Chapter 17: Release |
After a brief conversation, Song Chuan left the room and called out, "Song Shu!"
Very quickly, a man resembling Song Chuan approached. It was indeed Song Yang Qing's father, Song Shu.
He entered, spoke for a short while, and then quickly exited again.
As soon as he returned to his residence, he immediately instructed the servant who greeted him:
"Tell Yang Qing to come to me."
The servant awkwardly replied:
"Young Master is not at home. He went out to see friends."
In truth, the servant himself did not know where Song Yang Qing had gone.
"Find him quickly and tell him to come to me!" Song Shu immediately retorted.
Standing by the lamp, Song Shu gazed at the flickering flame. His face was gloomy; it was unclear what he was thinking.
About an hour passed before he heard hurried footsteps. Turning his head, he saw Song Yang Qing approaching in haste: "Father, were you looking for me?"
Ever since Tang Yi married, the Supreme Purity Sect no longer held any attraction for Song Yang Qing. Thus, it wasn't long before he returned to the capital.
Song Shu looked at his son's cheeks and saw a flush on them. He immediately grew angry and began to scold:
"From morning till night, all you know is how to carouse. Fang Er constantly runs to me to complain. Is everything more important to you than cultivation?"
Fang Er was Song Yang Qing's wife. Not long after his arrival in the capital, a wife had been immediately found for him.
Song Yang Qing lowered his head and quietly muttered:
"She's not pretty. I didn't want to marry her in the first place. You insisted and forced me."
"Where is she not pretty? Perhaps a little plump?" Song Shu widened his eyes and scolded his son:
"I'm warning you. Her father commands an army of tens of thousands of soldiers, and behind him stand cultivation sects. Whether she is good or bad, treat her with respect. Otherwise, you'll anger your grandfather, and you know the consequences yourself!"
"Yes, yes. I understand." Song Yang Qing replied mournfully and then asked again: "Father, why did you call me?"
Song Shu calmed down slightly and said, displeased: "You, get ready and go to the Supreme Purity Sect..."
"Ah!" Song Yang Qing lifted his head and said irritably:
"I'm not going! To that desolate, empty place, full of simpletons, I'm not going. I don't understand why we still maintain ties with them now. And why did you go and become their disciple? You brought trouble upon yourself."
Song Shu paused for a moment, then slowly said:
"If that's the case, it wouldn't hurt you to know something. Originally, Ning Wang Shang Jian Bo had an invincible army. He shook everyone and was the sole primary heir to the throne. He was the founder of the Yan Kingdom, and the founder of the Supreme Purity Sect was renowned as the founder of the state's mentor. Therefore, the Supreme Purity Sect and the imperial house were supposed to be on good terms, and Shang Jian Bo's relationship with the Supreme Purity Sect was good. It was for this reason that your grandfather sent me to the Supreme Purity Sect. Just in case Shang Jian Bo became emperor. Who knew that the emperor would suddenly die, and in his will, unexpectedly name the current emperor. It was after this that Shang Jian Bo's position sharply declined and reached its current state."
Song Yang Qing's expression suddenly changed, and he whispered:
"Grandfather is truly cunning and two-faced. He, it turns out, has long been playing both sides..."
Song Shu angrily asked: "What did you say?"
"Nothing, nothing!" Song Yang Qing immediately waved his hand:
"Then we should keep our distance from the Supreme Purity Sect. Why should I go there?"
Song Shu excitedly said: "Tomorrow, Shang Chao Zong will be released from prison!"
Song Yang Qing said in surprise:
"I know that. But what does that have to do with my trip to the Supreme Purity Sect?"
Song Shu: "The Imperial Court has decreed that Shang Chao Zong be exiled from the capital to the lands granted to him. On his way, he will most likely want to visit the Supreme Purity Sect. You must go to the Supreme Purity Sect and warn the sect not to send an escort for Shang Chao Zong!"
Song Yang Qing said with a slight smile:
"Is it a big deal? Why not just send them a letter? Besides, the sect's security is poor right now. Even if I didn't warn them, I wouldn't dare send people to him anyway."
Song Shu widened his eyes:
"What nonsense are you spouting! The Supreme Purity Sect, since the founding of the state, has been closely linked with the imperial court. And Shang Jian Bo, it seems, was not only closely connected with Dong Guo Hao Ran. Tang Mu's sudden decision to transfer the sect leader position to Dong Guo Hao Ran also had significance. The Supreme Purity Sect has not fully revealed itself yet, and what is on their mind is still unclear. And now, other sects won't dare to send an escort for Shang Chao Zong. If anyone sends people, it will be the Supreme Purity Sect. You will not only go to the sect to warn the elders but also to monitor the situation. Shang Chao Zong's release from prison will stir up waves among the dregs, so you will need to watch for fluctuations within the sect. And if anything happens, report it to me immediately. This is your grandfather's wish."
Song Yang Qing sadly said:
"Why such trouble? The Supreme Purity Sect is in decline; it won't even be able to recover. Even if they send people to Shang Chao Zong, will it change anything? Will it stir up any waves? Shang Chao Zong has no military power. Grandfather worries too much. Wouldn't it be better to just destroy the Supreme Purity Sect immediately?"
