Madam, don't do this!

Chapter 357 Aunt (10,000 words)
If you stop me, I will kill your whole family.

These words still echoed in Song Jincheng's ears.

Song Yan is capable of doing something like this.

That guy is crazy.

Look at what he did after arriving in Dongling? The Lady of Anning Marquis, the Heir Apparent, Guo Sheng's entire family, Song Zhe, and even Sun Hao—he truly dared to kill.

But those were all his biological sons.

The deaths of Yang Miaoqing, Song Yun, Song Zhen, and Song Zhe had already deeply saddened Song Jincheng. He couldn't bear to watch his other sons die at Song Yan's hands. Song Jincheng's fingers caressed the teacup, pondering whether to smash it, lest the assassins hidden outside the guest hall swarm in and hack Song Yan to pieces.

Having spent so many years in Dongling, he naturally had some trusted confidants who specialized in dirty work, some of whom were quite capable. At least taking down Song Yan shouldn't be a problem, but... he didn't dare.

That's right, I just don't dare.

Song Yan was a favorite of Emperor Ninghe.

Song Yan, Song Mingyu, and Song Mingzhou walked back, and countless people saw him enter the Ministry of Works' residence. Song Jincheng had to seriously consider whether he could withstand the wrath of Emperor Ninghe if Song Yan died in his own home. More importantly, this despicable and shameless Song Yan always took Luo Tianyi with him wherever he went. Although his trusted confidants were quite capable, they might not be able to defeat Luo Tianyi.

Luo Tianyi is nowhere to be found, but who knows if that woman is hiding in some corner, secretly watching this place?

Thinking this, Song Jincheng hesitated, constantly turning the teacup on the table, making a sizzling sound.

Seeing Song Jincheng's expression, Song Yan's face was full of smiles. He could roughly guess what Song Jincheng wanted to do, but he wasn't worried at all... Song Jincheng was wrong about one thing: he wasn't only accompanied by Luo Tianyi, a ninth-rank martial artist; there was also Ziyu, whose strength was slightly stronger than Luo Tianyi. The two separated from Song Yan in front of Song Mingyu and Song Mingzhou, but in reality, they had been secretly following behind.

Therefore, I feel very safe.

Song Jincheng's expression continued to change as he pondered the gains and losses.

He has already lost so many of his own sons; he can't let Song Yan continue killing like this.

In truth, even if Song Yan were killed by him, Emperor Ninghe might not be able to do anything to him. The two ministers and the Yang family also regarded Song Yan as a thorn in their side. If he eliminated Song Yan, it would be equivalent to solving a huge problem for the Yang family and Bailu Academy at the same time. Even if Emperor Ninghe wanted to punish him, Yang Hetong and the two ministers would definitely protect him.

Moreover, the prince will not stand idly by.

Song Yan was also disliked by all the civil officials. If he were to get rid of Song Yan, he might even have the opportunity to become the head of the civil officials.

Thinking this way, I couldn't help but feel a little restless.

He knew Luo Tianyi, that woman. She knew a few martial arts moves, but ultimately she was a woman. No matter how strong she was, how strong could she be? He had forty-nine fearless assassins arranged by that person by his side. Forty-nine against one, he probably wouldn't lose.

That's how people are. Once they've made up their minds about something, they'll desperately look for excuses for themselves, as if that would increase their chances of success.

This is instinctive.

His hand holding the teacup trembled uncontrollably.

A few breaths later, there was a snap.

The teacup fell to the ground.

Tea was splashed everywhere.

In an instant, both Song Yan and Song Jincheng looked up and stared at each other.

In the empty living room, only the pounding of their hearts could be heard; otherwise, there was only deathly silence and no other movement.

one second.

two seconds.

three seconds.

The axemen he had imagined lying in ambush did not appear. Song Jincheng's face twitched, and he began to curse inwardly:

Damn it, what on earth is going on?
Forty-nine elite warriors, each capable of taking on ten men, were meant to be used in such a crucial moment. So why did this teacup break, yet no one came out?
Could it be that the sound of the teacup shattering was too quiet?

Song Yan also had a strange expression. He really hoped that five hundred axemen would suddenly swarm him, giving him a reason to attack Song Jincheng. Otherwise, Song Jincheng was still nominally his second uncle, and had warmly invited him to dine at his residence. It would be unreasonable for him to kill his second uncle for no reason.

For a moment, the two remained frozen in place.

After some time, Song Jincheng suddenly smiled awkwardly and said, "I'm getting old, my hands are shaking, I'm no longer useful, please don't be offended, Yan'er."

Song Yan smiled slowly, and the almost frozen atmosphere finally melted away: "So it was just a shaky hand. I thought you had five hundred axemen lying in ambush outside the guest hall, just waiting for the signal to smash the cup so you could swarm me and chop me into mincemeat. I was really startled just now."

