The next day, the court's letter of appointnt arrived.
The one for Song Shi'an as Magistrate of Shuofeng County was delivered directly to the Scholar's Inn.
And he could finally leave that place.
He was going ho.
The main gate of the Song Estate was open.
Of course, during the dayti, the side gate was also open.
But Song Shi'an didn't even think about it and entered through the main gate.
"Young Master Shi'an has returned—"
The gate servant rembered Song Gan's instructions and announced his arrival warmly.
After all, even soone without eyes could see that Song Jing's anger had completely dissipated.
Upon hearing this news, Jiang-shi, who had already cried herself into a state, ca running out and grabbed his hand: "You child, are you really trying to worry your mother to death!"
She didn't understand the court's situation, and she had even less concept of warfare, but going to the front lines at this ti after a defeat—how dangerous that must be, how could she not know in her heart?
Even though Song Jing had already comforted her and analyzed so 'facts' about how it wasn't actually that dangerous.
"Mother, you must take care of your health."
Song Shi'an, who had been embraced by Jiang-shi the mont he entered the estate, held her arms with both hands and smiled.
"You are your mother's life. Now you're going to such a dangerous place, how can your mother take care?" Raising her head to look at this tall, handso son, Jiang-shi said with a catch in her voice, "Can you really not avoid going? I heard... Shuofeng is a place where nine out of ten die."
"The appointnt has already been issued. If I don't go, wouldn't that be deceiving the emperor?"
After Song Shi'an asked this in return, he leaned close to Jiang-shi's ear and said in a low voice: "Mother, the Emperor is also sending his own son there. Would he let him go to his death for nothing?"
"..."
Jiang-shi froze.
This one sentence was more useful than all of Song Jing's consolations.
When it ca to her own flesh and blood, Jiang-shi found it harder to part than anyone.
Although that Sixth Prince wasn't favored, even a vicious tiger doesn't eat its cubs.
Wasn't the Emperor's son even more 'precious' than her own?
Right, would the Emperor let his son go to his death for nothing?
"This trip is to earn rit for the Sixth Prince. So, as long as I go along, I'll be able to share in the wealth and honor." Song Shi'an continued to deceive her.
"Son, your mother doesn't need you to have wealth and honor, your mother only needs you safe and sound." Jiang-shi looked at him with extre reluctance, still full of worry.
She knew that Song Shi'an was doing this to earn rit so that he and she could hold their heads high in the Song Estate.
But for a concubine who had nothing but her son, wealth and dignity weren't so indispensable.
"Mother, rest assured. As a civil official, I won't stick my neck out for anything. If sothing happens, I'll definitely shrink to the back. I'll just wait to return ho safely together with the Sixth Prince."
"You must do this, you absolutely must do this, understand?"
"Your son understands. Pack up so clothes for . Later I'll go report to the training grounds, and tomorrow I'll depart with the army."
The army's departure wouldn't wait for anyone, so generally the night before, all accompanying civil officials would lodge with the military camp.
"So soon? Then Mother will pack for you."
Seeing this, Jiang-shi hurried back to her room to pack Song Shi'an's belongings.
At this mont, he raised his head and looked toward the main residence.
Song Jing and Madam Cui were standing at the base of the steps. Madam Cui's expression was sowhat gloomy, but it was obvious she was restraining her emotions.
Beside the two of them stood Song Qin and Song Ce in silence.
That girl not yet fifteen stood there like a lackey.
Thinking about how her hand had been beaten into a pig's trotter that day and she'd been punished by kneeling in the courtyard for half the day, Song Qin's brow furrowed deeply as she glared at the instigator, extrely displeased.
I kindly passed on a ssage for him, and he dared to trick !
Song Shi'an walked over and bowed to Song Jing. Because Madam Cui was standing right beside him, whether or not he showed her equal respect was extrely subtle.
Song Jing walked down, taking a few steps forward. After reaching Song Shi'an's side, he asked: "To defend Shuofeng, nothing but extre asures will work. You must have thought of an extre path, correct?"
"Father is wise."
Song Shi'an nodded, imdiately acknowledging it.
"I won't ask what thod."
