Behind the garden, Yuan Gang called out to the monks to finish up. He then summoned Wei Duo.
Once inside the house, the two men stood for a long time, staring intently at each other. Then, Yuan Gang asked:
“What is your cultivation level?”
Wei Duo: "Zhu Ji!"
Wei Duo answered calmly and immediately.
Yuan Gang nodded and immediately offered:
“Do you wish to come with me to find Lord Dao?”
Wei Duo immediately nodded:
“Yes!”
He answered without a stutter.
Leaving the monks behind, he and Wei Duo departed.
In the main courtyard, a bodyguard reported:
“Prince, Yuan Gang and the stutterer have changed into the Princess’s servants’ clothes. He borrowed two horses, and they descended the mountain.”
Several people fell silent. They seemed to understand that Yuan Gang had certainly not left for a stroll.
Shang Chao Zong waved his hand, signaling the bodyguard to leave. Then, sighing, he said:
“Disguised? They must have gone to find Lord Dao. Don’t they know there might be spies from the Song family here? Aren’t they putting themselves in danger?”
Lan Ruo Ting said with some doubt:
“The Song family’s target is Lord Dao. We have already announced that we are cutting ties with Lord Dao. This means there’s nothing left for them to observe here. And Yuan Gang is disguised. So, they should not encounter any problems.”
Shu Qing bit her lip. She worried that Niu You Dao might not return. Niu You Dao knew Yuan Gang well. When the announcement about them was made, how could he not have known Yuan Gang would go looking for him?
...
The capital, Song Residence, inside the library. A vase, a precious inkstone, and a teacup lay shattered. Papers were scattered across the floor.
Song Jiu Ming staggered about the library.
Why was he in such a state? Of course, because of the incident in Qingzhou. As soon as the misfortune befell Song Lun, he was immediately informed. When Song Jiu Ming learned of it, he even leaped from his desk.
When a clan reached such power, the death of a second son was no longer so significant. The main issue was that a high-ranking envoy of the Yan Kingdom had abused his official duties to settle personal affairs. Song Jiu Ming now clearly envisioned how many people would secretly weave rumors against him within the Imperial Court.
The household manager, Liu Lu, and his eldest son, Song Chuan, stood in the corner, silent.
They knew that when Song Jiu Ming was enraged, it was best to remain silent. Whatever you said, it would not calm his fury.
“He... the envoy of the Yan Kingdom. Who asked him to handle this matter? He sought death himself. How does this help the Song family now?”
Song Jiu Ming cursed, pointing his finger at both of them. Though ordinarily, he did not show his emotions.
The two men had no choice but to listen to him. Anyone from the Song family, upon seeing Niu You Dao in Qingzhou, would have immediately tried to kill him. How could anyone have missed that opportunity? Only Song Lun hadn't expected the situation to unfold this way. Indeed, who would have thought it could turn out like this?
Song Chuan spoke in a weak voice:
“Can this be concealed somehow?”
“Concealed? How can it be concealed?” Song Jiu Ming said, pointing at his forehead:
“What have you learned? Within our own country, our family holds power; we can shift the blame onto someone else. But in another country, before the envoys of other kingdoms, before those who would most eagerly watch our kingdom descend into chaos? Can we ask them to keep silent?! Moreover, this happened in the Zhao Kingdom! Should we ask the Zhao Kingdom to conceal this?!”
At this moment, a person reported from outside:
“Master, a person has arrived from the Minister of Public Works. The Minister summons you!”
Silence fell within the room. Tong Mo was 90% likely summoning him about this matter.
Hearing that Tong Mo summoned him, Song Jiu Ming immediately calmed down. However, he did not go to the Minister directly. Instead, he first ordered himself to be tidied up. All his clothes were meticulously arranged, and only then did he leave the house and get into his carriage.
Inside the carriage, he calmed even further. By the time they reached the Minister of Public Works’ residence, Song Jiu Ming was completely composed.
As soon as he entered the main hall, he saw Tong Mo seated, attending to affairs. Tong Mo cast a cold glance at him. Song Jiu Ming stepped forward and knelt, bowing.
Tong Mo said in a cold tone:
“You know everything?”
“Yes!” Song Jiu Ming, still kneeling, said, cupping his hands:
“I failed to raise my son properly. Minister of Public Works, I am ready to take full responsibility!”
Tong Mo looked at his calm demeanor and collected face, and couldn't help but nod approvingly. Among all his subordinates, Song Jiu Ming was his favorite. He liked that Song Jiu Ming remained composed when faced with a major issue.
“It’s good that you know. Then I won’t speak in vain. You should submit your resignation yourself!”
“Understood!” Song Jiu Ming immediately agreed. Cupping his hands, he said:
“I shall immediately submit my request to be relieved of my duties to the judicial court.”
Seeing his composure, Tong Mo nodded approvingly again and sighed, saying:
“This is not entirely your fault. It is all your son’s doing, but now nothing can be done. Last time, the incident at the Southern Mountain Monastery already enraged His Highness. It was fortunate that no one learned of that affair. But now, you know what a stir this has caused!”
