Song Hong acted out of an overwhelming emotion for a mont and couldn’t help but cry out. Now, with Gu Changqing’s reminder, he quickly ca to his senses.
He took a deep breath: "So, what should we do?"
Gu Changqing pondered and said, "I’ve always had suspicions in my heart, and once, when my mother was sick at ho, I took the opportunity to subtly inquire about His Majesty’s health from Director Du when he visited. Director Du has always been tight-lipped and didn’t reveal a thing, only saying that His Majesty is healthy."
"You know, it’s a grave cri for a subject to pry into the sovereign’s health. I couldn’t ask much more. Fortunately, from what I’ve seen in the Imperial Court every day, His Majesty looks fine, so I dared not think much of it. If Lord Qin hadn’t sent this letter, I probably wouldn’t have thought much of it either."
Song Hong clutched the letter, his face exceedingly grim: "If His Majesty indeed has trouble, how could we not have caught wind of it? Given His Majesty’s competence, he should be able to get a ssage to us, shouldn’t he?"
This is also what puzzles Gu Changqing greatly. With the current Emperor’s abilities, should he truly encounter misfortune, it’s unlikely that no rumors would escape.
If Qin Bohan hadn’t been ticulous and cautious, noticing sothing amiss from that Little Chamberlain, no one might have realized there was a problem until now.
The Emperor’s attitude is also quite peculiar. Given their years of understanding, if he really didn’t want his subjects to know, his skills would be such that not a whisper would leak out.
Why does it seem that the Little Chamberlain deliberately let people discover this?
Both Gu Changqing and Song Hong are trusted by the Emperor, and they know him quite well. Yet, after discussing for quite a while, they couldn’t figure out what the Emperor truly ant.
However, since they perceived sothing amiss, they naturally couldn’t sit idly by and do nothing.
They had to co up with a way to investigate the situation.
In this aspect, it was naturally people on Song Hong’s side who were more capable. At this mont, Song Hong did not feign ignorance; he rely nodded to indicate that he understood and that this matter was now his responsibility.
As for Gu Changqing, he planned to pry so information from Du Zhongjing, for only he could freely enter and exit the Imperial Palace.
He didn’t expect him to reveal the current reality within the palace, but even a re hint that could put their minds at ease would satisfy them.
The two of them were not indecisive people. They soon established their roles and settled on a plan.
anwhile, Song Wu delivered the mountain boar at to the kitchen, instructing the kitchen to cook it right away.
The kitchen, hearing it was a rare delicacy from Saibei, hesitated and dared not act on their own, asking Song Wu to call the person who delivered the New Year’s gift for so guidance first.
Song Wu also knew that Lord Gu seldom visited unless there was sothing to discuss with his Lord Duke, so he took this reason to linger in the kitchen for a while.
Estimating the ti was about right, he instructed the tea room to prepare fine tea and snacks, and followed them to the front courtyard.
Song Wu’s timing was impeccable. By the ti he arrived with the servants carrying the tea and snacks, Gu Changqing and Song Hong had already finished their discussion.
Both of them appeared nonchalant, engaging in banter, mostly saying things like, "See how my niece honors ; you don’t have that, do you?"
"These things don’t catch my eye; I’ve seen so much more in Saibei. Only you would think they’re treasures!"
"Bah! That’s just sour grapes—"
Such aningless chatter continued.
With the conversation reaching this point, since Gu Changqing had agreed to stay at the Song Family for a al, he sat firmly, not planning to leave.
Reflecting on it now, carrying over ten pounds of boar at just to find a pretext to visit seed a bit excessive to him.
His own family only got twenty pounds, and he brought over ten pounds here. Upon returning, his wife likely wouldn’t even let him taste a piece.
If he didn’t take this chance to eat at the Song Family, wouldn’t he lose out?
When the mountain boar at was finally served, Gu Changqing took a bite and was imdiately impressed.
He started contemplating whether to take the remaining at back with him.
If he’d known it tasted this good, he would’ve brought sothing else! Feeling sowhat regretful, he ate a few more pieces.
Song Hong, having once stationed at Saibei, had also tasted mountain boar at. The officials would gift him so every year to win his favor.
He understood that this breed was rare and the supply was limited.
