Chapter 516 — The Ancestral Hall

"Indeed!" Xia Lian could not help but let the corners of his mouth curl into a smile. "The Second Master had best make himself ready quickly and come with me to see the Duke of the Realm, so as not to keep everyone waiting."

It was like seeing hope of escape in the midst of nine deaths.

Song Han said over and over, "Good, good, good."

Xia Lian could not even be bothered to help Song Han up. He pried Song Han's hands away and walked straight out.

The serving women stepped forward smiling, helping him undress, comb his hair, and change his clothes.

Song Han was overjoyed and did not mind that the women were unfamiliar faces. "Where did you ladies serve before? Do you know where my father is waiting for me? Is my brother with my father?"

The serving women only smiled and said nothing, their hands deft and quick—one look told that they were well used to attending on others.

Song Han knew well how strict the household rules were and asked no further questions. He let the old women fuss over him and dress him properly, then stepped out of the firewood shed.

The sky outside was a deep, washed blue, so clear it lifted the spirits to look at it.

He drew a deep breath, then caught sight of the seven or eight burly guards flanking Xia Lian.

The smile froze on Song Han's face.

Xia Lian acted as though he had noticed nothing. "Second Master, this way, please!" he said with a smile, turning toward the direction of the Osmanthus Court.

The smile returned to Song Han's face, and he no longer resisted the guards crowding around him as he had before.

They rounded the main hall and walked on, stepping onto a flagstone path lined on both sides with cypress trees.

Song Han halted abruptly, a flicker of alarm in his face. "Where are we going?"

"To the ancestral hall!" Xia Lian said with an easy smile. "His Grace the Duke and the Heir Apparent are both there waiting for you, Second Master."

"Waiting for me?" Song Han's eyes drifted around the surroundings. "Waiting for me to do what?"

"It seemed they had something to say to you," Xia Lian said. "As to the particulars, this servant would not know."

Song Han hesitated.

Xia Lian smiled. "Second Master, the ancestral hall is barely a hundred feet from here. Whatever it is, would you not find out by simply asking His Grace when you see him? If you offend His Grace by being late on that account, it would only make things worse."

His tone was gentle, touched with a hint of coaxing, which set Song Han's mind somewhat at ease. And besides, he was hemmed in by guards on every side—even if he wanted to run, he would have to be able to!

Song Han went with Xia Lian to the ancestral hall.

The moment he stepped through the door, he saw Song Cen, his face overcast, and Lu Chen, the eldest master of the Lu family, wearing a remote expression.

Then he looked at Song Yan, who was seated below Lu Chen.

Song Han's heart gave a lurch.

If they wanted to discuss something with him, why come to the ancestral hall instead of the study? And why summon someone from the Lu family as well...

He quickly looked to the seats below Song Cen.

Song Maochun and the others either bent their heads over their tea or sat with lowered eyes, and not one of them greeted him.

His face went ashen in an instant.

"No, no, no." Song Han backed away. "I did not collude with the Prince of Liao. It was Father who sent me to the Fragrant Hills Villa. I know nothing..."

Matters had come to this, and still the wretch babbled on. No wonder Dou had said the only course was to strike first and drive him out of the household.

Song Cen was beside himself with fury and shot a fierce glare at Zeng Wu, who stood nearby.

Zeng Wu started, then hurried forward and clamped a hand over Song Han's mouth. "Second Master, this is the Song family ancestral hall! You must not speak so wildly, or the ancestors of the Song family will not be pleased."

Song Qin frowned as he watched.

Whatever fault Song Han had committed, how could Zeng Wu, a household servant, treat him this way?

His lips parted slightly, and he was about to reprimand Zeng Wu, when to his surprise his younger brother Song Qin tugged at his sleeve and whispered in his ear, "Leave it. Be careful you do not get burned yourself."

Song Qin was still hesitating when several stout servants stepped forward, deftly stuffed a cloth into Song Han's mouth, and pressed him to the ground.

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Sisters and brothers, here is today's update.

o(n_n_o)~

ps: I wonder whether all you girls with home-leave passes have made it safely back to your parents' side?

※rs