High-class maid

Chapter 214 The Harem Is Not Allowed to Interfere in Government Affairs

"Your Highness, the gatekeeper has informed us that a young master surnamed Song wishes to see you," the steward said.

"Send word quickly!" the Second Prince said.

Before long, a servant led Song Wenyang in. Before Song Wenyang could even exchange pleasantries with the Second Prince, the Second Prince scolded the servant.

"When this young master comes in the future, you don't need to announce his arrival. Just bring him to see me directly."

"Yes, Your Highness." The servant was new and had spent a lot of money to get into the prince's residence. He had originally hoped to receive a reward, but instead, he was scolded by his master.

"Brother Rong, there's no need to be angry. It's all my fault. I haven't come to see you since I returned to the capital, which is why the gatekeeper doesn't recognize me," Song Wenyang said, pleading for the servant because he couldn't bear to see him scolded.

"Alright, you may leave." The Second Prince waved his hand, and the servant hurriedly retreated as if granted a pardon.

"Brother Song, please sit down. I was overjoyed to learn that you had topped the list. This gift was prepared long ago, and now I can finally give it to you in person."

After the Second Prince finished speaking, he took a box from the bookshelf behind him and handed it to Song Wenyang.

"Your Highness has gone to so much trouble, it would be impolite of me to refuse."

Song Wenyang opened the box and saw that inside was a fine inkstone. It was said that a Southern Stone inkstone was worth a thousand gold pieces, and the finest ones in the box were priceless. Clearly, the Second Prince had put a lot of thought into it.

"Hey, I should have given it to you on the day the results were announced, but I guessed you wouldn't be at the Song residence, so I waited until today to see you. You're such a busy person, you finally deigned to come see me," the Second Prince teased.

"Your Highness, please forgive me. There was a sudden emergency at home, and I haven't been anywhere or seen anyone for the past few days. I've been busy dealing with household matters," Song Wenyang said, rising to apologize.

"Please sit down. Why do you seem so distant from me after just a few days? I've heard some rumors in the capital, and I thought they were just people making things up about you. But now that you've said this, it seems there really is something wrong at home."

Song Wenyang then told the Second Prince about He Bo's matter. He had a close relationship with the Second Prince and had nothing to hide from him.

"So that's how it is. Song Wenheng's choice to kill He Bo at this time is truly killing two birds with one stone!" the Second Prince said angrily after hearing this.

"Yes, after the results were announced, many people wanted to get to know me. He knows that I have always been loyal and righteous, so he will definitely take good care of Uncle He's funeral. As a result, I will not have time to attend any gatherings. I didn't expect that his mind would become much sharper after going to Lingshan Temple."

Song Wenyang sneered and said sarcastically.

"Alright, the deceased is gone, please accept our condolences. We'll have dinner at my residence today, and how about we drink a couple of ounces of wine?" the Second Prince asked.

Although he had a close relationship with Song Wenyang, the two had tacitly avoided meeting each other to avoid suspicion. Now that Song Wenyang had finally come to his residence, he was determined to treat him well.

"To be honest, Your Highness, I have come here today for something more important than drinking," Song Wenyang said.

"Oh? Tell me what it is?" The second prince became interested and gestured for him to continue.

“This matter is of great importance. If Your Highness wishes to avoid suspicion, I, Song, can remain silent. We can simply go for a drink together,” Song Wenyang said.

The second prince deliberated for a while and finally decided to say...

"Tell me, and see if there's anything I can do to help."

Song Wenyang secretly breathed a sigh of relief. He hadn't misjudged the Second Prince; he certainly wouldn't stand idly by.

“Song has a classmate named Wu Xunzhi. I have read his articles, and even our dean said that he would definitely pass the exam this time. However, after the results were released, he failed. If it were someone else, it would be fine, but this person has real talent and knowledge. Therefore, I also suspect that someone tampered with the results.”

After Song Wenyang finished speaking, he quietly observed the Second Prince's expression.

The Second Prince's expression shifted from initial indifference to later seriousness. He kept twirling his teacup, clearly aware that this matter was of utmost importance.

"Do you have any of his writings with you? Let me see them." After a long silence, the Second Prince finally spoke up.

Song Wenyang, who had been holding the article in his hand, was ready to go. As soon as the Second Prince finished speaking, he took the article out of his sleeve and presented it to the Second Prince.

"Excellent, truly excellent. This man is indeed very learned," the Second Prince praised repeatedly after reading Wu Xunzhi's article.

“This man is not only an exceptional writer, but he also has the ability to remember everything with his eyes closed. This article is exactly the same as the one he wrote when he participated in the imperial examination,” Song Wenyang said.

“Alright, this matter is indeed of utmost importance, and I cannot make a decision on it. Prepare the horses, let’s go to see the Emperor!” The Second Prince said without the slightest hesitation.

“Your Highness, anyone who dares to cheat in the imperial examination must be someone of extraordinary status. It would be fine if you could help me investigate. If you were to take me to see the Emperor, this matter would implicate you!” Song Wenyang advised.

“It’s alright. We both know who instructed this. In the past, I respected him as the Crown Prince and my elder brother, and I tolerated and respected him. But I only made such a contribution in Jinling, and he has been making things difficult for me in the capital! Making things difficult for me is one thing, but the Empress is also making things difficult for my mother in the capital! I can’t stand it anymore.”

The Second Prince calmly said that he had long wanted to find fault with the Crown Prince, but the Crown Prince acted discreetly and many officials covered for him. Now that he had caught the Crown Prince red-handed, how could he let him go so easily?

“Alright, then let’s go see the Emperor!” Song Wenyang said.

He didn't want to see the old man, but since the Second Prince had staked his future on it, how could he back down? Good brothers fight together!

The two rode their horses toward the palace without any attempt to conceal their identities.

"Huh, how come I see Young Master Song? Or am I seeing things?" Madam Wang was pouring dirty water into the street when two young men on horseback came rushing past her.

"Mother, come and lend a hand!" Shen Xing'er called out from inside the shop.

"Hey, you're here!" Wang Shi didn't care about anything else and hurriedly went back to carry the things.

In the palace, the emperor was reviewing memorials, while his new favorite, Consort Ling, was grinding ink beside him.

Consort Ling entered the palace three years ago and remained unknown and unfavored by the emperor. She recently sided with the empress and regained the emperor's favor, and is now considered part of the empress's faction.

"Your Majesty, the Second Prince and Young Master Song have arrived. They say they have important matters to report," Eunuch Su said in a low voice, glancing at Consort Ling.

"Send word immediately!" The Emperor said, his eyes gleaming, no longer bothering to review the memorial.

Ling Meiren's heart skipped a beat. Why was the Emperor so happy to hear that the Second Prince was coming? Could it be that the rumors outside were all false? She remembered the Empress's instructions, bit her lip, and spoke in a sweet voice.

"Your Majesty, weren't you going to teach your concubines how to paint? I've been waiting all morning!"

The Emperor glanced at Consort Ling, while Eunuch Su secretly groaned for her from behind. This Consort Ling was too stupid. How could she possibly gain a foothold in the palace with such a lack of tact?

"The empress dowager is not allowed to interfere in politics, or is it that your paintings are more important than politics?" the emperor said coldly.

He needed to get rid of Consort Ling quickly, and preferably prevent her from meeting Yang'er, otherwise that kid would give him a hard time again.

The emperor appeared stern, but inwardly he was extremely anxious, fearing that Song Wenyang would arrive too soon.