Secluded courtyard.
Governor Chen and Zhu Haoran sat facing each other in the flower hall. All the people in the courtyard were cleared out. Guards stationed at the gate and surrounding the courtyard in the night ensured that the place was impenetrable.
Zhu Haoran rhythmically tapped his fingers on the table, "The people below have reported already. Xu You suddenly accepted a commission from the Wu Family in Jing County nine years ago to enlighten Wu Family’s son, Wu Zhongbao. Coincidentally, he also took Song Chongjin as a disciple. Xu You returned to the Capital City five years later."
"In this way, the tiline matches. Xu You indeed stayed in Jing County for five years."
"What is the background of the Wu Family?" Governor Chen asked, his eyes closed, his right hand turning the jade thumb ring on his left hand as he leaned back in the chair.
In the darkness, a voice sounded: "The Madam of the Wu Family’s maiden ho is a teacher at Changqing Academy. She was acquainted with Xu You during the sa county examination session. Wu Family’s only son Wu Zhongbao disliked studying, causing many teachers to leave. Eventually, Madam Wu had no choice but to ask her family relations to invite Xu You."
"Did Xu You co to Jing County because he discovered sothing?" Zhu Haoran pondered.
Governor Chen didn’t speak for a long ti, feeling as though he had overlooked sothing.
Zhu Haoran inexplicably thought of Song Chongjin again and snorted coldly: "That Song Family Boy is quite lucky to be enlightened by Xu You. No wonder he managed to pass as a scholar."
Suddenly, Governor Chen’s eyes brightened, and he beca enlightened, "Have you noticed that Song Chongjin seems sowhat familiar?"
Zhu Haoran was stunned: "Familiar?"
After contemplating for a long ti, he finally slapped the table: "I rember now, he resembles Duke Weiguo—"
At this point, he abruptly stopped speaking and turned sharply to look at Governor Chen.
Governor Chen stared back at him.
"Quickly investigate the relationship between Song Chongjin and Duke Weiguo!" Governor Chen instructed towards the darkness.
Soone in the darkness responded and vanished.
Zhu Haoran was still sowhat unable to recover his senses: "Song Chongjin, Song Hong—Qi City, Qi City—That’s right, Qi City, Duke Weiguo, Song Hong received His Majesty’s secret order, to first go to Qi City to explore the private mine case. I only went to handle the matter after receiving the information. My whereabouts are consistently confidential. How did Song Chongjin learn of my whereabouts and then provide with evidence? Only Duke Weiguo, Song Hong!"
Zhu Haoran felt sothing was amiss after returning and finally figured out the inconsistency.
"What a Duke Weiguo! If Song Chongjin has old ties with him, why take such a roundabout approach? What does this an?" Zhu Haoran couldn’t figure it out.
This Duke Weiguo, Song Hong, is also His Majesty’s confidant, holding high authority, noble lineage from generations. It’s heard that apart from during the previous emperor’s reign when they backed the wrong side and had so tough tis, they’ve always belonged to the top tier aristocrats of the Capital City.
Later, they seized the opportunity to support the current emperor, earning the Song Family the rit of supporting the ascension.
Moreover, they are adept at assisting His Majesty in solving troubles. Duke Weiguo, Song Hong, has always been regarded as a pillar by His Majesty, deeply appreciated by Him.
How would they be involved with a rural scholar like Song Chongjin? Zhu Haoran couldn’t comprehend.
Governor Chen vaguely recalled an incident from years ago.
Back then, he was still a junior clerk beside His Majesty at the Prince Mansion and knew of the Qi Family.
Qi Family’s elderly lord was a Grand Scholar, their family among the most respectable civil officials, renowned for their integrity. Qi Family’s elder lord had only one granddaughter, who reportedly was betrothed to the current Duke Weiguo, Song Hong.
Later, an incident occurred in the Qi Family, their ho was seized, all male mbers exiled a thousand miles away, female mbers sold as official servants, and the prestigious Qi Family vanished overnight.
It was later rumored that the young lady of the Qi Family had been redeed, and there were whispers that Duke Weiguo, Song Hong, was responsible for the redemption.
But then, Song Hong married the daughter of County Monarch Rongyi, and news of the Qi Family young lady disappeared.
Xu You was once a student of Scholar Qi and was implicated due to the Qi Family incident, unable to partake in imperial examinations. Later, sohow, he beca a staff officer to Duke Weiguo, Song Hong, otherwise they wouldn’t have known about Xu You.
Connecting all these matters, Governor Chen had an astonishing conjecture, couldn’t help but inhale sharply.
Seeing Zhu Haoran still confused, Governor Chen suppressed his chaotic thoughts.
Zhu Haoran had recently ascended quickly into His Majesty’s favor, and naturally was not aware of the old matters concerning the Capital City.
Having no entanglents with those people from back then allowed him to focus on serving His Majesty.
Why did they send here? Governor Chen shuddered, not daring to think deeper.
Now only wait for the people below to investigate the true relationship between Duke Weiguo, Song Hong, and the scholar nad Song Chongjin.
As for other matters, let the motivated young ones, like Zhu Haoran, handle them.
With this in mind, Governor Chen peacefully closed his eyes again.
※※※
anwhile, at the Song Family Courtyard.
Imperial Doctor Du had already returned ho.
Only Old Granny Zhang and Wang Yongzhu with the others remained, looking at each other, at a loss for words.
Due to Song Chongjin willingly confessing his identity to Imperial Doctor Du earlier, Doctor Du was stunned for a mont, then reassessed Song Chongjin and sighed: "On closer inspection, your eyebrows and eyes indeed resemble the Grand Scholar Qi of those days, but you actually resemble Duke Weiguo even more."
After saying that, he waved it off: "The old matters are best left unntioned, let’s talk about current affairs. I estimate Governor Chen has already recognized sowhat, and they will likely look into your background these few days. Whether you can hide it or not is uncertain."
"Being unable to keep it hidden doesn’t matter; to them, it’s not sothing significant. At most, it’s leverage against Duke Weiguo, potentially useful in the future. For now, they maintain good ties with Duke Weiguo, being highly regarded ministers by His Majesty. Even if it’s a performance for His Majesty, they must show profound companionship, so it’s currently not a concern!"
"As for the matter of apprenticeship, since Governor Chen ntioned it, it should be resolved within these days. I assu they have learned a bit about you, but that isn’t significant, and with as your ntor, they will have to show so respect! These days, try to avoid being in their presence; once they depart Jing County, within a few days, who will rember you?"
Imperial Doctor Du carefully advised.
Both Wang Yongzhu and Song Chongjin understood the importance and nodded obediently.
"Alright, as long as you’re aware! No matter the purpose of the two officials, just refrain from getting involved! I’ll go discuss with your ntor’s wife, you also prepare yourselves, I’ll send soone to inform you once the date is fixed. Also, try not to go out during these days, alright?" Imperial Doctor Du specifically looked at Wang Yongzhu.
Wang Yongzhu agreed compliantly.
Only then did Imperial Doctor Du feel reassured and got up to bid farewell.
Wang Yongzhu and Song Chongjin saw him off to the carriage before returning.
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