"Ah Huan, you have no idea how brilliantly your father performed just now."
In the courtyard, Song Shihuan watched as Song Yu beamed with pride, her lips twitching slightly.
"Even Chief Shen Xiao praised my interrogation skills as astonishing."
At this, Song Shihuan cast a helpless glance toward Shen Xiao. The esteemed leader of the imperial guards somehow seemed pitiable in this moment.
"Father, you are truly a one-in-a-million genius."
Faced with her father’s triumphant enthusiasm, she naturally... joined in the praise!
Song Yu was thoroughly pleased.
A sliver of reason briefly returned to his mind.
"Shen Xiao, I’ve met that old fox Xiao Bingsheng. He’s not like Ma Liang—he’s a tough nut to crack." Song Yu gazed in the direction of the capital. "That scoundrel Shen Qingping is nothing but a gambler, staking his entire fortune on the Xiao family. We must unravel this conspiracy of rebellion as quickly as possible."
"Your Highness, your orders?" Shen Xiao bowed.
"Take a small contingent and escort Ma Liang back to the capital. Spread the word that Ma Liang insists on seeing the Emperor before revealing the truth. And since I’m a coward who fears death, I’ll demand you leave enough men to protect my life." Song Shihuan grasped her father’s plan almost instantly, her almond-shaped eyes sparkling with admiration.
Father...
He really is impressive.
"Ma Liang’s master won’t dare take the risk. The best solution for them would be to kill Ma Liang, so the journey will be troublesome for you, Chief Shen." Song Yu sighed, already imagining the insults hurled his way once the news spread. "The rest of the men will disguise themselves as a merchant convoy and follow at a distance, ready to intervene if needed."
"But Your Highness, your safety..." Shen Xiao blurted out.
"I brought plenty of guards when I came here. Since you’ve confirmed Yong'an County is secure, what danger could I possibly face? Besides, with our ancestors watching over me, who would dare lay a hand on me?"
Song Yu lifted his chin, striking a heroic pose.
Suddenly, a stack of documents was thrust before him.
"What is this?" Song Yu’s heart raced.
"Father, these came with the letter. They must be from Lord Shen Mingwen. Didn’t you see them earlier?"
Song Yu’s head drooped. After flipping through a few pages, he hastily retreated from the courtyard and hurried to his study.
Honestly, back in the capital, Shen Mingwen had never been this harsh in critiquing his policy proposals.
Thank goodness Ah Huan hadn’t seen them.
Otherwise, where would his handsome face go?
......
In the courtyard.
Song Shihuan observed Shen Xiao’s silent demeanor before stepping inside and retrieving an item—a wooden sword.
The wooden blade was an exact replica of the saber described by Concubine Feng, down to the finest detail.
A faint smile played on Song Shihuan’s lips. Her father’s plan was excellent, but she intended to add her own twist.
"Chief Shen, the hilt of this blade is long, making it inconvenient to carry. After consulting Concubine Feng, I learned that the way those men wore their sabers differed from ordinary soldiers—like this." She demonstrated as she spoke. "Concubine Feng mentioned they reeked of alcohol, likely frequenting taverns."
Her next words sent a chill down Shen Xiao’s spine.
"Why not send the disguised merchants ahead to scout the taverns in nearby cities, especially those where officials lack proper backing? If they find leads, ensure Ma Liang’s route passes through those towns."
"And..."
Song Shihuan tilted her head, her eyes curving into crescents.
"We could find someone who sounds like Ma Liang and have them ride in the carriage with him, occasionally shouting—"
"I demand to see Vice Minister Xiao!"
Shen Xiao felt an icy dread creep up his collar, yet the wooden sword in his hand burned hot.
"If they hear that all the way to the capital, Xiao Bingsheng’s allies will surely grow uneasy. Breaking them one by one will be much easier."
For the first time, Shen Xiao lit three imaginary candles in his heart for the Xiao family. Never offend Prince Qin or Princess Fu'an.
Or that rising star in the capital, Young Master Shen...
Otherwise, death would be a mercy.
......
Shen Xiao acted swiftly. By the next day, the disguised merchants had departed Yong'an County.
Though the county remained under lockdown, the townsfolk seemed convinced that Song Yu and Song Shihuan would protect them. With Ma Liang gone, they busied themselves preparing for the New Year.
The streets outside the manor bustled again, red lanterns adorning every household.
Only the residence where Song Yu and Song Shihuan stayed remained quiet.
Half a month later, just before New Year’s Eve, news arrived from beyond Yong'an County.
"Princess, Ma Liang has been assassinated."
Baoxia’s words snapped Song Shihuan’s eyes open. The pristine snowfield had finally been stained with its first drop of blood.
"I see." Clutching her hand warmer, Song Shihuan’s voice turned somber. "What of the assassins?"
"Chief Shen captured them all. One talked under interrogation. Young Master Shen took charge, rounding up the entire network. Only the Xiao family remains, refusing to reveal where the former imperial family is hiding."
Baoxia’s voice trembled. "They say the Emperor is furious. Every accomplice named is executed on the spot—along with their entire clan. Publicly."
The snow where the executions took place was drenched red.
"Rebellion has always been an unforgivable crime. Grandfather tolerates no disloyalty." Hearing children’s laughter beyond the wall, Song Shihuan’s expression softened. "Did the Xiao family say nothing?"
"They did..." Baoxia lowered her voice. "Xiao Bingsheng declared before the court that the Emperor, a commoner by birth, lacks noble blood and is unfit to rule by tradition."
Snap—
Song Shihuan slammed her book shut.
Baoxia hesitated. "Princess, don’t be angry. The Emperor ordered a Xiao family member executed before Xiao Bingsheng’s eyes each day until he talks."
For the first time, Baoxia truly understood the saying:
When the Emperor rages, corpses pile in the millions.
Song Shihuan shot to her feet, her face icy.
"My grandfather ended the suffering of the people under the fractured rule of the previous dynasty. The Song family won this empire blade by blade, honorably. Who is Xiao Bingsheng to judge?"
"No dynasty in history has claimed the throne more righteously than Great Qi."
Without even donning her cloak, Song Shihuan tossed aside her hand warmer and sprinted toward the study.
Moments later, Song Yu set down his brush at the sight of his breathless daughter. "Ah Huan, what’s wrong?"
Song Shihuan grabbed his sleeve. "Father, while we were away, someone tried to bully Grandfather."
"Let’s return to the capital and teach them a lesson, alright?"
