Chapter 14 - Lutin's Whispering

　　As the cold wind hit his face and he came out of the Song King's Mansion, Wang Yan was not at all relaxed in his mind. 　　The words that Wang Chong had said turned over and over in his mind. 　　Wang Yan had to admit that in the matter of his third son Wang Chong, he was afraid that he had misjudged him. "The rivers and mountains are easy to change, but the nature is hard to change", Wang Yan had always thought that this rebellious son was acting out of his old ways, and was going around inviting right and wrong to himself. 　　But today, if not for Wang Chong's reminder, Wang Yan was afraid that he still did not know that the King of Song had already become dissatisfied because of the matter between himself and Yao Guangyi. 　　Wang Yan was a pure soldier, but that was not to say that he did not understand anything. The most taboo thing to do as a courtier is to be "secretive for the superior" and "jealous for the superior". 　　Song and Wang's friendship for several generations, if he accidentally said the wrong sentence and ashes, that really is a big sin. 　　However, despite this, Wang Yan still found it hard to fully believe what Wang Chong said. 　　"How is it possible? Yao Guangyi is designing to frame me?" 　　Wang Yan looked up at the sky, sighing in his heart. Wang Chong said that Yao Guangyi was setting himself up, but Wang Yan still didn't quite believe it. 　　At most, he and Yao Guangyi had only met once and drank once, and they did not talk about anything on the table. How could Yao Guangyi frame him? 　　Could it be that having a drink and meeting with Yao Guangyi was a frame-up? 　　--That would be too easy, too ridiculous, right? 　　Wang Yan shook his head, his mind puzzled. While he was pondering, there was a sudden burst of "hoof-da-da-da!" The sound of horses' hooves came from far away from the street. 　　Wang Yan's heart stirred as he raised his head and immediately saw a black horse like a dragon galloping towards this place. 　　"Is it General Wang Yan Wang Yan in front?" 　　On the back of the horse, a black-robed general with a flag on his back sternly shouted from afar. 　　"Precisely! What is it?" 　　Wang Yan's gaze condensed, his expression majestic. 　　"The Ministry of War has ordered the general to return to his quarters immediately!" 　　General Hei Jie's face was as heavy as water, and with a flick of his wrist, he shot out a red arrow order. Then without saying a word, he turned his horse around, turned around and galloped away, his hooves clattering as he quickly disappeared into the wind. 　　Wang Yan copied the red arrow order in his hand, when he saw the word "fire" on the order, he instantly changed his face. 　　Military order is like a mountain, the word "fire" on the order of the Ministry of the Army means 100,000 fire urgently. It meant that the moment he received the order, he had to rush to the garrison immediately without stopping. 　　"Third thing!" 　　Wang Yan looked at the arrow order in his hand, and his heart was flooded with waves. 　　He had only just met the King of Song, and had not even crossed the steps of the King of Song's residence yet, when he really received a transfer order from the Ministry of Military Affairs. The timing was not even close to what Wang Chong had said. 　　This was simply too unbelievable! 　　Wang Yan really did not understand how Wang Chong actually knew? 　　The doubts in Wang Yan's mind are now getting heavier and heavier. Yao Guangyi, Wang Chong ...... There are too many, too many mysteries here. 　　"Now there is only one last thing left ......" 　　Wang Yan secretly said in his heart, remembering that Wang Chong talked about the matter of "retreating 50 miles". The Hu invasion had not happened for many years in his garrison. 　　Wang Yan did not understand why his third son, Wang Chong, was so serious about asking him to retreat 50 miles in case of a Hu invasion. 　　How this matter felt inexplicable. If it was before, Wang Yan would definitely not take it seriously. But now, Wang Yan would have to think carefully. 　　"No matter what, by the time we get to the borderlands, everything will naturally come out!" 　　Putting the arrow order into his arms, Wang Yan walked down the steps of the Song King's Mansion, and instead of returning to the Wang Family Residence, he directly headed in the direction of the Residency. 　　...... 　　"Zheng Yuan has defected!" 　　Almost at the same time that Wang Yan left, within the Song King's Mansion, the Song King's face sank as he uttered a different set of words. There was one sentence that he did not truthfully tell Wang Yan, there was actually no letter from Wang Yan in the Song King's Mansion at all. 　　But that letter was indeed sent to the Song King's Mansion without a doubt. 　　"Another defector to the Qi King!" 　　The old chief steward's face did not look too good either. After Wang Yan's letter arrived at the Song King's residence, it was taken away by a staff member under the Song King's account named Zheng Yuan. During this period of time, there had been too many who had betrayed the Song King and defected to the Qi King. 　　Without a doubt, Zheng Yuan was one of them. 　　"Assholes! I treated them well, yet they did this to me!" 　　King Song clenched his fists, his face furious. He was by no means a suspicious person by nature, but right now, the King of Qi was going around persuading the people around him. 　　