Purple Palace Hall.
Emperor Yuanyou and his granddaughter Song Shihuan each held a chess piece, while Song Yu watched eagerly from the side.
A black stone landed on the board, and the emperor turned to Song Yu. "I see you’re determined to stir up trouble in the capital."
"Father, when has the capital’s water ever been clear?"
Song Shihuan’s white piece hovered mid-air, and Emperor Yuanyou chuckled. "Explain—how is it not clear?"
"Officials have too many selfish schemes. Such flaws must be corrected." Song Yu grinned. "These trivial matters don’t require Your Majesty’s personal intervention."
"I heard Shen Qingping gave you a long list of names. Are you and Ah Huan planning to deal with them one by one?"
"Of course."
The moment Song Shihuan spoke, her white piece clattered onto the board—a perfect move.
"Imperial Grandfather, our teacher walks on knife edges every day now. The Shen family can no longer protect him. Only Father and I standing firmly in his defense will make those who wish him harm think twice."
The seriousness on Song Shihuan’s face made Emperor Yuanyou want to pinch her adorable cheeks. Such a clever, spirited girl—and she was his granddaughter!
"Moreover, I’ve asked our teacher. Most names on that list belonged to those who sided with Censor Han during the New Year’s Eve banquet. They bullied you, Imperial Grandfather, and I haven’t forgotten." A glint of ruthlessness flashed in her eyes. "If we don’t make them hurt this time, they’ll dare to do it again."
Ridiculous! Subjects daring to use their emperor’s kindness to force his hand—as if the Qin Prince’s Mansion were dead!
Song Yu slammed the table, scattering the chess pieces. "Father, let me be blunt—Ah Huan and I won’t let them enjoy this New Year."
Watching the pair, Emperor Yuanyou’s laughter deepened the wrinkles at his eyes.
This fierceness—truly the blood of the Song family!
"Just don’t leave me with a mess to clean up."
With this implicit approval, Song Yu immediately pulled Song Shihuan toward the door, only for the emperor to call out, "You rascal! At least dine with me first."
What was the hurry? Their game wasn’t even finished!
But when Emperor Yuanyou looked down at the ruined board, his temper flared, and he chased Song Yu around the hall in mock fury.
Outside, Wu Qi, listening to the commotion, smiled warmly.
How wonderful.
With the prince and princess back, His Majesty was having a joyous New Year.
...
On the second day of the New Year, while households reveled in celebration, Song Yu and Song Shihuan rode their carriage out of the palace gates.
Their first stop: the Sun Residence.
Sun Residence.
At the news of the Qin prince and his daughter’s arrival, Sun You dropped his chopsticks in fright, glaring at his cowering son Sun Hu. "What trouble have you caused now?"
Sun Hu had only been released days prior—the excuse being the imperial prison overcrowded with Xiao family members.
"Father, I haven’t even left the estate! How could I cause trouble?"
Somewhat reassured, Sun You rushed with his household to greet the royal visitors.
"Greetings to Prince Qin and Princess Fu’an."
After scanning the Sun family, Song Shihuan smiled sweetly. "Lord Sun, which of these is your second brother?"
Hearing his useless younger brother named, Sun You’s heart sank.
"I—I am..."
Sun Cai, assuming some honor awaited him, eagerly raised his head.
The next instant, Song Shihuan’s foot collided with his face, sending him flying.
Nearby, Sun Hu—no stranger to pain—winced sympathetically, his body aching in phantom memory. He shot his father a pointed look. Always scolded for losing to a "child"? Now see for yourself.
Such strength—was this a child?
"Was it you who drunkenly slandered my teacher, calling him ruthless and devoid of virtue?" Song Shihuan’s royal demeanor was icy. "How dare you insult someone under my protection?"
"Spare me, Princess! This lowly one didn’t know your teacher was—"
"Shen Qingping."
Hearing the name, Sun Hu’s last hope died. That wastrel Shen Qingping—the princess’s teacher?
"Disrespect toward him is disrespect toward the Qin Prince’s Mansion—an affront to the imperial family. Fifty lashes."
Song Yu’s command was merciless. "Administer them here at the Sun gates."
As the strikes fell, Sun Hu’s screams terrified the entire Sun household. Only after the punishment did Song Yu approach.
"This time, considering it’s Sun Hu’s first offense, the rest of the Sun family will be spared. But if there’s a next time—"
"Your Highness, this official swears to discipline the Sun family strictly. There won’t be a next time."
Satisfied, father and daughter departed for their next target.
By day’s end, twelve names on the list had been dealt with.
Panic spread through the capital’s nobility—every official racked their brains, wondering if they’d ever crossed the now-powerful Junior Minister Shen.
None wished to face the Qin Prince’s Mansion’s wrath.
"Elder Brother."
As Song Yu and Song Shihuan prepared to return to the palace, they encountered Prince Chu’s retinue.
"Third Brother, if you’ve nothing better to do, practice growing a spine at home before venturing out."
Prince Chu’s face darkened at the taunt.
"I lack your recklessness, but today is the second day of the New Year. Storming households with Ah Huan—what will the people think of our imperial family?"
"Storming?" Song Shihuan lifted the carriage curtain. "Uncle, your words lack sense. Those people harmed our teacher. Father and I sought justice for him."
"Shen Qingping is merely a subject. Ah Huan, you’re a princess of Great Qi—why lower yourself for a mere official?"
Her expression turned glacial.
"Uncle, you’re gravely mistaken. A teacher for a day is a father for life. He imparted all his knowledge to me. To harm him is to strike my face."
Song Yu chuckled darkly, his gaze on Prince Chu sharp. His words cut deeper:
"Shen Qingping is under the Qin Prince’s Mansion’s protection."
