Prison Release

After a brief exchange inside the hall, Song Quan went out and called from the doorway, "Third Brother!"

Soon, a man whose features bore some resemblance to his came striding over. It was Song Yanqing's father, Song Shu.

After entering the hall and receiving a series of instructions, Song Shu quickly left again.

Returning to his own residence within the estate, Song Shu said to the old servant who came to greet him as soon as he entered, "Have Yanqing come see me."

The old servant looked troubled. "Young Master isn't home. He went out to meet some friends." He had no idea where Song Yanqing had gone to fool around, but it was probably one of those places.

"Bring him back immediately!" Song Shu's tone brooked no argument.

The old servant could only comply. He bowed and left.

Standing before the lamplight and candle flame, Song Shu stared at the flickering fire in silence. His expression shifted between light and shadow, and no one knew what he was thinking.

A full hour later, Song Shu was startled back to his senses by hurried footsteps outside. He turned his head and saw Song Yanqing approaching in haste. After saluting, Song Yanqing asked, "Father, did you need me for something?"

Ever since Tang Yi had married, the Shangqing Sect had lost all appeal for Song Yanqing. He had not stayed there long before returning to the Capital City.

Song Shu looked him up and down. Seeing traces of rouge still clinging to his cheeks, he immediately flew into a rage and scolded him, "All you know how to do all day is carouse in pleasure houses! Fang'er comes running to me every other day, crying and sobbing. With all the time you waste, wouldn't it be better to devote yourself to cultivation?"

The "Fang'er" he spoke of was Song Yanqing's wife. Not long after Song Yanqing returned to the Capital City, the Song Family had arranged his marriage.

Song Yanqing lowered his head and muttered, "She's hideous. I said from the start that I wouldn't marry her, but you all insisted on forcing me."

"What's so hideous about her? She's only a little fat." Song Shu glared, then pointed at his son's nose and cursed, "I'm warning you. Her father commands tens of thousands of elite troops stationed around the Capital City, and he has a cultivation sect backing him as well. You'd better show her some courtesy. If you really anger your grandfather, you know exactly what the consequences will be!"

"Yes, yes, I know." Song Yanqing gave a helpless, bitter laugh. "Father, let's talk about the real matter. Why did you summon me?"

Song Shu took a moment to calm himself before saying in a deep voice, "Pack your things at once and return to the Shangqing Sect as soon as possible..."

"What?" Song Yanqing suddenly raised his head, his face filled with resistance. "I'm not going! That wretched place is so cold and deserted it makes people stupid. Father, forgive me for speaking bluntly, but the Shangqing Sect is useless now. Getting involved with it will only invite trouble. I just don't understand—why did you go and become a disciple of the Shangqing Sect in the first place? Weren't you just asking for trouble?"

Song Shu was silent for a moment before slowly saying, "Since matters have come to this, I may as well make some things clear to you. Back then, Prince Ning, Shang Jianbo, was undefeated in battle, victorious in every attack. His armies swept all before them, and his might shook the various kingdoms. He was the most powerful minister in the Yan Kingdom and had already gained the momentum of a Crown Prince. When Great Yan was founded, the Shangqing Sect's founding patriarch had rendered tremendous service and was conferred the title of Imperial Advisor. It could be said that the Shangqing Sect had always maintained ties with the Yan Kingdom's imperial family. Shang Jianbo had always had a good relationship with the Shangqing Sect. Because of this, your grandfather sent me to the Shangqing Sect so the Song Family would have another way out. Who could have known that the weather was destined to change? The late Emperor suddenly died of illness, and the final edict unexpectedly passed the throne to the current Emperor. From that point on, Shang Jianbo's situation took a sharp turn for the worse, leading to the state of affairs today."

Song Yanqing suddenly understood. He muttered to himself, "Grandfather really is sinister. He started riding both sides of the fence long ago..."

Song Shu flew into a rage at that. "What did you say?"