Song Jing had a vague guess, but he showed no fear. Looking at this determined child, he said solemnly: "Do what you must."
The Song clan with its several hundred years of history couldn't possibly fall because of this.
"Thank you, Father."
Song Shi'an cupped his fists with both hands, his tone earnest and forceful.
He actually hadn't expected this father to 'love' him more than he'd imagined.
Because the Song clan could have remained indifferent and minimized their losses.
And with this solid promise, his determination to seek wealth and honor for the family could be a bit more firm.
"Shi'an, here are your clothes and luggage, and so dicinal salves and bandages... though you definitely won't need them."
After taking the bundle from Jiang-shi, Song Shi'an smiled gently, cupping her face with his hands and smiling quite tenderly: "Mother, I'm leaving now."
"So soon?" Jiang-shi reluctantly tried to keep him. "At least eat a al first."
"If I go early, I can build good relationships with the soldiers." Song Shi'an said.
"That's good, get close to those military guards." Jiang-shi instructed earnestly, "In the bundle is all of Mother's savings... distribute them all to them."
After she finished speaking, Song Jing looked at him and suddenly reminded: "Captain Zhu, you can completely trust."
What did this an?
Song Shi'an didn't quite understand. Why suddenly bring this up?
But seeing Song Jing's sowhat subtle expression of disdain for his 'slowness,' he had a sudden realization.
Oh, he'd been bribed!
That's settled then. With Forbidden Army guards, I can feel even more at ease about taking risks.
"Your son understands. Father, Mother, I'm leaving."
After saying this final sentence, Song Shi'an was finally about to depart.
However, before leaving, he beckoned to Song Qin and Song Ce.
The two of them walked over with confused expressions.
Suddenly, a pair of hands pulled them together.
One on the left, one on the right, Song Shi'an's hands resting on their shoulders, he said gently: "Big brother will always love you."
"..."
Both Song Jing and Madam Cui were dumbfounded.
And the hearts of these siblings skipped a beat in unison.
Abruptly, they felt inexplicably moved.
Clearly their relationship hadn't been that good before—in fact, they were barely even acquainted—but this sudden statent forcibly twisted that familial bond into an invisible thread...
The mont he released them and turned around, the bewildered dragon-phoenix twins suddenly felt guilty attachnt.
Silly children, you've read too little family literature.
The mont he stepped out of the family gate, Song Shi'an's mood completely emptied.
It was like a fish entering the vast sea, a bird soaring into the azure sky, free from the restraints of nets and cages.
Wei Wusheng, I'm coming.
………
Imperial City Military Camp.
Commander of the Five Offices' headquarters.
Money, cloth, and rice—nearly a hundred boxes in total—had been transported here by Zhao Yi the previous night under the guise of routine supply transport.
He then explained to Wei Wusheng that this was military provisions the Prince of Wu had raised using the Prince's Estate's family wealth, gifted to him to reward the families of the departing soldiers. He hoped he wouldn't inform His Majesty, and if asked, he should say it was donated by a patriotic wealthy rchant who sought no reward.
Looking at these provisions, Wei Wusheng was silent for a long ti.
"What is the Prince of Wu's intent in this?" Xinyue didn't understand.
"Fourth Brother is making a show for His Majesty, trying to compete for reputation." Wei Wusheng said with amusent.
"Then how does doing it secretly compete for reputation?"
"His Majesty's Jinyiwei are spread throughout the entire city. Could he not know about nearly a hundred boxes of military supplies being transported to the barracks?"
Wei Wusheng had long seen through his two brothers' personalities.
One was dignified, the other virtuous.
But regardless of which one, he couldn't afford to offend either.
"I'll submit a secret morial to His Majesty, reporting this matter truthfully. Of course, I'll also convey Fourth Brother's instruction not to leak this."
"Your Highness, it seems the Prince of Wu intends to win you over." Xinyue reminded.
"Fourth Brother gifted these for two reasons: first, for reputation; second, in case I have even the slightest chance of returning, I might beco part of the Wu Prince faction."
Slowly turning his head to look at Xinyue, Wei Wusheng said resolutely: "But we are loyal only to His Majesty, belonging to no faction or clique."
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