Song Ke felt nothing but vexation, restless and unable to settle at home all day. Lin Jinting came to see him quietly and said, "Your situation is not looking good at the moment. I’ve sent people to investigate, and that Li Jia was instigated to cause trouble. I initially thought he was greedy for money and that giving him more silver to change his testimony would suffice, but who knew he would be so stubborn?"
Frowning, Song Ke replied, "Of course, someone instigated him; otherwise, how could such a trivial matter escalate to the point of a Censor submitting a memorial of impeachment? I’m utterly wronged, yet I’ve been accused of 'oppressing the common people.'"
Lin Jinting said worriedly, "I don’t know who you’ve offended, but it’s a pity I’m too insignificant to help you investigate. Tomorrow, I’ll go plead with my uncle to see if he has any connections."
Song Ke sighed deeply, "I only hope this turmoil passes quickly." After discussing with Lin Jinting, nothing more came of it.
However, the situation worsened. When the emperor heard of the matter, he was displeased and ordered Song Ke to reflect on his mistakes at home, forbidding him from entering the capital until he repented. Upon hearing the news, Song Ke felt as if struck by a thunderbolt on a clear day; he was utterly stunned. The emperor’s words effectively dashed his bright future, reducing over a decade of arduous study and lofty ambitions to nothing. Overwhelmed with fury, he fell ill, burning with fever and babbling incoherently. Song Yima and the others, as if having lost their pillar of support, wept day and night, shrouded in gloom.
Lin Changzheng had initially intended to submit a memorial to speak on Song Ke’s behalf but was stopped by Lin Zhaoxiang, who said, "His Majesty has just ordered him to reflect at home. If you submit a memorial now pleading his innocence, wouldn’t that be slapping His Majesty in the face? Ting is currently in the capital maneuvering for you, securing you the position of Governor of Shanxi with a promotion in rank. The appointment is about to be issued, so you must prioritize stability and not act rashly. Wait a year or so until this matter fades, then bring it up again. If His Majesty is displeased, you can always take young master Song to Shanxi and put him to good use then."
Lin Changzheng had no choice but to agree. He ordered Lin Jinting to send high-quality medicinal herbs to the Song family and conveyed Lin Zhaoxiang’s message.
Xianglan also heard about this but could do nothing to help, only anxiously worrying in secret. Using the excuse of visiting Song Tanchai, she brought some items to the Song family and secretly met with Song Ke. She saw that he had just recovered from a serious illness, his face pale and sickly.
Xianglan’s heart ached, tears nearly welling up, but she quickly forced a smile and brought out the food box she was carrying. "I made a few dishes for you at home. Try them. I heard from Junxi and the others that you haven’t had much appetite these past few days, but you still need to eat something." She laid out the dishes one by one. "Back when I was a maid in the Lin Family, you had Ludou secretly send food to me at Gathered Verdure Residence. Now it’s my turn to return the favor." She handed the chopsticks to Song Ke. "Try some."
Song Ke reluctantly took a bite but then set the chopsticks down.
Xianglan sighed and slowly comforted him, "When I was in the Lin Family, I often felt like my suffering would never end. As a maid, a Female Servant, I was like a blade of grass that anyone could step on. Who could have imagined that in just a year, I’d manage to leave the Lin Family? You should ease your mind too. Right now, it may seem like there’s no way out, but if you wait a little longer, things might just take a turn for the better."Song Ke gave a bitter smile and said, "How could I not understand this reasoning? It's just that there's no one in the imperial court to speak up for me. Even if the Lin Family's eldest master clears my name in a year or so, I've already incurred His Majesty's displeasure. My future prospects are truly worrying." Having said this, he fell silent and lay down on the bed to sleep by himself.
Xianglan stared at Song Ke's back for a long while, knowing he was upset. Seeing it wasn't appropriate to stay longer, she quietly withdrew.
Xianglan went directly from the Song residence to Still Moon Temple to burn incense and draw a fortune stick for Song Ke. Surprisingly, it was an auspicious sign indicating "misfortune reaches its limit and prosperity begins" with gradually improving fortune. Xianglan couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief, then drew another stick for herself. After shaking the cylinder for a long time, a bamboo stick finally fell out. Xianglan vaguely saw the characters "birds of the same forest" written on it. Just as she was about to pick it up for a closer look, she saw the stick being stepped on by a pair of arhat shoes. Looking up, she found Dingyi Shitai standing before her.
Xianglan quickly pressed her palms together and softly called out, "Master."
Dingyi Shitai bent down to pick up the stick, examined it, then tucked it into her sleeve, asking, "What were you seeking just now?"
Xianglan blushed and whispered, "Marriage prospects."
Dingyi Shitai was taken aback, uttered "Oh," then stared at the green bamboo outside the window for a long while before saying, "You needn't ask about this. In your previous life, your natural lifespan wasn't exhausted, and you hadn't finished enjoying your blessings, yet you met with sudden violent death. Your marital destiny in this life was predetermined - there's no need to inquire further. Set your heart at rest."
Xianglan had always been respectful toward her master. Though filled with curiosity, she didn't dare to press further. Still concerned about Song Ke, she visited the Song residence every few days. Fortunately, Song Yima was too occupied with her constant wailing to pay attention to her, Song Tanchai was willing to let her comfort Song Ke more often, and the servants got along well with Xianglan, so peace was maintained for the time being. Only Song Ke remained persistently despondent. Later, as his health gradually improved and his spirits lifted somewhat, smiles occasionally returned to his face, but he was never as bright as before, often staring blankly at the Four Treasures of the Study on his desk. Xianglan tried every possible way to cheer him up, but to no avail.
