Chapter 336 Leaving the City for Home

Chapter 336: Leaving the City for Home

"Your Majesty has ordered my dismissal and escort to the Ministry of Justice—I shall obey the decree without question."

Song Tingzhou bowed his head respectfully, removing his black gauze cap and placing it on the ground before him. His words carried no excess emotion, each syllable steady and weighty.

"But I too have a memorial to submit."

Hearing this, Xia Yuan's heart first gave a lurch, fearing Song Tingzhou might strike back in desperation. His consort was nearly supernatural in cunning—the trip to Annam had likely already revealed too much. If Song Tingzhou implicated him now, it would be troublesome.

Yet Song Tingzhou did not impeach him. Instead, he drew a long list of names from his bosom. "Your Majesty, Censor Ding has impeached me for ordering the Shuntian Prefecture constables to arrest people at random. In truth, those I arrested were merely peripheral figures—the Hall of Listening Fragrance behind them is the real key."

At these words, two officials in the hall went rigid, seeming troubled.

Duke Dingxiang turned slightly, glancing toward Xia Yuan in the civil officials' ranks.

Xia Yuan understood the signal, but before he could take half a step forward, Left Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate Gou Zhengfang spoke up before him.

"Your Majesty, I beg you to see clearly. Lord Song's alleged crimes remain unverified, yet his achievements in Xiwu Prefecture and his tireless disaster relief in Qinzhou are genuine. I beg Your Majesty to hear him out."

No one else in the entire court—civil or military—could match Song Tingzhou's accomplishments: the first to mobilize supplies and physicians swiftly without requiring imperial troops, preventing the disaster from spreading even half a li (about 250 meters) further.

Kou Wen also regained his composure. "Lord Gou speaks truly. Your Majesty, the shining achievements in Lingnan are not exaggerated. Even if Lord Song has erred, his merits may make up for his faults."

The Emperor's expression flickered with a moment of distraction. Yes—Song Tingzhou was a rare worthy minister, unmoved by power and wealth, devoted wholly to the people. Lost in thought, he recalled the scrolls Song Tingzhou had unfurled before him four years ago, and the admiration and relief he had felt at that time.

"Go on, then." The Emperor's tone softened for an instant.

"Your Majesty, in earlier years there was an isle near Annam that used the art of strange elixirs to lure wealthy merchants in large numbers, amassing vast sums of gold and silver—amounting to as much as a million silver taels."

Knowing many now wished to silence him, Song Tingzhou spoke rapidly but clearly: "The isle had a master called Island Lord Guo Qixiu, said to be originally from Lin'an Prefecture. Yet when I sent men to investigate, Lin'an Prefecture did indeed have a Guo Qixiu—a man whose family had fallen into poverty, who had since married and raised children in a village within the prefecture, never once leaving. This suggests the 'Guo Qixiu' who served as Island Lord has a different origin. I was inadequate and failed to uncover his true identity."

Sometimes, exceptional competence could be a double-edged sword. An upright minister of power like Song Tingzhou, suddenly appearing to have connections reaching too high, would only invite suspicion.

The Emperor listened to all of Song Tingzhou's statements without much change in expression. Since Gou Zhengfang had reminded him of Song Tingzhou's achievements, he seemed to have woken from a fog, wearing an inscrutable look the entire time.

Besides the list of names, Song Tingzhou also presented a thick written memorial. When Zheng Rui took it, he gave Song Tingzhou a reassuring glance.

No matter how powerful eunuchs became, they were always held in contempt—so no one noticed the exchange of glances between the always-deferential Zheng Rui and Song Tingzhou.

Song Tingzhou gradually steadied his mind, calming his thoughts, and spoke again in a composed tone: "Your Majesty, the Hall of Listening Fragrance sits on Yongle Street, one of the more renowned courtesan houses in the capital. But since my earlier investigation, I discovered that this establishment has won the devoted loyalty of over twenty court officials—including the two previous Shuntian Prefecture magistrates, Lord Bian and Lord Duan, both now deceased."

The importance of the Shuntian Prefecture magistrate position was self-evident. Prince Lian's faction naturally wished to get their hands on it, but the higher you sat, the harder you were to control. When Lord Bian sensed the Emperor's suspicion closing in, he ended his own life on the verge of exposure.

Because Lord Bian's death was too suspicious, Lord Duan—Song Tingzhou's predecessor—took office in a state of dread. He was clever, stalling Prince Lian's people while gathering evidence. But he was discovered not only by Prince Lian's side but also by the Emperor himself for his contacts with the Prince. His fate was sealed.

The Emperor unfurled the short list of names and, hearing Song Tingzhou's mention of Bian and Duan, finally changed expression. The shock and fury churning in his eyes were suppressed as he surveyed the assembled ministers with an unreadable gaze.

