Chapter 130: Song Shi'an Puts the Emperor in Check |
"Young Master Song-daren, I've brought your meal."
Outside the prison, a jailer held a tray with both hands, containing a bowl of water and two cold steamed buns.
"Mm."
Sitting calmly in the cell with straw spread on the ground, Song Shi'an was completely composed.
The jailer opened the door, brought the meal before him, and knelt down on one knee, saying anxiously, "Song-daren, apart from the Imperial Prison, the food in all other jails is the same. Without special instructions, we can't provide anything special."
The two mentions of "special" referred to bribes and extra meals.
This was the Court of Judicial Review, a place where officials were imprisoned.
Everyone held here was an official, or someone involved in cases related to officials.
The food was actually somewhat better compared to the ordinary prisons of the various district commandants.
As long as the crime wasn't capital, family visits were permitted. With a little bribery, food could be sent in under inspection and supervision.
Why did no one help Song Shi'an get "special treatment"?
The entire Song household had been arrested.
But it didn't matter. Not to mention having experienced Shuofeng, anyone who'd been through the high school cafeterias of Shanhe Four Provinces rarely picked at their food.
"No problem."
Song Shi'an didn't care at all and directly picked up a bun to gnaw on.
Worried about poison?
Only when the Emperor wanted to cover his tracks would he have someone poisoned to death in the Court of Judicial Review.
And if the Emperor truly wanted someone dead, there was no way they could survive anyway.
However, even though the Emperor held the power of life and death over all, it didn't stop Song Shi'an from forcing his hand step by step.
It really didn't matter.
Don't treat emperors of the fragmentation era too much like emperors.
If he really killed him, then the Wei clan could go play by themselves.
At the same time, Northern Liang would belong to Ji Yuan.
If he was killed upon returning to the capital, then the Yixin members would wake up the next day to find their ID cards had all changed nationality to 'Qi.'
"Song-daren." As he gnawed on the bun, the jailer lowered his voice. "Today's interrogation—Laoye Song already knows about it."
Oh, the message got through.
"Mm?" Song Shi'an was curious.
Without changing a single word, the jailer relayed: "Laoye Song wanted me to tell you that he already knows, he's well in prison, no need to worry."
Seems my father is also a man of dignity.
If he dared to go all-in against the Emperor, he certainly wouldn't fear this small affront.
I'm not doing a one-time deal.
If the world's scholar-officials thought Song Shi'an was someone without backbone, who let Little Wei shoulder all responsibility, who would do anything for wealth and honor—that would be quite a loss.
Even if I actually obtained wealth and honor in the end.
I've already taken down Shuofeng—can't I earn money while standing tall?
The only thing is, the Emperor hates Little Wei too much.
Logically speaking, with such a gutsy son who at twenty-one personally rode to meet the opposing emperor, he should just let go completely. They're all sons—why must it be the Prince of Wu or Prince of Jin who does it?
Honestly, Song Shi'an truly knew the reason.
He understood Old Wei like a farmer understood rice.
"Good, I know." Song Shi'an raised his head, looking at the jailer crouched before him, and smiled. "What's your name?"
This question made the jailer's body stiffen with fright.
Working at the Court of Judicial Review and secretly passing messages to criminals was already a grave offense, a capital crime—how could he leave his name?
But he was brave.
Looking at Song Shi'an, the jailer's eyes were resolute: "In reply to Song-daren, this lowly one is called Zhu Amang."
"Good, noted."
Song Shi'an responded gently.
The other man stood up and left with utmost respect.
That Zhu Amang's pants are a bit loose.
Mm, should pull them up a bit.
But these were all trivial matters.
Holding the bun, Song Shi'an gazed outside the cell, his expression solemn as he murmured, "Little Wei, you have to hang in there too."
………
Chen Bao bore a very heavy mission.
The Emperor wanted to test Wei Wusheng.
But the Emperor couldn't possibly come himself to say it, he could only have him do it.
To do such an absurd thing.
Was this test useful?
It was useful.
It could determine whether Wusheng truly had treasonous intent.
But for this case, it had no advancement whatsoever.
This old fox was clearer than anyone that Wei Wusheng couldn't possibly be in trouble, and moreover, because of the Prince of Wu's memorial, he would even be enfeoffed as a prince. Song Shi'an also couldn't possibly be in trouble—the Dream-Fulfilling Traitor had already become the Dream-Fulfilling Virtuous Minister.
The Emperor was just giving Wei Wusheng a show of power.
Actually, he'd already given it.
The moment the secret imperial edict Qin Kuo carried was exposed, Little Wei had been reminded: The Emperor greatly dislikes you and greatly distrusts you.
Now interrogating him like this was equivalent to doing it openly again.
So would Wusheng resent the Emperor who made this decision, or would he obediently follow the Emperor's instructions and be a diligent eunuch conducting tests?
This life, treading on thin ice.
Can I make it to the other shore?
He didn't know. He had already arrived at the Court of Imperial Clan Affairs.
In an inner hall, Wei Wusheng sat in his seat.
Here, only Chen Bao and him remained.
"This servant pays respects to Sixth Prince."
Chen Bao smiled as he bowed.
"Eunuch Chen is well."
Wei Wusheng greeted him quite amiably, appearing so kind and lovely.
"Many thanks to Sixth Prince." After expressing gratitude, Chen Bao returned to the main topic. "Your Highness, the testimony from Song Shi'an's interrogation has come out."
Hearing this, he was clearly energized.
There was nervous emotion, but not obviously.
Chen Bao, who had served the Emperor for so many years, was best at reading people's expressions.
Reading people, he could accurately judge nine out of ten.
