Blossom

"Nothing much," Song Mo said leisurely. "I was just thinking—if I killed Song Han and claimed it was because the Li family affair came to light, making Song Han panic and try to kill me first. Then Father rushed over to stop him but was accidentally wounded by Song Han. Enraged, I killed the deranged Song Han. Do you think that explanation would hold up?"

Song Yichun bared his teeth in fury. "You wouldn't dare!"

"Why wouldn't I dare?" Song Mo smiled. "Unless you're planning to adopt Song Qin or Song Duo instead? If that's your intention, I'm sure Uncle and Third Uncle or Fourth Uncle would be delighted. But perhaps you have other plans. After all, you're still in your prime—remarry, and you'll have legitimate heirs again. There's no need to adopt Song Qin or Song Duo. Unfortunately, I hold grudges. Even in death, I'd drag someone down with me. I'd have no choice but to expose the Li family affair. Who knows what might happen then?"

Song Yichun glared furiously but didn't dare respond.

Song Han stared at Song Yichun, his face filled with horror.

Song Mo was right.

Song Yichun wasn't even forty yet. If he remarried, he could easily have more legitimate sons.

The only reason he currently had only Song Mo and himself as sons was because Song Mo had suppressed him, preventing him from remarrying.

Without Song Mo's suppression, would his father even spare a thought for an unwanted son like him?

How pitiful—he had been blinded by the title of the Duke of Yingguo's second son, thinking that without Song Mo, certain things would naturally fall to him.

What a delusion!

Suddenly, he recalled the imperial censor's impeachment of his maternal uncle, the Duke Ding.

"Feeding bandits to strengthen oneself."

If Song Mo grew stronger, and the rift between him and Father became irreconcilable... wouldn't Father grow increasingly dependent on him?

Song Han's eyes gleamed, as if spotting a sliver of light in the overwhelming gloom.

Song Mo, however, curled his lip, a hint of mockery flashing in his eyes.

If he wanted to kill someone, why waste words?

He had said so much already. If Song Han remained too foolish to grasp the situation, then he deserved to die.

Song Mo's gaze turned cold as he addressed Song Yichun. "Father, this is a family matter. Must we air it for all to see? I suggest dismissing these guards. After all, the Duke of England's Mansion has already suffered two burglaries in just three or four years. If another one occurs, Shuntian Prefecture and the Five Cities Garrison in the Capital would be seen as utterly useless—hardly a good look for the Emperor. Don't you agree?"

Song Yichun's lips twitched in anger.

Who was responsible for those two burglaries at the Duke of England's Mansion?

How dare he bring that up—and even use it to threaten him!

Yet Song Yichun had no choice but to nod.

He couldn't conduct another large-scale purge like three or four years ago. Some things could be done once, but not twice—overdoing it would draw unwanted attention. Besides, Song Mo had planned this carefully, while he had been caught off guard. Persisting further would only lead to more humiliation.

He gave Chang Guard a slight nod.

Chang Guard and the others, along with Lu Ming and his men, sheathed their weapons one after another.

Song Mo smiled. "Father and the guards, please wait outside for a moment. I have some words to share privately with Song Han."

Song Yichun froze, then erupted in rage. "What are you scheming now? If you have something to say, say it to me directly! Don't torment your brother!"Song Mo sneered and said, "Very well, let me ask you this—has Li Tiaoniang ever come looking for Song Han?"

Li Tiaoniang? How dare he mention this woman in front of so many guards?

Song Yichun trembled with rage, but under the watchful eyes of the guards filling the room, he could only nod with a livid expression. He shot a warning glance at Song Han before clasping his hands behind his back and leading his men out of the inner chamber.

Song Mo released Song Han and took a seat on the nearby Grand Preceptor's Chair.

Looking down at Song Han with a hint of mockery in his gaze, he said, "Song Han, you can choose to tell me now. Of course, you can also wait to tell me in front of Father. But if it’s in front of Father, I won’t be so lenient—I’ll have no choice but to call Lu Ming in and let him teach you some manners first..."

Song Han knew Song Mo meant every word and wasn’t bluffing. A chill ran down his spine, and he couldn’t suppress a shiver.

Slowly sitting up, he lowered his head, tears welling in his eyes, and murmured, "I... I overheard Mother say to Father, 'I never expected you to sincerely help the Jiang Family. I misunderstood you before. Since you still care for Li Tiaoniang and even had a daughter with her, I’m not so petty. Pick an auspicious day and bring Li Tiaoniang and her daughter into the household. If I recall correctly, Li Tiaoniang’s daughter is the same age as Tianen. Girls mature early, and she’s nearly of marriageable age. Bringing her into the household will make it easier to arrange a match.'"

Song Mo was stunned.

