"Second Brother, this... we can't understand a word you're saying."
Song Yu appeared visibly distressed, stomping his feet and slapping his forehead. "You must be worried about Yan Zheng's wedding—don’t worry, the ceremony is already complete."
Song Shihuan nodded in agreement. "That’s right. Just now, I even heard Sister-in-law say... she plans to help Eldest Brother expand the family line as soon as possible."
At Song Shihuan’s cutting remark, the Crown Prince struggled even more violently, his muffled sounds growing more frantic.
Though no one could decipher his exact words, everyone present pursed their lips.
Such foul language.
Even Song Yu couldn’t help but take a step back. Yelling at him wouldn’t change anything.
"Second Sister-in-law, given Second Brother’s current state, we’ll have to trouble you to care for him," Song Yu sighed. "As for court affairs, we brothers will handle them in his stead. He needn’t worry."
With that, he strode off with Song Shihuan in tow, leaving behind the furious Crown Prince and the scheming Prince Chu.
"What a mess—and on such a joyous occasion, too." Prince Chu gave the Crown Prince a helpless glance before departing the Eastern Palace with his Princess of Chu, thoroughly pleased.
As the crowd dispersed, the Crown Princess also rose slowly.
"Take care of His Highness. I’m feeling rather faint and exhausted—I’ll return to Li Garden now."
Did they really expect her to stay and wait on him? In their dreams!
Yan Zheng and Chang Ling'er retired to their bridal chamber.
Song Yanchao and Song Yanming slunk back to their own courtyards with their tails between their legs. As for Song Xiyan... preoccupied with the fear of losing face at the upcoming girls' academy, she had no attention to spare for the Crown Prince.
In the blink of an eye, only a handful of servants remained to tend to the Crown Prince.
......
"A stroke?"
Emperor Yuanyou set down his vermilion brush at Wu Qi’s report.
So young—how could he have suffered a stroke?
After hearing the full account of the Eastern Palace’s misfortunes, the Emperor’s lips twitched. "What kind of cursed day is this?"
"Your Majesty... today is the most inauspicious date of the year."
Emperor Yuanyou’s eyes widened. The date he’d casually chosen turned out to be disastrously unlucky?
"Who was it that came to consult Us that day? Why didn’t they remind Us? How utterly careless."
Song Yu’s voice rang out, his long legs the first thing in sight.
"Exactly! Consort Hui didn’t warn Us either," Emperor Yuanyou immediately echoed. No matter what, the fault could never lie with the Emperor.
It was Consort Hui’s oversight!
"Consort Hui is still new to these matters—she must have overlooked it," Song Yu said smoothly. "But with Second Brother incapacitated for the time being, what does Father plan to do about his court responsibilities?"
"As for Us... We’ve grown quite adept at reviewing memorials lately."
Hearing Song Yu’s blatant hint, Emperor Yuanyou couldn’t even be bothered to call him out.
If this rebellious son could handle all the memorials himself, he’d use the imperial seal as a paperweight for him tonight!
"You focus on managing the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of War. The rest, We intend to delegate to the Third and Fourth Princes."
Song Yu feigned distress at this.
Emperor Yuanyou shot him a disapproving glare. "The tallest tree catches the wind. If We gave you everything, what would the other two do? Their attention must be divided—otherwise, your Qin Prince’s Mansion would be in danger."
"So Father is protecting me."
Song Yu’s cheeky grin made Emperor Yuanyou shut his eyes—out of sight, out of mind.
"In that case, many thanks, Father."
Song Yu came and went like a whirlwind. Watching his retreating figure, Emperor Yuanyou fell into deep thought.
The Eastern Palace... had become increasingly disgraceful.
With such a scandal, the officials must already harbor doubts about the Crown Prince.
It was time to consider alternatives.
......
Upon returning to Prince Chu’s Mansion, Song Yu was immediately drawn by the sound of music.
The mansion’s opera stage had been abandoned for months—who would dare bring in performers without his permission?
His brow furrowed as he strode toward the stage.
"Betrayed by my stepmother, left alone and destitute all these years—"
Song Yu felt his soul nearly leave his body at the lyrics.
Seeing Shen Qingping utterly engrossed in the performance, Song Yu demanded, "What is this?"
Were they trying to send him off to the afterlife?
"This is the opera troupe the Young Mistress specially invited. They’ve adapted your past into a play," Shen Qingping explained, enthralled. "You have to admit—it really highlights how tragic your life was."
"Yes, very tragic."
Song Yu exhaled sharply—one more verse and they might as well be singing his obituary.
"Father!"
Song Shihuan bounded over to him. "Father, I thought this would be the fastest way to improve your reputation among the people of Da Qi."
"Our Ah Huan is so clever."
Song Yu’s smile was stiff. Ah, his daughter cared for him far too much.
"Once Father achieves great deeds in the future, I’ll adapt those into plays too! The whole of Da Qi will know how magnificent my father is."
Hands on her hips, Song Shihuan looked positively triumphant.
Song Yu swayed slightly, as if already envisioning his glorious future.
Ah Huan’s idea... wasn’t half bad.
"Ah Huan, don’t worry—this Prince will certainly accomplish great things!"
Fired up, Song Yu even personally reviewed the script.
"Here—emphasize how wretched I was back then, how I didn’t dare show my face in public, weeping day and night."
"And here—you haven’t exposed the Eastern Palace’s hypocrisy enough."
Watching him, Song Shihuan suppressed a smile and retreated.
Now that Father’s name had been cleared, all eyes were on him.
If he could distinguish himself now, Prince Qin would shed his reputation as a wastrel forever.
From the shadows, Shen Qingping gave her a thumbs-up before whispering, "Young Mistress, could you persuade His Highness to review more memorials?"
Ever since he’d been handed that responsibility, his life had become miserable.
Song Shihuan tilted her head. "Of course! I plan to adapt your scholarly achievements into a play too. We’ll have them performed everywhere—it’ll be a great honor for you."
"Me... me too?"
Shen Qingping’s complaints about the memorials vanished instantly, his breath catching.
"Naturally. You and the Qin Prince’s Mansion are one. Any future accomplishments of yours deserve to be sung across Da Qi."
Her earnest expression made Shen Qingping wipe his face.
"Young Mistress, I just remembered—there are still memorials waiting. I’ll go attend to them now."
Performed across the entire kingdom?
This was a chance to earn his own chapter in the family annals!
