For several days in a row,
Song Yu arrived early at Song Shihuan’s courtyard, only to be stopped by the nanny each time he tried to enter. Every single time, Song Yu would fly into a rage.
Yet the nanny would always stammer and insist that Song Shihuan was fine.
After a few such encounters, Song Yu stopped visiting Song Shihuan’s courtyard altogether.
Inside the room,
Song Shihuan was nibbling on the pastries Song Yu had secretly slipped to the nanny. The horse-hoof cakes melted in her mouth, sweet and delicate.
"Who knew Father’s acting skills were this good? He could even perform in operas," she mused.
Hearing this, Baoxia couldn’t help but laugh, though she quickly covered her mouth, careful not to make too much noise.
"These past few days, the servants in the mansion have grown increasingly neglectful of our courtyard," Yingchun said, handing Song Shihuan a clean handkerchief. "Yesterday’s lunch was served cold."
"Exactly!" Baoxia huffed indignantly. "The day before, some fool even tried to bump into me on the road. I kicked him flying!"
"Well done," Song Shihuan gave Baoxia a thumbs-up. "Isn’t this exactly the situation we wanted?"
The household now believed Song Yu had lost patience with her.
They had begun treating her with the usual fawning and contempt reserved for the fallen.
"Before, the mansion only had His Highness as its master, and he was often away. Some of these servants practically see themselves as lords of the house," the nanny said bitterly. She had complained to Song Yu countless times, but he had never paid it any mind.
Now that the Princess wanted to drive out these insolent servants, she was fully supportive.
"Let them play at being masters for a few more days," Song Shihuan said, wiping her hands, her eyes gleaming. "The higher they climb, the harder they’ll fall."
Her feigned illness ensured her father wouldn’t cause any disruptions out of worry for her.
With the biggest variable settled, she had nothing left to fear.
"But..." Yingchun hesitated. "Princess, are you certain guests will arrive soon at our mansion?"
"Others may think Father has lost patience with me, but the poisoner will believe I’m avoiding him because of the poison," Song Shihuan said, glancing at the medicine bowl. "After going to such lengths to obtain forbidden drugs, how could they resist coming to admire their handiwork?"
She was waiting for the Eastern Palace’s people.
"Baoxia, make sure to linger near the mansion’s entrance more often these days."
...
A few more days passed, and Song Yu had stopped returning home altogether, even spending his nights at the Yingchun Pavilion.
It was then that an unexpected visitor arrived at the Zichen Hall.
"Has the Empress recovered?" Emperor Yuanyou’s tone was indifferent. It had been over ten days since Song Yu and Song Shihuan moved out of the palace, and not a single word of greeting had been sent. The thought irked him.
He had even stopped receiving reports about the Qin Prince’s Mansion.
Out of sight, out of mind.
"Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. This humble one is much better now," the Successor Empress said, stepping forward to grind ink for the Emperor with practiced ease.
Seeing this, Emperor Yuanyou softened. After all, they had been husband and wife for many years.
He had once investigated the past incident but found no evidence implicating the Empress. Perhaps that fool had simply misunderstood her.
With this in mind, his tone warmed slightly. "You should get more sun. We’re not as young as we used to be."
"Your Majesty will never grow old. May you live ten thousand years," the Successor Empress replied lightly, staying by his side as he finished reviewing memorials.
In better spirits, Emperor Yuanyou took her for a stroll in the imperial gardens.
"Your Majesty, yesterday the Crown Princess came to Kunning Palace. She wishes to take Xiyan to visit the Qin Prince’s Mansion."
"The Qin Prince’s Mansion?" Emperor Yuanyou frowned.
"They are sisters, after all. She worries for her," the Successor Empress said gently. "This humble one thought it best if Elder Lady Xu accompanied them. She, too, misses the child."
Mention of Elder Lady Xu—the eldest sister-in-law of both the late and current Empresses—gave Emperor Yuanyou pause.
"Very well, let them go."
Ahuan carried the blood of the Xu family. But if only... if only she were truly that fool’s daughter.
Emperor Yuanyou sighed deeply. How he longed for Fen’er to have grandchildren of her own.
...
Two carriages departed the palace, while another left the Xu residence.
Meanwhile, Baoxia was loitering near the mansion’s entrance.
"Look at our Baoxia, stretching her neck out like she’s waiting for her sweetheart!" a servant woman mocked.
"Shut your mouth!" Baoxia raised a fist, and the woman quieted.
"Baoxia, what’s the use of waiting here every day? His Highness won’t visit the Princess’ courtyard. Why not join us for some fun?" A servant’s lewd remark drew laughter from the others.
Baoxia clenched her teeth and kept her eyes fixed on the street.
When the sun was high, her eyes suddenly lit up—a carriage!
The Crown Princess arrived with Song Yanzheng and Song Xiyan, while Elder Lady Xu came with her eldest daughter-in-law.
As they stepped down, Baoxia threw herself at the Crown Princess’ feet, kowtowing loudly.
"Your Highness, please save our Princess!" she wailed, drawing the attention of passersby. "The servants in this mansion bully their master! Our Princess hasn’t even had a hot meal in days!"
"Please, Your Highness, deliver justice!"
Baoxia followed Song Shihuan’s instructions, pleading only to the Crown Princess.
The Crown Princess’ smile froze. Behind her, Song Yanzheng’s breath hitched.
He had specifically asked his grandmother to invite Elder Lady Xu today—to expose Song Shihuan’s poisoned, deranged state.
Not to champion her cause.
Elder Lady Xu trembled as she raised her cane.
"What is happening? Who dares mistreat my grandniece?"
Inside the mansion, the servants had no time to hide their misdeeds. Some were gambling, others feasting on roast chicken, and a few were even caught in indecent acts.
"Where is the Princess?" Song Yanzheng demanded.
"The Princess... the Princess is ill!"
Ill—perfect!
But before Song Yanzheng and Song Xiyan could rejoice, the nanny and Yingchun emerged, supporting a pale and frail Song Shihuan.
"Your Highness, please deliver justice for me."
Song Yanzheng felt blood rush to his throat. Song Shihuan’s gaze was clear—not a trace of poison in her.
"My child, what happened? You’re so thin, your face is white as paper!" Elder Lady Xu exclaimed, heartbroken.
Song Shihuan looked at the elderly woman. "You are...?"
"I am your grandaunt."
"Grandaunt, the servants here have all bullied me," Song Shihuan said, throwing herself into Elder Lady Xu’s arms, barely suppressing a smirk.
To think they had brought Elder Lady Xu along.
The Eastern Palace had truly lifted a stone only to drop it on their own feet.
