Chapter 2789 - 2788: The Duke of Qi Rebels

Chapter 2789: Chapter 2788: The Duke of Qi Rebels

Song Yuchan shook her head, not quite sure what was happening inside her heart.

She explained to her mother and brother, "Father encountered mountain bandits on the way, he might have been startled."

Lady Song and her three sons felt somewhat relieved and asked her, "Did you not see your elder brother?"

Song Yuchan shook her head.

Lady Song said, "This is strange, your elder brother and your father were imprisoned together in the Capital’s Great Prison. Logically, since your father has been released, your elder brother should have been released too!"

"Mother, don’t worry, my elder brother must be in Capital City handling matters!"

"Yes, since father has been reinstated into his position, the Imperial Court will not make things difficult for our elder brother!"

The two sons comforted Lady Song, but only the youngest, Song Shiyong, felt something was amiss.

As they spoke, the door suddenly opened.

Song Gongming, dressed in plain white clothes, entered with tears in his eyes and said softly to them, "My son, Song Shiwen, will not return."

"What?"

Lady Song stumbled back, fainting.

Everyone quickly supported her, anxiously asking Song Gongming, "Father, what exactly happened?"

Song Gongming held out a ceramic jar, saying, "Your brother’s flesh and blood are in here, set up a mourning hall to bury him peacefully."

About his son, Song Gongming didn’t want to say more.

Lady Song had Yan Qing give her a needle on the lip and revived, crying out loud, "My son, why have you left like this! I didn’t even get to see you one last time!"

Throughout the Song Residence, the red lanterns and red silk that had been hung were immediately taken down and replaced with white cloth and white banners.

The mourning hall was set up, and Song Shiwen’s memorial tablet was placed upon it.

The Song Residence invited the local Monk to perform a seven-day rite for Song Shiwen.

During those seven days, Song Gongming did not consume a drop of water.

He locked himself alone in a room, and no one knew what he was thinking.

Yan Qing and Wu Song accompanied Song Yuchan, fearing she would do something rash, like going to the Capital City seeking revenge.

Song Yuchan cried until her eyes were red, asking Yan Qing, "Brother Yan Qing, you’re the smartest. Tell me, how did my elder brother die?"

Yan Qing could see some clues but was reluctant to speak.

He explained vaguely, "It was probably the Imperial Court who killed him."

Wu Song outright cursed, "It must have been Cai Jing and those traitors causing chaos in the court, deceiving the Emperor’s wisdom, framing loyal ministers; there’s nothing they wouldn’t dare do."

Song Yuchan stood up and said to Wu Song, "Brother Wu Song, do you dare join me in storming into Capital City and chop off that dog thief Cai Jing’s head?"

"Why wouldn’t I dare!"

Wu Song stood up with her, without hesitation.

Yan Qing quickly stopped them, saying, "Calm down, you two, we haven’t figured out the situation yet. Acting recklessly would only worsen things. If killing a traitor could change the world, wouldn’t Master, who hates evil, have acted long ago?"

Song Yuchan replied, "I don’t care; whoever killed my elder brother, I’ll make them pay with their life."

Yan Qing asked her, "What if he was killed by the Emperor?"

Song Yuchan raised her brow, "What do you know?"

Yan Qing spoke the truth, "The Duke of Qi locked himself up right after returning, clearly unwilling to face reality. It must be that the enemy he faces is one he cannot avenge against. If it were Cai Jing, he could have easily petitioned Your Majesty for justice for our elder brother. Since he didn’t do so, it means this enemy is someone he can’t revenge against."

"That dog emperor!"

Song Yuchan cursed, "What deceived wisdom, I see it’s his ignorance and incompetence, appointing traitors to commit evil."

Wu Song coughed lightly, though he had cursed traitors, he hadn’t cursed the emperor before.

He admired Song Yuchan, such a young age, yet there was no one in the world she dared not curse, no one she dared not kill.

Song Yuchan decisively said, "Since it was the Emperor who harmed my brother, then I’ll seek revenge on him and chop off his head."

Yan Qing countered, "That’s even more impossible. Back in the Great Xiangguo Temple at the Guanyin Temple, the Emperor inscribed words. Guanyin was enraged but couldn’t harm the Emperor, how could you kill him?"

"Is a mere mortal Human Emperor so powerful?"

Song Yuchan questioned incredulously.

Yan Qing explained, "An Emperor is sanctioned by destiny, granted power from Heaven. His fortunes persist, and no one can kill him."

Song Yuchan stomped her foot in frustration, "Neither this nor that, then what do you suggest?"

Yan Qing said, "The Empire’s fortunes can rise and fall. The Emperor’s wrongdoing cannot be forgiven by Heaven. Now rebellion kings are emerging everywhere, and there are righteous armies opposing the court. I believe it won’t be long before the Great Song’s fortunes are wholly divided by the rebellious kings. By then we wouldn’t need to act, as there will be plenty of people to bring this Emperor to the guillotine."

Song Yuchan’s eyes lit up, "Right! If others can rebel, why can’t we? Let’s raise a banner and rebel against him!"

Though Song Yuchan was just a child, her tone was very much like an adult’s.

The air of determining the fate of the nation left Wu Song and Yan Qing surprised.

It seemed as if she was destined for this, according to destiny studies, this was called the aura of an emperor.

As they were speaking naively, the servants suddenly rushed over, busy carrying things.

Song Yuchan stopped one and asked, "What’s going on?"

The servant immediately replied, "Master is eating."

"Great!"

Song Yuchan was delighted and immediately went to see her father.

Lady Song was serving inside, and the three sons were waiting outside.

Song Gongming ate a hearty meal, came out holding a wine bowl, and drank it all in one go, resolutely saying to his sons and daughters, "Our Song Family, we rebel!"

The wine bowl shattered on the ground, with a bang, splashing everywhere.

The three sons of Song Gongming and Song Yuchan had been waiting for this day, excitedly shouting to Song Gongming, "We rebel!"

Wu Song and Yan Qing stood behind them, clasping their fists and shouting to Song Gongming, "From now on, we obey the Duke of Qi’s command."

Song Gongming nodded and instructed, "Disperse the servants, take the money and grain, burn the house, and we head to Lu State together!"

At the Duke of Qi’s residence, the flames reached the sky.

The Governor of Qizhou urgently sent people to extinguish the fire, leading the Qizhou Government Officials to search widely for the whereabouts of the Duke of Qi.

They had already received orders from above, telling them to closely monitor the Duke of Qi’s movements.

The fire was set, and the vast residence burned for two days before being extinguished.

The officials, led by Lei Heng and Zhu Tong, intentionally delayed with a group, searching for three days yet finding no trace of Song Gongming.

The Governor worriedly thought Song Gongming must have encountered trouble.

He sent Lei Heng and Zhu Tong to investigate, and only half a month later did they receive news.

The Duke of Qi’s family had already gone to Lu State and joined the Rebellion King Duke Chao Gai’s forces.

Song Gongming in Lu State had already issued a proclamation to the heroes of Qi and Lu, calling for all heroes to gather in Lu State to resist the court and plan the Da Ye together.

In the Rebellion King’s camp, a great banner with the words "Following Heaven’s Path" was erected.