Chapter 315: Chapter 315: Song Renying Gets Demoted
315 Song Renying’s Banishment
Although Princess Anping didn’t know why it had to be this way, she thought it must be able to save her daughter, so she agreed, "As long as you can cure the Princess, all the servants in the Princess Mansion will be at your disposal for this month."
Zhao Zhitong nodded. This was even better. It would save unnecessary trouble later on.
After obtaining permission, Zhao Zhitong opened her medicine box and took out a packet of medicine. It was actually Vitamin C, which she had exchanged from the Space Mall.
She opened the packet, took out two pills, and handed them to the maid beside the Princess, "Give these to the Princess first, and take them with plain soup."
Princess Anping couldn’t help but ask, pointing at the pill, "What is this?"
Before Zhao Zhitong could answer, Wei Zijian spoke up, "This is a pill developed by my master, which cannot be bought anywhere else."
"Oh, I see," Princess Anping nodded. "I’ll have someone arrange a place for you to stay."
With that, she left.
Now that her daughter’s condition was treatable, Princess Anping felt as if she was seeing light after being in darkness for so long.
So, Zhao Zhitong and Wei Zijian began living in the Princess Mansion.
To reassure her family and friends, Zhao Zhitong wrote a letter and asked the servants of the Princess Mansion to deliver it to the Wuyou Inn, the designated meeting place they had agreed upon.
She wrote the letter openly; she had no concern that the Princess Mansion’s staff would suspect any ulterior motives.
With Princess Anping’s permission, the letter was sent.
Qiao Muchen and the others were waiting anxiously for Zhao Zhitong’s return when the letter arrived.
In the letter, Zhao Zhitong simply stated she was safe and would temporarily stay in the Princess Mansion to treat the Princess, asking them not to worry.
She also asked them to inform her once they learned of Song Renying’s situation.
They had just arrived in the Capital City, and it was already late. So, they decided to stay at the inn and wait until the next day to inquire about the situation with Lord Zhang.
Although there was no news for the time being, Qiao Muchen still replied to Zhao Zhitong’s letter to let her know he had received it.
Thus, upon their arrival in the Capital City, their party split up. Qiao Muchen and a few others went to find out about Song Renying’s situation.
Meanwhile, Zhao Zhitong and Wei Zijian began treating the Princess in the Princess Mansion.
The Princess’s illness wasn’t particularly severe. It was a series of symptoms caused by a severe lack of Vitamin C. She would be fine as long as she replenished her vitamins.
Zhao Zhitong kept a close watch, worried that the Princess might develop sepsis, which would be difficult to treat if it emerged.
On their second day in the Capital City, Qiao Muchen and Zhao Yue went to visit Lord Zhang.
Seeing the two of them in his residence, Lord Zhang didn’t find it strange and laughingly said, "I knew you would come. Come on in."
With that, he led them inside.
Anxious, the two of them paid their respects and sat down, then got straight to the point with no pleasantries.
Zhao Yue asked, "Master, we heard about Elder Song’s situation. What exactly is going on?"
Lord Zhang calmly told the servants to pour tea and then said briefly, "Come, have some tea."
Zhao Yue and Qiao Muchen looked at each other, thanked him, and picked up their teacups.
After they finished a cup of tea, Lord Zhang asked, "Are you still in a hurry?"
Zhao Yue replied, "Not anymore."
Lord Zhang said again, "No matter what happens, even if it is a matter of great urgency, one must remain calm. An excessive display of emotions is a major taboo."
Zhao Yue stood up, bowed humbly, and said, "I understand my mistake."
"Alright, sit," Lord Zhang said.
Once Zhao Yue was seated again, Lord Zhang said, "You don’t need to worry too much about this matter. With Song Renying’s intelligence, there won’t be any major problems."
"As for you two, now that you’ve come to the Capital City, you must be here to take the Imperial Examination. Go back, study hard, and prepare for this exam. That is what’s most important right now."
Lord Zhang didn’t reveal much more, only telling them not to worry before sending them away.
Seeing Lord Zhang so calm, Qiao Muchen and Zhao Yue felt somewhat relieved.
After all, Lord Zhang and Song Renying were close friends. Song Renying had entered imperial service through Lord Zhang’s recommendation.
Since Lord Zhang wasn’t worried, it meant the situation wasn’t extremely dangerous.
Upon returning, Qiao Muchen informed Zhao Zhitong of this.
However, not long after this, the next news they received about Elder Song was an imperial edict: he had been demoted to Official Peng.
「At the city gate.」
Qiao Muchen and the others came to bid farewell to Elder Song.
Zhao Zhitong had explained her need to leave to Princess Anping. Princess Anping had observed Zhao Zhitong’s diligent care for the Princess’s health over the past days. The Princess disliked sweets, so Zhao Zhitong creatively prepared fruits and vegetables into dishes the Princess would enjoy, or simmered them into soups. Princess Anping was quite touched by this and her trust in Zhao Zhitong grew. Therefore, when Zhao Zhitong asked for leave to see someone off, Princess Anping readily agreed.
"Master, take care on your journey."
Zhao Zhitong and Qiao Muchen bowed to Song Renying.
Song Renying couldn’t help but laugh. "I am truly happy to have you two as students. Alright, don’t see me off any further. Go back. Don’t worry about things you shouldn’t be worrying about; focus on your exams."
Qiao Muchen asked, "Yes, Master. But when will we see each other again?"
Song Renying waved his hand, got into the horse carriage, and left them with two words, "We will."
He was once a Prime Minister, now demoted to a seventh-rank County Magistrate. The details of what had transpired were a mystery to many.
Qiao Muchen and the others only knew that Song Renying had confessed to treason in prison and had submitted a statement to the emperor accepting death for his crimes.
The emperor personally visited Song Renying in prison. After their conversation, Bu Huo—the cruel officer who had provided evidence and arrested Song Renying—was executed by the emperor’s decree.
The cruel officer who had caused turmoil for so long was thus quietly brought down by Song Renying.
However, after that came the news that Song Renying had willingly accepted his demotion.
Only much later did Qiao Muchen and the others learn what had truly transpired during that time.
This false treason accusation originated from the Xiao family. Seeing no hope of reclaiming the empire, they vented all their resentment on Song Renying, the emperor’s most trusted minister.
Song Renying and Lord Zhang had always opposed the Great Zhou Dynasty’s harsh criminal laws, particularly those enforced by cruel officers. However, these cruel officers had long been stirring up trouble, and they had proven impossible to dislodge.
This time, when Song Renying fell into the hands of the cruel officer, he devised a plan.
Uncharacteristically, Song Renying confessed to everything Bu Huo demanded, admitting to every detail and taking full responsibility for the treason charges.
To ensure Song Renying was put to death and to prevent the emperor from having any doubts, the Xiao family members and Bu Huo forged a letter of apology from Song Renying and presented it to the emperor.
The Xiao family members and Bu Huo believed that if they presented Song Renying’s signed confession and the letter of apology to the emperor, Song Renying would surely be condemned to death.
However, they underestimated the deep bond between the emperor and Song Renying, a relationship akin to that of kindred spirits.
The emperor did not immediately believe it.
At that time, Lord Zhang secretly met with the emperor. After presenting his case, he implored the emperor to personally review the matter.