Prince An's Mansion.
"You En, tell me about the sacrificial ceremony."
That night, Song Yanzheng stepped out of the study, his eyes bloodshot.
You En lowered his head and recounted Song Yu's glorious achievements, making Song Yanzheng's expression grow even darker. His hand, sore from practicing calligraphy all day, still ached.
"Prince Qin is truly fortunate."
Born from the womb of the late empress, he became the apple of their grandfather's eye.
"Prepare the carriage early tomorrow morning. I’m going to the Shen residence in person."
Song Yanzheng clenched his fists beneath his sleeves. The imperial examinations were now his only chance.
He would find a tutor himself!
The next morning, Song Yanzheng arrived at the Shen residence.
"Your Highness, the Grand Imperial Grandson, my lord is likely still at the morning court session." The steward, unsure of Song Yanzheng's intentions, could only invite him inside.
Song Yanzheng waited patiently until Shen Mingwen returned from court.
"Your Highness, what brings you to the Shen residence today?" Shen Mingwen's eyes flickered slightly. He was already firmly aligned with Prince Qin's faction and had little connection with the Ping Prince's Mansion.
"To be frank, Lord Shen, His Majesty has permitted me to take the imperial examinations. I wish to study under you."
Song Yanzheng stood and bowed respectfully.
Shen Mingwen's brow twitched, and he coughed lightly. "I am honored by Your Highness's regard, but I am growing older and lack the energy to instruct you properly."
Hearing the refusal, Song Yanzheng felt stifled but refused to give up.
"Lord Shen need only offer occasional guidance. It wouldn’t require much effort."
Shen Mingwen shook his head. "Your Highness is gifted and should be taught by a more suitable mentor. I... I would only hinder you."
No matter how much Song Yanzheng conceded, Shen Mingwen remained unmoved.
Only after Song Yanzheng stormed off did Shen Mingwen finally exhale in relief. He turned to a servant. "Report what just happened to Prince Qin and the Princess."
"Emphasize my firm refusal."
He couldn’t let the Princess think he had any intention of teaching others. He knew which side his bread was buttered on.
When the news reached Prince Qin's Mansion, Song Yu, who had been buried in his studies, lifted his head and gritted his teeth. "So Song Yanzheng still refuses to give up on the imperial exams."
He then pulled out several newly written policy essays. "I’m going to the Shen residence too."
He wanted Shen Mingwen to see if his essays had improved.
An hour later, Shen Mingwen examined the essays, his eyes lighting up repeatedly. "Your Highness has made remarkable progress. You should at least pass the county-level exams next year."
"Only the county-level?" Song Yu was dismayed. "Not even a xiucai (scholar)?"
Shen Mingwen coughed awkwardly, unwilling to guarantee anything. "There are still months before next year’s exams. Your Highness has time."
The imperial exams were no joke—candidates had to pass county, prefecture, and academy exams just to earn the title of xiucai.
No wonder the Emperor worried Prince Qin might fail.
Song Yu watched despairingly as Shen Mingwen annotated his essays. Suddenly, he noticed a few sheets of paper on the desk—the handwriting looked familiar.
"This is Ah Huan’s writing." Song Yu picked them up.
Shen Mingwen gave him a sympathetic look. "These are the Princess’s policy essays. Your Highness may read them." He just hoped Prince Qin wouldn’t be too discouraged.
The more Song Yu read, the wider his eyes grew.
"Old Shen, don’t let Ah Huan see my essays until I’ve improved."
It would be too embarrassing if his daughter outwrote him.
"But... what if the Princess asks?"
"I don’t care. You’ll think of something." Song Yu spoke with a hint of stubbornness, resolving to stay up an extra hour every night to study.
He’d push himself to the limit.
Fueled by newfound determination, Song Yu threw himself into his studies, even dragging Emperor Yuanyou into reviewing policy essays with him. The Emperor, amused, used current court affairs as essay prompts.
For once, the imperial palace was unusually peaceful.
By late September, the women’s academy was preparing for the October academic competition.
Then, news arrived: the neighboring kingdom of Dayue had sent word that its second prince and princess would soon visit Daqi.
"There’s no special occasion. Why are they coming?" Song Yu grumbled. "Are they here to freeload?"
Emperor Yuanyou nearly rolled his eyes.
"Dayue and Daqi are equals in strength and have coexisted peacefully. In previous dynasties, marriages between our royal families were common." His gaze darkened. "This is the first time Dayue has sent envoys since my reign."
Even the Emperor found it odd.
"Let the Ministry of Rites prepare for their arrival."
Five days later, Song Yu was leisurely returning to the capital with Song Shihuan after a trip to the outskirts.
Then, chaos erupted.
"Move! All of you, move!"
A shrill voice rang out as a young woman on horseback charged recklessly through the streets, lashing out at nearby vendors with a whip.
Song Yu and Song Shihuan’s carriage jolted violently.
"Only urgent military reports permit galloping through Daqi’s streets. Let’s see who dares to whip innocent civilians!"
Song Yu signaled his guards, who swiftly apprehended the rider.
"Who are you? How dare you stop m—this lady!"
Song Yu frowned at the haughty young woman, his expression dark enough to kill a fly. He snatched her whip and tested its weight.
A moment later—
A scream pierced the air.
Rong Lan, her back stinging from the lash, glared at Song Yu with reddened eyes. "You dare strike a princess? I’ll have you turned into a human swine!"
"Princess?"
Song Yu had completely forgotten about Dayue’s envoys. He scoffed. "A lunatic, then. Take her to the prison. We can’t have her harming others."
His father had never been blessed with a daughter.
Human swine? What a vicious mind.
Song Yu spat in disgust and motioned for the guards to haul the madwoman away.
"Outrageous! I am Princess Rong Lan of Dayue!"
Seeing they meant to imprison her, Rong Lan finally declared her identity.
"Dayue’s princess?" Song Yu remained skeptical. "Where are your guards? Why should I believe you without proof?"
The magistrate arrived just then, sweating profusely at the sight of Song Yu. "Your Highness, Prince Qin, my apologies for the delay."
Instantly, Rong Lan’s eyes burned with hatred.
"So you’re the good-for-nothing Prince Qin."
The very man she’d been forced to come here and marry.
