"Big brother, wake up!" Song Xiyan screamed in utter despair. "You used to despise Song Shihuan the most, calling her a stain on the Eastern Palace. What on earth has gotten into you now?"
Just as Song Yanzheng was about to reprimand her, hurried footsteps echoed from outside the room.
"Your Highness, something terrible has happened."
At these words, Song Yanzheng felt his vision darken. With the Eastern Palace already in such a state, what worse news could there possibly be?
Yet, the palace servant delivered news that shattered Song Yanzheng’s wildest imagination.
"His Majesty... His Majesty has arranged a Crown Princess for the Eastern Palace."
"What?!"
The faces of all four people in the room froze in shock. Even the Crown Prince lying on the bed let out incoherent, agitated sounds, drool trickling from the corner of his mouth.
"His Majesty has chosen the young lady of the Shen Family as the Crown Princess and ordered Consort Hui to expedite the preparations for the wedding."
Hearing this, Song Yanzheng’s eyes rolled back, and he fainted once more.
Before losing consciousness, one thought consumed him: Not only had he been reduced to a mere illegitimate son, but now he was also to have a legitimate stepmother?
How could he ever rise above this?
As Song Yanzheng lay unconscious, Song Yanchao and Song Yanming stood frozen in place, unsure of what to do. Song Xiyan, however, slapped the palace servant hard across the face. "How can my father possibly marry in his current state, bedridden as he is?"
The servant could only cover his cheek, not daring to utter another word.
This... was the Emperor’s decree. Even if the Crown Prince had to wed a chicken, the marriage would proceed.
"Shen Hua'er, that vile woman! She used me from the very beginning and humiliated me in front of Song Shihuan." Song Xiyan’s face twisted in fury. "Second Brother, Third Brother, she is no good person."
She could never accept a traitor becoming her stepmother!
Yet, after recovering from their initial shock, neither Song Yanchao nor Song Yanming responded to Song Xiyan’s words. They realized they bore no serious crimes and still had a chance to earn their grandfather’s favor as imperial grandsons.
And the Shen Family was a prestigious noble house... perhaps they could even be of help.
All they needed was to ensure the new Crown Princess never bore a child.
Once inseparable, the siblings now harbored their own schemes, each calculating their next move.
Not one of them spared a thought for the Crown Prince lying helpless on the bed.
......
Meanwhile, on the other side.
Song Yu had taken Song Shihuan with him in a carriage bound for the military camp.
"This prince has never visited the barracks before," Song Yu said with visible excitement. "Now that I oversee the Ministry of War, I ought to greet the soldiers—lest they don’t recognize me."
Shen Qingping nearly rolled his eyes. Your Highness need not worry—there isn’t a soul in the Great Qi who hasn’t heard of Prince Qin. Though whether his reputation was good or bad... best not to dwell on that.
Beside him, Song Shihuan’s eyes sparkled with anticipation.
She had longed to visit the military camp for ages.
Her master once told her she lacked the experience of a real battlefield, where she could fully unleash her skills.
Today’s visit was a monumental step forward.
At the camp’s entrance, Gu Zheng had been waiting for some time. "Your Highness, the soldiers train daily without a moment’s respite. Allow me to escort you to the training grounds."
Song Yu nodded with feigned solemnity.
In truth, his heart pounded with nervousness.
He had never enjoyed scholarly pursuits, nor did he care for martial arts. What if the soldiers challenged him to a spar?
He would be utterly humiliated...
Half an hour later, they arrived at the training grounds.
"Ha!"
"Ho!"
Deafening battle cries filled the air as soldiers moved in perfect unison, their drills unfolding before Song Yu’s eyes.
"Halt!"
At Gu Zheng’s command, every soldier froze in place. "Salute Prince Qin and Princess Fu'an!"
"Salute Prince Qin and Princess Fu'an!"
The soldiers’ voices boomed with strength, making Song Yu’s knees tremble slightly.
Only Song Shihuan swallowed hard, her excitement bubbling over as she dashed toward the soldiers.
"Are these the heroes who fought alongside Grandfather to secure our dynasty? General Gu, they look so formidable!"
Her words drew the attention of even the most hardened soldiers, who had initially dismissed Song Yu as a frivolous prince.
So this was the beloved Princess Fu'an? What a remarkable child.
"Take this!" Before anyone could react, Song Shihuan lunged at one of the soldiers, exchanging a few swift blows before playfully yielding. "Such impressive skill!"
To onlookers, it seemed like child’s play—but the soldier who had sparred with her stared in disbelief, his chest throbbing faintly.
Did the little princess really pack such a punch?
Song Shihuan’s eyes burned with fervor. The soldier’s reaction confirmed it—this was an army capable of victory.
Such an army must never fall into the hands of the Eastern Palace or other princes. The House of Qin had to claim it.
"Father, won’t you say a few words to the soldiers? Didn’t you always say you admired warriors the most?"
Tugging at Song Yu’s sleeve, Song Shihuan blinked up at him expectantly.
Song Yu stiffened. When had he ever said such a thing?
But under her hopeful gaze, he couldn’t refuse. Steeling himself, he climbed onto the platform, dread pooling in his stomach.
Better to risk embarrassment than disappoint his beloved Ah Huan!
Clearing his throat, Song Yu began, "Soldiers, I am Prince Qin, Song Yu."
His voice echoed across the training grounds.
"Though this is our first meeting, I have always known—it is because of you that the Great Qi’s borders remain unbroken, and our people sleep soundly at night. From the bottom of my heart, I respect each and every one of you."
Nervousness stripped him of formalities, yet his unintended sincerity struck a chord. The soldiers’ expressions shifted subtly.
"Today, I raise a cup of tea in your honor."
Lifting the cup high, Song Yu drained it in one gulp.
Emboldened, he shouted with all his might, "Long live the Great Qi! Long live the warriors of the Great Qi!"
Gu Zheng swiftly raised his arm in solidarity, roaring, "Long live the Great Qi! Long live the warriors of the Great Qi!"
In an instant, the entire army erupted in unison:
"Long live the Great Qi! Long live the warriors of the Great Qi!"
The chant lingered in the air, unyielding.
Every soldier now stared at Song Yu with blazing admiration. Prince Qin had declared the soldiers’ worth equal to the empire itself!
And he had toasted them, commoners, as equals!
Whoever had branded Prince Qin a wastrel was a fool—this was a ruler of rare virtue.
Gu Zheng fought back tears. As a general, he understood the weight of Song Yu’s words in the soldiers’ hearts.
Never before had a royal proclaimed the soldiers’ immortality.
Meanwhile, Shen Qingping stood dumbfounded.
Was this really the same prince he knew?
