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Chapter 41 Murderous Rage

Although the New Years passed, the weather was still very cold. Song Song didn't get rid of his cotton clothes.

This day, the frontlines sent back news. The emperor Hong Ren's dragon heart was very pleased and added a cheerful atmosphere to this New Years festival.

According to the nation's tradition, every year around the lantern festival, the emperor would always visit the Tower of Heaven to celebrate with the common people. Therefore, after the 5th day of January passed, Li Xiao started preparing for the lantern festival. Everyday he left early in the morning and returned very late. Other than visiting the shops, Song Song spent his time coming up with all different recipes for Li Xiao to eat. He definitely inherited his cooking skills from his grandfather. It was very good, almost at the point of making Li Xiao a picky eater.

He liked to eat hotpot and Song Song wasn't afraid to use up time and effort. One soup today, another soup tomorrow. The two spent their days enjoying the winter scenery and good wine, eating their warm soups, then conversing and strolling hand in hand back to their room to sleep.

After the new year, madam Song ran off to find the empress again. This time she was finally allowed into the palace. The empress today did not apply makeup. She sat in her chair calmly as she watched madam Song cry. When she finally cried enough, the empress said softly: "I heard of this matter. Why don't you first sit."

After her sister sat down in a chair, the empress said slowly: "As long as the mad king is alive, then there's nothing you can do about Song Song. Trying to target only Song Song is useless."

Madam Song heard her say this and knew she had a plan. Instantly she sat straight: "Then what should I do?"

"I have a scheme here. If put into use properly, then even the emperor can't protect him."

"What kind of scheme?"

"Everyone knows that the emperor loves the mad king, as if he didn't care who the other killed. However, this is only because Li Xiao controls himself very well. Everytime he had an outburst before, it was just perfect. He never caused any real issues."

Madam Song immediately nodded: "This I understand, but I still don't understand what you mean?"

The empress paused for a moment then said: "This scheme of mine is rather dangerous. It's extremely likely that it wouldn't even be able to knock down the mad king, and instead will end up costing you your own life."

Madam Song fell silent for a while. Her two children, one was killed, the other was ruined. She hated Song Song completely in her heart. Naturally she trusted in this blood related elder sister of hers. In her youth, she wasn't as outstanding as her sister and brother, but she's aware that they protected her. Normally when her elder sister does anything, she always has a sure plan. In other words, she wouldn't let her die.

Madam Song said: "Why don't you let me hear it first."

The empress's expression revealed some sympathy: "I just think those two children are really ... If it wasn't completely necessary, I wouldn't have you do this job. However, I could tell you definitely want to grind their bones into dust personally."

"What you say is extremely true." Madam Song's tears started falling like waterfalls: "Song Song killed my Ah-Shi and then harmed my Ge-er Even if I die, I'll drag him into hell!"

She started crying nonstop again. The empress stepped forward, hugged her tightly to comfort her. Madam Song instantly cried even louder. The empress stroked her head repeatedly. After she calmed her down, the empress said: "The one who owns the heart of the people will own the nation. On the day the emperor ascends the Tower of Heaven, there will be plenty of people watching from all over. With that many people, if the mad king went crazy, what do you think will happen?"

"But, but what should I do?"

The empress let go of her and helped her wipe away her tears: "Sister, you hate Song Song right? You only have to stand in front of Li Xiao, and vent out your hatred. Remember, it must be where there are a lot of people. All you have to do is insult Song Song."

"Song Song is currently his weakness. On the day of the lantern festival, Li Xiao has a responsibility to be present. However, he definitely won't bring Song Song. He will hide him inside the king's estate and order soldiers to guard him. You go provoke the mad king. I'll go send assassins to the king's estate. You just recently lost a child. To go insult him at this time is not unreasonable."

Madam Song thought this scheme was not bad, however, deep down, she was still afraid of the mad king. The empress didn't force her and said warmly: "This is the only year the mad king will be near the Tower of Heaven. This is a once in a blue moon chance. As soon as he loses control and kills the hundreds of commoners, I will secretly order people to fan the flames and gather a signed document to beg the emperor to put to death the mad king for the sake of calming the common people. And you will be safe. The grief from losing a child, anyone can sympathize. According to the will of the people, the emperor definitely won't touch you."

Madam Song's heartbeat increased: "But, but I don't dare to provoke the mad king"

"Then that's your problem." The empress said quietly: "If you don't want to, then forget it. I don't want to have you do this publically either. I only feel pity for my two nephews. One dead, one injured Their lives are both already over."

