Chapter 65 Who Exactly Is Mr. Baomu?…

Chapter 65: Who Exactly Is Mr. Baomu?

Before the Petition Drum, a young man in a white robe gripped the drumsticks, striking the drum with steady rhythm.

The drumhead vibrated, its sound echoing throughout the capital.

Beside the young man stood a man in black armor, guarding him, eyes alert, as if deeply concerned for the young man's safety.

Moments after the drum sounded, a troop of imperial guards emerged from the palace gates. The Imperial Guard Commander, leading them, swept his sharp gaze over the two, pausing briefly on the black-clad man before moving on.

"Did you strike the petition drum?" the Imperial Guard Commander asked, eyeing the drumsticks in the young man's hands.

"Indeed, it was I," the young man replied, returning the drumsticks to the stand and bowing respectfully.

"State your name and grievance."

Undeterred by the commander's imposing presence, the young man spoke: "I am Tang Ming, a provincial graduate from Jizhou. I accuse Song Xi, heir of the Duke of Song's household, of murdering my classmate and friend, Song Yu."

Hearing this, even the usually impassive commander showed a hint of surprise.

Just days ago, the capital had been abuzz with plays hinting at the Duke of Song's household swapping heirs. Everyone had assumed the matter would die down after the plays were banned, yet here was the swift follow-up.

The commander asked no more questions and turned to the black-clad man. "And you—who are you?"

"I am Lei Tong, Personal Guard of the Marquis of the North. I encountered Scholar Tang while passing through Jizhou and accompanied him to the capital."

The commander showed no reaction to Lei Tong's rather flimsy explanation, merely stating, "Since Scholar Tang holds official status, he may enter the palace without punishment. Both of you, come. His Majesty is already waiting."

Tang Ming adjusted his robes, took a deep breath, and followed the guards through the palace gates, with Lei Tong close behind.

The two waited in a side chamber for nearly an hour before the commander finally led them into the great hall.

According to protocol, when the petition drum was struck, all court officials were required to attend the emperor immediately. Within an hour, the civil and military officials had assembled, lining both sides of the hall.

This was not a morning court session, so the emperor sat on the throne in casual attire, and the officials were likewise at ease, some even exchanging whispers about the reason for the drum's sounding.

When the commander brought the two men into the hall, nearly all eyes turned toward them.

Among them, a military officer acquainted with the Marquis of the North immediately recognized his personal guard, Lei Tong, and couldn't conceal his surprise.

Though Tang Ming possessed some courage, this was his first time standing before the emperor and so many high-ranking officials. His mind went blank as he stood in the hall.

Lei Tong discreetly tugged his sleeve, prompting him to kneel.

Only when his knees touched the cold floor did Tang Ming regain his composure, declaring loudly, "Provincial graduate Tang Ming of Jizhou pays homage to Your Majesty."

"Lei Tong, Personal Guard of the Marquis of the North's household, pays homage to Your Majesty," Lei Tong added quietly but clearly.

At the mention of the Marquis of the North, the emperor looked at Lei Tong. "As I recall, the Marquis of the North is still confined to his residence for reflection. As his personal guard, why did you go to Jizhou?"

Though the emperor's tone held no anger, Lei Tong didn't dare be careless. "Your Majesty, the Marquis has never forgotten the Late Duke of Song's kindness in recognizing his talent. Earlier, he heard rumors that the Late Duke of Song's true grandson might be living in hiding, and later, that someone was defaming the Duke's household. He thus sent me to Jizhou to investigate the matter thoroughly."

While everyone knew the Marquis of the North's intentions weren't entirely selfless, this explanation was at least credible enough to appease most on the surface.

Many seasoned officials knew that when the Marquis of the North first enlisted, he had served under the Late Duke of Song, who had indeed promoted him—a true debt of gratitude.

The emperor asked no further questions of Lei Tong, turning his attention back to Tang Ming.

"Scholar Tang, why did you strike the petition drum?"

Tang Ming declared, "I accuse Song Xi, heir of the Duke of Song's household, of murdering my classmate Song Yu."

The emperor remained silent for a moment, massaging his temples before signaling to the chief eunuch.

The chief eunuch immediately understood and spoke, "Scholar Tang, if this accusation proves false, the punishment is fifty lashes. Are you certain?"

"I stand by my words," Tang Ming replied firmly.

Once Tang Ming finished, the emperor finally asked, "Who is Song Yu? What is his relation to the Duke of Song's household, and why would Song Xi want to kill him?"

Tang Ming glanced at Lei Tong, who answered, "Your Majesty, Song Yu is the true legitimate son of the Duke of Song."

The hall buzzed with murmurs. So there really was a true legitimate son—this was getting interesting.

