The court officials assumed Song Yu was smiling because he was pleased about the imperial consort selection.
Their eyes gleamed as they stared at him expectantly.
Only Emperor Yuanyou couldn't resist shooting Song Yu an exasperated look—how could this fool sometimes act so dense it was like he wasn't his own son?
Couldn't he see the ministers were clearly scheming against the Qin Prince's Mansion?
Half an hour later...
"Tell me, what kind of absurdity is this?"
Inside the Purple Dawn Hall, Prince Chu and Prince Qi stood frozen in fear, not daring to even breathe loudly, while Song Yu leisurely nibbled on pastries from the table.
"Father, please calm your anger," Prince Chu ventured. No sooner had he spoken than shattered teacup fragments scattered near his feet, making him leap back in alarm.
"It's the Sun family setting this terrible precedent! Third Son, your in-laws are utterly useless when it comes to proper governance."
Prince Chu nearly buried his face in the ground at the reprimand, while Prince Qi beside him trembled like a leaf.
Thankfully, their father didn't know they were the masterminds behind this affair...
With the Qin Prince's Mansion lacking a proper mistress, they'd hoped to plant some of their own people there.
And the Eastern Palace needed a new Crown Princess too...
But their eldest brother was as stubborn as a boulder—impossible to influence. With the deposed Crown Princess gone, they couldn't propose it directly, hence this roundabout scheme.
Though judging by Eldest Brother's reaction earlier... he didn't seem opposed to the selection.
Promising.
"Father, the ceremonial codes don't specify that selected beauties must enter the imperial harem. Bestowing them upon princely households would be equally permissible," Prince Qi muttered under his breath.
"Father! I've got the perfect solution!" Song Yu suddenly declared, startling everyone present.
"What solution?" Emperor Yuanyou asked irritably.
"From Fourth Brother's tone, it seems his Qi princely residence could accommodate more consorts. Why not grant him all the selections?" Song Yu proposed with impeccable magnanimity.
"That hardly seems fair!" Prince Chu quickly interceded on Prince Qi's behalf.
"Ah, you're right—that would be inappropriate." Song Yu nodded thoughtfully. "We mustn't neglect Third Brother. The selections should be divided equally between them—no favoritism."
As amusement began to flicker in Emperor Yuanyou's eyes, both younger princes panicked. "Second Brother's household needs consideration too! The Eastern Palace lacks a Crown Princess to maintain order, and the children have no proper maternal guidance."
"Then select a few for the Eastern Palace as well," Song Yu replied, his patience visibly thinning.
When Prince Chu and Prince Qi opened their mouths to mention the Qin Prince's Mansion, Song Yu's faintly mocking expression made the words die in their throats.
Something was wrong—this was the exact look Eldest Brother wore before resorting to physical persuasion.
"Enough. Since the court has proposed it, we'll proceed with the selection," Emperor Yuanyou sighed wearily.
What nonsense—he was sixty-two years old this year!
......
Prince Chu and Prince Qi ultimately didn't dare mention Song Yu again, slinking away like chastened dogs.
The Purple Dawn Hall fell silent save for the staring contest between Emperor Yuanyou and Song Yu.
"Now that we're alone, drop the act," the emperor glared. "If not for you, I wouldn't need to trouble myself with this consort selection."
Song Yu promptly adopted an ingratiating smile, mimicking Song Shihuan's manner as he massaged the emperor's shoulders.
"Gently! Don't pulverize my bones."
"Father," Song Yu said with practiced obsequiousness, "your son isn't ready to marry yet."
"Reason?" Emperor Yuanyou didn't even lift an eyelid.
"I dare not take a wife. The deposed Crown Princess was renowned for her gentleness and virtue, yet she nearly cost me my life." Song Yu sniffled dramatically for effect. "What if I wed another wolf in sheep's clothing? What would become of Ah Huan?"
"She's only ten."
At the mention of Ah Huan, the emperor's expression sobered.
"Father, consider this—would a new princess consort tolerate a child bearing such striking resemblance to the late empress?" Song Yu pressed his advantage.
"You're right. We mustn't act hastily."
Ah Huan was still too young—they should at least wait until her coming-of-age ceremony.
The more Emperor Yuanyou considered it, the more reasonable Song Yu's arguments sounded. "Mark my words—if you fail to protect Ah Huan properly, send her to the Purple Dawn Hall. I'll raise her myself."
"One raises one's own children," Song Yu retorted without hesitation, making the emperor's beard quiver with indignation.
"In that case, this selection need only replenish the households of your younger brothers."
Wearing a triumphant grin, Song Yu strutted back to the Qin Prince's Mansion like a victorious general.
......
"What? A consort selection?"
Song Shihuan's mouth formed a perfect circle of shock. Grandfather was already so advanced in years...
"Those black-hearted schemers want to bully our father-daughter pair," Song Yu growled through a mouthful of chicken. "But I've settled it."
As Song Yu rambled through the details, Song Shihuan zeroed in on one particular statement:
"The Eastern Palace will get consorts too? For a new Crown Princess?"
After thoughtful consideration, Song Yu replied, "That depends on your grandfather's decision."
"When will Grandfather hold the selection? When do the candidates enter the training palace?"
She could magnanimously overlook past grievances and help vet candidates for the Eastern Palace in advance.
"The tiered selection process will take about half a month."
Song Shihuan shook her head—still plenty of time then.
After the meal, Song Yu retreated to his study while Song Shihuan resumed her studies, preparing for the inter-class examination in ten days.
"Whoever decreed that only Class A students can join October's championship competition..." Baoxia grumbled. "Our young mistress has been burning midnight oil for days."
"Hush now. Since our mistress aims to jump directly from Class C to Class A, extra effort is necessary," Yingchun chided gently. "Fetch her some ginseng soup for nourishment."
Inside, Song Shihuan remained engrossed in her books.
The next morning, a rest day, she awoke to find Baoxia pacing anxiously outside her chamber.
"Baoxia, what's happened?"
All drowsiness vanished as Song Shihuan asked with concern.
"Young Mistress, Lady Gu Mingliu arrived early with Lady Gu Mingzhu—they've been waiting at our gates."
After instructing Yingchun for a simple toilette, Song Shihuan had the Gu sisters ushered in. The moment she saw Gu Mingzhu's face, she sprang up in alarm.
"Mingzhu! What's wrong? Who upset you?"
Her eyes were swollen like walnuts from crying.
"Young Mistress, Mingzhu cried like this thinking about you leaving for another class," Gu Mingliu explained sheepishly. Her little sister was truly...
mortifying.
"Eh?" Song Shihuan blinked incredulously, grasping Gu Mingzhu's hands. Was she hearing correctly?
Fresh tears spilled from Gu Mingzhu's eyes. "I'll take the inter-class exam too! I'll study hard!"
What difference was there between losing her Young Mistress and a fish deprived of water?
