“That’s enough!”
Master Leng raised his hand slightly, “We’re all family, no need for such formalities!”
“Yes, yes!”
Song Jinshan smiled broadly, reseated himself, “What method does Master Leng have in mind?”
“Feigned death!”
Master Leng said in a deep voice.
“Feigned… feigned death?”
Song Jinshan’s eyelids twitched abruptly, looking at Master Leng in disbelief.
Master Leng smiled, “Let me explain it to you slowly!”
With that, Master Leng began to tell Song Jinshan his plan.
The plan was simple: Song Jinshan and his daughter would pretend to be driven to a dead end by Shen Jing, setting fire to their cloth shop and turning to ash along with it!
Before they acted, Master Leng would send people to dig a secret passage in advance, and once the fire started, they would be escorted to escape through the passage.
This fire had to be very large!
It had to ensure that a large number of weaving girls were burned to death along with it.
In addition, he would also arrange for people of similar age and build to be burned to death.
Only then could it be truly convincing and make the matter bigger.
Before setting the fire, they could also have someone leak the news, saying that they were forced to this point by the despicable means of the Su Family and Princess Qinghe, and that they would rather die than let the Su Family and Princess Qinghe’s schemes succeed, and so on.
Thus, Princess Qinghe would certainly be fine, but Shen Jing would inevitably become the scapegoat!
Even if Shen Jing was barely protected by the Su Family, he would certainly not have an easy time.
Meanwhile, they would secretly escort Song Jinshan and his daughter out of Luochuan Prefecture, sending them to the Prince’s subordinates to serve the Prince under new identities!
Listening to Master Leng’s plan, Song Jinshan’s eyes immediately gleamed!
Brilliant!
Absolutely brilliant!
Not only could it disrupt Shen Jing’s scheme, but it could also deliver a harsh blow to Shen Jing!
Even if it didn’t kill Shen Jing, it would certainly disgust him thoroughly!
Amidst his joy, Song Jinshan asked again, “What about Song Rui?”
“You don’t have to worry about him.”
Master Leng said sternly, “Your family has more than one cloth shop; even if one is burned down, there are others! With such a big commotion, the imperial court, for the sake of its reputation, might very well continue to let Song Rui be a Tribute Merchant! Even if he can’t be a Tribute Merchant, his life won’t be in danger!”
“Right, right!”
Song Jinshan was overjoyed, saying with admiration, “Master Leng is indeed formidable!”
Master Leng chuckled, then said to Zhao Jianzhi, “By the way, it would be best if Zhao Ying also faked his death with them!”
“Ah?”
Zhao Jianzhi was stunned, subconsciously asking, “Why?”
He understood in his heart that the feigned deaths of Song Jinshan and Song Lianxin were, in fact, real deaths!
How could he let his own son die with them?
“To make the Zhao Family a victim too, understand?”
Master Leng glared at Zhao Jianzhi, “Your son also perished in the fire, so if the Su Family or Princess Qinghe still want to retaliate against you, that would be a bit unreasonable! Besides, Zhao Ying and Song Lianxin were already engaged, we can’t possibly separate them, can we?”
As he spoke, Master Leng subtly winked at Zhao Jianzhi.
Zhao Jianzhi pondered for a moment, then immediately understood.
Master Leng was using Zhao Ying to dispel Song Jinshan’s suspicions!
After all, if his own son was also “feigning death” with them, what more could they be suspicious of?
Moreover, if Zhao Ying was also “burned to death,” he himself would gain a bit more of a tragic aura!
This would be even more conducive to him taking over the position of Prefect of Huaizhou!
It had to be said, Master Leng’s thoughts were truly meticulous!
“Right, right!”
Song Jinshan immediately echoed, “Master Leng’s considerations are indeed thorough! This way, it benefits our in-laws and also avoids separating these two children!”
As Song Jinshan spoke, he once again cast an admiring gaze at Master Leng.
The Prince’s top strategist was indeed extraordinary!
His consideration of matters could truly be described as all-encompassing!
“Indeed!”
Zhao Jianzhi nodded, “Then let’s proceed as Master Leng suggests!”
Seeing Zhao Jianzhi agree, Song Jinshan felt even more delighted and said, “My in-law, I want to visit Song Rui to give him some instructions. Do you have any way to arrange that?”
“This…”
Zhao Jianzhi lowered his eyebrows in thought, and a sudden idea sparked in his mind.
Excellent!
He was just worrying about how to get rid of Song Rui!
Isn’t this like someone bringing a pillow when you’re sleepy?
After a moment of contemplation, Zhao Jianzhi frowned and said, “You heard Lord Feng’s order! It might be a bit difficult to visit Song Rui!”
“However, Lord Feng didn’t say you couldn’t send him food!”
“You can bribe the jailer who delivers his prison meals, on one hand, to ensure Song Rui eats better in prison!”
“On the other hand, you can write down what you want to tell him on a piece of paper, hide it under the prison meal, and let Song Rui see it…”
Song Jinshan thought about it.
Hmm, under the circumstances where he couldn't visit Song Rui, this was indeed a solution!
Thinking this, Song Jinshan immediately agreed, “Then let’s do that! If the jailer is difficult to deal with, I’ll have to ask my in-law for help.”
“No problem, no problem!”
Zhao Jianzhi chuckled, then sighed, “We’ve been driven to a dead end by Shen Jing this time, and only this way can we find a path to survival! When you’re under the Prince’s command in the future, you must serve him with all your heart and soul!”
“Rest assured, my in-law, we will definitely serve the Prince well!”
Song Jinshan solemnly promised.
“That child, Zhao Ying, I’m entrusting him to you as well.”
Zhao Jianzhi reminded them again.
If you’re going to put on a show, you have to do the whole thing!
Only then could Song Jinshan truly believe their words!
At noon, Song Jinshan, in high spirits, stayed at the Zhao Residence and had a drink with Zhao Jianzhi and the others.
Taking this opportunity, Zhao Jianzhi and Master Leng gave Song Jinshan some more instructions.
After the meal, Song Jinshan, with a relieved heart, returned to the Song Family and told Song Lianxin about their plan.
“This is indeed a good idea!”
Song Lianxin’s eyes sparkled with an unusual light, “Working under the Prince is our first step to getting rid of the Zhao Family!”
“Yes, that’s what I thought too!”
Song Jinshan said with a chuckle, “If you catch the eye of the Prince or the Heir Apparent, our family will soar to great heights!”
“Father! What are you saying?!”
Song Lianxin, uncharacteristically, showed a hint of shyness.
Yet, faintly, there was also some anticipation.
Once they left, they would have to start all over again!
If she could gain the favor of the Prince or the Heir Apparent, she would finally have the capital to seek revenge on the Su Family and Princess Qinghe!
“What’s there to be embarrassed about?”
Song Jinshan smiled dismissively, “This is our opportunity, and you must seize it! We can’t be trampled underfoot and live by others’ whims forever!”
Song Lianxin thought for a moment, nodded gently, and then asked, “Which cloth shop will we dig the secret passage from?”
Song Jinshan said with a chuckle, “We’ll first decide on a location. Once it’s chosen, the digging of the secret passage can be left to the people Master Leng brought.”
“Once the secret passage is dug, we’ll send the news to your brother!”
“As soon as we establish ourselves under the Prince, we’ll have him come and join us quickly!”
“It’s ultimately unsafe for him to remain in Luochuan Prefecture alone.”
Song Lianxin pondered with lowered eyes, then nodded in agreement…