"I understand. You may leave now."
Song Yanzheng's tone was indifferent, making Song Xiyan and the others uneasy.
Outside the house, Song Xiyan couldn't shake the feeling that Song Yanzheng's gaze had been unsettling—she had never seen such an expression on him before.
"Second Brother, Third Brother, did we go too far just now?"
"Xiyan, do you really want to spend every day waiting on Father, wiping the drool from his mouth and helping him turn over?" Song Yanchao sighed. "It's not that we're unfilial, but our studies are too demanding."
The image of the Crown Prince lying motionless in bed flashed through Song Xiyan's mind, and she quickly shook her head.
She had no desire to exhaust herself caring for their father.
"Eldest Brother is... letting him fulfill his filial duties will reflect well on him in Imperial Grandfather's eyes." Song Yanming chimed in, feigning concern for Song Yanzheng.
"Third Brother is right. With Imperial Grandmother gone... I can only rely on you two from now on."
The last trace of guilt in Song Xiyan's heart vanished, and the three swiftly left the Crown Prince's courtyard without a backward glance.
Half an hour later, Wu Qi arrived at the Eastern Palace.
"Eldest Imperial Grandson, His Majesty decrees that since the timing of the deposed Empress's passing clashes with that of the late Empress, no public mourning rites shall be held. Private memorials are permitted."
A mocking smile curled at Song Yanzheng's lips. "Thank you for the reminder, Eunuch Wu."
Death snuffed out a life like a candle, and now even a memorial hall was forbidden.
Imperial Grandfather truly was ruthless.
After Wu Qi left, Song Yanzheng sat by his father's bedside, his face twisted with fury. "Father, Imperial Grandmother doted on Yanchao and Yanming while she was alive, yet just now, I didn’t see a single tear from them."
"They refuse to serve you now, but I will." Song Yanzheng picked up a cloth and gently wiped his father's face, his eyes burning with madness.
He had consulted Mei Zhilin—there was a sixty percent chance his father could recover from his stroke.
He had the patience to wait until his father regained his former health.
Then, faced with one filial son and three ungrateful children, the choice would be clear.
......
Meanwhile, at the Qin Prince's Mansion.
Song Yu clutched a book and groaned to the heavens, "How on earth can I achieve greatness? Staring at these pages until flowers bloom won’t help!"
The same old Confucian phrases repeated endlessly.
He could recite them backward, but what use was that?
Shen Qingping stifled a laugh beside him, and Song Yu’s gaze drifted to the little figure nearby—Song Shihuan, happily munching on candied fruit.
"Why is Father so anxious?" Song Shihuan licked her lips, savoring the sweetness.
"Ah Huan, those opera troupes keep performing the same old story about how I was wronged. I’m afraid the people are getting tired of it." Song Yu frowned. How could he not be anxious?
He was so stressed his lips were about to blister.
Song Shihuan coughed, her eyes darting mischievously.
"I’m too young to know how to achieve greatness." Before Song Yu could look disappointed, she added, "But I’m sure Lord Shen and General Gu would know."
"My father?" Shen Qingping nearly choked.
Trust him, that old man only believed in raising obedient sons through beatings.
"Lord Shen is highly respected among scholars, and General Gu is a decorated war hero. Both have accomplished great deeds—asking them would surely help."
The moment Song Shihuan finished speaking, Song Yu vanished from the study, dragging Shen Qingping along with him.
Left behind, Song Shihuan blinked in surprise.
"Yingchun, hire more opera troupes."
The results were shockingly effective.
......
Song Yu first headed to the Gu residence. Hearing of the prince’s visit, Gu Zheng rushed back from the military camp.
"General Gu, how can I quickly achieve greatness?"
Baffled by the abrupt question, Gu Zheng scratched his head and chuckled awkwardly. "On the battlefield, taking an enemy general’s head single-handedly is the fastest way for a warrior to earn glory."
Single-handedly?
Song Yu and Shen Qingping exchanged a glance. The message was clear.
That was not happening...
"Any other ideas?"
"A brilliant victory against overwhelming odds." Gu Zheng’s eyes gleamed—this was his own lifelong dream.
"General Gu, I just remembered something urgent... I’ll take my leave."
What a reckless idea.
Song Yu had entered the Gu residence in high spirits but left utterly dejected.
His steps toward the Shen household were heavy, bracing for another blow.
To his surprise, Shen Mingwen greeted him with a warm smile.
"Your Highness’s ambition to achieve greatness would surely please His Majesty."
"But reading your annotations day after day is so dull. And I don’t even know how much I’ve improved." Song Yu sighed.
"I do have a suggestion."
"Please, speak freely." Song Yu perked up at the prospect of a solution.
"The imperial examinations."
"What?" Song Yu shot up from his seat. "A prince like me, sitting for the exams? No!"
Beneath his dignity.
Even Shen Qingping frantically signaled his father—since when was Song Yu exam material?
But Shen Mingwen remained unshaken.
"For scholars, the imperial exams are the only ladder to success. My own achievements stem from placing first in the exams. If Your Highness could become a top scholar, you’d stand above all intellectuals."
"Famed across the land, revered by countless scholars—would that not count as greatness?"
Song Yu felt like Shen Mingwen was feeding him sweet lies. He knew it was a trap, yet he couldn’t help imagining the glory of being crowned the top scholar.
By then, the opera troupes would surely have fresh material, wouldn’t they?
"The Great Qi tradition of the top scholar’s parade was the proudest moment of my life." Shen Mingwen sighed nostalgically. "That single day made my entire existence worthwhile."
"I’ll take the exams!"
Song Yu declared with finality, then turned to Shen Qingping. "What do you think?"
Shen Qingping could only force a strained laugh, unable to bring himself to agree.
"Your Highness, do you even know how the exams work?"
Seeing Song Yu’s blank stare, Shen Qingping shot Shen Mingwen a resentful look. What kind of terrible idea was this?
And he’d probably end up suffering alongside the prince!
The imperial exams?
If Song Yu could rank first, Shen Qingping would sprint to the brothel and shout three times that he was an idiot!
