Chapter 565 - 532: Blackmail (Part 1)

Chapter 565: Chapter 532: Blackmail (Part 1)

Yuanbao was torn for several days, but eventually couldn’t hold back his emotions. This evening, he happened to run into Song Wei who was seeing the doctor off as he returned from the Divine Soldier Bureau. He stood without moving until the doctor walked away before turning his gaze to Song Wei, "Can we... can we talk?"

Song Wei maintained the gentle smile he had shown the doctor earlier, "Where shall we talk?"

Yuanbao was taken aback, seemingly surprised by Song Wei’s calm reaction.

The lack of emotional fluctuations from the other party oddly made Yuanbao’s tone lighter, easing much of his tension.

"An old acquaintance is at Junyue Inn," he said. "They’ve been here for several days, and I think it’s time to meet."

Song Wei looked at the young man in front of him, fifteen years old, already shoulder-high.

The once proud and mischievous child had vanished without a trace.

At this semi-mature and immature age, he gradually began to break away from the elders’ protection, enjoying choices adults couldn’t make for him.

Yuanbao’s background in Ningzhou was not a secret. Song Wei had not been surprised that one day this child would come to him with questions, so when this day arrived—much earlier than he anticipated—his response was rather calm, not losing control.

Upon hearing that the young master wanted to go out, Duan Yan quickly had the doorman prepare the carriage.

Yuanbao invited Song Wei, and the two sat in the carriage one after another.

Before meeting Wang Xiaolang, his attitude toward Song Wei was quite courteous, although the courtesy seemed distant due to the absence of calling him "father."

Inside the carriage, once Yuanbao sat down, he remained silent.

Conversely, Song Wei, with a serene expression, looked at him and inquired about the situation at the Divine Soldier Bureau.

Yuanbao answered truthfully, and once the cabin fell into silence again, he tugged at his lips, "Aren’t you curious about who I’m going to meet?"

Song Wei’s lip corners curved slightly, "No need to ask."

No need to ask, was it because of an inherent trust? Trusting that he wouldn’t harm him or put him in danger.

Yuanbao didn’t respond.

Before Wang Xiaolang came to Beijing, he always believed he and his third uncle would be a perfectly harmonious father-son pair enviable to others.

Now, Wang Xiaolang’s arrival undoubtedly shattered his trust in his third uncle.

This realization made him restless.

The two voices in his mind arguing about whether to meet or not were still in conflict.

As the carriage approached Junyue Inn, Yuanbao suddenly said, "How about we don’t meet? It’s not a pressing matter anyway."

Song Wei looked at him, "If you don’t meet, aren’t you afraid you’ll leave with regret?"

"With a person who doesn’t matter, there’s no regret to speak of."

When Yuanbao said this, he never looked directly at Song Wei.

His guilty conscience was visibly apparent.

The struggle was too blatant.

Song Wei lifted the curtain to look outside, the flag of Junyue Inn was not far ahead.

"Since we’re here, let’s meet."

During the conversation, the carriage gradually stopped, Song Wei bent over, protected his injured hand, and slowly descended.

Yet Yuanbao was nowhere to be seen.

The driver was about to speak when Song Wei stopped him with a look.

Afterward, Song Wei remained silent, quietly waiting outside, calmly watching the passing pedestrians.

Yuanbao struggled inside for a long time, ultimately decided to lift the curtain and come down.

Song Wei asked him, "The acquaintance is in this inn?"

Yuanbao nodded.

"Have you ever visited him?" Song Wei asked again.

Yuanbao tightened his fingers, "Never."

Fearful.

That day when Wang Xiaolang went to the Divine Soldier Bureau and said those words, his mind was already in turmoil, and he nearly fell out with Zhao Xi. He feared hearing unpleasant words from that person’s mouth would cause him to lose control again.

Song Wei relaxed his brows, "It’s alright, let’s go up."

"Okay."

Leaving the driver to wait outside, Yuanbao led Song Wei into the inn, inquired about Wang Xiaolang’s room position at the counter, and the two walked up the wooden stairs.

Zhao Xi arranged people to keep an eye on Wang Xiaolang mainly to prevent him from running out and spreading rumors recklessly. However, this person was unruly; staying in the inn he required daily good wine and food and insisted on finding two pretty maids to serve him.

At this moment, just as Yuanbao and Song Wei reached the top of the stairs, they heard laughter coming from a particular room.

Two guards stood outside the room, expressionless, ignoring the situation inside.

Upon seeing Yuanbao, they bowed, "Young master."

