Wang Yan walked out of The King of Song's residence with the cold wind blowing on his face. However, his heart was not at ease at all.
Wang Chong's words reverberated in his mind.
Wang Yan couldn't help but admit that he had wronged his third son on the matter of Wang Chong. 'A leopard never changes its spots'. Wang Yan had always thought that this unfilial son of his had reverted back to his old ways, causing trouble everywhere he went.
However, if not for Wang Chong's reminder, Wang Yan would not have known that The King of Song was already dissatisfied with his relationship with Yao Guang Yi.
Wang Yan was a pure soldier, but that did not mean that he was clueless. The greatest taboo for an official was to be 'taboo for the superior'.
The friendship between the Song and Wang Clan spanned several generations. It would be a great sin if it were to be destroyed just because of a single wrong word that he had said.
However, even so, Wang Yan still found it hard to believe Wang Chong's words.
"How is this possible? Yao Guang Yi is framing me? "
Wang Yan looked up at the sky and sighed. Wang Chong said that Yao Guang Yi was framing him, but Wang Yan still did not believe it.
At most, he and Yao Guang Yi only met once and had a drink. They didn't talk about anything else during the banquet. How could Yao Guang Yi frame him?
Could it be that drinking once and meeting once was framing?
— — Wasn't this too easy and ridiculous?
Wang Yan shook his head, unable to understand. Just as he was deep in thought, the sound of horse hooves could be heard from the street in the distance.
Wang Yan's heart skipped a beat. He raised his head and saw a black horse galloping towards him.
"Is that General Wang Yan?"
On the horse, a general with a flag on his back shouted from afar.
"Yes! What's the matter? "
Wang Yan's eyes narrowed and his expression was stern.
"The Ministry of War has orders for the general to return to the encampment immediately!"
The general's face was dark. With a flick of his wrist, a red arrow shot out. Without another word, he turned his horse around and galloped away, disappearing into the wind with the clip-clop of his hooves.
Wang Yan grabbed the red arrow token in his hand. When he saw the word "Fire" written on the arrow token, his expression immediately changed.
Military orders were like a falling mountain. The word "fire" on the Ministry of War's transfer order meant that it was extremely urgent. In other words, the moment he received the order, he had to rush to the encampment without stopping.
"The third matter!"
Wang Yan looked at the arrow token in his hand, and his heart was in turmoil.
He had just met The King of Song. He hadn't even crossed the steps of The King of Song's mansion when he received the transfer order from the Ministry of War. The time was exactly as Wang Chong had said.
This was simply inconceivable!
Wang Yan couldn't understand how Wang Chong knew about it.
The suspicions in Wang Yan's heart grew heavier and heavier. Yao Guang Yi, Wang Chong … There were too many mysteries in this matter.
"Now, there's only one matter left …"
Wang Yan thought to himself. He recalled what Wang Chong had said about "retreating 50 li". It had been many years since the Hu had invaded his encampment.
Wang Yan also couldn't understand why his third son, Wang Chong, would so solemnly request him to retreat 50 li if he encountered an invasion of the Hu.
No matter how one looked at it, this matter was baffling. If it was in the past, Wang Yan definitely wouldn't have taken it seriously. But now, Wang Yan had no choice but to carefully consider it.
"No matter what, when I reach the border, everything will come to light!"
Keeping the arrow token, Wang Yan walked down the steps of The King of Song's mansion. He didn't return to the Wang Family Residence, but headed straight for the encampment.
…
"Zheng Yuan has betrayed us!"
Almost at the same time that Wang Yan left, in The King of Song's mansion, The King of Song's face darkened, and he said something completely different. There was one thing that he didn't tell Wang Yan. The King of Song's residence actually didn't have Wang Yan's letter.
But that letter had indeed been delivered to The King of Song's residence.
"Yet another defector who defected to King Qi's side!"
The old butler's complexion didn't look too good. After Wang Yan's letter reached The King of Song's residence, it was taken away by one of The King of Song's aides, Zheng Yuan. In this period of time, too many people had betrayed The King of Song and defected to King Qi's side.
Without a doubt, Zheng Yuan was one of them.
"Bastards! I've treated them well, and yet they treat me like this! "
The King of Song clenched his fists, his face filled with rage. He wasn't a suspicious person by nature, but right now, King Qi was going around persuading the people around him.
Seeing that the situation wasn't right, the people around him all changed sides. Many of the people that he had trusted a lot in the past had defected to King Qi's side. Given the circumstances, the King of Song couldn't help but feel suspicious.
