Behind the wall, Song Zhiqing’s face was ashen with anger.

So it turns out all his supposed talent being suppressed was a lie. In her heart, was he really so inadequate?

He turned his head and saw Song Zhiyuan’s mocking gaze, and his face burned with shame, feeling scalding hot.

Silent ridicule is more humiliating than any slap in the face.

Not long ago, he even took action against the Lu family for Bai Shuilian’s sake and reprimanded his eldest daughter for being unfilial.

But now what does it all mean, his protection was all for nothing.

The more he had defended and valued Bai Shuilian, the more shame he felt now, his face swollen.

"Big brother..." Song Zhiqing mumbled.

Song Zhiyuan said, "The Emperor has always been wary of the remnants of the Xia clan, and so it is now. You were oblivious to the infiltration of such people around you, and fortunately, it didn’t cause significant impact. Otherwise, you couldn’t escape the blame for negligence."

Song Zhiqing’s face turned deathly pale, and his back felt a chill as he knelt down: "Big brother, you saw it too, I was completely in the dark. It was that wicked woman who always acted well, I had no idea of her true identity. You have to vindicate me, big brother."

The Emperor’s hatred for the remnants of the Xia clan was something he was well aware of. Wasn’t the former Director of the Ministry of War’s wife one of them? Even the Director himself had to graciously retire with imperial permission.

All of his elder brother’s warnings suddenly came back to him, causing his legs to tremble and shiver uncontrollably.

He had worked hard to secure his current position and had only sat in it for less than three years. He couldn’t afford to lose this official post.

Even if it meant being subservient to his elder brother, he had to plead.

"Big brother, I am your own brother, sharing the same father. You can’t possibly let me retire honorably like this. The Song Family has risen to prominence, but having brothers in court is stronger than fighting alone, and I am in the Ministry of Revenue." Song Zhiqing kneeled forward, clutching his brother’s legs.

Song Zhiyuan was thoroughly disgusted and kicked his leg: "Get lost." 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

Song Zhiqing was on the verge of tears.

"No matter that Nanny Quan has been executed, the fact that Bai’s master and servant perished in the guest house of the Xingshan Temple remains. Given your behavior yesterday, your feelings for her were indeed deep. After all, she was with you for a time and bore you a pair of twins; there is no merit but hard work, and affection is only natural."

Song Zhiqing scratched the floor tiles, thinking to himself, please stop talking, my blindness is evident, don’t talk about merit that makes me feel choked with anger.

"Regardless of Bai’s origins, those twins are your blood, Song Zhiqing, undeniably real. It does not affect the children, especially since one has already been used to the point of foolishness, which is already a grave offense." Song Zhiyuan said coldly, "Therefore, those children are not for you to touch. As for Bai, whether you miss her presence, or consider the children and spare her, or truly let her die in that wreckage, it’s your decision."

Song Zhiqing’s pupils slightly contracted.

What does this mean, is he letting him decide whether to eliminate this spy?

"Think it through carefully." Song Zhiyuan bent slightly and said, "If you decide to spare her, arrange it properly, lest someone someday uncovers her past involvement with you."

Song Zhiqing swallowed hard.

Song Zhiyuan straightened up, looked towards the door, and instructed, "Take the third master to the dark cells."

Someone entered silently, stood by Song Zhiqing, and made a gesture of please.

Song Zhiqing: "..."

Could he refuse, since his elder brother already had all the information, why not just deal with the person directly instead of making him choose?