"Nothing, nothing!" Song Yanqing hurriedly waved his hands. "I mean, shouldn't we maintain an appropriate distance from the Shangqing Sect? Why are you still sending me there?"

Song Shu said in a deep voice, "Shang Chaozong will be released from prison tomorrow!"

Song Yanqing looked puzzled. "I've heard about that. What does it have to do with me going to the Shangqing Sect?"

Song Shu said, "The Imperial Court has just made its decision. Shang Chaozong is to be driven out of the Capital City and sent to his fief. Judging from the route, he'll likely pass through the area around the Shangqing Sect. Once you reach the Shangqing Sect, you must warn them not to send any cultivators to escort him!"

Song Yanqing chuckled. "Is that really such a big deal? Is it worth making me travel that far? Just send a message to the Shangqing Sect. Besides, the Shangqing Sect can barely protect itself these days. Even without a warning, I doubt they'd dare send anyone to him."

Song Shu glared. "You don't know what you're talking about! Ever since Great Yan was founded, the Shangqing Sect has maintained countless ties with the Yan Kingdom's imperial family. Its relationship with Shang Jianbo may involve far more than just Dongguo Haoran. The way Tang Mu suddenly changed course on his deathbed and passed the throne to Dongguo Haoran is proof enough. I suspect the Shangqing Sect's waters aren't as clear as they seem, and there may well be more lurking beneath the surface. Given the current circumstances, the other sects won't dare send anyone to protect Shang Chaozong. The Shangqing Sect is the most likely to do so. Sending you there isn't merely to warn them not to aid Shang Chaozong—you're also to keep a close eye on the Shangqing Sect for me! Once Shang Chaozong is released and leaves the Capital City, the news may stir up some buried dregs. After you reach the Shangqing Sect, watch carefully for any unusual movements. Report immediately if you discover anything. This is your grandfather's order."

Song Yanqing pulled a long face. "Why go to such trouble? Besides, the current Shangqing Sect is a fallen phoenix worse than a chicken. Even if they send people to Shang Chaozong, what can they do? They won't be able to stir up any waves. Shang Chaozong has no military authority anymore. Your father is worrying too much. In my opinion, it would be simpler to have someone wipe out the Shangqing Sect."

Song Shu said coldly, "A centipede may be dead, but it still writhes. Much less the former Prince Ning, who once controlled Yan Kingdom's military! Your grandfather naturally has his reasons. This isn't something you need to worry about. I'm warning you—this is no child's play. If anything happens, your grandfather won't spare you!"

A chill ran down Song Yanqing's back. He was quite afraid of that grandfather of his; ordinarily, he did not even dare breathe too loudly in his presence...

The eastern sky had just begun to pale. Outside the imperial prison stood a carriage, with the coachman quietly waiting before it.

A refined-looking middle-aged man paced beside the carriage. He had a goatee and wore a long blue-green robe beneath a blue vest, exuding a scholarly air. His deep-set eyes kept drifting toward the imperial prison gates.

Only when dawn broke and the first brilliant golden rays appeared on the horizon did movement finally come from inside the imperial prison—the clanking sound of chains dragging across the ground.

The coachman and the middle-aged man abruptly turned to look.

A moment later, the imperial prison gates clanged open, and a tall but emaciated, raggedly dressed young man was pushed out by a group of people. Shackles bound his hands, fetters dragged from his feet, and he walked barefoot. Though he looked utterly wretched, his eyes shone brightly, his back was ramrod straight, and he carried himself with the unyielding air of a man who would rather break than bend.

This was none other than Shang Chaozong, the youngest son of the late Yan Kingdom Grand Marshal, Prince Ning, Shang Jianbo!

The coachman and middle-aged man waiting outside the imperial prison hurried forward, but the guards stopped them. They could only stand there anxiously, watching.

Shang Chaozong was ordered to halt under guard. Someone stepped forward and unlocked the shackles on his hands and feet, after which another person brought over a document and inkpad.

