Ministers Begging Me to Ascend the Throne

Chapter 696: Chapter 342: Duke Zhen is Having a Headache_2

Li Jue didn’t believe the Song Family would help Prince Jing without a reason. There had to be some undisclosed reason behind it.

"That’s right, if you continue to support the Crown Prince and Duke Zhen, then you are the enemies of our Song Family." Song Qingyun’s expression remained gentle, and his tone was amicable, but his words were sharp. "We’ve been allies for so many years, I don’t want us to turn against each other because of the Crown Prince and Prince Jing." As he spoke, he looked at Li Jue, "You are a smart person, you should know what outcome awaits if you go against our Song Family."

Li Jue’s face went cold immediately: "Are you threatening me?"

Song Qingyun wasn’t afraid of Li Jue. He looked at Li Jue without fear and admitted frankly: "Yes, I am threatening you. Is it worth opposing our Song Family for the Crown Prince and Duke Zhen?"

Fang Zhimiao’s face was as gloomy as water.

"Even if all your families unite, you’re not a match for our Song Family." Song Qingyun kindly reminded Li Jue and his people, "The consequences of offending our Song Family are not something your families can bear. Of course, if you are determined to be the Crown Prince’s lackeys, then don’t blame our Song Family for being ruthless."

Li Jue and Fang Zhimiao never intended to be lackeys for the Crown Prince and Duke Zhen from the start. Although they weren’t willing to, it didn’t mean they wanted to be threatened or intimidated by Song Qingyun.

Song Qingyun continued to stare at Li Jue: "I know you’re incredibly smart and capable, but it’s not difficult for our Song Family to get rid of you."

Li Jue didn’t speak, but there was a murderous intent in his eyes.

"Our Song Family just wants the imperial examination to be held smoothly in Jinling, and hope you don’t threaten the children of humble origins. Of course, if you are willing to participate in the exam, Prince Jing would be very welcoming." Song Qingyun had a look of amicable intent, "Also, we don’t want you sending money to the Crown Prince and his supporters anymore. Whatever the Crown Prince and Duke Zhen promised you, Prince Jing can provide as well. I hope you consider it carefully."

"Song Qingyun, what kind of potion did Prince Jing give you to make you support him this much?" Fang Zhimiao felt like he suddenly didn’t recognize Song Qingyun. He had grown up with Song Qingyun and knew his character well. The old Song Qingyun only cared about making money and was indifferent to matters unrelated to profit. He had never spoken harshly to them, let alone threatened them.

Song Qingyun was like a big brother to them, always taking care of them and being tolerant. The sudden change in attitude was hard for Fang Zhimiao to accept.

"I never saw you support Prince Jing like this before. Song Qingyun, what’s happened to you?" Fang Zhimiao was very confused, "Your Song Family has stood strong for hundreds of years because you never got involved in court affairs, and now you’re supporting Prince Jing’s contention for the throne. Are you crazy?"

Song Qingyun sighed inwardly. If they could, they wouldn’t support Prince Jing, but this time they had no choice but to help him.

"We have unspeakable difficulties."

Li Jue asked coldly, "What difficulties?"

Song Qingyun returned to his usual demeanor towards Li Jue and the others. He sighed lightly and said, "Since it’s an unspeakable difficulty, how can I tell you?"

Fang Zhimiao speculated: "Does the Song Family have some leverage held by Prince Jing?"

Song Qingyun sneered: "Does Prince Jing have that capability?"

Li Jue said, "Then it’s the Empress."

Song Qingyun shook his head and replied, "It’s not the Empress."

"Then who is it?" Fang Zhimiao was anxious, "Brother Yun, given our relationship, can’t you tell us?"

"This is a secret of our Song Family, how can I tell you?" Song Qingyun softened his tone, "The reason I threatened you earlier was that I didn’t want to be your enemy."

Fang Zhimiao asked very seriously: "Brother Yun, does your Song Family have no choice but to support Prince Jing?"

Song Qingyun nodded slightly: "We have no choice but to support Prince Jing!"

Fang Zhimiao looked at Song Qingyun and then at Li Jue.

Li Jue remained silent, with a stern expression.

"What I threatened you about earlier was not just talk, you should think it over." Song Qingyun stood up and said, "I should be going back now."

After Song Qingyun left, Fang Zhimiao immediately asked Li Jue, "What should we do next? Should we continue to cooperate with the Crown Prince and oppose the Song Family, or should we stop cooperating with them and maintain friendship with the Song Family?"

"What do you think?"

"Compared with the Crown Prince, the Song Family is naturally more important, but we’ve invested a lot of effort into the Crown Prince over the years. If we suddenly abandon them, wouldn’t everything we did be in vain?"

The more Fang Zhimiao thought about it, the more perplexed he became: "What did Prince Jing do to make the Song Family support him so wholeheartedly?"

"It’s not Prince Jing, nor the Empress. Who has the power to make the Song Family support Prince Jing so much?" Li Jue, who was more informed about the Duke Mansion’s situation, said, "In the Duke Zhen Country Mansion, only Duke Zhen and his son are clever, the others are all incompetent. None of them should have the power to make the Song Family listen."

Fang Zhimiao speculated: "Perhaps there’s an extraordinary person hidden in the Duke Mansion we don’t know about."

"Impossible, if the Duke Mansion had such a person, they wouldn’t keep it secret." Li Jue tapped the small table before him lightly, looking thoughtful, "Most people in the Duke Mansion support the Crown Prince, barely anyone supports Prince Jing."

"If you say so, then it’s not someone from the Duke Mansion."

Fang Zhimiao’s words enlightened Li Jue. He looked surprised and said, "Then it might be the Old Duke Duchess. She’s from Jinling and part of the Jin Family. The Song Family used to have a special relationship with the Jin Family."

"That really is possible."

Li Jue confirmed: "It seems to be related to the Old Duke Duchess."

"The elders at home might know about the relationship between the Old Duke Duchess and the Song Family. We’ll ask when we get back." Fang Zhimiao thought of Song Qingyun’s previous remarks and frowned, "The sudden support from the Song Family for Prince Jing really puts us in a difficult position."

"This matter needs careful consideration."

"Whether to continue cooperating with the Crown Prince and others can be postponed, but the matter of the imperial examination can’t be delayed by the Song Family." Fang Zhimiao was right, since there weren’t many days left until the examination. "Moreover, the Song Family has already made their move. With their support, those impoverished scholars certainly dare to apply."

Besides Li and Fang families, even Prince Wei was very surprised by the Song Family’s support for Prince Jing.

The Southern Wei people hiding in the Song Family immediately reported the news to Prince Wei.

After hearing it, Prince Wei was very shocked. He hadn’t expected that the Old Duke Duchess would leave such a significant support from the Song Family for the Empress and Prince Jing.

The Old Duke Duchess was indeed capable.

"Prince, should we stop the Song Family?"

"Stop the Song Family for what? Let the Song Family accompany Prince Jing in making trouble, that makes it interesting." Prince Wei thought about how Duke Zhen and the Crown Prince would react upon knowing the Song Family’s support for Prince Jing, and found it very amusing. If he guessed correctly, the Crown Prince was currently losing his temper in the East Palace, while Duke Zhen was having a headache.