"No need to guard here anymore, you may leave first." Yuanbao instructed, "Express my gratitude to His Highness for me."

The two exchanged glances and bowed farewell.

After those two guards descended, Yuanbao reached out and knocked on the door.

The teasing sounds inside abruptly stopped, Wang Xiaolang shouted at the door, "Who is it?"

"It’s me."

Yuanbao’s voice carried a chilly undertone.

Wang Xiaolang, who was hugging a beauty, shivered all over. He remembered the whip marks on his back that hadn’t yet healed, and hurriedly pushed the woman aside to get up and open the door.

As the door opened, Yuanbao immediately saw the scene inside.

Jewels adorned a jade tray, the aroma of wine overflowed, silken curtains swayed from the ceiling revealing the indistinct figures of two maids in thin clothing, bare-chested, likely accustomed to serving people in such a manner; unafraid even when stared at, they fixed their clothes and gently and barefootedly walked over to pay respects to the people outside.

Yuanbao’s brows furrowed tightly, his gaze shifted to Wang Xiaolang’s face, "Is this your request?"

Normally self-disciplined, Zhao Xi wouldn’t casually touch anyone, so how could he arrange maids for someone else.

At the sight of Yuanbao, Wang Xiaolang recalled his fierce demeanor when hitting people and felt somewhat afraid, waving to let the maids withdraw.

Upon seeing Song Wei beside Yuanbao, his gaze flashed a malicious grin, "Sanlang, it’s been years, are you well? Do you remember who I am?"

Song Wei said nothing, stepping into the room.

Yuanbao closed the door behind him.

Wang Xiaolang, frightened they might trick him, shouted sternly, "You better not do anything to me, or in less than a night, the truth about Song Sanlang killing his brother and sister-in-law will spread all over the streets. I’m just a small rogue; if my reputation is gone, it’s gone. You are different, losing your reputation—Beijing might no longer tolerate you."

Song Wei hesitated slightly, looked at him, and spoke, "What do you want?"

Wang Xiaolang hadn’t expected Song Wei to be so straightforward, curled his lips, "Hush money, naturally the more the better. But for Yuanbao’s sake, I won’t make it difficult for you, thirty thousand taels of silver—as long as you hand me every penny, I assure you will never see me again."

Hearing this, Yuanbao’s face immediately darkened, glaring at Wang Xiaolang, "You!"

"Yuanbao, you see?" Wang Xiaolang laughed twice heartily, "Song Sanlang is the one who killed your biological parents. If it weren’t for him back then, you wouldn’t have become an orphan without parents. If he wasn’t guilty, why would he be so kind-hearted to raise you as his own? Fifteen years, has Song Sanlang ever told you the cause of Song Dalang couple’s death? He doesn’t dare; he’s the Song family’s sinner!"

Yuanbao’s face showed displeasure, "Weren’t you here to claim kinship?"

Wang Xiaolang burst into laughter, "Traveling all the way from Ningzhou to Beijing for kinship, do you think I’m stupid? Dare to tell you, I’ve already bribed people ahead of time—all it takes is for them not to hear from me in three days, and the story of Song Sanlang killing his brother and sister-in-law will be spread. Therefore, you only have three days to prepare, thirty thousand taels of silver, not a penny less."

Facing Yuanbao’s angry gaze, Wang Xiaolang raised his eyebrows, "Nephew, don’t blame me. Your parents died so unjustly back then—two lives for thirty thousand taels of silver isn’t excessive at all for Mr. Song whose career is smooth. If you’re going to blame someone, blame him for being cursed with calamities everywhere, being an ominous person born with bad luck!"

At this moment, Song Wei, who had been silent all along, spoke, "Two lives for thirty thousand taels isn’t expensive, but you don’t deserve the money."

Wang Xiaolang’s face twisted with rage, pointing at him, "Song Wei! Don’t force me!"

Song Wei’s tone remained steady, "If you hadn’t come to Beijing, I wouldn’t be able to pressure you."

Ignoring Wang Xiaolang’s murderous look, Song Wei slowly raised his head, "If I’m correct, your parents perished in that earthquake years ago. With nowhere to go post-disaster, you wandered the streets, yet couldn’t shake off your gambling addiction, accumulating debts because of it. Your visit this time is to blackmail me for silver to pay off gambling debts."

Upon saying this, a cold smile appeared on Song Wei’s face, "You said you weren’t afraid to spend time with me. Now, I return this statement; you try and see whether your rumors are more potent or the creditors are fiercer."