He does not mean that.

Song Jincheng's face stiffened, and he hurriedly waved his hand, saying, "How could that be? You are my favorite nephew. We are a loving family. There is no way I would do such a thing. You just like to overthink things."

"Well, it's not your fault."

"After all, you grew up in that kind of environment, so it's normal to be a little wary."

Song Jincheng had an expression that said, "I know."

As he spoke, he discreetly wiped the sweat from his forehead. Just moments before, within a few breaths, Song Jincheng felt his entire body drenched in sweat.

He even felt a chill run down his spine, as if he had just walked through the gates of hell. He knew that the forty-nine assassins would never betray him. The only reason they hadn't made a sound was that... they had already been dealt with.

hiss.

The thought of this possibility gave Song Jincheng goosebumps all over his body.

There are forty-nine of them.

Just how powerful is Luo Tianyi, a young girl, that she could eliminate forty-nine assassins without making a sound?
It should be noted that among these assassins are quite a few sixth- and seventh-rank martial artists.

If the other side could easily eliminate forty-nine assassins, could they easily eliminate him as well? Thinking of Zhao Feng, Yang Shuxuan, Guo Sheng, Sun Hao... everyone knew it was Song Yan who did it, but no one could find any evidence. Perhaps Luo Tianyi was behind it all.

Have the strength of top martial artists become this exaggerated?
The thought of protecting his sons vanished instantly, like ice and snow meeting the blazing sun... In the end, Song Jincheng was also an extremely selfish person.

Ultimately, what he cares about most is himself.

He would help his own son, but only within his power. However, when it came to his future and life, even his own son would have to step aside.

Countless thoughts flashed through his mind in the blink of an eye, while his face was full of smiles: "Hey, I'm old. I really don't have the energy to get involved in the affairs of you young people. To be honest, it's my fault. Although they are my children, I couldn't take care of them when they were young, which led them astray and caused you to suffer so much for nothing."

“I understand that you have resentment in your heart.” He reached into his sleeve and rummaged around for a moment, then saw a stack of Shen’s Bank notes on the table. “Your mother is gone. I know that the dead cannot be brought back to life, and this money cannot make up for the suffering you have endured since childhood. I only hope that it will not involve Mingzhou and Mingyu. They have no grudges against you.”

At this moment, Song Jincheng was quite fortunate that he had prepared the silver notes in advance and made two preparations. Otherwise, he really wouldn't know how to get through that embarrassing situation.

Song Yan was somewhat shocked.

Shen's Money Exchange was a bank that operated in four parts of Central China.

Each one is worth ten thousand taels.

That stack, at a glance, probably contained no fewer than forty or fifty sheets.

He really didn't expect that his second uncle was so rich, giving away four or five hundred thousand taels of silver with a wave of his hand, which was truly generous.

However, considering that Song Jincheng served in the Ministry of Personnel and the Ministry of Revenue before being transferred to the position of Minister of Works, both of which were powerful and lucrative departments, Sun Hao, a mere physician, could embezzle 370,000 taels of silver, let alone a minister? Judging from Song Jincheng's words, it seems he no longer intends to care about the lives of Song Huai and Song Yi, as long as Song Mingzhou and Song Mingyu are not implicated.
He's still their own son, how could they be so heartless?

Song Yan blinked, his gaze sweeping over the stack of silver notes. Although he wasn't short of money now, who would complain about having too little? Four or five hundred thousand taels of silver was enough to arm an army of twenty or thirty thousand... Thinking this, he reached out, pressed the silver notes against them, and pushed them toward Song Jincheng: "Second Uncle, what are you doing? Do you think I'm the kind of person who's greedy for money?"

"This is a feud between me and Yang Miaoqing and the others. It has nothing to do with my second uncle. How could I possibly involve Mingyu and my cousin Mingzhou for no reason?"

"Does my second uncle think I'm the kind of person who indiscriminately kills innocent people?"

Pah! If you're not, then who am I?

How can this person be so shameless as to say such a thing?
Although he was inwardly complaining, his smile remained unchanged: "Look at your mouth, Uncle. This money has nothing to do with Mingzhou and Mingyu. It's just that you, Yan'er, were named the Marquis of Champion. Your Uncle thought he should give you something to ward off evil spirits. Unfortunately, your Uncle is a rough man and doesn't know much about antiques or calligraphy and paintings. The only thing I can offer is this gold and silver."

"Yan'er, don't refuse. If you refuse again, it means you don't respect your second uncle."

Although they both clearly wanted to kill each other, they both had beaming smiles on their faces.

