On the side of the official road, there was a relay station surrounded by a fence. Inside, there was a mountain of fodder.
A horse galloped over from afar and slowed down as it approached the relay station. Chen Guishuo rode the horse into the relay station.
After entering the station, he stopped and jumped off the horse. He flashed a token at a low-ranking official who welcomed him.
Very quickly, the lowly official brought him a well-rested steed. Chen Guishuo mounted the steed and immediately rushed out of the relay station. He urged the steed along the way and did not stop to rest …
On a certain official road in Guangyi Prefecture, Niu Youdao led a group of ten horses. They galloped at a moderate speed. After all, they did not have a relay station to use and had to consider the exhaustion of the horses' stamina.
Shang Chaozong's personal guards had all changed into ordinary civilian clothes. A portion of them were arranged by Niu Youdao along the way while the rest accompanied them.
In front of them, the tall city walls of the prefecture city were already in sight. Yuan Gang made a hand signal for the two horses at the back to stay behind and hide in the forest at the side. They were in charge of relaying information. The remaining group did not stop. When they reached the city gates, they dismounted and were interrogated by the guards. Naturally, Shang Chaozong's personal guards would come forward to help them pass through. Although Shang Chaozong was down and out, he was not an ordinary person. When it was not wartime, it was not a problem for him to use the identity of a trading company as a cover to enter the city.
Upon entering Guangyi Prefecture City, one would realize that the affluent land of fish and rice was indeed different. The streets were bustling with pedestrians and there were many shops. There were many people dressed decently. It was not something the dilapidated and bleak outside could compare to. Niu Youdao rode through the crowd on his tall horse. He looked around and took in the prosperity of the world.
After finding a good inn, the servants took care of the horses while the personal guards prepared the guest rooms for them.
The group of them found their own rooms and gathered together again. Yuan Gang instructed the three of them to go into the city and gather the information they needed. He then said to the other three, "It's been a long journey. Let's take turns to rest."
"Yes!" The three of them cupped their hands in acknowledgment and returned to their rooms.
Yuan Gang then followed Niu Youdao out of the inn and strolled on the streets of the prefecture city.
The two of them were seriously strolling around. When they came across a silk shop, Niu Youdao ran in and hugged the fine silks and satin as he caressed them. From time to time, he would turn his head and click his tongue at Yuan Gang. "Look at this weaving technique, this workmanship, it's exquisite.
His words made the shopkeeper very happy. However, after Niu Youdao asked for the price, he turned around and left, making the shopkeeper happy for nothing.
Niu Youdao's silhouette could be seen everywhere, whether it was a jewelry store or a livestock store.
In short, the two of them didn't look like they were here to run errands, but to buy something …
In Song Mansion, the capital city, Song Jiuming was standing on the stairs outside the parlor to welcome the guest in casual clothes. Of course, the guest who could be welcomed by the chief justice was not simple.
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation Song Jiuming stood on the stairs outside the living room to welcome the guests.
After a while, a group of people came out from the other side of the fake mountain's shadow wall. A muscular man with a full beard walked over in a majestic manner. His face was taut and he looked very unhappy.
This man was Wang Heng, the commander of one of the four garrisons in Gyeonggi. Although his official rank was not as high as Song Jiuming's, he commanded tens of thousands of soldiers. No one dared to look down on him in the capital. Wang Heng was Song Yanqing's father-in-law. The chubby lady behind him was Song Yanqing's wife, Wang Liufang.
Song Shu and his wife smiled apologetically. They had personally led the in-laws in from outside the gate. However, the in-laws didn't seem to be giving them face this time.
Wang Heng was followed by four cultivator guards. The four of them were on high alert along the way.
When they reached the stairs in the living room, Wang Heng cupped his fists and said coldly, "Greetings, Lord Minister of Justice!"
Song Jiuming, who was usually expressionless, smiled. He quickly walked down the stairs and grabbed Wang Heng's wrist. "You're too courteous. There's no such thing as a subordinate or a superior here. We're all one family. Commander, please come in! "He grabbed Wang Heng's hand and dragged him into the living room.
The two of them took their seats. Song Shu and the others could only stand. Wang Liufang lowered her head and stood behind her father, Wang Heng, with an aggrieved look.
The servants served tea. After the host and guest served the tea, Song Jiuming asked the main topic, "What brings Commander here?"
Bang! The teacup in Wang Heng's hand almost fell on the tea table. He said bluntly, "If I didn't come, my daughter might not be able to survive. I, Wang Heng, am from a small family. I'm not worthy of the Lord Minister of Justice. Today, I'm here to ask for a divorce letter from the Song family for my daughter! "
Song Jiuming was surprised. "Why do you say that, Commander? Fang-er is obedient and virtuous. Our family likes her very much. Why can't she live? They are a loving couple. Why would they need a divorce letter? Could it be that the Great Commander wishes to break up the affectionate couple? "
Wang Heng glared at him and said, "Lord Minister of Justice, let's not beat around the bush. The person I wanted to marry was your Song family. Now, it's also your Song family that neglected her! A married daughter is like spilled water. If you marry a chicken, follow the chicken. If you marry a dog, follow the dog. How the young couple live their lives is their own business. I can't control them. However, I'm not like that bastard Song Yanqing who bullies others! " He slammed his palm on the tea table again, causing the teacup to bounce.
