Song Yanzheng abruptly stood up, only to grip the edge of the table as his vision darkened.
"Your Highness, are you alright?"
Song Yanzheng waved his hand dismissively. Once he steadied himself, he strode purposefully toward the door.
Upon seeing Song Yanchao and Song Yanming’s bruised and battered faces, Song Yanzheng completely lost control. He slapped each of them hard across the face. "You two couldn’t even defeat a ten-year-old child, and yet you dare return to the Ping Prince's Mansion? Get out!"
Already seething with pain and anger, Song Yanchao and Song Yanming were momentarily stunned by the blows. Recovering quickly, they both swung their fists at Song Yanzheng.
"The Ping Prince's Mansion belongs to Father. Who are you to act like the master here and order us out? Song Yanzheng, you don’t even know if you’ll pass the imperial exams yet, and already you think we’re useless?"
The three brothers had now torn away the last pretense of civility.
Watching the three of them brawl, Song Xiyan, who had just arrived, halted in her tracks. Her expression shifted several times before she finally said, "Let’s go back."
Shen Hua'er had advised her that until she could bring tangible benefits to the Ping Prince's Mansion, she must learn to keep a low profile. She couldn’t afford to get involved in such matters.
Shen Hua'er herself also refrained from intervening, allowing the three brothers to fight for a full hour until they all collapsed unconscious on the ground.
"Your Highness, are we just going to let this matter pass like this?"
"The grievances between those brothers are not something even I, as the Princess Consort, can meddle in," Shen Hua'er replied, her gaze inscrutable. Song Yanchao and Song Yanming’s usefulness as pawns had likely come to an end.
Defeated by Song Shihuan—who would respect them in the military now?
Utterly useless.
"Remember to discreetly send some ointment to the Eldest Imperial Grandson."
For now, the only remaining hope lay with Song Yanzheng.
......
"What? Xiao Bingsheng is dead?"
In the Purple Palace Hall, Song Yu nearly leapt three feet into the air upon hearing the news. "That old traitor got off too easily."
He would order Xiao Bingsheng’s corpse thrown into the mass graves for the dogs to devour!
"Have you finished dealing with all the people you wanted to punish?" Emperor Yuanyou asked without looking up from the memorial in his hands, his voice low and measured.
"All taken care of, Father. Rest assured, they’ll remain obedient long after I’ve left."
Hearing this, Emperor Yuanyou felt his eyes grow hot with emotion.
"You reckless fool. Do you have no regard for your own reputation? Do you even know what people are saying about you outside?"
"I couldn’t care less what they say."
To Emperor Yuanyou, Song Yu’s defiance seemed like a son willing to sacrifice everything to protect his father.
The emperor’s heart softened instantly.
"Right. Pay no mind to what others say." A glint flashed in Emperor Yuanyou’s eyes. "Once I name you Crown Prince, they’ll all bow to you obediently. These petty rumors mean nothing."
Song Yu froze, momentarily stunned by the emperor’s words.
Even Song Shihuan forgot to chew the pastry in her mouth.
This was the first time Emperor Yuanyou had ever spoken so directly about the succession.
Clasping his hands in a deep salute, Song Yu bowed to the emperor.
"This son humbly accepts Your Majesty’s guidance. I will strive to pass the imperial examinations and become the Crown Prince worthy of Your Majesty’s expectations."
"Good!"
Emperor Yuanyou smiled.
Truthfully... whether this reckless son passed the exams or not, he was already the Crown Prince he desired.
"However..." The emperor’s tone shifted. "With the county-level exams so close, perhaps you shouldn’t take Ah Huan with you to Yong'an County this time."
Nearby, Wu Qi—who had been trying to remain inconspicuous—immediately tensed, scanning the room to ensure all valuables were safely stowed away before relaxing slightly.
As expected, mere moments later, the sound of crashing objects erupted, accompanied by Song Yu’s arrogant retorts and Emperor Yuanyou’s furious roars.
Wu Qi’s heart pounded as he escorted Song Shihuan out of the Purple Palace Hall.
"Your Highness, perhaps it’s best to wait outside for now, lest you get caught in the crossfire."
And so, an absurd scene unfolded:
A small girl draped in a crimson cloak sat quietly under the eaves, resting her chin in her hands as she watched the snowfall, while inside the hall, an elderly man chased a younger man with a shoe in hand.
Suddenly, Song Shihuan giggled.
As always, Father would probably come out slightly ahead.
......
Before his departure, Song Yu personally oversaw the execution of Xiao Bingsheng’s entire clan—hundreds of lives.
Every civil and military official in the capital was ordered to attend. Song Yu wanted them all to witness the fate of those who opposed the Great Qi.
Clad in his python robe, Song Yu’s piercing gaze alone was enough to make men hold their breaths.
This time, Song Yu had truly terrified them. Every official now understood one thing with absolute clarity:
Better to provoke ghosts than the Qin Prince's Mansion.
"In the final years of the previous dynasty, natural disasters were relentless. The people starved, even resorting to trading children for food. The regional lords fought for power without restraint, leaving the land drenched in blood."
Song Yu’s voice seemed to echo across the empire. The courtiers trembled inwardly—since when could the notoriously dissolute Prince of Qin speak with such gravity?
"It was His Majesty who rose from among the common people, winning battle after battle with his own hands, forging the Great Qi we know today. He reclaimed wastelands, built irrigation systems—the Great Qi has treated you all generously. Do not follow in the Xiao family’s footsteps."
"Execute!"
Song Yu flung down the execution order.
The executioners downed a cup of strong liquor before spraying it onto their blades.
With a single swing, the snowy ground of the capital was stained crimson.
Amidst the terror, the officials couldn’t help but glance at Song Yu on the execution platform. His expression was unyielding, not a trace of hesitation in his sharp brows.
In this Prince of Qin, they saw the shadow of the emperor himself.
"I depart tomorrow for Yong'an County once more. I hope that when I return, all of you will still be in such a... tranquil state of mind." Song Yu toyed with the remaining execution orders as he spoke, his tone deceptively light.
A blatant threat!
The officials lowered their eyes, barely suppressing their grimaces.
They couldn’t wait to see this god of slaughter leave.
Yet they could only murmur obsequiously, "Your Highness speaks wisely. We eagerly await your swift return."
As if they meant a single word.
......
This time, Emperor Yuanyou personally escorted Song Yu and Song Shihuan to the capital’s gates.
"Imperial Grandfather, it’s cold outside. You should return to the palace."
At Song Shihuan’s words, Emperor Yuanyou’s reluctance deepened.
Reluctantly releasing her hand, the emperor solemnly presented Song Yu with a small casket.
"Guard this well. And return soon."
Only after Emperor Yuanyou’s figure had vanished into the distance did Song Yu open the casket—and his pupils constricted in shock.
This was...
The Great Qi Crown Prince’s token!