He had entertained many speculations, but he never imagined the situation had arisen from this.

Unaware of Song Mo’s reaction, Song Han, afraid his brother wouldn’t believe him, carefully weighed his words: "I found it strange and went to ask Nanny Xie. She sighed but wouldn’t tell me anything, only saying I’d find out in due time.

But from Mother and Nanny Xie’s conversations, I pieced together that Father had kept a mistress in his younger years. Though the affair had ended years ago, a daughter remained.

Curious to see what the girl looked like, I managed to find out where Li Tiaoniang lived..." He trailed off abruptly, his head bowing even lower.

Song Mo scoffed. "It took me considerable effort to uncover Li Tiaoniang’s whereabouts. How did you manage it? I doubt you found her—more likely, she found you. When did you learn Li Tiaoniang was your birth mother? At eight? Nine? Or was it at ten, when you boasted about surpassing me?"

"No, I didn’t! I didn’t know before!" Song Han shook his head frantically, panic in his eyes. "I only remembered the address after overhearing Nanny Xie and Mother mention it... When I saw Yi Gui, my mind went blank. I was so shocked that I ran out, but Li Tiaoniang spotted me. She approached me, claiming to be my birth mother, and said life was hard, begging me for money... I never wanted a mother like her—flighty, fickle... But I couldn’t refuse her... She threatened to go to Mother if I didn’t give her silver..."

"So you killed her," Song Mo remarked coolly, raising an eyebrow."It wasn't me!" Song Han said in panic. "She was blackmailing me. I had no choice but to tell Father, and he said he would handle it, telling me to pretend I knew nothing."

"Whether it was you or not makes no difference to me," Song Mo said with a laugh. "But I imagine Li Tiaoniang's expression would have been quite a sight if she knew she was killed by her own son. Her feelings must have been complicated." He then asked Song Han with interest, "Were you there when she died? Though, given your cowardice, I doubt it. Luckily, there was Li Dasheng. When she saw him, she must have realized who wanted her dead. Pity she didn't escape—revenge against her own son would have been quite entertaining."

Song Han stared at Song Mo wide-eyed, as if looking at a monster, both terrified and flustered.

Song Mo regarded him with disdain.

This kind of person—brave enough to kill but too cowardly to admit it—dared to challenge him?

"Stop shifting blame and spouting nonsense in front of me," he said, exposing Song Han's scheme. "What kind of person is Xie Momo? How could she discuss such matters with Mother in your presence? It must have been Li Tiaoniang who approached you before the incident. At first, you didn’t believe her, but she showed you A Yan, who looked exactly like Mother. That scared you. Not only did you start giving her money, but you also acted sweet in front of Mother, afraid she’d discover you weren’t her real son and would despise you... That’s why you insisted on marrying a woman from the Jiang Family, especially Xiexiu. You were just scheming—if the truth came out, even if you weren’t the Jiang Family’s legitimate grandson, you’d still be their son-in-law. Neither the Jiang Family nor I could stand by and let Xiexiu become a widow... No need to argue. I don’t care about the past. Just tell me what Father said to Mother before she died!"

"I really don’t know!" Song Han swore. "If I knew and didn’t tell you, may I be struck by lightning and die a horrible death!"

But instead of pressing further, Song Mo suddenly asked, "When you served Mother the medicine, did you know it was poisoned?"

Song Han was speechless for a moment.

"At first, I didn’t know," he said hurriedly. "By the time I found out and wanted to tell Mother, Father and Mother were already arguing, and Mother started vomiting blood..."

Song Mo laughed coldly. "See how hard it is for those not of the same blood to be of one mind! You didn’t need to tell Mother directly. Xie Momo is sharp—just hinting that the Black Chrysanthemum she raised had died would have been enough for her to investigate. Yet you claim you had no chance to warn her... Like father, like son. Mother treated you like a treasure, yet you calmly served her poisoned medicine! No wonder you keep cats in your room and make them taste your food first—you fear retribution for your sins. Just like your birth mother, you’re utterly selfish!"

Song Han had always been ashamed of Li Tiaoniang.He dreamed of being Jiang Shi's son, dreamed of being the true legitimate second son of the Duke of England's Mansion, with no connection whatsoever to that cheap woman who sold her smiles by the door.

Song Mo's words had struck right at his sore spot.

The pain turned his face pale.

Yet Song Mo felt that even one more glance at him would dirty his own eyes.

He stood up and strode out of the study.

Outside, Song Yichun was anxiously pacing in the courtyard, while Lu Ming and Chang Guard stood distinctly separated on the east and west sides of the yard.

Song Mo came to a halt beneath the veranda.

His gaze was profound as he studied the lush grapevine, heavy with unripe fruit.