The old gentleman regretted somewhat that he had agreed to the Fourth Prince if he had known that he was in danger.
Song Wan Yue persuaded, “You did the right thing, if Second Grandfather becomes the Crown Prince’s Grand Master, it will only give the Emperor an additional bargaining chip against us in his hands.”
Song Yin concurred, “The only thing we can do today is to find a way to learn which day he has Master Jing Fan count.”
“I have some friendship with Master Jing Fan, I will write a letter at once, and you will take it to the Thousand Hills Temple tomorrow morning.”
After the old gentleman finished speaking, he was about to get up to write the letter, but was stopped by Song Yin.
“Since he is already suspicious, he may have secretly left someone on the mountain, we should not act rashly at this moment, don’t worry, I have a solution.”
The old gentleman was also in a hurry before he thought of writing the letter, and hearing him say so, he also felt that it was not right and sat down again. He opened his mouth to ask him what he could do, but then swallowed the words and instructed, “Be careful and protect yourself.”
The two men responded.
After accompanying the old man to dinner, they went back to their respective houses.
……
Late at night, everyone in the Xu House fell into a deep sleep.
Song Yin came out of his room, walked to Song Wan Yue’s door and gently knocked on it.
The door was immediately opened and Song Wangyue came out. The two of them walked hand in hand to the wall, leapt over and disappeared into the darkness.
……
The two of them have become sturdy men today, and although their faces have changed, their desire to avenge the king has remained the same.
He also had a premonition that Song Yin would come to him tonight.
He deliberately had two lamps lit in the study to brighten up the room.
The servants of the government were ordered to rest early.
It was now past midnight, and Song Yin should have come.
He suppressed his excitement and held his breath as he listened to the movement outside.
There were light footsteps and he immediately got up and went over to open the door.
He had not expected Song Wangyue to follow him here.
Song Wangyue nodded at him.
Sun Qi reacted and nodded back, moving his body out of the way and closing the door behind him once the two had entered the room, his curious gaze falling on Song Wangyue.
He had met Song Wangyue once when she went to the palace to sue the emperor a few years ago. At that time, Song Wangyue was a young girl who had not yet opened up, and at that time he was sweating for this young girl, so unaware of the high ground, not knowing what would happen to her.
Seeing him looking straight at Song Wangyue, Song Yin frowned slightly and knocked on the table.
Sun Qi’s heart fluttered and he hurriedly withdrew his gaze, telling what had happened at the Thousand Hills Temple today, saying afterwards, “I didn’t know beforehand, it was only when I reached the foot of the mountain that Huang De told me. I felt bad at the time and instructed my men to keep quiet and come and tell me whatever they found. It was also fortunate that His Majesty was asleep at the time, or else there would have been trouble.”
He was still afraid when he thought about it, if His Majesty hadn’t fallen asleep at that time and Eunuch Huang had followed him there, the secret passage would never have been concealed.
“This time it was cousin who was negligent, I have instructed Uncle Hu to send two men to guard that courtyard secretly when we return tomorrow morning.”
For so many years, no one had ever approached that courtyard, they had indeed been careless.
“I came over today because I want you to do me a favour.”
“Please speak, Seiji.”
Song Yin glanced at him and did not correct his title.
“After you enter the palace today, think to ask the Fourth Prince which day Master Jingfan is counting?”
“Good.”
After the business was finished, Song Yin took Song Wan Yue’s hand, “Let me introduce to you, my fiancée, Song Wan Yue.”
Seeing his unapologetic actions, the corners of Sun Qi’s mouth twitched as he greeted in a cooperative manner, “Hello Miss Song, I’m Sun Qi.”
“Good day, Commander Sun.”
Song Wangyue nodded her head graciously and didn’t bless her body in salute like the other girls.
Of course, she didn’t dare to accept the salute even if she did.
Her voice was clear and pleasant, and her looks were first class. Before, Sun Qi did not understand how Song Yin could be charmed by a country girl, but now he knew. It is said that heroes have difficulty with beauty, and Song Yin was no exception.
“I’ll write you a note, you can give it to the Fourth Prince tomorrow.”
……
Today was the sixth day of the first month, before the morning court had begun, and the palace gates opened an hour late. Sun Qi entered the palace at dawn and led a round as usual, and then let the others continue their rounds while he himself walked slowly along the palace walls.
A young eunuch emerged from a door at one side and stood at attention, bowing to make way.
Sun Qi handed out two slips of paper as he walked past him. The young eunuch took them and quickly clutched them in his hands. When he was far away, he turned back inside the side door, found a secluded place, opened it and read it, crumpled one of the slips of paper, put it in his mouth, chewed it a few times and swallowed it, and took the other one to the Fourth Prince’s palace.
The Fourth Prince was about to go to his mother’s palace and called someone in to help him change his clothes.
Two young eunuchs entered with low brows, one of them went to get his clothes, the other moved a step to block the man’s view and held the slip of paper in his hand up to the Fourth Prince.
Looking at the familiar words on the note, the fourth prince opened his mouth without hesitation, “Eighteen.”
The young eunuch saw it clearly and quickly put the note away, took a step back and waited for the man to come over and change the Fourth Prince’s clothes together.
When the fourth prince had left the palace, the little eunuch ran back outside that side door while no one was around and gave a gesture of eighteen to Sun Qi, who was waiting there, who nodded his head.
……
At noon, Sun Qi came out of the palace and passed the news to Song Yin.
A day later, there was a new rumour in the capital that the Emperor wanted to make the fourth prince and had gone to the Thousand Hills Temple to have Master Jing Fan tell the date.
When the news reached Zhu Zhihong’s ears, he paused in his writing and looked at the housekeeper, “Can you tell me what day it is?”
“It says it’s the 18th of this month.”
Zhu Zhihong put down his pen, picked up the half-written folders and put them into the fireplace. Tomorrow was the morning court, and he and several ministers had agreed that they would all submit folds tomorrow, asking the emperor to establish a crown prince. Since the emperor had this in mind, the folders would not be used.
However, such an important matter as choosing an auspicious date has always been the business of the Qintian Supervisor, so why did the Emperor suddenly go to Master Jingfan?
……
The following morning, the court was in session.
Eunuch Huang’s voice was as shrill as before, “If you have something to say, leave the court if you have nothing to say.”
Zhu Zhihong and Wan Yanming looked at each other and stepped forward.
“Your Majesty, it is rumoured that Your Majesty wants to make the Fourth Prince the Crown Prince, I wonder if the rumours are true or not?”
“It is true, I went to the Thousand Hills Temple and asked Master Jingfan, he said that the fourth prince is gifted and intelligent, benevolent and benevolent, he is the perfect candidate to be the crown prince, I ……”
A small eunuch came in quickly and whispered a few words in Eunuch Huang’s ear, Eunuch Huang changed his face, he walked quickly to the emperor and
“Your Majesty, it’s not good, the fourth prince has smallpox!”