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Chapter 40 New Years

Song Guogong just left the palace entrance when Li Xiao came up behind him. He called: "Father-in-law."

Song Guogong had to stop and summon up the courage to face him. He heard Li Xiao say with false concern: "This king just ordered someone to inform the imperial doctors. They will definitely treat 2nd gongzi to the best of their abilities. Father-in-law, please don't worry too much."

Song Song laughed dryly: "Many thanks, wangye."

"Not at all." Li Xiao replied: "2nd brother and wangfei are really brothers in hardship. In a few days when wangfei is feeling a bit better, we will come visit."

".... the Song family looks forward to your visit anytime."

Li Xiao straddled on his horse and left. Song Guogong finally sighed and climbed into his carriage.

Song Song was somewhat surprised to find out that Song Ge's feet were cut off. That day, he only beat the man up and then followed Li Xiao home. He didn't realize such a thing happened after. When Li Xiao returned, Song Song immediately found him to confirm: "Song Ge's feet were chopped off?"

"That's correct."

"Was it chopped off that day?"

"Yes."

"Your highness" Song Song hastily grabbed him and asked nervously: "Did you do it?"

The corner of Li Xiao's mouth raised: "That day, I returned together with you, how could I have done it?"

Couldn't have done it himself, but. He found someone to do it.

Song Song couldn't resist saying: "Your highness, no need to be so reckless for my sake"

"Other than for you, is there anything else that would make me reckless?"

"Then that, that cart driver "

"This king's subordinate. If there was no cart driver, then how could he dare to complain to the emperor?" And plus, the cart driver only mentioned Ping wangfei, not Ping wangye, which steadied Song Guogong's faith in his complaint. From his perspective, he was only asking for the return of his unfilial son.

Only like this, would allow the two of them to be completely free of the blame. As long as the emperor believed it, there was nothing Song Guogong could do. The cart driver contradicted himself twice today, then accused Song Guogong of bribing the witness and slandering the royal family. Even if the emperor didn't say anything, Song Guogong himself probably would have already felt like he was in a precarious position. If he wanted to bring up this case again, he'd need to have a surefire guarantee.

"Then then you lied in front of the emperor?"

"You think father wouldn't have guessed what I've done?" Li Xiao reached out and picked him up: "Of course he knew I was lying."

Song Song felt dumbfounded: "Why would His majesty."

"He knows about how you suffered at the hands of the Song family. If I wanted to get revenge for you, he would only turn a blind eye. He knows I wouldn't be able to accept it quietly." Li Xiao hugged him and sat in a chair. He squeezed Song Song's soft earlobe and said gently: "In the end, it was just a well coordinated act. I refute the case completely until the end. He pretends he doesn't know anything."

"But, but " Song Song always knew that the emperor loved Li Xiao, but he didn't realize it was to this degree. He said bewildered: "I don't understand."

"Because this husband cleaned up well. There were only assumptions, but it's not enough to convict, not even by the emperor."

"But what if father feels like you're being too shrewd "

"If I weren't shrewd, then he wouldn't love me this much."

Song Song looked down, inside his head was still chaotic. In his opinion, that person was still the emperor when all was said and done. He couldn't imagine Li Xiao lying right to the emperor's face like that. However to Li Xiao, lying to the emperor was just like how a child would casually talk rubbish to his father in a any normal family. Song Song said softly: "As long as your highness is aware."

He finished, then thought of something else: "Will the cart driver leak this secret?"

"No."

"Then can your highness spare his life?"

Li Xiao examined him for a while, then rubbed his head with a smile and gently cradled him in his arms: "This king isn't the type of person to burn bridges after crossing them."

"But Song Guogong won't let him go easily. He will quickly realize that there's something wrong with that cart driver."

"The cart driver changed his appearance. When he's done receiving the punishment and is released from the palace, he will be escorted by the imperial guards outside the city. After he leaves the city, he will change his face again and continue to work for this king."

What Song Song said was indeed correct. Song Guogong did become aware. However, by the time he sent someone to follow out the city gates, that person already disappeared. After receiving 40 big blows, that cart driver had to be dragged out. At that time, he looked like he couldn't move at all. Then within a blink of an eye, he vanished in thin air.

