"The Chang family is, after all, a distinguished lineage—a centipede that dies but never stiffens." Song Yanzheng stared into the eyes of the Crown Prince's Secondary Consort. "Your son wishes to pursue the path of imperial examinations. I beg you, Mother, to find me a learned scholar as my tutor."
A flicker of shock passed through the Crown Prince's Secondary Consort's eyes.
She seemed astonished that Song Yanzheng even dared to mention the Chang family.
"I cannot help you. Leave."
"Is it truly that you cannot help me, or that you simply refuse?" Seeing her unwavering resolve, Song Yanzheng shed all pretense of courtesy. "Mother, your heart is as unyielding as iron. You won’t even lift a finger for your own flesh and blood."
"Song Yanzheng, what exactly does the Chang family mean to you?"
Her voice was eerily calm, laced with a despair beyond words. "Just a stepping stone for your ambitions? One you discard when useless, only to rebuild when convenient?"
When Song Yanzheng remained silent, she shook her head. "A person cannot be so selfish."
She and Ling'er had been buried alive in the Eastern Palace—and Ling'er... would never even bear children.
How, then, could she allow the Chang family to exhaust its last breath aiding Song Yanzheng?
"And are you not selfish, Mother?"
Song Yanzheng's face was still pale. "Hiding away in Li Garden day after day, never lifting a finger to plan for us, leaving us as powerless, bullied illegitimate sons."
"Fine. Let me see what exactly you do in Li Garden every day!"
Staggering, Song Yanzheng charged toward the prayer hall. The Crown Prince's Secondary Consort's pupils constricted in alarm.
Inside, he hurled sacred objects to the ground. The sandalwood incense meant to soothe the soul now lay scattered. The Nanny rushed in at the commotion, shielding the Crown Prince's Secondary Consort.
Suddenly, Song Yanzheng seized the enshrined sutras.
A deathly stillness overtook him.
"You’ve been chanting prayers for Song Shihuan." The sutras crumpled in his grip.
His lips drained of color, Song Yanzheng let out a slow, chilling laugh.
"What a devoted mother you are."
"Ahuan is also my child. I owe her this. What’s wrong with praying for her?" At the mention of Song Shihuan, the Crown Prince's Secondary Consort's gaze sharpened with wariness.
"No... no..." Song Yanzheng muttered, sensing something amiss. There had to be a detail he’d overlooked.
Then it struck him. With a burst of strength, he lunged at her.
"You knew long ago that Xiyan wasn’t the lucky star, didn’t you?"
His grip on her wrist twisted her face in pain.
"Then why didn’t you tell me?!"
His roar echoed through the courtyard, freezing Song Xiyan mid-step just outside Li Garden.
Wrenching free, the Crown Prince's Secondary Consort sneered. "Song Yanzheng, you’ve lost your mind."
"Yes, I have." Hatred seethed in his eyes for the woman who bore him. "Had you told me sooner, I would’ve coaxed Ahuan back—never schemed against her."
"Now the Eastern Palace’s lucky star has fallen into the Qin Prince's Mansion, and it’s all your fault!"
The metallic tang of blood filled her mouth. Watching the beast he’d become, she closed her eyes. "Kill me if you dare. If not, get out."
She couldn’t bear to look at him another second.
Couldn’t fathom how she’d birthed something worse than an animal.
Song Yanzheng’s expression darkened.
Outside, Song Xiyan clamped a hand over her mouth and fled in terror.
Impossible. How could that wild girl be the Eastern Palace’s lucky star?
......
Back in her chambers, Song Xiyan trembled uncontrollably.
Liu'er timidly offered tea, only to freeze under her glare.
"This servant deserves punishment. Spare me, Your Highness."
Guilty or not, if Song Xiyan was angry, she was guilty.
Biting her lip, Liu'er endured the torment until, after what felt like an eternity, Song Xiyan released her. "I have a task for you."
"Anything, Your Highness." Liu'er knelt, her back drenched in sweat.
"Find out everything about Song Shihuan—what she likes, wears, eats, even her daily habits." Song Xiyan’s grip tightened around the teacup. "Fail, and you know what awaits you."
"This servant... will obey..."
As Liu'er scurried away, Song Xiyan hurled the cup to the floor, eyes blazing.
No wonder Mother and Brother’s attitudes had shifted. They believed Song Shihuan was the lucky star.
She would never allow this to continue.
Outside, the sunset burned like fire. Song Xiyan exhaled sharply.
If Song Shihuan attracted fortune, then mimicking her in every way would surely do the same.
The next day, at the girls’ academy.
Song Shihuan gaped at Song Xiyan, stunned.
Gu Mingzhu glanced between them, baffled. Why were the two princesses dressed identically today?
"Second Princess seems to have... changed her style?" Gu Mingzhu blurted.
Unfazed, Song Xiyan brushed past Song Shihuan, deepening her confusion.
Had Song Xiyan gone mad?
Only upon returning to the Qin Prince's Mansion and receiving Liu'er’s report did Song Shihuan snap out of her daze—though still puzzled. "Why is she copying me?"
"Well... Liu'er said she doesn’t know either."
After a fruitless ponder, Song Shihuan shrugged and grinned. "Tell Liu'er I eat bitter almonds daily—the bitterer, the better—to enlarge my eyes."
"And that I practice fist strikes against tree roots at dawn to absorb the universe’s energy."
Yingchun stifled a laugh. "Would Second Princess believe that?"
Reclining on her daybed, legs swinging idly, Song Shihuan smirked.
Song Xiyan was, after all, just a ten-year-old child. Tricking a kid? Child’s play.
Upon receiving the news, Song Xiyan scowled but ordered bitter almonds prepared. She then studied the ancient tree in her courtyard for hours.
At the next dawn’s cockcrow, Liu'er roused her.
Half-asleep, Song Xiyan choked down the almonds, her face contorting.
"Ugh—disgusting! So bitter!"
Moments later, standing before the tree, she raised a trembling fist—
"AHHH—!"
Her scream pierced the heavens.
