"Big Brother, we're only doing this for your own good."
Prince Chu and Prince Qi lowered their voices when they saw Song Yu's expression.
"If Xiling were in this situation, Third Brother, would you really send her to the prison of the Ministry of Justice to await the truth, as you claim?"
Prince Chu choked on his words, answering weakly, "Of course I would."
"Fourth Brother, if it were Xiyao in trouble today?"
Prince Qi also spoke up, "Big Brother, I would send Xiyao as well."
"Being your daughters must be the result of some grave sins in their past lives—what wretched luck." Song Yu scoffed. "What a pity, Fourth Brother. Your father-in-law's position as the Minister of Justice won't last much longer."
"Big Brother, we—" Prince Chu tried to speak again but was silenced by Song Yu's raised fist.
"This is the last time I'll say it."
Song Yu's voice was icy, striking fear into the hearts of Prince Chu and Prince Qi.
"Ah Huan is my daughter. Her honor and disgrace are mine to bear. If anyone dares plot against her life, they’ll have to step over my corpse first."
"And let’s not forget—prisons are cold and damp. Once a young lady like Ah Huan enters, even if she’s later proven innocent, who will compensate for the damage to her reputation?"
"Don’t pretend you don’t understand. From today onward, I no longer acknowledge any ties between us."
Song Yu’s resolute words were a formal declaration of the severed relationship between the Qin Prince's Mansion and the two princes.
"Unless absolutely necessary, there’s no need for further contact."
"See them out."
Prince Chu and Prince Qi had never expected Song Yu to react so fiercely and were left at a loss.
"Third Brother, what... what do we do now?"
Prince Qi, just before entering the palace, asked anxiously.
"Big Brother has lost his mind over Song Shihuan," Prince Chu fumed. "If he’d rather abandon us for her sake, then we’ll act as if we never had this brother."
"You go into the palace and assess the situation. I’ll head to the Eastern Palace."
The two parted ways, with Prince Chu rushing to the Eastern Palace.
......
Eastern Palace.
"How is he? Is Second Brother still refusing to recover?"
Prince Chu looked at the Crown Prince, who lay moaning in bed, his gaze darkening.
If only the Crown Prince were healthy now.
Shen Hua'er sighed. "We’ve consulted many renowned physicians, but all say His Highness’s condition cannot be cured overnight."
"What a shame."
Prince Chu glanced at Shen Hua'er and the others in the room—including Song Yanzheng. "You all know the situation outside. Big Brother is bewitched by Song Shihuan and insists on protecting her. With Father Emperor unconscious, only Second Brother can take charge now."
As both the Crown Prince and Song Shihuan’s father, he alone could issue an imperial decree.
"Third Brother, don’t rush. Let’s try a few more physicians."
After Prince Chu left, the room fell into silence.
"You have that medicine, don’t you?" Song Xiyan pressed urgently. "So many doctors have seen him, and Father Emperor likely won’t recover. Why not use his authority to eliminate Song Shihuan? That way, his wishes would be fulfilled."
This was too rare an opportunity to rid themselves of Song Shihuan for good. The matter of the "lucky star" also unsettled her, making her fear unforeseen complications.
Shen Hua'er turned to Song Yanzheng.
After a pause, Song Yanzheng spoke slowly, "That pill—can it truly restore Father Emperor’s energy for a few days?"
He had waited on his father for so long, yet there was no improvement.
His patience was wearing thin.
Hearing this, Shen Hua'er smiled faintly.
"Of course it can."
......
Meanwhile, at the Qin Prince's Mansion.
"Your Highness, there’s still no news of the girl."
At Shen Qingping’s words, Song Yu slumped in defeat.
"Do you also think I’m useless?"
"Your Highness..."
Song Yu waved him off. These past few days of reflection had brought him clarity.
"Back then, I acted recklessly—adding meat to the porridge during relief distribution, drawing too much attention and embroiling myself in scandal. Ah Huan had to clean up my mess and uncover the truth for me."
He laughed bitterly. "Now she’s the one imprisoned, yet I can’t do for her what she did for me. All these extra years I’ve lived—what good are they?"
Days of searching had yielded nothing.
Song Yu was growing desperate.
"Your Highness has already changed greatly."
Shen Qingping spoke sincerely.
For a carefree, book-averse prince to transform so drastically in such a short time was no small feat.
"It’s not enough. Far from enough."
Song Yu’s gaze hardened. "I’ve made two mistakes in this matter."
"First, failing to plant informants in the capital early, unable to stop the spread of Ah Huan’s portrait."
"Second, neglecting to build my own influence, leaving too few in court who’d act on my behalf."
His voice was heavy with regret. He had taken the Qin Prince's Mansion’s imperial favor for granted, blind to the dangers beneath the surface.
He had been gravely mistaken.
Shen Qingping opened his mouth but struggled for words.
"Keep searching." Song Yu stood. "Now I see clearly—the Eastern Palace, Prince Chu’s and Prince Qi’s mansions are all vipers’ nests. To ensure Ah Huan’s safety, that throne must be mine."
From this day forth, he would fight and seize what he needed.
Shen Qingping’s eyes widened.
Not wanting Song Ling to ascend the throne was one thing—but the prince himself aiming for it? That was an entirely different matter.
Just as Song Yu stepped out, Liuxi’s voice rang out:
"Your Highness, the Princess requests your presence."
......
Elsewhere.
Song Shihuan studied the disheveled woman before her, her gaze thoughtful.
"Lady Qiu, Cui Qian claims I’m his accomplice, and the entire capital condemns me." She spoke slowly. "But you know I’m not, don’t you?"
She hadn’t addressed her as "Madam Cui," but "Lady Qiu."
Song Shihuan saw the flicker in Mrs. Qiu’s eyes.
These past days, she had devoted most of her attention to Mrs. Qiu.
From initially shunning Song Shihuan, Mrs. Qiu now allowed her to sit quietly by her side.
When Mrs. Qiu remained silent, Song Shihuan produced a portrait. "Do you know anything about this girl?"
Just as Song Yu entered, Mrs. Qiu’s voice rasped:
"This girl was gentle-mannered. Her accent was from Luan County in the capital."
Her voice was hoarse but coherent—no trace of madness.
Song Shihuan’s heart unclenched. "Thank you, madam."
Luan County—a remote corner of the capital.