"It's a pity for Wang Yan. The Wang Clan has always been loyal to me. From the looks of it, I've wronged him on this matter. "
The King of Song said guiltily.
"Your Highness, there's no need to blame yourself. Yao Guang Yi is King Qi's trusted aide. For Wang Yan to have a secret meeting with him in the Vast Crane Pavilion at this moment, anyone would be suspicious. Your Highness can't be blamed for this. However, it's still too early to say whether the Wang Clan is innocent or not. Even though the children of the Wang and Yao Clan had a conflict in the tavern, couldn't it be an act of self-mutilation? — — It can't be that Your Highness has forgotten about the matter with Zhou Chang back then? "
The old butler spoke without any change in his expression.
Weng!
Hearing those words, the King of Song's complexion immediately changed. The matter with Zhou Chang was something that happened during the reign of the previous emperor. Because of this matter, countless officials in the royal court were demoted. Even the King of Song's father, the old The King of Song, was implicated and spent three months in the imperial prison.
The lineage of the King of Song Residence was nearly stripped of their nobility due to this matter!
As such, the King of Song had a deep impression of this matter!
"You mean to say …"
The King of Song's face twitched. His relaxed brows knitted together once more as he fell into deep thought.
"I didn't say anything. Your Highness is a kind person. If the Wang Clan remains loyal to you, that would be a good thing. However, Your Highness has to be wary of it. After all, it's hard to tell what is in a person's heart. If the Wang Clan is indeed wronged in this matter, Your Highness is willing to compensate them however you want. However, it isn't wise for us to jump to conclusions now. "
The old butler said impassively.
The King of Song was a kind person, but as the old butler of the The King of Song Residence, he had served a few princes, and he had seen too many schemes and plots in the royal court.
There were no eternal friends, only eternal interests. As the old butler of the The King of Song Residence, he was only loyal to the interests of the The King of Song.
"Hehe, isn't it easy to find out the truth?"
The King of Song was silent for a moment before suddenly smiling.
"Your Highness, are you talking about Academic Lu?"
The old butler seemed to have guessed it.
"Un. Didn't Academic Lu go to the Vast Crane Pavilion with Bao Xuan? You can ask him about this matter. He can't be any clearer. "
The King of Song nodded his head solemnly, a respectful expression on his face. He had already received news that Lu Ting was waiting outside.
"Paying respects to Your Highness The King of Song."
A moment later, a figure walked in. Dressed in a white scholar's robe, Lu Ting bowed deeply to The King of Song.
"Academic Lu, I heard that you went to the Vast Crane Pavilion as well?"
The King of Song asked. There was one person in the royal court that he didn't doubt, and that was Lu Ting. This wasn't just because Lu Ting was an upright person who wouldn't betray him.
It was also because Lu Ting had once saved his life.
Back then, he wasn't the King of Song, and he didn't have his current standing. Due to a certain matter, he was suspected of plotting a rebellion, and he was implicated in the rebellion.
Back then, Duke Jiu was dispatched to the borders to deal with the Turkic Khaganate. At that moment, the war was in full swing, and it was beyond his reach. Everyone in the royal court was in danger, and no one spoke up for him.
At this moment, only the newly promoted Academic Lu Ting risked offending the new emperor and being labeled as a rebel to rebuke the new emperor.
In fact, he even chased after the new emperor all the way to the back palace, knocking his forehead against a pillar and nearly dying.
It was because of Lu Ting's rebuke that the new emperor paid attention to the matter and reopened the trial. Thus, the King of Song was cleared of suspicion and his life was saved.
As this matter happened in the back palace, not many people knew about it. Lu Ting had never publicized it, and he didn't mention it before The King of Song either. The King of Song only learned of this matter from the new emperor.
From then on, the King of Song treated Lu Ting with utmost respect. He was also willing to listen to his opinions!
"Un. Bao Xuan invited me there. Not only did he go there, but he also encountered something interesting there. Even if Your Highness didn't ask about it, I would have told you about it. "
Lu Ting said with a smile.
"Oh? Tell me about it. "
A glint flashed across the eyes of the King of Song, and his interest was piqued.
He was well aware of Lu Ting's personality. An interesting matter that came from the mouth of this renowned scholar was definitely extraordinary!
"Your Highness should know about the conflict between the Wang Clan's siblings and the Yao Clan's gongzi, Duke Yao, in the Vast Crane Pavilion, right?"
Lu Ting smiled.
"Un, I know about it, but I'm not too sure about it. Could the matter that Scholar Lu spoke of be related to them? "
The King of Song asked curiously.