The Duke of Song's face darkened with rage, his composure slipping as he shouted, "Nonsense! Did the Marquis of the North put you up to this slander against my household?"

"Silence," the chief eunuch commanded.

The Duke of Song forced himself to calm down and quickly defended himself. "Your Majesty, everyone knows the Marquis of the North resents my son taking command of the Xiling Army. He must have fabricated this false testimony. Xi'er is undoubtedly my true legitimate son."

The emperor ignored the Duke of Song entirely, asking Lei Tong, "Do you have proof?"

"I have recovered Song Yu's remains. Your Majesty may verify whether the bones share a blood relation with the Duke of Song."

The Duke of Song paled slightly but still refused to believe it. "The man is already dead. Who knows if blood verification would even be accurate now? You could have tampered with the bones—just grabbing any corpse and claiming it's my son!"

Lei Tong raised his voice. "The coffin containing Song Yu's remains is outside the palace gates. I have not tampered with it. If Your Majesty doubts me, summon the Director of the Astronomical Bureau to verify."

The hall fell silent. After a pause, the emperor ordered, "Bring in the remains."

Soon, four guards carried a new coffin into the hall. The coffin was clearly freshly made, and once set down, officials craned their necks to see the skeletal remains inside.

The Minister of Justice leaned over the coffin, examining the bones carefully before speaking. "Your Majesty, the cervical vertebrae are shattered—not posthumously. This person was likely strangled to death."

Tang Ming, his face filled with grief, added, "Your Majesty, after Song Yu's death, his foster family claimed he died of illness and hastily buried him. I never saw his body. Only after learning his true identity did I grow suspicious. It was only when Lei Tong and I exhumed his remains that we confirmed—he was murdered."

"Where is the Director of the Astronomical Bureau?"

At the emperor's words, the Duke of Song swayed slightly.

"Here," the Director replied, stepping forward from the crowd.

"Verify the blood relation between these remains and the Duke of Song."

"As you command."

The Director approached the Duke of Song, who looked ill at ease, and smiled. "Your Grace need not worry. The Astronomical Bureau's blood verification is infallible. Even in death, we can identify one's true parents. A drop of blood, please."

The Duke of Song clenched his fists, enduring the officials' curious stares as he forced out, "Your Majesty, this is utterly absurd—"

The emperor's cold gaze silenced him with three words: "Give him blood."

When the Duke of Song still refused to move, the Director acted himself.

With a flick of his finger, a cut appeared on the Duke of Song's hand, and a drop of blood floated into the Director's palm.

Next, the Director pressed his finger to the skull's forehead. A faint red glow emanated from the bones, and soon, a smaller, darker drop of blood rose into the air.

The Director produced a white jade disc engraved with concentric circles, placing the two drops of blood into separate grooves. One by one, the circles on the disc lit up—until the very last one glowed brightly.

Seeing everyone's curiosity, the Director explained, "This lineage disc has ten tiers. If there is no blood relation, only the first tier illuminates. For kin beyond the third generation, illumination corresponds to the closeness of the bloodline, up to six tiers. The remaining three tiers verify kinship within three generations. Only trueborn siblings, father and son, or mother and son can light up the final tier."

After the Director's explanation, the ministers' gazes turned to the Duke of Song with peculiar looks.

So he really did have a son who was lost and later murdered—exactly matching that revenge chronicle?

"Duke of Song, have you anything to declare before Us?"

The Duke of Song, his thoughts in disarray, blurted out, "Your Majesty, he was indeed my child, but merely a by-blow, not the legitimate heir."

The hall hushed for a moment before the Director spoke with slight exasperation, "Verifying whether this corpse was the Duke of Song's legitimate heir is simple. We only need to extract the late Duchess's blood. Even if she has been deceased for some time, this unworthy official remains capable."

At this, another courtier interjected, "Why go through such trouble? Why not summon the heir, Song Xi, and test his blood relation with the current Duchess? That might reveal unexpected results."

In truth, the assembled ministers had already discerned that the Duke of Song was desperate to protect his heir's status.

After all, one son was already dead, while the other held command of the Western Garrison. The preference was clear.

Sure enough, the Duke of Song immediately protested, "Your Majesty, even if he was indeed my unknown progeny, it doesn’t prove his death bore connection to my heir."

Lei Tong then spoke up, "Your Majesty, I have witnesses who can prove Song Yu’s death is linked to the Duke of Song’s household."

"What evidence?"

"The relatives of Song Yu’s adoptive mother were once coerced into burying him secretly, barring all mourning rites. I have found that family and brought them to the capital. They are willing to testify.

Moreover... according to them, the Duke of Song’s household had approached them before. Years ago, they received money from the Duke’s people to sabotage Song Yu’s imperial examinations."

