Chapter 418 — An Explanation
Purple Streets of Chang'an · Page 3 of 4
"By the time I came back, Father and Mother were wearing stiff faces and ignoring each other. Mother told Libai to take me off and change my clothes. When I got back, Mother and Father were quarreling. Matron Xie carried me under the grape arbor, and I never got to hear clearly what they were fighting about. After that, Libai dragged me back to my room. By the time Qingli came to fetch me, Mother was already failing, doubled over the edge of the bed coughing up great mouthfuls of blood. Father went to her, and she shoved him away with one hand..."
Song Yan's face was calm, but the whitened tips of his fingers gripping the teacup betrayed his feelings.
He glanced lightly at Song Han and said softly, "Song Han, you're still lying! Do you think I'm a fool? Do you think I don't dare touch you, and that's why you're so reckless?"
That gentle voice, utterly devoid of feeling, made Song Han's hair stand on end.
"I knew it—you'd never believe me." He stared at Song Yan in dismay, his dry voice making him sound very nervous.
Song Yan smiled faintly at him. He rose, and his hand shot out like lightning to seize him by the throat.
"You may not know this yet," he said slowly, his hand like iron pincers, tightening little by little, "but I don't mind at all doing it with my own hands."
Song Han's face began to redden at once.
He clawed desperately at Song Yan's hand.
But how could he be Song Yan's match?
Song Han tasted the agony of suffocation once more.
He glared at Song Yan with wide eyes.
Song Yan smiled mockingly.
A clamor rose outside the door.
Song Han squawked.
Song Yan unhurriedly tightened the grip of his hand.
From outside came Song Cen's roar: "This is mutiny! This is the Ying Duke's residence, and Yizhi Hall is part of the Ying Duke's residence. You are the guards of Yizhi Hall, and guards of my Ying Duke's residence as well. How dare you block my way! Don't blame me for being unkind when this is over!"
Song Han's spirits lifted.
There was no way the upper courtyard was without Father's people. For Song Yan to interrogate him in the upper courtyard was walking straight into the net!
All he had to do was stay alive until Father appeared, and Song Yan could do nothing to him.
A flicker of triumph passed through Song Han's eyes.
Song Yan laughed soundlessly.
Looking into Song Han's eyes, he instructed Lu Ming in a mild voice, "Let the Duke in. I want him to watch with his own eyes as I strangle this son of his to death!"
Lu Ming answered "Yes" without expression and left the inner chamber.
Song Han turned pale with fright.
Song Yan's hand tightened further.
Song Han struggled and thrashed with all his strength.
Song Yan merely regarded him with contempt, as though he were a cockroach that could be swatted dead at any moment.
Song Cen burst in, flanked by Protector Chang and several other guards.
The scene inside the room stopped him dead, aghast.
Protector Chang and the rest were struck dumb outright.
Song Yan leaned close to Song Han and said in a low voice, "I'll ask you one last time—when Father and Mother quarreled, what exactly was said?"
Song Han's eyes were bloodshot, his head no longer able to move at all; he rolled a pitiful, sidelong glance at Song Cen, wordlessly pleading for rescue.
Song Cen came to his senses and strode toward Song Yan. "What do you think you're doing? Are you trying to murder your own brother?"
"Indeed!" Song Yan turned his head and gave Song Cen a provoking smile. "Father, you've got it wrong—you should be asking whether I mean to murder my full-blooded younger brother!"
Song Cen's step faltered.
Song Zhi's hand suddenly tightened.
Song Yan could not breathe; his tongue lolled out.
Song Cen flew into a rage. "Let go! You unfilial wretch—even if this suit must be carried before the imperial throne, I will strip you of your position as heir!"
"Is that so?" Song Yan arched a brow at Song Cen and released his grip.