Chapter 98: Song Jing Stands Firm Against the Emperor |
After Song Jing returned to the estate, the entrance was immediately guarded by the Jinyiwei.
Although it would be more secure to have the Imperial Guards surround the entire compound to prevent any possibility of unrest from the Song Estate, this was after all the Song clan of Huai Commandery, not some minor family—this arrangement preserved their dignity.
With these two Jinyiwei standing at the entrance, though it was the scorching heat of summer, the Song Estate's doorway felt as desolate as autumn wind sweeping away fallen leaves—cold and lonely.
At this time, no one dared to have any connection with them.
In the main hall of the Song Estate, Song Jing, Madam Cui, Song Ce—who had just gone through the formalities of promotion and became a Rank 9 official—Song Qin, the only unmarried daughter, and even the concubine Jiang-shi who served as a maid, all knelt on the gleaming wooden floor as if awaiting imprisonment, all assuming the posture of guilty parties.
Thinking about how such prosperous days had been ruined by that beast, Madam Cui could no longer endure it and cursed at Jiang-shi: "It's all your bitch's son's fault! Destroying such a perfectly good..."
"Silence! Have you forgotten what I said?"
Before she could finish, she was sternly rebuked by Song Jing.
She could only bite her lips tightly, filled with resentment.
But Shi'an, what exactly are you doing?
As they waited, several Jinyiwei suddenly appeared at the wide-open hall entrance, all walking quickly.
The one in front was Shen Kang.
Commander of the Jinyiwei, Senior Third Rank.
But this Third Rank position was one that even the First Rank Nine Ministers dared not offend.
"Song-daren."
Shen Kang stood with an upright posture and saluted him.
"Shen-ye."
Song Jing, kneeling on the ground, nodded slightly in response.
Without need for an imperial edict or oral decree, Shen Kang's words were the law: "The Emperor summons Sheng'an Magistrate Song Jing to the palace."
Upon hearing this, the remaining people all became somewhat flustered.
Their expressions filled with worry.
"I obey."
Song Jing slowly rose, bowing to Shen Kang. Before leaving, he turned to look at the others and said: "Ce'er, take good care of your mother and sister."
"..." Tears welled up in Song Ce's eyes as he choked up and nodded, "Father, I will."
Then Song Jing followed Shen Kang and the other Jinyiwei out of the estate, boarded a carriage, and headed toward the imperial palace.
After dismounting outside the palace, he was led by Eunuch Xi to meet the Emperor.
Throughout the journey, he didn't say a single word, completely unlike those officials who, after being summoned by the Emperor, were so frightened their legs trembled, wishing they could wet themselves.
Even Eunuch Xi couldn't help but marvel inwardly at this man's strong psychological fortitude.
Finally, after being searched, he entered Xuanyu Hall.
This was the Emperor's sleeping quarters.
Beyond the screen of the inner chamber, there was still a vast hall. The dragon throne sat right at the front.
Song Jing slowly knelt down, prostrating himself, and kowtowed to the Emperor: "This subject Song Jing pays respects to Your Majesty."
He didn't use the words "guilty subject"?
Even Eunuch Xi, attending at the side, sensed a hint of defiance.
Or rather, this defiance didn't actually exist.
No one could display their strength before the Emperor.
It should be called... composure.
"Song Jing, rise." The Emperor said flatly.
Song Jing slowly stood up, standing before the Emperor with lowered head.
"How much do you know about Song Shi'an's affairs?" The Emperor asked.
"In response to Your Majesty, this subject knows about Song Shi'an's affairs. But regarding Song Shi'an's actions in Shuofeng, this subject has yet to learn of them." Song Jing replied.
The Emperor understood the meaning and said casually: "Oh? You mean Song Shi'an's transfer of the Langya troops to guard the city has nothing to do with you?"
"If Song Shi'an truly did such a thing, then it has much to do with this subject." Song Jing said earnestly, "As his father, I should bear responsibility for all his actions. In fact, even greater responsibility than him."
"Truly did?" Catching this key phrase, the Emperor fixed his gaze on Song Jing and said, "Jingru, look at Zhen."
Song Jing's courtesy name was Jingru.
Song Jing raised his head, following his command, and looked at the Emperor.
The two locked eyes completely.
"You mean to say this matter is false?" The Emperor asked with judgment in his tone.
"In response to Your Majesty, this subject dares not presume rashly." Song Jing said, "But this joint memorial of impeachment has not verified that it was truly signed by Zhang Wen and other powerful families—it could also be forged."
"What if it can be verified?"
"If it can be verified, then it truly was signed by Zhang Wen and other powerful families, and the joint impeachment is real."
"But?"
"But those powerful families may also have colluded to slander him because they wanted to avoid defending the city. Or they may have engaged in collaboration with the enemy, and after being discovered by Shuofeng County Magistrate Song Shi'an, they're making a desperate last stand to confuse the situation."
Song Jing spoke without any wavering in his tone, extremely steady.
"In all the realm, only your son doesn't lie? Only he alone is a loyal subject, a worthy minister?" The Emperor asked in return.
"In response to Your Majesty, my unworthy son doesn't deserve to be called the sole pure and loyal subject. But this subject believes that since it is an impeachment, it should be handled according to Great Yu's laws, investigating clearly step by step."
