"Cousin, no need for such formalities."
Zhang Yicheng expressed his gratitude, then stood aside.
Lord Song dismissed the maids and servants, leaving his trusted confidantes to guard the door. Then, he suddenly knelt.
"Your subject greets Your Highness, Your Highness, long live the King."
Zhang Yicheng also knelt and bowed.
Only Madam Song was still bewildered. After a moment, she realized and followed suit, kneeling and bowing.
"Father, Mother, you don't need to be so formal. Cousin, please get up quickly."
Bai Li Chongyan personally stepped forward to help Lord Song up, and the other two also rose.
Lord Song then turned to his daughter: "Xian'er, you are too reckless. How could you let the King come out like this? If you were recognized, the consequences would be unthinkable."
Zhu Xian: "...He wanted to come along himself."
Why was she being blamed again?
"You..."
"Father-in-law, it was indeed I who wanted to follow Xian'er in. Please do not blame her."
Lord Song had spoken that way precisely for Zhu Xian's sake. Upon hearing this, what else could he say?
"So that's how it is. I misjudged Xian'er."
Zhu Xian suddenly felt tired of conversing with them.
She was accustomed to having her words obeyed without question, to a life where no one defied her. Now, speaking with these people required so many detours, which was simply not suited for her.
"Forgive me for the intrusion. Please forgive us, Father and Mother-in-law."
"Your Highness's visit truly brightens this humble abode..."
After a lengthy exchange of pleasantries, they finally got down to business.
Lord Song asked first, "Yicheng, is the Second Prince truly beyond saving?"
Zhang Yicheng replied, "Ever since Master Lingyun left, the Second Prince fell ill again and has not recovered. He fainted several days ago and, it is said, has not woken up since. The imperial physicians are keeping him alive with ginseng broth, but I fear he is truly beyond help."
In fact, rumors had been circulating throughout the capital regarding the Second Prince's grave illness.
Some said he was possessed, others that he was haunted by a female ghost, and yet others that he had contracted a serious illness...
The most detailed and seemingly credible story was that he was being haunted by a female ghost from the lake. The Emperor had even summoned Master Lingyun to investigate, which lent credence to this theory.
Unfortunately, Master Lingyun had been unable to save him and had since disappeared.
Thinking of this, Zhang Yicheng cast a subtle glance at Zhu Xian and Bai Li Chongyan.
He still remembered Zhu Xian's actions in preventing the Crown Prince from intervening. Later, several officials had brought Master Lingyun to the prince's mansion, only to be beaten and thrown out.
Master Lingyun had left the prince's mansion, and that night, the Second Prince's residence had been in turmoil. The next morning, Master Lingyun had departed in haste and then vanished without a trace.
It was said that later, monks from Huguo Temple encountered a skeleton, incomplete and partially devoured by wild beasts, at the foot of the mountain. Master Lingyun's belongings were found nearby, leading to suspicions that he had died.
However, Huguo Temple did not confirm this.
Madam Song asked, bewildered, "Falling into a lake, at most one would catch a cold. Can't the many physicians in the imperial hospital treat it?"
Zhang Yicheng said helplessly, "Aunt, it's not just the imperial hospital. The Emperor has even issued a royal decree seeking anyone who could diagnose him, yet no one has been able to."
Madam Song then said angrily, "If so many doctors cannot cure him, then he is to die. If someone is to die, and they are still looking for someone for a 'chongxi' marriage, isn't that harming someone? Are they looking down on the Song family?"
Zhang Yicheng and Lord Song both looked at Bai Li Chongyan.
Bai Li Chongyan, however, showed no signs of anger, saying, "It's a desperate measure born of desperation. After all, Consort Xian has only that one son."
Upon hearing this, everyone felt somewhat relieved.
"Then what should we do now?" Although Madam Song did not consider Song Fanghua her biological daughter, she would not stand idly by and watch her jump into a fire pit.
Well... she might when it came to her own daughter.
Zhang Yicheng immediately said, "I am willing to marry Sister Fanghua into my mansion. The royal family cannot snatch another man's wife for a 'chongxi' marriage." Sudancn.com
Madam Song's heart immediately leaned towards her nephew again: "If there is to be a marriage, it should be with someone else. How could she be worthy of you?"
Lord Song was instantly displeased: "Madam."
After all, she was his legitimate daughter, how could she not be worthy?
Madam Song muttered a few words but remained silent.
"You are all too anxious. If we delay for a few more days, he will die. By then, the Emperor cannot issue a decree for a posthumous marriage, and everything will be resolved, won't it?"
Zhang Yicheng immediately looked at her: "How do you know he is about to die?"
Zhu Xian said proudly, "I just know."
He was about to ask more when Lord Song said, "If the Emperor issues a decree, they will likely bring the person in within two days. There won't be enough time."
If he wasn't going to die yet, the Emperor and Consort Xian would certainly not begrudge preparing, but if he wasn't going to live much longer, they wouldn't bother with preparations.
They would simply bring the person in.