaps because I was wrapped up too thickly, the sun shining down from the sky made me feel a bit hot.

We haven't arrived at the Eastern Tombs yet.

It was roughly within the jurisdiction of Dongling, but still about 10 or 20 miles away from Dongling City.

Song Yan and Nahetuya sat in the carriage. Although they had been in the Central Plains for many days, Nahetuya's country girl personality had not changed much. She peered out the carriage window at the scenery outside. Unlike the silver-clad landscape of Liaodong and Haixi, the desolate scene was shrouded in a dim yellow, which seemed to have a unique charm in Nahetuya's eyes.

Zhang Long and Zhao Hu were in charge of driving the carriage, with ten black-armored soldiers following behind.

Bu Yu has not returned yet; I wonder what's going on with her.

It should go smoothly.

After all, Bu Yu was quite strong. Before they parted, Song Yan even handed over his latest masterpiece to Bu Yu, so that even though the other party was an eighth-rank martial artist, he could at least protect himself.

As for the ninth rank... Ningguo doesn't have that many ninth-rank martial artists.

Before becoming the governor of Pingyang, Sun Hao was only a fourth-rank official, and he was not qualified to hire a ninth-rank martial artist as a bodyguard.

As usual, the sister-in-law was nowhere to be found.

Although they left Pingyang City together, Song Yan didn't know where Luo Tianyi was for most of the time. However, he was certain that if he really encountered any danger, his sister-in-law would appear immediately.

Although Song Yan was also a little curious about where his sister-in-law was hiding.

A little behind them was Fang Hai's convoy.

Along the way, Song Yan learned a lot about court etiquette and rules from Fang Hai. Regardless of what kind of person Fang Hai was, he was at least very good to Song Yan. For the past three days, he had spent most of his time instilling in Song Yan his various experiences in navigating the court, as well as who his own people were and who his enemies were.

These experiences are extremely valuable, at least ensuring that Song Yan was not completely clueless when he first arrived at the court.

From Songzhou to Dongling, they passed through many places inhabited by bandits, but they were safe and encountered no danger... After all, although Fang Hai did not bring the Songzhou prefectural soldiers, he did bring a hundred guards and servants from the Fang family. In this era of lax military preparedness, the servants raised by aristocratic families were definitely more powerful than ordinary soldiers.

Just then, the sound of a carriage accelerating came from behind. Turning around, they saw the Fang family's carriage traveling side by side. Fang Hai seemed to enjoy smiling: "Nephew, it looks like we should be able to reach Dongling a little earlier."

"Tomorrow is the Lantern Festival, and there will be a grand court assembly."

"This afternoon, I'll take you for a walk around the Eastern Tombs."

"There are just too many high-ranking officials and nobles in Dongling City; I should at least get to know them."

Song Yan nodded, but found it amusing.

Fang Hai probably felt that the royal family, the Fang family, and Song Yan were all in the same boat. He was worried that Song Yan's temper was too volatile and that he would offend people rashly in Dongling. He hoped that Song Yan could restrain himself, but the old fox had to say it so cryptically.

As they spoke, the car continued its creaking and groaning journey.

As we approached the Eastern Tombs, the number of carriages coming and going on the official road increased noticeably. Pedestrians carried baskets on bamboo poles along the roadside, filled with snacks such as pastries and candied fruits. There were also peddlers carrying wooden racks on their backs, which were filled with various hair ties, bracelets and other ornaments, or toys such as kites and bamboo dragonflies. Occasionally, a carriage would stop, and a maid would come out, call out to the peddler, and buy some trinkets.

“During the Lantern Festival, there is no curfew at the Eastern Tombs as usual.”

“Every year, there are a few days like this, such as New Year's Day, Lantern Festival, Mid-Autumn Festival, Emperor's Birthday, and the Thousand Autumns Festival, when the curfew is lifted and the whole country celebrates.” Noticing Song Yan's gaze, Fang Hai chuckled: “During these times, the streets of Dongling City are packed with people. Storytellers, vendors, and street performers are everywhere, and tea parties and poetry gatherings are held one after another. Whether they are young masters from wealthy families, young ladies from noble households, or ordinary people, most of them will come out of their homes at these times. After all, such a commotion is rare even in the capital.”

"These should be the vendors who are going to set up stalls in the capital. If we get there early, we can find a good spot."

