The day the Song family left the capital, the weather was particularly good.
As several members of the Song family, with wooden stocks and leg shackles, were being escorted by the officials to be exiled, the ailing and emaciated Old Madam Song coughed and wheezed, repeatedly glancing back with hope. Song Hong and Song Qin also occasionally looked back toward the city.
Many people came in and out of the city, but none of the figures they had been hoping for appeared. As they neared the city gates, their steps grew heavier, and their faces began to show signs of impatience, while the once formidable Madam Song’s face remained numb and indifferent.
"Move faster!"
The officer tugged at the rope, and they stumbled a bit.
Many people in the city saw this procession of prisoners. Seeing the heavy shackles on them, some couldn't help but glance sideways, with some even recognizing Song Hong among them, pointing and whispering.
"Aren’t they from the Song Duke's residence?"
"What Duke’s residence? It’s been reduced to prisoners now."
Song Hong, originally the Assistant Minister of the Secretariat and the legitimate son of the Song Duke’s family, had a bright future ahead of him, even if he couldn’t inherit the Duke’s title. However, who would have thought he would collude with the daughter of a rebel, committing treason and framing his deceased brother’s child, nearly killing his brother’s only remaining heir?
Now, the Duke's residence was gone, and the entire Song family had been confiscated and exiled. It could be said that they were seeking death.
"I heard the eldest son of the Song family managed to escape?"
"You're talking about Young Master Yu Tai, right?"
The person speaking was standing at a tavern by the street, watching the Song family pass by. There was a mocking tone when he mentioned “Young Master Yu Tai.”
"He did escape, and it was he who confessed his father's crimes, reporting his father's collusion with others in the incident involving the rebellious prince. He swapped the daughter of the traitor with the real culprit, and by frequently visiting the Lu family, he sold out his old friends and gained the Emperor’s favor, returning to his official position."
The surrounding people hissed, and some spat in contempt.
"To sell out his father for personal gain, truly shameless."
"How could such a person be worthy of an official position?"
"How could the Emperor favor such a disgraceful person? It’s truly bewildering..."
"Shh!"
A person from the crowd quickly hushed them. "Are you trying to get yourself killed?"
The area went quiet for a moment, and the crowd tacitly avoided discussing the Emperor’s actions, continuing to gossip about the Song family.
Tang Ning, with a much recovered Song Ru and Qian Qiyue who came along to join the scene, were sitting in a private room in the inn.
Listening to the gossip from outside, Qian Qiyue leaned against the window and sneered as she watched the Song family drag their leg shackles past.
"That Song Jinxiu is not just shameless; he’s also very cunning. I heard my father say that just a few days ago, he used that idiot Fu Laiqing to boost his reputation."
"Fu Laiqing really has no brains. He rushed to set up a stage for Song Jinxiu, who had no one paying attention to him before, but now, several ministers who had previously despised him have changed their opinions."
Tang Ning already knew about this, and when she heard Qian Qiyue’s indignation, she spoke softly, "Fu Langjun was simply too innocent, which made him an easy target for manipulation. Moreover, if Song Jinxiu wanted to ease his situation, even without Fu Langjun, others would have been used."
Qian Qiyue snorted and then thought of something else.
"By the way, Tang Ning, I heard that Song Jinxiu once wanted his mother to separate from Madam Song Three to preserve herself. But the Ministry of Justice approved Madam Song Three’s separation letter but refused to approve Madam Song’s.
She lowered her voice and quietly asked, "Was it Lord Xiao who rejected it?"
Tang Ning responded with a soft hum. "There are rules in the country. Madam Song Three didn't know much about the Song family’s matters, but Madam Song is different. If everyone could just escape punishment by separating, who would still fear the laws of the court?"
Qian Qiyue chuckled at Tang Ning’s serious tone. Even though she knew that Xiao Yan deliberately held Song Jinxiu in check, she didn’t continue asking and instead smiled along with her.
"Yes, yes, yes, your lord is strict and incorruptible, upholding the laws of the court."
When Tang Ning heard "your lord," her ears tingled inexplicably. Seeing Qian Qiyue smiling slyly, she couldn't help but roll her eyes at her.
Qian Qiyue had been worried about Tang Ning’s sudden fainting earlier, and the missing memories became a source of concern for her. But seeing that Tang Ning seemed to have no recollection of the incident, and Xiao Yan had specifically instructed her not to bring it up, Qian Qiyue pushed aside her doubts and switched to another topic.
Song Ru, sitting quietly beside them, was a little better now, though still pale. Her face, which had once been rosy, was now unnaturally white.
She glanced at the Song family members who had passed and leaned over to whisper, "Sister, do you think...?" She almost said “brother,” but then changed the title, "Do you think Song Jinxiu will come?"
Tang Ning shook her head. "I don’t know."
Qian Qiyue leaned over. "If he doesn’t come, his reputation will truly be ruined."
"If he does come, it may not be any better," Tang Ning casually replied.
If Song Jinxiu didn't come, everyone would say he was heartless and cold-blooded, but if he did show up, others would criticize him for betraying his father and using the Song family’s downfall to show false filial piety and gain fame.
He had already destroyed his own path. Whether he came or not, he would still be cursed.
The Song family was nearing the city gates, and the closer they got, the more impatient they became. Old Madam Song kept looking anxiously for someone.
By the time they passed through the city gates, no one had appeared as they had hoped. Their faces grew grim.
Just then, someone suddenly shouted from afar.
"Please wait, officials!"
Yin Quan had finally caught up with the Song family as they left the city. He quickly walked up to the officers escorting them, bypassed the hopeful Song family, and stepped in front of the officers.
"Officers, my family’s members are being exiled. I am here to bid them farewell. I hope you can show some leniency."
As he spoke, he handed over the prepared silver.
The leading officer glanced at the two extra silver ingots, weighed them, and his expression softened. He handed the rope to Yin Quan and said, "Don’t take too long. We still have a journey ahead."
Yin Quan quickly thanked him. "Thank you, officers."
The officers took the bribe and unlocked the shackles of the Song family members, stepping back.
Seeing this, Yin Quan quickly walked over to the Song family. Old Madam Song, seeing him, hurriedly asked, "Is Jin Xiu here? Where is Jin Xiu?"
Song Qin also stepped forward. "What about An and Yuan? Did they come too?"
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You can read ahead to chapterr 234 (100+ extra chapters) here
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