TFSRITA Chapter 32

Song Yu lifted his head, and his gaze immediately fell on the dazzling figure. A trace of pain flashed across his face as he said, “Your Majesty, I have collected all the evidence against the officials involved in the corruption of the prefecture. When will Your Majesty be able to arrest them? Every day that their embezzled wealth remains unaccounted for, hundreds of people in the prefecture are dying of starvation!”

The prefecture was a large area, and when Song Yu was in office, he was only the magistrate of a small county within it.

Six months ago, when a disaster struck the prefecture, the number of victims reached tens of millions. Many people were displaced. The court allocated five million taels for disaster relief, which was a significant sum. However, Song Yu discovered that less than one million taels reached the victims.

Where did all that money go? It could only help a small portion of the people.

This was especially the case because Song Yu was from the Song family, and his county received priority for relief. Initially, he did not notice the problem. It wasn’t until later, when he saw more and more disaster victims arriving, that he realized the relief funds he received had long been exhausted.

When people are starving, they will do anything.

The situation worsened, and Song Yu could no longer resist the urge to investigate. His investigation revealed the truth, and coincidentally, Yan Qing entered the palace at that time. He intended to thoroughly investigate the matter and use it as leverage to have Yan Qing leave the palace.

However, after being chased back to the capital and submitting the evidence, the case had become so extensive that officials in Chang’an were involved. Song Yu had to continue his investigation, which lasted three months.

Now, everything was ready, and he was just waiting for the emperor’s decree to arrest the culprits. Unfortunately, the emperor had been busy with the selection and had not attended court!

Song Yu was anxious and, having heard that the favored consort would be present at the selection, decided to take a risk and enter today to see how his beloved was faring in the inner court.

He was desperate for the emperor’s decree mainly because some of the officials involved were beyond the reach of the Dali Temple.

Song Yu’s blunt remarks filled the room, but most people in the inner court were unaware of these matters and thus did not react much.

Yan Qing was also unaware.

As has always been the case, noble women did not need to know these details.

Only the Empress Dowager’s expression changed slightly, but no one noticed as everyone’s attention was on the young man before them.

Song Yu was the most distinguished young man in the Great Qian Dynasty. When people spoke of a gentleman as refined as jade, they were referring to him.

Yan Qing found herself in agreement.

From her memories, it seemed that the original owner had cherished this man so much that only a vague image remained. Perhaps she would recognize him upon meeting him, but in reality, Yan Qing had never really formed a clear image of him in her mind and therefore could not be in awe.

At this moment, as Song Yu raised his head and revealed his appearance, Yan Qing saw him.

His complexion was fair, his features handsome, with thick brows and large eyes. His cheeks were softly contoured, his lips slightly thin but not overly so, everything was just right. He was lean, with a slightly protruding Adam’s apple, but his figure was unexpectedly upright and well-shaped.

He was not like Ji Yecheng, with his wild and unrestrained demeanor. Song Yu’s slightly lowered eyelids conveyed a sense of gentleness and humility.

After Song Yu finished speaking, Ji Yecheng’s temples throbbed. Noticing Yan Qing’s seemingly infatuated gaze, his eyes darkened with killing intent. However, a cold breeze brought him back to his senses, and he said coldly, “I will issue the decree. Now get out!”

He was ready to kill, but he lacked a valid excuse at the moment.

Moreover, the Song family was not something he could act against impulsively.

“Yes,” Song Yu nodded and, upon hearing this, turned to leave.

He did not look at Yan Qing again throughout.

As he left, his hand hanging by his side moved slightly.

It seemed he wanted to turn back, but his reason restrained him.

“Master Song!” A small exclamation was heard.

Yan Shao encountered Song Yu by the lotus pond in the Imperial Garden.

Yan Shao’s surprise was genuine; she never expected to meet him here. Since their arrival in the capital, she had been involved in the selection and hadn’t seen him for three months.

“Miss Yan,” Song Yu responded politely with a nod, his brows and eyes gentle, though his demeanor was distracted, as if he was preoccupied with something.

Yan Shao had come to enjoy the scene. Although she was fond of Song Yu, she was also curious about the emperor, who, despite his brutality, attracted many women’s admiration. She had missed him yesterday due to other matters but came rushing over today.

And she happened to run into Song Yu.

However, his indifferent response made Yan Shao bite her lip, looking at him with frustration.

Song Yu, however, walked away directly.

He was tall, and his strides covered twice the distance of an average person’s, so he quickly passed by Yan Shao.

From Yan Shao’s position, she could vaguely see a few people on the platform, including Yan Qing.

It must be because of her!

Yan Shao could not quite articulate her feelings, but a wave of bitterness surged within her. At that moment, a woman who had always been antagonistic toward her mocked, “Oh, speaking so affectionately, do you really think Master Song would look at you twice?”

Yan Shao glared at the woman with gritted teeth and then turned to look at the elegant young man, who, despite his dazed state, still maintained an upright posture and a distinguished demeanor. Determined, she rushed forward, “Master Song, I have something to—ah!!!” she screamed.

Everyone looked over and saw a woman in pink clothes fall, stumbling forward and accidentally pulling the young man from the lotus pond into the water.

The cold water shocked Song Yu out of his daze, and he found himself surrounded by chaos.

What was happening?

“Help!” The pond was somewhat deep, almost up to a person’s neck. Yan Shao, who couldn’t swim, swallowed a couple of gulps of water while desperately clinging to the man beside her and shouting.

Yan Qing had been paying attention to the scene, not out of choice but because her body instinctively focused on Song Yu.