Frost for a Thousand Years

Chapter 264 Good News Returns to Sheng'an

Jin Palace.

The Prince of Zhongping and the Prince of Jin are playing chess.

However, Zhongping Wang was clearly very impetuous. He placed his pieces quickly and loudly, his mind completely elsewhere.

"The more chaotic things are, the calmer you need to be." The King of Jin was extremely composed, taking a long time to think before each move.

“Second Brother, you’re not unaware of the rumors circulating outside. Song Shi’an embezzled 20,000 taels of gold from the national treasury. Even if his mission is successful, he will face criticism from officials and even from the people who have always supported him upon his return,” Wei Yiyuan said. “I know you want to fight Fourth Brother, but are you really going to let this opportunity to bring down Song Shi’an slip by?”

"Zishang, it's your turn."

He said so much, but the Prince of Jin only said this one sentence.

Wei Yiyuan clicked his tongue in annoyance, then impatiently flicked his wrist.

Then, the Prince of Jin smiled and placed a chess piece on the board, before looking at him: "Admit defeat?"

"I concede, I concede." Wei Yiyuan tossed the chess piece in his hand into the box. "Are we going to concede defeat in this struggle for the throne too?"

“I already said that Song Shi’an will definitely come back victorious,” said Prince Jin. “Are you going to join in suppressing him now, only to lose to His Majesty again when he returns, and incur Song Shi’an’s wrath once more?”

“If this matter hadn’t spread much, he could still have won, but now the whole city knows about it, so he…” At this point, his expression froze, and he rested his chin on his hand, gradually realizing, “With Song Shi’an’s monstrous talent, he would indeed have thought that this matter would be exposed and known to the world.”

Not planning ahead is not in his nature.

“If it were really 20,000 gold for a letter of alliance, it would indeed be incredibly foolish and cowardly. But that’s Song Shi’an, he wouldn’t do such a deal…” Wei Yiyuan realized that his second brother was right, the more anxious you are, the calmer you need to be. “If what he did was really worth that much gold, then it would have calmed down.”

"And, reputation has also reversed."

The Prince of Jin had witnessed this man's abilities, so he wouldn't be the kind of clown who gets repeatedly humiliated.

No matter how you look at it, who thinks Song Shi'an is going to win the battle in Shuofeng?
"Zishang, you must believe me." The King of Jin looked at him and asked with a slight smile, "Tell me about the King of Wu. When it comes to interests, who can really get close to him?"

"Indeed."

Wei Yiyuan would never forget the story of how he used to go hunting and having fun with his brothers, and then study hard all night to prepare for his master's assessment the next day.

It was impossible for Wusheng and him to be without a rift, especially regarding that matter.

“It’s like a game of chess.” After calming down, Wei Yiyuan re-examined the game. “Second Brother, your words in court were a brilliant move.”

In an instant, a seemingly hopeless situation was turned around.

Even if he really became the crown prince and the emperor forced him to ascend the throne, he wouldn't be able to sit still.

Only by truly obtaining the imperial seal, sitting on the dragon throne, and being able to command the army can one be a legitimate emperor of the Great Yu Dynasty.

Just then, an official strode over, walked to the Prince of Jin's side, bowed to the two princes, and said, "Your Highnesses, there's something going on with Jia Guihao, the Western Commandant."

The two of them looked at him together.

Xi Duwei is one of the five police sub-bureau chiefs of Sheng'an, in charge of public security and grassroots criminal cases.

It was under the jurisdiction of the Sheng'an magistrate.

Among the five commanders, Jia Guihao held a particularly high position because he was a confidant of the King of Wu.

"What is it?" Wei Yiyuan asked.

“A maid from Situ Sun’s household, who I heard belonged to his youngest daughter Sun Jinhua, went to find Jia Guihao,” he said.

Both of them were quite surprised to hear this.

Wei Yiyuan was somewhat displeased.

Although Minister Sun held a high position and wielded great power, he was considered part of the Prince of Jin's faction. His maid was sent to find the Prince of Wu's people...

“Wait, Sun Jinhua… oh, that woman.” Wei Yiyuan had forgotten her, but remembered after being reminded, “She’s the woman who was supposed to marry on Sun Situ’s birthday, but because of that incident, it seems she hasn’t married yet.”

"What's wrong with her?" the Prince of Jin asked.

"Anyway, I don't know what they said, but then Jia Guihao went and led a group of people to arrest a lot of people at the market," the man said. "The reason given was that they were spreading rumors, slandering national policies, and defaming government officials."

"Is it about Song Shi'an offering gold?" Wei Yiyuan asked excitedly.

"That's it," he nodded.

Seeing that the Prince of Jin was still somewhat confused, Wei Yiyuan explained to his brother, "Second brother, let me tell you this: Sun Situ's daughter likes Song Shi'an. Seeing that the people of Sheng'an were all cursing him, she bribed Jia Guihao to arrest him."

"Hiss..." The Prince of Jin had never seen anything like this before. "This woman is quite interesting."

“This matter is probably unrelated to Sun Situ, no, it is definitely unrelated, it was done behind her father’s back,” Wei Yiyuan said. “Moreover, she knows that Jia Guihao is a man of the King of Wu, and Song Shi’an is also a man of the King of Wu, so it would be useful to find him.”

“Sun Situ’s daughter was also ruined by a single glance.”

