"Stop!"
Song Yanzheng pried open Chang Ling'er's hand, which was trying to force Mei Xiang to drink an abortion potion, then shoved Chang Ling'er heavily to the ground. "You're nothing but a madwoman."
With that, he turned nervously to Mei Xiang, summoning the imperial physician to check her pulse. The only reason he had spared Mei Xiang's life was for the sake of her unborn child.
"Your Highness, this... lady's pregnancy is slightly unstable, but a few doses of medicine should suffice," the physician stammered, unsure how to address Mei Xiang.
Hearing this, Song Yanzheng finally relaxed.
"Your Highness dares to call me a madwoman for the sake of this lowly wretch?" Chang Ling'er's shrill voice pierced the air, making Emperor Yuanyou, who had just arrived, wince in discomfort.
"Since our wedding night, you’ve never once stepped into my chambers. Yet now you treat this whore’s belly as if it were treasure—have you lost your mind?"
"Silence!" Song Yanzheng's eyes burned with fury.
If Chang Ling'er weren’t barren, he wouldn’t have resorted to using Mei Xiang’s child. His plan was to eliminate the mother after birth and register the child under Chang Ling'er’s name—only then could he have a legitimate heir.
But Chang Ling'er was as foolish as a pig!
Emperor Yuanyou surveyed the chaotic scene. "Yanzheng, are you truly determined to keep this child?"
A child of such lowly origins would be better off stillborn.
"Imperial Grandfather, your grandson—"
Seeing the emperor’s presence, cold sweat trickled down Song Yanzheng’s back.
Before he could finish, Chang Ling'er lunged at him, claws outstretched. "Imperial Grandfather! His Highness favors a concubine over his lawful wife! I beg you to uphold justice for your granddaughter-in-law!"
Favoring a concubine over the wife—a grave scandal in the Great Qi dynasty.
At this moment, Song Yanzheng’s desire to strangle Chang Ling'er reached its peak.
Emperor Yuanyou shook his head in disappointment. Yanzheng was so indecisive, lacking even half the resolve his father, Prince Yu, had once shown. And now he wanted to keep this child?
"I can no longer manage this mess. Since that’s the case, I’ll find someone who can!"
His previously wavering resolve solidified. Not only did the Eastern Palace need a Crown Princess—it needed a formidable one. Otherwise, the imperial family’s dignity would soon be trampled into the mud.
......
Several days later, the selected maidens arrived at the Palace of Gathered Elegance for the imperial selection.
Inside the palace, Song Shihuan strolled leisurely along the pathways, her curiosity piqued. In both her lifetimes, she had never seen the selection of imperial consorts before.
But the next moment, her expression darkened.
What wretched luck.
Moments later, four princesses from the imperial family stood frozen, exchanging awkward glances.
Unlike Song Shihuan, the other three had come to inspect the candidates beforehand, knowing the selected maidens would be assigned to various princely households.
"What a coincidence. Since we’re all here, let’s take a look together," Song Xiling broke the tension.
The palace gates swung open, revealing a dazzling array of beauties—each more exquisite than the last.
Song Shihuan stared, unblinking.
Suddenly, Song Xiyan rushed toward one of the maidens, her voice thick with grievance. "Sister Shen! Why have you come for the selection?"
Sister Shen? Shen Hua'er?
Song Shihuan snapped out of her daze. She knew the Princess of Qi had once proposed a match between Shen Hua'er and Prince Qin, only to be rejected. Yet the Shen family still hadn’t given up, gambling by sending Shen Hua'er into the selection.
Shen Hua'er glanced at Song Shihuan, then quickly distanced herself from Song Xiyan.
"Second Princess, the palace has its own rules of decorum."
Tears welled in Song Xiyan’s eyes. "Sister Shen, what are you saying?"
Before entering the palace, Consort Mei had sent explicit instructions to the Shen family: to win Prince Qin’s favor, they must first please Princess Fu'an.
Though Shen Hua'er privately preferred the eldest imperial grandson, Prince Qin’s overwhelming imperial favor made the choice obvious. The crown prince’s position was precarious, and any fool could see which way the wind was blowing.
And the Second Princess was Princess Fu'an’s sworn rival...
With this in mind, Shen Hua'er adopted a stern tone. "Second Princess, the instructing matrons say one must never raise their voice in the palace. Every gesture must reflect noble grace—just like Princess Fu'an."
Hearing Shen Hua'er compare her to Song Shihuan, Song Xiyan’s face twisted in fury.
Meanwhile, Song Shihuan nearly burst out laughing.
"Lady Shen, don’t be too harsh on Second Sister. Her forthright nature simply makes her less restrained."
A single sentence, perfectly crafted to offend both parties equally.
"Princess Fu'an is truly magnanimous. Congratulations on your promotion to Class A," Shen Hua'er curtsied gracefully, while Song Xiyan’s tears fell like rain.
How could Sister Shen change like this? Song Shihuan rose to Class A, while she had plummeted to Class C!
A familiar whiff of imperial incense drifted past. Song Shihuan’s nose twitched, her eyes gleaming with mischief.
"It’s a pity Second Sister was demoted to Class C. I’ve heard Lady Shen and Second Sister were close—comforting her would be the proper thing to do." She sighed dramatically, feigning sorrow.
Shen Hua'er frowned. "The cross-class examinations are entirely fair. Those with superior skills enter Class A. If one falls short, they should work harder—no comfort is needed."
"Shen Hua'er! You were never like this before!"
Song Xiyan lunged, clawing at Shen Hua'er’s robes, her eyes bloodshot.
"Enough!"
A commanding voice boomed across the courtyard. Everyone dropped to their knees.
"Your Majesty."
Emperor Yuanyou studied the disheveled Shen Hua'er with approval.
Here was a woman who dared to correct Song Xiyan’s impropriety in public, upheld fairness in examinations, and yet had once been close to her—wasn’t this the perfect candidate for Crown Princess?
He had underestimated this Shen girl, previously dismissing her due to Consort Mei’s meddling.
"Escort Lady Shen to her chambers," the emperor ordered. Then, to Song Xiyan, "From now on, you must behave properly around Lady Shen. No more outbursts."
Song Xiyan stood frozen, uncomprehending.
Only Song Shihuan smiled, her eyes crinkling with delight.
......
That night, Shen Hua'er tossed and turned, exhilarated by her audience with the emperor.
It was said Prince Qin was straightforward and decisive, valuing fairness above all. Her performance today would surely convince the emperor that she was the ideal match for him.
A faint smile touched her lips.
But then she recalled Song Yanzheng’s gentle smile in Kunning Palace, and her breath hitched. What a pity that Chang Ling'er, a traitor’s daughter, had become the Grand Imperial Consort instead.
If only...
