The Yan Kingdom's Capital. The Song Residence. Song Jiu Ming was seated in the study, having locked himself inside, and had not emerged.
Outside in the courtyard, Song Chuan paced back and forth. He had just returned from work and hadn't even changed his clothes before coming here to ask:
"What happened? I heard Father hasn't left the study all day?"
Liu Lu quietly responded: "We received news. The intelligence department suffered heavy losses. All the stable hands stationed at postal relay stations across all six kingdoms were suddenly apprehended."
The Song Family had its own eyes and ears throughout the kingdom.
Song Chuan was startled: "How could this be? Did it not affect Father?"
No matter what, the decision to establish such a large network across all kingdoms, undertaken by the intelligence service, had originated from the Song Family. And the damage suffered by the intelligence service was immense.
Liu Lu: "The exact situation is still unknown. Also, the imperial clan suffered losses in Qingshan County. You can imagine the Emperor's mood now. I hear His Majesty is cursing the very heavens right now. What's more, we don't know what Master Mo Bin will say. The Master immediately locked himself in the study upon receiving the news."
The Xiaoshi Department was the Yan Kingdom's intelligence agency. Other kingdoms should not know about it. And Mo Bin was precisely the head of that department.
Song Chuan said in a low tone:
"Does Mo Bin really want Father to bear all the responsibility? After all, the Xiaoshi Department is under His Majesty's influence. Would such a thing even be allowed without His Majesty's consent! Did Father approach that master?"
Liu Lu: "The Xiaoshi Department didn't let him in. After that, the Master went to the residence of the Minister of Public Works, but the Minister's attitude towards him worsened after that."
Song Chuan: "What does that mean? Is the Minister also unable to do anything? And truly unable to protect Father?"
Liu Lu: "There's no need to blame the Master for this either. The Master never imagined such complications would arise. He inquired with someone higher up, wanting to know what happened. Who exposed them? Where did the leak originate? The Minister merely mentioned that the Xiaoshi Department suffered heavy losses and told the Master not to trouble him further on the matter."
Song Chuan didn't understand. He asked: "What does that mean?"
Liu Lu replied: "It's a big issue. One thing is certain: where trouble arises, there must be someone to take responsibility. Someone must be punished!"
There were many people in the imperial palace. Song Chuan, with eyes wide, said:
"Someone wants to punish Father for this matter?"
Liu Lu nodded: "The one who wants to punish is, at the very least, no weaker than the Minister."
Song Chuan understood. The intelligence network had suffered heavy losses, and now someone absolutely had to take responsibility. This could not be left as it was. Otherwise, if missteps were not punished, lawlessness would prevail. And then everyone would break the law without fear of retribution.
In this matter, someone had to be made a scapegoat. Either it was Mo Bin, or someone connected to such a mission. It wasn't hard to guess who.
Song Chuan angrily said: "They want to punish Father from above!"
Liu Lu tried to calm him: "The Minister will most likely protect the Master."
"Nonsense. Father has already retired. He holds no position. Will they really intercede for him now? It's simply ridiculous! They'll force him to publicly accept responsibility? How can this be?"
Song Chuan turned and looked at the closed study. He still understood his father's feelings and, gritting his teeth, said:
"Fine. I want to know who is behind all this."
Liu Lu bowed his head. Indeed, the person putting pressure on his father was also not weak and possessed formidable power.
He, one might say, had cut off access to intelligence. And now any accusations could be leveled against them, with nothing to be done in response.
"I told him not to easily give up the position of Supreme Judge. Now Father, without a post, is completely defenseless!" Song Chuan flung his sleeve. For him, this news also created problems. No one was an idiot; everyone knew whose son he was. Someone was clearly waging a battle against them.
Liu Lu hastily said: "Quiet, walls have ears!"
Song Chuan spoke discontentedly: "Yes. Everything must be kept secret. When the tree falls, the monkeys scatter!"
Just at that moment, a person approached from outside. It was none other than Song Shu. He brought a secret message.
Song Shu approached them and handed over the message:
"Wang Heng sent people for his daughter. He wrote this letter himself. He says his daughter is still young. They, as parents, cannot stand by and watch their daughter continue to live like this. Therefore, they hope the Song Family will consent to a second marriage!"
Song Chuan opened the letter, and indeed, that was what was written. It was clear they had not consulted them but had already made a decision.
Liu Lu looked at the letter and, like Song Chuan, tensed up.
Wang Heng had decided to break ties with them at this moment. It seemed the Emperor's close aides already knew about this. Wang Heng's seal was proof of that.
That Wang Heng's daughter wanted to marry a second time was normal. But now, at this time, such behavior clearly showed that Wang Heng was throwing stones at someone who had fallen into a well.
