Chapter 337 — A Return Gift
Purple Streets of Chang'an · Page 1 of 4
When the news reached Song Cen's ears, his mouth twisted with rage. He drove a kick straight into Zeng Wu's belly. "Go! Round up every one of those gossiping wretches, give them fifty lashes apiece, and sell them all off to the slavers!"
Zeng Wu doubled over, clutching his stomach.
But the rumors had already spread through the entire household. Was he supposed to sell off every serving woman in the mansion?
A thought flashed through his mind, and he seized upon a bold idea.
The Lord of the Zhenguo Estate merely wanted to kill a chicken to frighten the monkeys. Why not take this chance and hand over those few who had always looked down on him?
Then they would see who dared despise him again!
His mind made up, Zeng Wu scrambled to his feet, answered "Yes, my lord" with due deference, and was about to withdraw when Tao Jun, standing nearby, blocked his way.
"Wait!" He bowed to the Lord of the Zhenguo Estate. "I think this matter still requires careful deliberation. Better to first get to the bottom of where these rumors came from before we decide anything."
Zeng Wu heard this and sighed inwardly.
The Lord of the Zhenguo Estate always listened to Master Tao. With Master Tao speaking up like this, his plan to use public authority for private revenge had gone up in smoke.
The thought had scarcely passed when Zeng Wu watched in astonishment as Song Cen leapt up, his face mottled blue and white with fury. "Careful deliberation! Deliberate on what? Did you not hear? The Yizhi Hall has bought up quantities of incense candles and white mourning cloth! What are they planning? To curse me to death? That unfilial wretch—what decency is there left to show him? If I do not beat to death those who dare to spread such nonsense in the Zhenguo Estate this very year, who knows what more unspeakable things will be whispered next! I have endured him long enough. This time, do not expect me to endure it any longer!"
Tao Jun regarded the raging Song Cen and shook his head helplessly. Still, he raised his voice and called out "Lord of the Zhenguo Estate" before saying, "Now is not the time to lose your temper and punish people—now is the time to think about how to clear your name!"
"Clear my name!" Song Cen was taken aback.
"Precisely!" Tao Jun said gravely. "Think about it. If these rumors reach the Emperor's ears, what will His Majesty think?"
Song Cen's mind was slow to follow. He said blankly, "What has this to do with His Majesty?"
Tao Jun had no choice but to lower his voice. "You have been ill for a very long time now, yet the post at the Five Armies Command cannot simply be left vacant forever. If word of this reaches the Emperor, and if someone with ill intentions fans the flames, then your post as the Seal-Holding Commander…"
Most likely someone else would take his place?
And once he lost the office of Seal-Holding Commander of the Five Armies Command, what would he have left to hold Song Yan in check?
Song Cen's heart gave a jolt, and he gradually calmed down. But the moment he grew calm, he was so furious he could have spat blood. He said resentfully, "Am I to just let this go?"
"…" Tao Jun could only console him. "The Lord of the Zhenguo Estate should put the bigger picture first. If you want to deal with a few gossiping serving women, there will be plenty of time for that later—why do it now? Others will think we are shamed into anger and trying to cover up your illness. If the Emperor were to send palace eunuchs to inquire after your health, or even have the Imperial Medical Academy submit your prescriptions for review, that would be trouble indeed!"
Song Cen's hands clenched into fists, his nails digging into his palms.