Frost for a Thousand Years

Chapter 98 Song Jing Confronts the Emperor
After Song Jing returned to his residence, the entrance was immediately guarded by the Imperial Guards.

Although it would be safer for the Imperial Guards to surround the Song residence, preventing any possibility of a riot, it is still the Song family of Huai County, not some minor clan, so this is a matter of dignity.

With these two Imperial Guards at the gate, even though it was the height of summer, the entrance to the Song residence was as desolate and quiet as if autumn leaves had been swept away by the wind.

At this point, no one dared to get involved with them.

Inside the main hall of the Song family mansion, Song Jing, Madam Cui, Song Ce who had just gone through the process of being promoted to a ninth-rank official, Song Qin, the only unmarried daughter, and even Jiang, the concubine who was a maid, all knelt on the gleaming wooden floor, as if waiting to be imprisoned, all in a state of guilt.

Thinking of how such a luxurious life had been ruined by that beast, Madam Cui finally couldn't bear it any longer and cursed at Jiang Shi: "It's all because of your wretched son! He ruined everything..."

"Shut up! Have you forgotten what I said?"

Before he could finish speaking, Song Jing sternly stopped him.

She could only bite her lip, feeling indignant.

Jiang looked at Song Jing with trepidation, never expecting that this time, he wouldn't blame her at all...

But Shi An, what exactly are you doing?
While we were waiting, several Imperial Guards suddenly appeared in front of the wide-open hall doors, all of them walking quickly towards us.

The man in the lead was Shen Kang.

Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, a third-rank official.

But even the highest-ranking officials, the Nine Ministers, who held the first rank, dared not offend this third-rank official.

"Master Song."

Shen Kang stood tall and bowed to him.

"Master Shen."

Song Jing, who was kneeling on the ground, nodded slightly in response.

No imperial edict or verbal command was needed; Shen Kang's words were the law of heaven: "The Emperor summons Song Jing, the magistrate of Sheng'an, to the palace."

Upon hearing this, the remaining people all panicked.

His expression was filled with worry.

"As ordered."

Song Jing slowly rose and bowed to Shen Kang. Before leaving, he turned to look at the group and said, "Ce'er, take good care of your mother and sister."

"..." Song Ce nodded, his eyes filled with tears, his voice choked with emotion, "Father, I will."

Afterwards, Song Jing followed Shen Kang and a group of Imperial Guards out of the mansion, boarded a carriage, and headed to the palace.

They disembarked outside the palace and, led by Eunuch Xi, went to meet the emperor.

He didn't say a word the whole way, unlike those adults who were so frightened by being summoned by the emperor that their legs trembled and they almost lost control of their bladders.

Even Grandpa Xi couldn't help but admire the man's strong mental fortitude.

Finally, after a body search, they entered Xuanyu Hall.

This is the emperor's sleeping quarters.

But outside the screen in the inner room, there was a huge hall. The dragon throne was directly above it.

Song Jing slowly knelt down, prostrated himself, and kowtowed to the emperor, saying, "Your subject Song Jing pays his respects to Your Majesty."

Why wasn't the phrase "a guilty subject" used?

Even the old man on duty nearby sensed a hint of force.

Or rather, this kind of toughness doesn't actually exist.

No one could display his power in front of the emperor.

That should be considered calm.

"Song Jing, get up," the emperor said calmly.

Song Jing slowly stood up, stood before the emperor, and bowed his head.

"How much do you know about Song Shi'an's affairs?" the emperor asked.

"Your Majesty, I am aware of Song Shi'an's affairs. However, I am unaware of Song Shi'an's actions in Shuofeng," Song Jing replied.

The emperor understood what he meant, and casually said, "Oh? You mean that Song Shi'an's decision to transfer the troops from Langya to guard the city has nothing to do with you?"

“If Song Shi’an really did such a thing, then it has a lot to do with me,” Song Jing said seriously. “As his father, I should bear responsibility for everything he has done. Even more responsibility than he does.”

"Did you really do it?" Catching this key word, the emperor stared at Song Jing and said, "Jingru, look at me."

Song Jing, courtesy name Jingru.

Song Jing raised his head and, following his command, looked at the emperor.

The two stared directly into each other's eyes.

"You mean, this whole thing is fake?"

The emperor asked in a judgmental tone.

“Your Majesty, I dare not make a hasty judgment,” Song Jing said. “However, this joint letter of impeachment has not been confirmed to have been signed by Zhang Wen and other powerful families; it may also be a forgery.”

"What if it could be proven?"

"If it can be confirmed, then it was indeed signed by Zhang Wen and other powerful families, and the joint impeachment is also true."

"but?"

"But those powerful clans might also want to escape the defense of the city and unite to slander it. Or they might have engaged in treasonous activities and, after being discovered by Song Shi'an, the magistrate of Shuofeng County, they might try to fight to the death to confuse the public."

Song Jing spoke calmly and without any fluctuation in his tone.

"In this world, is your son the only one who doesn't lie? Is he the only loyal and virtuous minister?" the emperor asked rhetorically.