This event was far from over. Song Guogong wasn't successful. However, madam Song couldn't possibly let it go. At the moment, she hated Song Song to the bones. As soon as Song Ge got a little better, she sent a request to enter the palace. However, she was rejected at the door. Empress Qin's maid replied: "If there's anything, wait until after New Years. Her majesty has been very busy lately."

When madam Song returned home, she felt uncomfortable all over suppressing her anger. In her fury, she wrecked everything in her room into pieces. Her hair in complete disarray, she ranted indignantly: "Qin Ning killed my son and now even Qin Qinghe won't help me. In the Qin family, I really have no importance at all!"

"Madam please calm." Her momo tried pacifying her: "The palace is very busy around this time. It's the end of the year. The empress has to tally and check over the account books from all the imperial concubines. It's not easy for her either."

Madam Song pushed back her tears with difficulty and said: "Then, then I'll wait until the year is over and try again?"

The momo sighed.

This thing regarding the mad king, if Song Guogong wasn't able to obtain justice from the emperor, then what can the empress do? It's not like she can rush forward and slap the mad king in the face or chop off his feet as well? That's the difference between their identities. Song Ge's feet compared to the mad king's feet, was completely worthless.

However, she couldn't really say this clearly out loud. Otherwise madam Song might go crazy again and curse out her maiden family.

In a blink of an eye, it was already the 30th. Song Song accompanied Li Xiao together to the palace to eat a New Years Eve dinner. At the entrance, he saw several carriages. They belonged to the crown prince, Li Yang, and the 5th prince, Li Qing. These two's relationship was indeed pretty good. Song Song was carried down by Li Xiao. He greeted them with a smile. The brothers greeted each other and they all headed in together. There were also other children of the imperial family. With the little kids running wildly in the front, the group of people could be considered bustling with noise and excitement.

Song Song looked at these kids and couldn't resist touching his own stomach. Li Xiao who saw his little movement suddenly chuckled.

Song Song removed his hand and said quietly: "What are you laughing at?"

"Nothing."

Song Song shot him a look, feeling like he was laughing at himself.

"Brother-in-law!" Li Shu who was following behind Li Yun saw them, and flew over quickly. He abruptly stuffed something in Song Song's mouth: "How does it taste?"

Sweet, and a little sour. Song Song asked: "It's candy?"

"Tastes like preserved plums." Li Shu opened a big bag hanging on his waist. There was a shocking amount inside, all wrapped in paper, about the size of a thumb. He said happily: "Made from my palace. I brought it to give everyone a taste."

He finished, then snuck a glance at Li Xiao: "Does big brother want any?"

"I'll have one." Today was a joyous day. Even Li Xiao's face carried a hint of smile. Li Shu immediately grabbed him a few then ran off cheerfully to share with others.

Li Yun came over, greeted them and said: "Is brother-in-law's illness somewhat better?"

"Much better. Thank you for your kind thoughts."

They walked forward together. Song Song asked: "How is that Wang Jiu?"

"He suddenly fell ill that time, then died three days later."

"That's too fishy."

"It's fishy indeed." Li Yun said helplessly: "However, the dead can no longer testify."

Li Xiao said: "Today we came to eat dinner, not to talk about work."

"Right."

After the meal was over, the group of people separated into couples or groups of 3-4,. Some went to take a walk under the starlight. Others leaned against the railing to watch the fireworks in the distance. Song Song stood beside Li Xiao, spread out both his arms and took a deep breath and said: "Peace on earth, how wonderful!"

Li Xiao hugged him around the waist and said: "Does Song-er want to go release lanterns by the river?"

"The two of us" Song Song couldn't help laughing: "First, we're not little kids. Second, we're not girls. We really shouldn't. If someone saw, we'll get ridiculed."

Li Xiao said: "Why are only little kids and girls allowed? This king wants to."

"You " Song Song examined him from head to toe, looked at the big blockhead in front of him and held back his laughter. He teased: "Then does your highness want to release lanterns?"