Revisiting this familiar flavor after so long left him montarily lost in mories, lowering his head to hide the emotions in his eyes.
Raising his head and upon seeing Gu Changqing like this, he couldn’t help but sneer, "It’s not as if it’s anything special. It’s only rare because it’s scarce and far away. Why make such a fuss?"
Gu Changqing was equally displeased, "You may not value it, but I do! Return the ten pounds of boar at I brought today; I’ll take them ho to eat!"
Song Hong was taken aback, "You’re a high-ranking official in the Imperial Court, can’t you spare a few pounds of at?"
Gu Changqing smirked, "Is that just at? That’s a token of my sister’s affection! Why should it benefit you? If you want to eat, ask your son!"
Song Hong was most vexed by the sharp tongues of these scholars; they really know how to hit where it hurts!
Imdiately slapping the table, he called for Song Wu, "Bring the gift list—"
Song Wu only felt a headache coming on, and with a bitter smile went to retrieve the gift list. Luckily, the people below had gotten used to it; whenever Lord Gu visited, it wasn’t long before their lord would ask to see the gift list.
Hence, it was always prepared, waiting for Song Wu to collect it.
Song Wu took a quick peek at the list outside, ultimately spotting the ntion of mountain boar at on the last page, and finally sighed in relief.
Even though he also knew that with the character of the Wife of the Heir-Apparent, she would never favor one over another in the gift.
However, he was well aware that setting aside the Wife of the Heir-Apparent, even the Heir-Apparent treated Song Hong, his own father, not as well as Lord Gu, the uncle.
Otherwise, why would Lord Gu frequently boast, if not as a reminder to their lord?
Over the years, Song Wu noticed as well that their lord, perhaps due to age, had begun to value his relationship with his son, or perhaps it was because the Heir-Apparent was becoming more capable, thriving even without his father’s support.
Who wouldn’t envy their lord for having such an outstanding son? Everyone says he is blessed!
But their own knew their affairs—over the past few years, the relationship between the Heir-Apparent and their lord had grown increasingly cold.
Initially, there were occasional letters, but now, only during festivals would a greeting letter accompany the holiday gifts. The letter contained no more than a courteous inquiry regarding Song Hong’s health—cold and formal, devoid of any warmth.
It was just that the Wife of the Heir-Apparent knew how to conduct herself, ensuring the delivery of gifts throughout all four seasons of the year, with nothing being amiss.
To outsiders, the Heir-Apparent and his Wife appeared to be extrely filial.
Add to that, after a long ti, one is not a fool—Lady Gao remained in her courtyard all year round, not even appearing during festivals. Who didn’t know she was being confined?
When trouble befell Lady Gao, the concubines and so young masters beca eager, but now, with their lord’s health deteriorating, plus he had already designated the Heir-Apparent as his successor, there was no chance for change.
He even made it clear that once the youngest heir was married, he would divide the household.
Each heir would receive a share of the estate and be allowed to take their concubines to live separately, returning only during festivals to pay their respects.
Now, these young masters in the mansion knew they had no hope, so they were busy currying favor with their lord, hoping they might get a bit more when the estate was divided.
However, one might say sothing not very respectful, but people are base indeed.
The young masters in the house treated their lord with utmost respect, never daring to defy him, yet he found endless fault with them.
Despite their diligent efforts, nothing they did seed right in his eyes.
The Heir-Apparent remained distant, barely acknowledging him, yet the Lord Duke felt this son truly carried a resemblance to his younger days; his interest was piqued, lanting his past wrongs toward the Heir-Apparent.
Song Wu, having been by Song Hong’s side for years, naturally understood his nature. There were no words for his lord’s penchant for inviting his own discomfort.
He presented the gift list to Song Hong, who skimd through it, ignoring all else in his single-minded pursuit of the mountain boar at.
Finally, seeing on the last page that it ntioned fifty pounds of mountain boar at, a slight smirk crossed his lips as he tossed the list in front of Gu Changqing, "My son also honors !"
Gu Changqing glanced at it and imdiately said, "Since your son and daughter-in-law also honor you, return my ten pounds of boar at, and I’ll take it ho to eat!"
Song Hong...
Song Wu...
Are you really willing to cast aside your dignity over ten pounds of boar at, despite being a high-ranking official?
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