Leaving Prison

After a period of discussion in the hall, Song Quan went out and called from the doorway, "Third brother!"

Soon, a man who bore a slight resemblance to him walked over briskly. This was Song Shu, Song Yanqing's father.

After receiving some instructions in the hall, Song Shu quickly departed.

Returning to his own residence within the estate, upon entering his home, he told the old servant who came to greet him, "Have Yanqing come see me."

The old servant looked troubled. "Young master isn't home. He went out to see friends." He didn't know where Song Yanqing had gone off to fool around, but he could probably guess the usual places.

"Find him and bring him to me immediately!" Song Shu commanded, leaving no room for argument.

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

Standing before the lampshade, Song Shu stared into the candlelight, lost in thought. His expression flickered with changing emotions, and it was unclear what he was thinking.

A full hour later, Song Shu was disturbed by hurried footsteps outside. He came back to himself, turned his head, and saw Song Yanqing approaching with hurried steps. "Father, you sent for me?"

Ever since Tang Yi got married, the Shangqing Sect held little appeal for him, Song Yanqing. He hadn't stayed long before returning to the Capital City.

Song Shu looked him up and down, noticing the un-wiped traces of makeup on his cheeks. He immediately became angry and reprimanded him, "All day long you only know how to frequent pleasure houses! Fang'er comes to me crying three times a week. Wouldn't it be better to use this time to cultivate properly?"

The 'Fang'er' he mentioned was Song Yanqing's wife. Shortly after Song Yanqing returned to the Capital City, the Song family had arranged his marriage.

Song Yanqing lowered his head and mumbled, "She's so ugly. I said I didn't want to marry her back then, but you all forced me."

"Ugly? She's just a bit plump!" Song Shu glared, pointing at his son's nose and scolding him, "I'm warning you, her father commands tens of thousands of elite troops in the capital region, and he has the backing of a cultivation sect. You should at least be polite to her. If you truly anger your grandfather, you know the consequences!"

"Yes, yes, I understand," Song Yanqing said with a helpless wry smile. "Father, let's talk business. What did you want to see me about?"

Song Shu calmed his emotions and said gravely, "Pack your things immediately and return to the Shangqing Sect as soon as possible..."

"Ah!" Song Yanqing looked up abruptly, his face full of rejection. "I'm not going! That desolate place makes people dull and stupid. Father, if you'll forgive my bluntness, the Shangqing Sect is no longer useful. Getting involved with them easily leads to trouble. I just can't understand why you became a disciple of the Shangqing Sect back then. Wasn't that just asking for trouble?"

Song Shu was silent for a moment, then slowly said, "Since things have come to this, I might as well be clear with you. At that time, Prince Ning, Shang Jianbo, was invincible and unstoppable. His armies were unstoppable, striking fear into all the other kingdoms. He was the most powerful minister in the Yan Kingdom, possessing the aura of an heir apparent. When the Yan Kingdom was founded, the founding ancestor of the Shangqing Sect made immense contributions and was enfeoffed as the Imperial Advisor. It can be said that the Shangqing Sect has always had ties with the Yan imperial family. Shang Jianbo's relationship with the Shangqing Sect was always good. It was for this reason that your grandfather sent me to the Shangqing Sect back then to secure another fallback for the Song family. Who knew that fate is unpredictable? The late emperor suddenly passed away, and his dying decree was to pass the throne to His Majesty. From then on, Shang Jianbo's situation took a sharp turn for the worse, leading to the current predicament."

Song Yanqing suddenly understood, muttering to himself, "Grandfather was truly cunning, playing both sides from early on..."

Song Shu was furious at this. "What did you say?"

"Nothing, nothing!" Song Yanqing quickly 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 gravely, "Shang Chaozong is being released from prison tomorrow!"

Song Yanqing asked curiously, "I heard about that. What does that have to do with me going to the Shangqing Sect?"

Song Shu: "The court has just decided to expel Shang Chaozong from the Capital City and send him to his fiefdom. Based on the route, it's likely to pass through the area of the Shangqing Sect. After you go to the Shangqing Sect, you must warn them not to send any pháp sư to escort him!"

Song Yanqing chuckled. "It's such a small matter, is it worth sending me that far? Just send a message to the Shangqing Sect. Besides, the current Shangqing Sect is struggling to protect itself. Even without a heads-up, I doubt they would dare to send anyone to him."

Song Shu glared. "You know nothing! Since the founding of the Yan Kingdom, the Shangqing Sect has had inextricable ties with the Yan imperial family. Shang Jianbo's connection with them is likely more than just Dongguo Haoran. The fact that Tang Mu suddenly changed his mind and passed the throne to Dongguo Haoran before his death is a clear indication. I suspect the Shangqing Sect is not as clean as it appears, and there might be more beneath the surface. In the current situation, other sects dare not send anyone to protect Shang Chaozong. The most likely candidate is the Shangqing Sect. Sending you to the Shangqing Sect is not only to warn them not to send anyone to Shang Chaozong, but also to keep an eye on the Shangqing Sect for me! When Shang Chaozong is released from prison and leaves the Capital City, once the news is out, some dregs might resurface. After you get to the Shangqing Sect, you must pay close attention to any unusual movements from the Shangqing Sect. Report any discoveries immediately. This is your grandfather's intention."

Song Yanqing's face contorted. "Why must it be so troublesome? Besides, the Shangqing Sect is like a fallen phoenix now, not even as good as a chicken. Even if they send someone to Shang Chaozong, what can they do? They can't stir up any trouble. Shang Chaozong doesn't have any military power. Grandfather is worrying too much. In my opinion, it would be simpler to just have someone eliminate the Shangqing Sect."

