Xu Yanchi opened his eyes in disbelief.
She had already ordered someone to get rid of her. Who would have thought that she would bring disaster upon herself? Then there was no need for her to be merciful!
The Princess of Jin took a sip of tea, and her anger instantly subsided. "Regarding today's matter, you didn't notice anything abnormal. I haven't seen you either. Take good care of Concubine Song's pregnancy. Understand?"
The imperial physician in the mansion kowtowed repeatedly. "Your humble servant understands."
"Go down."
"Yes." The imperial physician bowed and retreated.
The imperial physician kept his head down all the time, so the Princess of Jin didn't notice the fleeting glint in his eyes when he left.
The Princess of Jin was now preoccupied with the fact that Concubine Song was faking her pregnancy. It seemed that all the plans she had prepared before were useless, and she had to come up with new strategies.
As long as she exposed the fact that Concubine Song was faking her pregnancy, she could get rid of this serious threat once and for all.
Actually, her feud with Concubine Song was not just within the prince's mansion.
A few years ago, the Song family was also a big family comparable to the Gu family. Her father wanted the Song family's wine recipe and business channels, but the Song family refused to sell. So he used some business tricks. They didn't really want to drive the Song family to extinction at first. But who would have thought that the Song family couldn't bear it and packed up their things overnight to leave the south of the Yangtze River. However, they encountered bandits on the way, and the whole family died.
Her father covered up the matter afterwards. The world only knew that the Song family died at the hands of bandits, but didn't know the real reason. Concubine Song had never suspected her in the prince's mansion over the years.
But every time she saw Concubine Song, she still felt uncomfortable.
Moreover, not long after she gave birth to a son, Concubine Song also got pregnant. A person she disliked originally had become a serious threat to her.
Originally, after she lost her child and couldn't bear children anymore, she was in despair. She thought she would just be a silent decoration in the prince's mansion from then on. Who would have thought that she suddenly seemed to have an epiphany.
She didn't believe that Concubine Song suddenly wanted to cheer up. Nor did she believe in her so - called debt of gratitude to Shen Qing. She must have known about what happened that year and wanted to compete with her or even take revenge.
How could she tolerate such a situation?
As for the matter that year, she had already silenced the people in the racecourse. No matter how hard Concubine Song searched, she couldn't find any evidence!
The Princess of Jin summoned her confidant and whispered instructions to her to do something.
This time, she would make sure that Concubine Song would never be able to turn things around!
Including that Shen Qing!
Once the prince achieved his great cause, she would surely become the queen. No one could shake her position!
...
The old residence of the Song family.
Xu Yanchi held the order from the Prince of Jin and led people to take over the old residence of the Song family.
The current head of the Song family was Concubine Song's second uncle. This second uncle was a concubine - born son. He had been on good terms with Concubine Song's father since childhood and always suspected that his elder brother's death was strange. He wanted to find out the truth of that year and clear his elder brother's name.
Over the years, he had taken good care of the sick Concubine Song.
Regarding the current situation, his niece had already informed him.
So Uncle Song lowered his eyes and respectfully invited Xu Yanchi and the others in.
Xu Yanchi got straight to the point. Holding the map, he successfully found a secret passage under Concubine Song's former boudoir.
The Song family members showed stunned expressions when they saw the secret passage.
This old residence was built by Concubine Song's father when he was still alive. After his death, Uncle Song had kept it as it was, only having it regularly cleaned. They really didn't know about the secret passage.
Seeing that the head of the Song family was even more confused than them, Xu Yanchi believed that only the direct descendants of the Song family knew about this secret passage. Otherwise, how could Concubine Song know about it and even have a map?
Xu Yanchi pointed at a few people. "You guys go down and see where it leads."
Those people took torches and didn't come back for a long time after going down. The head of the Song family quickly said, "Tea has been prepared in the reception hall. Your Lordship and everyone, please go to the reception hall and wait."
Xu Yanchi nodded. "You're too polite, Head of the Song family."
Although he was very dissatisfied with the Prince of Jin's silent detention of Shen Qing, what could he do?
He couldn't turn against his lord because of this.
Moreover, the Prince of Jin had told him such a confidential matter as the secret passage, which showed that he still trusted him.
After the Prince of Jin achieved his great cause, he would plead for her life.
After waiting for almost half an hour, the people he sent back. They didn't look tired but were beaming with joy. "Your Lordship, that secret passage leads to a manor of the Song family outside the city. The manor is not big and is unguarded. It seems to be abandoned."
The head of the Song family quickly said, "This secret passage was built by my elder brother before his death. My elder brother passed away too suddenly, and many things were not explained. Since the secret passage is of great importance, the Song family is willing to present this manor to the prince."
Xu Yanchi was very satisfied with the head of the Song family's awareness. "With such an awareness, the head of the Song family will surely have a bright future..."
The head of the Song family stroked his beard and smiled. "Your Lordship is overpraising me. I'm just a merchant. But since the secret passage is of great importance, if the prince suddenly sends people to guard it, it may attract attention. If the prince doesn't mind, the Song family is willing to send some people there to cover it up."
The head of the Song family's words fully demonstrated the characteristics of a merchant who valued profit.
It was obvious that this manor couldn't be kept. Giving away an abandoned manor could not only make the prince have a good impression of them, but also with the Song family's people there, if the prince really needed to use the secret passage, with the Song family's planning, he would surely remember the Song family's kindness.
Xu Yanchi liked dealing with merchants. He deeply understood that there were no permanent friends, only permanent interests.
If the head of the Song family didn't ask for anything and quickly got rid of this secret passage, he would be even more suspicious.
"That's great. Today's matter is of great importance. The head of the Song family must not let anyone notice any flaws. Just act as normal."
"I came here today just to visit the head of the Song family."
The head of the Song family nodded in agreement repeatedly. "Yes, yes, yes."
Feeling that he had accomplished another great thing, Xu Yanchi had lunch at the Song family before leaving to report back.
After the Prince of Jin heard about it, his gloomy face finally showed a relieved expression.
"Very good. I will send people to secretly guard this secret passage later. The public communication with the Song family will continue to be handled by Marquis Xu."
"Yes." Xu Yanchi agreed and was about to leave immediately.
"Wait."
The Prince of Jin called him back.
"My lord, is there anything else?"
Xu Yanchi turned around in confusion. He wanted to go back to accompany his son. Hui'er had finally started to get close to him, and he had to seize the opportunity to build a relationship with Hui'er. He also had to start looking for a teacher to enlighten Hui'er.
The Prince of Jin stood up from his chair and slowly walked to Xu Yanchi. "Princess Zhaohua sent someone to me. Come with me to have a look."
Xu Yanchi was stunned. "Who?"
The Prince of Jin just smiled mysteriously. "It's a woman. You'll know when you go."
Xu Yanchi had no choice but to follow the Prince of Jin.
When he saw the back view, Xu Yanchi felt vaguely familiar.
When she turned around and showed her face, Xu Yanchi's pupils shrank, and he opened his eyes in disbelief.