After leaving the Zichen Hall, Song Shihuan noticed Song Yu sneaking up to Liuxi.
"Liuxi, go investigate Song Yanzheng's academic level for me—ask the tutors at the Imperial Study, or even try to sneak out some of his past policy essays if you can."
Hearing Song Yu's words, Song Shihuan struggled to suppress her laughter.
It seemed her father still lacked confidence.
"Father, a person's energy is limited. Song Yanzheng spends all his time scheming—how could he possibly have any left for studying? Don’t worry."
Song Yu nodded, but the furrow between his brows remained.
That might be true...
But if he really lost to Song Yanzheng in the exams, the humiliation would be unbearable.
As soon as he returned to the Qin Prince's Mansion, Song Yu headed straight for his study.
"I need to thoroughly understand the imperial examinations."
Hearing this, Shen Qingping, who had been buried in reviewing documents, looked up in disbelief. Why had His Highness suddenly become so urgent?
"What happened?" Shen Qingping asked slowly.
"Song Yanzheng is also taking the exams." Song Yu nearly ground his teeth as he spoke. "That bastard has always been my nemesis. I must defeat him."
Before, he had merely declared his intention to take the exams, but without a real rival, Song Yu had only been dutifully completing the lessons assigned by Shen Mingwen.
Now, with Song Yanzheng as his greatest threat, Song Yu became a hundred times more serious about the exams.
"No, I must visit the Shen residence immediately—I need to consult your father in person." Unable to sit still, Song Yu hurried off toward the Shen family estate.
Left alone in the study, Song Shihuan and Shen Qingping exchanged glances before bursting into laughter.
"Princess, should we thank the Eastern Palace for this?"
Song Shihuan nodded like a little adult. "In that case, I’ll think of a way to send them a proper 'thank-you' gift."
She wasn’t joking—she truly began considering her options.
In the courtyard, Song Shihuan maintained her horse stance while letting her thoughts wander.
Song Yanzheng wasn’t the type to stoop to taking exams himself, and Shen Hua'er had only just entered the Eastern Palace... A flicker of realization crossed Song Shihuan’s eyes.
Shen Hua'er was cleverer than she’d thought.
"Yingchun."
"You called, Princess?" Yingchun immediately set down her work and hurried into the courtyard.
"With the Eastern Palace in chaos, find a way to plant some of our people there—or recruit some of theirs." Song Shihuan paused. "Especially those around Song Xiyan."
Given Song Xiyan’s temperament, her servants were likely already discontent.
"And don’t forget Prince Chu's and Prince Qi's mansions. With the new consorts just arriving, it’s the perfect time to slip a few spies in."
"Understood. I’ll arrange it at once."
Song Shihuan nodded, hoping the Eastern Palace would appreciate her "gift."
......
Eastern Palace.
Song Xiyan was shrieking in the courtyard.
"What did you say? Shen Hua'er went to Eldest Brother’s quarters, and he didn’t throw her out immediately?"
Her face twisted with malice as she dug her nails into her maid’s arm. The maid’s eyes welled with tears, but she dared not make a sound.
"Eldest Brother has lost his mind. No wonder the Emperor despises him."
Song Xiyan had completely forgotten all the kindness Song Yanzheng had once shown her.
Noise from outside signaled the arrival of Song Yanchao and Song Yanming, who had rushed over upon hearing the news, worried about Song Xiyan’s temper.
"Second Brother, Third Brother." Song Xiyan shoved the maid aside, who fled the courtyard like a pardoned prisoner, her eyes burning with resentment.
"Xiyan, I noticed Liu'er’s sleeve was stained with blood..."
Song Yanming patted her shoulder. "Why get so worked up? It’s not worth ruining your health over."
"Third Brother, Eldest Brother must have conspired with Shen Hua'er!"
"Xiyan, you can’t say such things!" Song Yanchao’s expression turned unusually stern. "If word got out, both Shen Hua'er and Eldest Brother would be ruined."
But Song Xiyan dismissed the warning.
"Eldest Brother probably planned this all along—to latch onto Shen Hua'er as his stepmother so the Shen family would throw their full support behind him." Her words struck Song Yanchao and Song Yanming like thunder. "Second Brother, Third Brother, you’d better watch out."
Elsewhere...
Liu'er fled the Eastern Palace in tears.
"Miss Liu'er, what’s wrong?" Yingchun feigned a chance encounter. "Your arm is bleeding!"
Sighing, she pressed a bottle of wound ointment into Liu'er’s hands.
"Sister Yingchun, I can’t accept this..." Liu'er murmured, head bowed.
"The Princess often says she wishes she had a clever maid like you, but since you serve the Eastern Palace, she couldn’t just ask for you." Yingchun’s words reignited hope in Liu'er’s eyes. "Endure it a little longer. When the time comes, the Princess will rescue you."
"Really?" Liu'er gasped.
"Your mother and younger brother have already been settled by the Princess. You have nothing to fear now." Yingchun patted her hand. "Use this medicine in secret—it’ll ease your suffering."
Watching Yingchun leave, Liu'er bit her lip to stifle her sobs.
Since being assigned to the Second Princess’s quarters, she had endured constant beatings, her body always bruised.
She knew betraying her mistress could mean death.
But if she didn’t, death would come anyway.
She had no choice.
......
"Grand Sun, the Emperor has approved the imperial examinations."
The eunuch from Zichen Hall delivered the message and left without another word, leaving Song Yanzheng fuming.
"Yanzheng, did His Majesty agree?" Shen Hua'er rushed over to ask.
"He agreed, but said nothing about assigning me a tutor." Song Yanzheng seethed. "It’s clear the Emperor doesn’t care about me at all."
Shen Hua'er exhaled in relief. "Approval is enough. As for the tutor, ask the Crown Prince's Secondary Consort to recommend one. You’re her own child—she’d never turn her back on you."
Song Yanzheng believed the same.
But when he stood outside the Li Garden, its gates firmly shut, veins bulged on his forehead.
"Mother, open the door. If you don’t, I’ll stand here until you do."
Inside, the Crown Princess paused her prayer beads at his shouts. "Nanny, let him in."
Though only a short time had passed, Song Yanzheng barely recognized the woman before him.
"Mother, I have a favor to ask."
The Crown Prince's Secondary Consort lifted her gaze, a trace of mockery in her eyes. "I’ve been demoted. I can’t help you."
Denied even the chance to speak, Song Yanzheng clenched his jaw in fury.