Only after Shang Chaozong pressed his fingerprint onto the document did the prison warden cup his hands and say with a smile, "Congratulations, Prince. You're finally free."

Shang Chaozong cast him a sidelong glance without saying a word. Barefoot, he continued forward at an unhurried pace.

Once he left the guarded area, the middle-aged man and the coachman hurried forward together to salute him. Both were so excited they could barely speak.

Shang Chaozong nodded at the coachman, then smiled at the middle-aged man. "Sorry for the trouble, Mr. Lan. You came personally to receive me."

The middle-aged man was named Lan Ruoting. He was also a relative of Shang Chaozong—the maternal cousin of Shang Chaozong's mother. Gifted and intelligent, he had been noticed by the strategist and adviser under Shang Song, who accepted him as a student and kept him at his side to teach him the art of strategy. Five years ago, his teacher had perished alongside Shang Song and the others, and Lan Ruoting had essentially taken his teacher's place in the Prince's residence.

The words at Lan Ruoting's lips failed him. His gaze fixed on Shang Chaozong's wrists and ankles, where the flesh had been rubbed raw and festered from years of wearing shackles. Waves of stench rose from him, and his gaunt, skeletal appearance made it clear how much suffering he had endured over the years.

How was this treatment fit for a prince? His lips trembled. He turned his head and called, "Quickly, help the Prince into the carriage." The coachman hurried over and supported Shang Chaozong from one side while Lan Ruoting supported him from the other.

"I'm not going to fall. I can walk!" Shang Chaozong pushed their hands away and climbed into the carriage himself.

Lan Ruoting followed him inside.

As soon as the carriage departed, a homing pigeon immediately spread its wings and flew into the sky from within the imperial prison.

The carriage trotted unhurriedly along the streets of the Capital City. After examining Shang Chaozong's injuries, Lan Ruoting withdrew his hands and said, "We'll find a quiet place to bathe and treat your wounds once we're there."

"It's fine. I've made it through all these years. I can spare this little bit of time." As he spoke, Shang Chaozong reached out and lifted the curtain to glance outside, realizing that they were not on the road to the Prince's residence.

Lan Ruoting explained, "The Emperor has issued an edict. The Prince is not permitted to remain in the Capital City and must be sent immediately to Canglu County, his fief."

"I know. I heard the edict in prison." Shang Chaozong let the curtain fall and turned back to ask, "Have you uncovered the cause of Father King's death?"

Lan Ruoting shook his head. "The matter is very strange. There's still no clue at all. We only suspect the one in the palace, but we have no evidence."

Shang Chaozong fell silent for a while before asking, "How is Qing'er? Father King repeatedly instructed the several of us brothers before his death that we must protect Qing'er."

Qing'er's name was Shang Shuqing. She was his younger sister and Shang Jianbo's only daughter. Shang Chaozong had originally had two elder brothers. The eldest had died on the battlefield, while the second had perished with their parents several years ago. Now, only the two siblings remained of their family. Three years earlier, Shang Chaozong had discovered someone harassing a virtuous woman and stepped forward to stop it. In a moment of carelessness, he had beaten the man to death. The matter had then spiraled out of control, and accusations that twisted black into white had surged toward him like a tide. Only after he was thrown into prison did he realize that he had been framed. His inherited princely title had been stripped of its hereditary rights, all his offices had been revoked, and his title had been reduced from Prince to County Princess's father's rank. He had remained locked in the imperial prison until now, with no one permitted to visit him.

Lan Ruoting comforted him, "Rest assured, Prince. The County Princess is hiding in a safe place. You'll be able to see her soon."

Shang Chaozong gave a slight nod, seeming to relax. But then he frowned again. "There is one thing I don't understand. While I was in the imperial prison, people kept pressing me to confess the whereabouts of the hundred thousand Crow Generals under Father King's command. It made no sense to me. Sir, do you know what this is about?"

Lan Ruoting sighed. "I was the one who arranged that. I'm sorry for the trouble, Prince."