Song Yan nodded in realization: "I see. Then what are the Longevity Festival and the Thousand Autumns Festival?"

Fang Hai sighed helplessly, "You're really lazy, kid."

"You're a high-ranking official, yet you don't even know these basic things. The Emperor's birthday is the Longevity Festival, and the Empress's birthday is the Thousand Autumns Festival. On these two days, all officials are required to present gifts. Don't be negligent."

Amidst laughter and conversation, the carriage swayed and bumped its way to Dongling City.

Looking up, it was tall and majestic.

The entire city wall appears to be built from polished boulders, thick, majestic, and indestructible... It is slightly mottled, a testament to the vicissitudes of time.

Near the city gate stood two rows of guards clad in gleaming silver armor, each standing ramrod straight. Putting aside everything else, their equipment and spirit alone were unmatched by any other border troops or garrison soldiers except for the Black Armor Warriors.

A long queue formed in front of the city gate.

Most of them were merchants and farmers trying to enter the city, and they were being inspected.

Since the Eastern Tombs are the imperial city, the regulations are naturally stricter than in other places.

To the left of the city wall, there is a narrow path that can only accommodate one carriage, but it is reserved for officials and nobles. The gate is small, but at least there is no need to queue.

However, just as Song Yan looked in that direction, his brows suddenly furrowed.

Then they saw two figures standing in front of the small door. One of them was tall, nearly two meters tall, with bulging muscles all over his body. He looked like a burly man with immense strength.

Song Yan did not recognize this person.

Beside this man was a slightly short, even petite, man with a fair complexion, no beard, and a baby face that exuded a feminine air.

Song Yan let out a breath, then lifted the carriage curtain and jumped out of the car. Fang Hai was a little suspicious of Song Yan's strange behavior, but when he saw the baby-faced man, he suddenly realized and waved his hand to make the convoy stop temporarily.

This is Song Yan's family matter, and it's not something an outsider like him should meddle in.

With a smile on his face, Song Yan strolled towards the young man, whose eyes were also fixed on Song Yan, unlike Song Yan who seemed so relaxed.

The sun is shining.

He seemed rather cold.

His body trembled almost imperceptibly. His eyes were filled with ferocity, and as Song Yan approached, his breathing became heavier. His hands, which had been hanging naturally at his sides, clenched unconsciously, his knuckles cracking.

There was probably some hatred in him.

Suddenly, Song Yan's lips curled into a smile: "Ah, my dear brother, I have just arrived in Dongling, and I never expected that Sixth Brother would personally greet me at the city gate. I am truly flattered."

That's right, this person is none other than Song Zhe, the sixth of the eight sons of the Yang family.

Up close, one can feel the effeminate quality of Song Yun even more... This is more likely a psychological illusion. After all, even if Song Zhe has become a rootless person, it would not be this fast for him to show any unusual behavior in just a few days.

Song Zhe's face twitched repeatedly, and after a few breaths, a smile gradually appeared on his effeminate face. It was unclear what Song Zhe was thinking, but his smile grew wider and wider: "Hehe, that's natural. Although you are just a son of a concubine, you are still my younger brother. You have lived in that small place of Ningping County your whole life. It's natural that you have many difficulties adapting to the capital. As your older brother, it's only natural that I should help you."

Is this implying he's a country bumpkin? And deliberately mentioning the word "illegitimate son" (a term used to describe someone born out of wedlock).

Song Yan showed no sign of anger, smiling broadly, which seemed to dispel the chill in the air and make the surroundings feel warm and cozy.

If you add some special effects like flowers and sunshine from anime, everyone would have to say... "Brotherly love and respect."

However, this touching scene of brotherly affection did not last long. Song Yan suddenly changed the subject: "That's right. I am just a mere illegitimate son of the Duke's mansion. Of course, I cannot compare to my sixth brother's noble status... Oh, look at my memory. How could I forget such an important point?"

"Is it true that Sixth Brother has been expelled from the family genealogy by Father?"

"So, Sixth Brother, you're no longer considered a member of the Song family? I'm curious, what is someone's status if they're expelled from the family register? Could it be... a vagrant? Wouldn't that make them even worse off than me, a son born out of wedlock?"

With a soft thud, the knife pierced Song Zhe's stomach.

The smile that had finally appeared on Song Zhe's face vanished in an instant, replaced by a chilling coldness.

“We’re brothers, after all. I’ll talk to Father about it and see if we can add your name back to the family tree.”

