Xie Heng rarely went out to visit others, for he was a craftsman by origin, once illiterate and coarse in speech, always prone to embarrassment. Some even mocked that his rough, calloused, and withered hands could scrape off the pristine white glaze from a wine cup.
Thus, even after all these years, Xie Heng had truly never set foot in places like a prince’s residence.
But Songyin’s words made sense—he couldn’t just send a servant to brush off the Old Imperial Uncle. Having already offended him, such perfunctory treatment would surely bring disaster later.
“That pill of yours… isn’t poisonous, is it?” Xie Heng grew cautious.
If what he sent ended up poisoning the Old Imperial Uncle, his entire family would be finished.
Songyin’s lips parted slightly, revealing an indescribable emotion.
Her biological father had some sense of caution—good. But the unfortunate part was that this caution was directed entirely at her. With a temperament like his, how could he be the arrogant villain Jiang Tan’er described?
“I am now a member of the Xie family. If the pill were poisonous, what good would it do me? To die alongside you?” Songyin said helplessly.
Xie Heng’s brow relaxed, and he slapped his forehead: That made sense!
Regardless of the truth, in the eyes of outsiders, Songyin was his daughter. If he, as the father, committed a crime punishable by the extermination of nine clans, his daughter would naturally meet a terrible end as well.
The law of collective punishment was truly wonderful.
“Then I’ll go tomorrow,” Xie Heng coughed dryly, feigning solemnity.
It was just a matter of bowing his head and enduring the prince’s scolding—nothing too serious, not fatal. He could grit his teeth and bear it.
“If the prince asks you how much the pill costs, what will you say?” Songyin, about to return to brew medicine, suddenly turned back to look at Xie Heng and asked.
“That’s a prince—how could we ask for money?” Xie Heng quickly waved his hand. “Inappropriate, inappropriate.”
“You’re right, we can’t ask for money. Then you should say that this pain-relieving medicine… is extremely rare, beyond the measure of silver. If the prince insists you make a wish, don’t hesitate—casually mention that Dàláng has passed the military provincial examination. Do you understand, Father?” Songyin added.
“…” Xie Heng stared at her blankly.
Songyin felt she had explained herself clearly enough. With many tasks still at hand, she didn’t linger further and returned to her courtyard.
Xie Heng and Madam Meng exchanged glances.
“This… she wants us to use this matter to pull strings for Dàláng?” Madam Meng was astonished. “She seems to genuinely care for our family…”
Xie Jiling had passed the military provincial examination with excellent results, but military exams were not as solemn as civil ones. Even as a military jinshi, one couldn’t rise to prominence overnight.
With a military provincial examination background, if one didn’t enter the army, they could only secure a minor official post in the capital, climbing steadily without risk, accumulating seniority, and supporting the family without issue. However, soaring to great heights was highly unlikely unless one excelled at scheming and continuously gained patronage from influential figures.
If one entered the army, they could serve as a deputy general, but most military positions were inherited through family privilege. Those who rose to become generals typically started from the ranks. The military provincial examination held less weight; even as a deputy general, it might only be temporary. If one couldn’t command respect from subordinates, they might remain a mediocre deputy general for life. Yet, even such a deputy general’s position in the army wasn’t easy to secure, as it offered more opportunities for advancement.
“You spoke too soon. That’s a prince we’re talking about. As for this medicine… its effects are still uncertain. Even if it’s good, just because we make a request, does that mean the prince will be willing to give it? I don’t think the prince will even look at me properly. Getting a few silver coins as a reward would already be fortunate.” Xie Heng felt unsure.
For many years, he knew exactly how others viewed him.
No matter how shamelessly he tried to please them, all he ever received were disdainful glances.
Upon hearing this, Madam Meng could only sigh softly.
Back then, her return to her maiden home after the divorce was just a polite way of putting it. In truth, her former husband favored his concubine over his wife, allowing the concubine to frame her, and ultimately divorced her.
Even after returning to her family, she was not well-received. She thought she would spend her life in solitude with a green lamp and ancient Buddha, but unexpectedly, the emperor decreed that a daughter of the Meng family marry the Marquis of Xuan Su. It was said that the Marquis of Xuan Su was crude and ignorant, so the unmarried daughters in the family refused vehemently, and she was sent as a substitute to marry into the Xie family.
When she first entered the household, she was anxious and resentful of her unfortunate fate.
But later, she realized that heaven had been quite kind to her.
Xie Heng was not of high birth and was quite ignorant, but his temperament was truly good. Later, when her daughter came to seek refuge, Xie Heng treated her as his own daughter, never showing the slightest bias or harshness.
Xie Heng was frugal, but when it came to educating his children, he was extremely generous. Even as a stepdaughter, he allowed her to learn to read and write, spending money to hire tutors to teach her. In terms of food, clothing, and daily necessities for her and her daughter, whatever others in the capital had, they certainly had as well.
So whenever she thought of such a good man being mocked and oppressed by others, Madam Meng felt particularly uncomfortable.
The couple tossed and turned all night, unable to sleep.
Early the next morning, Songyin’s pain relief pills were ready. The pills were even considerately packaged in jade bottles. Just looking at the bottles made one feel they contained miraculous elixirs. The items were then placed in an ornate box. Such careful handling made Xie Heng nervous, afraid he might tremble and drop them.
Songyin had spent quite some time preparing these things.
She hadn’t exchanged any of the points she earned yesterday.
Today, Xie Heng dressed formally.
The Xie family members were not unattractive. The emperor’s birth mother had been favored by the previous emperor because of her striking beauty. Unfortunately, there were too many beauties in the harem, and after receiving favor just once, she was forgotten by the previous emperor.
So now, as long as Xie Heng stood up straight, he still carried a somewhat noble air.
Soon, Xie Heng went to the Rong Prince’s mansion with the items, filled with anxiety.
After waiting for a while, Xie Heng finally saw the Old Imperial Uncle, whom everyone respected.
Xie Heng dared not say much, only bowing respectfully. The Old Imperial Uncle was imposing without showing anger, appearing very stern. His brow was tightly furrowed, and after sitting down, he unconsciously rubbed his head, his gaze scrutinizing Xie Heng with a hint of impatience.
When the Old Imperial Uncle was young, he fell from a horse during a hunt and hit his head, which later caused persistent headaches.
In the past, the symptoms weren’t too severe, but as he aged, the headaches became more frequent. Because of this illness, his temper worsened, often erupting in anger, but once angered, the headaches only intensified. Over the years, he had sought medical treatment and remedies, but there had been no improvement.
“I heard that physician is your long-lost daughter?” the Old Imperial Uncle asked.
“Yes…” Xie Heng replied with difficulty.
“A few days ago, when I had a splitting headache, I happened to meet the Jiang family’s little girl. She assured me that the one called…” The Old Imperial Uncle paused. “What is your daughter’s name?”
“Songyin…”
“Right, the Jiang family girl said that this person named Songyin is quite capable and will surely cure my headache. She also said that if she fails to cure it, I can deal with her as I please. Now that this person has become your Xie family’s daughter, tell me, does this promise still stand?”