Madam Song left with a heavy heart. The empress returned to lay on the couch, accepting the tea that her momo handed over.

"This thing will she do it?"

"You don't understand her." The empress took a bite of her cake and said: "But we're indeed missing one more catalyst."

"What should we do?"

"Later, send someone over to give her this token. As long as she has Dongwei camp's order token at hand, she won't be blocked outside by the soldiers and guards." She gestured the momo closer and said: "Then. "

Madam Song's heart felt like it contained a rabbit, jumping up and down, completely all over the place. She knew that other than fawning over a whole bunch of people, there's no way Song Guogong would get involved in something like this. This point can be clearly seen in the way he's been currying favor with the crown prince and the mad king at the same time. Therefore, she didn't discuss this with him.

She was confident that her elder sister wouldn't harm her. Like her sister said, this plan was dangerous and she only came up with it because she wanted revenge for the kids.

When madam Song returned to her courtyard, she suddenly heard maids conversing: "I heard today wangye took some time out of his busy schedule and brought wangfei outside to play again. Everyone in Jinwu camp knows him now."

"Who would have thought gongzi's life is so good now. Back then he was living like an insect beneath our madam's feet. "

"This is called 'ten years one way, ten years another.' Just look at our madam now how can she compare to him. Even prime minister Qin. "

"Shh." That maid fell silent, then said in a small voice: "Who knows what really happened. Why did the prime minister Qin suddenly start ignoring our madam "

Madam Song's figure abruptly appeared. Her expression was gloomy and unstable, scaring the two maids so bad their own body trembled.

That's right. Originally, Song Song was only an insect stepped beneath her feet. But now, that insect actually flew into the sky Admired by everyone. The desire to kill him grew inside madam Song's heart. Surprisingly she didn't punish these two maids, but instead turned and returned to her room.

She didn't return for long when someone brought over a token. Madam Song accepted it and looked at it, suddenly her eyes brightened: "Did sister send this?"

It was the imperial guard's order token. With her big brother's token, she finally felt relieved.

On the side of Fu Zhao, he silently looked at the token in front of him. Seeing this was not good, but he can't say it came as a surprise. An advisor standing to the side said: "It looks like the prime minister Qin no longer trusts you. But why would he give this token to madam Song? Good thing we have agents hidden in the Song estate, or else this token might have been used to cause some kind of trouble."

"Madam Song saw the empress today?"

That advisor nodded his head.

"Looks like the crown prince is really treating me like something to be discarded." Fu Zhao said: "Since the empress wants to get revenge for her nephew, then don't blame this official for being rude."

The days passed quickly. In a blink of an eye, it was the 15th.

Although Song Song's personality had experienced a huge change compared to that of his previous life, deep down inside, he was still kind and docile. Unless he was too tired and couldn't get up, everyday he would personally help Li Xiao get dressed. These days, his heart hurt over Li Xiao who had to get up and go out so early every morning. He specially simmered soup on the small pot inside the room to help warm Li Xiao's stomach.

Inside the room, Song Song behaved pretty casually. Long hair let loose, he wore a white inner robe and at most, threw on a cotton robe on the outside. He sat in front of the table, ladled out some food and soup into a bowl and handed over to Li Xiao: "After today, everyone can finally rest well again."

"Wait until I have everything arranged. Tonight I'll come pick you up to play."

"Okay."

Today the emperor will celebrate with the commoners. All of the soldiers within the city were summoned together. The entire city got ready. Not only was Li Xiao busy, all the other different barracks were also on alert. Normally the emperor didn't really leave the palace. Now that he's going to the Tower of Heaven, this was a good chance for different nations to assassinate him.

Song Song knew today outside will be very lively, but he didn't leave the estate. Li Xiao was already busy with protecting the emperor, he didn't want to cause the other more worries.

The flower seeds that he planted already grew. Song Song watered them as usual. Suddenly he saw a tiny light yellow dot on a tender green stalk. If he didn't look carefully, he'd almost have missed it. It actually grew a flower bud. Abruptly, his heart overflowed with delight.

Outside came some signs of activity. It was Ji Ying who was dressed like a ball. When he walked in, he inhaled a breath: "Wow, this place where flowers live is actually warmer than my room."

"Why did you come here?"

"Wangye didn't tell you?" Ji Ying said: "Today the Tower of Heaven will be bustling with activity. He knows you definitely won't be leaving the estate so specifically asked me to come here to accompany you."

