At this moment in the Ping Prince's Mansion,
Lady Chang had just returned when she was surrounded by servants. Shen Hua'er approached, flanked by several matrons, with Song Yanchao and Song Yanming trailing behind her, their eyes red-rimmed.
It was a scene of a mother and sons turned enemies.
"Guards, confine the concubine to Li Garden for reflection," Shen Hua'er declared with a sharp tone. "To dare openly discuss the prince in public—it seems I’ve been far too lenient with you."
Chang Ling'er immediately stepped in front of Lady Chang. "The bond between Mother and Father is something you, a newcomer, could never understand. Now, with Father’s body not yet cold, you’re already eager to act against Mother. Father’s spirit will not let this go unpunished."
"Outrageous!"
Song Yanzheng’s voice cut through the air, making Chang Ling'er tremble.
"Have I not made it clear that your most important task now is to ensure the safety of Mei Xiang’s unborn child?"
Chang Ling'er’s face twisted in fury. As a princess consort, why should she be reduced to guarding a lowly maid’s pregnancy?
Just as she was about to retort, Lady Chang intervened.
"Ling'er, return to your courtyard," Lady Chang said, patting Chang Ling'er’s hand with a smile as she gazed at her three sons, who now regarded her as an enemy.
Then, she turned to Shen Hua'er. "I will comply with the princess consort’s orders."
She kept herself alive for one purpose—to witness the downfall of these ungrateful wretches.
She had patience to spare.
That evening, in the main hall of the Ping Prince's Mansion, Song Yanzheng and his siblings gathered for a rare meal with Shen Hua'er.
"The current situation is clear to all of you," Shen Hua'er said, a calculating gleam in her eyes. "With the prince’s passing, the reputation of the Ping Prince's Mansion has plummeted."
"Let me speak plainly—I, Shen Hua'er, do not submit to fate. If you, too, refuse to accept this, then set aside your grievances against me. Together, we can turn this stagnant pool into living waters."
The ambition in her words made them all set down their chopsticks. Was there truly a chance to reverse their fortunes?
Most importantly, with the prince gone, the Ping Prince's Mansion would never have legitimate heirs.
Shen Hua'er and they were undeniably bound by shared fate.
When no one spoke, Shen Hua'er continued, unfazed.
"Song Yanzheng, the Qin Prince’s reputation for incompetence is well-known. Use the imperial exams to restore our family’s standing. Choose an unremarkable tutor from among those who come to pay respects to your father and plead for guidance before his spirit. Few would refuse such a request."
"Song Yanchao and Song Yanming, once the mourning period ends, I will petition the emperor to send you both to the military camps. We cannot let the Qin Prince's faction monopolize the army."
"As for Xi Yan... I will help you reclaim your place as the most admired noble lady in the capital."
Her words echoed in their minds. Moments later, they straightened and bowed deeply to her.
"We are family. No need for formalities."
Beneath Shen Hua'er’s composed exterior lay a storm of madness. Fate had played a cruel joke, making her a widow.
But so what? The Ping Prince's Mansion had so many imperial descendants. Whoever ascended the throne in the future, she would still be the empress dowager.
......
Meanwhile, after leaving the palace, Shen Qingping stumbled dazedly to the Qin Prince's Mansion and recounted every word exchanged between Emperor Yuanyou and Shen Mingwen in the Zichen Hall to Song Yu and Song Shihuan.
"By my calculations, there are less than four months left until the county-level exams."
Song Shihuan had also intended to ask her grandfather about her father’s plans for the imperial exams, but Minister Shen had beaten her to it.
"I’ve never left the capital for more than half a month in my life," Song Yu muttered.
The only time he’d been away for nearly ten days was after being caned, purely to spite the old man.
The thought of being away from the capital for so long stirred a strange unease in him.
Shen Qingping, seeing that neither father nor daughter grasped the gravity of the situation, finally lost his patience.
"Do you realize I’m risking my head for this?"
Couldn’t they at least offer some moral support to their poor, helpless tutor?
"Master, you’ve reviewed countless memorials. Managing the Ministry of Revenue and Ministry of War will be child’s play for you," Song Shihuan said with a bright smile. "There’s no need to worry."
"In fact, I think you might even accomplish great things in these few months."
"Really?" Shen Qingping’s spirits lifted instantly.
"Absolutely," Song Shihuan nodded solemnly. "Worst case, if anything goes wrong, the Qin Prince's Mansion will give you its pardon token."
Shen Qingping nearly choked on his excitement.
The young mistress truly had a noble sense of loyalty.
By the end of their conversation, Shen Qingping was thumping his chest in assurance. "Don’t worry, not a single coin will go missing from the Ministry of Revenue or Ministry of War."
After Shen Qingping left, Song Yu seemed distracted.
His book remained unopened for a long time.
"Ah Huan, let’s visit the palace."
Oddly enough, he couldn’t shake his concern for the old man.
......
In the Zichen Hall,
father and son stood facing each other, a flicker of reluctance in both their eyes.
"After much deliberation, I believe it’s safest for you to return to Ji'an Prefecture for the exams," Emperor Yuanyou sighed. "The time between the county and prefectural exams is short, and you’d need to request leave from court at critical moments. I fear someone might take notice."
Unlike Song Yanzheng, who could openly sit for the exams without a second thought.
"Though... if you’d rather not take them anonymously, I suppose I could endure the embarrassment..." Emperor Yuanyou muttered. At least then the rascal wouldn’t have to leave the capital.
In the next instant, Song Yu shook his head like a rattle-drum.
"I couldn’t bear the shame."
The somber mood shattered instantly.
"It was just a thought—I’d be mortified too!" Emperor Yuanyou retorted, and the two locked horns, neither willing to yield.
Song Shihuan, who had been quietly enjoying pastries nearby, ducked her head like an ostrich, hoping to avoid notice.
But fate had other plans.
Emperor Yuanyou’s gaze landed on her, her eyes sparkling at the treats.
A brilliant idea struck him. With the infuriating brat gone, why not keep his sweet, well-behaved granddaughter for company?
Clearing his throat, he announced, "You may depart soon. While you’re away, I’ll take good care of Ah Huan. Focus on your exams without worry."
He wore the picture of a doting father.
Song Yu exploded.
"Ah Huan is my daughter. She’s coming with me to Ji'an Prefecture."
"You’re going there to suffer through exams! How dare you drag her into hardship?" Emperor Yuanyou jabbed a finger at him.
The audacity!
To think this scoundrel would dare snatch a child from the Son of Heaven himself!