The remaining one wasn't that he couldn't see through them, but that seeing through them was useless.
Once certain people reached a certain level, they were basically invincible.
Like the Duke of Li.
The composure of the highly positioned.
Even if you saw through them, what could you do? It was impossible to manipulate them.
That day, the Emperor had a somewhat pleading tone when he asked him to go to battle, but without a second thought, he directly refused.
As if saying:
We're all old bones now. If I go and win, will you feel at ease?
For your good, and for my good.
But Little Wei—he could manipulate him now.
"What did he say?" Wei Wusheng asked.
"In reply to Your Highness."
Calmly, Chen Bao said, "The Court of Judicial Review interrogated all afternoon. Song Shi'an's testimony is basically consistent with yours."
As he spoke, Chen Bao's eyes watched Wei Wusheng's eyes.
If the two of them had agreed beforehand that each would shoulder their own responsibility with completely opposite testimonies, then his answer would provoke two reactions.
First, surprise.
Surprise at why Song Shi'an didn't do as they had agreed.
Second, also surprise.
He was certain Song Shi'an would do as agreed, so why would this grand eunuch lie? This must be the Emperor testing him!
No matter how brilliant a strategist, no matter how meticulous the arrangements, it was impossible to cover everything.
He could anticipate that Song Shi'an would be interrogated separately from him.
But who could have imagined the Emperor would suddenly pull this move, deliberately setting up a psychological trap to test him?
Even if! Even if Song Shi'an was monstrous enough to calculate even this step, when actually questioned like this, could a twenty-one-year-old child truly manage to show not a single flaw?
Absolutely impossible.
"Then the truth has come to light, hasn't it?"
The earlier trace of tension became relaxation, and Wei Wusheng replied quite casually.
"According to procedure, that is indeed the case." Chen Bao said, "Then Your Highness, is there anything you want to ask? Or do you want to go see His Majesty and say something in person?"
"Eunuch Chen, I'd like to ask." Wei Wusheng smiled. "Since that's the case, will Song Shi'an be released from prison soon?"
"Yes, Your Highness." Chen Bao answered honestly.
"Good, then there's nothing else to say."
Little Wei shook his head.
"Then this servant will take his leave."
"Eunuch Chen, go slowly."
After Chen Bao bowed, he left the Court of Imperial Clan Affairs.
Leaving only Wei Wusheng sitting alone in the chair.
As agreed, according to plan, Song Shi'an's testimony matched his own, and he would be quickly released.
He himself bore all responsibility and would receive the Emperor's public censure at court, but when the Emperor disciplines his son, all the officials would certainly put on a show of dissuading him, pleading on his behalf. The matters of mobilizing troops and unauthorized appointments would thus be lightly dismissed.
The two of them could meet again very soon.
He smiled.
But the smile was very stiff.
Looking at the deep scar in the palm of his left hand, after a long while, he shook his head to himself.
No, I can't think like this.
It was I who strongly demanded that Song Shi'an push all responsibility onto me. He just did as I asked.
If I became displeased because of this, wouldn't that be hypocritical?
Wei Wusheng knew clearly he wasn't displeased.
Since birth, Wusheng had only had himself.
And Wusheng also wished someone could speak a word for him...
………
"Your Majesty, Sixth Prince doesn't know."
After returning to the imperial palace, Chen Bao reported to the Emperor.
With this statement, the Emperor also had his answer.
But still, he asked: "Are you certain?"
"In reply to Your Majesty, this servant is certain." Chen Bao said, "When this servant said Song Shi'an and Sixth Prince's testimonies were consistent, His Highness showed no surprise, no anxiety, no flaws. Moreover, there was a momentary flash of disappointment."
The Emperor nodded.
Then he lightly tapped the armrest of the dragon throne.
The height of his falling fist grew higher and higher.
Slowly, he stood up.
Walking forward, walking, he suddenly turned back, pointed at Chen Bao, his tone agitated: "Just how much does this Song Shi'an love this son of mine?"
Chen Bao quickly lowered his head, not daring to speak.
"Without prior consultation, he's willing to risk his life to take the blame for my son!"
"He wants to force me to bring Wusheng to the forefront!"
"Loyally and devotedly becoming Wusheng's faction." The Emperor asked rhetorically, "Why—would there be no wealth and honor following the Prince of Wu? He insists on choosing the son I like least!"
Song Shi'an had made his move.
The Emperor couldn't intimidate Wei Wusheng anymore.
Instead, he'd made him bear a grudge.
But the Emperor had no recourse.
"I should kill this arrogant thing! All the officials and meritorious nobility are hoping for his death! If I want him dead, I'll face no obstruction!"
Raising his finger and forcefully bringing it down, after the Emperor finished his harsh words, he immediately continued: "But if I kill him, all of Northern Liang will rebel! If I kill him, I'll have to kill Song Jing and slaughter the entire Song clan. Then no one in this realm will be willing to risk their lives for my Wei clan! I cannot kill him!"
Old Emperor really wanted to support Song Shi'an!
Old Emperor really wanted to kill Song Shi'an!
Old Emperor could kill Song Shi'an!
Old Emperor couldn't kill Song Shi'an!
"Your Majesty!" Hurriedly, Chen Bao knelt on the ground, trembling as he said loudly, "Prince of Wu can control Sixth Prince and Song Shi'an!"
"A prince cannot command another prince. If he can't control them, the Prince of Wu will be the first to die! When he has the ability to kill the Prince of Wu, the Prince of Jin will be second to die!"
Suddenly, the Emperor's body trembled.
Closing his eyes and supporting his forehead with his hand, he seemed to see that dream coming true.