The Country Maiden: Fields and Leisure
Chapter 663 - 662: Arrangement

Chapter 663: Chapter 662: Arrangement

This person was none other than Xu You, who later became Song Chongjin’s mentor and was also a student of Grand Scholar Qi. He had received the Qi Family’s kindness, but when disaster befell the Qi Family, he, with his limited capabilities, could do nothing.

Moreover, because of his involvement with the Qi Family, he was barred from holding an official post, and, given the relationship between Song Hong and the Qi Family, he simply sought refuge with Song Hong.

Upon hearing that this Song Chongjin was the child of Song Hong and Qi Huan, Xu You did not hesitate to take it upon himself to mentor Song Chongjin.

Driven by a mix of empathetic sentiment and the desire to repay a debt, Xu You held Song Chongjin in high regard and even bestowed upon him his years of accumulated expertise in intelligence gathering.

Later, he persuaded Song Hong to hand over control of the intelligence agencies of more than a dozen counties, prefectures, and governorships surrounding Jing County to Song Chongjin, thus providing him with a means to establish a foundation for his life.

Because of Xu You’s high esteem for Song Chongjin, he paid extra attention to this son of his, occasionally having news of Song Chongjin reported back to him for his perusal.

Song Chongjin’s participation in the Scholar examination was naturally known to Song Hong, who had taken precautions earlier by registering Song Chongjin’s household in Jing County. There was even a small courtyard in Song Chongjin’s name, which at the time had been left in the care of a trusted servant.

Song Hong knew Song Chongjin had been exploited by Song Chunhua and the Song Family because of his filial piety. More importantly, he saw that Song Chongjin had a certain cleverness; after all, he was his own son, and he could not bear to watch him being dragged down by Song Chunhua and the Song Family.

He had Xu You step in and transfer the Jing County household registration to Song Chongjin, and then he received the news that Song Chongjin had passed the Scholar examination.

That night, Song Hong, alone with his drink, spent a night in the courtyard once occupied by Qi Huan, longing to tell her that their son had grown up, had become accomplished, and truly bore the mark of his maternal grandfather.

It was then that he considered bringing Song Chongjin back to the Duke Weiguo Residence, but myriad concerns had continuously delayed the decision.

Later on, he would often hear of Song Chongjin narrowly escaping attempts on his life; had it not been for his own wits, as well as the protection of guards secretly sent by him, he would likely have fallen victim to foul play.

Song Hong was both shocked and enraged. Upon investigation, he realized that ultimately, it was the troubles brought about by his relationship with his son that were to blame.

He could have found anyone to foster Song Chongjin, yet he chose Song Chunhua, influenced by the slight affection between her and Song Yin. As a result, not only did Song Chunhua end up harming Song Chongjin,

but it also brought along Lady Wang, the wife of Song Yin.

Someone had leaked information to Lady Wang, telling her that Song Yin had an illegitimate child outside, who was also Song Yin’s only offspring.

Already prone to jealousy with a volatile temperament, Lady Wang could hardly stand such news. She had the servants of Duke Qiguo inquire and soon confirmed the truth of the matter.

She fumed, "Why should that bastard child born to some country woman enjoy such status when I haven’t even had a child of my own?"

Pampered and willful as Lady Wang was, spoiled by Duke Qiguo, she thought that it would be best if that illegitimate country brat were dead—he was nothing more than a lowlife!

Therefore, she dispatched people to take Song Chongjin’s life; their multiple failures only made her more obstinate, thinking perhaps Song Yin had discovered the boy and asked Song Hong to protect him.

Consumed by extreme jealousy, she spared no effort, bribing both Hunter Qin and Shopkeeper Zhang to make sure Song Chongjin faced death, refusing to let him die a quick and painless death; she wanted him to suffer greatly before dying to release the pent-up fury in her heart.

After discovering this, Song Hong initially felt a twinge of guilt, but later reasoned that if Song Chongjin couldn’t escape even this, it would have been a waste of all the years he had spent sending people to teach him.

Unexpectedly, that wily young rascal Song Chongjin truly lived up to his pedigree and decisively replaced all the old hands in the intelligence agency with his own people.

He also took the opportunity to publicly sever ties with Hunter Qin and Shopkeeper Zhang, handling each and every affair splendidly.

Because of this, the desire to bring that son back home had grown even more intense.

Now in the Capital City, although he had several sons, they were either of mediocre talent or had been raised too delicately, growing up amongst luxury, lacking any firmness. How could they support the entire Duke’s Mansion in the future?

After much consideration, he realized that among all his sons, it was Song Chongjin, the one casually raised outside, who most resembled himself.

He was literate and martial, decisive and alert, indeed possessing a semblance of his own past elegance.

His trip to Qi City this time was for official business, and he had planned to, after concluding his affairs, find an opportunity to talk to Song Chongjin about returning to the family.

Who would have thought that he would unexpectedly encounter him right in Qi City?

Initially, he merely felt that Wang Yongzhu, whom he met at the inn, looked somewhat familiar. It was only later that he remembered she was Chongjin’s fiancée from the village.

The Hidden Guard stationed on this side had once sent back her portrait to him.

Speaking of this made him so furious that he was beside himself; his own son had actually fallen so low as to become a son-in-law who had married into a village girl’s family. Where did that leave the Song Family’s reputation?

After his encounter with Wang Yongzhu, he had been waiting for Song Chongjin to come to visit him. Thinking that if Yongzhu was as intelligent as the Hidden Guard’s reports claimed, seeing the resemblance between himself and Song Chongjin, she would have to be suspicious.

Would Chongjin not be curious about his own origin, wanting to know who his birth parents were?

Yet, he had waited several days at the inn and hadn’t even seen a glimpse of Song Chongjin.

Moreover, with a few complications arising in his official duties, he had been busy with that matter these past few days. By the time he managed to free himself and returned to the inn, he heard from the people there that his wretched son had actually gone and married that village girl!

Song Hong was so angry he nearly stormed their doors, but his personal soldiers managed to dissuade him.

Over the past few days, he had people constantly monitor the movements of Song Chongjin, naturally learning that he and Wang Yongzhu were trying to topple Gao Jin and Wang Yongan.

The two of them were audacious to the extreme, not only conceiving plans but also putting them into action.

Somehow they managed to get their hands on evidence of Gao Jin and the local tycoons colluding to operate a private mine.

Even Song Hong couldn’t help but regard them highly after hearing that.

Regrettably, they were still too young after all, unfamiliar with bureaucratic rules. Even with the evidence in hand, they couldn’t find the right opportunity to act, nor did they know how to use it to secure the greatest advantage.

Seeing how Song Chongjin was floundering about like a headless fly these past two days, looking for connections, Song Hong felt both pride in his son’s true abilities and regret. With such potential, had he been raised by his side, in the Duke Weiguo Residence, receiving top-tier education, he’d probably be the most outstanding among the younger generation in the Capital City right now.

Unable to bear it any longer, Song Hong had invited Song Chongjin over.

Having said all this, Song Hong observed Song Chongjin’s expression, his tone unusually gentle, but his attitude firm, "Now that you know your origins, you are my son, a descendant of Duke Weiguo! Naturally, we cannot let you continue to wander outside."

"I have thought it over. Now that we father and son have recognized each other, you will come with me this time. I will first arrange for you to stay in the mansion. I’ll find you a good master so you can immerse yourself in studying for a while. Then, you’ll take the provincial examination, and if you pass, I’ll bring you to the Capital City and officially acknowledge you into the family lineage. Don’t worry; when the time comes, I’ll make sure you are registered under the name of your legitimate mother—"