novelraw Chapter 418 - 316: A Showdown of Swords and Crossbows (Part 2)
Chapter 418 - 316: A Showdown of Swords and Crossbows (Part 2)
Song Zhi ordered someone to return to the palace immediately to report that Rong Heng might have already left the Capital City. He still didn’t fully trust Gu Lan and stood before her with a stern expression.
Gu Lan sat in a chair, coldly watching as the endless flow of imperial guards behind Song Zhi seemed ready to search the Dingyuan Marquis Mansion thoroughly.
She waved her small fan until a team of imperial guards attempted to barge into the innermost rooms of Step Lotus Hall, at which point her folding fan was swiftly closed.
Gu Lan smiled mischievously and said, "Commander Song, are you concluding that our Dingyuan Marquis Mansion is rebelling, or did you receive a royal decree to confiscate the estate?"
Song Zhi, expressionless, retorted, "Is Young Master Gu trying to say that the innocent will clear themselves? Whether the Dingyuan Marquis Mansion has any issues can only be concluded after my search. Moreover, Prince Xiang returning to the Capital without an edict is treason against the Emperor, and your knowing without reporting is complicity—"
Gu Lan interrupted him:
"Commander Song, do not twist the facts. When did I say I knew Prince Xiang returned to the Capital, and what evidence do you have to prove he is in the Marquis Mansion? Or, is it that the Emperor thinks the Dingyuan Marquis Mansion is as easy to bully as the Pingnan Marquis Mansion was back in the day, intending to levy an exaggerated charge after confiscating the estate?
Of course, I could completely not hinder your search of the Marquis Mansion. However, if you harm a hair on anyone in the mansion or damage a single thing...then, the Emperor is forcing the virtuous to become prostitutes, forcing ministers into rebellion."
"Forcing the virtuous..."
Song Zhi’s breath caught, and he waved his hand to halt the surrounding imperial guards.
After what Gu Lan said, if he recklessly continued to investigate the Dingyuan Marquis Mansion, it would place the Emperor under the accusation of forcing his ministers into disloyalty, but...
A rustling noise came from the entrance as Old Madam Gu, supported by Madam Zhou, pushed through the crowd and walked over.
She was still wearing the vermilion phoenix robe from her birthday banquet. Despite her kindly face, it was covered with frost:
"Song Zhi, what do you intend to do? Bringing so many imperial guards here, do you plan to wage war in the Capital City!?"
Upon seeing Old Madam Gu, Song Zhi’s expression changed, losing the icy demeanor he had earlier as a hint of guilt flashed in his eyes and his voice lowered:
"Old Madam... I wish you endless wellbeing."
Old Madam Gu scoffed, lifting her cane and mercilessly striking Song Zhi on the back with a "thump, thump" sound:
"Endless wellbeing? Today is my birthday feast, and this is how you celebrate it for me? If I had known today would come, I would have never asked Second Young Master Gu to seek justice for your family!"
Song Zhi grunted softly, silently enduring the blows.
The nearby imperial guards, seeing Old Madam Gu treating their commander this way, rushed forward to intervene, only to be stopped by Song Zhi, who shook his head indifferently.
Gu Lan raised an eyebrow in surprise, suddenly recalling the information Rong Heng had found about Song Zhi earlier within an incense stick’s time.
In the past, Song Zhi’s entire family was persecuted by a corrupt County Magistrate, and he was reduced to a homeless urchin in the Capital City, until years later, when he became the head of the Imperial Guards, he finally found evidence of that County Magistrate’s crimes and made him pay the price.
The old madam’s earlier words seemed to imply that she had once asked Second Young Master Gu to help, which had allowed Song Zhi to successfully avenge his parents and punish the Magistrate.
Perhaps it was finding evidence, or perhaps seeking connections; in any case, the Gu Family had once helped Song Zhi.
"Old Madam, this is Your Majesty’s decree," Song Zhi straightened up, his tone very polite, his phoenix eyes sharp yet clear, "You shouldn’t exert too much force, be careful not to tire yourself, and we’re not here to confiscate the estate, just to search for Prince Xiang."
Old Madam, furious, raised her cane and struck his back again, saying:
"Not here to confiscate? Then bringing so many imperial guards, are you here to visit the Marquis Mansion for fun? Also, the Emperor sent you to the Dingyuan Marquis Mansion to find Prince Xiang? Is he out of his mind!"
Song Zhi was speechless; if Prince Xiang was not in the Marquis Mansion, his actions were indeed outrageously disrespectful.
"Because...there are rumors that Prince Xiang and Young Master Gu have a homosexual relationship." Song Zhi took a deep breath and said in a low voice.
Old Madam Gu let out a cold snort and said, "Rumors also say that my Lan likes the Princess—so when will the Emperor grant Lan a marriage? If a Princess is found in Lan’s room later, would that be acceptable?"
"Hiss..." Gu Lan couldn’t help but want to give her grandmother a thumbs-up.
"..."
Gu Lan walked up to Song Zhi, his gaze icy and distant, and said word by word:
"Ridiculous, I rushed to Yinzhou when Prince Rui was unconscious, fought bloody battles, and painstakingly led the troops to secure peace at the Southern Border, yet the court made Rong Heng a prince. I can only return to the Capital in plain clothes, handing military control to Prince Xiang and Princess Changle. Ha, forget rumors of a relationship with Rong Heng, breaking ties with you sounds good—would that be acceptable?"