Chapter 70 - It's Not Like I'm Your Wife

Fell in the water?

Died of illness?

The same way of death as Zhu Houzhao, Song Yan complained internally. Zhu Houzhao could be considered a bizarre emperor of the Ming Dynasty... well, most of the Ming Dynasty emperors were bizarre.

It is said that he was proficient in many languages, a proper top student. He was also skilled in riding and archery, and had even personally led an expedition to repel the little Mongol prince.

During a southern tour at the age of thirty, he fell into the water at Qingjiangpu. According to unofficial histories, after falling into the water, Zhu Houzhao's health deteriorated day by day.

He had wanted to find his own doctor but was refused, and could only accept the treatment of the Imperial Medical Academy.

And then he was treated to death!

The cause of death was a common cold.

An emperor who was thirty years old, in his prime, and could even personally lead an expedition and win, actually died of a common cold?

An Imperial Medical Academy that couldn't even cure a common cold, and the more they treated it, the worse it got.

It's a bit ridiculous.

As for Emperor Yuanjing, he was the current Ning Emperor's father. Hmm, and also Luo Yuheng's father.

Song Yan glanced at Luo Tianyi and then lowered his eyelids. Today, Luo Tianyi's words were much more numerous than usual. Although she still had a cold and detached appearance, he didn't think that Luo Tianyi had the knowledge and eloquence to say such things.

"Actually, apart from the matter of killing the Prince Consort, Mother's evaluation of His Majesty is still very high."

"He also tried to change some things, and even really accomplished some things. That's why those people are willing to give the emperor a little dignity, as long as their core interests are not touched."

The current emperor is a little smarter than Emperor Yuanjing... no, perhaps it should be said that Emperor Yuanjing's death forced him to become smarter.

At the very least, the current His Majesty should have a force that belongs solely to him, most likely eunuchs, or even palace maids. In short, something within the imperial palace that can protect his safety, which is why he didn't die by falling into the water like Emperor Yuanjing.

But it is clear that it is limited to this. At least he does not have the ability to flip the table.

"But, for the Ning Kingdom, which is already rotten to the core, these changes are far from enough." Luo Tianyi tilted her head, putting on a thoughtful expression.

"In Mother's words, the current Ning Kingdom is like a field overgrown with poisonous weeds. Pulling out one or two stalks is completely useless."

"Perhaps, a single careless move and your hand will be cut by a blade of grass."

"Only by plowing over this entire piece of land can normal crops be grown."

Song Yan's fingers paused slightly. He couldn't help but think of the matter Luo Yuheng had entrusted to him—to secretly manufacture a batch of hand grenades!

Could it be that his mother-in-law wants to use the power of the hand grenades, plus her other preparations, to plow over the entire Ning Kingdom?

To change the sun and moon of this land, to bring about a new heaven!

Is this Luo Yuheng's wild ambition?

He lowered his head and slurped the tofu. The tofu of the Ning Kingdom was not prepared with sugar, as sugar was very expensive. At most, only coarse salt was added, so it was a bit bland. This also had its benefits, in that it wouldn't create a conflict between the 'salt party' and the 'sweet party'. But it did create an 'original flavor party'.

After finishing it in one gulp, there was finally something more in his stomach, and the gurgling feeling lessened quite a bit.

"These words, did Mother tell you them?"

Luo Tianyi shook her head: "I overheard them by accident."

"Don't tell anyone."

What right do you have to command me? It's not like I'm your wife!

Luo Tianyi really wanted to act tough just this once, but seeing Song Yan's extremely serious face, in the end, she just puffed out her cheeks.

"Oh."

She looked up at the sky. It was almost noon, and the sunlight was a bit glaring.

She reckoned that the news of Song Yun's death should soon reach Song Hongtao's ears. Peaceful times like this were probably numbered.

Song Yan took out a slip of paper from his bosom and handed it to Luo Tianyi.

"This afternoon, find an opportunity to give this to Song Zhen, but don't let him see you."

At this time, the yamen runners had already entered the Duke's mansion and, bracing themselves, informed Song Hongtao of Song Yun's death.

Many people testified that Song Hongtao was truly grief-stricken.

After hearing the news of Song Yun's death, Song Hongtao seemed to be frozen in place, standing motionless. Only the flesh on his face twitched, especially the corners of his mouth, which trembled and trembled, as if it were especially difficult to digest this news.

