A few days later.
Supported by her nanny, Song Shihuan was now able to walk slowly on her own.
"Nanny, I'd like to see how the flowers in the mansion are blooming."
Song Shihuan took a deep breath. In her past life, she had been confined indoors, barely seeing the light of day.
Now, outside, the spring sun was warm and gentle, with occasional breezes brushing against her cheeks, filling her with a sense of vivid vitality.
Thank heavens.
"Princess, walk slower. The flowers by the lake in the backyard are the most beautiful. Let this old servant take you to see them." The nanny's palms grew sweaty at the thought of what was about to happen.
Yingchun and Baoxia followed closely behind, ignoring the scrutinizing gazes from the shadows.
The lake shimmered under the sunlight.
Yet Song Shihuan took a step back, her smile fading.
"Princess, what's wrong?" Baoxia steadied Song Shihuan from behind, her voice laced with concern.
"I'm fine."
Song Shihuan forced a smile, then bent down to touch the lake water. As her fingertips met the surface, she murmured, "It's not cold."
"The sun is warm today, so the lake feels pleasant too," the nanny said, wiping Song Shihuan's fingers with a handkerchief. "That's why the princess doesn’t feel the chill."
But in her past life, when she was pushed into the lake, the water had been bone-chillingly cold.
So cold that she lost consciousness.
Song Shihuan was certain that the Eastern Palace was behind the poisoning this time.
They had tormented her and caused her miserable death in her past life, and now they had the audacity to use such vile poison on her again. The mere thought of sharing the same bloodline with them disgusted her!
Steadying her emotions, Song Shihuan gently squeezed the nanny's hand.
The next moment—
She collapsed onto the ground.
The nanny's startled cry and the panicked screams of Yingchun and Baoxia followed instantly.
The Qin Prince's Mansion descended into chaos.
......
Song Yu rushed back to the mansion on horseback, tossing aside the pastries he had brought before sprinting to Song Shihuan’s courtyard.
"Ah Huan!"
Seeing the nanny standing outside the room with reddened eyes, Song Yu’s fury flared. "How is Ah Huan? I’ll go to the palace and summon Mei Zhilin immediately!"
"Your Highness, wait!"
The nanny struggled to speak. "Your Highness, Yingchun has already checked the princess’s pulse. She said it was just exhaustion from too much activity today—nothing serious."
"Are you sure?" Song Yu still couldn’t shake his worry. "Prepare the horses. I’m going to the palace."
"Absolutely not!"
The nanny seemed hesitant, then dropped to her knees. "Your Highness, if we summon Physician Mei, the princess’s... the princess’s reputation will..."
Song Yu couldn’t comprehend her words. He tried to leave for the palace, but the nanny clung to his legs, leaving him on the verge of exploding in frustration.
"The princess truly is fine. If you don’t believe me, you may see for yourself."
"Release me."
The moment the nanny let go, Song Yu hurried into the room.
The door closed behind him, shutting out the prying eyes outside.
"Ah Huan." Song Yu strode to the bedside, only to freeze when he met a pair of familiar eyes. His mouth fell open. "You—"
Wasn’t Ah Huan supposed to be in danger?
"Shh—"
Song Shihuan showed no trace of weakness now, her almond-shaped eyes bright and alert.
"What’s going on? Ah Huan, are you alright?"
"Father, I’m fine." Song Shihuan blinked. "Would you be willing to act out a little play with me?"
"A play?" Song Yu’s mind was still catching up.
Still, seeing her unharmed, he finally relaxed.
"There are too many servants in this mansion. I don’t like so many people around." Song Shihuan pouted. "And they’re wicked. I want to find a way to drive them all away."
Hearing this, Song Yu was momentarily stunned.
"I could just order them to leave." He flicked her forehead lightly. "Was it necessary to fake fainting?"
"If you simply dismiss them, wouldn’t people think the Qin Prince's Mansion is unreasonable?" Song Shihuan straightened her face, speaking righteously. "That won’t do."
"Ah Huan really dislikes those servants that much?"
"Your Highness, allow me to explain," Yingchun interjected respectfully. "When you’re not in the mansion, even adding flowers to the princess’s courtyard is difficult. Her meals are too simple, and sometimes Baoxia and I are bullied."
"Such a thing is happening?!"
Song Yu’s expression darkened. "Ah Huan, what do you want to do?"
"Father, we’ll do this... and this..."
After explaining for the time it took an incense stick to burn, Song Yu asked uncertainly, "Will this really work?"
"Father, just trust me."
......
Teahouse.
Shen Qingping stared gloomily at the teacup before him. "Your Highness, this isn’t the kind of place for us. Why don’t we go to the tavern across the street instead?"
"I’m planning to clear out all the people in my mansion."
Song Yu’s words made Shen Qingping’s pupils dilate in shock. "Your Highness, you’ve finally come to your senses!"
"I’d bet my head that every time we went out, it was your people who reported back. My servants are all trustworthy." Shen Qingping grew more animated. "Every time, I end up getting whipped by my father. Driving them out is letting them off easy!"
"Hm."
Song Yu took a sip of tea and nearly spat it out.
Ugh, so bitter.
The tavern was definitely better.
"But how did you change your mind, Your Highness?"
Shen Qingping had practically worn his lips out trying to persuade Song Yu, but the prince had always remained indifferent, saying he couldn’t be bothered to dismiss anyone.
"Ah Huan doesn’t like having so many people around." Song Yu stood up expressionlessly. "Let’s go. This isn’t the place for us."
Fifteen minutes later, the two were seated in a private room at the tavern.
"Just because the princess doesn’t like it?"
Shen Qingping felt a twinge of resentment. He and the prince had grown up practically sharing the same pair of pants—how could he lose to a daughter who had appeared out of nowhere?
"Isn’t Ah Huan’s dislike reason enough?"
Song Yu shot him a glare. "But she doesn’t want me to dismiss them outright, saying it’ll harm my reputation. So for the next few days, I’ll have to stay outside the mansion to play along with her plan."
"Since when does Your Highness care about reputation?"
Shen Qingping acted as if he’d heard the most absurd tale.
"I don’t. But Ah Huan does."
After downing a cup of fine wine, Song Yu’s lips curled into a faint smile. He was happy to see how much she cared about his reputation.
Ah Huan had said: To first make them perish, let them first grow mad.
"Fine, fine. Now all you think about is Princess Fu'an."
Shen Qingping chuckled dryly. "Your Highness, when will you let me meet the princess?"
"When you finish reading the historical texts, then you may visit."
At the mention of historical texts, the atmosphere in the room turned awkward.
The two men, equally averse to reading, exchanged a glance before raising their cups in perfect unison.
Clink.
