At this moment, Song Shihuan's eyes still held a trace of drowsiness.
Once she realized what was happening, her entire being lit up with joy. "Thank you, Father! Everyone, please rise. Yingchun, distribute the rewards."
Song Yu clapped his hands, and immediately, seamstresses from the South Street Embroidery Workshop entered the courtyard, each holding exquisitely crafted ruqun dresses, with matching hair ornaments for every set.
"Ah Huan, pick the one you like best."
The ruqun was made of shimmering brocade, embroidered with golden thread in intricate patterns. Song Shihuan froze for a moment.
Such extravagance!
"I like that one."
Her small finger pointed, and the seamstress promptly presented the chosen ruqun to her.
It was still a bright red ruqun—in this life, Song Shihuan had a particular fondness for fiery, passionate red.
Song Yu, satisfied, presented the carefully prepared garments and hair ornaments, even reminding Song Shihuan to take her time changing and not rush to the palace.
Meanwhile, in the Zichen Hall, Emperor Yuanyou was growing so impatient that he felt the flowers might wilt before they arrived.
......
Zichen Hall.
"Have they still not set off?"
Emperor Yuanyou stomped his foot in agitation.
"Your Majesty, Chief Shen has already sent men to keep watch. As soon as the prince and the princess leave the mansion, they will report immediately," Wu Qi replied, wiping the cold sweat from his forehead.
"That rascal, why can't he move faster?" Emperor Yuanyou plopped onto the dragon throne. "I even had clothes specially made for Ah Huan. If they arrive just in time for the auspicious hour, when will she have time to change?"
"Send someone to urge them again."
Wu Qi bowed and retreated from Zichen Hall, then wearily instructed his underlings.
"Master, at this hour, the prince must be deliberately delaying until the auspicious moment..."
Before the young eunuch could finish, Wu Qi swatted him with his horsetail whisk. "You brat, one more word and I’ll send you to the Discipline Office for training."
"No, no! This disciple will go summon them at once."
Watching the young eunuch scamper away, Wu Qi’s face wrinkled with worry, his mind buzzing with unease.
The prince had never paid much attention to palace affairs before—why was he so sharp this time?
Thinking of a certain fox-like rising noble, Wu Qi quickly lowered his head. Best not to speak of it.
At the same time, Qin Prince's Mansion.
Song Yu and Song Shihuan leisurely stepped out of the gates. The imperial guards who witnessed this nearly wept with relief—
The two ancestors were finally moving!
As expected, Song Yu deliberately timed their arrival at the palace to the last possible moment. Emperor Yuanyou’s glare could have torn Song Yu apart, but the moment his gaze met Song Shihuan’s, his expression instantly softened into a smile.
Watching the emperor’s masterful face-changing act, Song Yu couldn’t help but chuckle behind his sleeve.
When the three entered the grand hall, all the civil and military officials had already taken their seats.
Every eye was drawn to the little girl held by Emperor Yuanyou’s hand. Song Yu followed behind the grandfather and granddaughter, his own gaze filled with doting affection.
In that instant, a similar thought arose in everyone’s hearts:
Times had truly changed.
A year ago, Princess Fu'an had been dressed in tattered clothes, disheveled and despised by her own parents—then the crown prince and crown princess.
Now, she was the most beloved imperial grandchild of Great Qi, the centerpiece of this grand birthday banquet!
"Today marks my granddaughter’s birthday—the first since her official return to my side. I have prepared a gift for Ah Huan. Wu Qi, bring it forth."
As soon as Emperor Yuanyou spoke, Wu Qi stepped forward with a small box.
"Ah Huan, open it and see."
Inside lay a wooden hairpin.
"When your grandmother was pregnant with your father, she thought she was carrying a girl and carved this hairpin in anticipation. Who knew she’d give birth to a little troublemaker?" Emperor Yuanyou smiled. "Now that she has a precious granddaughter, this hairpin has finally found its rightful owner."
"Thank you, Grandfather... and Grandmother."
Song Shihuan carefully closed the box.
The entire hall was stunned into silence. Emperor Yuanyou had never before displayed any relics of the late empress—yet today, he had gifted one directly to Princess Fu'an?
"I am overjoyed today. May Ah Huan have a happy birthday."
Emperor Yuanyou lovingly patted Song Shihuan’s head. If Fen'er were still here, she would have adored this little granddaughter.
"We congratulate Princess Fu'an on her birthday!"
A thunderous chorus of well-wishes filled the hall. Emperor Yuanyou glanced at Song Yu beside him.
They say raising a loved one is like tending to a flower—Ah Huan had blossomed beautifully, and this rascal had turned out to be a decent father after all.
As if sensing the emperor’s thoughts, Song Yu straightened his back with pride.
......
After three rounds of wine, as music and dance began, the atmosphere in the hall grew lively.
"Your Majesty, in my humble opinion, you have been doubly blessed recently," Censor Han, who had only just been released from prison a few days prior, spoke up with a smile.
"Oh? Censor Han, do elaborate. Aside from Ah Huan’s birthday, what is the other blessing?"
Emperor Yuanyou was still in high spirits—after all, his wayward son had topped the prefectural exams, which indeed counted as a second joy.
Had Censor Han mentioned any ordinary happy occasion, the emperor would have gladly humored him.
Encouraged, Censor Han eagerly continued, "In addition to Princess Fu'an’s birthday, the eldest grandson of Ping Prince's Mansion, Song Yanzheng, has passed the prefectural exams—surely another cause for celebration!"
Instantly, the smile froze on Emperor Yuanyou’s face, caught between forced politeness and displeasure.
"Indeed, for the eldest grandson to pass both the county and prefectural exams is a testament to his extraordinary talent."
"If only my useless son could achieve half as much, I would be content."
One after another, voices chimed in with agreement. After all, it was rare for noble families to have descendants brave enough to take the imperial exams. A few compliments in this setting were hardly out of place.
Hearing the praise, Song Yanzheng’s face brightened with youthful pride.
As the conversation threatened to shift entirely toward Song Yanzheng, Song Yu frowned.
"Censor Han, you truly have no shame."
A single sentence turned Censor Han’s face from normal to red, then to the shade of a boiled lobster.
"As Yanzheng’s tutor, praising him in public is just a roundabout way of fishing for compliments for yourself," Song Yu scoffed. "In all my years, I’ve never seen someone so shamelessly sing their own praises."
"Prince Qin, you have never been fond of scholarly pursuits, so naturally, you wouldn’t understand the significance of the imperial exams to scholars."
As Song Yanzheng’s tutor, Censor Han fought back fiercely in his defense. But before he could finish, the little figure beside Emperor Yuanyou darted forward.
"Censor Han, you are mistaken. My father has grown very fond of reading lately—he’s even studied the essays of past imperial examination champions!"
"Princess, there’s no need to defend His Highness."
Censor Han wore a pained expression. For a prince to be so unlearned—what a disgrace to propriety!
Song Shihuan could only give Censor Han a helpless look.
She had told the truth. It wasn’t her fault if some refused to believe it.