"There's nothing left to investigate. The army has already been transferred. The Langya military rebellion is right there."
The Emperor gazed at Song Jing's neither servile nor overbearing eyes, pressed his hands on the armrests, slowly sat upright, his gaze leaning forward, his voice cold as frost: "If it wasn't your son who did it, could it have been Zhen's son who did it?"
This heart-piercing question was enough to frighten all subjects into losing their composure.
This was the Emperor's majesty.
No reasoning whatsoever.
This matter required an explanation, distinguishing between the ringleaders and the followers.
Logically speaking, as the supreme commander of this army, Wei Wusheng must be the most direct, most important person responsible.
But the Emperor's son could only be judged by the Emperor himself.
The person who could serve as explanation was only your son, Song Jing's son.
Otherwise, would they randomly find someone without any background, like that Imperial Guard Captain Zhu Qing, to take the fall and silence the mouths of all under heaven?
That wouldn't work.
After serving as the sword for the Emperor that day at Minister Sun's estate, Song Shi'an was inevitably going to be "accused by thousands."
In such circumstances, why didn't the Prince of Jin remain silent but instead had to say something?
Rationally speaking, given the overwhelming momentum, the Song family was certain to fall.
Song Shi'an had offended both the aristocratic families and the meritorious nobility. If the Prince of Jin took a stance at this time, even just going along with the flow, he could win the hearts of all the officials.
Even if it would make Father Emperor uncomfortable.
But the Prince of Wu's faction somehow chose this most adverse moment to speak a word in defense of Song Shi'an despite the pressure from the entire court.
In the Emperor's view, perhaps it was that Minister of Agriculture's son acting on his own.
Of course, the Prince of Wu had to bear the consequences for him.
This was a great gamble, gambling on Father Emperor's heart.
But now, it wasn't quite enough.
The Song family also needed to enter the game.
Facing this heaven's might pressing down like Mount Tai, Song Jing's gaze didn't waver for a moment as he held firm.
Even Eunuch Xi at the side was shocked by this man's defiance.
He actually didn't refute the statement "if it wasn't your son who did it, could it have been Zhen's son who did it?"
As if to say, his son couldn't possibly take all the blame alone.
If the subject's son was guilty, the Emperor's son wasn't innocent either.
"Wusheng—the reason he's named Wusheng, all under heaven knows this. His birth killed his mother."
His body slowly leaned back against the dragon throne. The confrontational atmosphere eased slightly as the Emperor suddenly said: "Every family has disappointing sons. Or rather, sons who give one headaches. Your Song Shi'an should be like that too, right?"
Being asked such a homely topic, Song Jing also relaxed, laughing somewhat awkwardly: "My unworthy son truly was vexing before. He refused to study properly, always going to wine shops with unsavory friends. Once he got completely drunk and fell into a river, nearly drowning."
This amusing anecdote even made the Emperor laugh, then he couldn't help but reminisce: "This is quite similar to Zihuan. He wasn't proper either. However, he was very clever. Among all the princes, Zhen loved him the most."
The Fifth Prince, Prince of Ning.
The prince who died together in the "Crown Prince Rebellion" case.
When he died, he was not yet fourteen years old.
Such hidden pain—no one dared touch it, but the Emperor spoke of it himself.
He and Song Jing had opened their hearts to each other.
"Zhen also heard that before his appointment, Song Shi'an never returned home." The Emperor brought up.
"Before going to the Secretariat, he returned." Song Jing said.
"But no one saw him." The Emperor said.
Such trivial matters—the Emperor wouldn't and had no interest in knowing about them normally.
But now that he mentioned it, the meaning was obvious.
Song Jing replied: "In response to Your Majesty, this subject doesn't know if anyone saw..."
"Long before the examinations, you expelled him from the family."
The Emperor looked at him and said bluntly: "You severed relations long ago, and now these rebellious actions of his—you knew nothing about them. Of course, you can no longer remain in court, and the Song clan will lose its prosperity."
He gave Song Jing a way out—at least a way to survive.
That was to sever the father-son relationship.
The basis would be Song Shi'an's previous series of mad behaviors.
Only by doing this could the officials vent their anger, the imperial prince's blame be removed, and Song Jing's family survive as commoners.
Of course, there was a price.
Song Shi'an would have no support whatsoever. Even if he defended the city, his own father wouldn't acknowledge him—how could he influence the court?
"Your Majesty."
For a "military rebellion," this condition would make one weep with gratitude for the imperial grace. But Song Jing didn't even think before smiling and saying: "Between father and son there are inevitably quarrels. Song Ce is more obedient than Song Shi'an and hasn't caused me any trouble. But they are both this subject's sons, without any difference."
"You'll say the same at the Court of Judicial Review?" The Emperor asked solemnly in return.
"Yes." Song Jing said.
"You won't admit guilt?" The Emperor asked.
"I won't."
This two-character reply, coming from a subject, was already outrageously bold.
What Song Jing insisted on was not using his son to take the blame for the Emperor's son.
Seeing him like this, the Emperor showed no anger: "Song-daren, very good. This time, your life is in your son's hands. If he's a traitor, you and your entire family will be buried with him."
Song Jing showed no fear whatsoever.
"If he is a loyal subject."
The Emperor's expression was solemn as he promised: "The Song clan of Huai Commandery will come to the forefront."