"So it was your doing!" Tang Ming, seemingly unaware of this before, stood trembling with rage, glaring at the Duke of Song as if his eyes were ablaze.

"No wonder Scholar Song's misfortunes over the years—every time he attempted the exams, something went wrong. And it was all your doing! How could you call yourself a father? If not for you, Scholar Song would have long passed the exams. He wouldn’t have languished to his death!"

The Duke of Song avoided Tang Ming’s gaze and said, "Your Majesty, these are all unfounded allegations. These alleged witnesses could have been bribed long ago. Besides, I never even knew of Song Yu’s existence before. How could I have ordered such things?"

"I never said it was the Duke’s doing," Lei Tong countered. "After all, the person who exchanged the ducal heirs was never caught. Perhaps it was that person’s doing. Instead of suspecting me, the Duke should investigate his own household."

He then added, "Your Majesty, I also discovered that the current Duchess’s brother did journey to Jizhou two years ago and met Song Yu. Shortly after his return to the capital, Song Yu was murdered. To claim his death had nothing to do with the Duke’s household defies belief."

"So everything in *Revenge Chronicle* actually happened?" an official whispered sotto voce.

"Speaking of which, who exactly is this Mr. Baomu? How did he know every detail of Song Yu’s death? If not for seeing the bones myself, I’d have thought Song Yu wrote the book himself to seek justice."

The courtiers whispered among themselves. Most of them had seldom indulged in chapbooks before, but after the Duke’s prior outburst, they had all read *Revenge Chronicle*. Now, over half the court had seen it.

At this point, the Minister of the Board of War, Qi Hai, stepped forward. "Your Majesty, though this is the Duke’s family matter, it concerns a man's death. Even if we cannot prove Song Xi’s involvement in Song Yu’s death, he remains the foremost suspect. I request Your Majesty summon Song Xi back to the capital for investigation."

Several others voiced their agreement. "We second the motion."

Finally, even the Right Censor-in-Chief spoke up. "Your Majesty, the murder of the Duke’s legitimate heir and the years-long deception of swapped identities are grave offenses that demand thorough investigation. Given the doubts surrounding Song Xi’s status, he is unfit to command troops. I urge Your Majesty to relieve him of command immediately."

Just as the Emperor was about to issue the decree, the Imperial Guard Commander entered the hall and reported, "Your Majesty, the Late Duke of Song’s deputy, Song Chengliang, requests an audience."

The Emperor, clearly familiar with the name, frowned slightly. "What does he want?"

"Song Chengliang only said it concerns the Duke’s heir. He would say no more."

"Bring him in."

Soon, the Imperial Guard Commander escorted an elderly man with a straight posture and sharp eyes into the hall.

The man walked to the Duke of Song’s side and knelt. "This humble servant, Song Chengliang, greets Your Majesty. I am guilty and beg for punishment."

"Song Chengliang, what is your crime?" the Emperor asked.

Song Chengliang glanced at the Duke of Song, whose countenance had paled, then lowered his head. "Years ago, I secretly swapped the Duke’s legitimate son and illegitimate son, sending the true legitimate son out of the household.

Later, when the heir discovered his true identity and sought to reclaim his birthright, I had him killed to eradicate all evidence."

With this, Song Chengliang took full responsibility for the crimes.

"Deputy Song, the Late Duke of Song treated you well. What reason did you have to swap his grandsons? Rumor has it you personally trained Song Xi all these years. Are you here to take the blame for him?" Qi Hai narrowed his eyes, his tone hostile.

Song Chengliang ignored him. "Every word I speak is true. I dare not deceive Your Majesty."

"Then tell Us, why did you swap them?"

"Because the Duchess’s son had poor meridian constitution—no talent for cultivation." Song Chengliang trembled slightly, his eyes reddening. "Everything I did was for the sake of the Duke’s household. If the Duke lacked cultivation talent, and his legitimate son did as well, the ducal house would surely fall. The late Duke could not be left without a worthy successor. When I discovered Song Xi’s exceptional talent, I decided to switch them."

He then turned and prostrated himself to the Duke of Song. "My Lord, I acted solely for the household’s sake. I had no choice but to resort to such measures. Punish me as you will."

"Absurd!" The Duke of Song suddenly roared, kicking Song Chengliang in the shoulder before seizing him with grief. "Uncle Liang, he was my own son! Sending him away wasn’t enough—you had to kill him too?"

No matter how the Duke pressed, Song Chengliang remained silent.

Watching the exchange, Qi Hai’s eyes gleamed coldly. He hadn’t expected someone to step forward and confess at this stage.

The Duke’s household still had some stalwarts. Pity the Late Duke of Song was dead—this current one was useless. No matter what, Song Xi would lose his military command.