“Since Song Shi’an is bound to succeed,” Wei Yiyuan said, “why don’t we be good people and also go and catch spies and dispel rumors?”

"No, no," the King of Jin refused. "It's too obvious. He's exceptionally good when things are going well, and extremely vengeful when things are going badly. Isn't that just like the King of Wu?"

Upon hearing this, the official lowered his head; the topic was indeed a bit too radical for an outsider like him.

“That’s true.” Wei Yiyuan nodded. “If you do too much and act too intimately, it becomes fake. Moreover, it also has a provocative connotation.”

That day, when the Prince of Jin spoke in the palace, even if you insist on saying it was a contest with the Prince of Wu, why couldn't it have been a moment of genuine emotion? I really feel sorry for Song Shi'an.

But to suddenly change your tune and become someone who fawns over Song Shi'an, and gets angry at the slightest criticism from others—that's just too hypocritical. Aren't you just like Wei Yiyun?

"I have a task for you. Inform all the officials who are close to us," Prince Jin said, looking at them. "Don't talk about the 20,000 taels of gold or Song Shi'an's matter recently, and don't offer any advice to His Majesty. Just stay put."

Having dealt with Song Shi'an for so long, Prince Jin understands one thing very well—don't rush to join a bandwagon.

"Yes, Your Highness."

"And another thing," Wei Yiyuan suddenly thought of something and said, "should we inform Minister Sun about the matter of the Sun family's youngest daughter?"

"Why?" the King of Jin asked.

"Expressing concern and care," Wei Yiyuan said with a smile.

“Alright.” Prince Jin nodded, finding this to be true. “We really need to maintain a good relationship with Minister Sun.”

.........

Sun Jinhua pretended to play the zither in the room.

But they are always keeping an eye on what's happening outside.

I feel much better after hearing that some people have been arrested.

This at least shows that her bribery, which involved spending her entire fortune, was effective.

That's all she can do.

Just then, Awu came in. As she was happily preparing to inquire further, she noticed the other person had a mournful face…

"Miss, the master wants you to go to the courtyard."

From her expression, Sun Jinhua knew that something had happened.

Sure enough, a thunderclap occurred.

At this moment, family members, along with a group of maids and servants, were all in the courtyard.

After she passed by anxiously, Sun Situ, whose beard was practically askew with rage, gripped a ruler and immediately cursed, "You worthless thing, kneel down!"

This sound made everyone else lower their heads in fear.

Sun Jinhua could only kneel tremblingly in front of him, her whole body weak and limp, unable to meet her father's gaze.

That Xinyue, she really is talking without any sense of the situation.

If your dad is that fierce, would you dare to argue with him?
"Do you know you were wrong?" Sun Situ asked.

“Daughter…” Sun Jinhua began, but then choked up, her face gradually turning red. She dared not argue, but she also dared not admit her mistake.

"A young woman like you, interfering in important court affairs!" Minister Sun scolded mercilessly. "Bribing court officials to arrest spies spreading rumors—how dare you!"

"Daughter...daughter wouldn't dare." Sun Jinhua was almost in tears, but she still looked up at Sun Situ and explained, "It's just that daughter feels that the mission carries a great responsibility, and there are too many people spreading rumors and causing trouble behind our backs..."

"Stretch out your hand," Sun Situ interrupted directly.

With no other option, she could only obediently and slowly extend her hand.

The next instant, a crisp "smack" rang out, and a bloody welt appeared on Sun Jinhua's palm, tears instantly welling up in her eyes...

……

Chancery desk.

While Song Jing was working, Yu Xiu, who was standing next to him, said with a smile, "Lord Song, do you know about the Sun family?"

"What is it?" Song Jing asked, puzzled.

"That daughter of the Sun family, for the sake of Shi An, went to the Western Commandant Jia Guihao and even bribed him... to have him arrest the people spreading rumors. But the old Commandant punished her with family discipline in his mansion, and she was beaten until her hands were covered in blood," Yu Xiu said with a bit of gossip.

"...Such a thing is true?" Song Jing was stunned. "What about Jia Guihao, the Western Commandant? Should we request His Majesty to demote him?"

"The magistrate of Sheng'an hasn't even reported it, and he's even one of the Prince of Wu's men. Let's just let this go." Seeing that he was taking it too seriously, Yu Xiu simply brushed it off and then asked in surprise, "Lord Commander, don't you think the key point of this matter lies elsewhere?"

"I know what you mean."

“Shi An is legally married, and the young lady of Minister Sun is still unmarried,” Yu Xiu said. “They’ve gone to such lengths, even taking a beating, shouldn’t they go and propose marriage to Minister Sun?”

"If it were someone else's daughter, I would have already spoken up to her," Song Jing complained.

"Let's turn hostility into friendship."

"Forget it, I'm not thinking about that right now," Song Jing said with a headache. "I don't know where those 20,000 taels of gold got away from. I wonder if that kid can handle it this time."

"If someone can win against the north wind, will he lose in Yan?" Yu Xiu said with great confidence. "If it is Shi An, he will definitely complete the mission very well."

"hope so……"

Song Jing remained deeply worried.

How can we win half of the nation's gold reserves?

Just then, an official rushed over and excitedly reported to Song Jing: "Your Excellency, the urgent message from Yan has arrived at Sheng'an!"

(End of this chapter)