Song Song frowned: "Will something happen? Will he be in danger?"

"That I don't know." Ji Ying asked: "Are you done watering the flowers? Do you want to go back inside and play chess?"

Song Song stuffily followed him back inside. However, his heart began to feel ill at ease from the other's words. After continuously winning several rounds, Ji Ying was also somewhat displeased: "If you're in a bad mood, then I'm going back to sleep."

"I'm worried about wangye."

"What are you worried about him for? Who could injure him?"

"I'm afraid someone will make him angry and incite him to harm others."

"On this point, you can relax. Today the experts from the imperial tutor's estate will also be present. They won't let him go crazy."

Song Song tugged on his fingers, suddenly feeling extremely unsettled: "I'm going out to take a look."

Bai Yan and Ji Ying both followed him. Song Song walked out the side door and immediately saw a lot of very unfamiliar patrolling soldiers nearby. Because of the importance of today's event, there're precautions set from the beginning to end. In addition to all the guards at the scene, the patrol guards inside the city also increased many times.

Ji Ying said: "You can relax. These few days, other than assassins and spies, the majority of the people know better than to cause trouble. At a time like this, the guards would rather kill someone by mistake then let a criminal go. Everyone is aware of this."

Song Song wasn't worried about that. He's only worried about Li Xiao's illness.

He went back and grabbed the order token given to him by the empress dowager and said to Ji Ying: "Do you think my room is warm?"

"?"

Wearing Ji Ying's big heavy hat and walking out the door, Song Song slightly lifted his face up and looked all around. Confirming that the secret guards Li Xiao ordered to protect him could see his face clearly, he pulled his high collar up and covered half of his face, and continued to walk forward.

As soon as he reached the entrance, he was suddenly blocked by Bai Yan. He looked at Song Song's cover clothes and said: "Wangye doesn't want you leaving."

"It doesn't feel right." Song Song said softly: "I know where your responsibility lay, but I definitely have to go out and take a look."

His eyes were beautiful like pearls in the ocean. Bai Yan paused and said: "I "

"You head back and protect 'me.' Don't let other people know I went out." He pushed Bai Yan back in, turned and mixed into the crowd of people. Ji Ying's clothes were full of the smell of medicine. A doctor was a doctor after all. Song Song's head felt dizzy from the fumes.

Li Xiao personally inspected the defenses, running into Li Qing on the way. The two brothers greeted each other. Just when he was about to leave, Li Qing suddenly thought of something: "Just now someone was looking for you, they were from Dongwei camp."

"Did they say what for?"

"No."

Li Xiao nodded. He just walked a few steps before Li Qing opened his mouth again: "Big brother."

Li Xiao stopped again.

Li Qing grew up tall and mighty, with a handsome but cold hard face. Even when he didn't speak, he carried a hint of grave dignity. Normally, he dealt with issues similarly, clean and neat, without any sloppiness. He wasn't really close with Li Xiao. The brothers usually didn't speak to each other much. But at this moment, he suddenly said without reason: "Today there's a lot of people. You. be careful."

Li Xiao nodded: "Thank you for your reminder."

Today's grand occasion. The crowd was huge. Everyone was worried that he would accidentally have an outburst, even his 5th brother was the same.

Followed by the imperial troops, the emperor arrived in his dragon carriage, smiling as he waved to the masses. People from all over shouted 'long live your majesty!' When the time came, he slowly ascended the tower.

His health has actually been getting worse and worse. A lot of the government officials jointly proposed that they should not do this Lunar festival event this year. However, ever since the founding of the nation, the emperor has shared this period of rest with the commoners. If this tradition was suddenly stopped, it would only spread the rumour that the emperor was critically ill and cause panic among the public.

The emperor and several of his sons ascended the tower together. The interaction between the benevolent father and his filial sons made the crowd shout and cheer. The aged emperor climbed up step by step. Suddenly his line of sight met Li Xiao who was standing below.

Before Li Xiao fell ill, all of these brothers would follow the emperor together up this Tower of Heaven. This tower had a total of 9 levels. The rumour was that the highest level was tall enough to pluck the moonlight. But ever since he fell ill, Li Xiao never followed him up again.

Li Xiao quietly stood down below, looking up at him. The emperor stopped for a brief moment. His face flashed a hard to resist look of sadness before he adjusted his expression again, smiling as he looked afar, at his people and at his country.

Only revealing two eyes, Song Song was pushed by the crowd left and right. His eyes chased after Li Xiao's figure. From far away, he could see Zhao Yin standing not far next to Li Xiao and somewhat relaxed. As long as no one purposely stimulated Li Xiao, it should be safe today.

