Chapter 1684: Chapter 1684: How to Deal with Him

Jiang Fula heard the fatigue and self-blame in Song Zhiyuan’s voice and felt a blockage in his heart, tears welling up in his eyes, as he stepped forward.

"Prime Minister, don’t blame yourself. You only spared him repeatedly because of brotherly feelings, not expecting Third Lord to be so heartless. Besides, since the beginning of summer, the disasters have been relentless, and you’ve been busy with state affairs in the palace without rest. When have you ever left the palace before it was too late? On some days, you didn’t even leave the Palace Gate, only to return for the early morning court sessions?"

Jiang Fula sighed, "As the saying goes, one person cannot split himself into many. You care for the country and its people, with your mind consumed by governance, naturally overlooking other matters. How can you blame yourself?"

Song Zhiyuan mockingly replied, "Your words are just excuses for my misjudgment, making me seem more incapable instead."

"I only speak the truth. If it wasn’t for his last name being Song, you wouldn’t have merely deposed him back then, but..." Jiang Fula said, "Forgetting Prime Minister, even I can’t understand why Third Lord would resort to such vile actions. No matter how much he hates, shouldn’t his anger be directed at you? What did Madam ever do to block his way?"

Jiang Fula genuinely felt Song Ci was innocent. Song Zhiqing had grievances, but shouldn’t there be a clear source and target for resentment? Why trouble Song Ci?

This was what Jiang Fula couldn’t comprehend. Could it be merely to avenge his birth mother’s unexplained death? But that shouldn’t be. He never thought of revenge when he was thriving, yet now when reduced, he is plotting intensely?

It’s illogical.

Could it be that being reduced, left him idle, prompting desperate thinking?

Song Zhiyuan still didn’t respond. If Old Third had that dream, naturally he believed Song Ci blocked his path, altering his fate and turning his life upside down.

But such a ridiculous dream could not be explained, even to a close confidant like Jiang Fula.

Song Zhiyuan vaguely said, "When someone is fixated on an idea, stubbornly pursuing, only gets more caught in a dilemma. He’s like that, convinced he’s right."

Just a thought away from heaven or hell.

And the concept of good and evil isn’t constant; it shifts with one’s circumstances and stance.

"Regardless, Prime Minister never dealt a fatal blow, preserving at least some brotherhood, but Third Lord... sigh."

Song Zhiyuan mocked himself with a cold laugh.

That he didn’t want Third Lord dead indeed matched Jiang Fula’s words—he spared him for bearing the Song name, even if half-blood, they were brothers. Most important was, though Old Third’s ambitions were wild, he didn’t harm the Song Family, didn’t cross his bottom line, thus only clipped his wings.

But after this incident, he realized how outrageously wrong he was; his kindness and leniency were all wasted.

Some people simply don’t deserve to be part of the Song Family.

Song Zhiyuan watched a lamp extinguish in the darkness, saying, "Though I intentionally allowed it, I gave him the chance he needed, yet he still chose the path to ruin. He has only himself to blame."

Jiang Fula’s heart skipped, licking his lips, he said, "Does the Prime Minister intend to?"

"Currently, the disasters persist everywhere, with refugees flooding into Shangjing, some rioters taking advantage to cause chaos. Some remote farms are forcibly broken into by mobs, losing wealth and lives; it’s nothing new."

Jiang Fula, having been with him for years, instantly grasped the meaning—using the mob to conceal the dealing with Song Zhiqing.

"Rest assured, Prime Minister."

Song Zhiyuan turned and entered the inner hall, as the lights down the mountain gradually extinguished, everything returned to silence.

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