"Lady Chang..."
Upon seeing Lady Chang, Censor Geng's pupils constricted. "My lady, my suggestion for Princess Fu'an to observe mourning rites was out of respect for you. Why must you rebuke me so harshly?"
A mocking smile curled at the corners of Lady Chang's lips.
"Forcing a niece to mourn her uncle—I dare not accept such 'respect' from you."
"But Prince Ping was Princess Fu'an's birth father—" Censor Geng stiffened his neck, indignation coloring his tone.
"Princess Fu'an severed all ties with Prince Ping's household long ago. It’s clearly recorded in the imperial genealogy. Are you, Censor Geng, now disregarding the royal family’s records?"
No one could deliver this statement with more weight than Lady Chang, the princess’s own mother.
Having spoken, Lady Chang strode toward Song Yanchao and Song Yanming.
"Mother..."
The next moment, two sharp slaps landed on the faces of Song Yanchao and Song Yanming.
"Who allowed you to come to the Qin Prince's Mansion?"
The two young men were stunned, their cheeks burning from the blows. Even Song Yu instinctively shielded Song Shihuan, staring at Lady Chang as if she’d been possessed by a spirit.
"Mother, Second Brother and I only wished to fulfill Father’s final wish," Song Yanming protested, his eyes reddening with unshed tears.
Not only had their mother refused to support them, but she’d also taken the side of Song Shihuan—an outsider. It made no sense.
"Your father’s wish?" Lady Chang let out a cold laugh. "In life, your father wanted nothing to do with Princess Fu'an. Now that he’s gone, you defy his will. As her birth mother, how could I stand by and do nothing?"
"Song Yanchao, Song Yanming, if you have even a shred of filial piety left, you will never again involve yourselves with the Qin Prince's Mansion."
A trace of madness flickered in Lady Chang’s eyes. She knew exposing royal scandals in public would bring her no advantage.
But she couldn’t stand by and watch Prince Ping’s household cling to Ah Huan like malevolent ghosts.
Since she had brought them into this world, she would be the one to end it.
"Return to the mansion at once!"
With their tails between their legs, Song Yanchao and Song Yanming slunk away. Lady Chang’s gaze lingered on Song Shihuan, brimming with profound tenderness.
"Today’s discourtesy was Prince Ping’s household’s doing. Please forgive us."
......
Shen Residence.
"Father, tell me—has Censor Geng’s brain been kicked by a donkey?" Shen Qingping grumbled, frustration pouring out. "How could he possibly suggest having the princess mourn Prince Ping? And those two imperial grandsons from Prince Ping’s household—have they no shame left?"
He prattled on until his mouth ran dry, yet Shen Mingwen remained silent. Shen Qingping leaned closer. "Father, did you hear a word I said?"
His face abruptly magnified before Shen Mingwen’s eyes, startling the older man.
"Back off!"
That nearly gave him a heart attack.
Shen Qingping pouted and retreated a few steps.
"Tell me, how do the commoners view this matter? Do they side with Princess Fu'an or Prince Ping’s household?" Shen Mingwen’s eyes darkened as he posed the question.
"Princess Fu'an, without a doubt."
Shen Qingping didn’t hesitate for even a second, a smug grin spreading across his face. "The Qin Prince's Mansion’s standing among the people is nothing like before."
At this, Shen Mingwen shot to his feet.
"Come with me to the palace."
This was the perfect opportunity for Prince Qin to leave the capital.
......
Purple Palace Hall.
"Your Majesty, this humble official dares to ask—under what identity do you intend for His Highness to take the imperial examinations?"
The examination system was stringent. For Prince Qin to participate anonymously required meticulous planning.
"A scholar’s son from Yongning County, Ji’an Prefecture. Such a background won’t draw attention."
Yongning County, Ji’an Prefecture—the ancestral home of Emperor Yuanyou and Empress Yuan.
Clearly, the emperor had given this considerable thought.
Having Yu take the examinations there wouldn’t violate any rules.
"Your Majesty, the county-level exams will be held next February, followed by the prefectural exams in April. In my humble opinion, Your Majesty could use this mourning dispute as a pretext for His Highness to leave the capital. He could return after the prefectural exams conclude."
Shen Mingwen’s words momentarily stunned Emperor Yuanyou.
That rascal, who had never once left his side since childhood, was now going away for the exams?
A peculiar ache settled in the emperor’s chest.
Shen Mingwen straightened, then knelt. "Your Majesty, while this mourning dispute may seem easily resolved now, if Prince Qin were to... in the future, officials like Censor Geng would never cease using it to criticize him. Rather than exhausting efforts to silence them, why not seize this chance to have Prince Qin voluntarily propose returning to his ancestral home to pay respects and announce Prince Ping’s passing? This kills two birds with one stone."
If Prince Qin went out of his way to honor Prince Ping’s death, the people would only praise his righteousness. Who could then speak ill of the Qin Prince's Mansion?
Yet Emperor Yuanyou’s piercing gaze bore into Shen Mingwen. "Minister Shen, your audacity grows by the day—daring to speculate on matters of succession."
The intensity of his tone made even Shen Qingping shiver.
"This official has selfish motives. I deserve death ten thousand times over."
His forehead pressed to the floor, but Shen Mingwen knew full well—the Shen family existed to support Prince Qin. If they didn’t throw their full weight behind him, their days of prosperity would end.
After a long silence, a sigh echoed above Shen Mingwen’s head. "What of the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of War?"
Shen Mingwen glanced at his gaping son.
A sense of foreboding crept into Shen Qingping’s heart.
The next moment, Shen Mingwen spoke. "If Your Majesty finds him worthy, my son can safeguard the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of War in His Highness’s stead. Should he fail in even the slightest, he will atone with his life."
Atone with his life?
Shen Qingping felt as if a mouthful of blood had lodged in his throat.
But Emperor Yuanyou burst into laughter. "‘Atone with his life’—well said, Minister Shen! We approve!"
"Shen Qingping, We task you with guarding the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of War for Prince Qin. Succeed, and We will promote you to a third-rank official. Do you accept?"
A third-rank position at just over thirty—unprecedented in the entire Da Qi bureaucracy.
Shen Qingping swallowed hard, the earlier chill at his neck forgotten in his excitement.
"Your Majesty, this official accepts."
Only after leaving Purple Palace Hall did the full weight of what had transpired hit Shen Qingping. His legs nearly gave way.
"Father... can I really do this?" He laughed bitterly.
Why couldn’t he ever shake his greed?
"What His Highness needs most now is to shed his reputation as an idle wastrel." Shen Mingwen gazed into the distance. "Countless scholars fail the exams after a decade of study. Though His Highness is brilliant, he mustn’t underestimate the examinations."
If he failed next year’s county and prefectural exams, he’d have to wait another year.
And then another. When would it end?
"Your role is to stand firm in the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of War—like an unyielding nail."
Shen Qingping’s hands clenched tightly within his sleeves.
Then Shen Mingwen’s voice came again, softer now. "Child, this is your chance too."
