Front courtyard of Duke Weiguo Residence.
Song Hong had just sent off Gu Changqing, who insisted on taking the wild boar at he brought with him, and turned to ask coldly, "No letter from the Master Heir-Apparent?"
Song Wu lowered his head: "Considering the ti, the Master Heir-Apparent is currently negotiating with the people from the grasslands. It’s a crucial mont in the military camp, so it’s definitely forbidden to send ssages out. However, the Wife of the Heir-Apparent did send a letter back with the New Year gifts, but it was for Madam, and it has already been delivered to her."
Song Hong glanced at Song Wu: "What did the letter say?"
Song Wu accurately recited the letter Wang Yongzhu wrote to Lady Gao without missing a word.
Song Hong was silent for half a day and remarked, "Perhaps Lady Gao didn’t expect that in the end, it was the Eldest Brother and his wife, whom she once dealt with, who still showed her so kindness."
In the days Lady Gao was confined, he watched coldly as everyone in the residence felt sorry for Lady Gao.
No matter how Lady Gao was, at least when she was acting as the legitimate mother, she treated everyone equally and never mistreated them, yet when Lady Gao was confined, no one visited or inquired about her.
The ban he issued did prohibit Lady Gao’s people from going out, but it never prevented anyone from visiting Lady Gao.
Because of this and more, witnessing Lady Gao’s current plight, how could Song Hong not feel disheartened?
He couldn’t help but ask another question: "After reading the letter, how did Lady Gao react?"
Song Wu respectfully replied, "Madam was very pleased upon receiving the Wife of the Heir-Apparent’s letter, reading it several tis. Everyone in Madam’s courtyard was also delighted and decided to use the New Year gifts sent by the Wife of the Heir-Apparent to cook a nice al for Madam tonight!"
Song Hong stayed silent again, and after a long while, he shifted the topic: "Have Song Shisan co here!"
Song Wu was startled, knowing full well that if Song Shisan was to be summoned, it must be a serious matter.
Could it be sothing about the Capital City?
Recalling the circumstances of the Gu family elder’s visit today, Song Wu had an ominous feeling.
Nonetheless, he nodded agreeably.
In Song Hong’s study.
Song Shisan seed to blend into the night, standing in the darkness, and if not looked at carefully, he couldn’t be spotted at all.
Song Hong, with a stern face, instructed: "Select a few fine talents from those under your command, and secretly send them to the Eldest Brother. As for the remaining elites, investigate what exactly is happening in the Imperial Palace. Have any unfamiliar people appeared around His Majesty the Emperor? Are there any suspicious activities within the palace? Leave no stone unturned, investigate everything!"
Typically, Song Shisan never argued with Song Hong’s orders. Today, after hearing the command, he hesitated for a mont before speaking: "Master, if we act against the Imperial Palace and alarm those within, I’m afraid—"
Song Hong sneered: "It seems sothing might have happened to His Majesty. If we don’t investigate, what if sothing happens to His Majesty? The Ninth Prince is just a child; what can he do? The Crown Prince and the Second Prince—one has married a daughter from the Ruan Family, the other colludes with Duke Qiguo."
"If they rise to power, our Duke Weiguo Residence will beco a thorn in their side, and our days will beco difficult, and we won’t be able to secure ourselves. Since this is the case, if executed well, we could earn rit for saving the throne, allowing you all to live openly without anxiety, reducing His Majesty’s suspicion towards us."
Song Shisan remained silent for a while before speaking: "Understood, I will make the arrangents now. In the chaos, I’ll send the selected talents, along with those ant to be dispatched, to the border."
Song Hong knew Song Shisan understood his intentions and waved him off to proceed.
Watching Song Shisan disappear into the night, Song Hong sat silently at his desk for half a day.
He had a bold suspicion he dared not voice in front of Gu Changqing, nor ntion to his subordinates.
Based on his understanding of the Emperor, this might be a trap set by the Emperor, knowing the Emperor is aware of the retained Hidden Guards in their hos among others who rose through military achievents.
People acted cautiously, never giving the Emperor a handle to grasp, so it continued to exist.
But how could an Emperor tolerate a power on his ground that he couldn’t control? Naturally, he would try to eliminate it.
Song Hong realized that under the current circumstances, the existence of these Hidden Guards was indeed inappropriate, yet finding a way to turn covert actions into overt operations was difficult.
Better to take this opportunity, aligning with the Emperor’s desires as an expression of Duke Weiguo Residence’s loyalty.
As for the Hidden Guards, as long as the original thod of training remains, and with those initially trained and good talents available, they could be shifted during chaos to Chicheng County, handed over to Song Chongjin without anyone noticing.
In his mind, he pondered over the plan repeatedly, ensuring all details were clear. Only then did Song Hong let out a sigh of relief.
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