Since things had already come to this point, Song Yan could only reluctantly put the silver notes into his sleeve. That guy Ninghe had confiscated 370,000 taels of silver from his family and then proudly showed off in front of him, while he had 400,000 to 500,000 taels in the blink of an eye.

This is the gap.

Should we find an opportunity to inform Emperor Ninghe that Song Jincheng is so wealthy?

While pondering how to legally and legitimately kill Song Jincheng, he said with a smile, "Don't worry, Second Uncle, I promise to keep Yang Miaoqing's matter a secret and not tell anyone. I'm not the kind of person who talks big."

Hearing this, Song Jincheng felt much more at ease. As the saying goes, "He who takes a man's money is bound to him, and he who eats a man's food is bound to him," and Song Yan had taken both money and food today.

Surely there are people in this world who are so shameless as to take money and not do anything?

"But Second Uncle, you should be careful. I'm not trying to sow discord between you brothers."

“I certainly won’t talk about this, but Song Hongtao might. Normally, Song Hongtao wouldn’t go around talking about it, since it concerns his reputation; however, none of his eight sons are his biological children, and Song Hongtao’s personality has long been twisted. It’s hard to guarantee that he won’t do something that will lead to mutual destruction.”

Song Yan swore that he hadn't stirred up trouble, he was just telling the truth, but Song Jincheng's expression was slightly gloomy.

Just then, the hot dishes were served. Song Mingzhou and Song Mingyu accompanied them, and the four of them enjoyed the meal to the fullest. It really felt like a loving family gathering. The family dinner finally ended when the moon was high and the stars were low. Song Jincheng invited Song Yan to stay, but she declined. He then saw her to the door and warmly invited her to come again next time.

Song Yan seemed to be a little drunk as well, swaying as he went out.

Luo Tianyi and Ziyu were still nowhere to be seen, but Song Yan sensed an aura deliberately released from the shadows. It was Ziyu, but he couldn't detect his sister-in-law's aura. He wondered if she was still hiding in the Ministry of Works' residence. A night breeze blew by, and his previously hazy vision returned to normal. He tightened his collar and headed towards the Fang family's residence.

Watching Song Yan leave until her figure completely disappeared into the darkness, Song Jincheng's smile gradually faded.

"father……"

Song Mingyu opened his mouth as if he wanted to say something, but Song Jincheng waved his hand, interrupting Song Mingyu. He then turned around and walked towards the main hall, his face extremely gloomy. Not long after, he arrived at a room on the left side of the guest hall. He pushed open the door, and a pungent smell of blood hit him.

Inside the room, there were twenty or thirty people, all of whom had their necks broken.

Fresh blood gushed from the corner of his lips.

Judging from the situation inside the house, these people didn't even have time to react before their lives were instantly taken. The moonlight slanted down, shining on the corpses and illuminating their pale faces.

Song Jincheng's heart skipped a beat, and his face darkened.

He immediately ran to the right side, where the smell of blood in the room was even stronger.

Everyone had their necks severed, their throats killed with a single sword stroke.

Crimson blood gushed out from the corpse, pooling together, turning the room into a muddy mess.

He swallowed hard, his throat bobbing. Although he had expected this, seeing it with his own eyes still sent shivers down his spine.

He slowly left the room, took a deep breath, and finally got rid of the stench of blood.

A few breaths later, Song Jincheng turned and left. Once he was out of the inner city and at a house in the outer city, he gently knocked on the door with utmost respect. Not long after, the door creaked open, and an old man with white hair and beard slowly walked out of the room.

The old man was about fifty or sixty years old, with a hunched back. He seemed to be ill, and after taking only a few steps, he began to cough violently.

"Minister Song? Is something the matter?" The old man glanced at Song Jincheng and asked tremblingly.

Song Jincheng's Adam's apple bobbed slightly. The hoarse voice sent shivers down his spine. Every time he met this old man, he felt uncomfortable. He pursed his lips and said, "Mr. Zhang, His Highness asked me to investigate Song Yan and the people around him, especially their martial arts skills..."

In the course of his conversation, he recounted the affairs of the Ministry of Works.

"All forty-nine assassins were silenced without a sound."

"Song Yan's strength is currently unknown, but Luo Tianyi is definitely an extremely troublesome expert. With Luo Tianyi around, killing Song Yan is almost impossible. I suspect she might be a ninth-rank martial artist. Killing both Luo Tianyi and Song Yan would be..."

"Only you... or His Highness himself can take action."

The old man, referred to as Mr. Zhang, suddenly raised his head, his eyes flashing with an indescribable light. That look put immense pressure on Song Jincheng: "Song Yan must die."

"Otherwise, having such an ally as Emperor Ninghe would be extremely detrimental to the prince's plans."