The people around him saw the situation and turned against him. Many of the people he used to trust greatly had defected to the King of Qi's side. With the situation as it was, there was no way for King Song not to be suspicious. 　　"It's a pity about Wang Yan, the Wang family was loyal to me. Now it looks like I was wrong about him in this matter." 　　King Song was ashamed in his heart. 　　"Your Highness doesn't need to blame yourself. Yao Guangyi is the King of Qi's beloved. For Wang Yan to have a secret meeting with him at Guanghe House at this time, anyone would be suspicious, and it's no wonder Your Highness is to blame. However, it's too early to say if the Wang family is innocent. Although the children of the Wang and Yao families clashed at the restaurant, couldn't it be that they were performing a bitter trick to cover their tracks! --His Highness wouldn't have forgotten the old Zhou Chang incident back then, right?" 　　The old chief steward opened his mouth, unfazed. 　　"Buzz!" 　　Hearing these words, King Song instantly changed his face. The matter of Zhou Chang was an old matter from the time of the previous emperor back then, because of this matter, the court didn't know how many officials had been demoted, even King Song's father, the old King Song back then, had been implicated and squatted in the Heavenly Prison for three months, almost unable to get out. 　　The Song Wangfu lineage, back then, was almost robbed of their titles because of this incident! 　　Thus, King Song was deeply impressed! 　　"You mean ......" 　　The Song King's face moved, his originally stretched brows wrinkled again, deep in thought. 　　"The old slave didn't say anything. Your Highness is homely and kind, and if the Wang family is loyal, that's naturally a good thing. But Your Highness cannot be unguarded. After all, people's hearts are separated. If the Wang family in this matter is indeed wrongly accused, at that time your highness want how to compensate them can be. But right now, it's not appropriate to jump to conclusions." 　　The old chief steward said indifferently. 　　King Song was homely and kind, but as the old butler of King Song's residence and having served several of His Highnesses, he had seen too much of the hooking and scheming in the courtroom. 　　There are no permanent friends, only permanent interests. As the old butler of the Song King's Mansion, he would always be loyal only to the interests of the Song King. 　　"Hehe, it's not easy to know the truth?" 　　King Song was silent for a moment and suddenly laughed. 　　"Your Highness is talking about Grandmaster Lu?" 　　The old chief administrator seemed to have guessed it long ago. 　　"Hmm. Didn't Grand Maester Lu go to Guanghe House with Bao Xuan? It couldn't be clearer to ask him about this matter." 　　King Song nodded solemnly, a look of respect appearing on his face. He had already gotten word that Lu Ting was already waiting outside. 　　"Greetings, Your Highness King Song." 　　A moment later, a silhouette walked in. Lu Ting was dressed in a white scribe's robe, and he bowed deeply to the King of Song above the great hall. 　　"Bachelor Lu, I heard that you also went to the Broad Crane Tower?" 　　King Song said. There was one person in the courtroom that he would never suspect, and that was Lu Ting. This was not only because Lu Ting was upright in nature and would never betray him. 　　It was also because Lu Ting had once saved his life. 　　At that time, he was not yet the King of Song, and he was far from his current status. Because of a matter, he was suspected of plotting a rebellion and was involved in the rebel party. 　　At that time, Nine Just Good was sent to the frontier to deal with the Turkic Khanate. At this time, the war was in full swing, and it was simply beyond the reach of the whip. And the whole court, everyone is in danger, no one for him to speak. 　　At this time, only just promoted to the university scholar Lu Ting a person, at the risk of offending the new emperor, and be smeared as the danger of the chaotic party, according to the reasoned advice. 　　He even chased the new emperor all the way to the harem, touched the pillar with his forehead, and almost died in the harem. 　　It is because of Lu Ting's death admonition, caused the new emperor to pay attention to, re-examined, the King of Song was cleared of suspicion, saved a life. 　　This thing happened in the harem, so not many people know. And Lu Ting also never announced, not to mention in front of the King of Song mentioned. The King of Song only found out about this matter from the new Emperor. 　　From then on, King Song had the utmost respect for Lu Ting. He was also very happy to listen to his opinions! 　　"Hm... Bao Xuan invited me to go. Not only did I go, but I also encountered a rather interesting matter there. This matter, even if Your Highness doesn't ask, I am still going to say it." 　　Lu Ting said with a smile on his face. 　　"Oh? Quickly tell this king about it." 　　The light in King Song's eyes flickered, and he suddenly became interested as well. 　　He was well aware of Lu Ting's character, and the interesting story that could come out of this honorable university scholar's mouth was definitely not ordinary! 　　"Your Highness should know about the clash between the Wang family siblings and the Yao family's son, Duke Yao, at the Guanghe Building, right?" 　　Lu Ting laughed. 　　