Song Yichun stood under the eaves of the main hall, watching the guards scurrying around the courtyard, feeling a chill run through his body.
Song Mo had gone missing!
Where had he escaped from?
And who had rescued him?
If he had known this would happen, he should have stationed someone to guard the room. But his son was not only clever but also eloquent; even if he had assigned someone to watch over him, that person might have been swayed by Song Mo.
Thinking of this made his temples throb with pain.
Chang, the guard, approached with a grim expression.
“Your Grace,” he cupped his fists in salute, “we found nothing!”
“Found nothing?” Song Yichun exploded with rage, “Is he supposed to have flown away?”
As soon as he spoke, both men perked up, exchanging a glance before rushing into the inner chamber.
In the inner chamber, the ceiling showed clear signs of having been disturbed.
“Quick, come here!” Song Yichun exclaimed, his face lighting up with surprise.
Before long, Chang led a few men up to the roof.
“Your Grace,” Chang soon poked his head down from the ceiling, “the tiles on the roof have been removed, and there are marks left by iron claws—someone climbed in from the small alley on the east and rescued the Young Master.”
The small alley to the east was right next to Yizhi Hall.
Song Yichun’s gaze sharpened, and he said in a low voice, “Surround Yizhi Hall! Dig three feet into the ground if you have to, but find him!”
“Yes!” Chang led his men toward Yizhi Hall.
Song Yichun, however, slumped onto the large kang by the window in the inner chamber.
What should he do now?
He had originally planned to beat Song Mo half to death, leave him in the inner chamber overnight, and then, when the ancestral hall opened the next morning, drive him out of the family. By then, people would surely come to persuade him, but if he delayed for a few days, even if he eventually brought Song Mo back, given his injuries, he would likely not survive long enough to report to the Emperor.
If Song Mo had been rescued, this plan was no longer viable.
He had managed to capture Song Mo precisely because he had underestimated him. Once Song Mo regained his strength…
Song Mo had fought against pirates at the age of ten!
Song Yichun couldn’t help but shiver.
Damn Jiang Meisun! It was all his fault for raising his son this way!
This was no longer Song Yichun’s son; he was simply Jiang Meisun’s son!
He silently cursed his deceased brother-in-law when a guard cautiously entered. “Your Grace, the Second Young Master has arrived.”
Song Han!
Song Yichun was taken aback. After a moment’s thought, he said, “Let him in!” Then he sighed softly.
Song Han rushed in with red eyes, and upon seeing only his father in the room, he tugged at his father’s sleeve. “Father, I want my brother! I’m scared of being alone with Mother!” He began to cry loudly.
Song Yichun frowned deeply, scolding his younger son, “How old are you? When something happens, all you know is to cry! Your brother was already helping me at your age; can’t you learn from him?” Mentioning his eldest son only fueled his anger further. “It’s all your mother’s fault for spoiling you!” With that, he shoved his son aside, “If you cry again, you’ll go kneel in the ancestral hall!” He sounded very impatient.
Song Han stared at his father, mouth agape, shocked into silence.
In the past, while his father would scold him, he had never shown such disdain.
Song Yichun, feeling even more irritated, shouted at the guard, “Who brought the Second Young Master here?”
The guard quickly replied, “It was Pear Blossom, the Second Young Master’s attendant.”
“Bring her in!” Song Yichun’s face darkened as he reprimanded Pear Blossom, “If you can’t keep an eye on the Second Young Master, I’ll break your legs!”
Pear Blossom was so frightened that she couldn’t speak, bowing repeatedly to Song Yichun.
Song Yichun kicked her in the chest, “Get out of here!”
Pear Blossom, in pain and sweating, hurriedly dragged the stunned Song Han out of the inner chamber.
Only then did Song Yichun feel a bit of relief.
He asked the guard, “Is there still no news from Chang?”
The guard, quick-witted, replied, “I’ll go check right now!” He cupped his fists and swiftly exited the inner chamber.
Song Yichun sighed deeply and sat down to sip some tea.
Song Mo must be hiding in Yizhi Hall.
The few people he could rely on were either not in the capital or had been detained. Even if there were a few loyal subordinates, they were insignificant figures he had already assigned to watch over. They wouldn’t have the capability to rescue Song Mo from the residence. Even if they managed to get him out, there would be nowhere to hide him…
As this thought crossed his mind, he straightened up, suddenly realizing something was wrong, and a cold sweat broke out on his back.
How could he have forgotten Gu Yu?
If Song Mo escaped, the most likely place he would seek refuge was with Gu Yu, who would carelessly take him in without a second thought.
“Come here!” he called, and a guard entered respectfully.
Song Yichun instructed him, “Immediately send someone to monitor Gu Yu, the eldest son of Duke of Yunyang.” As soon as he finished speaking, he felt it was inappropriate and corrected himself, “No, send four people! Follow him from a distance, and if you spot the Young Master, report back immediately.”