"What does Your Highness mean by this?"
The butler did not understand the reason and asked again.
"The Baili family possesses a secret manual, hidden in a concealed location. This manual is no ordinary item. If I can obtain it, I will be like a tiger with wings, far surpassing my current capabilities."
"It just so happens that both young masters are staying at the Baili residence. It's perfect for having the people around them take action."
As Song Gang mentioned this matter, his eyes gleamed with a reddish hue, clearly indicating that the secret manual was no simple object, but likely a treasure.
Since the butler was one of his trusted people, Song Gang did not conceal anything, seeing no need to hide his affairs.
Song Gang picked up a brush and wrote two letters, placing them into envelopes.
The butler, being practical, brought two carrier pigeons, tied the letters to their legs, and released them.
The butler watched the pigeons fly in the direction of the Baili residence, indicating that Song Gang had planned this long ago.
Song Gang looked in the direction the pigeons flew with great satisfaction, believing the secret manual he longed for was within his grasp.
"Then, Your Highness, do the two young masters know about what you are doing?"
Song Gang stroked his beard and smiled without speaking.
These matters, naturally, had to be entrusted to a reliable person. As for this reliable person... Song Pan Yang was certainly not within that scope.
...
Meanwhile, within the Baili residence,
The butler of the Baili residence arranged an excellent room for Song Wuji, adjacent to Song Yu'er and Song Pan Yang. However, its location was far superior to Song Yu'er's room.
This location faced a rock garden, and upon opening the door, one could see the Baili residence's lake. It was backed by a hot spring, making it very convenient and accessible.
In essence, Song Wuji was able to secure this room thanks to the actions of Song Pan Yang and Song Yu'er.
If not for the excessively hostile attitudes of Song Yu'er and Song Pan Yang, the butler would not have considered Song Wuji a good person. Now, it seemed he was indeed extraordinary, capable of gaining favor through indirect tactics. However, such favor was truly hard-earned for the Baili residence.
Song Wuji was sitting in his room, enjoying the fresh air of nature, when a white pigeon suddenly landed on his desk.
The pigeon had gray feathers and a red beak, its features too distinct. This was clearly a pigeon kept by the royal residence.
Song Wuji frowned. Why was his father sending him a letter at this time?
He reached out, caught the pigeon, removed the letter tied to its leg, and then released the pigeon.
A mere pigeon would not easily leave any trace.
Song Wuji opened the letters and read them carefully. As he read, his brow furrowed. It seemed his father could no longer wait and was about to make a move.
But why the urgency? They had just moved into the Baili residence today, and his father was already planning to act?
As he pondered this, his attendant noticed his unusual expression and stepped forward, asking softly, "Young Master, what did His Highness say?"
Song Wuji shook his head and handed the letters directly to the attendant behind him.
To his surprise, the attendant's eyes lit up with excitement upon seeing the letters.
He was a loyal guard trained by His Highness, naturally prioritizing His Highness's will. However, now that he was serving the eldest young master, and the eldest young master himself was not one to engage in conflict and preferred peaceful resolutions, they had not had many opportunities to be of use. This had caused the guards some frustration. Little did they expect that upon entering the Baili residence, His Highness would assign them a task. It seemed His Highness had not forgotten them.
"Why are you so excited?"
Song Wuji said coldly.
His opinion differed from his father's. His father always favored fighting, while he always advocated for peace, which indirectly led to a less than ideal relationship between father and son.
"Please forgive me, Young Master."
Sensing the displeasure on the other's face, the attendant immediately knelt. After all, he was now the young master's attendant, and his loyalty to His Highness might cause dissatisfaction in his current master.
"Get up."
Song Wuji glanced at him, intending to say nothing more. This person would not be loyal to him.
"Young Master, should this matter be disclosed to the second young master and the county princess?"
The attendant stood up, feeling a bit awkward. Being distracted was probably enough to displease the young master. To ease the awkwardness, he glanced at Song Wuji again. Seeing no change in his expression, he dared to speak again, asking,
"No, there's no need to tell them. If such a matter were discovered, it would likely be detrimental to both of them. Therefore, remember not to tell them. If I find out they know about the secret manual, you'd better watch your head."
Song Wuji said coldly. This time, he was truly angry.
Although Song Pan Yang was always causing trouble, and Song Yu'er was spoiled and willful, they were still his younger siblings. The less they knew about certain matters, the safer they would be. He couldn't let them know the inside story and potentially lose their lives. Their father was no easy person; when ruthless, he could even disregard his own children.
"Yes."
The attendant's forehead was covered in cold sweat, and he said with a trembling voice.
"You may leave!"
...
At night, the dogs in the residence barked incessantly. The butler came out to check several times, thinking thieves had entered, but found no trace. He could only give the dogs some medicine, fearing they would disturb the masters' rest.
However, the butler was unaware that two figures in black had already entered Master Baili's room.
The figures in black rummaged through the room, but Master Baili remained unaware. However, the figures in black also failed to find any secret manual and eventually left the room, returning empty-handed.
An uneventful night had passed.
On this day,
Gu Qianying, having a rare moment of leisure, was playing with the child in the Baili residence's back garden.
Although Xiao Yihao usually acted like a little adult, children were bound to be playful.
Ouyang Qinglin had gone out to the market and brought them two kites. Xiao Yihao saw a kite for the first time and was playing with great abandon, completely ignoring Lu Zhu beside him. This displeased Lu Zhu, who had to ask Gu Qianying to coax her a bit.
"Don't be angry like him. Children are playful."
After all, Lu Zhu was still a child at heart.
As they chatted and laughed, they noticed someone approaching.
Upon seeing the true identity of the person who arrived, Gu Qianying's face turned cold.
The person was dressed in a blue robe, wore a golden coronet, and a nine-dragon jade pendant, presenting himself as a suave young master.
The arrival was Song Pan Yang. He was a man who would not give up until his goal was achieved. Seeing Gu Qianying's beauty, he naturally did not want to let her go. Furthermore, with Lu Zhu beside her, who was also considered a beauty, Song Pan Yang was a romantic young master. Countless women in the entire Western Region City had been harassed by him. It was Gu Qianying's misfortune to catch his eye.