Following Emperor Yuanyou's orders, military forces stationed across the regions began covert mobilizations of varying degrees, creating undercurrents beneath the seemingly tranquil surface.
After the group swiftly exited the Zichen Hall, only Emperor Yuanyou and Wu Qi remained inside. Wu Qi was so terrified he barely dared to breathe.
Emperor Yuanyou took out the letter written by Song Yu and flipped through it several times. As he read, his eyes widened in disbelief, and his fury visibly surged.
The issue with the horizontal blade was actually discovered by Ah Huan? A mere ten-year-old child!
Were the two eyes on that fool’s head just for decoration?
Emperor Yuanyou sat in silence for a long time, unable to comprehend, then finally ordered Wu Qi to summon both Prince Chu and Prince Qi into the palace. He wanted to see if all his offspring were disappointments.
"Take a look at this drawing of the horizontal blade. Do you notice anything wrong with it?"
Emperor Yuanyou’s expression was unreadable, giving no hint of his thoughts to the two princes.
After some deliberation, Prince Chu and Prince Qi confidently provided their answers.
"Father, the horizontal blade in this drawing appears more refined and elegant, especially with its longer hilt. It would allow soldiers to grip it with both hands, making it steadier. Is this a new design from the Ministry of War?" Prince Chu smiled with practiced grace.
A faint smile appeared on Emperor Yuanyou’s face, but it only made Wu Qi tremble even more.
Noticing this, Prince Qi quickly chimed in, echoing his brother’s words:
"Father, I also believe this blade is superior to what our soldiers currently use. The hilt could even be adorned with red cords or other talismans, symbolizing the care of their families and boosting their morale in battle."
Emperor Yuanyou let out a cold laugh.
Wonderful!
"Get out!"
He kicked each of them once. "Return to your mansions and copy the ancestral edicts ten times. Until you finish, you’re restricted to two meals a day—anything more would be a waste of my grain."
With tears welling in their eyes, Prince Chu and Prince Qi left, utterly baffled by their father’s rage and the punishment of being deprived of proper meals.
Back in the Zichen Hall, the disheartened Emperor Yuanyou retreated to the portrait of Empress Yuan, looking utterly dejected.
"Fen'er, someone is plotting rebellion against us, and it was Ah Huan who uncovered it." He clutched another diagram from the urgent letter—one where Song Shihuan had meticulously outlined the differences between the rebel’s horizontal blade and those used by the Great Qi soldiers.
"Third and Fourth’s brains must be clogged with donkey dung! They actually claimed the traitor’s blade was better than ours! As for that other fool, at least he’s slightly better—just blind, that’s all."
"Who would’ve thought that among all my descendants, only Ah Huan inherited my sharp wits?"
Emperor Yuanyou sighed deeply.
......
Meanwhile, at the Shen residence.
"What? A rebellion plot?" Shen Qingping’s hand jerked, leaving a thick streak of ink across the document he’d been buried in. "Are the prince and the princess unharmed?"
Shen Mingwen’s expression was grave. "The prince and princess are fine, but the Emperor is furious. This will likely stain the Great Qi court with much blood."
He then relayed Emperor Yuanyou’s decree in full.
After a moment of silence, Shen Qingping met his father’s gaze with dark, calculating eyes.
"Father, how likely do you think this is truly a rebellion?"
Shen Mingwen paused. "Ninety-nine percent."
Large sums of silver, secretly forged weapons—what else could it possibly be?
Shen Qingping chuckled softly. "The Emperor surely thinks the same. And he’s certain none of the princes are involved, which is why he’s deliberately escalating this."
A faint smirk curled his lips. If that was the case, then the bigger the storm, the better.
"Father, if this is destined to be a tempest, then let it rage as fiercely as possible. When the dust settles, you should propose filling the vacant positions with newly selected scholars. These men, being of the same generation as the princes, will naturally align with Prince Qin’s faction."
Shen Mingwen’s eyes widened in shock as he listened.
This third son of his, whom he’d always dismissed as unruly, now exuded the commanding presence of a seasoned statesman.
"Father, we must act swiftly. We need to leave the prince enough time to prepare for the imperial examinations. I’ll assist you."
......
In Yong'an County.
Song Yu, whom Emperor Yuanyou had berated for being blind, rose before dawn every day. He even brought in several roosters to ensure their crowing would rouse him and his daughter on time.
One buried himself in study in the library.
The other practiced martial arts in the courtyard.
It was as if the suspicion of Ma Liang’s rebellion had never arisen—until Shen Xiao appeared before them.
"Your Highness, Yong'an County has been sealed off. No civilians are permitted to enter or leave." Shen Xiao spoke without emotion. "Where is Ma Liang now?"
"I’ll take you to him."
As he spoke, Song Yu ruffled Song Shihuan’s hair. "Ah Huan, wait here for me."
Song Shihuan nodded obediently. She didn’t need to imagine the scene in the prison—she’d rather spare her eyes the sight.
In the cell, Shen Xiao looked at Ma Liang, who lay on the ground like a lifeless heap, and ordered his men to strap him to the torture rack.
Song Yu eagerly pulled up a chair to observe, determined to learn some interrogation techniques from Shen Xiao.
Shen Xiao stepped forward, gripping Ma Liang’s chin and forcing him to meet his gaze.
"You’re not Ma Liang. The real Ma Liang is already dead."
The moment he spoke, Ma Liang’s pupils constricted violently. "I... I don’t understand what you’re saying."
"My investigation shows you began approaching Mrs. Wei precisely when Emperor Yuanyou was winning battle after battle before his ascension. That’s when you killed the real Ma Liang." Shen Xiao tightened his grip, sending a sharp pain through Ma Liang’s jaw.
"But back then, there was no guarantee Mrs. Wei could offer you anything. Placing a pawn like you in Yong'an County meant you were always expendable."
"You’re lying!" Ma Liang thrashed wildly at the mention of being a disposable pawn.
"Am I? The rebellion plot is now common knowledge in the court. Do you think your master will come to Yong'an County to save you?" Shen Xiao patted Ma Liang’s cheek mockingly. "Look at you—serving the pathetic remnants of the previous dynasty. The people would spit on you if they knew. One scornful glance from each would drown you."
"I, Ma Liang, am beloved by the people! You will not slander His Majesty!" Ma Liang’s face flushed crimson as he shouted, plunging the cell into silence.
Shen Xiao turned to Song Yu and bowed. "Your Highness, the interrogation is complete."
Huh?
Song Yu sat frozen. That was it? Just a few sentences, and it was over?