(Note: I don't think the writer ever introduced Zhao Yin? But if I have to guess, that's probably his uncle that was mentioned a few times before.)

Just at this moment, he suddenly heard the sound of a loud cursing: "Song Song, you're better off dead!"

Li Xiao's movement was quicker than his. He instantly charged towards that voice. Song Song was practically swept up by the crowd, completely without any ability to resist. He was directly squeezed over that way.

"Isn't that madam Song? What is she doing?"

"What is she holding in her hand?"

It was a painting, half covered, half revealed, very enticing. On the painting unexpectedly was a drawing of Song Song's face.

She was still cursing: "This person is extremely XXXXX, seducing people all over. Before my Song estate didn't say anything and didn't allow him to come outside because we were worried he would ruin the Song family's reputation. But a few days ago, he actually dared to cut off my son's feet! I know no one will believe it, but Song Song was just this kind of shameless person. Ping Wang, his highness was tricked by him Today I'm ready to place righteousness before family and reveal the truth to everyone!"

"Is she crazy?"

"What is she doing?"

After hearing the news, Zhao Yin immediately rushed over. As expected, he saw the veins on Li Xiao's forehead bulge, pupils dilate wide. Unless the man was extremely angry, his loss of control should have a sequence----

Li Xiao's figure was swift as lightning. The people secretly protecting him one by one leapt over but was hit back by his palm. As the unfortunate bodyguards were knocked away, Zhao Yin grabbed madam Song out of mortal peril. Li Xiao immediately roared: "Die!"

The purple gold crown on his head had already fallen. A burst of qi erupted out of Li Xiao, instantly knocking away anything and anyone nearby. Song Song coincidentally stood just to the side. He coughed up a mouthful of blood. As he wiped his mouth, he heard Zhao Yin's panicking voice: "First disperse everyone!"

Numerous soldiers with spears rushed over and attempted to trap Li Xiao in a formation, while others tried to evacuate people outward. Several martial experts made a loud sound to attract Li Xiao's attention, cautiously staring at his response. However, Li Xiao, as if a demon, kept his gaze locked on to madam Song who was standing next to Zhao Yin.

Madam Song's face was pale white. She suddenly pushed Zhao Yin and quickly ran towards a gap between the guards. She was attracting Li Xiao's attention towards the crowd of people---

As expected, Li Xiao lifted his foot to head over, but was trapped where he was by the interference of the martial experts. His figure suddenly leapt up off the ground and escaped the blockade to give chase. Madam Song squeezed into the crowd. The masses were terrified to death by Li Xiao and frantically tried to move away. Song Song, however, was doing his best to squeeze back: "Your highness! Your highness!!"

Madam Song didn't dare to look back. She followed what the empress taught her, running forward as if her life depended on it, heart beating like a drum. Her sister said, as long as she stayed within the crowd, she would be safe. The mad king wouldn't be able to catch her--

At this moment, she already felt delight in her heart from obtaining her revenge. Now that Song Song's reputation was ruined, as long as the mad king kills enough people under the emperor's own eyes, the mad king definitely won't live past spring!

In her head, she practically started imagining the scene of the mad king getting beheaded right then and there.

The hat on Song Song's head was squeezed off. Madam Song abruptly turned her head, instantly her facial expression changed---

"Wangye! Li Xiao--!"

Someone suddenly realized something: "It's Ping wangfei!!"

"Quick, let him through!!"

"I heard he can stop the mad king! Let him through quickly!"

The people beside him instantly got out of the way and made a huge path. Li Xiao's attention was drawn by the commotion. His gaze focused on Song Song's face and his expression instantly changed.

He quickly landed. The murderous rage in his eyes retreated away little by little while his thought process still seemed a bit sluggish.

Just now Song Song spat out blood from the qi blast, now he still had bloodstains remaining at the corner of his mouth. Face pale white, he looked towards Li Xiao and said: "Your highness It's me. Look. It's me. I'm Song-er."

The surrounding instantly quieted down, as if the people were afraid Li Xiao couldn't hear Song Song's voice. Their movements also slowed. Zhao Yin raised his hand and stopped the soldiers in the back who were preparing to step forward. His gaze stuck tightly on the two people in the middle.

Song Song coughed a little. He walked towards Li Xiao and tried pulling at the other's hands to place on his own face: "Look. It's me."

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The writer has something to say:

The villain is really trying to die..