Chapter 57 Part 1

The birth of Madam Tao's son completely shattered the previous rumors.

No matter how inauspicious, his birthday was the same as the King of Yu's. You couldn't say the King of Yu's birthday was inauspicious, could you?

This was a result no one had anticipated. Everyone had thought that this son of Madam Tao would no longer receive Liu Yuan's expectations as before. Even Liu Zhen thought so. But then, a surprise fell from the sky—of course, this surprise was for Liu Yuan, at least proving that this child was not as inauspicious as the shaman had claimed.

Before Liu Yuan had said anything, Madam Zhang took the initiative to double Madam Tao's allowance, add two more serving maids to attend to her, and even prepared to move her residence from Baihua back to Taoyao. However, Liu Yuan rejected this last matter. He merely treated Madam Tao as an ordinary concubine and did not look upon her with special favor because of this, which also showed a certain degree of respect for Madam Zhang. Thus, everyone was happy, and all was well.

"My lady, this is freshly stewed pork bone soup. Please drink it while it's hot!" Ah Xue carefully brought over a ceramic bowl.

Madam Tao nodded. "Thank you for your trouble. It's too hot, let it cool a bit. Where is the young master?"

She was asking about Song Hong.

Ah Xue said, "Looking at the time, he should be here soon."

Just as she finished speaking, she saw Song Hong taking off his shoes outside. He didn't rush in but first bowed respectfully. "Greetings, Mother."

Madam Tao smiled. "No need for such ceremony. What book did you read today?"

"Your son is still reading the Lushi Chunqiu. Today, I just read the 'Winter Annals'."

Song Hong's face showed he hadn't had his fill yet. The Qin palace had a vast collection of books, and after arriving here, Liu Zhen and Song Hong were the happiest of all. Whenever these two had free time, they would run to the library. As for Liu Jin, his interest in reading was not much higher than Liu Nan's. It was only because of his good friendship with Song Hong, being inseparable, that he had to accompany him in and out of the library. The only time the two were apart during the day was generally when Liu Jin went to see Madam Zhang and Song Hong came to see Madam Tao.

Madam Tao had not yet finished her month of postpartum confinement and spent most of the day lying in bed. Song Hong looked around and asked, "Where's my younger brother?"

Madam Tao said, "He's in the next chamber, the wet nurse is looking after him. If you want to visit him, you may go."

Song Hong nodded. "I'll go see him after I've visited you, Mother."

He was very fond of this little brother.

Madam Tao smiled, first dismissing Ah Xue, then said gently, "Mother has something to say to you."

The personalities of this mother and son were actually not particularly close.

Although Song Hong was born of a concubine, he was Song Liu's only son and had been raised by Song Liu's side personally since childhood, receiving his full affection. When Song Liu went on a western expedition to Wuguan, he did not bring his young son to be safe, and even arranged an escape route for Madam Tao and Song Hong. Thus, the mother and son were able to survive under the escort of Song Liu's subordinates. After Madam Tao was taken in by Liu Yuan, although Liu Yuan treated Song Hong as his own son for certain reasons, he was also genuinely fond of the gifted Song Hong, often using him as an example to educate the brothers Liu Nan and Liu Jin.

Fortunately, the two brothers had rather good temperaments. The older one was carefree and didn't mind, while the younger one sincerely admired Song Hong for being more learned than himself. Otherwise, with Liu Yuan's method of education, anyone else being compared like this day after day would find it hard not to harbor resentment.

Hearing this, Song Hong said respectfully, "Mother, please speak."

Madam Tao was a little speechless at his stiff and formal demeanor, but some things still had to be said. "My son, the King of Yu is benevolent and treats you as his own, but you are not his biological son, after all. You should know when to advance and when to retreat in your actions."

Song Hong pursed his lips. "This child does not understand."

Madam Tao sighed. "I know you have been exceptionally intelligent since childhood, and thus deeply loved by your father, who kept you by his side at all times, fearing to neglect you in the slightest. But now, we mother and son are living under another's roof. You should not be so conspicuous with your talents, lest you incur the main wife's jealousy. Otherwise, I fear even the King of Yu will not be able to protect us!"