"But Sixth Brother, why did you do such dirty things? You lost the academic degree you worked so hard to obtain, and you were even expelled from Bailu Academy... Tsk, that's Bailu Academy! If you could have successfully completed your studies there, you could have easily entered the imperial court and had a limitless future. I'm not trying to criticize you, but you wasted such a great opportunity."

These two stabs were even more ruthless, piercing Song Zhe's chest directly.

For Song Zhe, being expelled from the family genealogy, stripped of his academic title, and dismissed from the academy were things he feared most. People from the Ministry of Works would carefully avoid these points when speaking to Song Zhe, but Song Yan had no such scruples. Every word he uttered was aimed straight at Song Zhe's heart.

Song Zhe's fake smile had long since crumbled; his body trembled uncontrollably, and his face twisted into a grotesque monster, ready to devour anyone who dared to squirm. He desperately opened his mouth, trying to refute, but every word Song Yan uttered was true, and a hissing sound came from his throat: "Shut up."

You think you can just shut up whenever you want? Who do you think you are?

Song Yan wasn't one to listen to reason. The angrier Song Zhe became, the brighter his smile grew, and the more Song Zhe saw that smile, the more disgusted he became.

"Sixth Brother, if you make a mistake, you have to admit it and correct it in the future. It's not good to hide your illness and avoid treatment." At this moment, Song Yan seemed to be possessed by Tang Sanzang, rambling on and on: "By the way, I heard that you were injured a while ago, Sixth Brother. Looking at your spirits now, I think your wound should be almost healed. That's good, that's good."

"However, Sixth Brother should still pay more attention to his image; we're all men..."

Song Yan emphasized the word "man," and Song Zhe's face instantly turned red. Damn it, how did that bastard Song Yan know all this?
"Men should be more masculine."

"Stop acting all effeminate and girly all the time." Song Yan glanced at the burly man next to Song Zhe: "If other people saw you like this, they might think you have some kind of sexual orientation problem."

Squeak.

A strange sound came from Song Zhe's throat. He felt something sweet and metallic rising up in his chest, almost spitting it out of his mouth.

That bastard Song Yan must know his situation. He did it on purpose; he was just trying to provoke him.

How can there be such a vicious bastard in this world who deliberately reopens people's wounds?
It's so shameless.

What frustrated Song Zhe even more was that Mei Zicong, who was standing next to him, looked at him suspiciously after hearing this, and then silently took half a step back.

No, were you serious about taking half a step back?

Do you really think I'm some kind of pervert with twisted sexual orientation?
Song Zhe's teeth were grinding together, and he was almost unable to suppress the blood rising in his throat; a streak of crimson blood could even be seen at the corner of his mouth.

Song Yan blinked, as if he felt that wasn't enough: "By the way, I also heard that some remnants of the Wugulun tribe came to Dongling to assassinate you. I already told them before that I am Song Yan, but these Jurchen barbarians are cowardly and weak. They dare not seek revenge against me, so they attacked my best brothers instead. They are truly despicable."

"Hey, because of this matter, His Majesty also bestowed upon me the title of Earl of Pingyang. It's a pity that this title cannot be split in two, otherwise I would definitely share one with my sixth brother."

Song Zhe's eyes suddenly widened.

Suddenly, she raised a finger and pointed at Song Yan, her lips twitching uncontrollably.

It was clearly you, you bastard, who deliberately left my name behind. Otherwise, how would those barbarians from the Wugulun tribe have found me? It was clearly you who received the imperial court's reward and became a high-ranking earl, yet you deprived me of even the chance to be a man.

How... how can there be such a shameless person in this world?
This was the sharpest blow, piercing directly into Song Zhe's skull.

This is his greatest and most unbearable pain.

Song Zhe's body trembled violently. The blood he had been desperately suppressing finally gave way, and with a "whoosh," he spat out a mouthful of scarlet blood.

Song Yan, on the other side, stepped aside with some disgust, and blood splattered onto the ground.

"Song Yan...I will kill you."

The pretense couldn't last any longer.

With a hoarse voice and crimson lips, Song Zhe said, word by word, "Dongling City will be your grave."

Song Yan chuckled:

"It's ok."

"I'm here, and you... are about to die."

He slowly exhaled, no longer concealing the murderous intent in his eyes.

It's about time to deal with Song Zhe.

(End of this chapter)