Frost for a Thousand Years

Chapter 302 No Peace

Chapter 302 No Peace
With a heavy heart, Song Jing stood before the bronze mirror, and today it was Madam Cui herself who dressed him and straightened his hat.

"Aji, you look so worried. Why don't you just not go?" Madam Cui noticed his distress and said with great concern, "Why should we, the Song family, bear the burden of these rumors circulating among the people?"

"Do you know how terrifying public opinion can be?" Song Jing asked, somewhat lost in thought.

"But didn't His Majesty send people to arrest and kill so many people, saying they were traitors within Qi?" Madam Cui asked, puzzled.

"Then why did he do that?" Song Jing looked down at his wife, who was bending over to adjust his belt.

"..." Even a woman who didn't have a very broad perspective could see the real reason behind it, and said with some distress, "It's also to prevent these rumors from becoming true and shaking His Highness Prince Wu's position..."

“Yes.” Song Jing had already seen through everything and was not even surprised by it. “If I were a spy from Qi, I would not miss such an opportunity to stir up trouble.”

"Although I am indeed stricter with Shi An on a regular basis, I must also say something fair," Madam Cui said with slight dissatisfaction. "Isn't everything he does for the Emperor? The fact that people say he is the Emperor's sword is also a reflection of public opinion, isn't it?"

Why should good rumors be ignored?

These negative opinions, however, persist relentlessly.

I'm glad you said that.

After Madam Cui stood up, Song Jing looked into her eyes and said with great sadness, "But besides you, who else dares to speak these fair words for him?"

.........

"That's not fair."

Today was a rather sensitive and tense day. Song Ce hadn't even shown up for his roll call, so Changqing, sitting on the bed, protested to him with great dissatisfaction, "Uncle simply does everything well, without colluding or conforming. Wei Wusheng is the same; he's fair in rewards and punishments, treating everyone equally. We've secured Beiliang, made peace with Yan, and even repelled Qi's army. So why do they have to prove their innocence just because others spread rumors, or else they're accused of disloyalty... This is utterly unreasonable!"

She was so angry that she became agitated.

Seeing this, Song Ce quickly comforted his wife, rubbing her shoulder and saying, "Changqing, gossip is a fearsome thing, we must be careful."

"Yes, with such high achievements and such exceptional status, one should be wary of public opinion. But why don't those ministers and generals with a conscience speak up at this time?" Changqing was still very angry. "Without my uncle, without Wei Wusheng, my brother Wu Wang wouldn't have gotten the position of crown prince..."

"Hey, Changqing." Song Ce quickly interrupted her dangerous remark, placing his finger on her lips, feeling it was too sensitive.

“It’s alright, I’ve already punished my maid, and she dares not be ambiguous with that Consort Xu anymore.” Changqing stated directly.

Her understanding and sense of family deeply moved Song Ce. He naturally pulled her into his arms, nestled against his arm, and said, "I'm so happy that you trust my elder brother and the Song family."

“I’m already married into the Song family, so I’m part of your family. I only hope for peace and tranquility in my home.” Changqing said with complete trust, “If after this matter, my uncle really can’t be tolerated by his colleagues or by the King of Wu, whether he goes along with the crowd or gives up, Changqing will not think that he has changed or that the Song family has changed.”

Slowly, she raised her head, looked at her husband, and said, "I've just been wronged."

"..." Song Ce was really a little teary-eyed. He didn't realize that marrying a virtuous wife was such a blessing.

I can somewhat understand why his father is usually unhappy.

"Jingming, go find your uncle. He needs your comfort more than I do right now."

Changqing smiled brightly and gently.

"Okay, I'll come back later."

And so, Song Ce, who was also quite worried, went to Song Shi'an's room.

However, as soon as the door was opened, he was seen lying lazily on the bed, propping his head up and reading a novel. He seemed to have no tension or fear at all, unlike the other people in the Song family who were trembling with fear and dared not even speak loudly.

"Why didn't you go to the Chinese Literature Center?" Song Shi'an asked curiously. "Did you skip work?"

He's already learned to slack off at such a young age; even a high-ranking official's son shouldn't be like that.

This guy is only sixteen years old.

"Brother, how can I not worry about you at a time like this?" Song Ce said.

"When?" Song Shi'an asked.

"Brother, are you kidding me?" Song Ce sat down next to him, took away his erotic books, and said, "Today we're going to welcome the army back. The King of Wu is leading the way, and the King of Jin and the King of Zhongping are also going. Except for that sickly King Su, all the other princes are going. This is to build up the King of Wu's momentum."

“Sickly…” Song Shi’an noticed his younger brother’s anger and teased, “You’re quite radical in your words.”

He's a prince, why are they insulting him like that?

"Not only me, Changqing is also quite angry."

"Then you must treat her well, Changqing is a good girl."

“I know,” Song Ce said. “I’m worried about you.”

Hearing him say that, Song Shi'an sat up with a smile, looked at his good younger brother, and said comfortingly, "If someone insults you and you forget it as soon as you turn around, it's as if they never insulted you. But if you remember it all the time, isn't that the same as them insulting you every day?"

"..." This was a very cryptic statement, but Song Ce didn't understand how it had to do with the matter. "Brother, are you trying to say?"

“If they say I am a traitor with disloyal intentions, then I will be afraid. Wouldn’t that be tantamount to admitting their opinion?” Song Shi’an said. “I am who I am, always have been, and I will not listen to the winds from any direction.”