Song Hong was silent for a moment. "Your son also has a question for Mother."

Madam Tao: "Speak."

Song Hong: "Younger Brother's birthday being the same as the King of Yu's—is this matter related to Mother?"

Madam Tao's eyes widened, as if she never expected her son to ask such a thing. She was silent for a long time.

When he didn't get an answer, Song Hong pressed, "Mother?"

Madam Tao clutched her chest, finally catching her breath. She was a little angry, but looking at Song Hong, she could only sigh in the end. "Why would you think such a thing? Have you heard some rumor?"

Song Hong's little face was tense. "The rumors started as soon as we left Zhu County. Before, they said Younger Brother was a demon. Now, they say he's a good omen. I just want to ask Mother, was Younger Brother's birthday something Mother deliberately arranged?"

Madam Tao's face darkened as well. "When have you ever heard of someone being able to control the date of childbirth?"

Song Hong said insistently, "That is why I wish to hear Mother's explanation."

Faced with this son who dug to the root of the matter with such a serious face, Madam Tao was simply speechless. Being clever and precocious was a good thing, but to be so precocious as to question one's own mother to her face...

Madam Tao couldn't help but think of Liu Zhen, who was also known for her early intelligence. This eldest daughter of the King of Yu had eyes calmer and wiser than anyone else in the Liu family. In public, she did not speak much, but whenever she did, she would hit the nail on the head. Madam Tao had vaguely heard that the King of Yu valued his eldest daughter Liu Zhen more than his main wife Madam Zhang, and for that reason, Madam Zhang was not very fond of Liu Zhen. Of course, this was just a rumor.

But now, facing Song Hong, she suddenly thought of Madam Zhang's feelings. It was indeed a very uncomfortable thing to be around someone who was clever but did not know how to hide it. In recent years, perhaps because she was growing up, Liu Zhen had become more reserved. But Song Hong's sharp edge was becoming more and more apparent, winning Liu Yuan's favor while also making Madam Zhang wary and giving Madam Tao a headache.

Madam Tao sat up straight. "So what is it you really want to say to me?"

Song Hong dropped to his knees with a thud. "This child has a word of remonstrance for Mother!"

Madam Tao: "..."

So, reading too many books wasn't always a good thing. At such a young age, he was already putting on the airs of a remonstrating official.

And the object of his remonstrance was his own mother.

Song Hong kowtowed and stated his case, "Mother, I am not unaware of our situation, living under another's roof. The reason this child always tries to be at the forefront and display his abilities is not out of arrogance, but to make the King of Yu value my existence, so that Mother will not have to be at the mercy of others and can live a better life. Madam Zhang is obtuse, and I also detest her. However, Liu Jin is gentle and benevolent by nature, completely different from his mother. Your son is very willing to be close to him. With Liu Jin's character, when he grows up, he will surely treat you well, Mother. I implore you, Mother, not to use such despicable means, needlessly provoking the main wife's dislike and bringing disaster upon yourself and Younger Brother!"

After he finished, he pressed his forehead to the ground. After waiting a long while without a reply from his mother, he finally raised his head, only to see Madam Tao's face covered in tears, silently weeping.

Song Hong was, after all, still young. Seeing this scene, he was stunned into a daze.

"...M-Mother?"

Madam Tao covered her face and wept, "I never would have thought you would rather believe groundless rumors than your own mother! No matter how scheming I might be, how could I joke with my own son's life? Before, your younger brother was mistaken for a demon. Now that he has finally been cleared of that injustice, not only are you not happy for him, you instead suspect your own mother. It must be that I, as a mother, am too disappointing, to have caused you such a misunderstanding!"

Seeing his mother cry so sorrowfully, how could Song Hong remember what he wanted to remonstrate about? He rushed forward and said repeatedly, "Mother, I was wrong, I was wrong! Please don't hold it against me, please don't be sad!"

When he saw he couldn't console her, he simply started crying along with Madam Tao. The mother and son hugged each other and wept. Ah Xue, who was guarding the door, thought something had happened and immediately came in to check. Only then did Madam Tao gradually stop her tears.

