Chapter 428 — The Full Moon

The youth turned, and seeing it was Jiang Yan, was greatly relieved. He hurried forward and made his bow. "I came with my lord to congratulate the heir on the birth of a son. My lord is drinking with several gentlemen of the Divine Machine Camp and the Five Camps in the flower hall of the outer court. I had nothing to do, so I was passing the time in talk with some of Brother Wuyi's men. The heir gave orders that Steward Peng should bring out the shao dao zi, and Steward Xi told them to go and fetch the wine. I thought I was idle anyway, so I went along to lend a hand. Before the wine was all carried in, a message came out from the stewardess of the inner court, saying that Sister Ruozhu, who attends the madam, wanted several jars of the pear-blossom white bestowed by the Emperor. I volunteered to help Steward Peng fetch the keys—and wouldn't you know it, I lost my way!"

Jiang Yan could not help laughing. "Why didn't you find someone to ask where the accounting office was?"

After Chen Jia found her, Hu Zi had waited on her carefully the whole way as they escorted her into the capital. Seeing him again, she felt a warmth of familiarity, and so she spoke to him casually.

Hu Zi gave a foolish grin.

Yinghong, however, understood what was really going on.

Most likely the servants in the household could not stand seeing this fellow called Hu Zi put himself forward, and had deliberately set out to make a fool of him by sending him down the wrong path.

She pointed to the passage on the east side. "Follow that path straight ahead. When you see a narrow lane with a flowered wall, turn in there, and you'll find the accounting office."

Hu Zi thanked her respectfully.

Yinghong hastily stepped aside.

Jiang Yan then asked him, "Is Lord Chen well?"

Hu Zi replied gleefully, "My lord has been promoted to Zhenfu Commissioner."

Jiang Yan had no idea what sort of post a Zhenfu Commissioner was. Hearing that Chen Jia had been promoted, she thought it must surely be a good thing, and so she smiled and asked Hu Zi to convey her congratulations to Chen Jia.

Hu Zi nodded again and again.

Jiang Yan said with a smile, "Then you'd better hurry and fetch the keys. Mind you don't delay Steward Peng's business—if you're careless, you'll end up patting the horse on the leg instead of the back."

Hu Zi chuckled and dashed off in a puff of smoke.

Meeting an old acquaintance had lifted Jiang Yan's spirits considerably. Smiling, she returned with Yinghong to Bishui Pavilion.

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Wang Ge, whom Song Yan had invited into the small study, was in a foul mood.

He had originally come only to join in the festivities. He had never expected to be caught red-handed by Song Yan, who then pressed him about Song Han's marriage.

Which little bastard in the Qianqing Palace had sold him out?

Yesterday had been the third imperial grandson's full-month celebration. All the imperial relatives and high officials had entered the palace to offer congratulations. Shi Chonglan, the Third Imperial Son-in-law, had pressed a stack of silver notes on him, saying that the Duke of Yingguo wished to have his second son marry a princess, and begging him to sound out the Emperor's inclination.

And in less than twelve hours, Song Yan already knew!

If he ever found out who had tipped off Song Yan, he would flay that beast alive—or his name was not Wang!

It did not occur to him that his name had never been Wang to begin with...

But in Song Yan's presence, gazing at Song Yan, who made no secret of his hostility toward Song Han, Wang Ge gave an embarrassed, dry laugh and shifted all the blame onto the Third Imperial Son-in-law. "This servant did try to dissuade the Third Imperial Son-in-law. This is a family matter of the Songs. Since the Duke of Zhenguo has such intentions, why not go sound out the Emperor himself? But the Third Imperial Son-in-law said that when entrusted with a task, one must see it through loyally. This servant had no choice but to screw up my courage and ask on his behalf."

Song Yan gave a faintly mocking "Oh," and said, "The Eunuch is right. This Third Imperial Son-in-law does meddle a great deal too much. I think I shall have to find him something to do—perhaps then he won't have the time to keep his eye fixed on other people's family affairs."

Wang Ge sneered inwardly.

This realm does not belong to your Song family. The Third Princess is the Emperor's most beloved daughter, and her husband has always cut a fine figure before the Emperor on her account. Can a mere heir of the Duke of Yingzhen's household lay a finger on the Third Imperial Son-in-law?

He chuckled and made no reply.

Song Yan had long wanted to deal with Wang Ge, and this was the perfect occasion to teach them all a lesson.

If a tiger does not show its might, they take it for a sick cat.

Song Yan smiled too.

But his smile was exceedingly reserved.

Still smiling, he raised his cup and invited Wang Ge to drink tea. "This Dahongpao was bestowed by His Majesty. Knowing the Eunuch is fond of it, I had a pot brewed specially."

Only his father could have thought of such a thing.

With tainted blood, once the matter came to light, Song Han would have only one fate: death.

His father feigned ignorance and wanted Song Han to marry a princess. Did he imagine that if the truth ever came out, the Emperor would show Song Han leniency for the princess's sake?

Now it seemed that Song Han's earlier clamoring—that he would marry no one but a Jiang daughter—had probably been part of the same scheme.

It was as though he had swallowed a fly.

Wang Ge's eyes flickered slightly.

Yes—was Song Ke relying solely on the Emperor's favor and trust?

But I am the one who serves at the Emperor's side. Does Song Yan really think he can outmatch me?

Wang Ge smiled as well.

He smiled like a fox.

Song Yan had money.

Not only did he have money himself, but his wife had even more.

If he, Wang Ge, did not make Song Yan's purse bleed heavily, he would be doing himself a grave injustice!

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Sisters and brothers, here is today's first update.

Begging for pink votes!

o(n_n)o~