"Why isn't Father speaking?"
Seeing Song Yu's face turn pale and then flush with anger, Song Shihuan poked the back of his hand. The maidservant beside them nearly burst out laughing.
"Ah-Huan..." Song Yu swallowed hard, struggling to speak. "We don’t need to compare ourselves to Song Xiyan. In my eyes, she isn’t even half as good as you."
"But it was Song Xiyan who insisted on competing with me."
Song Shihuan’s expression darkened. "That day when Father was punished with the rod, she told me this was the difference between her and me."
The next moment, however, her mood lifted again. "But then her father was also punished right after, so my father is still the better one."
Watching Song Shihuan’s mood shift as quickly as flipping a page, Song Yu opened and closed his mouth several times, unable to admit that he was inferior to Song Ling.
Admit that Song Ling was better? Not in this lifetime.
"Of course, I am naturally superior to the Crown Prince," Song Yu declared, though his voice lacked conviction, and his eyes darted around nervously. "He can’t outdrink me, he’s terrible at cricket fights, and his taste in music is atrocious."
Song Shihuan nodded as if this confirmed everything she believed, sipping her water like a contented kitten, her eyes crinkling with laughter.
Song Yu, thoroughly embarrassed in front of his daughter, stormed off to confront Emperor Yuanyou.
"What is it now? I’m sick of the sight of you," the Emperor snapped, glaring at Song Yu, who bristled instantly.
"Can’t you control the people from the Eastern Palace? Why must they always hover around Ah-Huan?"
"They have legs of their own. I can’t dictate where they go," Emperor Yuanyou replied impassively. "Besides, didn’t Ah-Huan choose you in the end?"
"Father, you were eavesdropping on us!" Song Yu accused. "I never thought you’d stoop so low."
"What’s wrong with that? I even heard you boasting about being better than the Crown Prince."
Rarely did this troublemaker find himself at a disadvantage in front of the Emperor, and Emperor Yuanyou couldn’t help but smirk, thoroughly pleased.
"Look at you—over thirty years old and still acting like a child," the Emperor continued, twisting the knife. "You might fool her today, but what will you do when Ah-Huan asks you to prove you’re better than the Crown Prince? You won’t have a single word to say."
How vulgar!
Song Yu trembled with indignation. The Son of Heaven, resorting to such crude language!
"Some people never had a daughter in their life, so of course they wouldn’t understand this feeling," Song Yu shot back. "If Ah-Huan asked for the moon, I’d climb up and fetch it for her."
Emperor Yuanyou’s face darkened.
Never having a daughter was a sore spot for him, and the remark stung deeply.
Wu Qi, witnessing the father and son ruthlessly targeting each other’s weak points, quietly retreated a few steps to avoid drawing attention.
"Enough. The Crown Princess is still Ah-Huan’s mother. Do you expect me to forbid a mother from seeing her own child?" Emperor Yuanyou said irritably. "Though I must admit, I never expected you and Ah-Huan to form such a bond."
This son of his had always been carefree, yet here he was, fretting over a little girl as if she were his own.
"Ah-Huan grew up without a mother’s protection, and Song Ling never cared for her," Song Yu said, baring his teeth. "How is that any different from me?"
"I..." Emperor Yuanyou hesitated, unsure how to respond.
"As for my so-called boasting, you needn’t worry about it."
With that, Song Yu turned on his heel and strode away.
......
In the following days, Emperor Yuanyou visited the side hall daily, while Song Yu carried on as usual, laughing and joking as if nothing had happened.
Song Yu remained steadfast in his routine—listening to Shen Mingwen’s lectures every night and teaching Song Shihuan history during the day.
Halfway through the history books, Song Shihuan’s gaze toward Song Yu grew increasingly admiring.
When he explained the texts, he cited classic references effortlessly. These were clearly things he had just learned from his tutor, yet he recited them flawlessly in front of her.
When it came to scholarship, he was undeniably gifted!
Perhaps... she really could...
Hope for her father to rise to greatness.
"Ah-Huan, do you understand this part?" In just half a month, the lingering scent of alcohol around Song Yu had completely vanished.
Song Shihuan nodded. "Father explained it so clearly. I understood right away."
"Ah-Huan is so clever."
Song Yu smiled, ruffling her hair affectionately. Before he could say more, Wu Qi’s voice interrupted them.
"Your Highness, His Majesty summons you to the main hall."
"What does he want with me?" Song Yu frowned. Whenever the Emperor called for him, it was never good news.
"Well... this servant doesn’t know, but it must be urgent." Wu Qi glanced at Song Shihuan, choosing his words carefully. "The Successor Empress is there, as well as the Crown Princess... and Madam Chang."
The Crown Princess was the eldest daughter of the Chang family, and Madam Chang was her sister-in-law.
"Why is she here? Fine, I’ll go see."
With Wu Qi supporting him, Song Yu left. The moment he was gone, Song Shihuan’s expression turned icy.
The Chang family... publicly known as the great philanthropists of the capital.
From the main hall, angry shouts and the shattering of teacups could be heard.
The maidservant paced anxiously. "My Lady, it seems things over there are..."
Not going well.
"Nanny, help me up."
......
Main Hall.
The Successor Empress watched Song Yu, who looked like a raging beast, and feigned concern. "Of course, I believe in Ah-Huan. But with these rumors spreading, we must find a way to protect her reputation."
"Ah-Huan would never do such things!"
Song Yu’s voice was firm, his fury barely contained. He wished he could personally silence those spreading the lies.
"Elder Brother, we all believe in Ah-Huan," the Crown Princess said, taking a deep breath. "But the rumors claim she bullies the weak, steals, and snatches food from others. With her staying away from the palace, people assume the royal family is punishing her."
"Without proof, Ah-Huan’s reputation will be ruined."
"My daughter doesn’t need proof!" Song Yu’s eyes darkened with menace. "Anyone who dares spread lies will face the harshest punishment."
"Your Highness, if we could find someone close to Ah-Huan—perhaps her tutor—to testify, this matter could be resolved," Madam Chang suggested gently. "When I heard these rumors, I rushed to the palace at once. The Chang family cares deeply for that child."
"Exactly, Yu’er. If you resort to brute force, what will become of your own reputation?" the Successor Empress chided. "I think Madam Chang’s suggestion is sound."
This was a last resort for the Successor Empress.
Since the Eastern Palace had failed to win Song Shihuan over, she had no choice but to eliminate the threat.
With Song Yu and Song Shihuan staying in the Emperor’s palace, spending every day by his side, she had been too anxious to eat. This was the only plan she could devise.
"I don’t care about my reputation."
It couldn’t get any worse anyway.
"Enough. Since this concerns Ah-Huan, let’s hear what she has to say first." Emperor Yuanyou’s gaze swept across the room, his voice heavy. "Wu Qi."
Before the Emperor could continue, a eunuch hurried in.
"Your Majesty, Lady Fuan requests an audience."
Emperor Yuanyou chuckled. "Speak of the devil—she’s already waiting outside."
