FYM - 152

“Father—Father—”

An urgent shout echoed through the corridors, disturbing Yinping Prince Wei Bi’s rare afternoon nap on his day off. He frowned deeply as he sat up, only to see his youngest daughter rushing into the room, nearly knocking over a maid who had been about to guide her.

“…Lan?”

Wei Bi was somewhat surprised; his usually intelligent and composed daughter now appeared panicked and out of control. Before he could ask, she solemnly sat beside him and immediately posed a shocking question: “Father, did you know that ten years ago, the Marquis once sought to marry a woman from the Jinling Song family?”

“…He wanted to marry her!”

In a secluded corner of Fan Mansion’s rear garden, Song Shuqian’s expression twisted with bitterness, jealousy, and resentment as she recounted this old story. The mention of it still stirred deep hatred in her eyes.

“What high-and-mighty Empress Dowager… Back then, she was nothing more than a pitiful creature depending on my mother’s mercy to survive! Who knows what underhanded tricks she used to charm Brother Yizhi into falling for her? She insisted on marrying her before even completing her three-year mourning period!”

“And her? The moment news of the great defeat in the northwest arrived, she was already seeking a better match! She claims her family forced her to marry into Luoyang, but I’m sure she was all too eager to find another path!—I was so stupid! Stupid enough to let her exploit me!”

“Father never allowed anyone to speak of her and Brother Yizhi’s affair, even committing a crime of deceiving the emperor to conceal it from His Majesty!—He protected her for so many years, allowing her to live as a noble and respected empress for so long! And how does she repay him? By driving him to death! Even trying to destroy the entire Song family!”

The accusations poured forth endlessly, as if releasing years of pent-up grievances. Her claim of being exploited was laughable, considering how vehemently she herself had resisted marrying the late emperor, going to great lengths to avoid the marriage.

—But Wei Lan was left speechless by the revelation.

…They had once discussed marriage.

She had assumed they were merely acquaintances, perhaps harboring some vague feelings, but nothing serious. The Yingchuan Fang family was always in the spotlight, and the Marquis, having inherited his position as head, would not easily commit to a marriage contract. Moreover, the Song family wasn’t particularly prominent back then—a mere noblewoman in Chang’an, easily lost in a crowd. How could she qualify to engage him?

Yet the truth stood undeniable... A man known for his aloofness and pride had once cherished a woman so deeply.

A wave of indescribable bitterness overwhelmed her. The intense pain and humiliation were almost unbearable—even a saint would struggle. Wei Lan lost control, gripping Song Shuqian’s shoulders tightly, her sharp nails nearly piercing the other woman’s flesh. Her eyes locked fiercely onto hers, demanding urgently: “Do you know the consequences of lying? That’s our Marquis and Empress Dowager! Fabricating lies is treason! I could kill you right now!”

“I’m not lying!”

Song Shuqian’s reply was firm and resolute.

“Everyone in the Song family knows! The Fang clan is also aware!”

“You can go and investigate! Look into what Brother Yizhi did in Jiangnan during the early Taqing era, why he and his mother detoured to Qiantang! Go ahead—investigate!”

After her shrill outburst, she seemed to collapse, pushing Wei Lan’s hands away and sinking to the ground. Tears flowed freely, and she trembled uncontrollably.

—Was she afraid?

Of revealing the family’s deepest secret to an outsider, defying her father’s wishes?

—Or did she simply feel liberated?

Knowing she had no way out, she decided to drag everyone down with her into ruin, seeking refuge in the wreckage.

“You must avenge me…”

Song Shuqian seized Wei Lan’s wrist, her eyes flickering with fear and excitement. Perhaps she had been suppressed by humiliation and suffering for too long, and the recent deaths of her father and brother had left her in constant anxiety—destruction was her salvation. She wanted everyone above her to share her eternal damnation, finding a hiding place in the ruins.

“For me and for yourself—”

“That woman owes me—”

“She will always owe me—”

“…What are you saying?”

Wei Bi’s voice trembled, his expression dazed with shock.

“Fang Yizhi and that little Empress Dowager from the Song family, they…”

—This… how could this be possible!

He had never heard of any connection between Fang Xianting and a noblewoman. Back in Chang’an, there was no sign of closeness between the Jin State Duke’s household and the Song family! Besides, there was the late emperor in between… The imperial family’s scrutiny was not trivial! Marrying an empress required thorough background checks—who could have concealed such a significant matter for ten whole years?

Yet… many things now seemed to make sense.

When the late emperor passed away, Fang Xianting had protected the orphaned widow so fiercely, even entrusting the jade token for mobilizing elite troops to Song Mingzhen, an outsider! And now, regarding this marriage alliance, his Yinping王府 had humbled itself enough, yet the Marquis of Yingchuan refused to cooperate!

—And now?

Is the current “discord” between him and the imperial family real or fake? Has the little Empress Dowager severed all ties with Fang Xianting, or are they secretly plotting under everyone’s noses?

