Chapter 109: Brother, We're Suffering a Huge Loss!

The existence of someone like Song Zhiyuan in the Song Mansion was a fact no one dared to overlook, including Song Zhiyu and his own son, Song Lingsu.

At that moment, seeing the patriarch淡淡地 express his disappointment in them, Song Lingsu immediately knelt down, lowering his head in shame as he said, “Father, your son has let you down.”

Song Zhiyu opened his mouth, stammering, “Big brother, this… we… we were caught off guard. We never imagined someone would scheme against us.”

“Don’t know?” Song Zhiyuan narrowed his eyes. “You are the sons of the Prime Minister’s household. Don’t you know what the Prime Minister’s mansion represents? The plots against you far exceed those aimed at any other family, simply because I am your eldest brother, Su’er’s father, Zhao’er’s uncle, and the Prime Minister of the Song family.”

“I’ve served as an official for over twenty years. To achieve my goals, I’ve used countless tactics. Likewise, I’ve made countless enemies. Many have tried to bring me down, to destroy me. Otherwise, how do you think the rumors spread that I am the Emperor’s blade?”

Song Zhiyu grew anxious. “Big brother…”

“If the Song family wants to continue its glory, to shine even brighter, it can’t rely on me alone. The hope lies with you. What I can do is hold this family together, but whether this glory continues depends on you—all of you and the generations to come.”

“So, you are the hope of the Song family. If that hope is destroyed, the Song family is destroyed. And yet you still say you didn’t know someone would scheme against us?” Song Zhiyuan’s stern gaze swept over Song Zhiyu and the younger boys.

Song Zhiyu knelt down. “Big brother, I was wrong.”

Song Zhiyuan snorted and motioned for them to rise.

“The Song family isn’t large in numbers. My political rivals, if they want to undermine me, will easily start with you. This little commotion I stirred up was just to warn you. Matters like this will only increase, especially as you grow older. The schemes will multiply.”

“Big brother, what you say makes my heart uneasy. This…” Song Zhiyu frowned. “From now on, do we have to be wary of every stranger we meet?”

Song Zhiyuan looked at the youthful faces before him, and his heart softened. They hadn’t been through much yet, lacked experience, and hadn’t faced serious storms.

“I’m not telling you to be paranoid and jumpy at every turn, like frightened birds. I just want you to be more cautious, to keep some reserve in everything, because you are the sons of the Song family.”

“Father (uncle), we understand,” the boys said, bowing respectfully.

Song Zhiyuan nodded, thinking this still wasn’t enough. When his second brother returned, he’d have to discuss the village accounts for the New Year and have the boys handle them. They should also be sent on official errands. Reading thousands of books isn’t as valuable as traveling thousands of miles. Sons who have weathered storms can withstand hardships far better than those raised solely in a grand mansion.

“Enough. This matter ends here. From now on, you uncles and nephews, brothers all, don’t panic when troubles arise. Always consult one another, because you are family.”

“We understand.”

Song Zhiyuan waved his hand and dismissed them.

Song Zhiyu took a few steps, then stopped and asked, “Big brother, was that little lady from the Bai family really your scheme to trick me?”

Song Zhiyuan raised an eyebrow. “Why?”

“I was still pure and innocent, you know?”

“Sounds like you’re quite regretful.”

“Of course I am! Brother, I gave her a hundred taels of silver in compensation, and I never even touched her, didn’t see anything. We lost big!”

Song Zhiyuan grabbed a book from the table and hurled it at him.

“Get lost!”

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