"Don't mention these things again. You are stabbing your mother's heart!" said Madam Tao.

"This child will never dare to again!" Song Hong said, bowing his head in shame.

'It seems it really wasn't his mother's doing', Song Hong thought.

In reality, there was no evidence that the shaman's words were related to Madam Zhang, nor was there any proof that Liu Tong's birth date was deliberately arranged by Madam Tao. It was all baseless rumor. Song Hong had merely followed the rumors and deduced back and forth, finding that Madam Tao indeed couldn't clear herself of suspicion. That was why he had the idea to remonstrate with his mother, but he hadn't expected to provoke such a strong reaction from her. This was entirely due to his own lack of consideration.

He returned to his own residence, sighing. Liu Jin was already waiting for him there. Seeing his gloomy face, he asked, "Ah Hong, where did you go?"

Song Hong had never been one to hide things from Liu Jin, so he immediately told him the whole story.

Liu Jin's eyes widened as he listened. "You just went and said that to your mother?"

Song Hong said as if it were a matter of course, "If my mother's conduct is improper, as her son, it is my duty to remonstrate!"

Liu Jin said apologetically, "Speaking of which, my mother is also at fault. If she hadn't insisted on bringing Madam Tao along, your mother should have stayed in Zhu County to give birth, and none of this would have happened later! Ah Hong, I'm truly sorry!"

Song Hong nodded. "Your mother is too narrow-minded and lacks the demeanor of a family's main wife. But you are different from her, and this matter has nothing to do with you. There's no need to apologize to me!"

Liu Jin seemed to have long been accustomed to Song Hong's bluntness. Hearing him comment on his mother like this, he didn't even protest or get angry, but just whispered, "Ah Hong, it's fine to say this to me, but you can't say it outside. My mother is, after all, my father's principal wife. How can she tolerate others gossiping about her, especially when she already holds a grudge against you!"

It seemed that although Liu Jin was timid, his mind was quite clear.

Song Hong grinned, revealing two gaps where teeth were missing. "Don't you worry! I can talk about anything with you. How can others compare? Even if they asked me to talk, I wouldn't!"

Then he lectured Liu Jin, "Because of your mother, the King of Yu isn't very fond of you to begin with. If you keep being so timid, I'm afraid one day the King of Yu will even forget he has a son like you! In my opinion, His Highness's favorite is your eldest sister, but she is a woman, after all, and cannot inherit the throne in the future. As for your elder brother, His Highness doesn't favor him excessively either. I think your father prefers talented people who are skilled in both literature and martial arts, with an emphasis on literature. Both you and your elder brother are sons of the principal wife. If your elder brother has no hope for the throne, then you must strive for it. If you don't work harder, I'm afraid in the future, when your mother's beauty fades and her favor wanes, she will be abandoned by your father. At that time, the throne will fall to an outsider, for instance, to my younger brother. How will you fend for yourself then?!"

If Madam Tao were to hear her son's remarks about his elbow turning outwards, one wonders what she would think.

Liu Jin had a pained expression. "I don't know why, but whenever I see my father, I get scared. My heart panics, and I can't say a word!"

Song Hong was frustrated by his lack of ambition. "Your father is not a man-eating beast! Look at me, why am I not like that? Last time His Highness took us on an outing to Ganquan Palace and asked a question, why didn't you say a single word! If you had answered well then, you would surely have greatly pleased His Highness and made him see you in a new light!"

Liu Jin: "...I was afraid if I said my answer out loud, Father would make me copy the Book of Odes and Book of Documents fifty times."

Song Hong rolled his eyes at him.

Liu Jin sidled over, fawning with a grin, "How could I compare to you, Ah Hong, with your extraordinary talent!"

Song Hong opened his mouth and sighed, then fanned himself with the cattail fan in his hand. Although it was a bit of a deliberate imitation, he was handsome, and one could originally see a bit of Song Xie's style in him. Unfortunately, when paired with those two gapped teeth, the effect was greatly diminished.