Thump-thump! He tapped his finger on the table and said.
“His Highness is furious. Even I cannot help you here. It is better to write your resignation yourself than to be expelled. Now, hand this position over to someone else. You will need to wait until all the commotion settles down. After that, we can see if your replacement makes a mistake. If he does, then you must be ready.”
Song Jiu Ming: “Understood. I will do everything as the Minister instructs.”
Tong Mo, satisfied, rose from his desk, walked around it, and approached Song Jiu Ming. He personally extended a hand and helped Song Jiu Ming to his feet:
“Some things are inconvenient to do in such a high position. I can understand that as well. Since you have personal family matters, you may use this free time to settle all your affairs. Once everything is settled, you will need to await an opportunity, and you will return. The Yan Kingdom needs capable subjects like you!”
Song Jiu Ming: “Thank you, Minister. I understand everything!”
Tong Mo patted his shoulder:
“It would be best to write your resignation now. I am just about to go to the Imperial Palace to report on Song Lun’s matter. It would be convenient for me to take your petition along the way.”
“Understood!” Song Jiu Ming immediately replied.
...
When he returned to his residence, the library was already spotless.
As he sat down at his desk, Song Chuan personally brought him tea and asked curiously:
“Father, what did the Minister say?”
Song Jiu Ming answered calmly:
“Nothing much. I have already written my resignation!”
“Ah!” Liu Lu and Song Chuan were startled.
Especially Song Chuan. His future depended precisely on his father’s position. Without his father’s support, things would be difficult for him. After a moment’s thought, he said:
“Father, perhaps there’s no need to rush?”
Song Jiu Ming paid him no heed, instead looking at the map of the world hanging opposite him. He stood up, walked around his desk, and approached the map. After observing it for a moment, Song Jiu Ming asked:
“When will Song Lun’s body be brought back?”
Liu Lu replied: “It seems that has not yet been decided. The people of Qingzhou are holding his body. They say they will not release it until an investigation is completed.”
Song Jiu Ming clasped his hands behind his back and said:
“What do they intend to do with this Niu You Dao in Qingzhou?”
Liu Lu: “They also said they would decide after the investigation.”
Song Jiu Ming: “There’s no need to think that Qingzhou will hand over Niu You Dao. They must be 90% complicit in this themselves. Since they cannot deal with Niu You Dao, and they cannot hand him over to us, it means they will secretly release him.”
Song Chuan said with doubt:
“Father, are you saying that Qingzhou also participated in brother’s murder?”
Song Jiu Ming: “I don’t believe that nonsense. Having worked in court for many years, I’ve clearly seen how many similar cases were handled. In such a major affair, even a small hitch can lead to collapse. But with Niu You Dao, everything unfolded so smoothly, as if according to a script. It’s certainly not clean. It seems Song Lun fell into someone’s trap. Though I don’t know why Qingzhou acted this way, I know one thing for certain: it won’t be easy for us to get Niu You Dao there. What news from Cang Wu County?”
Liu Lu: “Just reported. Shang Chao Zong has already announced that he is severing all ties with Niu You Dao. He has driven Niu You Dao away.”
“Haha!” Song Jiu Ming laughed. He looked at the map:
“Logically, Niu You Dao will not appear there for a long time. Otherwise, we will find him. He killed my grandson, and now he has killed my son. If I don’t resolve this matter again, everyone will laugh at me. How will I then be able to enter the Imperial Palace? Now that I have free time, I will take matters into my own hands.”
He raised his hand and, pointing at the map, said:
“In all kingdoms, at every postal station, hang a portrait of Niu You Dao, and leave observers. Find someone who knows Niu You Dao and create his likeness. I don’t believe he can disappear for so long. After setting up this network, send someone to Shang Chao Zong for negotiations. Offer him a deal to hand over Niu You Dao. It doesn’t matter whether he agrees or not, and it doesn’t matter what price you offer. The main thing is to spread the rumor about this. Then Niu You Dao will hear about it. Doubts about Shang Chao Zong will then arise in his mind, and he won’t dare to hide behind Shang Chao Zong’s back.”
Liu Lu asked with doubt:
“Master, did you say in all kingdoms or just our kingdom?” He thought he had misheard.
Song Jiu Ming: “In all of them!”
Liu Lu was startled and replied:
“Master, drawing a portrait and negotiating with Shang Chao Zong can be done. But setting up surveillance in all kingdoms requires people and resources...”
Song Jiu Ming: “Don’t worry. I will speak to Old Mo and write a report to the department. They will help establish surveillance in all kingdoms.”
Liu Lu and Song Chuan exchanged glances. Song Jiu Ming was truly using all his power to apprehend Niu You Dao.
Now, even if Niu You Dao were to die, he wouldn’t escape. It seemed that even though the Master had left his post, his influence still lingered.
“I will find Old Mo and consult with him. Once the target is discovered, the department can send assassins to handle the matter. Either way, we can send our own people. Nothing else matters now.”
Liu Lu also harbored deadly hatred for Niu You Dao. He had killed his son. So he immediately nodded:
“Master, do not worry. I will distribute Niu You Dao’s portrait.”