By the fourth day after the incident at the Cheng Wang residence, Song Jinxiu learned that the Song family was about to be exiled. The case against Cheng Wang for "rebellion" had stirred even more public outcry than before, but the Privy Council remained silent, only stating that Cheng Wang had not confessed yet.
Song Jinxiu found it strange. With Xiao Yan's methods, how could Cheng Wang possibly withstand torture, especially after four days with no results?
But the more the officials questioned the case, the more Xiao Yan insisted that no confession had been made. Even Emperor An had begun to inquire during morning court, and Song Jinxiu had no choice but to watch from the sidelines. He couldn't question or gather information, no matter how suspicious he felt.
Instead, he focused on the case involving the Lu family, frequently visiting the Ministry of Revenue and Qian Baokun's office. It wasn't until early one morning that he received a visit from a cousin, who had once gifted him some clothing and money, to help him present himself decently when he was released from prison.
The cousin brought troubling news: "I have a friend in the Ministry of Justice who told me that the exile of our uncle and the others has been finalized. They were originally supposed to leave next month, but because of the sudden incident at Cheng Wang's residence, and the involvement of many court officials, the capital is in turmoil. The Ministry of Justice and the Imperial Prison are overwhelmed, so they've expedited the orders, and they'll leave tomorrow."
The cousin hesitated before speaking again, "Jinxiu, would you like to go see them off?"
Song Jinxiu looked up at him.
The cousin quickly added, "I mean no harm. I just thought that since they are likely never to return, and you’ve been released from prison, there’s been quite a bit of talk in the capital. They are your elders, after all. If you don’t see them off, people might say you have a cold heart."
Song Jinxiu responded coldly, "If I go to see them off, would that mean I don't have a cold heart?"
The cousin was at a loss for words.
Everyone knew how Song Jinxiu had gotten out of prison, stepping on his own father's back to escape from the Song family’s downfall. His reputation for being ruthless, cold-hearted, and unforgiving was impossible to erase.
Song Jinxiu said to him, "I don’t care what people say. But thank you for informing me."
"I should thank you, cousin. But I still have official duties to attend to. I have to go to the Ministry of Revenue soon. I truly don't have time to entertain you today. Perhaps we can catch up next time when I’m free."
The cousin, seeing Song Jinxiu’s cold demeanor, wanted to say something, but when he met his eyes, he felt a lump in his throat and said nothing.
“Fine,” the cousin muttered. “They’ll leave at the fifth hour tomorrow. If you want to see them, go early. If you don’t, it doesn’t matter.”
Seeing Song Jinxiu remain silent, the cousin stood up and said, "You carry on with your work. I’ll leave now."
As the cousin left, one of his servants, standing nearby at the alley entrance, couldn't help but whisper, "What happened to Young Master Jinxiu? How did he change so much?"
He remembered when Song Jinxiu was the most distinguished of the Song family’s younger generation. He was admired by everyone, known for his refined manners, generosity, and integrity. Aside from being a bit serious and strict about etiquette, he was universally praised.
But now, he seemed cold-hearted and frighteningly indifferent.
Another servant whispered, "He stepped on his own father’s corpse to get out of prison. He must know how people are talking about him outside. But what’s worse, he doesn’t even care about his mother—she’s leaving the capital too, and he refuses to see her."
"His heart is so cold. There’s no trace of the gentle, noble Young Master Jinxiu we used to know."
The first servant shook his head. "He’s no longer the Song Jinxiu we knew."
He turned back to glance at the alley and muttered, "I can’t afford to associate with someone like him anymore."
Originally, he had hoped to offer help, thinking of the family ties, but someone so cold-hearted and indifferent, no matter how talented and favored by the emperor, was not someone he could get close to.
Helping him had been a final gesture of family loyalty, but now that he no longer considered himself part of the Song family, there was no need to maintain those connections.
...
After sending off his cousin, Song Jinxiu returned to his residence, only to notice that someone was watching him. He furrowed his brows and spoke in a low voice, "Come out."
Two figures emerged from behind the door.
Song Jinxiu looked at Song Jinnian and Song Yuanzhi. "What are you doing here?"
"Big Brother," Song Jinnian said, "I overheard Cousin Li earlier. Father and Grandmother are leaving the capital tomorrow..."
Song Jinxiu gave him a glance. "Yes."
Seeing that both siblings were watching him expectantly, he asked, "What do you want to say?"
Song Jinnian clenched his fist, "Cousin Li suggested that you should go see Grandmother and the others off. Why don’t you want to go?"
Although younger than Song Jinxiu by a few years, Song Jinnian still carried the youthful vigor and spirit of a young man. Perhaps because the Song family’s downfall had come too suddenly, he had not suffered as much hardship. His youthful idealism hadn’t faded yet.
"You’ve already been reinstated, and the emperor values you. If you went and spoke to the officials, even if they’re leaving the capital, at least they wouldn’t suffer too much on the way."
Song Yuanzhi, still young, echoed his brother's thoughts, "Yes, Big Brother, those prison guards like money. I know Father’s crime was at the emperor’s command, and you can’t save him, but if you bribe a few people, they’ll have an easier journey."
"Big Brother, I’ve heard that exiled prisoners without family or friends to help are often beaten and abused by the guards along the way. Some don’t even make it to the place of exile. I don’t want Father to die... He’s been implicated because of Uncle..."
Song Jinxiu looked at his young siblings, his voice cold as he spoke, "You want to bribe them? From where do you expect the money to come?"
Song Yuanzhi froze, "But Big Brother has a salary..."
"I came out of prison, but even though I was reinstated, the salary I had saved was confiscated with the Song family’s assets. I haven’t even received my salary for the current period yet. If Cousin Li hadn’t lent me some money out of pity, I wouldn’t even be able to afford this place. You two don’t even have a place to stay."
Seeing Song Yuanzhi’s face turn pale, Song Jinxiu’s expression hardened as he turned to look at Song Jinnian.
"I sold out the Song family, took the blame for your uncle, and even reported the Lu family’s corruption just to return to the court. Do you know how people outside talk about me? How the noble families view me as a thorn in their side, wishing I would disappear?"
"You think I’m valued by the emperor? It’s because I’m his weapon against the noble families. I’m a mad dog that doesn’t care about my life and can bite the Lu family to help him. But I’m still just a dog. When they need me, they give me some benefits to keep me around. When they don’t, they can discard me anytime."
"Do you think a lowly sixth-rank official like me can intimidate those prison guards?"
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You can read ahead to chapterr 234 (100+ extra chapters) here
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