Chapter 472 — You Have Come

Dou Zhiwei's words set the Crown Princess thinking. She considered a while, dismissed those in attendance, and said quietly to Dou Yan: "The Emperor knows very well what the Duke of Dingguo did in Fujian. Even if there were one or two bold, reckless acts, the flaws do not obscure the virtue. When the Emperor would have tried the Duke of Dingguo, His Highness pleaded for him before the Emperor. I remember it was in a side hall—the Imperial Grandson had fallen ill, and the Emperor came to visit him. The Emperor was most disappointed in His Highness, and said: 'What manner of man is the Duke of Dingguo? A pillar of the state. Even if you would plead for him, you should wait until he has suffered in the imperial prison, until he cries to heaven and heaven does not answer, cries to earth and earth gives no reply. And you are the heir apparent—you cannot even seize such a moment as this. How will you govern this vast and lovely land our ancestors left us hereafter?' His Highness was overjoyed to hear this, and said to me, 'The Emperor is paving the way for me; he means to keep the Duke of Dingguo for me to use after I ascend the throne.' But who could have foreseen that scarce days after the Emperor spoke these words, the Duke of Dingguo died upon the road... His Highness has wondered ever since whether the Emperor changed his mind at the last, or whether someone fanned the flames and did the Duke of Dingguo to death..."

Dou Yan's heart pounded like a drum, her head ringing. It was a long while before she came back to herself.

The Crown Princess had already turned with a smile to ask after Yuan Heng's daily life.

Dou Qu calmed her heart and gathered her wits, and fell to talking with the Crown Princess of the way of children, until a palace woman came to tell the Crown Princess that the Empress Dowager's consort wished to see her; only then did Dou Qu leave the Eastern Palace.

The palace corridor was broad and smooth, yet she had no memory of how she made her way out of it.

Seeing Dou Yan's face somewhat pale, Jin Gui and Yin Gui hurried forward to help her into the carriage.

Dou Yan steadied herself and ordered the driver, "Get us back quickly!"

She was seldom so urgent; the driver dared not delay, answered at once, and whipped the horses toward the Yingzhenguo estate at a gallop.

Dou Yan drew a deep breath and willed her mind to settle.

After no more than the time it takes to burn two sticks of incense, the carriage came to a steady halt before the hanging-flower gate of the Yingzhenguo estate.

Dou Yan instructed Jin Gui, "Go and fetch the heir back at once—tell him there's urgent business at home."

Jin Gui went off in Dou Zhiwei's carriage to the offices of the Jinwu Guard; Dou Yan let out a long breath and returned to the inner chambers.

Even after Ganlu had helped her wash and change, she still felt her legs rather weak.

Dou Yan lay down to rest on the large kang by the window.

Song Yan came rushing home.

Before he could speak, Dou Chi ordered Ganlu, "Have everyone in the main courtyard stand out in the yard—I have words for the heir alone."

Ganlu withdrew at once.

Dou Ci drew Song Yan aside and whispered in his ear.

Song Yan's expression changed drastically. "Is this true?" he asked in horror.

"I don't know," Dou Yan said. "The Crown Princess told me so herself."

Song Yan could not sit still; he paced twice around the room. "There are things I must have looked into," he said.

Dou Yan urged him, "Be careful!"

Song Dan nodded, kissed her cheek, and turned out of the inner chamber.

Dou Yan could not help lighting several sticks of incense before the Guanyin enshrined in the house.

For several days running Song Yan left early and returned late, and summoned both Yan Chaoliao and Chen Yanzhou to the study.

Dou Qu was busy sending out New Year gifts.

Song Yi found himself with little to do.

He invited the vice ministers of the Ministry of Personnel and the Ministry of War to dine, hoping to secure a post for Song Han.

The Vice Minister of Personnel was exceedingly courteous, yet kicked the ball straight to his colleague from War: "Lord Dou is kin to you—this matter of a post is nothing but a word from you. Whatever procedures the Ministry of War requires, we shall follow to the letter."

The Vice Minister of War laughed. "Aren't you using an ox cleaver to kill a chicken? The heir of your esteemed house commands the Jinwu Guard and has his eye on the Five Cities Garrison—just give the order at home. Why come to us?"

He had caught wind, after all, that the Duke of Ying and his son did not get along.

Song Yan was ruthless, and he had no wish to offend him.

Settle your father-son affairs among yourselves.

When the time comes, just say the word—pick whichever vacancy in the Ministry of War you fancy!

Song Cen could hardly admit before outsiders that he could not command his own eldest son.

He laughed. "On appointments and dismissals, we still need the two of you, sirs—with your endorsement, it's far more dependable than Yantang."

The two vice ministers chuckled but gave no answer.

Song Cen was furious, yet helpless; he stewed at home for several days.

Song Han had bribed a young servant who attended Song Cen closely.

He soon learned of the matter.

Song Han sat dumbstruck for a long while.

He had not expected Song Yan to be held in such fear.

Was he to remain without a post for as long as Song Yan refused to nod?

Song Han was like a beast in a cage, wild with agitation.

Miao Zhi kept her distance, lest Song Han's fire burn her too.

Song Yan, Yan Che, and Chen Yanzhou peeled away layer after layer; the clues slowly pointed to the Grand Secretary, Liang Jifang.

By then the snow was falling thick and fast, and they welcomed the Spring Festival of the eighteenth year of Chengping.

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Sisters and brothers, here is today's update.

o(n_n)o~

ps: Tomorrow's bonus update is still set for around five in the afternoon.