Chapter Twenty-One: Prime Minister Song's Scolding—Sharp Words Without Vulgarity

Song Zhiyuan left the Imperial Study, leading a group of attendants carrying medicinal herbs bestowed by the Emperor of Chu, and walked out through the palace gates.

“Prime Minister,” Jiang Fulai stepped forward to greet him.

Song Zhiyuan said, “His Majesty has rewarded some nourishing medicines to help Mother recover her health. Show the gifts to the two little angels.”

Jiang Fulai responded respectfully, bringing along a servant named Fuquan to receive the items from the hands of the two young eunuchs, then smilingly slipped two silk purses to them.

The eunuchs beamed with delight, thanked him, and turned back toward the palace.

Song Zhiyuan stepped onto the carriage using a stool, entered, and closed his eyes to rest. His expression was calm and unruffled, but the string of gleaming ebony prayer beads in his hand was being turned faster and faster, one bead after another.

“Send someone to the city to gather all the rumors about Mother’s illness from these past couple of days. Every detail, large or small, must be compiled,” he said from within the carriage.

Jiang Fulai quickly replied, “Yes, Prime Minister.”

In the Imperial Study, the Emperor of Chu listened to the report from the commander of the Dragon Guard, waved him away, and let him withdraw.

“Song Yunzhi is still so witty and humorous. His way of mocking is more piercing than outright insults. I imagine Chancellor Fan must feel as if he’s swallowed a fly right now—utterly uncomfortable,” the Emperor of Chu said with a laugh.

The Imperial Study was otherwise empty, save for him and Chief Steward Zhou Sheng; it was clear the remark was intended for Zhou.

Zhou Gonggong adjusted the dragon’s-dawn incense in the gilded six-sided crane-topped burner and smiled, “That’s why, when the remnants of Gao the traitor’s forces occupied Jiangxia and threatened Chu with a divided rule, Prime Minister Song went alone as a messenger and debated with them all—a story still told with admiration today. Outsiders say, never try to quarrel with Prime Minister Song; he can scold you without a single curse word and leave you fuming, yet the one embarrassed is always yourself.”

The Emperor of Chu laughed even more heartily at this, recalling the past. “Indeed. When I was young in my family home at Yuhang, I still remember how he once berated a pedantic scholar. How did it go? Ah, he said: ‘Could you stop shaking your head? It’s full of water, sloshing around.’ The scholar was so incensed he left in a huff. Song was only thirteen at the time.”

“It seems the Prime Minister honed this skill from a young age—perhaps with some help from Your Majesty’s guidance,” Zhou Gonggong added playfully.

The Emperor of Chu’s expression softened further, absent-mindedly playing with his thumb ring. “In the blink of an eye, decades have passed. Yun Zhi and I are both becoming grandfathers, yet there are still some stubborn old officials in the court, like Chancellor Fan’s faction, who fiercely oppose my reforms. Thankfully, Lady Song has weathered this crisis. Otherwise, I would truly be alone.”

Zhou Gonggong dared not comment on state affairs, so he spoke only of Song Ci: “Lady Song is indeed blessed. Perhaps she was truly overwhelmed with joy this time and needed a moment to recover. Her health has declined, and age has caught up with her—how could she compare to her youth?”

“It’s all the hardship she endured in the past. She wouldn’t even allow herself a mouthful of meat,” the Emperor of Chu sighed. “Select some more fine herbs from the Inner Court and send them to her. With her alive, Yun Zhi and I have the chance to accomplish more.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

The Emperor stood. “Prepare the carriage for the Palace of Benevolent Peace. My mother is also concerned about Lady Song’s illness.”

“Understood.” Zhou Gonggong swept his horsetail whisk and sang out in a high voice, “Prepare the carriage for the Palace of Benevolent Peace!” Then he bent his body, extending his arm for the Emperor to rest upon.

By the time Song Zhiyuan returned to the Prime Minister’s residence, the imperial gifts had already arrived. Besides the Emperor’s, there were those from the Empress Dowager, and the ladies of various palaces, having heard the news, sent nourishing gifts of their own. All were carried to Song Ci’s Hall of Spring Radiance.