Seeing Song Shi'an so carefree, Song Ce was relieved and said with a smile, "Brother, you are right. The emperor has already punished those who spread rumors and killed many people in Sheng'an. As long as you stay at home, this matter will fade away after today, and no one will dare to mention it again in the future. Otherwise, they will be courting death. You are still you. The Song family is still the Song family."

"So don't worry about me. You're on vacation, go spend time with your wife." Song Shi'an patted his shoulder.

"Why don't you go stay with Miss Xinyue for a while and relax?"

"I'm too lazy to play with her, let her play by herself."

Men in central Taiwan are all upright and honest, and would never seduce women.

"Then, brother, call me if you need anything."

After smoothing things over with Song Shi'an, Song Ce withdrew.

However, the one who actually received guidance was this younger brother.

As soon as he left, Song Shi'an got out of bed, loosened his belt, took off his plain robe, and a relaxed smile appeared on his lips.

Yes, if you don't establish a government because you're afraid of being banned, isn't that the same as being permanently banned?
.........

The ministers arrived outside the city first.

The other princes arrived one after another in the royal carriage.

Besides Prince Su, Prince Changsha, who was only ten years old and needed to be carried off the carriage, also arrived.

Finally, the Prince of Jin and the Prince of Zhongping arrived.

Yes, the Prince of Jin has already admitted it.

They are also willing to relinquish power.

But the attitude is important.

He had no reason to suffer such a great injustice and still have to coax his fourth brother and help him rise to power.

The one who should be coaxed is the one who voluntarily made way for the King of Wu.

After disembarking from the royal carriage, Prince Zhongping walked alongside Prince Jin along the road outside the city. "Wise ruler and wise minister, what is your opinion on this matter?"

The Prince of Jin, who had always been cautious, honest, and dutiful, became more casual after losing the crown prince competition and stopped saying things like "this is a slide that cannot be touched."

After all, what the emperor did was not a very ethical thing to do.

His current attitude is essentially the same as what he's been saying all along, like someone who's been forced into something: "Go play by yourself then."

However, he also knew that no one cared.

“This is indeed ruthless.” Wei Yiyuan laughed. “Some people just want to bring him down, but the common people really want him dead.”

“However, this is really not a topic we should get involved in,” said the Prince of Jin. “At this critical juncture, whether we kick someone when they’re down or speak the truth, it’s all suicidal.”

Regardless of who they support, they are all involved in establishing a successor.

The only solution is to ignore it.

Is it possible to do that?

Impossible, Sheng An has already slaughtered countless people.

Those people also have memories.

If something really happens in the future, the 'wise ruler and virtuous ministers' can set things on fire.

"If this happened to you, Second Brother, could you tolerate it?" Wei Yiyuan began to joke without any sense of propriety.

"What do you think?" The Prince of Jin ignored him.

If you were the crown prince candidate, and such terrible things were spread, could you tolerate the Prince of Zhongshan and Song Shi'an?

"I think my second brother is a good person."

Wei Yiyuan's words elicited disdain from the Prince of Jin.

The implication is quite clear.

This kind of thing would be a major issue and a huge problem for both the King of Jin and the King of Wu.

But the King of Wu would be even less tolerant than the King of Jin.

"Second Brother, Yiyuan, please come in quickly."

When the two of them arrived late, strolling along together, the King of Wu was all smiles and took the initiative to greet them.

He took their hands and led them to the front, displaying brotherly affection and respect to the officials.

"Is everyone here?"

Under the royal banner, King Wu asked the eunuch Lian, who was standing to the side.

"Your Highness, all the officials who were supposed to come have arrived," he replied.

"Your Highness, I was the last to arrive, please forgive me," the Prince of Jin apologized with a smile.

"Second Brother, please don't say that." King Wu smiled kindly. "I am already very touched that you and Yiyuan could come."

This remark displeased both kings.

He acts like he's the crown prince, so full of protagonist spirit.

However, the two of them had no choice but to comply.

And you have to eat it in front of everyone.

They responded with smiles.

The victor's obedience test.

Sure enough, after this conversation, those members of the Prince of Jin's faction standing behind him didn't dare to raise their heads, and they all knew their future fate.

If you don't surrender, get out.

I was just kidding. Even if you surrender, you're out of here.

The Wu King's faction was already full.

At this time, some controversy arose regarding the order of officials behind him.

Among the nine ministers in the first row, several people gestured for Song Jing to stand in.

“Song Dutang, you are now acting as the Minister of the Imperial Secretariat, so naturally you are ranked before us.”

"Please don't do this, everyone. I am only a second-rank official and dare not break the rules." Song Jing was indifferent to such things now, only feeling annoyed, so he didn't smile when he declined.

Although his official rank was not first-rank, he held considerable power among civil officials, ranking among the top. In addition, he was a favorite, so no one dared to place him in the second rank.

Just then, the King of Wu personally stepped forward, took his hand, and said, "Lord Song, please do not refuse the officials' kind offer. Please temporarily take over this position, as a representation of Lord Ouyang."

Since he's already said that, what can he do?

"Jing...yes."

Song Jing had no choice but to stand in front.

And so, the army awaited the triumphant return of its troops.

Not far away, banners could already be seen several miles away.

The King of Wu's heart was already pounding with anxiety.

This is the man that no one dares to talk about, but who is indeed hailed as a sage ruler among the common people.

I need to subdue him.

I must keep him in check.

Then, do everything you can to break them apart.

Song Shi'an didn't come today because he wanted to sever ties with Wei Wusheng...

Just as he was feeling so tense and fearful, he suddenly heard some hushed whispers behind him.