"Uncle... I must..."
Take her away.
Before Song Yanzheng could finish his sentence, he completely lost consciousness.
Fearing that further beating might cost Song Yanzheng his life, Shen Qingping threw down what he was holding and rushed over. "Stop, stop hitting him!"
If this continued, it would be Your Highness who ended up getting beaten next.
When Song Yu finally stopped, he was still panting heavily. He glanced down at Song Yanzheng's condition, then strode over to Song Shihuan and crouched beside her.
"Ah Huan, don’t be afraid. No one can take you away."
At this moment, there was an indescribable trace of fear deep in Song Yu's eyes. He had nearly beaten Song Yanzheng to death right in front of Ah Huan—would she now fear him?
Would she think him cruel and heartless?
But then, Song Shihuan gently blew on Song Yu's bloodstained hand and asked softly, "Father, does it hurt?"
In an instant, Song Yu's agitated and furious heart calmed completely.
Ah Huan wasn’t afraid of him.
Thinking of this, a faint smile finally appeared on Song Yu's face. "It doesn’t hurt. This isn’t my blood."
"Liuxi, call some men to send the Grand Imperial Grandson back to the Eastern Palace. If anyone asks, say he came to the Qin Prince's Mansion to cause trouble first." Song Shihuan didn’t even glance at Song Yanzheng on the ground, as if looking at him would dirty her eyes.
"Don’t you think today’s Song Yanzheng seemed a bit... off?" Shen Qingping was the first to notice something strange. "His attitude toward the princess changed too... suddenly."
Song Yu fell into deep thought, his expression darkening. "It’s similar to how the Eastern Palace’s concubine suddenly changed her attitude toward Ah Huan last time."
As if they had both abruptly repented.
"I don’t like the Eastern Palace, regardless of how they treat me," Song Shihuan murmured softly.
She and the Eastern Palace shared a blood feud spanning lifetimes. In this life, she was here for vengeance, not reconciliation.
She would send every one of them to the eighteenth layer of hell.
......
Purple Dawn Palace.
"The Prince of Qin beat someone?" Emperor Yuanyou frowned upon hearing the news. "It must be Yanzheng causing trouble at the Qin Prince's Mansion again."
Wu Qi immediately understood the emperor’s stance.
"According to the Qin Prince's Mansion servants, the Grand Imperial Grandson went there first to harass the princess."
"Utterly disgraceful." Emperor Yuanyou huffed angrily, not even bothering to ask about Song Yanzheng’s pitiful state. "Is Ah Huan alright?"
Wu Qi’s heart trembled slightly. The Grand Imperial Grandson was in such a state—how could the princess possibly be harmed?
Wasn’t the emperor’s favoritism a bit too blatant?
Emperor Yuanyou grew increasingly convinced that appointing a Crown Princess was urgent. With a wave of his hand, he scheduled the imperial selection for three days later.
Three days passed in a flash.
The gates of the Palace of Gathered Elegance reopened. The Princess of Chu and the Princess of Qi entered the palace with forced smiles, standing beside Consort Hui and Consort Mei, their eyes hollow.
Reed Palace.
Consort Mei’s prayer beads turned endlessly in her hands as she fervently hoped Shen Hua'er would be chosen for the Qin Prince's Mansion.
"How is it going?" she couldn’t help but ask.
"Your Grace, His Majesty is currently on his way to the Palace of Gathered Elegance," a palace servant replied softly. "Our people are keeping watch. Any news will be reported immediately."
The Princess of Qi’s eyes flashed with resentment at these words.
Her mother only cared about marrying a Shen daughter into the Qin Prince's Mansion—had she spared a thought for her own daughter’s feelings?
The emperor was going to assign women to Prince Qi’s household too!
Consort Mei paid no attention to the Princess of Qi, silently reciting Buddhist mantras in her heart.
Buddha, please let Hua'er be chosen.
In the Palace of Gathered Elegance, the selected ladies were filled with anticipation. Being assigned to any prince’s household would be an unimaginably prestigious match for them.
Each one did her best to present her most graceful demeanor.
When it was Shen Hua'er’s turn, she took a deep breath and bowed gracefully before Emperor Yuanyou.
"We’ve heard Consort Mei speak of you. You are exceptional."
At the emperor’s words, joy flickered in Shen Hua'er’s eyes. His Majesty was so pleased with her... surely her entry into the Qin Prince's Mansion was...
Her Shen family was a noble lineage—she would undoubtedly become the Princess Consort Qin.
But the next moment, Shen Hua'er felt as if struck by lightning.
"By decree, the Shen daughter, virtuous and wise, is hereby appointed as the Crown Princess. The wedding shall be held at an auspicious date."
Not Princess Consort Qin—Crown Princess!
Shen Hua'er was so stunned she forgot to kowtow in gratitude.
Wu Qi chuckled. "Has the Lady Shen lost herself in joy? Hurry and accept the decree."
As her knees hit the ground, Shen Hua'er felt as if all strength had drained from her body.
How could it be the Eastern Palace?
By the end of the selection, apart from Shen Hua'er, the other chosen ladies were evenly distributed between Prince Chu's Mansion and Prince Qi's Mansion—none favored over the others, a perfectly balanced arrangement.
Emperor Yuanyou stretched contentedly.
"Now the Eastern Palace shouldn’t cause any more trouble for Us."
He walked back to the Purple Dawn Palace with light steps, as if a great burden had been lifted.
Meanwhile, when Consort Mei received the news, she couldn’t believe it.
"The Eastern Palace? You must have misheard. It should be the Qin Prince's Mansion."
"Your Grace, it is indeed the Eastern Palace," the servant replied, head bowed low, afraid of provoking her wrath.
Consort Mei yanked at her prayer beads with such force that the string snapped, scattering beads across the floor.
"Mother, the position of Crown Princess is far more prestigious than Princess Consort Qin," the Princess of Qi said, barely suppressing her glee. Even her irritation over the new additions to Prince Qi's Mansion faded—this was the Shen family’s humiliation, and she intended to savor it.
"Silence!" Consort Mei glared at her daughter-in-law. "What do you know? Focus on bearing my son a grandson. Keep your opinions to yourself."
Hatred flashed in the Princess of Qi’s eyes.
Of all the princess consorts, her family background was the weakest, so Consort Mei disregarded her entirely.
One day, she would make this old hag regret her actions.
......
Eastern Palace.
When Song Yanzheng finally regained consciousness, he found Song Yanchao and Song Yanming hovering over him, with Song Xiyan hiding further back.
His head throbbed as if it might split open.
"Elder Brother, why did you suddenly go to the Qin Prince's Mansion?" Song Yanming said indignantly. "They dared to beat you like this—it must have been that wild girl Song Shihuan again. When I get the chance, I’ll avenge you!"
"Shut up."
Song Yanzheng’s sharp gaze silenced Song Yanming. Fool.
"From now on, you will show respect to Ah Huan."
Ah Huan?
The others stared in shock, but Song Xiyan reacted most violently. "Elder Brother, have you and Mother both been bewitched by Song Shihuan? I’m your sister!"
"Mother was carrying twins back then, so Ah Huan is also my sister."
Song Yanzheng’s gaze bore into Song Xiyan, his former affection now replaced with disgust.
A lucky star? After all the misfortune she’d brought upon the Eastern Palace, she was more like a curse!
