The entire flower hall buzzed with whispers, countless speculations swirling around. The chaotic conversations pressed against Song Jinxi's mind, causing it to hum painfully, as if something was drilling into his brain, making his face turn deathly pale and feel as if he were being torn apart.
Madam Song was even more disheveled, wishing desperately that she had never come to the Cheng Prince's mansion today. She hated Song Hong for his infidelity, hated the Song family for deceiving her, and wished she could tear apart Song Qin, who had brought Song Shulan back. However, she also knew that she was already deeply tied to the Song family.
After today, Song Hong was ruined, and so was her son.
Lu Zhinian never imagined that things would turn out this way. Looking at Gu Helian, he said in a deep voice, "Master Gu, do you have any evidence for what you've just said?"
"Have you noticed that neither Prince Cheng nor the Song family members have refuted my claims?" Gu Helian's voice was calm, but his words peeled away Prince Cheng's façade.
"Unlike our esteemed Prince Cheng, who knows the truth yet helps the Song family cover it up with laughable fabrications, I have no such need. My people have been to Suyun Town and have thoroughly investigated everything about that Xu Zhen. Song Shulan managed to infiltrate the second branch of the Song family without being recognized because she didn't resemble Song Hong but bore a striking resemblance to her mother. Many people in the capital had seen the Xu family's young lady back then. If anyone doubts me, they can find some elders from that time to verify her appearance."
"As for Song Hong, when the rebel crown prince's case happened, and the Xu family was executed as traitors, Song Hong’s act of saving Xu Zhen was no easy task. Though many years have passed, if one wishes to investigate, it's not impossible."
At this point, Gu Helian paused and looked at Lu Zhinian.
"By the way, Prince Cheng and Lord Lu were responsible for executing and purging the rebels back then when the crown prince's rebellion was suppressed…”
Madam Lu, who had been frowning and merely watching the spectacle, could no longer remain calm. She slapped the table and stood up in anger, exclaiming, "If you want to talk about the Song family, then talk about them! Master Gu, what are you insinuating? Whatever Prince Cheng did was his business. My Lu family has never known about the Song family's affairs, nor have we ever done anything for them!"
Hearing this, Gu Helian shrugged innocently. "I never said anything about Lord Lu. The crown prince was unworthy, and he was executed for treason by the late emperor. Lord Lu did nothing wrong in purging the rebels. I only mentioned this because Young Master Lu asked me for evidence. Why is Madam Lu so furious? Otherwise, people might think I’ve said something inappropriate, maligning the Chancellor."
"You—!"
Madam Lu turned livid, but she couldn't find fault with Gu Helian's words. Although what he had just said was highly misleading, he hadn't outright accused Lu Chongyuan of anything. He had simply stated that Lu Chongyuan had handled the rebel crown prince’s case, which was indeed a fact.
Yet, in the current situation, especially since Prince Cheng had just helped the Song family cover up Song Hong's actions and deceived the Cheng Princess by fabricating a false story, it inevitably caused people to speculate.
Madam Lu took a deep breath, suppressing her anger. "My son has always conducted himself with integrity, never doing anything against the emperor’s will or being involved with traitors. The actions of Prince Cheng and the Song family have nothing to do with my Lu family. I ask that Master Gu refrain from involving my family further, or I won’t be polite."
Prince Cheng's face was already unpleasant, and hearing Madam Lu's words only made his anger surge. This old woman from the Lu family was trying to elevate Lu Chongyuan by stepping on him!
"Madam Lu, just as Lord Lu is innocent, so am I. I was unaware that Song Shulan was related to traitors!"
By this point, he could no longer care about the Cheng Princess and Song Tangning beside him. All he knew was that he could not be entangled in the old matters of the rebel crown prince.
The rebel crown prince was a taboo subject in the court. He vividly remembered the chaos of the fire in the forbidden palace that year. The bloody purge that followed took countless lives, and the entire Eastern Palace was slaughtered. Everyone involved met a tragic end, their families executed, and their properties seized.
For over a month, the capital had been shrouded in bloodshed. Anyone associated with the rebel crown prince met an ill fate.