"Want to." Li Xiao grabbed his hand and walked towards the stairs: "Let's go."

As soon as they got off the stairs, someone ran over from below and waved wildly at them. "Brother, brother-in-law, come release lanterns with me by the river!"

"Now that there's a kid," Li Xiao said: "It's no longer embarrassing."

Strolling over, Li Xiao said indifferently: "You want to go with me?"

Li Shu nodded his head quickly. Li Xiao said deliberately: "But your brother-in-law also wants to go with me. How can we do this?"

Li Shu blanked for a second, then said: "But, but can't the three of us go together?"

Song Song smacked Li Xiao once, glared at him, then walked over to Li Shu saying: "Of course we can. We will all go together."

On the surface of the river, there were already countless lanterns floating. Song Song crouched next to the river, lighting up the candle for a lantern he received from Li Xiao's hands. Then he turned to return it back to Li Xiao, saying in a small voice: "Here, little highness. A lantern for you to release."

Li Xiao completely didn't mind his teasing, and even placed a kiss on his mouth. While Song Song frantically turned away his face, he calmly looked down and asked Li Shu who didn't see anything: "Do you have any paper and brush?"

"Naturally!" Li Shu came fully prepared to write wishes. He immediately passed over the supplies, then suddenly discovered his brother-in-law's face looked a little unnatural. He suspiciously raised a lantern that was on the side and asked with furrowed brows: "Does brother-in-law have a fever? Why is your face so red?"

"...... " Song Song immediately moved himself from the middle to the side, nudging Li Xiao towards Li Shu instead. He fiddled with his own river lantern, and heard Li Xiao say to Li Shu in a completely serious voice: "Because your brother-in-law is embarrassed."

"Why is he embarrassed?"

"Because big brother kissed him."

Li Shu instantly understood, his eyeballs turned, and he said excitedly: "When did big brother kiss brother-in-law?"

Song Song could no longer stand the two of them. He reached out and pinched Li Xiao. The latter pressed his mouth together and said: "Just now big brother was tricking you. Your brother-in-law actually does have a little fever."

"Then let's hurry and finish sending off the lanterns and return." Li Shu was really extremely well behaved and understanding. He placed his lantern down and discovered that his big brother was still writing. Li Xiao grabbed a little wooden stick and pasted the paper on to it, then stuck it on the lantern like sticking a boat sail. On that paper was written: I hope that every year will have this day, and years be like the present.

Li Shu instantly ridiculed him without hesitation: "Big brother's wish is too simple! In the future, I want to build an estate of beauties and obtain beauties from all over the world!" He passionately pushed his lantern out into the river. Li Xiao turned his head to look at Song Song. Song Song was also looking at him. He quickly withdrew his line of sight and pushed his lantern out. Li Xiao asked: "What did you wish for?"

"Nothing." Song Song stood up and said: "Shu-er, what else do you want to play?"

"If brother-in-law doesn't feel well, then it's better for you to return. The palace ground is too spacious. The wind here is really big."

He finished talking, then took off the cloth bag from his waist and gave it to Song Song: "This is all that's left over. Brother-in-law should bring it back with you and enjoy it slowly."

"Did you make it?"

"It was made by my palace's masters. Brother-in-law, you don't know. I have many skilled artisans in my palace." Li Shu turned and caught sight of Li Yun's figure and said: "I'm going to bother 6th brother!"

He dashed straight towards Li Yun. Song Song held up the bag of candy dubiously: "There are artisans in the palace?"

"7th brother likes junk food. Candy is his favorite so father found some masters to make whatever he likes." Li Xiao lead him out: "This kid's ambition is pretty big. Not only does he like to eat, he even wants to build an estate for beauties."

"You know little kids." Song Song just finished replying when he was picked up by Li Xiao without warning. Startled, he said: "Your highness. "

"I know what Song-er's wish was." Li Xiao lowered his head to whisper in Song Song's ear, his voice soft and light: "Don't worry. When we return to the estate, we can read from this year to next year. Eventually you'll have your wish come true."

"Then I appreciate your highness's efforts."