Chapter 427 — The Child
Purple Streets of Chang'an · Page 1 of 4
By the time the Song father and son returned from the palace, the lamps were already lit, and the guests who had come for Song He's third-day bath had all dispersed.
Song Yan nodded to Song Cen and went back to Yi Zhi Hall.
Song Cen, however, stood for a long while in silence on the bluestone walkway of the main path of the Yingzhen Duke's residence.
In the past, the Emperor had not been what one would call intimate with him, yet he had never treated him as an outsider either. But this time, at the palace, he had felt keenly the Emperor's coldness and distance—had even been treated to a lecture about how "a house where legitimate and base-born are not kept distinct is a house bound for ruin."
Could the Emperor have heard something?
Or had Song Yan complained about him before the Emperor?
When Song Cen turned his head toward Yi Zhi Hall, his gaze was like a poisoned blade.
This was exactly the sort of thing Song Yan was capable of!
Why else did every military officer in the capital brace himself with triple vigilance at the mere mention of Song Yan's name?
At the thought, Song Cen's chest tightened with stifled anger.
He flung his sleeve and returned to Guixiang Court.
Song Han's injury had much improved; he stood at the door on a cane to welcome Song Cen.
Looking at his pale face, Song Cen's heart softened. "Why are you not resting properly? Is the wound any better?"
Song Han smiled. "The imperial physician Father engaged for me is most skilled—after only three doses, I feel much improved." He steered Song Cen with a hovering hand toward the main chamber. "I hear the Emperor bestowed a name on Dong Ge today? The Emperor still favors Father greatly—such an honor, and in all the capital, our family alone enjoys it."
He laid the whole credit at Song Cen's feet.
Song Cen heard it with great satisfaction, his voice growing ever gentler: "This too is the Emperor's regard for our family's generations of loyalty. So you see, our family need only act in accordance with the Emperor's wishes, and as for all else, it is no concern of ours. Only thus can this favor be carried on long and enduring."
That was aimed squarely at the Duke's household, was it not?
So his father had taken to heart his plan to marry the Jiang girl.
Song Han sneered inwardly, while saying aloud, "Father's instruction is right. I am grown now, and having seen a good deal, I know what matters and what can wait. I shall never again be as foolish as before."
Song Cen gave a satisfied "Mm," halted his steps, and said, "In a few days I shall go to the palace and seek a match for you. These days, stay home and study well; do not stir up trouble, lest word of it reach the noble ones in the palace and displease them. Do you understand?"
Song Han was struck dumb.
What Song Cen was thinking was this: having such a foolish son was not so bad after all—at least he obeyed in all things and would never act on his own and leave him embarrassed.
"Silly boy!" He laughed and entered the hall.
Watching Song Cen go inside, Song Han slowly returned to the small eastern courtyard where he lodged.
Qixia and Caiyun hurried to greet him.
He waved his hand, dismissed all the servants in the room, and went into the inner chamber. Quietly he moved aside the Guanyin statue enshrined on the eastern wall, revealing a small portrait.
The figure in the portrait wore a robe of embroidered silk, elegant and dignified, with a trace—now there, now not—of firmness and pride about the brows.