Song Shu said in a cold tone:
"Even a dead centipede has legs. All the more so for Ning Wang, who once held power over the state's armies. Your grandfather has naturally thought everything through. Your job is not to worry, but to act. I warn you, this is no game. If anything goes wrong, grandfather will not forgive you!"
Song Yang Qing felt a cold sweat break out on his back. He feared his grandfather most of all...
The sky began to lighten with the morning dawn. Outside the celestial prison stood a horse-drawn carriage, beside which stood a coachman.
An intelligent middle-aged man walked near the carriage. One could see his well-combed beard and mustache. He wore a long black robe, and on his face was a mask and blue armor. A refined aura emanated from him, and his gaze was fixed on the prison gates.
As soon as the first ray of morning sun appeared in the sky, the celestial prison stirred. Movements began inside the prison, and the sound of chains dragging on the ground could be heard.
The coachman and the middle-aged man immediately turned their heads.
After a short while, the gates of the celestial prison opened, and the jailers pushed out a young man in shackles on his hands and feet. He was barefoot, tall, yet thin, dressed in rags. He was so emaciated that his bones were practically covered only by skin. However, despite such a distressed state, a spark gleamed in his eyes, his will to fight had not yet been extinguished, and he stood with a straight, unyielding back.
This man was the youngest son of the deceased Minister of Military Affairs, Ning Wang Shang Jian Bo of the Yan Kingdom, Shang Chao Zong!
Seeing him, the coachman and the middle-aged man immediately went to meet him. But the jailers stopped them.
Shang Chao Zong also stopped, and a man approached to remove his shackles. After that, a jailer came up to him with a book and red stamp ink. Shang Chao Zong dipped his finger in the ink and left his seal in the book. Then the jailer, bowing with clasped hands and smiling, said:
"Congratulations, Prince, you are now free."
Shang Chao Zong glanced at him askance but said nothing and walked forward.
As soon as he moved away from the circle of jailers, the coachman and the middle-aged man immediately began to greet him, but were too emotional to speak.
Shang Chao Zong nodded to the coachman and then, smiling, said to the middle-aged man:
"Thank you for your kindness, Mister Lan."
The middle-aged man was named Lan Ruo Ting. He was a relative of Shang Chao Zong's mother, specifically, her younger cousin. Because he was naturally intelligent, he was taken as a disciple by one of Shang Song's aides and began to study military affairs. Five years ago, his teacher and other close associates of Shang Song perished. And now Lan Ruo Ting held the position of a master in the state.
Lan Ruo Ting said nothing. He only looked at Shang Chao Zong's hands and feet, where the shackles had recently been. In those places, the skin was abraded and festering—the result of long-term wear. Therefore, Shang Chao Zong now reeked of pus. Apparently, he had been treated cruelly during these years.
Is this how a prince should be treated?! With trembling lips, he said:
"Help the prince into the carriage!"
The coachman approached from the side, and they moved to support him from both sides.
"No need. I can walk!" Shang Chao Zong pushed them away. He didn't want them to help him get in and walked towards the carriage himself.
Lan Ruo Ting followed him inside.
The carriage quietly drove along the capital's street. At this time, a messenger pigeon flew out of the prison. Lan Ruo Ting was examining Shang Chao Zong's wounds, and when he finished, he immediately said:
"We need to find a quiet place to wash and treat the wounds."
"No need. I've endured so much; I can endure a little more." Shang Chao Zong said this, then pulled back the curtain and looked at the surroundings outside the carriage. He saw that they were not heading to the royal residence.
Lan Ruo Ting explained:
"Your Highness. The prince must not remain in the capital. You are ordered to proceed directly to Cang Wu County, to the lands granted to you."
"I know. I heard in prison." Lowering the curtains, Shang Chao Zong asked:
"Have you found out the cause of father's death?"
Lan Ruo Ting shook his head:
"This matter is very suspicious. It's still unclear what happened. We searched for the cause, but it's as if all threads were cut. Nothing can be proven."
Shang Chao Zong was silent for a while, then asked again:
"How is Shu Qing? Father always told his brothers to protect Shu Qing during his lifetime."
Shu Qing was Shang Chao Zong's younger sister and the only daughter of Shang Jian Bo. Originally, Shang Chao Zong had two older brothers. The eldest brother died on the battlefield long ago, and the middle one perished with their mother in an accident several years ago. Now, only the brother and sister remained from their family. Three years ago, a man harassed Shu Qing. Shang Chao Zong defended her and, in the ensuing chaos, killed the harasser. However, at that time, a great scandal erupted, and the truth was distorted. As a result, Shang Chao Zong was imprisoned, stripped of his position and princely title, and demoted to a commandery prince. While he was in prison, no one was allowed to visit him.
Lan Ruo Ting said with satisfaction:
"Rest assured, Prince. The Princess is now in a safe place. You will be able to see her later."
Shang Chao Zong nodded his head and sighed in relief. Then he frowned again and asked:
"In prison, one person constantly interrogated me. He told me to reveal the location of father's 100,000 Crows. I don't know what it's about. Can you tell me what happened, sir?"
Lan Ruo Ting sighed and said:
"That was my cunning plan. Only because of it did the Prince have to suffer."