The Xu Household.
Upon hearing that the secondary empress had been deposed, Elder Lady Xu fell gravely ill in her distress.
She remained unconscious for several days before finally waking.
"Mother, please drink your medicine."
Since the incident involving Lin Jiao'er, Xu Jinruo had become thoroughly subdued. Despite Elder Lady Xu's repeated warnings, he had not engaged excessively with the Eastern Palace.
The mere thought of the Eastern Palace's current predicament sent chills down Xu Jinruo's spine.
Fortunately, the Xu family had narrowly escaped disaster, avoiding the same fate as the Chang family.
"How are things in the palace? The Eastern Palace... and the Qin Prince's Mansion..." Elder Lady Xu spoke weakly, her voice trembling. "What a calamity... to think it was all her scheming back then."
Furious, she pounded the bed with her fists.
The Xu family had failed to raise their daughter properly.
"Mother, the Emperor has bestowed Chang Ling'er upon Yan Zheng. They were wed yesterday," Xu Jinruo paused before continuing, "The Crown Prince has suffered a stroke, and the Crown Princess has been demoted to a concubine."
"As for Prince Qin, the Emperor publicly cleared his name during the morning court session."
Tears welled in Elder Lady Xu's eyes. "All these years... Prince Qin has suffered so much."
"Mother, how should the Xu family conduct itself from now on?"
Xu Jinruo voiced the question that had plagued him for days.
"The secondary empress reigned for so many years, yet she was cast aside in an instant," Elder Lady Xu sighed. "From now on, before you act, ask yourself—what would Empress Yuan have wanted the Xu family to do?"
"You mean... we should support Prince Qin?"
Elder Lady Xu nodded.
Her aged voice carried the wisdom of decades. "Only by standing united with Empress Yuan can the Xu family rise further."
"I understand. Thank you for your guidance, Mother."
......
Time passed swiftly, and soon it was the anniversary of Empress Yuan's death.
Due to the deposition of the secondary empress, this year's memorial rites were far grander than usual. According to palace regulations, on the day of the anniversary, all princes were to bring their families to pay their respects to Empress Yuan.
The order of offerings was also strictly dictated.
Emperor Yuanyou was in an especially somber mood today, entering the chamber alone to speak with Empress Yuan for a long while.
Outside, a crowd knelt in solemn silence.
Song Yu glanced up at the blazing sun, then at Song Shihuan's flushed cheeks, and couldn't help but grumble inwardly.
Was His Majesty going to take much longer?
They were all still waiting out here.
Perhaps due to "father-son telepathy," Emperor Yuanyou soon emerged, his gaze settling on Song Yu. "Take Ah Huan inside to kneel and pay respects to your mother."
"Your mother"—a term reserved only for one's lawful wife.
Song Yu led Song Shihuan inside, where they knelt, bowed, and lit incense.
Thank you, Grandmother, for ensuring Father's vindication after all these years.
Song Shihuan prayed fervently in her heart.
As they stepped out, Song Yu's eyes flickered toward the Eastern Palace's designated spot.
The Crown Prince, now bedridden from his stroke, was absent, leaving only Song Yanzheng and his siblings waiting in place.
Yet, the worse the Eastern Palace fared, the more satisfied Song Yu felt.
Seeing Song Yu emerge, Song Yanzheng instinctively moved to enter the chamber, only to be stopped by the Master of Ceremonies Eunuch.
"Why are you blocking us?" Song Xiyan demanded sharply.
"Second Princess, by protocol, imperial grandchildren born of concubines must wait until all legitimate descendants have paid their respects before entering together," the eunuch replied.
At his words, Song Yanzheng and the others turned ashen.
"Prince of Chu, Fourth Imperial Grandson, and Third Princess, please proceed."
As Song Xiling passed Song Xiyan, their eyes met. In that moment, Song Xiyan felt nothing but humiliation.
They had assumed their mother's demotion would affect only her.
They never imagined they, too, would be reduced to illegitimate children of the Eastern Palace.
Even Song Xiling now stood above them in status.
Let alone the Qin Prince's Mansion's sole daughter...
Only after the Prince of Qi and Song Xiyao had completed their rites were the concubine-born grandchildren permitted to enter. Surrounded by unfamiliar faces, Song Xiyan fought back tears.
In the past, these illegitimate descendants wouldn't have dared to even look at her.
"Elder Brother..." Song Xiyan's eyes reddened.
"We'll discuss this back at the Eastern Palace," Song Yanzheng hissed through gritted teeth, barely maintaining his composure.
All of this was observed by Song Shihuan, whose lips curled into a triumphant smile.
How the tides had turned. Those who once swaggered in arrogance now cowered under the weight of legitimacy.
Served them right.
After the ceremony, Emperor Yuanyou returned to the Purple Dawn Hall.
Song Xiyan caught sight of Song Shihuan's smile and took it as mockery.
"Song Shihuan, are you enjoying our humiliation?" she sniffed. "Don't forget—you share the same blood as us."
"Second Sister is mistaken. Eldest Sister is the daughter of the Qin Prince's Mansion, a noble of highest standing."
An unexpected voice interjected. Song Shihuan's eyes flickered at the sight of Song Xiling, who now carried herself with none of her former timidity.
In just days, she had transformed completely.
Song Xiling stepped before Song Xiyan. "Eldest Sister has no ties to the Eastern Palace."
"Song Xiling, who do you think you are?" Song Xiyan's face twisted, her voice shrill.
"Indeed, I am merely a legitimate princess of Great Qi—hardly comparable to Second Sister," Song Xiling enunciated each word, as if reclaiming years of suppressed grievances.
Song Xiyan tried to retort, but Song Yanzheng dragged her away.
"I never realized Third Sister was so eloquent," Song Shihuan remarked lightly. "A testament to Third Aunt's upbringing."
"Thank you for the praise, Eldest Sister."
Song Xiling met Song Shihuan's gaze squarely. With the secondary empress deposed, power in the palace now lay with her grandmother, Consort Hui.
Her father had also gained the Emperor's favor.
Her mother had said it—the Prince of Chu's Mansion would rise, and she need no longer grovel before anyone.
"Second Sister is proud by nature. She'll likely rage for days after this," Song Xiling expected Song Shihuan to join her in mocking their shared adversary.
Instead, Song Shihuan merely smiled faintly before following Song Yu away.
Behind them, resentment flashed in Song Xiling's eyes, her fists clenching within her sleeves.
No matter.
Everything Song Shihuan had now—she would have it too, one day.
......
The sky hung heavy with gloom.
In the Purple Dawn Hall, Emperor Yuanyou set down his memorial, his voice low. "Wu Qi, accompany me to Jingsi Palace."
Jingsi Palace.
Wu Qi's eyes flickered. Today was Empress Yuan's memorial day—why would His Majesty visit the deposed empress's prison?
Hands clasped behind his back, the Emperor cast a long, deep look at the portrait of the woman before striding out.
Wu Qi hurried after him.
