"You arrived just in time, my lord, and didn’t suffer any grievances. Don’t take it too much to heart," Xie Ruotong said. "I heard that you still have to go to the palace to see His Majesty tomorrow. You should go back to your room and rest earlier."
"Mm." Song Yanqing nodded.
Xie Ruotong then actively saw him out.
Song Yanqing had walked some distance, then suddenly turned back.
Turning back, he saw that the door to Xie Ruotong’s room was already closed.
He just stared at the door, lost in thought for a while.
Then, he suddenly smiled again.
Xie Ruotong was even less willing than him to consummate the marriage!
Song Yanqing didn’t show much emotion either, and left again.
Song Yanqing followed his father, after becoming the top scorer, to the palace to see His Majesty.
The family sent them off.
Song Yuanzhong said, "Before the imperial examination, I didn’t tell you because I was worried it would affect your studies. Now that you are the top scorer, there are some things I need to clarify to you."
"Please speak, Father." Song Yanqing replied respectfully.
"The King of Chu personally supervised and graded the exam this time, as you probably know."
"You must have heard about the situation at court too."
"The Crown Prince passed away, and His Majesty will definitely appoint a new Crown Prince. The candidates are only King of Chu and Prince Chen. Although Prince Chen has established quite a few merits recently, His Majesty favors King of Chu more. King of Chu has repeatedly sent people to gauge my intention, seeking to have me join his faction. I have repeatedly feigned confusion to reject him, just like the Imperial Tutor, not easily taking sides, and just wholeheartedly assisting His Majesty. But because King of Chu was the judge this time, I agreed to him and promised that you would serve him in the future," Song Yuanzhong explained the situation clearly.
Significant emotions appeared on Song Yanqing’s face.
Song Yuanzhong knew his son was dedicated to serving the country, and didn’t want to get involved in court intrigues, but given the current situation, to survive in the court, one simply couldn’t keep out of the politics.
"King of Chu is capable, you should follow him well, and you will surely make your mark in the future," Song Yuanzhong advised.
"Father, have you ever considered, if the King of Chu is a fair and just man, you wouldn’t need to pledge allegiance for him to select candidates based on their abilities. And if the King of Chu is unjust, acting out of personal desire and forsaking fairness, is such a man really worth our service?!"
"Yanqing, you are still young, things are not always as simple as black and white. I made this decision not only for your future but also had other considerations. Right now, as I see it, with Imperial Concubine Shu favored and King of Chu in a strong position, his chances of being named the next Crown Prince are the greatest. Since King of Chu will sooner or later ascend the throne, we must be loyal to him."
"Even so, while His Majesty still reigns, as a senior official, you shouldn’t lose fairness. You are now on King of Chu’s side, so all future decisions of the cabinet and all advice given to His Majesty will be biased towards King of Chu, which is unfair to Prince Chen and even to the young emperor," Song Yanqing retorted.
"There is another reason," Song Yuanzhong said frankly. "Prince Chen wouldn’t be able to make use of us, or even has set boundaries with us."
Song Yanqing looked at his father.
"Now that King of Chu has married the third young miss of the Xie Family, the Duke Mansion is seen as his people. You married the second young miss of the Xie Family. Do you think Prince Chen could still trust us?" Song Yuanzhong said.
Song Yanqing was a bit speechless.
"The situation has forced us to make a choice," Song Yuanzhong said.
"I understand and do not oppose your view, Father. But following King of Chu won’t make me lose my fairness. At least, I will not do or suggest anything detrimental to other princes," he said.
"Father wouldn’t do that either," Song Yuanzhong said.
Stating their stance clearly, letting King of Chu know, they will never side with Prince Chen!
Thus alleviating King of Chu’s concerns about them.
Xie Ruotong left the mansion.
In the past few days, due to entertaining guests, many foods at home were running low, so she had to go out shopping.
Normally these issues could be managed by the housekeeper.
But to better learn household management, she took matters into her own hands.
Xie Ruotong finished her shopping.
Then, thinking it over, she went to Gu Xingchuan’s medical clinic.
Meanwhile, she also purchased some medicinal herbs to keep on hand.
Xie Ruotong had the clinic’s servant call Gu Xingchuan.
Gu Xingchuan was naturally warm towards her.
The two of them had also become well acquainted because of Ye Qichi.
Xie Ruotong followed Gu Xingchuan to the backyard, not letting Qiao’er follow.
"Do you have matters to discuss today?" Gu Xingchuan clearly saw that Xie Ruotong was somewhat troubled.
Xie Ruotong nodded, "There’s something I need your help with."
"Go ahead," Gu Xingchuan readily agreed.
Due to their long-standing relationship, almost one of life and death, Xie Ruotong and Ye Qichi held the same importance in his heart. The difference was that he felt only friendship towards Xie Ruotong, while for Ye Qichi...
Gu Xingchuan was suppressing the turmoil in his heart.
The decree from the emperor granting Ye Qichi and Xiao Jinxing an irreversible divorce truly took him a long time to recover from.
Recently, he hadn’t visited Prince Chen’s Mansion to see Ye Qichi alone.
Perhaps, it would be a pain in his heart for a long while.
But he didn’t want Ye Qichi to find out.
His feelings for Ye Qichi, he had never thought to trouble her.
He chose to lick his wounds alone.