The Country Maiden: Fields and Leisure-Chapter 1672 - 1666: Bold Speculation

These things aside, Song Chongjin didn’t really show any emotion, it was only when he heard that the County Monarch Rongyi had died while Sixth Master Gao was still summoning prostitutes in the brothel, that he revealed a hint of disdain.

He wasn’t moved at all by Lady Gao handing over all those assets and personnel.

He just calmly said, "Since she dares to give them, we shall accept them. From now on, you will manage these. If those she left behind are sensible and useful, keep them. If they are insensible and want to cause trouble, or still think of their old master, expel them!"

"Now we have gradually got enough personnel, in a couple of years, after training more, it won’t be a worry. By then, if someone isn’t handy to use, just replace them! No need to feel wronged!"

Wang Yongzhu nodded. She had this plan in mind, but since she had just taken over, she hadn’t figured out the bottom line, so she needed to hold her ground first. 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎

First, to see the capabilities of these people, to clearly see whether they are sensible or not.

Secondly, having just taken over, replacing everyone at once would leave her short-handed.

Considering various factors, Lady Gao’s assets are still staffed by her people, which she had expected, but within two years, all kinds of hidden motives might reveal themselves.

After talking about Lady Gao’s matters, the couple tacitly shared the same attitude towards Lady Gao and her remaining personnel.

With Song Hong around, Lady Gao can’t stir up trouble, even if she has other plans and thoughts, Song Hong will ensure she achieves nothing.

Song Chongjin and Wang Yongzhu have already gained prominence, how would Song Hong bear to let such excellent heirs face trouble?

No matter what Song Hong’s thoughts might be at this moment, Song Chongjin and Wang Yongzhu cannot afford any mishaps; he is clear on this.

Therefore, Song Chongjin isn’t much worried about the situation in the Capital City.

It was only because Wang Yongzhu previously mentioned that Lady Gao had disclosed a secret to her, which led her to agree to take over Lady Gao’s assets and settle the old people.

Based on what he knew about Wang Yongzhu, if it wasn’t an earth-shattering secret, Wang Yongzhu wouldn’t have agreed to Lady Gao’s terms.

His intuition told him that this secret likely concerned himself.

Taking a deep breath, he steadied his mind and spoke, "Tell me, is the secret Lady Gao shared related to me?"

Wang Yongzhu nodded and softly conveyed the secret about the Qi Family that Lady Gao had relayed, and the knowledge Sister Zhao possessed.

After speaking, she watched Song Chongjin’s characteristically impassive face reveal a look of shock, unable to recover for a long while.

He finally regained his senses, even speaking was somewhat stilted: "You... you’re saying the downfall of the Qi Family is connected with Qi Le? Qi Le, who put aside her position as Crown Princess Consort and the future queen, actually followed the former emperor’s orders and became a spy? To seduce the Great Prince of the Grasslands?"

The last two sentences were uttered in a subdued voice, almost whispered.

If not for Wang Yongzhu being close and having sensitive hearing, she might not have heard clearly what Song Chongjin was saying.

Wang Yongzhu nodded, "I suspect Qi Le must have reached some kind of agreement with the former emperor, or Qi Le might have had leverage held by the former emperor, thus being forced to agree."

Song Chongjin slowly regained composure, pondering the information Wang Yongzhu shared for a while.

He then said, "Regarding the transaction between Qi Le and the former emperor, the Qi Family probably knew nothing about it, and Qi Le seemed to have little affection for them, or perhaps even resentment..."

Wang Yongzhu stated, "I think Qi Le is an incredibly powerful, rational, and eerily calm woman. Even knowing the Qi Family suffered complete ruin because of her, being exiled here largely to lure her out, she understood this, but didn’t fall into the trap! She rather watched the Qi Family survive in exile, suffering to death, keeping her heart hardened, never appearing in front of them."

"Perhaps she once sent agents, only they never appeared before the Qi Family!"

Song Chongjin opened his mouth due to feelings towards Qi Huan and Song Hong, slightly harboring a better impression of the Qi Family.

Besides, regarding the deceased members of Qi Family, they shouldn’t have been like this in his perspective.

From his heart, he hoped Qi Huan’s family was innocent, not harboring such unspeakable secrets.

Yet what happened shattered the hope dwelling deep within him.

He had to admit Wang Yongzhu’s words made sense; Qi Le was indeed cold-hearted. Normally, if one’s house was searched, relatives exiled to the border nearby, having the ability, one would take a chance at least to try.

Or try to rescue the Qi Family members, or send them some messages?

But none occurred! Based on information held by Song Chongjin and the Emperor’s stance, it’s inferred Qi Le never initiated contact with the Qi Family.

She was so cruel and heartless to her own flesh and blood!

In the end, the Qi Family perished entirely in that place of exile.

Were they aware their own daughter was not far away on the grasslands, powerfully positioned as a Great Prince’s Consort, now the Great Consort of the Grasslands, how would they perceive it?

Sadly, they were dead! Apart from Qi Le and Song Chongjin, who shares half Qi Family blood, the Qi Family lineage was severed.

Song Chongjin chuckled bitterly: "Unexpected, truly unexpected! If my mother knew Qi Le was like this, I wonder—"

Unable to help herself, Wang Yongzhu interrupted Song Chongjin’s last bit of fantasy: "Haven’t you realized or guessed yet? Did your mother really escape from the Capital City alone, evading the Song Family’s spies, arriving safely in Jing County, relying solely on her own ability? Who informed your mother about Song Hong’s deceit? Who delivered that letter?"

"Initially, I suspected it was the County Monarch Rongyi, but now I realize it’s not likely. The news was probably delivered by Qi Le’s people. Those people probably arranged your mother’s escape route from the Capital City, safely escorting her to Jing County."

"Only it’s unknown why your mother met with trouble afterwards, where those people ended up, and the item your mother carried, neither belonging to the Qi Family nor what the Royal Family pursued; it boldly suggests, maybe this item concerns Qi Le!"

Wang Yongzhu’s analysis, though boldly astonishing initially, upon careful reflection contained some rationale.

Song Chongjin considered the Small Golden Seal, recalling his reading of history books, various rumors and accounts, now speculated more about the Golden Seal.

Connecting it with Qi Le’s status, along with her transaction with the former emperor, a rather bizarre speculation arose, but he quickly dispelled this frightening guess.