Chapter 406 - 311: Perception
At this moment, Rong Heng, who was changing horses at the way station, sneezed involuntarily under the muttering of three women.
He didn’t pay much attention, grabbing a handful of straw prepared by the station to feed the horse.
To avoid exposing his identity, Mo Feng stayed behind in Yinzhou earlier, so he had to keep changing horses to maintain speed along the way.
"Master, another hundred miles south, we’ll reach Lu State. Why don’t we rest at the station tonight and continue our journey tomorrow," said a Hidden Guard beside him.
Rong Heng calculated the time and nodded, "Alright."
They reached here just four days after leaving the Capital City, faster than expected. There was still more than half a month left until his meeting with Yuan Lang, making their schedule more flexible.
Suddenly, Rong Heng twitched his ears, stood up instantly, and put on a black iron mask: "Someone’s coming."
Moments later, the sound of hooves came from outside the station. Another Hidden Guard hurried back from outside and whispered, "Master, it’s a group of Imperial Guards. They look like they’re passing by, but it’s also possible they intend to stay."
A team of over ten Imperial Guards in black gold armor stopped at the station’s entrance. Leading them was Song Zhi in dark light armor, covered in dust.
"Sirs," the station guards stepped forward respectfully, carefully sizing them up.
Song Zhi, wearing a dark eyepatch on his left eye, exposed only one deep and indifferent phoenix eye.
He dismounted, his voice low and hoarse but gentle, politely saying, "The Imperial Guards are on official business returning to the Capital City. Please feed our horses with the finest feed."
"Understood." The station staff quickly led the guards’ horses to the back courtyard.
At this time, Rong Heng and his companions led their horses past Song Zhi’s group.
He had already guessed why he would encounter Song Zhi here—previously, Rong Jing had decreed the removal of Rong Qichun’s title as Crown Prince, demoted him to a commoner, and sent him to Qingliang Temple to offer prayers for Dayan on behalf of the Empress Dowager who hadn’t made it there. This matter was personally handled by Song Zhi for escort.
It seemed Song Zhi had already sent him there and was now on his way back to the Capital City, possibly planning to stay here tonight.
Rong Heng chose not to provoke any trouble, abandoning the plan to stay at the station, and decided to reach Lu State before dark.
"Hold it!"
Song Zhi frowned, sensing a cold yet familiar aura from the masked man passing by.
Rong Heng stopped, didn’t speak, while a Hidden Guard beside him took out a waist plaque: "Greetings, sir. We are communication guards under Prince Xiang, returning to Yinzhou to report, merely passing by to change horses."
"Prince Xiang’s guards?" Song Zhi murmured without further questioning, nodding politely, "I meant no offense. Please continue on your journey."
"Thank you, General. We take our leave." The Hidden Guards cupped their fists, mounted their horses with Rong Heng, and rode away from the station.
Song Zhi squinted his eyes, watching the three riders bathed in the sunset’s afterglow, a complex shadow passing through his deep, black phoenix eye.
Recently, Rong Jing rewarded Prince Xiang and Yan Qing. Understanding Rong Jing well, Song Zhi knew that this gesture was not only to suppress the Second Prince but also because Rong Jing genuinely intended for Prince Xiang to become a second Prince Rui. As the blade in His Majesty’s hand, he was tasked to remove all obstacles for His Majesty, thus he secretly investigated Prince Xiang.
However, it seemed that Prince Xiang truly was an ordinary Prince, raised in the Imperial Court, losing his maternal family, with no power or status.
The most outrageous thing he had done was accompanying Princess Changle to visit Prince Rui’s military camp, and the rumors of a homosexual relationship with Young Master Gu.
However, rumors of a homosexual relationship with Young Master Gu have spread about nearly ten others.
Beside him, an Imperial Guard looked in the direction where Rong Heng and his team left, whispering:
"Commander, during our escort of Rong Qichun to Qingliang Temple, there were many rumors saying His Majesty intended to name Prince Xiang the Imperial Brother. Those three also carried an arrogant air... Do you think this is true?"
Song Zhi turned sharply, staring fiercely at her, with a trace of killing intent in his hoarse voice: "How dare you speculate on His Majesty’s intentions?"
The Imperial Guard’s face turned pale, and she hurriedly knelt down: "It was my fault, my slip of tongue. Please forgive me, Commander."
Song Zhi turned and walked into the station, voice cold, devoid of emotion: "If it happens again, kill without mercy."
"Yes, thank you, Commander."
Just then, a white pigeon descended from the sky. Song Zhi caught it, taking off the message tube tied to its leg.
This was a pigeon from the Capital City, likely a message for him from the Imperial Guards.
Song Zhi opened the letter, his expression changing instantly.
On it, a small line of ink read:
"The Crow Building is backed by Zhou Xing of the Ministry of Justice; Zhou Xing once took orders from Prince Xiang."
Song Zhi already knew the first part.
A brothel in a prosperous part of the Capital City must have a complex background. With a bit of investigation, it was found that Zhou Xing was behind it.
But no one knew Zhou Xing was Prince Xiang’s man!
The brothel itself wasn’t important; what mattered was that a high-ranking official like the Chief of the Ministry of Justice was secretly working for Prince Xiang without anyone’s knowledge. Prince Xiang... is well-hidden indeed.
Song Zhi pondered for a moment, crumpling the note in his hand, and ordered in a deep voice: "No rest tonight, return to the Capital City with me immediately."
He needed to report this matter to His Majesty at once!
The surrounding Imperial Guards, seeing his serious expression, dared not ask what had happened, only followed him, ending their rest and setting off once more.
Song Zhi looked up, the remaining phoenix eye staring directly at the molten gold sunset, he murmured lowly:
"Your Majesty, the person you wish to appoint seems not as simple as he appears."
Three days later.
The Dingyuan Marquis Mansion was brightly decorated, drums and gongs resounded.
Early in the morning, just as the sun was rising, Gu Lan, as the legitimate grandson, stood at the Marquis Mansion’s gate, dressed in auspicious red, with black hair tied with a red ribbon, welcoming guests who came to offer birthday congratulations.
Beside her was Uncle Li, the mansion’s steward, and Shiqi, as a cousin from the Zhou Family, was also helping alongside Zijin to look after arriving guests.
The entire Capital City knew that today was the old lady of the Dingyuan Marquis Mansion’s birthday. The Zhou Family’s gift of ten boxes of gold and jewels had been delivered a few days earlier with Shiqi, stored in the mansion’s treasury in advance.
Those who knew would think it was the old lady’s birthday; those who didn’t might assume the Zhou Family had married off their daughter to the Marquis Mansion again.
Today coincided with the morning court session, so Second Young Master Gu and Gu Changting were also expected to return to the mansion immediately after court, but ended up detained by overtime at the Ministry of Rites. The father and son had to handle affairs at the Wenyuan Pavilion before returning.
Fortunately, the feast officially began at noon, and by then, Rong Jing would also visit the mansion to offer birthday congratulations.
"Wishing the old lady blessings as vast as the Eastern Sea and a longevity equal to the southern mountains!"
"May I also wish the Young Master a smooth career and rising prospects."
"Wishing the old lady health and longevity, prosperity, and happiness."
"I wish the old lady a life as bright as the moon and stars, and longevity as enduring as the pine and crane—"
The procession of visiting officials to offer congratulations continued endlessly. Gu Lan politely thanked each, allowing Uncle Li and Zipei to accept the gifts and lead them to the courtyard to be seated.
Under the brilliant morning sun, Xie Yun and Rong Miaoyan arrived together, handing their invitation cards to Gu Lan.