Countless thoughts surged through Wei Bi’s mind, leaving him disoriented. Wei Lan, seeing her father’s changing expressions, knew he had taken the matter seriously. Unable to suppress her emotions any longer, she grabbed his hand with tearful eyes, choking out: “Daughter doesn’t wish to burden you with my sorrows, Father, but if this is true, that Song Empress Dowager has wronged me too much! Father… Father must seek justice for me!”

She remained obsessed with being rejected for marriage, but her father’s thoughts were now on the power struggles within the court. If Fang Xianting and the little Empress Dowager were currently uninvolved, then fine. But if they were… wouldn’t the Zhou Dynasty become a puppet of the Fang family? All state affairs would fall under his influence, even the young emperor on the throne would become his hostage! With command over the empire’s armies, if the person behind the curtain were also his accomplice…

Zhou… is in peril!

Wei Bi broke into a cold sweat. At this moment, the bloodline of the Wei royal family made him cast aside personal desires and recognize the deeper crisis lurking beneath. He waved off his daughter’s grip, pacing anxiously in the room. After a while, he finally resolved himself, calling out sternly: “Someone! Prepare the carriage! This prince must visit the Grand Tutor!”

Indeed, the highly esteemed Grand Tutor Chen Meng, hailed as the epitome of scholars nationwide, lived up to his reputation.

Born into poverty, he lost his father at a young age and survived by living with his uncle. Unable to afford tutors, he self-studied using borrowed books. At sixteen, he became a scholar, passed the provincial exams before adulthood, and achieved the top rank in the imperial exams during the Linghe era. He then served in the Western Capital, becoming a true success story from humble origins.

He had long followed the late emperor, serving as the Crown Prince’s tutor and never abandoning him during the most perilous times of succession struggles in the Yuanzhang era. Thus, he earned the emperor’s trust and rose from commoner status to one of the five regents. Wasn’t this a legendary tale worthy of history?

Even today, he remains cautious and receptive to criticism. He converted much of the mansion bestowed upon him into a school for impoverished students. When not at home, he spent time in the Jixian Hall, reading extensively. His purity of heart is rare throughout history, earning him respect from scholars nationwide.

Wei Bi visited him at his residence, but the servants said the Grand Tutor was still at the palace studying. He hastily sent a request to meet him there. Wang Mu personally greeted him at the palace gate. Upon entering the Jixian Hall, the weather was gloomy, and the cold air was biting. Opening the hall doors felt even colder than outside.

“The Grand Tutor loves books and says the hall is too warm for preserving manuscripts, so the Jixian Hall is never heated…”

Wang Mu explained to Yinping Prince Wei Bi, whose mind was elsewhere. He nodded absently, hurrying through the towering bookshelves. The musty smell of old pages added to his growing irritation, making the dim, cavernous library feel like a graveyard.

“Grand Tutor—”

Finally, amidst the darkness, he saw a flicker of light. It was Grand Tutor Chen Meng holding a lamp, searching for books among the shelves. Hearing the noise, he turned, his aged face cast in deep shadows by the swaying candlelight.

“Yinping Prince.”

He nodded in greeting, seemingly unsurprised by the sudden visit. At that moment, he exchanged a glance with Wang Mu standing behind Wei Bi, unnoticed by the distracted prince.

“This prince has political matters to discuss with the Grand Tutor, so we won’t trouble the eunuch…”

He carelessly dismissed Wang Mu, his wording abrupt and impolite. Wang Mu didn’t mind, bowing respectfully to both officials before silently retreating. Wei Bi heard the soft click of the Jixian Hall door closing. Looking back at Chen Meng, his expression grew increasingly complex as he heard the latter calmly ask: “What brings the Yinping Prince here?”

…What indeed?

The matter was convoluted, and he had only heard about it from his youngest daughter without verification. How could he lightly discuss it with others? Wei Bi himself found it inappropriate, but his anxiety left him uneasy.

“This prince has a top-secret matter to discuss with the Grand Tutor…”

He lowered his voice, approaching Chen Meng. A closer look revealed beads of cold sweat on his forehead.

“It concerns the safety of our dynasty… Does the Grand Tutor wish to hear it?”

Outside the pavilion, the December wind howled incessantly. As the new year approached, the palace’s desolation was chilling. Chen Meng’s gaze remained calm, though the candle flame in his hand kept flickering. Like trees wishing for calm but facing relentless winds, those caught in this situation might never witness peace.

“If Your Highness refers to that incident from ten years ago…”

Chen Meng’s voice was as steady as a still ancient well, his aged eyes revealing a restraint and sharpness unseen in everyday life.

“…there’s no need to bring it up with me.”

Wei Bi felt as if struck by lightning, his entire body chilled and speechless. His trembling finger pointed at Chen Meng, fear coursing through him.

“Grand Tutor… you…”

“…You know everything?”