"However, Song Yan is greedy. He accepted 500,000 taels of silver from me, which has at least temporarily calmed him down. He won't cause me any trouble for a while, and we still have enough time to make arrangements."

Mr. Zhang nodded: "I understand. I will inform the Prince. You should go back now and make sure you don't give anything away. I will arrange for someone to dispose of the corpses."

Song Jincheng nodded and turned to leave.

He walked quite a distance before suddenly stopping, letting out a heavy sigh, his expression complex. He knew that when he was young and went to the capital to take the imperial examination, relying on that person's help to obtain the exam questions in advance and achieve success, he had already been forced to be bound to that person, and could never escape it in this lifetime.

This was a deal that could cost him his head if he wasn't careful, but Song Jincheng didn't regret it.

If he had to do it all over again, he would still make the same choice.

He wasn't the eldest brother and couldn't inherit the title of Duke. If he wanted to rise above others, he could only seize every opportunity to climb the ranks. He knew perfectly well that the quota for the imperial examinations had already been decided by Bailu Academy and the Yang family. Without that person's help, how could he be the Minister of Works today?

But... Your Highness?
Emperor Ninghe's children were still young. There were two princes in Ning Kingdom: Prince Jin and Prince Fu.

But who exactly is it!
Although so many years have passed, he has never even seen the prince's face once. He only knows that the prince is very powerful, and the forty-nine assassins who died this time were all trained by the prince himself.

He felt it should be the Prince of Jin.

After all, the King of Jin led a large army on the border to resist the Zhao state, so he must have some skill.

As for Prince Fu... he was just a playboy who only knew how to travel around, seek immortality, and refine elixirs.

And that Mr. Zhang, he saw it with his own eyes. This old man could suppress those forty-nine assassins to kneel on the ground and not be able to stand up, just by his aura. He is also someone you can't mess with... I wonder if he is a ninth-rank martial artist.

Song Yan was indeed capable, but since he blocked the prince's path, he had no choice but to die.

He pursed his lips and walked toward the Ministry of Works' residence again. Little did he know that a pair of eyes had been silently watching him from the darkness the whole time.

On the other side, Song Yan was also walking in the darkness.

Only his eyes were exceptionally bright.

He was quite satisfied with the fifty silver notes, totaling five hundred thousand taels.

He knew that Song Jincheng was not the kind of person who would give up easily; he was a treacherous viper... He must have arranged for people to be taken care of, but his sister-in-law and Ziyu had dealt with them, so the signal of smashing the cup was just a loud noise.

After realizing that he couldn't eliminate himself, Song Jincheng immediately abandoned his sons and offered money as compensation... Accepting the money meant that they wouldn't bother him for a while, giving Song Jincheng a chance to catch his breath and prepare a more meticulous plan against him.

However, Song Jincheng was unaware that the same was true for Song Yan.

Having taken Song Jincheng's money and ensuring that Song Jincheng wouldn't cause trouble during this period, he would have enough free time and energy to deal with Song Jincheng's other sons. By the time he had dealt with all of these sons, Song Jincheng would be close to death.

Everyone had the same idea, but they got 500,000 for nothing, so it wasn't a bad deal.

Looking up, one can see rows of mansions in the inner city, all adorned with lanterns, remaining brightly lit even at night.

The lanterns' flames crisscrossed from all directions, casting long shadows on the ground.

He hadn't gone far when Song Yan saw a figure slowly walking towards him. It was a woman, simply dressed and of ordinary appearance, probably a servant from a powerful family. When she reached Song Yan, the maid stopped and curtsied, saying, "Young Master Song, my mistress invites you in."

lady?

Married?

Is this really inappropriate in the middle of the night?
He had a feeling that after arriving in Dongling, more and more people were looking for him for no apparent reason. Every now and then, someone would pop out and know all about him, but he knew nothing about them.

This feeling was unpleasant, and Song Yan didn't like it.

"May I ask about your wife...?"

"My wife, Shen Qi!"

Song Yan's eyelashes fluttered slightly, and she smiled: "Lead the way."

About fifteen minutes later, we stopped in front of Wangjiang Tower.

It was late at night, but there were still several tables of guests in Wangjiang Tower.

Upon arriving at the door of a private room on the second floor, the maid stopped at the door and gestured for Song Yan to enter. Song Yan pushed open the door and saw a woman in her forties or fifties sitting inside.

He had an ordinary appearance, was of average height and build, neither fat nor thin, and had a slightly yellowish complexion. He was the kind of person who would be easily lost in a crowd.

She didn't have any special temperament; she was just like any other middle-aged woman.

Song Yan bowed and said, "Greetings, Aunt."

That's right, this woman is Song Jincheng's legal wife.

The aunt Song Jincheng mentioned who was visiting her parents' home.

(End of this chapter)