Song Zhiyu did it on purpose. Otherwise, how could he sit down and have a talk with the legendary Lady Xiao?
The emperor had announced how to handle this matter. Song always felt that someone was pulling the strings behind it, and it surely wasn't Xu Maozhi. Although Xu wasn't a die - hard conservative, he was also unlikely to do such a thing.
Finally, he thought of Lady Xiao, who passed by his carriage without even a sideways glance. This matter seemingly had nothing to do with her, but it took a turn because of her appearance.
The people who were pursuing Song Zhiyu were blocked outside by the guards of the Marquis of Zhenbei's mansion. The guards' hands were filled with the fragrance of rouge.
Yi Qing watched Song Zhiyu, a charming figure gently waving his folding fan, walking slowly over. After a look, she was sure that he was really no match for her general.
Out of the corner of his eye, Song Zhiyu had long noticed this legendary Lady Xiao. She was wearing a simple and elegant sky - blue gown, with her hair simply coiled up without any ornaments. She should be a person who disliked extravagance.
"A lowly commoner, Song Zhiyu, pays respects to Lady Xiao." Song Zhiyu bowed respectfully.
Yi Qing thought about Song Zhiyu's current status. He was indeed a lowly commoner now. Once a talented scholar with a promising future, he had now become a commoner. Such a huge gap was surely hard to accept.
"Speak. What's the matter?" Yi Qing didn't intend to ask Song Zhiyu to sit down.
"I'm here to thank Lady Xiao." Song Zhiyu said directly.
Whether his speculation was true or not, he wanted to involve the Xiao family in this matter. Only in this way would their chances of success be greater.
Over there, the servants of the Xiao mansion had already gone to report to Xiao Jinghan. Such a big thing as Song Zhiyu visiting the lady couldn't be reported late, or they would be punished by the general when they got back.
Xiao Jinghan was checking the list with Deng Xiao. Some people had been secretly dealt with by the Embroidered Uniform Guard, while others were sent to the Ministry of Justice or the Court of Judicial Review. This matter was finally coming to an end.
"General." He Tai came in and bowed, looking like he had something important to report.
Deng Xiao stepped aside, indicating that he didn't want to listen.
"Speak." Xiao Jinghan wasn't that petty.
"Song Zhiyu has gone to the mansion to visit the lady." He Tai said directly.
Xiao Jinghan put down the roster and stood up.
"Hahaha..." Deng Xiao couldn't help laughing. "The fearless Xiao Jinghan is actually afraid of other men getting close to Yi Qing."
Xiao Jinghan looked at Deng Xiao's smug look. "Anyway, you'll never understand."
Deng Xiao's face immediately changed. Xiao Jinghan ignored him and went straight back.
Watching Xiao Jinghan leave, Deng Xiao gave a self - deprecating smile, shaking his head and sighing. He had really fallen into the hands of this couple.
Yi Qing originally didn't want to talk to Song Zhiyu. She didn't even let him into the main hall. But Song Zhiyu's talent, insights and bearing made it impossible for Yi Qing to just drive him away.
"No matter what you say, you can't change the fact that you used a dead child." Yi Qing wouldn't let this matter go.
"Yes." Song Zhiyu didn't deny it. "I'll admit any crime the law imposes on me. But Lady Xiao will never understand that kind of despair. I had no other choice."
Mo Kong's death wasn't caused by Song Zhiyu, but for Song, it was an opportunity, the only glimmer of light in his despair. So even though he knew it was wrong, he didn't hesitate.
Looking at Song Zhiyu's determined look, Yi Qing suddenly understood. She knew that Song Zhiyu wasn't a bad person. He just thought some rules were inappropriate and tried to change them. He had no other choice, not even the chance to shed his blood in the court.
"Then what's your purpose for coming today?" Even if Yi Qing could understand Song Zhiyu, she wouldn't get involved in this matter.
She could add fuel to the fire when this matter happened, but she couldn't take the lead. For her, these were two different concepts.
"I'm just here to thank Lady Xiao." Song Zhiyu bowed.
"I think you want others to think that the Marquis of Zhenbei's mansion supports you, don't you?" Xiao Jinghan walked in with a gloomy face.
Yi Qing was startled by Xiao Jinghan. She didn't know why he suddenly came back.
Song Zhiyu turned around and bowed. Although his back was ice - cold, his face remained unchanged. "I pay respects to General Xiao."
Xiao Jinghan glanced at Song Zhiyu and walked past him to Yi Qing. Seeing that Yi Qing didn't let Song Zhiyu into the main hall, he wasn't angry anymore. "When I'm not at home, no strange men are allowed to enter the general's mansion."
"Yes." The servants on one side bowed.
Yi Qing pulled Xiao Jinghan and looked at his petty look. "Is the matter finished?"
"En." Xiao Jinghan's face couldn't hold back his smile when he saw Yi Qing being so obedient. Then he turned to Song Zhiyu. "Your matter is a major event in the court, a matter for all the scholars in the world. His Majesty will make a decision. You don't need to gild the lily here."
Song Zhiyu was shocked and immediately knelt down, kowtowing. "Thank you, General Xiao."
"Leave." Xiao Jinghan didn't look at him anymore.
Song Zhiyu was an arrogant man. Even though he was a commoner, he wouldn't kowtow and bow to others. But when he heard Xiao Jinghan's words, he excitedly knelt down, and his eyes were even wet.
He stood up and bowed. To hide his red and wet eyes, he kept his head down and left.
"Why is he so excited?" Yi Qing didn't quite understand.
"His goal has been achieved. How could he not be excited?" Xiao Jinghan tapped Yi Qing's nose. "Don't meet such people in the future."
"What? Is the general afraid that he's not as good - looking as Song Zhiyu?" Yi Qing joked.
Xiao Jinghan looked at Yi Qing's smug look. "I don't think you have such bad taste."
"I think Song Zhiyu is quite good. Look..." Yi Qing deliberately said. "Hey..."
Xiao Jinghan directly carried Yi Qing on his shoulder and went back to the room. He wouldn't miss such a good opportunity.
Yi Qing had lunch in bed. Xiao Jinghan sat by the bed and fed her with a smile on his face, which made Yi Qing bite the chopsticks and not let go.
"It seems you still have a lot of strength." Xiao Jinghan said as he leaned closer to Yi Qing, scaring her into quickly letting go.
"You said Song Zhiyu's goal has been achieved. Has the emperor already agreed to their request?" Yi Qing thought it was impossible. The debate hadn't even started yet.
"Do you know why Song Zhiyu's teacher was involved in the imperial examination fraud?" Xiao Jinghan asked.
Yi Qing shook her head. She had only heard Xu Maozhi talk about this matter, but didn't know the details.
"Song Zhiyu's teacher also opposed such a system. He was almost successful, but unfortunately, he was imprisoned because of the fraud and finally died in prison." Xiao Jinghan said with a heavy heart.
"Do you mean that Song Zhiyu's teacher was framed?" Yi Qing suddenly understood.
"The emperor has already asked Xu Maozhi to re - investigate this matter. If Song Zhiyu's teacher was really framed, then they may very well win." Xiao Jinghan said with certainty.
"Why?" Yi Qing thought there was no direct relationship.
Xiao Jinghan looked at the innocent - looking Yi Qing. Sometimes she was quite smart, but sometimes she was so stupid. "There are quite a few people involved in that matter. Some of them are still highly respected in the capital now."
"If that's the case, Song Zhiyu and the others won't win. Those people surely won't let the case be reversed." Yi Qing thought that with that despicable emperor's character, he would surely weigh the pros and cons again.