The night was deep. Prince Xin Tang Xuan exchanged a few pleasantries with Mother Qi and Mother Song, nothing more than formalities like “This has been a trying journey,” “Your Highness was alarmed,” and “Your ministers arrived late in defense.”
After speaking, Tang Xuan turned and walked toward Song Ning, causing Mother Qi to furrow her brows slightly as she exchanged a glance with Mother Song.
Candlelight fell upon Tang Xuan, casting the grayish-brown coarse cloth tunic she wore in an even dimmer light, a wound still fresh on her face.
She stopped in front of Song Ning.
Her gaze settled on his face, tinged with a hint of appraisal and curiosity.
“So this is Young Master Song?” Her voice softened a touch compared to before.
Song Ning was startled.
He hadn’t expected Prince Xin to seek him out.
In his anticipation, Prince Xin would arrive at the Song Mansion, meet with Mother Qi and Mother Song, exchange a few words, and then head to rest.
He was merely a prop seated at the lower end—a blind, marginalized figure who shouldn’t draw anyone’s notice. Why would she come to him?
Song Ning steadied himself, returned the courtesy with a cupped-hand salute, and said:
“Your Highness Prince Xin, I am Song Ning.”
Tang Xuan studied him.
Under the candlelight, the young man in white stood there, his figure lean, his features refined and handsome, his brows carrying a calmness that belied his age.
His eyes were white, his pupils like two pieces of jade thinned by water, lacking focus as they gazed blankly ahead.
Tang Xuan felt a stir in her heart—those eyes seemed a bit off?
As if sensing her doubt, Song Ning tilted his head slightly, a faint smile curling at the corner of his lips, and said in a composed tone:
“Your Highness, please forgive me.”
“I was born blind and cannot see a thing—half a cripple.”
Tang Xuan hadn’t expected him to state it so directly, without concealment or evasion, with such ease and unpretentious dignity.
She paused for a moment, then smiled, a note of appreciation in it.
“No matter, no matter.” Tang Xuan waved her hand, her voice laced with laughter.
“Though Young Master Song is blind, he harbors loyalty—far superior to those ministers in court who, though clear-sighted, cling to the Eunuch Faction as vile sycophants!”
As she spoke, she returned the gesture with a slight bow, lowering her head, presenting the image of one who humbly seeks the wise.
To respect the meritorious, to win over the useful, to thank those who saved her life.
“I already heard from Qin Junyue on the way here.”
“This king’s life was saved by Young Master Song. My thanks.”
Song Ning’s voice carried a hint of panic and urgency as he quickly replied:
“Your Highness must not say that! To carry out the duty of loyalty to the sovereign is what the Qi and Song families ought to do. Please, no thanks are needed.”
His head bowed slightly, his expression respectful, his posture correct.
‘Prince Xin does seem to have some semblance of humbly seeking the wise,’ Song Ning thought to himself. ‘Well-spoken, gentle in manner, knowing how to win people over.’
‘I wonder what things will be like if she ascends the throne one day.’
‘Humbling oneself to seek the wise doesn’t mean recognizing true loyalty.’
‘Today she’s grateful you saved her life; tomorrow she might suspect why you did it.’
‘Today she admires your talents; tomorrow she might fear them.’
‘When her mood shifts later, killing a man is as easy as turning over her hand. I’ve seen too much of that in my past life.’
‘When it comes to emperors, I’ve always kept my distance.’
‘If it weren’t for having no other choice this time, I would never have let this Prince Xin notice my existence.’
‘I just want to stay in the shadows—unseen, unremembered.’
‘But why did Qin Junyue have to reveal my name?’
On the other side of the hall, Mother Song was staring at Qin Junyue.
Her gaze was like two knives, coldly piercing into Qin Junyue, her dissatisfaction nearly spilling over, her face ashen.
Qin Junyue stood to the side, head lowered, staring at the tips of her shoes, not daring to breathe loudly.
She could feel Mother Song’s gaze on her and wished she could crawl into a hole.
‘Damn it,’ she silently lamented. ‘I was too proud.
‘Out of arrogance, I accidentally dragged Song Ning into this.
