Chapter 245: Chapter 229: The Most Fortunate Attendant Student
The Su Family and the Cheng Family are suspected of being involved in the coal mining case. Song Wei heard it from the mouth of a Prince Consort. Yesterday, when he went to the Hanlin Academy for a handover, he indeed discovered that the top scholar from his cohort last year had already been forced to suspend his duties pending investigation.
Getting entangled with the Su Family meant that Wen Wan’s suspicions were very likely correct. Along this journey, he would inevitably face assassination attempts. However, those attempting to kill him would not come from the Princess Mansion, but rather from the Prime Minister’s Mansion.
The fact proved that bringing Wen Wan along was the wisest decision.
On the first day on the road, the path was bombed, and halfway across a stone bridge, the bridge collapsed directly...
Of course, these were all things Wen Wan had anticipated.
The truth was, however, that Song Wei ordered a temporary halt to rest, sending someone ahead to scout the route.
The leader of the Jinyi Guard was named Wei, holding the military rank of Hundred Households.
Upon hearing a scout’s report that the road ahead was bombed and needed rerouting, he frowned and ordered a change of route.
After changing routes, they were again informed of problems with the stone bridge.
Wei Baihu was not stupid; he already suspected whose handiwork it was. With a cold smile in his eerie gaze, he said, "Those idiots from the Su Family!"
Wen Wan also felt that the Su Family were truly stupid. Killing one Song Wei wouldn’t stop the Emperor from continually sending people to Ningzhou, with more Imperial Envoys like Li Wei, Wang Wei... So many Imperial Envoys, can they kill them all?
...
The truly foolish one was neither Su Xiang nor Su Yi. Both were smart people who would not start taking ruthless actions before Song Wei even arrived in Ningzhou.
The person causing the trouble was Su Yaojun’s biological father, Su Xiang’s third brother, Su Hua.
At present, he was being dragged by Su Xiang’s men, getting a few kicks in the chest as he kneeled on the ground.
Su Hua bowed his head, not daring to make a sound.
Su Xiang scolded him for a full half hour, saying he was blind when choosing a wife, which resulted in a troublemaking wretch for a son, a whole family of idiots!
Su Hua sniffled and looked at his brother, "I’m just a crooked pot; what good stove could I marry?"
"..." Su Xiang almost fainted.
Su Hua had attempted to sabotage Song Wei several times without success. Adding to that, being harshly reprimanded by his brother, his pride was wounded, and upon returning to his courtyard, he called two concubines to "heal his wounds."
When Su Xiang found out, he flew into a rage. In a fit of anger, he ordered people to set off several large firecrackers at Su Hua’s door when he was in the throes of passion, directly frightening Su Hua limp, had the two concubines beaten to death with sticks, and tied Su Hua to the ancestral hall to kneel in punishment.
As the situation spiraled out of control, Su Yi felt uneasy and seized the opportunity to return to her family home. Upon entering, she saw her elder brother losing his temper. She hurriedly asked, "What’s going on?"
At this moment, Su Xiang was agitated at the sight of her, "How do you have the face to come here?"
Su Yi knew she had done something foolish, inadvertently tampering with evidence which had been seen through.
But at this point, there was no use in blaming anyone. The most important thing was to find a way to resolve it.
"Brother, at this point, you shouldn’t just focus on getting angry. Let’s sit down and think of a solution. We must make sure that Yaojun gets out of this, otherwise, the Su Family will inevitably get implicated."
Su Xiang snorted coldly, still looking displeased, "I would love to bribe Song Wei, but unfortunately, he’s surrounded by Jinyi Guards. If I slip up, they’ll execute me without a chance to report, and then my official hat will be lost."
Su Yi said, "Regardless, we should first expel the third branch from the clan to prevent the situation from escalating to an unmanageable point."
Su Xiang sighed; for now, this was the only thing to do.
——
With Wen Wan present, Song Wei safely arrived in Ningzhou. He was the Imperial Envoy personally appointed by the Emperor. Every time they passed a post house along the way, local officials at various levels would prepare banquets to welcome them.
It was no different upon arriving in Ningzhou. First, it was the Magistrate and the Assistant Magistrate. When they reached Pingjiang County, the County Magistrate Lu from previous years had not yet been promoted.
Upon hearing that the imperial court had dispatched an Imperial Envoy, he hurriedly straightened his official hat, puffed out his round-bellied pot belly, and led people to wait at the post house ahead of time.
Regarding the coal mining case, although the citizens of the Capital had already stirred up trouble, no official word had been released yet.
Thus, the County Magistrate Lu, far away in Ningzhou, did not know what mission this Imperial Envoy was on. He only knew that those coming from the Capital held ranks higher than his, capable of crushing him, especially since this one was personally dispatched by the Emperor. No matter the previous rank, upon completing the mission, a promotion was inevitable.
Thinking this, he was even more inclined to treat the Imperial Envoy as an honored ancestor.
While County Magistrate Lu was still pondering how to please this honored ancestor, Song Wei and his entourage had already arrived.
As soon as County Magistrate Lu looked up, he saw a group of mightily impressive people dressed in Flying Fish Robes and wearing Brocade Spring Sabers.
Even as dull-witted as he was, he could see they were the Emperor’s pawns, the Jinyi Guard, and he was instantly dumbfounded.
If the escorts were all Jinyi Guards, the official sitting inside the carriage surrounded by them must be of a very high rank.
By the time the carriage stopped, County Magistrate Lu’s legs were already beginning to weaken, and cold sweat was dripping down his back. He almost forgot to step forward to salute.
