Chapter 60 Has She Actually Lost Her Mind?

Just for what Lady Li had done, he could never forgive her.

Bai Bohan snapped his fingers.

Immediately, someone dragged Lady Li not far away to be interrogated.

Bai Bohan glanced at Song Shiwei and said to Father Song, "Lord Song, Eldest Miss Song is simply too exhausted. If this continues, her health will collapse."

Father Song was filled with remorse and self-reproach. "Please rest assured, Prince Ding. From now on, we will not let Shiwei work so hard."

Song Mingting and the others quickly gave their assurances.

"I will shoulder the corresponding responsibilities and obligations to let Eldest Miss have a good rest."

"In the future, aside from recovering her health and handling major matters, Eldest Miss should not worry about anything else. Just leave it to us."

The family quickly agreed on a division of labor, arranging even the specific tasks each person was to do.

Seeing this, Bai Bohan raised the outer corners of his eyes high. He thought he finally understood why Song Shiwei went to such great lengths to protect her family.

If he had a family like this, he would also do whatever it takes to protect them.

"Lord Song, there is one more matter..."

He mentioned the poisoning. "Song Shilan is not the one who truly poisoned her."

"I figured Eldest Miss Song probably wouldn't tell you about this, so I thought I would mention it."

Father Song’s expression darkened, and his brows furrowed tightly. "That means there is a traitor among us!"

As soon as the word "traitor" was uttered, Song Mingting and the others looked at each other.

Then, someone blurted out, "Who is so utterly devoid of humanity as to collude with outsiders to harm their own family!"

Bai Bohan, "..."

This was somewhat different from what he had expected.

Song Mingwu let out a soft hum. "Combined with the matter concerning Lady Li, I have a feeling that someone is pulling strings in the shadows, yet their traces are completely untraceable."

"However, geese leave footprints; how did the other party manage to leave no trace at all?"

Regarding this point, no one present could figure it out for the moment.

Bai Bohan said in a deep voice, "They must have used some special methods."

As for what kind of special methods, it was hard to say for now.

Father Song had also thought of many things, but missed the crucial point. "In that case, from today onwards, let's keep a sharper eye out."

"In addition..."

He glanced at Song Shilan, who was lying on the ground, and said to Song Mingting, "Go talk to Song Shilan and tell her about how she was being used and plotted against."

Song Mingting’s expression was displeased. "Father, do we really still have to keep Song Shilan around?"

"She is a scourge; keeping her brings far too much harm."

Father Song replied, "If we lose this chess piece named Song Shilan, do you think those people won't arrange someone else?"

"Is Song Shilan easier to control, or someone else?"

Once Song Mingting’s mind turned the corner, he went over to talk to Song Shilan.

Father Song bowed to Bai Bohan, expressing deep gratitude. "Thank you, Prince Ding, for extending a helping hand today. I will remember this kindness."

Bai Bohan said indifferently, "Lord Song doesn't need to be so polite."

"You and I are in a cooperative relationship; it is only right that I help your family."

Father Song did not take his words entirely at face value. Cooperation was cooperation, but it wasn't the reason Prince Ding had traveled such a long distance here.

His gaze swept over his eldest daughter, and a hypothesis formed in his mind.

"Prince Ding, what is the current situation in Mingdu?"

Bai Bohan once again recounted the situation in Mingdu.

Father Song thought deeper and saw through things more thoroughly than Song Shiwei. "The Emperor is finally making his move."

"I suppose that once the Emperor resolves these matters, it will be Princess Anning's time to die."

This time, Princess Anning's rebellion had given the Emperor a fine excuse to purge the court officials.

Based on his understanding of the Emperor, his anger was real to an extent, but not quite as furious as it seemed; rather, he was likely rejoicing at having such a convenient pretext.

Bai Bohan said sternly, "In other words, all of the Emperor's superficial actions are just a facade to purge the court officials?"

Father Song said, "It has already been some time since Princess Anning's so-called rebellion."

"I reckon that within these few days, the Emperor will find an excuse to dispose of a few court officials who actually hold real power."

"These officials belong to the category of those who possess real power and whose families are sufficiently large and influential."

Bai Bohan thought of many things in an instant, and a plan gradually took shape in his mind. "If that is truly the case, then I must admit the Emperor is playing a massive game of chess."

Father Song sighed. "The purpose of the Emperor's game is to gather all supreme authority into his own hands, reducing his ministers to mere servants working at his command."

This was something he only figured out after his family's assets were confiscated and they were exiled.

The Emperor intended to firmly grasp everything in the entire dynasty into his own hands, turning everyone into his slaves.

This was the major reason why the Emperor had deliberately indulged Princess Anning.

Having an arrogant and domineering princess as a shield made it infinitely easier for the Emperor to carry out certain actions.

Take his family's affair, for instance; everyone believed it was a joint effort between Princess Anning and Cui Jing, and would never suspect the Emperor.

To the greatest extent possible, this allowed the Emperor to preserve his own reputation and face.

Bai Bohan felt as though the clouds had parted to reveal the sun; some matters he hadn't quite understood were now crystal clear.

"Lord Song, might I ask your advice on a few matters?"

Father Song rubbed his temples, forcing himself to muster his energy. "Prince Ding, this way, please."

He gave a few instructions to Song Mingxiang before leading Bai Bohan aside to talk.

Song Mingxiang tended to the unconscious Song Shiwei while assigning tasks to the rest of the family.

"We are going to settle down here for today. Pitch the tents where they belong, and get the cooking started."

He remembered something and added, "Prince Ding seems to have brought a physician along. You should consult the physician on how to brew the medicine for Eldest Sister."

Although none of the family members felt entirely well, not a single one complained of hardship or weariness, or refused to work; everyone diligently attended to their own tasks.

Aunt Chun and Song Shiyue came before the physician, very politely asking for instructions on how to brew Song Shiwei's medicine.

As soon as they finished consulting the physician, they saw Song Mingting walking over with a gloomy expression.

"Second Brother?" Song Shiyue stood on tiptoe to glance at Song Shilan, asking curiously, "Second Brother, what happened?"

Song Mingting rubbed his face, softening his tone slightly. "Song Shilan was cursing Shiwei over there and made me furious."

<div>"Besides, she seems a bit unhinged, probably from being too severely stimulated."</div>

Song Shiyue's eyes rolled, and she said craftily, "Second Brother, crazy people can do all sorts of unexpected things."

Song Mingting didn't quite catch her drift. "You mean...?"

Song Shiyue lowered her voice, speaking with profound meaning, "Why don't we provoke Song Shilan from time to time and let her stir up trouble?"

"Perhaps that way, we can figure out who the traitor is."

Regarding this, she remained deeply puzzled; their family had always stayed together, and aside from Song Shilan, no one else had acted abnormally.

How was the poison administered? And how was the traitor bought off?

Aunt Chun stepped closer and chimed in, "I have a better idea that might help us find the traitor sooner."

Song Mingting and Song Shiyue asked in unison, "What idea?"