A long time passed, and the Lord Duke seemed to finally be unable to hold it in. He covered his face and wept, returning to his own bedroom. Not long after, a painful wail came from the inner courtyard. Perhaps because he was too sad, the wail was a bit off-key.

Ai, such deep father-son affection.

As for Yang Miaoqing, regarding this woman, the yamen runners just curled their lips, indicating they couldn't comment.

Hearing the news of her own son's death, even though her eyes were rubbed red and swollen, not a hint of a painful expression could be seen on her face.

……

Probably just after the Hour of Wu (11 AM - 1 PM), two yayi also found Song Yan, who was strolling in Songzhou city, and then they met up with the Song family members.

Song Yan was as indifferent as ever. Even upon seeing Song Hongtao, he only gave a simple greeting. As for Yang Miaoqing and Song Zhen, they were directly ignored.

Although Song Zhen's current image was a bit strange, with a white cloth wrapped around his head, as if he were injured.

If this attitude were in the past, Yang Miaoqing and Song Zhen would probably not have been able to tolerate it. They might have already berated him for his impoliteness.

But today, the two were exceptionally quiet. Only Song Zhen would occasionally look at Song Yan and then curl the corners of his lips.

In about a quarter of an hour, the carriage stopped in front of the prefectural yamen. A group of people was already waiting at the gate.

Seeing Song Hongtao get out of the carriage, they swarmed over, speaking in grave tones, saying things like 'our condolences.'

From their forms of address, one could roughly determine these people's identities.

The man in his thirties with a wisp of a goatee and a lack of expression on his face should be the Songzhou Vice Magistrate, Ji Cheng, in charge of criminal law.

The man in his early forties, thin and tall, must be the Songzhou Vice Prefect, Lu Zhao. This person seemed to be a former fellow student of Song Hongtao's second brother, Song Jincheng.

The plump man who always had a smile on his face no matter what, and looked more like a merchant than an official, was the Songzhou Sima, Wu Xiao.

As for the last person, from his position, one could tell he was the highest-ranking among the four. He was sturdy and tall, with a proper square face. The other three were somewhat reserved when facing Song Hongtao, but only this person's expression was normal.

This was the legitimate son of the Fang family, the Provincial Governor of Song Prefecture, Fang Hai.

Besides the Prefect, all the big shots of the entire Songzhou city had basically arrived.

After exchanging a few brief pleasantries, Fang Hai patted Song Hongtao's shoulder:

"Brother Song, you need to be mentally prepared. Don't be overly grieved when you see your virtuous nephew. Please go inside."

Generally, cases involving a human life required an autopsy by a coroner. And for an autopsy, the vast majority of the deceased's family members were quite resistant. Not only did they have to be turned over and examined, but a knife might also be used.

In the eyes of an ordinary person, this was simply desecrating the corpse, giving them no peace even in death.

But this time, the situation was special, so they could only temporarily bring the body back to the yamen and place it in a side courtyard.

Along the way, there were no more words.

Song Zhen's body had already begun to tremble uncontrollably. His face was flushed red, his throat full of wheezing gasps. His two eyes were bulging, as if they were about to pop out of their sockets.

The corners of his mouth would rise from time to time, and then be suppressed, as if he were having a spasm.

He was already getting a little impatient.

Finally, they entered the side hall. Looking up, he saw a corpse with twisted limbs on the floor not far away. Some wooden planks were laid out beneath the corpse.

Soaked in rainwater for a whole night, and with today being a stuffy and hot day, in just a short time, the corpse seemed to have already started to decay. Although it wasn't too strong, there was still a faint, strange smell.

The moment he saw Song Yun's corpse, Song Zhen's body trembled. He felt as if a basin of ice water had been poured over his head with a whoosh. An indescribable chill and fear instantly swept through his entire body.

What was going on? Why was Song Yun's body separated?

The body was placed on the wooden planks on the floor, while the head was placed on a nearby table!

This is impossible! He remembered very clearly, he had only smashed Song Yun's four limbs and chest. Who on earth had cut off this head?

Could it be that after he left, someone else had come to damage the corpse?

If it were just that, it would be one thing. What Song Zhen was most worried about was, when exactly had this person discovered the corpse? Was it after he left... or before?

Boom.

In a daze, it was as if a clap of thunder had exploded in Song Zhen's mind. His entire body trembled violently.

That person, could they have seen the entire process of his assault?

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.