‘How could I let the future emperor know there’s a person like that in the Song Mansion?’
‘If Tang Xuan ascends the throne one day and remembers that there’s a blind young master in the Song Mansion who commands everything from within the estate, what will she think?’
‘The covert dispatch of troops to rescue—if it were planned by Mother Qi and coordinated by Mother Song, it would be fine.’
‘But everything came from Song Ning’s hands. Would that mean the Qi and Song families are forming a faction? A subject secretly arranging all this, hiding it from the emperor and the court, pulling a future heir back from the brink of death.’
‘Is this loyalty, or ulterior motives?’
A thin layer of sweat broke out on Qin Junyue’s forehead.
She dared not lift her head, dared not look at Mother Song, and even less at Song Ning.
She just stood there, head down, waiting to be scolded.
Mother Qi shot Qin Junyue a glance, then withdrew her gaze helplessly, sighing inwardly.
‘What a mess. Song Ning was someone I painstakingly kept hidden.
‘I hid this blind son-in-law deep in the Song Mansion, away from outsiders, so that when my useless daughter got into trouble, there would be someone truly clever by her side—to give advice, ward off disasters, and keep her alive.’
‘But now, this person has been discovered by Prince Xin, by the future emperor.’
Mother Qi’s gaze fell on Song Ning. The young man in white stood there, his posture respectful, his expression composed, speaking with Prince Xin.
The corners of his lips were slightly curved, bearing a faint smile, looking completely unguarded and harmless.
In the center of the hall, Song Ning smiled gently, his voice warm with concern:
“Your Highness must be weary today.”
“Perhaps you should rest now. The mansion is protected by masters who have Entered the Ranks and armored guards—safety is assured.”
Tang Xuan sighed and turned her head to look at Mother Qi.
Her face showed fatigue, along with anxiety, anger, and unease.
“This king truly cannot sleep.”
“That Wei Yang dared to attempt the Assassination of the Prince! With the state of affairs like this, and my imperial sister trapped in the palace, her life or death unknown, I really…”
She paced to the side, her footsteps muffled.
Song Ning thought it over and decided to stay silent, standing quietly by the side.
Mother Qi stepped forward and said, “Your Highness, it’s best to rest early.”
“As long as Your Highness is in the Capital City, we have our backbone. No matter how arrogant Wei Yang is, he’s just a eunuch.”
She glanced at Song Ning from the corner of her eye, then knelt to request an order: “I ask Your Highness to grant an edict so I may proceed with the matter.”
Tang Xuan quickly helped her up and asked, “What edict?”
“I ask Your Highness to allow me to send people to seal off the Five Cities, barring any suspicious persons from entering the Capital City.”
Tang Xuan furrowed her brows slightly, puzzled. “Suspicious persons? What suspicious persons?”
She paused, then her pupils contracted as she roughly understood.
Sealing off the Capital City, preventing any other imperial princesses from entering—Wei Yang would find it harder to borrow strength from other powerful princes.
“You’re quite thorough in your thinking. Is this also Young Master Song’s idea?” Tang Xuan patted Mother Qi on the shoulder, then turned her head to look at Song Ning, asking teasingly.
“This… my son-in-law usually doesn’t meddle in such matters. What would a man understand?” Mother Qi forced a dry laugh.
Tang Xuan patted Mother Qi’s shoulder again and laughed:
“Hahaha! This king will rest now, borrowing the Song Mansion for my stay.”
Mother Song and Mother Qi then led Tang Xuan to her quarters. Qi Chuyao finally let out a breath of relief, patting her chest and saying:
“Why did no one tell me we’d be seeing Prince Xin today?”
She couldn’t help but glance at Song Ning again, waving her hand in front of his face.
‘So in that letter the other day, she was sent to rescue Prince Xin? That amazing? Can he really not see?’
Qin Junyue felt a twinge of guilt, shrank her head, and cupped her hands toward Song Ning, saying:
“Young Master Song, it’s getting late. You should rest too.”
“I’m in charge of tonight’s guard duty, so I’ll take my leave.”
Song Ning’s expression suddenly turned grim, and he said softly:
“Wait a moment. Don’t go.”
“I have something to discuss with you in private.”