The word "bastard" made the corner of Song Shu's mouth twitch. If Song Yanqing was a bastard, wouldn't he be a bastard as well? The Song family was a little embarrassed. They had all become bastards.
"Commander, you're exaggerating!" Song Jiuming said faintly.
Wang Heng: "I'm not exaggerating at all. It's not like I don't know that Song Yanqing, that bastard, is spending his time outside. We're all men, and I can understand some of his social interactions. I'm not an unreasonable person, and there are some things that I can turn a blind eye to and pretend that I didn't see. I can ignore him playing outside. I can't tie him up with a rope. However, there must be a limit to everything. He has a family. He can't play to the point where he doesn't care about his family. My daughter often doesn't even see him. What's going on? This time, it's even worse. An entire month has passed, and my daughter hasn't even been seen. She's alone in an empty room every day. Is there anyone who bullies others like this? Since you can't live on anymore, don't force yourself. Hand over the divorce letter. We'll call it quits! "
His voice almost tore the roof off. Behind him, his daughter, Wang Liufang, was crying with reddened eyes. She looked like she was wronged.
The Song family was very embarrassed. It was rare to meet someone who came to their door and yelled, slammed the table, and threw a tantrum. If it were an ordinary person, they naturally wouldn't have the right to do so. Who would dare to try it? However, Wang Liufang's family background was different. As the old saying goes, there's someone in the family! No matter how unhappy Wang Liufang was, the Song family was still polite to her. Her living conditions were definitely excellent. Even if they had opinions about her, even her parents-in-law had to speak to her gently and kindly.
Song Jiuming's reputation hit rock bottom. He looked at Song Shu coldly. Suddenly, he pointed at him and scolded, "It's the father's fault for not teaching her properly! I'm saying this in front of the in-laws today. In the future, if the in-laws say something like this again, I'll break that bastard's legs … "
Wang Heng looked up at the roof and didn't say a word. He listened to Song Jiuming scolding Song Shu. He didn't care about the divorce letter, but he was really here to stand up for his daughter.
After a long round of scolding, Song Shu was scolded until Song Jiuming was a yes-man. He stood up and walked to Wang Heng's side. He said in a pleasant tone, "Commander, it's all my fault. Don't worry, this kind of thing will not happen again. Also, the Great Commander might have misunderstood that scoundrel. "
"Misunderstood?" Wang Heng raised his eyebrows and stood up slowly. He thought that Song Jiuming was going to apologize, and then they would talk things over peacefully. He didn't expect that there would be another misunderstanding. He was unhappy. This was really bullying the Wang Family. Even he didn't give face. How could his daughter live a good life in the Song family in the future?
Song Jiuming raised his hand slightly and signaled him to calm down. Then, he whispered in Wang Heng's ear, "A month ago, before that person was released from the Heavenly Prison, the higher-ups sent word that Yan Qing had rushed back to the Shangqing Sect at night. He had something important to do, and he didn't want to stay outside. He had no choice. I hope Commander can understand!"
"Oh!" Wang Heng blinked his eyes and roughly understood what Song Jiuming meant. The anger on his face gradually subsided, and a thoughtful look appeared on his face.
At this moment, the Song family's housekeeper appeared outside the door and shouted at Song Quan, "Master!"
Song Quan quickly walked out. Seeing that the housekeeper's expression wasn't right, he knew that something must have happened. He followed the housekeeper to the eaves and asked, "What's the matter?"
The housekeeper whispered, "Something happened to Third Master's young master." He handed over a confidential letter.
Song Quan received the letter and read it. His face gradually turned grave. He quickly returned to the house and invited Song Jiuming, who was talking to Wang Heng in a low voice, to the side. After a few whispers, he handed over the confidential letter.
After reading the letter, Song Jiuming slowly closed his eyes. Everyone in the house noticed that something was wrong and stared at him.
When he opened his eyes again, Song Jiuming looked at Song Shu's wife, Hu Guizhi, and said, "Third Master's wife, take Fang out for a walk!"
Hu Guizhi nodded and went to Wang Heng's side to invite Wang Liufang. However, Wang Liufang looked at her father. Wang Heng realized that something must have happened to Song Jiuming, so he raised his hand and asked his daughter to leave with her mother-in-law.
Without anyone to influence the matter, the confidential letter in Song Jiuming's hands was transferred to Wang Heng's hands.
After reading it, Wang Heng's expression changed drastically. He suddenly looked at Song Jiuming and asked, "Duke Ming, is this report true?"
"Even if it's fake, there's no need to fake it," Song Jiuming said faintly.
Wang Heng sat down quietly. He felt like he was paralyzed on the chair and looked a little confused. The guards behind him looked at each other, not knowing what had happened.
"Third Master, you have to be mentally prepared." Song Jiuming tilted his head to look at his son. "Something happened to Yanqing. She's dead!"
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