"Luan County."
Song Yu immediately instructed Liuxi to relay the message to the Shen and Gu families, then ordered his servants to pack their belongings.
"Ah Huan," Song Yu called softly.
"Father, are you going to Luan County yourself?" Song Shihuan tilted her head slightly. "Though Luan County isn’t large, finding someone won’t be easy."
"If I don’t go myself, I won’t be at ease."
Song Yu gently ruffled Song Shihuan’s hair before pulling out the imperial pardon token he had previously taken from Emperor Yuanyou and handing it to her.
"With the current turmoil, before I leave, I’ll ask your grandfather to dispatch imperial guards to protect you in secret." Song Yu’s eyes were filled with concern. "If anyone tries to force their way in while I’m gone, don’t engage. Since your grandfather has chosen to feign illness, he’s determined to expose certain truths. The more reckless they are, the worse their downfall will be."
"But I still can’t rest easy leaving you alone in the mansion. If danger arises, hold onto this pardon token."
Song Yu stroked Song Shihuan’s hair with tender care.
"Did Father come up with all this himself?"
Song Shihuan’s eyes sparkled with astonishment. She had never expected her father to articulate such a plan or to grasp the Emperor’s intentions so clearly.
He had improved remarkably.
At this moment, Song Yu’s unshaven stubble and dark circles under his eyes made his weary smile all the more poignant.
"Before, I didn’t think things through properly, making you suffer alongside me."
"But I never felt it was suffering. I’ve always thought my father is wonderful."
Song Shihuan grinned, her almond-shaped eyes curving into crescents.
In her past life, almost no one in the Great Qi had known of her existence, yet she had endured relentless torment without a peaceful end.
Now, though thrust into the storm’s eye, she was safely sheltered within the Qin Prince’s Mansion, her heart at ease.
Song Yu froze for a moment before his eyes grew warm.
"Ah Huan’s father will become even better."
......
Eastern Palace.
Under the eager gazes of the room’s occupants, the Crown Prince awoke.
Though his limbs remained weak, confining him to bed, his mind had miraculously regained clarity.
"Father, you’ve finally woken!" Song Yanzheng exclaimed excitedly. "The physician the Crown Princess summoned truly lives up to his reputation."
At the mention of the Crown Princess, the Crown Prince turned to Shen Hua’er beside him.
During his unconsciousness, though unable to speak, he had heard the conversations around him and learned of his new consort.
"Your Highness, this is merely my duty."
Shen Hua’er wore a gentle, demure expression. "Now that you’re awake, I finally have someone to rely on. These past days have been... tumultuous. Even His Majesty was stricken with rage."
"What happened?"
The Crown Prince’s gaze sharpened. Why had no one mentioned these events in his presence?
Seizing the opportunity, Song Yanzheng recounted the entire affair.
"Father, only you can impartially deal with Song Shihuan now." After careful consideration, Song Yanzheng decided to take the risk.
Regardless of his father’s health, the bond between Song Shihuan and Song Yu had grown unshakable. Even after his mother’s repeated attempts, Song Shihuan showed no signs of reconciliation. He feared the rift between the Eastern Palace and her would become irreparable.
Would they simply hand their lucky star to the Qin Prince’s Mansion?
At worst, if Song Shihuan truly was a harbinger of fortune, she would emerge unscathed.
And the Crown Prince’s decree would be beyond reproach.
"This matter..." The Crown Prince hesitated. "My health has only just improved. This situation..."
"Your Highness, you need only issue an order to detain Princess Fu’an in the prison of the Court of Judicial Review. It’s a move that aligns with public sentiment," Shen Hua’er coaxed softly. "This isn’t to condemn her but to assist the Chief Justice in investigating the case."
Once imprisoned, manipulating the situation would be effortless.
"And Your Highness will surely win the people’s hearts."
The Crown Prince remained uncertain.
Upon hearing of his recovery, the Crown Prince’s faction rushed to the Eastern Palace, each urging him to act.
The Crown Prince fixed his gaze on Wang Kan.
"Is this what all of you believe?"
"Your Highness, the key is that this can weaken the Qin Prince’s Mansion, and no one can fault your decree," Wang Kan implored earnestly. "When we petitioned for Your Highness’s heir to accompany His Majesty in the Heaven Worship Ceremony, the Emperor didn’t immediately consent. He may favor Prince Qin instead."
These words struck at the Crown Prince’s deepest concerns.
The next day, officers from the Court of Judicial Review arrived at the Qin Prince’s Mansion, bearing the Eastern Palace’s decree.
"By order of the Crown Prince, Princess Fu’an is to be temporarily detained for investigation."
"His Highness left strict instructions—no one is to enter the mansion or harm the Princess."
The mansion’s guards stood firm at the gates, facing off against the judicial officers.
Meanwhile, inside the mansion, Song Shihuan regarded Mrs. Qiu calmly.
"Madam Qiu, the Court of Judicial Review is here to take me to prison on the Crown Prince’s orders. If you wish to personally testify against Cui Qian later, this is your best chance to feign recovery."
Mrs. Qiu lifted her head at these words, the haze in her eyes vanishing instantly, replaced by clarity.
Outside the mansion—
"How dare you defy the Crown Prince’s command? Arrest them!"
At Wu Ming’s order, the two sides clashed.
Amid the chaos, the crowd surrounding the mansion surged inside.
The mansion’s guards raised their blades, but the families of the victimized girls stood at the forefront, charging toward Song Shihuan with reckless desperation.
Song Shihuan sat beneath an ancient tree in the courtyard, sheltered by its shade.
Guards encircled her in layers, yet her gaze darkened at the sight of the Eastern Palace’s decree. The Crown Prince had awakened—just in time to meddle in this affair.
She couldn’t help but wonder what her grandfather would think once he learned of this.
"Princess Fu’an, why would you collude with that scoundrel Cui Qian?"
"My poor child..."
Song Shihuan’s eyes turned icy at these accusations.
Before she could respond, a figure rushed out from inside.
"How dare you accuse the Princess? Where is your proof?" Mrs. Qiu brandished a dagger. "If association with Cui Qian is the crime, then I’m his wife—come for me instead!"
"Come on!"
With the blade pressed to her own throat, Mrs. Qiu advanced step by step, forcing the crowd back with the same life-threatening resolve.
"Madam Cui, you were the one who sounded the grievance drum. We know you’re innocent."
Mrs. Qiu stared down the families of the victims, her lips parting slowly.
"If your daughters’ spirits witness your betrayal, they’ll haunt your dreams, screaming at your foolishness—for being so easily manipulated."
"Leave now, or you’ll be forcing me to my death."