Chapter 13: The Determined Prince Who Took the Initiative—What Are His Intentions?
Song Shiwei lifted her gaze—
Not far off stood a young man dressed in a pale blue brocade robe. Gentle sunlight draped over his jade-like face, scattering a delicate glow that was dazzling and handsome enough to make one reluctant to look away.
Song Shiwei and Song Mingting instantly recognized him as the neglected prince—Prince Ding, Bai Bohang.
Prince Ding’s mother was a similarly neglected consort, and even after giving birth to him, the emperor never elevated her status. He even entrusted Prince Ding’s upbringing to other concubines.
However, those concubines held little favor for Prince Ding, causing him to endure much hardship from a young age.
The siblings exchanged a subtle glance. Why had Prince Ding come here to see them?
They were about to bow in greeting.
But Bai Bohang stopped them.
His smile was gentle and warm, seeming quite approachable.
Yet Song Shiwei and Song Mingting knew well that Prince Ding’s survival to this day was no small feat.
It was well known that Prince Ding was a notorious playboy, yet the emperor never truly rebuked him, merely withheld favor.
“What brings Prince Ding to seek us siblings?” Song Shiwei asked directly.
Her mind raced; could it be that Prince Ding intended to ally with and use their father?
Though their father had been disgraced and his household confiscated, he still possessed certain secret cards and abilities.
Beyond that, she could conceive no other reason.
Bai Bohang’s eyes twitched slightly, a faint smile playing on his lips. “Do you wish to speak with me here at the clinic’s entrance?”
Seeing that many eyes were upon them both inside and outside the clinic, Song Shiwei thought briefly before inviting Bai Bohang to a private room in a nearby teahouse.
The teahouse, a private chamber.
Song Mingting took charge of brewing tea and keeping a watchful eye on Bai Bohang, ready to protect his sister at a moment’s notice.
From his perspective, Prince Ding’s sudden visit could only mean ill intent.
Song Shiwei sat calmly, her demeanor flawless. “Now, Prince Ding, will you speak?”
After a pause, she continued, “Prince Ding knows well that our family was disgraced and exiled for treason. If you associate with us, the emperor will surely punish you severely.”
Bai Bohang’s smile did not waver in the slightest.
He drew a document from his sleeve and handed it to Song Shiwei. “Miss Song, you may wish to examine this first, then decide if you want to talk further.”
Song Shiwei took the document, her heart filled with suspicion.
As her eyes scanned the contents, her pupils constricted slightly, and her grip on the paper tightened.
“Little sister?” Song Mingting leaned over to see.
Suddenly, he slammed the table, rage flashing across his face. “Damn it!”
“Second brother, sit down!” Song Shiwei pulled him back, her expression stern. “We are now criminals; you must hold yourself in check.”
Without backing or status, they had no choice but to swallow their pride in every trial.
Song Mingting sat, still seething, clenching his molars. “Little sister, it’s not that I can’t restrain myself, but these people are despicable.”
“When father was chancellor, he never harmed anyone and even helped many.”
“But to think those villains colluded with Princess Anning to frame our family for treason, and even sought our lives on the road to exile.”
The document named those responsible for their family’s ruin and detailed how they conspired with Princess Anning to falsely accuse them.
Song Shiwei remained comparatively composed. In the court, when interests clashed, even brothers turned against each other, let alone fellow officials.
She signaled Song Mingting to keep silent, then faced Bai Bohang, her gaze steady and unreadable.
“Prince Ding, why give this to me and not my father?”
She couldn’t quite grasp the meaning behind his move.
Logically, he should have handed this to her father, along with some incentives, to achieve his goals.
Bai Bohang set aside his usual casual demeanor and sat with noble poise.
A faint smile graced his lips, but it didn’t reach his eyes.
“It’s simple,” he said evenly, with a hint of certainty. “Compared to Lord Song, Miss Song would be more willing to cooperate with me.”
Now Song Shiwei understood his intent.
Indeed.
If Prince Ding sought to negotiate with her father using this document, he might not get the results he hoped for.
But with her, the circumstances might differ.
She considered this carefully, maintaining perfect composure.
Setting the document on the table, she lifted her teacup and sipped deliberately before speaking calmly, “Prince Ding, if my family were still secure, I might agree to cooperate.”
“But now, as we journey into exile, I will not.”
Bai Bohang seemed to have anticipated this; the smile on his lips deepened. “What if I could help exonerate the Song family and deal with your enemies?”
Song Shiwei furrowed her brow, her smile fading. “I don’t understand why Prince Ding would go to such lengths to win over my family.”
“You have such abilities; recruiting others should be easy.”
A cold glint flickered in Bai Bohang’s eyes, his tone unchanged. “Because the Song family is at its end.”
“Other families have ways to retreat; the Song family has none.”
Song Shiwei fell silent. Indeed, the Song family was at a dead end, with no escape.
Any further retreat would mean certain death.
Bai Bohang continued, “I’ll tell you one more thing— the Qin family is already moving in secret, trying to court Princess Anning.”
“The Qin family’s sudden actions seem linked to Consort Qin.”
“Consort Qin was exiled with you, so how does she maintain contact with the Qin family?”
Song Shiwei understood well that Prince Ding was deliberately revealing this.
He was letting her know he held much knowledge of the Song family’s affairs and could provide maximum security.
She tapped her thigh lightly with curled fingers, brows knitted. “Prince Ding, I still don’t understand.”
“With sufficient incentives, many would be willing to serve you.”
Bai Bohang knew it wouldn’t be easy to get Song Shiwei to cooperate now.
He never expected her to agree at once.
“Miss Song, take your time to consider.”
He clapped his hands lightly.
A servant entered carrying a large bundle.
He respectfully placed the bundle before Song Shiwei, bowed, and then retreated behind Bai Bohang.
“Miss Song, this is something I prepared for you—things you may find useful on your journey,” Bai Bohang said.
Song Shiwei accepted it without hesitation.
She had been wondering how to use the items in her space openly and now had her chance.
“Thank you, Prince Ding. I will remember this kindness,” she said politely.
Bai Bohang understood the nuance in her words: she was warning him not to use this favor as leverage against her family.
He studied this famed and talented young lady carefully.