The Qin Prince's Mansion suddenly expelled a large number of servants who had been beaten to a bloody pulp, shocking the entire circle of nobility in the capital.
In the courtyard.
Song Shihuan reclined comfortably, her small feet propped up. She could now sit up with the support of a soft pillow.
"Father, have all those rumors been spread?"
"With me handling it, of course there’s no problem." Song Yu peeled a grape for Song Shihuan. "Now the whole city is buzzing with the news that the Qin Prince's Mansion’s young mistress was bullied by wicked servants."
Song Shihuan nodded in satisfaction. Punishing these insolent servants had lifted her spirits.
"Ah Huan, these past few days, I’ve been thinking—the reason Song Xiyan said those things is most likely because she had spies among those wicked servants in our mansion."
Song Shihuan paused mid-chew. Had her father only just realized this?
"Father is absolutely right."
Song Shihuan was all about positive reinforcement.
"How shameless!" Song Yu fumed. "Don’t worry, Ah Huan. I’ll go and teach them a lesson for you."
"And how exactly will you do that?" Song Shihuan played along.
"A wise man has his methods."
Song Yu tossed the grape to Baoxia. "Peel these properly for the young mistress. I’ll be back soon."
With that, Song Yu strode out of the courtyard. Baoxia stood there dumbfounded, clutching the grapes. "Young Mistress, where is His Highness going?"
"Where else? To the palace to complain, of course."
And he’d likely return empty-handed.
Song Shihuan could predict Song Yu’s every move with ease.
......
In the Zichen Hall.
Song Yu recounted the events with such vivid detail that flecks of spit flew onto Wu Qi’s face during his impassioned speech. Wu Qi’s smile was frozen—could anyone save him?
"Enough. You’re just repeating the same thing over and over. Aren’t you tired of it?"
Emperor Yuanyou spoke with exasperation.
"Song Xiyan, a mere ten-year-old child, dares to plant spies in the Qin Prince's Mansion. Truly, one cannot judge a person’s heart by their face." Song Yu shot a disdainful glance toward the Eastern Palace. "Who knows if someone behind the scenes is pulling the strings!"
Hearing this, Emperor Yuanyou waved his hand. "Those wicked servants have already been beaten, and your mansion is now peaceful. Let it go this time. If it happens again, I will punish them severely."
"Why should we let it go this time?"
Song Yu was not pleased.
"Do you have any proof?" Emperor Yuanyou’s eyes darkened. "Many of those servants were beaten to death. If you wanted to investigate, you should have done so before the punishment. What use is it coming to me now?"
This fool was truly simple-minded.
Song Yu was momentarily cowed by the emperor’s words, but his resentment lingered. "I have a witness—Elder Lady Xu is my witness."
Elder Lady Xu?
"Wu Qi, go and invite Elder Lady Xu here."
Wu Qi glanced at Emperor Yuanyou, and seeing no objection, hurried off to the Xu Mansion.
Emperor Yuanyou looked at Song Yu and sighed inwardly. He wasn’t entirely unaware that the fool might be telling the truth.
Song Xiyan...
Not just Song Xiyan, but also the Eastern Palace.
They had grown far too bold.
Bringing Elder Lady Xu here might give him a pretext to rein in the Eastern Palace.
They needed to stop scheming against the Qin Prince's Mansion.
Half an hour later, the one who arrived at the Zichen Hall was not Elder Lady Xu, but Xu Jinruo, the eldest son of the Xu family.
"Cousin, why are you here? Where’s Elder Lady Xu?"
Song Yu’s face fell as he took in Xu Jinruo’s bloated figure and beady eyes. He had never liked this greasy man.
"Your Majesty, Your Highness, my mother fell ill with a high fever after returning from the Qin Prince's Mansion. She is truly unable to rise from her bed. I beg your forgiveness." Xu Jinruo’s jowls trembled as he spoke.
"Fine. Did Elder Lady Xu mention what happened at the mansion the other day?"
"She did."
At this, Song Yu’s eyes lit up. "Then tell me—did Song Xiyan publicly accuse Ah Huan of faking her illness? And did she seem to know every move I made in the mansion?"
Xu Jinruo bowed slightly. "Your Highness, my mother did not mention any of that."
"Impossible!"
"Enough." Emperor Yuanyou understood the situation and waved them off. "I am tired. All of you may leave. Without evidence, this matter ends here."
The Xu family was no longer what it once was.
......
Song Yu stormed out in a huff, even shooting Xu Jinruo a glare.
Back at the Xu Mansion, Xu Jinruo reported everything to Elder Lady Xu.
"Fool!"
Elder Lady Xu gasped in anger. "If the emperor sent for me, it means he believed the Qin Prince’s words. Lying to His Majesty—do you value your head so little?"
"Mother, I merely said I hadn’t heard you mention it, not that it didn’t happen."
Xu Jinruo’s small eyes gleamed with calculation. "If you ask me, you shouldn’t have protected that child in the first place."
"What do you mean?" Elder Lady Xu laughed bitterly.
"The Qin Prince calls you aunt, and so does the Crown Prince. But the difference between them is vast." Xu Jinruo spoke with conviction. "Princess Fuyun is the future empress, and the Crown Prince’s son is the future heir. Defending some wild girl at their expense is not worth it."
"Xu Jinruo, the Xu family’s standing today was bought with your aunt’s life!"
"I know. But my elder aunt is dead. The one in Kunning Palace now is my younger aunt." Xu Jinruo sighed. "The Xu family’s future does not depend on that wastrel Qin Prince."
Elder Lady Xu closed her eyes, unwilling to continue the conversation.
"I know you’re angry, Mother, but this is reality. The Xu family must choose a side. And I choose the Crown Prince."
With that, Xu Jinruo left the courtyard.
Behind him, Elder Lady Xu let out a long sigh.
She had failed the late empress.
......
Upon returning to the Qin Prince's Mansion, Song Shihuan soothed Song Yu’s rage.
"Ah Huan, you have no idea how despicable Xu Jinruo is." Song Yu snorted. "Ever since we were children, he’s been Song Ling’s lackey."
"If Uncle Xu favors the Eastern Palace, we won’t stop him."
She had thought the Xu family might be a temporary refuge, but with Xu Jinruo in charge, they were clearly aligned with the Eastern Palace. What a pity.
"Father, in a few days, why don’t you go to the servant market and pick out some attendants?" Song Shihuan smiled. "Have them follow you when you go out, for protection."
"Good idea."
Song Yu nodded. Otherwise, he’d look less imposing without attendants, and Shen Qingping would surely mock him.
"What kind of people should I pick?" Song Yu pondered.
"In my opinion, choose clever and handsome ones, with strong physiques." Song Shihuan glanced at Yingchun. "Let Yingchun go with you. She can tell who’s strong."
Song Yu caught on. "Ah Huan, strong physiques are a must, and cleverness I understand. But handsome...?"
"The male leads in storybooks are all handsome. I’d like to see some in person."
Song Yu’s face darkened instantly. "Guards! Burn all the storybooks in the mansion!"
