"How is Ah Huan's recovery coming along?" the Successor Empress asked while glancing at Lady Chang. "This is Princess Fu'an."
Upon hearing this, Lady Chang immediately stood up, her eyes reddening. "My dear child, you've suffered so much all these years."
"Thanking Her Imperial Grandmother, this granddaughter's health has improved greatly. I also appreciate Lady Chang's concern."
The address of "Lady Chang" clearly drew a line between her and the Chang family.
Lady Chang's smile stiffened slightly. The Empress had been right—this child was determined to distance herself from the Eastern Palace.
Her Chang family had been illustrious for generations, their prosperity and nobility spanning several dynasties.
Yet today, someone actually dared to look down on them? How absurd.
"Ah Huan, there's something I'd like to ask you," Emperor Yuanyou said, recounting the rumors to Song Shihuan before stroking his beard. "What do you think?"
Instead of answering the Emperor directly, Song Shihuan turned to Song Yu, flashing him a bright smile.
"So, Father was speaking up for me just now?" That was why he had roared loud enough to nearly lift the roof.
"None of this nonsense is true. You should be resting in bed to recover, not coming here." Song Yu shot a glance at Wu Qi. "Bring a soft couch for the Princess."
"Father truly is the best to me."
Seeing Song Yu gradually regain his composure, his earlier ferocity fading, the Successor Empress and the Crown Princess exchanged a knowing glance.
Song Yu had always been quick to anger, and they had used this to their advantage many times.
Yet in front of Song Shihuan, he was so easily soothed.
Ahem...
Emperor Yuanyou couldn't take it anymore and made a sound to remind everyone of his presence as the Emperor.
"Imperial Grandfather, this granddaughter has a question," Song Shihuan tilted her head slightly. "When bad people slander me, why should I have to prove my innocence instead of them providing evidence?"
"My father is right—those troublemakers should be arrested first."
"If they can produce evidence, I'll accept punishment. But if they can't, then they should be the ones punished."
Song Shihuan's gaze shifted to Lady Chang, a shadow flickering in her eyes.
In her past life, she had once believed Lady Chang to be the kindest soul under heaven.
But when Song Xiyan toyed with her and Song Yanzheng choked her, she had reached out to Lady Chang for help—only for Lady Chang to laugh and say:
"Truly, even dragons give birth to nine different offspring. One is born to be held up to the heavens, another to be trampled into the mud. Those in the mud ought to know their place."
That was when she realized how vile and ugly Lady Chang truly was beneath the surface.
"Ah Huan makes a fair point," Emperor Yuanyou nodded repeatedly. If others were accusing his granddaughter, they should first explain their accusations. Why should his granddaughter have to prove her own innocence?
"Earlier, when I was outside, I heard Lady Chang suggest finding people close to me or my tutors to testify." Song Shihuan's dark eyes made Lady Chang uneasy—why did this child seem so unsettling?
"Yes..." Lady Chang forced a smile. "This humble woman was only concerned for the Princess, hoping to quell the rumors quickly."
"But I have no close acquaintances." Song Shihuan sniffled. "As for tutors, I only listened to their lectures in secret. They don't even know what I look like."
Not only Lady Chang, but even the Successor Empress's expression cracked.
Then what of the "witnesses" they had painstakingly arranged?
"Ah Huan, how can someone have no close acquaintances? You mustn't lie," the Crown Princess said disapprovingly. "Do you mean to say you've lived all these years alone, relying on no one?"
"Grandma raised me until I was seven, then she passed away."
"Then her children, or her neighbors, must know the Princess well," Lady Chang quickly interjected. "If we find them, they can prove the Princess's innocence."
"Why is Lady Chang so insistent on making me prove my own innocence?"
Song Shihuan's sudden accusation startled even Emperor Yuanyou, making his beard twitch.
"Princess..." Lady Chang was too stunned to speak.
"You appear to have my best interests at heart, yet you keep pushing me to defend myself." Song Shihuan chuckled lightly. "If these so-called acquaintances also slander me, wouldn't I be trapped with no way to clear my name?"
"Are you trying to help me—or harm me?"
"Princess, this humble woman would never dream of harming you!"
Lady Chang fell to her knees with a thud, her face turning deathly pale.
"Ah Huan, you may not know this, but Lady Chang is renowned in the capital for her kindness. You must have misunderstood her," Emperor Yuanyou said, motioning for Lady Chang to rise. "Why would she want to harm you?"
"Imperial Grandfather, this granddaughter spoke carelessly."
Song Shihuan's gaze at Lady Chang turned innocent again. "Since Lady Chang is so benevolent, why not have her arrest those spreading rumors and interrogate them thoroughly to clear my name?"
"Lady Chang, are you willing?" Emperor Yuanyou had always held Lady Chang in high regard for her charitable deeds, so he harbored no suspicion.
"This humble woman... is willing..."
Lady Chang's heart sank to the depths.
Acting on the Empress's orders, she had sought out those closest to the Princess and bribed them in advance, ready to dump a basin of filthy accusations on the Princess's head.
Even the rumors had been orchestrated by the Chang family.
Now she was being told to track down the source of those very rumors...
"Imperial Grandfather, I can't bear to see Lady Chang overworked." Song Shihuan's lips curled slightly. "But my father is still injured. Could you send someone to assist her?"
Lady Chang's face was now ashen, her body swaying unsteadily.
If the Princess weren't only ten years old, she would have suspected her of knowing their scheme and deliberately retaliating.
"Wu Qi, assign two men to help Lady Chang with the search," Emperor Yuanyou agreed without hesitation. "No one shall slander my granddaughter without consequence."
His words made it clear—he would not tolerate any harm to his beloved granddaughter.
Seeing the situation was beyond salvage, the Successor Empress took a deep breath. "Your Majesty, perhaps it would be best for Ah Huan to return to the palace for now. At the very least, it would show the people that the imperial family has not punished her."
At the very least, they needed to get her out of the Zichen Hall.
"Absolutely not." Song Yu cut in sharply. "Old Man Mei said Ah Huan shouldn't be jostled around. If something happens, who will compensate me for my daughter?"
"Exactly—who will compensate Us for Our granddaughter?" Emperor Yuanyou waved his hand dismissively. "Pay no mind to idle gossip."
The Successor Empress, maintaining her composure with great effort, returned to the Kunning Palace—only to spit out a mouthful of blood in fury.
Song Shihuan knew nothing of the chaos unfolding in the Kunning Palace.
She only frowned at the soft couch that had been brought in. "Why does this couch smell like Father?"
Song Yu stiffened.
"Ah Huan, how could anything in the Zichen Hall carry Our scent?"
Was this child’s nose inhuman? How could it be so sharp?