Song Shu said coldly, "Even a centipede dies hard, let alone Prince Ning, who once held the military power of Yan! Your grandfather has his reasons for doing this. It's not something you need to worry about. I'm warning you, this is no child's play. If something goes wrong, your grandfather won't spare you!"

A chill ran down Song Yanqing's spine. He was quite afraid of his grandfather. He usually didn't dare to even breathe loudly in his presence...

As the sky began to show the first light of dawn, outside the prison, a carriage waited with its driver quietly by the horses.

A middle-aged man with a delicate face, a goatee, dressed in a blue long gown with a blue vest over it, exuding a scholarly air, paced around the carriage. His deep-set eyes occasionally glanced towards the prison gate.

It wasn't until the morning light bloomed and the sky revealed its first brilliant golden rays that there was movement within the prison. The sound of chains dragging on the ground echoed.

The coachman and the middle-aged man turned their heads sharply.

A moment later, the prison gate creaked open, and a tall but emaciated young man, clad in ragged clothes, was pushed out by a group of people. He wore shackles on his hands and feet, and walked barefoot. Despite his disheveled appearance, his eyes were bright, his back was straight, and he seemed unyielding.

This was Shang Chaozong, the youngest son of the late Grand Marshal of Yan, Prince Ning, Shang Jianbo!

The coachman and the middle-aged man waiting outside the prison hurried forward but were stopped by the guards, leaving them only able to watch anxiously.

Shang Chaozong was halted by the guards. Someone stepped forward and removed the shackles from his hands and feet. Then, someone brought forward a document and an ink pad.

After Shang Chaozong pressed his fingerprint on the document and signed it, the jailer bowed and said with a smile, "Congratulations, Your Highness, you are finally free."

Shang Chaozong glanced at him sideways, uttered no sound, and walked forward barefoot at an unhurried pace.

Once he was out of the restricted area, the middle-aged man and the coachman stepped forward together to pay their respects, both too emotional to speak.

Shang Chaozong nodded to the coachman and then smiled at the middle-aged man. "Thank you for coming to pick me up personally, Mr. Lan."

The middle-aged man was named Lan Ruoting. He was actually a relative of Shang Chaozong, his mother's cousin. Due to his sharp intellect, he was noticed by a strategist under Shang Song and taken on as a student, taught strategy. Five years ago, his teacher, along with Shang Song and others, perished. He had essentially taken his teacher's place in the prince's mansion.

Lan Ruoting couldn't find the words to speak. His gaze was fixed on Shang Chaozong's wrists and ankles. The flesh on those areas was raw and festering, a result of wearing shackles for an extended period. He exuded a foul odor, and coupled with his emaciated appearance, it was clear how much suffering he had endured over the years.

This was hardly the treatment a prince should receive! His lips trembled slightly, and he turned his head. "Quickly, help His Highness into the carriage." The coachman quickly came over and supported him on either side.

"I can walk!" Shang Chaozong pushed their hands away, refusing help, and walked to the carriage himself to climb in.

Lan Ruoting followed him in.

As the carriage departed, a carrier pigeon immediately took flight from within the prison.

The carriage trotted along the streets of the Capital City at an unhurried pace. Inside, Lan Ruoting, who was sitting with him, examined Shang Chaozong's injuries and then withdrew his hand. "We'll find a quiet place later to bathe and treat Your Highness's wounds."

"It's fine. I've endured this for so many years; a little more time won't matter," Shang Chaozong said. He reached out and pulled aside the curtain to look outside, only to realize it wasn't the road back to the prince's mansion.

Lan Ruoting explained, "His Majesty has decreed that Your Highness is not to linger in the Capital City and is to be immediately sent to your fiefdom in Canglu County."

"I know, I heard the decree inside the prison." Shang Chaozong lowered the window curtain and turned to ask, "Have the cause of Father King's death been found?"

Lan Ruoting shook his head. "This matter is very strange. There are no clues so far. We only suspect the one in the palace, but we have no evidence."

Shang Chaozong was silent for a moment, then asked, "How is Qing'er? Father King repeatedly instructed us brothers to protect Qing'er well when he was alive."

Qing'er's name was Shang Shuqing, his sister, and Shang Jianbo's only daughter. Shang Chaozong originally had two older brothers. The eldest died on the battlefield, and the second brother perished with their parents a few years ago. Now, only the brother and sister remained in their family. Three years ago, because he discovered someone harassing a respectable woman and stepped forward to stop them, he accidentally killed the person. The incident escalated, and accusations twisting facts like "calling a deer a horse" surged like a tide. Only after being imprisoned did he realize he had been framed. His inherited princely title was stripped of its hereditary rights, all his positions were removed, and his princely title was reduced to that of a county prince. He had been imprisoned in the heavenly prison until now, with no visitors allowed.

Lan Ruoting comforted him, "Your Highness, please rest assured. The County Princess is hidden in a safe place. You will see her soon."

Shang Chaozong nodded slightly, appearing relieved, then frowned again. "There is one thing I do not understand. While in the heavenly prison, people kept interrogating me, demanding that I reveal the whereabouts of Father King's one hundred thousand 'Crow Generals,' which baffles me. Do you know what is going on, sir?"

Lan Ruoting sighed. "I was the one who caused this trouble, and I have made Your Highness suffer."

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