Gongsun Yan sniffed Liu Yue's breath, sneered, and kicked the blood-soaked Liu Yue into the surging river.
The Shuai River flows through Daliang and Zhou Dynasty, and further down is the territory of Zhou Dynasty. Let this shameless little person rest in peace in Zhou Dynasty. It is really a good deal for her.
Gongsun Yan finally got what he wanted three months after he was released. He immediately wrote a letter to Song Ruiyang, saying that Liu Yue had fallen into the Shu River while escaping and was suspected to have drowned.
As for Song Ruiyang's lost property, Gongsun Yan had people search the woodshed and Liu Yue's small bag, but nothing suspicious or valuable was found, so they just threw them into the water.
In the capital city of Daliang, winter has arrived and the world is bleak. Song Ruiyang holds the letter sent back by Gongsun Yan in his hand and remains silent for a long time.
The teapot on the stove made a gurgling sound. Song Ruiyang picked up the teapot and wanted to throw the letter into the stove, but when the flame was about to hit the paper, he pulled it back.
Song Ruiyang crumpled up and unfolded a thin piece of letter paper. After repeating this several times, it was wrinkled beyond recognition. Song Ruiyang opened it again and read the contents.
In the end, Song Ruiyang threw the letter into the stove and stared at the paper as it was swallowed by the flames bit by bit until it finally turned into a pile of light and small ashes.
"Xiao Luzi, come with me to see father," Song Ruiyang was stunned for a moment before calling out, but his voice suddenly became hoarse and dry.
Xiao Luzi hurried forward to serve, but the moment Song Ruiyang stood up, he stumbled and nearly fell. Xiao Luzi was startled and hurriedly wanted to ask someone to call the imperial physician.
Song Ruiyang grabbed Xiao Luzi and said in a hoarse but firm voice, "Don't call the doctor. I'm fine. Let's go."
Xiao Luzi seldom saw the prince like this, so he could only follow him out anxiously. Looking at Song Ruiyang's face which was as pale as snow, he could only keep all his worries in his heart.
After meeting the emperor, Song Ruiyang paid his respects and then reported the news brought back by Gongsun Yan truthfully.
The emperor kept half-squinting his eyes, not knowing where he was looking. He only said lightly, "This thief deserves to die."
Song Ruiyang lowered his head. God knows how much self-control he used to say those few short sentences so that his voice would not sound trembling or hoarse, and so as not to let others notice anything unusual.
"Assassination and theft in the Eastern Palace, this is a good ending. If it weren't for the relationship between the Cao Gang and the royal family and your insistence on letting them go, humph!"
The matter was clear, and what was lost was not something that would harm the country, so the emperor followed Song Ruiyang's suggestion and let it go.
Song Ruiyang bowed deeply to the emperor, pausing for a few more breaths than usual before standing up, and also took this opportunity to adjust his expression and eyes.
Since he asked Gongsun Yan to chase Liu Yue, he knew that his identity could not be concealed. Moreover, the three-day period agreed upon by the emperor and him had also arrived. Song Ruiyang simply took the initiative and said that the Cao Gang suffered losses because of him, and the gang leader came to steal to vent his anger. He also emphasized that Liu Yue did not hurt himself, and temporarily delayed the emperor from taking action against the Cao Gang.
As for the mess in his heart, he wanted to wait for Liu Yue to come back to sort it out, but he never expected that after three months of restlessness, he would receive such news!
The emperor talked about some official business with Song Ruiyang, and suddenly asked, "How do you plan to deal with your marriage with Miss Zhou?"
Song Ruiyang was stunned for a moment, then replied nonchalantly, "Zhou Zhiyuan's actions have insulted the court and harmed the people's livelihood. He has no moral integrity at all. Not pursuing the case against Lord Zhou is already a favor. I absolutely do not want to continue this marriage."
The emperor didn't care about a Miss Zhou. Seeing Song Ruiyang's clear attitude, he agreed to everything and also sounded a warning to others.
Song Ruiyang knew clearly that a royal marriage would never go his way. He knew long ago that he couldn't get the girl in his dream, but the Zhou brothers and sisters treated her like this, and being able to completely abandon her was a small comfort to him.
But now that I have passed away, everything has to come to an end.
(End of this chapter)