The curtain of the carriage was lifted by someone dressed as an attendant student, who was none other than Wen Wan disguised as a man.
With a petite frame and not being particularly tall, along with her youthful face, she posed as a young attendant student without any sense of discord.
Moments later, the Imperial Envoy Song Wei stepped down, using the steps arranged by the bowing attendant student.
County Magistrate Lu hastily stepped forward, bowed respectfully, "I am Lu Zhao, County Magistrate of Pingjiang County, greeting the Lord Imperial Envoy."
Song Wei glanced at the parent official of Pingjiang County bowing and scraping before him, recalling the attitude of this man when he sounded the Injustice Bell after the case four years ago.
At that time, he was just a commoner, with no title on his head and not a speck of power in his hand. Let alone confronting the County Magistrate, he couldn’t even seek justice for his family despite his ardent desire.
Back then, County Magistrate Lu was like the sky over this place, his word could cover up a catastrophic mining accident, ten taels of Silver could silence everyone, even making them grateful to him.
Now, the tables had turned, this county-level official, who thought he could cover the sky with one hand in Pingjiang County, looked like a turtle seeing the sky, shrinking his head in front of this Capital Official.
Thinking of this, Song Wei smiled faintly, his tone was as steady as always, "Lord Lu, it’s been years since we last met. I trust you’ve been well."
Whether before taking office or after, Song Wei never used his changing status to intimidate others with a sharp aura.
On the contrary, this constant steadiness gave him weight as a person, and made his words more significant.
County Magistrate Lu found the voice slightly familiar; he looked up to see the long-awaited ancestor, the famous talent Song Wei from Pingjiang County.
Although there were some unpleasantness due to the coal mine case, Song Wei later voluntarily backed down, otherwise, he wouldn’t have posed as a relative from Mr. Zhang the salt merchant’s family to assist them.
The truth of that matter was known to County Magistrate Lu later. However, considering Song Wei merely concealed his identity, did nothing else, and even helped him, Lu did not mind, not to mention Song Wei high-ranking as a third-place scholar, he wouldn’t go against his future.
Now seeing Song Wei return to Pingjiang County as an imperial envoy, County Magistrate Lu couldn’t suppress the joy in his heart.
Good, wonderful!
He had endured so many years in this position without advancement, now he just needed to foster a relationship with Song Wei, and request a mere word from him, then next assessment and promotion would be no issue.
Seeing it was a familiar face, the tension in County Magistrate Lu’s heart quickly faded, his smile grew warmer, he bowed again, "So it’s Mr. Song. After years apart, you are now entrusted by the Emperor to carry out duties here, congratulations!"
Song Wei replied, "After years apart, it is lucky that Lord Lu still remembers me."
"Mr. Song was once a highly acclaimed talent known throughout our county, I personally watched you start from county exams to enter the Capital City Imperial College, how could I forget?"
These words were to remind Song Wei that he could not have reached his current success without Lu’s assistance, and also implied that Song Wei should never forget his roots, and must know to repay kindness.
Wen Wan spoke timely, "The Lord Imperial Envoy has traveled a long way, and needs rest, I hope County Magistrate Lu is understanding."
County Magistrate Lu looked at Wen Wan.
Song Wei briefly introduced, "My attendant student, named Shishu."
County Magistrate Lu immediately flashed another smile, "Mr. Song, please come inside."
A banquet was also set in the post house, but Song Wei never liked such hypocritical and insincere occasions, so he declined citing physical discomfort.
County Magistrate Lu couldn’t easily let such a good chance to get close to the Imperial Envoy slip by. He personally came visiting, said a heap of unrelated pleasantries, finally touching on the key topic before leaving.
"Mr. Song, what brings you to Ningzhou this time?"
Song Wei glanced at him lightly, "For a case, by then, I may need Lord Lu’s cooperation."
County Magistrate Lu, full of dreams of promotion and wealth, didn’t associate it with the earth-shattering mining accident case from four years ago, only smiled contentedly and told Mr. Song to rest well; as for the case, they would discuss it another day, and by then, he as the parent official, would spare no effort to assist Mr. Song in investigating the case.
"This is promising."
Song Wei nodded lightly and instructed the attendant student to escort the guest.
"No need to escort, no need to escort, I’ll leave on my own."
When people left, Song Wei immediately sought out Wei Baihu, asking him to arrange surveillance on every move of County Magistrate Lu, ensuring the man wouldn’t suddenly flee upon receiving any news.
The typically unsmiling Wei Baihu glanced at Song Wei and couldn’t help but tease, "Why does it always seem like Mr. Song can’t bear to let your attendant student run errands?"
Otherwise, for such a simple task, he could just have the attendant student relay a message, why was it necessary for him to run personally?
Song Wei smiled, "The attendant student is young, followed along the journey and is greatly fatigued, I’ve already told her to rest."
Wei Baihu chuckled, "To follow such a considerate master, he is truly fortunate."
Returning to the room, Song Wei found that Wen Wan had indeed already lain down on the bed.
With no outsiders, she didn’t need to pretend anymore, her long black hair sprawling loose.
When Song Wei saw her, she was curled up, her complexion somewhat pale.
"Wanwan, is it still hurting? I’ll go get a doctor for you." Song Wei sat down, felt her forehead sweating slightly, and it was a bit cold.
Wen Wan had her period, probably too long since she last traveled so wearily, causing menstrual cramps.
"No need." Wen Wan opened her eyelids and smiled at him, "It’ll pass after a while, our situation is already dangerous, calling a doctor might expose our identity, caution is paramount."
Song Wei sighed, "Then I’ll rub your stomach."
"Mm."