“That’s a good idea.”
Xu Yan agreed, he also knew that Song Wangyue was eager to go home, besides that carriage of skeletons was placed in the southern city, and it was hard for Yue to face it daily.
The old gentleman also nodded, “If the Duke of Ding is willing to send someone to escort them, it is naturally good.”
He said, about to get up, “I’ll go with Song Si for a trip.”
Xu Yan stopped him, in all these years, he had never seen his grandfather take such an interest in anyone’s affairs, “You’ve just returned from the Shang Shu Mansion, it’s better for me to follow Song Si along.”
“Grand great grandfather and uncle don’t go, I’ll go with big brother, I haven’t paid them a visit since I came to the capital, so it’s a good time to go there.”
The old man instructed Xu Liang to go and prepare gifts.
Song Wan Yue and Song Si carried them and arrived at the door of the Ding Guo Gong Mansion in a carriage, and just as they got off the carriage, they ran into Xiao Yao who was coming out from inside to go to the South City. Seeing the two of them, she greeted them joyfully, “What brings you here?”
After she had returned to the house, she told her grandfather about Song Si’s transfer to the Household Department, and he thought it was a good thing, telling her not to worry.
Song Wan Yue took her arm affectionately, “I came to pay my respects to His Imperial Highness and His Highness, and to ask him for a favour.”
It was the first time Xiao Yao had heard someone call her grandfather “old man”, so she pursed her lips and smiled as she led them back to the house.
The first time she saw her, she almost couldn’t hold back her tears, and held her hand with pity, “Girl, it’s hard for you.”
Although she and Xiao’er were betrothed, she was still a child after all, and no one would have said anything about her if she didn’t seek justice for Xiao’er, but instead she sped into the capital and brought down the Third Prince, seeking justice for the Gu family, so that Xiao’er’s spirit could rest in peace.
When her words fell, Duke Ding was afraid that she would say something else that would expose her relationship with Xiao’er, so he hurriedly persuaded her, “It’s a rare visit to the capital, so don’t say such unhappy things.”
The Duke of Ding’s wife was awakened by his words and said, “Look at me, I’m really old and confused, you guys sit down quickly.”
Everyone took their seats.
The Lady of Ding Guo’s eyes could not help but fall on Song Wan Yue the whole time.
After not seeing her for a month or so, Song Wangyue seemed to have grown prettier and more calm, adding an aura that she could not describe. If Xiao’er was still alive and had married such a daughter-in-law, her daughter, who had died tragically, would have laughed with joy even under the nine springs.
When she thought of this, tears fell from her eyes, and she hurriedly bowed her head and took a handkerchief to wipe them.
Song Wangyue saw her action out of the corner of her eye and her lips pursed.
The Duke of Determination also saw this and knew that his wife had seen Song Wan Yue’s failure to hold back.
He opened his mouth, attracting Song Wan Yue and Song Si’s attention, “Yao’er has already told me that the Emperor has transferred Song Si to the Ministry of Household, this is a good thing, you don’t need to worry, even for my sake, the Minister of Household will not dare to make things too difficult for Song Si.”
The Ding Duke’s House is not terrible, after all, there is only one generation of titles, but there is still a Consort Xiao Xian in the palace, even if the Minister of Household wants to make things difficult for Song Si, he will have to weigh it up.
Song Si told the old man about accompanying him to the Minister of Household Affairs.
After hearing this, Duke Ding instructed Song Si, “You must keep this kindness of the old man in your heart and always remember to repay it, for the old man has never done this for anyone.”
“Song Si remembers.”
Duke Ding nodded his head.
The Lady of the Ding State had regained her composure and was just about to open her mouth to say something when Song Si added, “My younger sister and I came over to ask grandfather for one thing.”
“Speak.”
“Younger sister intends to return tomorrow, and we would like to ask grandfather to send a few people to escort her.”
“Go back tomorrow?”
Song Wan Yue nodded, “I want the Gu family to be buried early.”
The Lady of Ding Guo’s tears didn’t hold back and fell down again, she simply didn’t hide them anymore and just took a handkerchief to wipe her tears, “I’m really too old to hear such things.”
“Grandmother ……”
Xiao Yao called out to her worriedly.
The Lady of Ding Guo waved her hand, “I’m fine, I just thought of that child.”
After saying that, she looked at Song Wan Yue, “I heard that you have pulled the skeletons of the Gu family to the capital.”
“Yes.”
“Then ……”, the Duchess of Ding didn’t hold back in the end, “Gu Yi’s skeletons are also there?”
“Yes, I carried it into the capital myself.”
The Duke of Ding’s wife’s tears instantly broke: Xiao’s son had such a fiancée, he could rest in peace under his nine springs.
The Duke of Determination smiled sheepishly towards Song Wangyue, “This old wife of mine is really old, she can’t hear this sad matter, Yao’er quickly help grandmother down.”
Xiao Yao answered, got up and walked to the side of the Duke of Ding’s wife.
However, the Duke of Ding’s wife was reluctant to go, once Song Wan Yue left, she didn’t know when she would be able to see someone again, “I’m fine, I just have some tears in my eyes from old age.”
After saying that, she dried her tears again and looked at the Duke of Ding, “Is Zheng’er alright these days, let him take someone to send back the Moon maid.”
After he reminded him of this, Duke Ding also felt that Xiao Zheng was the most suitable to escort him, so he asked his subordinates to call out for Xiao Zheng to come over and ask him to choose some people to escort Song Wan Yue back.
Xiao Zheng answered and went to choose some people.
When he had chosen them and returned, he agreed on the time of departure tomorrow, and Song Wangyue and Song Si got up to say goodbye.
As soon as they left, the Duke of Ding’s wife could no longer hold back her tears.
Seeing her crying, Duke Ding wanted to tell her that Xiao’er was not dead, but he swallowed the words as they came to his lips, as the matter was so important that the fewer people knew about it, the better.
“My lord ……”
After crying for a while, Duke Ding’s wife choked up and said, “I, I want to see Xiao’er’s skeleton.”
It was said that the fire burned for several hours and the bones were charred.
“No!” , the Duke of Ding refused categorically, “This appearance of yours has already aroused the suspicion of the Moon Maiden.”
“So what if I’m suspected, Xiao’er has ……”
The Duke of Ding’s wife couldn’t go on.
“Xiao’er is already deceased, we should think of the living, if you go to the South City to see Xiao’er’s skeleton, it will certainly attract the attention of others, if word reaches the Emperor’s ears and makes him suspicious, our Xiao family is in danger.”
The Duke of Ding’s wife once again cried out in pain.
……
Song Wan Yue and Song Si stayed at the Xu residence for dinner in the evening and told everyone about their return tomorrow. When they learned that Duke Ding had sent Xiao Zheng to escort her back with his men, everyone put their hearts at ease.
After eating, Xu and Song Lin pulled her in and instructed her to be careful on the way, to which Song Wan Yue obediently complied.
The following day, Xiao Zheng brought his men to South City at the appointed time.
There were two carriages parked at the gate, one with skeletons on it and the other with Song Wan Yue on it.
Song Wan Yue walked out of the courtyard holding the parcel holding the skeleton. She had deliberately said the wrong hour last night, just to prevent the Xu family’s men from coming to deliver it.
“Big brother, after I leave, you go to the Xu family and say so.”
Song Si nodded.
“Uncle Xiao.”
Xiao Zheng nodded his head, “Let’s go.”