"Will the Guo Family be left undisturbed?"
After leaving Yong'an County, Song Yu glanced back with lingering concern.
"Father, I specifically instructed the magistrate of Yong'an County that Guo Feng was a talent even His Majesty valued, and no idle persons were to disturb them. Please rest assured."
Only then did Song Yu nod in relief.
Though he had topped the prefectural exams, Guo Feng had just passed away.
At this time, the entire Guo household was immersed in grief—how could they possibly muster the energy to deal with ill-intentioned visitors?
Just then, a guard rode up urgently. "Your Highness, Princess, the local officials along the route all wish to invite you both for an audience."
"An audience? What face do they have to request my presence?"
Song Yu scoffed coldly. "Denied."
They hadn’t bothered to greet him earlier—now they sought his favor? Too late!
"As you command. This subordinate will relay your refusal."
"Wait—inform them that I despise those who judge others by appearances the most."
When these words reached the ears of the regional officials, they trembled in fear, dreading the moment Prince Qin might seize upon their mistakes.
Thus, the journey proceeded without further disturbances.
Song Yu and Song Shihuan soon arrived at the capital.
Outside the city gates, Emperor Yuanyou stood at the forefront of a grand reception, accompanied by his civil and military officials.
"Prince Qin arrives—Princess Fu'an arrives—"
As the herald’s voice rang out, Emperor Yuanyou took several eager steps forward, his face alight with emotion. These past two months had been unbearable for the lonely sovereign.
Observing the emperor’s fervent demeanor, the officials behind him exchanged puzzled glances.
Hadn’t Prince Qin and Princess Fu'an merely overseen the ancestral temple repairs?
Beyond that, they’d only uncovered the Xiao Family’s treason—a matter already settled during their New Year’s return.
Why then did the emperor welcome them as triumphant heroes today?
"Your son pays respects to Father."
"Your granddaughter pays respects to Grandfather."
Seeing how much thinner his son and granddaughter had become, Emperor Yuanyou personally helped them rise. "The journey must have been arduous. You’ve both worked hard."
"I’ve prepared a family banquet in the palace. Come, accompany me inside."
With that, the entire entourage of court officials was left standing in the dust.
"Well, since His Highness and Her Highness have returned safely, you may all disperse," Shen Qingping announced with a leisurely smile, toying with the jade pendant on his belt.
Just as the crowd began to depart, Shen Qingping blocked one official’s path. "Lord Li, regarding our earlier disagreement—shall we present our arguments before His Highness tomorrow?"
The man addressed as Lord Li shook his head like a rattle-drum, forcing a dry laugh.
"No disagreements at all! I defer entirely to Your Excellency’s judgment."
Shen Qingping raised an eyebrow. "In that case, I’ll instruct my subordinates to proceed."
Truly, Prince Qin’s reputation remained an unbeatable deterrent.
——
Meanwhile, Emperor Yuanyou clung to Song Shihuan’s hand, unwilling to let go—much to Song Yu’s visible irritation.
"I know it’s thanks to A’Huan that your father excelled in the county and prefectural exams," the emperor said fondly, gazing at Song Shihuan. "Look how thin our A’Huan’s face has become!"
Song Yu’s eyes widened in disbelief.
Compared to his daughter, hadn’t he contributed more? And lost more weight?
"Thank you for your concern, Grandfather." Song Shihuan basked in the emperor’s affection, her heart swelling with warmth.
"I remember when I first met A’Huan last year, she only reached here on me." Emperor Yuanyou gestured to his chest. "She’s grown so much in a year. Soon she’ll celebrate her eleventh birthday."
Mention of her birthday again made Song Shihuan’s heart flutter.
Even Grandfather remembered...
"Have you decided how to celebrate, A’Huan?"
Before she could answer, Song Yu interjected:
"A grand celebration."
That evening’s banquet included all the imperial princes’ households.
"Elder Brother seems even more vibrant after months apart," Prince Qi remarked cheerfully. "Your ancestral temple renovations must have pleased our forebears—why else would Yanzheng earn his Tongsheng title?"
When Song Yanzheng was named, he rose to bow at Song Yu, barely concealing his pride.
Though Grandfather favored Uncle’s family, his uncle remained an uneducated ruffian—unlike himself, a teenage scholar who’d passed the imperial exams.
"I’d only heard Yanzheng topped the county exams. So he passed the prefectural ones too?" Song Yu drawled. "Surely as the top candidate again?"
Song Yanzheng’s smugness evaporated.
"Your nephew lacks talent. I didn’t achieve first rank."
Song Yu’s glee became nearly tangible.
Song Yanzheng might be mediocre, but Song Yu was exceptional—he’d taken first place!
Emperor Yuanyou and Song Shihuan, privy to the truth, couldn’t bear to watch Song Yu’s theatrics as he sighed theatrically:
"Well, strive harder in the provincial exams."
"Thank you for your guidance, Uncle." Song Yanzheng ground his teeth. "This nephew will certainly emulate you—to bring glory to the imperial family."
Every word dripped with sarcasm.
"Emulate me?" Song Yu laughed.
"Emulating me is precisely the right choice."
Song Yanzheng’s face darkened like scorched iron.
Since when was his uncle this shameless?
——
After three rounds of drinks, Song Yu raised the matter of the birthday celebration.
Before Emperor Yuanyou could respond, Shen Hua’er began dabbing her eyes. "Father, though Elder Brother dotes on his daughter, Xiyan remains in mourning. Wouldn’t lavish festivities invite criticism?"
"Who said anything about celebrating Xiyan’s birthday?"
Song Yu’s retort froze every Ping Prince’s Mansion member in grotesque expressions.
"The twins share a birthday. How could we celebrate one extravagantly while neglecting the other?" Shen Hua’er forced a smile as Song Xiyan hung her head.
"You’re mistaken, Sister-in-Law."
Song Yu’s voice turned icy. "In all the years A’Huan was lost, did anyone mention her during Xiyan’s grand birthdays? Clearly, twins can be celebrated separately."
"I’m hosting A’Huan’s celebration. As for Xiyan—the Ping Prince’s Mansion may do as they please."
Did they take him for a fool?
He hadn’t forgotten how a child like A’Huan had been scorned at last year’s banquet.
A sob broke the silence—Song Xiyan collapsed onto the table in tears.
Since birth, every birthday had seen her parents’ lavish preparations and her brothers’ extravagant gifts.
Never had she endured such humiliation.