Only now, they couldn't refuse. If the Song Family refused now, it would simply give Wang Heng an excuse to despise and humiliate them.
"We need to investigate. Who started putting pressure on our family! And we need to find out what really happened in intelligence!" Song Chuan said in a firm tone.
As soon as Song Shu heard him, he immediately understood that Wang Heng's matter was not as simple as it seemed. He asked, doubting:
"What happened?"
The rays of sunset spread obliquely across Qingshan County. They also fell upon Shu Qing's veil as she walked within the city walls.
She had received news that Yuan Fang had returned to Cang Wu County. Only he had returned, and there was no one else from their group in Cang Wu County, so Yuan Fang had set off again for Qingshan County. And by the time he traversed the mountain road, he should arrive by evening.
Shu Qing had been walking under the city walls for an hour, awaiting him.
She didn't know what Yuan Fang's arrival meant. And Niu You Dao? Had something happened?
In Cang Wu County, neither Yuan Fang nor Niu You Dao could be mentioned.
In the distance, a cloud of dust suddenly appeared. Shu Qing began to peer closely and joyfully noticed that it was indeed Yuan Fang.
The rider approached the inner perimeter and stopped before the gates, as a gentle and soft voice drifted down from the walls:
"Abbot Yuan Fang!"
Yuan Fang looked up and greeted her with a smile:
"Grand Princess!"
There was no need for any further introduction. He was immediately let through the gates.
Seeing the dusty Yuan Fang, Shu Qing politely asked: "Abbot, are you tired from your journey?"
"Not at all, not at all." Yuan Fang waved his hand cheerfully.
Shu Qing extended her hand, inviting him into the tower to rest.
As soon as they entered the tower, Shu Qing dismissed everyone and poured him tea. Only after Yuan Fang had drunk one cup of tea did she ask him:
"Abbot, why are you alone? And Lord Dao?"
Yuan Fang immediately replied: "The Prince has already severed ties with Lord Dao, so how could Lord Dao simply return like that?"
Shu Qing was silent for a moment, then asked again: "Could it be that Lord Dao has returned but is not showing himself?"
Yuan Fang waved his hand: "No. Lord Dao has matters to attend to. He has gone with a group to carry out this matter, and he sent me here."
"A group?" Shu Qing asked: "What happened?"
Yuan Fang slapped his thigh: "A lot. The Song Family sent high-level cultivators from three sects after us. They pursued us the entire way. Not just the Song Family, but the imperial family as well. They deployed a multitude of forces and wanted to encircle us. It's a good thing Lord Dao is enlightened, otherwise, we would have met Buddha long ago!"
Shu Qing listened intently, a tremor of anxiety arising in her heart. She asked: "What happened?"
Yuan Fang, scratching the back of his head, continued:
"Lord Dao risked himself many times along the way and now doesn't want many people to know the details of our journey. Otherwise, we'll only increase the risk. Princess, don't make things difficult for me."
"..." Shu Qing was speechless. However, she was not one to interrogate people.
But Yuan Fang's words indeed stirred considerable anxiety in her heart. Three sects, and the Yan Kingdom had sent so many people in search of him! Just how dangerous was his situation?
"If it was so dangerous, why didn't Lord Dao return? Why are you alone?" Shu Qing asked.
Yuan Fang: "Lord Dao... is he the kind of person who wouldn't respond to evil? He's precisely begun to answer them. That's why he sent me to seek help. I didn't want to leave myself, but it was necessary to find assistance."
Shu Qing: "To ask the Heavenly Jade Sect?" If so, she would plead for him now.
Yuan Fang waved his hand: "No need. How could the Heavenly Jade Sect resolve everything quickly? Lord Dao has already contacted the six kingdoms, and I was responsible for the Zhao Kingdom. As soon as I completed my task, I was to return here. Communication with Lord Dao was lost, but he told me to come here."
Shu Qing froze. Six kingdoms? And you were responsible for the Zhao Kingdom?
Why would the six kingdoms listen to you?
"Princess. I heard my monks have also arrived here. I'll go check on their lessons. It wouldn't do for you to keep me here indefinitely!" Yuan Fang quickly finished his tea and immediately left.
He spoke so vaguely. He must have been in a great hurry.
However, his calm demeanor somewhat eased the worry in her heart.
***
Friends, we congratulate everyone on the great holiday, Victory Day!!!
This holiday reminds us of heroes, deeds, hope, optimism, and faith. 74 years ago, this day brought freedom. We express our deepest respect to the heroes of the front and the home front. May war never enter our lives again—and may there only be more happy moments: love, joy, smiles.
Friends, in honor of the Great Victory Day holiday! We will open 5 chapters (Chapters 157-161) for free access.