Emperor An was once oppressed by the crown prince, living in frustration for years. It was only after the crown prince's downfall that he seized the opportunity to ascend the throne. Even now, despite sitting on the dragon throne for years, the emperor still harbored resentment towards the crown prince. Prince Cheng dared not let himself be dragged into those old affairs.
"Gu Helian, you and I may have personal grudges, but you can't slander me like this."
"Yes, I knew Song Shulan’s identity was suspicious, and I did help the Song family cover it up, but that was only because of the ties between Tangning and the Song family. Song Hong only told me that Song Shulan was his daughter but never mentioned anything about her mother. While I detested the Song family’s actions, the situation was already beyond repair. The Song family had incorporated Song Shulan as a daughter of their second branch. If Song Hong's actions became known, the Song family's title would be forfeit."
"Song Hong pleaded with me countless times, even using Yue Niang’s and Tangning's relationship to coerce me. I feared that the Song family’s downfall would affect Tangning, Yue Niang, and the Cheng Prince's residence, so I reluctantly chose to cover up the matter. But I was unaware that Song Shulan's mother was from a traitorous family!"
Gu Helian laughed out loud upon hearing this. "So that's how it is. Prince Cheng really thought this through. Rong Yue, did you hear that? You should be grateful for Prince Cheng's feelings toward you."
The Cheng Princess glanced at the gleeful Gu Helian, her brows furrowing. "There’s no need for such kindness from Prince Cheng."
"Yue Niang…"
Prince Cheng turned to her, his voice low. "I know I shouldn’t have lied to you, but it wasn’t intentional. Please don’t let Gu Helian's words sow discord between us. Can we talk about this later?"
The Cheng Princess replied, "No."
"Ah Yue."
Prince Cheng’s face paled, his eyes filled with pleading. "Do you really want to humiliate me like this?"
The Princess Consort looked at him, at the way he lowered himself, pleading for her to overlook everything, hoping she would remember their past and soften her heart. It reminded her of the hypocrisy he had shown recently. A sudden wave of nausea welled up in her, and she couldn't suppress it, her throat filled with a bitter taste. Her face wasn't much better off than Song Jinxiu and the others.
Turning her head to avoid looking at him, Tang Ning stepped forward, blocking the Prince's path as he tried to pursue further. "Your Highness, the matter between you and the Song family is yours to handle. For now, let me settle my business with them first."
Before the Prince could respond, Song Tangning turned to face Song Jinxiu and Madam Song.
"You have all heard what transpired between me and the Song family," she said coldly. "I have never done anything that goes against morality or ethics. Though my father and mother passed away early, I fulfilled my filial duties to the Song family, obedient and respectful for years, never slacking even once. Yet, the Song family never treated us with any familial love. They schemed against my late father, tarnishing his name, and despite my constant tolerance, I was only met with lies and bullying. I nearly lost my life because of them."
Her expression grew even colder. "Even though we share blood, I will not allow myself to be treated with such cruelty. I refuse to stay in a place as shameless, despicable, and ruthless as this."
"It’s often said that a filial child doesn’t flatter their parents, just as a loyal official doesn’t flatter their sovereign. Elders who are kind will earn the respect of the younger generation. Song Hong defied the will of the late emperor and wronged his own brother. For such an unfaithful and unfilial person to be tolerated and shielded by the Song family's elders is beyond disgraceful. I will not remain associated with such corruption."
As the onlookers listened to Song Tangning's calm and clear words, they gradually realized her intentions. Lu Zhiyuan and Xie Yin exchanged incredulous glances, and just then, the young woman, her face veiled and her dark, cold eyes gleaming, raised her voice.
"Let everyone bear witness: from today onward, the second branch of the Song family severs all ties with the Duke of Song's residence. I, Song Tangning, willingly renounce my status within the family. From now on, I shall no longer identify as a daughter of the Song clan."
"The second branch of the Song family has never divided the family estate with the main branch. Most of my parents' belongings are my mother's dowry or gifts from the Rong family. I will only take these items with me. I won't touch a single thing belonging to the Song family. I will soon relocate my parents' graves from the Song family’s ancestral tomb. From now on, I have no connection with the Song family, and we shall never cross paths again."
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