"Well, I know, but not very clearly. Could it be that what Maester Lu said is related to them." 　　King Song was curious. 　　He had intended to find Lu Ting to ask about Yao Guangyi and Wang Yan, but at this time, when he heard Lu Ting talk about the matter between the two families' children, he forgot about it for a moment. 　　Lu Ting didn't hide anything, so he spoke in detail about the things he had inquired about the two siblings outside of Guanghe Building. In particular, the conversation between Wang Chong and Bao Xuan was told in particular detail. 　　As for the part of Wang Yan that King Song was concerned about, it was instead glossed over by Lu Ting. 　　King Song was only interested at first, listening to it as an anecdote in general. But later, it was completely captivated. 　　"So Bao Xuan has also betrayed to the King of Qi." 　　King Song's face was quite a bit more ugly. The intention was to ask about Wang Yan, but unexpectedly, he had unintentionally discovered another renegade Bao Xuan, which was undoubtedly a blow for the Song King. 　　"Hehe, if Your Highness is bothered about the Bao Xuan matter, it is actually unnecessary. During this period of time, Bao Xuan is not the first one to mutiny against Your Highness, and he is by no means the last one, so why should Your Highness be bothered by this kind of thing?" 　　Lu Ting laughed lightly, not as upset as King Song: 　　"Rats scattering a sinking ship when a tree falls, those who are going to leave, will not be able to stay after all. Those who stay, won't go after all." 　　"Those who defected to the King of Qi, if they remain here, they will ultimately be a scourge, so it would be better to let them leave. It's just like what that Third Prince of the Wang Family, Wang Chong, said, 'Whoever laughs last, laughs best.' The match is not over yet, why should King Song be discouraged? This is also what I wanted to say to Your Highness King Song in particular when I returned this time." 　　"Your Highness has so many ministers around him, and in my opinion, in terms of eyesight and insight, it's not as good as that fifteen year old Wang Chong instead." 　　Hearing Lu Ting's words, King Song could not help but laugh. Even the old chief administrator beside him, whose face was tightly crumpled, looked a little better, and had some good feelings for that teenager he hadn't dealt with much. 　　"'Whoever laughs last, laughs best', heh, well said! Well said! Maester Lu is right, not only are these people like Bao Xuan inferior to that third son of the Wang family, even this king is far inferior. Wang Yan has given birth to a good son!" 　　King Song laughed, suddenly having a lot of goodwill towards the fifteen year old of the Wang family that he had never met before, but was wonderfully articulate. In his current situation, which was almost like a "family betrayal", yet he could hear such supportive words from a seemingly uninvolved child, there could not be a more gratifying thing. 　　On the side, seeing the King of Song revealing a smile, Lu Ting's heart was also relieved. 　　He had served the King of Song for many years, and was all too aware of how difficult his current situation was. Inwardly, he very much hoped that he would be able to move past this hurdle. 　　"Hehe, speaking of that third son of the Wang family? Lord Lu seems to favor him, huh?" 　　King Song looked at Lu Ting and suddenly laughed. 　　"Precisely!" 　　Lu Ting didn't shy away from admitting it frankly in front of King Song: 　　"That Wang Chong, at such a young age, has such vision and insight, it's really not simple. In time, the future is bound to be unlimited, or as a minister of the court is not certain. King of Song and the Wang family have always been friends, the Wang family out of the unicorn son, the King of Song in the future must be another big help. Isn't this something to be congratulated?" 　　"Lord Lu actually has such a high opinion of that Wang family sibling?" 　　King Song raised both eyebrows, truly surprised. 　　"Your Highness, if that Wang Chong merely recognized Bao Xuan's disguise, then he merely has a few moments of craftiness. Although this kind of person is rare, there are a lot of them in the capital. Moreover, even without this matter, I'm sure that Your Highness should have long been suspicious of Bao Xuan in your heart, right?" 　　Lu Ting said. 　　"Could there be another reason?" 　　King Song frowned, greatly puzzled. 　　"Although it seems that that Wang family sibling spoiled the meeting between Yao Guangyi and Wang Yan because of Ma Zhou's matter. But I always feel that this matter doesn't seem to be that simple." 　　Lu Ting hesitated for a long time before speaking. 　　"What?!" 　　King Song was creeped out. Even the old chief administrator whose breath was like an abyss next to him raised his pale eyebrows like a reclining eyebrow, revealing a look of surprise. Although Lu Ting hadn't explicitly said it, even he knew that if this brother and sister had deliberately gone to Guanghe Lou to sabotage it, then everything would be completely different! 　　If this was true, then Lu Ting's evaluation of these two siblings would not be high at all. Not only was it not high, it was low. 　　"Maester Lu, why do you feel this way?" 　　King Song sat up straight and said with a straight face. When Lu Ting talked about this matter, he had always treated it as something between children, but at this time, the feeling was completely different.