His original intention was to ask Lu Ting about the matter between Yao Guang Yi and Wang Yan. However, after hearing Lu Ting talk about the conflict between the children of the two families, he forgot about this matter.
Lu Ting didn't hide anything. He spoke of the matter that he had heard about the siblings outside the Vast Crane Pavilion. Especially the conversation between Wang Chong and Bao Xuan, he spoke of it in great detail.
As for the part where The King of Song was concerned about Wang Yan, Lu Ting brushed it aside.
Initially, the King of Song only listened to it with interest, treating it as an anecdote. But eventually, he was completely captivated.
"That means that Bao Xuan has already betrayed King Qi."
The King of Song's complexion darkened. His original intention was to ask about Wang Yan, but he didn't expect to stumble upon a traitor, Bao Xuan. To The King of Song, this was a huge blow.
"Hehe, if Your Highness is vexed over Bao Xuan's matter, there's no need for you to be vexed over it. Bao Xuan isn't the first to betray Your Highness, and he definitely won't be the last. There's no need for Your Highness to be vexed over such matters. "
Lu Ting smiled faintly. He wasn't as vexed as The King of Song:
"When the tree falls, the monkeys scatter. Those who want to leave won't be able to stay. Those who stay won't be able to leave. "
"If those who have sided with King Qi were to remain here, they would only be a scourge. It would be better for them to leave. Just like what the Wang Clan's third young master, Wang Chong, said, 'The one who laughs in the end is the one who laughs best'. The competition isn't over yet, so why should The King of Song be discouraged? This is also what I wanted to say to Your Highness, The King of Song. "
"Your Highness has so many subordinates by your side, but in my opinion, in terms of insight and knowledge, they are inferior to that fifteen-year-old Wang Chong."
Hearing Lu Ting's words, The King of Song couldn't help but smile. Even the tense old butler's expression eased up a little. He had a favorable impression of the young man whom he hadn't interacted with much before.
"'The one who laughs in the end is the one who laughs best', heh, well said! Well said! Academic Lu is right. Not only are Bao Xuan and the others inferior to that Wang Clan's third son, even I am far inferior. Wang Yan has a good son! "
The King of Song smiled. He suddenly had a favorable impression of this fifteen-year-old young man whom he had never met before, but whose words were full of witty words. In his current situation, where he was almost 'deserted by everyone', there was nothing more gratifying than hearing such words of support from a seemingly inexperienced child.
At the side, seeing the smile on The King of Song's face, Lu Ting heaved a sigh of relief.
He had served The King of Song for many years and knew how difficult the latter's situation was. In his heart, he really hoped that the latter could get past this hurdle.
"Hehe, speaking of that Wang Clan's third son? Lord Lu seems to favor him quite a bit? "
The King of Song looked at Lu Ting and suddenly said with a smile.
"That's right!"
Lu Ting didn't avoid the topic. In front of The King of Song, he frankly admitted:
"That Wang Chong is indeed not simple to have such insight and knowledge at such a young age. In time, his future will be limitless, and he might even become an important figure in the imperial court. The King of Song and the Wang Clan have always been on good terms. With the Wang Clan's Qilin son, The King of Song will definitely have a great help in the future. Isn't this something to be congratulated for? "
"Lord Lu's evaluation of the Wang Clan's siblings is actually so high?"
The King of Song's eyebrows shot up. He was truly taken aback.
"Your Highness, if that Wang Chong was only able to see through Bao Xuan's disguise, it would only mean that he is slightly intelligent. Even though such a person is rare, there are plenty of them in the capital. Furthermore, even without this matter, Your Highness should have already harbored suspicions of Bao Xuan, right? "
Lu Ting said.
"Could there be another reason?"
The King of Song frowned in incomprehension.
"Even though it seems like the Wang Clan siblings have disrupted the meeting between Yao Guang Yi and Wang Yan because of Ma Zhou's matter. But somehow, I feel that this matter isn't as simple as it seems. "
Lu Ting hesitated for a long moment before speaking.
"What?!"
The King of Song was astonished. Even the old butler, whose aura was as deep as the abyss, raised his pale eyebrows and revealed a surprised expression. Even though Lu Ting didn't say it clearly, he knew that if the siblings intentionally went to the Vast Crane Pavilion to wreak havoc, then everything would be different!
If that was true, then Lu Ting's evaluation of the siblings wasn't high at all. Not only that, it was low.
"Academic Lu, why do you feel that way?"
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