Chapter 509 — Saving a Life

Ruotong darted out at once, and shortly returned to report: "Madam, it's the Lord Defender of the Realm. He's making a fuss, demanding that the Second Master be moved to the Osmanthus Fragrance Court!"

Dou Yan gave a cold laugh. "Go and carry a message for me. Say that the Second Master plotted to harm Yuan Heng, and even made baseless accusations that this was the Lord Defender's own design. Say the Second Master stays put in the Hall of Cultivated Purpose until the Heir Apparent returns, lest people mistake the Lord Defender for one trying to silence a witness!"

Ruotong assented meekly and went out.

Soon the noise died away, and the Hall of Cultivated Purpose returned to its former quiet.

Dou Yan went to the garden.

But Song Cen returned to the Osmanthus Fragrance Court pale as death.

He summoned Tao Jun, who was feigning "grave illness," to speak with him.

Tao Jun's first instinct was to refuse, but then he thought of the great upheavals in the capital these past two days, and after some consideration followed Zeng Wu to Song Cen's study.

Song Cen opened by railing at Song Han as a "fool" and an "idiot," then slumped and said, "Instrument. This unfilial son actually claims he was acting on my orders to help the Prince of Liao support the Dou clan. Tell me, what am I to do now?"

Tao Jun nearly fainted dead away at the words, cursing himself for having spared Song Cen's feelings and failed to insist on leaving the Ying Defender of the Realm's mansion without delay. Now look—Song Cen had dragged himself into such a mess. No wonder the man had been telling him to "rest" so earnestly these past days.

He could not help stamping his foot. "My lord, how could you be so foolish as to involve yourself in such a business?"

Song Cen was displeased at the reproach, but since he needed Tao Jun to devise a plan, he forced the irritation down. "Then what would you suggest?"

"Deny it flatly," Tao Jun said with finality. "And not only deny it—you must have nothing more to do with the Second Master's affairs."

Song Cen was taken aback, and for a good while said nothing. "I am his father. Is it so improper even to ask after him?"

Tao Jun had long detested Song Han's honeyed words and venomous heart. "Do you not know your son's nature by now? If he pins everything he did on you, what then? And the Prince of Liao is still up on Yuquan Mountain!"

Song Cen ground his teeth, still unwilling. "Are we to stand by and watch Song Chuzhi grow unchecked?"

Tao Jun laughed in sheer exasperation. "My lord, your first order of business is to extract yourself!"

Song Cen agonized for a long while, then nodded helplessly.

The stone in Tao Jun's heart dropped.

No matter what was said, Song Cen was Song Yan's father. If Song Cen were caught up in the succession struggle, then even if Song Yan had earned merit protecting the Emperor, he would still be tainted by his father's sins. Surely Song Yan would leave Song Cen a way out...

Tao Jun resolved that whatever Song Cen meant to do, once the palace coup was settled he would resign and go home to his native place.

Song Han, hastily bandaged and thrown aside, understood better than Song Cen.

After a scandal like this, he would be lucky if his own father did not kick him while he was down; expecting the man to rescue him was out of the question.

Song Ke was at home.

Most likely he was at the Heir Apparent's side, currying favor.

By the time he returned, things would likely look very grim for Song Han.

Song Han stared at the guards standing watch at the door like iron pagodas, his brows locked tight.

Dou Yan was exceedingly glad.

Halfway to the garden, a sweat-drenched Wu Yi stopped her. "Madam, the Heir Apparent has brought the Fifth Maternal Uncle back. He asks you to prepare a guest room and arrange a few maids and serving women."

"So everything went smoothly?" Dou Yan asked him.

Wu Yi hesitated a moment. "The Fifth Maternal Uncle was badly tortured. It's fortunate we arrived when we did... On the way back the Heir Apparent already sent men to fetch a physician."

Dou Yan sighed and instructed Ruozhu to prepare the guest room, then turned back to her chamber to wash and dress, making ready to pay her respects to Jiang Baisun.

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Sisters and brothers, here is today's update.

o(n_n)o~