"Are you mocking me?"
Rong Sheng realized Song Yu was toying with him, and his expression instantly darkened.
"How have I mocked you?" Song Yu crossed his arms, his eyes glinting coldly. "Though you’ve been accompanying me, you can’t even compete in cockfighting or cricket fights. Even a visit to the Spring Pavilion makes you tremble in fear. I despise cowards like you the most."
"You are Prince Qin of Great Qi, and I am the Second Prince of Great Yue. In terms of status, you’re no higher than I am." Song Yu’s merciless words stripped away Rong Sheng’s façade of gentleness. "Song Yu, aren’t you afraid of jeopardizing relations between our two nations by treating me this way?"
"You’ve started scheming against my daughter. The fact that I haven’t killed you already speaks to my restraint."
Rong Sheng’s pupils constricted—he had never encountered a prince like this before.
Those of noble status always spoke with superficial politeness, yet Prince Qin before him seemed utterly indifferent to saving face.
Fuming, Rong Sheng could only glare in speechless fury before storming out of the Qin Prince's Mansion.
From behind a screen, Shen Qingping stepped forward. "Your Highness, rumors about Rong Sheng have already reached Great Yue. He’ll likely request leave in a few days."
A cold smirk curled at Song Yu’s lips.
"When he does, I’ll send him off with one final gift."
Meanwhile, after leaving the Qin Prince's Mansion, Rong Sheng grew increasingly indignant and ordered his attendants to head straight for the imperial palace.
Outside the Purple Dawn Hall, Wu Qi blocked his path with a smile.
"Second Prince, His Majesty is unwell and cannot receive visitors."
"I have urgent matters to discuss with your emperor!" Rong Sheng’s veins bulged at his temples. First Prince Qin humiliated him, and now the emperor refused to see him—were the two in cahoots?
"The emperor’s health takes precedence. This servant cannot relay your request."
For days afterward, Rong Sheng was repeatedly turned away at the Purple Dawn Hall.
As the rumors intensified, Great Yue sent word demanding his immediate return. Rong Sheng became a caged beast, seething with helpless rage.
"Pack our belongings. We leave for Great Yue tomorrow."
Hearing this, Rong Lan brightened. "Second Brother, does this mean I don’t have to marry Prince Qin?"
"We can barely protect ourselves now."
Her smile froze at his words.
By diplomatic custom, Great Qi should have hosted a farewell banquet, but Emperor Yuanyou remained "ill." When Rong Sheng and Rong Lan departed, only the Minister of Rites saw them off—none of the princes appeared.
"Great Qi dares to slight us like this?" Rong Lan huffed.
Inside the carriage, Rong Sheng remained silent, fists clenched beneath his sleeves.
Prince Qin, Song Yu…
He would remember this.
At nightfall, as Rong Sheng’s party sought lodging, rustling sounds emerged from the darkness.
"Look at this rich procession, lads!" A bandit leader, his head wrapped in cloth, barked into the shadows.
Dozens of figures swarmed the carriages.
The skirmish lasted half an hour. By the time local guards arrived, every member of Rong Sheng’s entourage bore injuries.
"Second Prince, are you unharmed?"
Rong Sheng, sporting a bruised eye, looked almost comical. "I’m fine," he gritted out.
As the carriages rolled onward, the bandits removed their headscarves and turned back toward the capital.
They had to report to their prince.
......
The moment Rong Sheng left, Emperor Yuanyou’s health miraculously recovered.
Purple Dawn Hall.
"That bastard Rong Sheng took several punches and slunk out of Great Qi." Song Yu laughed heartily. "What satisfaction."
"Shen Xiao also reported that Rong Sheng’s reputation as a wastrel has spread across Great Yue," Emperor Yuanyou remarked with a smirk. "He’s too busy salvaging his name to demand explanations from us."
Dare scheme against my granddaughter?
Letting him live was mercy enough.
Father and son were in perfect agreement.
Just as Song Yu was about to speak again, hurried footsteps approached. "Your Majesty, a messenger from the Ping Prince's Mansion has arrived."
Ping Prince's Mansion?
Emperor Yuanyou frowned. "Bring them in."
You En, Song Yanzheng’s personal attendant, knelt with a tearful voice. "Your Majesty, Prince Ping has collapsed unconscious… The physicians say… he may not last long."
Silence filled the hall.
"Wu Qi, summon Mei Zhilin to the Ping Prince's Mansion. Send medicinal supplies from the palace as well."
The emperor’s voice carried resignation.
"Father, I shall take my leave."
Song Yu bowed, though inwardly puzzled.
Hadn’t Mei Zhilin said recovery was possible? How had his condition deteriorated so suddenly?
......
Qin Prince's Mansion.
"Since you won the academy’s top honors, invitations arrive daily," Baoxia chirped. "Everyone hopes you’ll attend their banquets."
"My studies are demanding, and the tutors assign endless essays." Song Shihuan’s brush flew across paper. "Politely decline them all."
Baoxia nodded.
"By the way, why haven’t you practiced with the Dawnedge Sword lately?"
She looked puzzled—her mistress had cherished the blade just days ago.
"I fear this sword may be too costly for me to wield."
A shadow crossed Song Shihuan’s eyes. Liuxi had told her of Rong Sheng’s marriage scheme for his son. After careful thought, she concluded the Dawnedge Sword’s intricate mechanisms must be the reason.
Could mere craftsmanship make Rong Sheng fixate on her?
As she pondered how to handle the sword, Song Yu entered the courtyard.
Song Shihuan set down her brush. "Father, you’re back?"
"Ah-Huan, major news." Song Yu couldn’t contain himself. "That bastard Song Ling seems to be on death’s door."
"So suddenly?"
Her eyebrows shot up. "Wasn’t it just severe paralysis before?"
"Something feels off." Song Yu clicked his tongue. "We’ll visit the Ping Prince's Mansion soon, lest those old censors accuse me of indifference."
Song Shihuan nodded.
But inwardly, her mind reeled.
Song Ling—the man who became emperor in her past life—was dying now?
