Qin Prince's Mansion.
After Song Shihuan departed, the old maidservant seemed utterly disheartened, and even the usually composed Yingchun was distracted.
"I wonder how far His Highness and the young mistress have traveled by now," the maidservant murmured, her heart feeling hollow. "Ever since the young mistress came to the Qin Prince's Mansion, I personally arranged her meals every day. Now that she's suddenly left the capital, I can't seem to adjust."
Hearing her words, Yingchun steadied herself and reassured her, "With His Highness accompanying her, the young mistress will surely have a smooth journey. Besides, she’ll soon meet the lady you’ve often spoken of."
At the mention of this old acquaintance, the sorrow in the maidservant’s eyes lessened slightly.
"It’s been so many years since I last saw her. We only exchange letters yearly, and she always insists she’s doing well." The maidservant gazed in the direction beyond the capital, a hint of nostalgia flashing in her eyes. "Back then, when she risked her life to deliver a message to help Empress Yuan out of trouble, she was just a girl of eleven or twelve."
"Later, after His Majesty ascended the throne, Empress Yuan sent someone to ask what reward she desired. She used it to secure an official position for her newlywed husband."
Yingchun lowered her eyes at this. "Such a remarkable woman, yet she spent this life-saving favor on her husband."
Whether it was a blessing or a curse, she couldn’t say.
Her thoughts swirled, but in the end, she remained silent.
......
Song Yu’s departure signaled the beginning of revelry for the other princely mansions.
From then on, Emperor Yuanyou’s desk was piled daily with essays, making him frown in irritation.
"The Ping Prince’s Mansion sends Yan Zheng’s writings, the Chu Prince’s Mansion sends Yan Hong’s, and the Qi Prince’s Mansion submits Xiyao’s. Am I some kind of schoolteacher?"
Emperor Yuanyou slammed his hand on the desk. He barely had time to review official reports—occasionally glancing at these essays was one thing, but receiving them daily? Did they take him for a plodding ox?
Beside him, Wu Qi bent slightly at the waist, bracing himself for what he had to say next.
"Your Majesty... Prince Chu has proposed that each princely mansion take turns sending someone to attend you daily in the palace."
"Attend me?"
Emperor Yuanyou’s voice rose involuntarily.
Attend whom?
Him?
"My health is robust, and I’m buried in state affairs until dusk every day. I don’t need them hovering around me."
His expression was one of utter disdain.
"This servant will relay Your Majesty’s words to Prince Chu." Wu Qi turned away, sighing inwardly at the stark contrast in treatment.
When Prince Qin was in the capital, the Emperor practically dragged him to the Zichen Hall after every court session. But now? The mere suggestion of others attending him was met with annoyance.
"Wait."
Emperor Yuanyou’s voice halted him. After a moment’s thought, he added, "Have Yan Zheng come to the palace every three days."
His stated reason was that since Song Yanzheng was preparing for the imperial exams, he ought to show some concern for his grandson’s progress.
In truth, the Emperor simply wanted updates on the examination preparations.
Wu Qi saw through it but kept silent, his eyes twinkling with amusement.
......
Meanwhile, elsewhere.
"Ah Huan, don’t you think traveling with the entourage is too slow?"
Song Yu couldn’t help voicing his frustration. Cooped up in a carriage all day, the scenery outside was wasted on them.
Song Shihuan’s eyes lit up in agreement.
After a brief discussion, a few hours later, two figures rode off on horseback. Apart from the informed Liuxi and Baoxia, everyone else assumed the father and daughter were still in the carriage.
Once free of the group, Song Yu felt even the air tasted sweeter.
In just two days, they reached Ji'an Prefecture.
"Father, let’s go straight to Yongning County. Before we left, the maidservant specifically asked us to greet the county magistrate’s wife on her behalf," Song Shihuan said with a smile. "This magistrate’s wife once did a great favor for Grandmother Empress."
Song Yu nodded. "It’s late today. We’ll find an inn outside Yongning County and enter tomorrow."
So they settled in for the night.
The inn was bustling, but the striking pair—a distinguished man and a young girl—drew many curious glances.
"Esteemed guest, our inn has many specialty dishes. What would you like to order?"
Noting Song Yu’s noble attire, the proprietress personally attended to him and Song Shihuan.
"This road leads to Yongning County, so most of your guests must be heading there," Song Yu remarked casually. "It seems Yongning County is thriving these days."
"Of course! Yongning County is His Majesty’s ancestral home—a place of great fortune. Staying here long brings good luck."
The proprietress straightened proudly. Her inn’s prosperity was all thanks to Yongning’s prestige.
"If Yongning is so prosperous, the county magistrate must be an excellent official," Song Shihuan chimed in with childlike innocence, amusing the woman.
"The magistrate of Yong'an County is a rare, exemplary official," the proprietress said with reverence. "Though his position was originally secured through his wife’s influence, over the years, he’s dedicated himself to the people’s welfare. Everyone knows he’s a good man."
"His wife? What’s she like?"
At the sudden question, the woman hesitated, struggling to find words.
"The magistrate’s wife prefers solitude and rarely appears in public. We’ve never seen her. But Concubine Feng from the magistrate’s household tirelessly manages affairs on her behalf."
Instantly, a cold glint flashed in both Song Yu and Song Shihuan’s eyes.
The mere fact that a concubine, not the wife, attended public functions spoke volumes about the irregularities within the household.
"How peculiar," Song Shihuan remarked with a faint, knowing smile.
After the meal, as they prepared to retire, an old matchmaker boldly approached Song Yu.
"Young master, where is your family from? Do your parents hold official positions? Are you considering marriage?"
Song Yu frowned.
Undeterred, the matchmaker pressed on, "I was hired by the Yong'an County magistrate to find a suitable match for his daughter. A fine gentleman like you would surely catch her eye."
"The magistrate’s daughter?" Song Yu bit back a sharp retort and instead asked, "Is she the legitimate daughter?"
The matchmaker faltered.
"Not... not by birth, but she’s treated no differently. She’s the daughter of Concubine Feng, who manages the household."
Concubine Feng again...
"This... this lord has no interest in a concubine’s offspring," Song Yu scoffed. "Don’t bring such riffraff before me and sully my daughter’s ears."
The matchmaker bristled.
"Concubine Feng runs the household! And you—a man with a child in tow—our young lady wouldn’t even glance your way!"
