"Th-there's such good news?" Song Yu stammered, clearly dazed by the sudden stroke of luck.
"Indeed," Liuxi replied, finally catching his breath. "They say they want to pick an auspicious day to record Your Highness and the young mistress's deeds in Yong'an County's local chronicles."
Song Shihuan stood frozen, her little face blank.
This unexpected reward... was simply too delightful!
"Ask them when they plan to write it," Song Yu blurted eagerly, then immediately cleared his throat, realizing he sounded overly eager for a prince. "Tell them that what I did was merely my duty. There’s no need to specially include me and Ahuan in the chronicles."
Mei Zhilin had once said that when his father ascended the throne, the court officials had to plead three times, with the emperor refusing twice before finally accepting.
Rejecting just once should suffice, right?
The local chronicles...
These records would endure for millennia. Future generations would know of his and Ahuan’s deeds in Yong'an County, ensuring their names would be celebrated forever.
As Song Yu reveled in these thoughts, Liuxi had barely stepped out of the room when Song Shihuan spoke up, "Father, if you let Liuxi say that, the common folk might truly believe you don’t want to be recorded in the chronicles."
She could read her father’s mind with her eyes closed.
But the commoners weren’t court officials—how would they grasp the deeper meaning behind such words?
"What?!"
Song Yu scrambled after Liuxi, terrified he might ruin the opportunity.
Moments later, Liuxi stared at the panting prince, his expression dazed.
Even His Highness was flustered?
"Just tell them that Ahuan and I appreciate their kindness. If compiling the chronicles is too troublesome, they needn’t go through the trouble."
Liuxi nodded, though he was still puzzled.
How troublesome could it be to jot down a few lines in the chronicles?
When Liuxi relayed the message to the crowd outside the manor, the people grew even more fervent upon hearing that the prince and young mistress cared about their labor.
"Having Your Highnesses recorded in Yong'an County’s chronicles is an honor for all of us!"
Inside, Song Yu, eavesdropping by the wall, grinned foolishly.
Beside him, Song Shihuan, who had also crept over unnoticed, tilted her head. "Father, being in the chronicles sounds so prestigious."
"Of course!"
Song Yu straightened his back proudly.
"The chronicles don’t waste a single word. The only one from our Song family ever recorded in Yong'an County’s history is your grandfather, the emperor."
As he spoke, he couldn’t help chuckling again. "And once I pass the imperial exams as the top scholar, they’ll write—'Yong'an County produced a top scholar.'"
Then he’d have two entries in the chronicles, surpassing even the old man!
Watching Song Yu’s uncontainable glee, Song Shihuan laughed too.
What a delightful surprise.
......
After snapping out of his reverie, Song Yu dutifully returned to his study to review his lessons. Song Shihuan was about to head back to her courtyard when she suddenly paused.
"Why haven’t we seen Mrs. Wei these past few days?"
"Replying to the young mistress, Mrs. Wei has been leaving early and returning late. Word is she’s been visiting villages again, likely still searching for her child."
At the mention of the child, Song Shihuan sighed.
She had ordered the imperial guards to search multiple times. Every lead matching Mrs. Wei’s child’s description had been thoroughly investigated, but none were a match.
"Let her be. No one could accept such news easily."
That night, when Mrs. Wei returned to her courtyard, she found a newly transplanted camellia blooming quietly under the lantern light.
"This is..."
"Madam, the young mistress ordered this planted specially. She said camellias are resilient, enduring the cold, and their medicinal properties can detoxify. They symbolize healing and rebirth—she wanted to gift this to you."
Gazing at the vibrant camellia, Mrs. Wei could no longer hold back her tears, collapsing into sobs.
The next day, Mrs. Wei returned to the prison—this time to see Concubine Feng, Ma Liang’s childhood sweetheart and longtime concubine.
"Madam has come."
Despite her dire circumstances, Concubine Feng remained composed in her corner, her hair neatly arranged as if clinging to her last shred of dignity.
"Yes. I’m here to tell you that with all the evidence and witnesses, you and your children are doomed," Mrs. Wei said, sitting on a stool brought by the guards. Her gaze was dark as she added, "What a pity for those clever children of yours."
Only then did Concubine Feng’s expression flicker.
"Mrs. Wei, the master provided you with food, clothing, and the finest treatment in the household. Why betray us? Do you truly wish to see us dead?"
Mrs. Wei laughed coldly.
"Then was my child meant to die? Dead three days after birth, while you vile creatures hid the truth and used that lie to manipulate me?"
Seeing the panic in Concubine Feng’s eyes, Mrs. Wei’s last sliver of hope vanished.
Her child... was truly gone.
With that, the last softness in her heart hardened.
"I once earned Empress Yuan’s favor, and now my testimony has helped uncover this crime. Tell me—if I demand your children be executed by a thousand cuts..." Mrs. Wei’s voice turned terrifyingly soft, "do you think Prince Song and the young mistress would grant my wish?"
"Mrs. Wei, you wouldn’t dare!"
"Oh, I would. Especially Ma Wen'er, who regularly handed out porridge to help Ma Liang maintain this farce. If I reveal that to the public, their deaths might be even more gruesome without my suggestion."
Even Baoxia, standing guard outside, shuddered.
"They didn’t know! They were deceived too!" Concubine Feng screamed desperately, but Mrs. Wei remained unmoved.
"Guards, drag out Ma Liang’s son and daughter. Give them each a hundred lashes—and gag them. I don’t want to hear their screams."
Half an incense stick later, the sound of whips striking flesh echoed.
Concubine Feng finally broke, kneeling and begging for mercy.
Mrs. Wei lifted Concubine Feng’s chin with a finger. "Then tell me—where is the rest of Ma Liang’s embezzled silver? What we’ve found in Yong'an County is far from enough."
Concubine Feng paled instantly.
"Not talking? Keep whipping them."
Lash after lash, Concubine Feng’s sanity began to fray.
"Madam, fifty lashes done. Both have fainted."
"Wake them with saltwater. Continue."
At this, Concubine Feng completely lost control. "I’ll talk! I’ll tell you everything! Just stop!"
"Hold."
The moment Mrs. Wei spoke, Liuxi in the adjacent cell lowered his whip. The straw dummy tied up was already shredded beyond recognition.
