Chapter 427 — The Child

By the time the Song father and son returned from the palace, the lamps were already lit, and the guests who had come for Song He's third-day bath had all dispersed.

Song Yan nodded to Song Cen and went back to Yi Zhi Hall.

Song Cen, however, stood for a long while in silence on the bluestone walkway of the main path of the Yingzhen Duke's residence.

In the past, the Emperor had not been what one would call intimate with him, yet he had never treated him as an outsider either. But this time, at the palace, he had felt keenly the Emperor's coldness and distance—had even been treated to a lecture about how "a house where legitimate and base-born are not kept distinct is a house bound for ruin."

Could the Emperor have heard something?

Or had Song Yan complained about him before the Emperor?

When Song Cen turned his head toward Yi Zhi Hall, his gaze was like a poisoned blade.

This was exactly the sort of thing Song Yan was capable of!

Why else did every military officer in the capital brace himself with triple vigilance at the mere mention of Song Yan's name?

At the thought, Song Cen's chest tightened with stifled anger.

He flung his sleeve and returned to Guixiang Court.

Song Han's injury had much improved; he stood at the door on a cane to welcome Song Cen.

Looking at his pale face, Song Cen's heart softened. "Why are you not resting properly? Is the wound any better?"

Song Han smiled. "The imperial physician Father engaged for me is most skilled—after only three doses, I feel much improved." He steered Song Cen with a hovering hand toward the main chamber. "I hear the Emperor bestowed a name on Dong Ge today? The Emperor still favors Father greatly—such an honor, and in all the capital, our family alone enjoys it."

He laid the whole credit at Song Cen's feet.

Song Cen heard it with great satisfaction, his voice growing ever gentler: "This too is the Emperor's regard for our family's generations of loyalty. So you see, our family need only act in accordance with the Emperor's wishes, and as for all else, it is no concern of ours. Only thus can this favor be carried on long and enduring."

That was aimed squarely at the Duke's household, was it not?

So his father had taken to heart his plan to marry the Jiang girl.

Song Han sneered inwardly, while saying aloud, "Father's instruction is right. I am grown now, and having seen a good deal, I know what matters and what can wait. I shall never again be as foolish as before."

Song Cen gave a satisfied "Mm," halted his steps, and said, "In a few days I shall go to the palace and seek a match for you. These days, stay home and study well; do not stir up trouble, lest word of it reach the noble ones in the palace and displease them. Do you understand?"

Song Han was struck dumb.

What Song Cen was thinking was this: having such a foolish son was not so bad after all—at least he obeyed in all things and would never act on his own and leave him embarrassed.

"Silly boy!" He laughed and entered the hall.

Watching Song Cen go inside, Song Han slowly returned to the small eastern courtyard where he lodged.

Qixia and Caiyun hurried to greet him.

He waved his hand, dismissed all the servants in the room, and went into the inner chamber. Quietly he moved aside the Guanyin statue enshrined on the eastern wall, revealing a small portrait.

The figure in the portrait wore a robe of embroidered silk, elegant and dignified, with a trace—now there, now not—of firmness and pride about the brows.

"Mother!" he murmured, and tears at once fell. "I did not mean to... I truly did not know the medicine was poisoned... I dared not tell you... you had already begun to suspect... I knew that though you did not love Father, you had never doubted him... I feared that if I told you, Father would find out... Xingfang at your side had already been bought by Father, and if Father denied it, and she tampered with the evidence and none could be found, I would have been doomed beyond burial... While they were not watching, I would quietly pour away half the medicine and top it up with water... I thought that in this way you might hold out until my brother returned... But I never thought Father would tell you the truth of my birth. It made you die of pure rage..." His face was wet. "Mother, I was your most beloved; whatever I did wrong, you never blamed me. This time too, you will surely forgive me, won't you?" As he spoke, stroking the face in the portrait, his expression slowly turned savage. "Rest assured, Mother—your son will avenge you..."

※※※※※

Song Sui, upon returning to Yi Zhi Hall, bathed and changed his clothes and went into the inner chamber.

Dou Yan was being served carp soup by Ganlu. Seeing him return, she quickly ordered the maids to set the meal. "You have not eaten supper yet, have you? I had the kitchen keep your supper warm!"

Song Yan nodded, then lay down at the edge of the bed to look at his sleeping son.

Seeing Dou Yan bowed over her soup, he reached out a finger and stealthily poked the baby's little cheek.

Yuan Heng, full and content, pursed his small lips and ignored him.

Song Yan poked him again.

Yuan Heng frowned, turned his face away, and went on sleeping.

Song Yan stretched out a finger to poke him once more, and was caught red-handed by Dou Yan, who had just finished her fish soup.

She could not help being both exasperated and amused. "What do you think you are doing?"

Song Yan, caught in the act, gave a sheepish laugh. "I saw him sleeping all this while, never opening his eyes to play a bit..."

So he wanted the child to play with him.

Dou Yan said, "Newborns are all like this—out of the twelve hours of the day, they sleep eleven, and the remaining one goes to eating, drinking, and the rest, and only now and then do they open their eyes."

"Is that so?" Song Yan was a little disappointed.

Ruotong came in to announce that supper was ready.

Song Yan took his supper in the outer room.

Dou Yan had already tidied herself and was preparing to rest.

Fearing the child might roll off the bed in his sleep, mothers as a rule took the outer side. Though Yuan Heng had only just been born and was still swaddled tight, Dou Yan slept on the outer side out of habit, while Song Yan had these past few days been resting on the large heated kang by the window.

Seeing Dou Yan lie down, he squeezed onto the bed and said, "Let me help you mind the child. Why don't you sleep on the inner side?"

Remembering Song Zhi's behavior a moment before, Dou Yan was not about to trust him. "I am still a little unwell," she said. "I don't want to move. Once the child is a bit older, you can help me mind him then."

Song Ji lay down on the inner side and said, "If anything comes up, just call me."

Seeing how eager he was, Dou Yan smiled and agreed, then had the maids come in and put out the lamp.

Since she was minding the child herself, and having spent another whole day exchanging calls and courtesies, she closed her eyes and was soon fast asleep.

In the middle of the night she was startled awake by the baby's crying.

She sat up at once, only to find that Song Yan and the child had both disappeared.

Dou Yan broke into a cold sweat and called out loudly, "Yan Tang!"

Song Yan came in carrying the child, looking embarrassed. "I—I saw you sleeping so soundly, so I took him to the wet nurse to be fed, but who knew he wouldn't take it..."

Now that's my son!

Dou Yan's heart warmed, and she said gently, "Just let me feed him."

Song Yan sheepishly handed the child to Dou Yan.

Dou Yan turned onto her side to nurse the baby.

Song Ji sat at the edge of the bed and watched.

Once the child had eaten his fill and been changed, he perked up and opened his eyes to play.

Dou Chi could not help yawning.

Song Yan said quickly, "I'll mind the child. You go to sleep at once."

How could Dou Yan possibly sleep?