At the head stood Duke Dingxiang; the positions of Crown Prince and Prince Lian were vacant; and Prince Qin had long been sent off to his fief.

He had schemed against many; more still lusted after his throne. He had never imagined he would meet his downfall now—though he could not tell into whose hands.

"What you have spoken of, I will have investigated one by one. As for you..." The Emperor looked down at Song Tingzhou, recalling the man's fervent loyalty in this very hall years ago.

"Given your remarkable achievements in Lingnan, I shall spare you interrogation and torture. Your post is removed as of today—return to your hometown." The Emperor sat back down on the dragon throne and, with a vermilion brush, wrote "Dismissed and Sent Home" on the document Zheng Rui presented.

Song Tingzhou had knelt long on the cold stone. He prostrated himself and said with reverence: "This guilty minister thanks Your Majesty for your great mercy."

The other courtiers' expressions shifted, each in their own way—some regretful, some sympathetic, some gloating, some thoroughly satisfied. Only Nie Chuan seemed to sense things spiraling out of control, a murderous glint rising in his eyes.

He could wait no longer.

Today was another typical overcast day. Clouds drifted low, shrouding everything in a gray pall. All the buildings seemed drained of color, like a faded painting—even the once-imposing red walls and golden tiles now appeared veiled in a thin mist.

Beneath the towering Meridian Gate, the main southern gate, all five vermilion gates stood shut, except for one side door pushed open from within.

Two guards watched with cold expressions as Song Tingzhou walked out through the side door. A kindly-faced senior eunuch saw him off with courtesy: "Lord Song, take care on your journey."

Without his black gauze cap, Song Tingzhou in his crimson court robes looked strikingly young and spirited. He returned the courtesy: "Thank you, Eunuch Li, for seeing me off."

The city walls were thick with informants, so they exchanged only pleasantries and nothing more.

Chi Yu waited outside with the carriage. Seeing Song Tingzhou emerge, he hurried forward to support him. "My lord, are you alright?"

Song Tingzhou's knees ached from prolonged kneeling, though not enough to require assistance. But he hung his head as if utterly dejected, letting Chi Yu half-drag him into the carriage.

Once aboard his own carriage, the sorrowful expression on Song Tingzhou's face vanished in an instant. He lowered his voice: "Is everything at home prepared?"

Chi Yu drove the carriage at a breakneck pace while keeping watch on all sides. "Rest assured, my lord. The young master has everything ready, waiting only for you to leave the city together."

Song Tingzhou remained tense, not relaxing even a fraction outside the palace walls.

Soon Chi Yu noticed movement in the alleys behind them. "My lord!"

"Pay it no mind—hurry home." Song Tingzhou sat unmoved.

Several groups seemed to have been following them along the way, or perhaps lying in wait on their inevitable route. But not a single one could reach Song Tingzhou—all were intercepted by another party.

In the alley, Le Zhengqi, clad in black with fresh blood on his blade, watched Song Tingzhou's carriage disappear from view. Without looking back, he led his band of elite fighters onward to deal with the next assassin.

Five carriages waited in the front courtyard of the Song residence. A Yan, Tong'er, and Zhifan and Zhimao shared one; Chang Jinhua, Jin Gu, and Huang Ye another; Yu Ge'er, Wei Ying, and Yunque a third. The remaining two were loaded with luggage that Meng Wan had inventoried.

He was pacing anxiously at the gate, so rarely showing such outward emotion that even Chang Jinhua grew worried—because he himself had little certainty of the outcome.

Though Gou Zhengfang and Wang Zan remained in court, if Song Tingzhou were thrown into prison, they would need a contingency plan: first send Chang Jinhua and A Yan away, then find a way to have Chi Yu enter the prison as well to keep watch.

"Young master, Chi Yu has returned with the carriage!" Gui Cheng called from the gate.

Meng Wan hurried out—indeed, Chi Yu was driving the carriage at full speed.

He threw open the main gate, the threshold already removed. "Bring out all the carriages! Gui Cheng, Gui Qian—the house is in your care."

The two brothers answered promptly: "Rest assured, young master. Once you leave, we'll bolt the gates tight and open for no one."

Meng Wan ran out without looking back. Chi Yu reined in the horses, and Song Tingzhou emerged from the carriage to pull Meng Wan up, the two embracing tightly inside.

Once they were settled, Chi Yu turned the carriage around, the other five carriages following behind.

The clatter of hooves echoed through the streets, but not as loudly as Meng Wan's pounding heart.

"Well? Were you tortured?" He broke free of Song Tingzhou's embrace, frantically feeling him all over, terrified he might be missing a limb.

Song Tingzhou simply tucked his hand inside his robes, letting him feel the firm flesh beneath. "No torture. With the hints laid so thick, His Majesty should have understood. Chi You likely dared not administer too strong a dose—though the Prince is sometimes hot-tempered, he didn't seem to have lost his reason. In the end, mindful of my past merits, he deliberately let me go."