“Your Majesty, my son is unworthy of being called the only upright and loyal minister. However, I believe that since this is an impeachment, it should be carried out in accordance with the laws of the Great Yu Dynasty, and the matter should be investigated step by step.”

"The investigation is unclear, and the troops have already been transferred. The Langya Mutiny happened right there."

The emperor gazed into Song Jing's unwavering eyes, placed his hands on the armrests, slowly sat up straight, leaned forward, and said in a frosty tone, "If it wasn't your son who did it, then was it my son?"

This piercing question was enough to frighten all the ministers into a panic.

This is the emperor's majesty. There's no logic to it.

This matter must be addressed, and the ringleaders and accomplices must be identified.

Logically speaking, as the supreme commander of this army, Wei Wusheng should be the most direct and important person in charge.

But the emperor's sons could only be judged by the emperor himself.

The only person you can confess to is your son, Song Jing.

Otherwise, are we supposed to just find someone with no background, like that Imperial Guard Captain Zhu Qing, to take the blame and shut everyone up?
It can't be stopped.

After serving as the emperor's sword at Sun Situ's residence that day, Song Shi'an was bound to be condemned by everyone.

Why did the Prince of Jin insist on saying something instead of remaining silent in this situation?

From a rational perspective, given the prevailing trend, the Song family is bound to fall.

Song Shi'an offended both powerful families and nobles. When Prince Jin expressed his opinion at this time, he was merely echoing the sentiments and was able to win the hearts of the court officials.

Even if it makes my father uncomfortable.

However, Wu Wang's faction, for reasons unknown, actually spoke up for Song Shi'an at this most unfavorable moment, despite the pressure from the entire court.

In the emperor's view, it was perhaps the son of the Minister of Agriculture who acted without authorization.

Of course, the King of Wu had to bear the consequences for him.

This is a huge gamble, a gamble on the Emperor's heart.

But right now, it's not enough.

The Song family is also getting involved.

Faced with this overwhelming divine might, Song Jing's eyes never wavered, and he held firm.

Even the old eunuch Xi was taken aback by this man's toughness.

He didn't even refute the statement, "If it wasn't your son who did it, then was it my son who did it?"

It's as if he's saying that he can't take all the blame alone.

If my son is guilty, then the emperor's son is not innocent either.

"The reason why he was named Wusheng is known to everyone in the world. He was born and his mother died."

The emperor slowly leaned back on the dragon throne, the confrontation subsiding slightly. He suddenly said, "Every family has a disappointing son. Or rather, a troublesome son. Your Song Shi'an must be one of them, right?"

When asked about such a mundane topic, Song Jing relaxed and smiled somewhat embarrassedly, saying, "My son used to be a real headache. He didn't want to study properly and always went to taverns with some bad friends. Once he got so drunk that he fell into the river and almost drowned."

This amusing anecdote amused the emperor, who then recalled, "That's quite like Zihuan, not serious either. However, he is very intelligent, and of all the princes, he is my favorite."

The Fifth Prince, Prince Ning.

The prince who died in the "Crown Prince Rebellion" case.

He was not even fourteen years old when he died.

This was a hidden pain that no one dared to touch, but the emperor himself spoke of it.

He and Song Jing opened their hearts to each other.

"I have also heard that Song Shi'an did not return home before his appointment and dismissal," the emperor said.

“He’s back now, before I went to the Ministry of Personnel.” Song Jing.

“But no one saw it,” the emperor said.

Such trivial matters were of no concern to the emperor, who would neither know nor be interested in them.

And now he's said it.

The significance is then quite obvious.

Song Jing replied, "Your Majesty, I do not know if anyone saw it..."

“He was kicked out of the house by you long before the scientific expedition.”

The emperor looked at him and said bluntly, "You two have long since severed ties, and you were unaware of his rebellious behavior. Of course, you can no longer stay in the court, and the Song family will no longer be wealthy."

He gave Song Jing a way out, at least a way to survive.

That is to sever the father-son relationship.

The basis for this is Song Shi'an's previous series of insane behaviors.

Only by doing this can the officials vent their anger, the prince be exonerated, and the Song family be able to live as commoners.

Of course, there are costs involved.

With no one to rely on, even if Song Shi'an manages to defend the city, his own father will disown him. How can he possibly influence the court?
"His Majesty."

This condition, for a 'mutiny,' would be an immense blessing from heaven. But Song Jing didn't even think about it and said with a smile, "It's inevitable for fathers and sons to quarrel. Song Ce is more honest than Song Shi'an and hasn't caused me any trouble. But they are both my sons, there's no difference between them."

"Will you say the same thing when you get to the Dali Temple?" the emperor asked solemnly.

"Yes," Song Jing replied.

"You don't admit your guilt?" the emperor asked.

"No."

For a subject to answer with just two words, this is already incredibly audacious.

Song Jing insisted on not letting his own son take the blame for the emperor's son.

Seeing his reaction, the emperor showed no anger: "Lord Song, very well. This time, your life is in your son's hands. If he is a traitor, you and your entire family will perish with him."

Song Jing was not afraid at all.

"If he is a loyal subject."

The emperor, with a solemn expression, promised, "The Song family of Huai County will come forward."

(End of this chapter)