Meanwhile, Song Ke's troubles deeply distressed another person. When Zheng Jingxian heard the news, she became immediately anxious and furious, pestering Zheng Baichuan daily to plead Song Ke's innocence. Zheng Baichuan, utterly vexed, said, "That Song lad has clearly offended someone - this is a stab in the back from behind. Why should we take on this mess? There are plenty of fine young men in the world besides him. Let's choose another family!"
Zheng Jingxian glared and said, "He's the only one I want! In my heart, I'm already his wife. If I can't marry Song Ke, I'll cut off my hair and become a nun!"
Zheng Baichuan trembled with rage, shaking his finger at Zheng Jingxian: "You... you... how can you utter such shameless words!"
Zheng Jingxian clung to Zheng Baichuan's arm, coquettishly pleading: "Father, he's the only person I've ever fancied. He's talented and capable, becoming an advanced scholar at such a young age. Didn't you yourself say he had boundless prospects? Just consider it your appreciation for talent - speak a few good words for him, and fulfill your daughter's wish." So saying, she dragged Zheng Baichuan to the writing desk, picked up the brush, dipped it in ink, stuffed it into his hand, and urged: "Father, quickly now!"
Zheng Baichuan threw down the brush and sighed: "It's not that easy!"Zheng Jingxian planted her hands on her hips and raised her eyebrows. "What's so difficult about it? Didn't that son of Father's old friend who used to seize men and bully women get accused by a Censor? Father pulled some strings for him, and in the end, nothing came of it. Song Ke must have been wrongly accused—Father just needs to speak a few words for him!" Seeing that Zheng Baichuan still hadn't agreed, Zheng Jingxian's stubborn temper flared up. She widened her eyes and declared, "If Father won't help, I'll go find Eldest Brother and Second Brother!"
Zheng Baichuan quickly grabbed her and sighed helplessly, "Alright, alright, I'll help." He then sent someone to investigate the matter. Sure enough, it was discovered that the mastermind behind Li Jia was none other than Wu Liang. Li Jia had originally been Wu Liang's lackey, following him in drinking, gambling, and womanizing. He had pretended to buy the Song family's Manor but then caused a rude disturbance, provoking the Song family's steward into injuring him. Li Jia seized the opportunity to make a scene, extorting a considerable amount of silver from the Song family. Wu Liang then enlisted the help of an old subordinate of his father, who now served as a Censor in Jinling, to submit a memorial accusing Song Ke.
Wu Liang had initially intended to stir up trouble to annoy Song Ke but hadn't anticipated that because Song Ke was the newly appointed top scholar of the second rank, his status drew attention, leading to such a major uproar.
After learning the full story, Zheng Baichuan had a plan in mind. He thought to himself, "Although Wu Youwei is an inspector and somewhat influential locally, in the vast imperial court, he's nothing more than a leech, hardly worth mentioning. Because of what happened with Song Fang earlier, Song Ke has grown distant from me. If I help him smooth over this matter, he'll be grateful to me, and I can use this chance to win him over. Besides, Xian Jie'er has feelings for him—there's an eighty percent chance he could become my son-in-law."
But aloud, he said to Zheng Jingxian, "It's not that I can't help that Song boy, but has he ever shown any interest in you? If he has no feelings for you, why should I go to such lengths to do him this favor?"
This question left Zheng Jingxian stunned. She also felt somewhat annoyed with Song Ke. Her mother and the other women in the family had repeatedly hinted at this intention to the Song family, but the Songs had feigned ignorance and refused to respond. With her usual temperament, she would have long since grown resentful and given up, but with Song Ke, she couldn't bring herself to hate him. Instead, she clung to hope.
Now that Zheng Baichuan had said this, Zheng Jingxian went to the Song family and directly told Song Tanchai, "We might be able to help your brother with his situation, but my father is hesitating and can't make up his mind. If... if our two families were to become one, then it would be... well, a matter of duty, and my father would naturally do everything he could to assist." Before she even finished speaking, her face had turned bright red.
Song Tanchai was a perceptive person and understood perfectly well what was being implied. She immediately informed Song Yima. Song Yima, as if grasping at a life-saving straw, called Song Ke over and explained the situation. "My son, Xian Jie'er has made things this clear—what are you still waiting for? Given our family's current situation, being able to marry the daughter of a noble family is a tremendous blessing. Duke Xian could also lend you a hand—what more could you possibly want, you foolish boy?"
Song Ke lowered his head and remained silent.Aunt Song asked several times in a row, but Song Ke remained silent like a closed gourd. She couldn't help but beat her chest and stamp her feet, crying, "You're going to be the death of me! All these years of hard study for scholarly honors are about to be ruined. Now that we finally have this heaven-sent opportunity—a perfect chance to gain both a person and wealth—you don't even care. Ever since your father died, I've been hoping day and night that you would make something of yourself, so your sister and I would have someone to rely on. Who would have thought you'd be so disappointing... Oh husband, you died too early, take me with you!" Her eyes rolled back, and she actually fainted.
Song Tanchai hurriedly helped Aunt Song catch her breath, tears streaming as she said, "Brother, please... just agree to it!"
Song Ke's eyes also reddened, saying, "I..."
Song Tanchai whispered, "Although Duke Xian isn't a decent man, Miss Xian is truly a good person..."
Song Ke clenched his fists so tightly his nails nearly dug into his flesh.
Thanks to Cream Cube's two little yellow chicks, Big Bear Fool's Peace Talisman, and cbbca's little yellow chick—please give some pink! ^_^
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