Meng Wan stared at Song Tingzhou without blinking, the heat behind his eyes held back for so long that only now did he dare let the tears fall. He had been truly terrified—his lips trembled slightly. "Thank heavens nothing happened."

Song Tingzhou fastened his robes and held him close. "Wan'er, listen to me. Once we leave the city, take Mother and A Yan back to the countryside and wait for me to come for you."

Meng Wan used the fabric at Song Tingzhou's chest as a handkerchief, wiping his eyes twice before answering hoarsely: "Alright. Last time Na Tuo came, I had everything arranged. Every imperial relay station near the capital has our people. On the road, call on any station for men or funds—Nie Chuan's people won't get word through. But be careful near Tongzhou—do not let your guard down."

"I... didn't we already talk about all this? I know everything, no need to keep fretting over it." Song Tingzhou held him tightly, yet still wanted to see Meng Wan's face, so he had to let the person in his arms lift his head first, pressing his burning lips against his, letting him have his fill of kisses.

As they were about to leave the city, Chi Yu glanced over his shoulder, "My lord, there's a group of people following us."

Song Tingzhou still had one hand on Meng Wan's chin, and only after catching his breath did he say, "Don't worry about them, take the North Gate."

Chi Yu wasn't sure whether they were friend or foe, and watched helplessly as the group brazenly moved from behind them to the front.

Something felt off about the North Gate. The guards on the wall were swapped out in a hurry, and the Five Army Camps from the three major garrisons outside the capital had quietly seized control of the gate. A fourth-rank assistant general was personally manning the North Gate.

Yue Zhengqi, tucked into a crowd, had half his face covered as he walked up to the gate guard, "I'm leaving the city."

The guard gave him a wary glance, about to speak when someone pulled him back from behind.

"General Nie?"

A young general in silver armor, with sharp brows and bright eyes, had an imposing presence. When he spoke, his tone was domineering: "Out of the way!"

The Five Army Camps soldiers, temporarily acting as gate guards, traded looks and quickly cleared the way.

The young general led the way, Yue Zhengqi in the middle, and Chi Yu behind with the Song family's convoy following in confusion. No one asked for papers or passes the whole way.

After seeing them all the way past the moat, Yue Zhengqi finally spoke up, "I need to see His Highness. I'm counting on you to hold the city."

The young general gave a hearty smile, "Don't worry, once this is over, I'll come by your place for a drink."

He then waved at the Song family's carriage, "Lord Song, have a safe trip."

Song Tingzhou lifted the carriage curtain and glanced at him, "Thank you, General Nie."

The carriage made it out of the capital without a hitch. Once out of the city, everyone relaxed considerably. Yue Zhengqi rode directly alongside Song Tingzhou's carriage.

Meng Wan lifted the curtain and asked Yue Zhengqi, "So it was you. That was Nie Hongfei back there?"

Yue Zhengqi nodded, "Indeed."

Meng Wan was about to ask more, but Song Tingzhou pulled him back inside, his lips pressed into a thin line, "Wan'er, is there anything else you need to ask?"

"Talk about a sudden bout of jealousy." His little stunt actually took the edge off the sadness of their upcoming separation.

Song Tingzhou didn't think he was in the wrong, "You once said Yue Zhengqi was handsome."

Meng Wan cupped Song Tingzhou's face and kissed him on each cheek, "I've long forgotten that. No one's as handsome as my Zhou Lang."

Outside the carriage, Yue Zhengqi shook his head with a wry smile. He'd barely escaped death; if the Crown Prince pulled it off, he'd head to Lingnan too, to bring his love home.

With Yue Zhengqi leading the way, they headed northeast. Near Shunyi, Song Tingzhou finally parted from Meng Wan, dismounting to enter the city with Yue Zhengqi.

There were people waiting for them just outside the city. Yue Zhengqi's team of experts didn't enter the city with them but stayed behind to guard the Song family's convoy, protecting Meng Wan and the others on their journey home.

Chang Jinhua didn't even realize Song Tingzhou had gotten off the carriage midway. It wasn't until they stopped to rest at a small town that she noticed.

"Where's Da Lang?"

Meng Wan helped her find a stool at a noodle stall, "My husband has other matters to attend to. He'll return a bit later than us."

"Where did he get off? Why didn't he say a word? Did he bring anyone with him?" Chang Jinhua asked, worried.

The stall owner brought two bowls of plain noodles. Meng Wan pushed one to Chang Jinhua and picked up his own chopsticks, "He got off earlier. Mother, eat quickly, the noodles will get soggy. We'll stay in town for the night and set out again at dawn."

They couldn't let their guard down; they still needed to get back to Changping as fast as possible.