The Purple Palace Hall.
"Your Majesty, the Grand Imperial Grandson is requesting an audience outside the hall."
Upon hearing this, Emperor Yuanyou set down the memorial in his hand and frowned slightly. "What does Song Yanzheng want with me? Let him in."
He hoped his grandson wouldn’t stir up any trouble that might give Shen Mingwen a reason to laugh at him—especially since he’d just enjoyed mocking Shen Mingwen himself.
Song Yanzheng strode into the hall with visible excitement, dropping to his knees with a thud. "Your grandson brings joyous news! Congratulations, Imperial Grandfather, on the birth of your great-grandson!"
A great-grandson?
Emperor Yuanyou had completely forgotten about Mei Xiang’s existence. He mentally sifted through his grandchildren but couldn’t recall where this new heir had come from.
"Did Lady Chang give birth? I don’t remember her being with child."
At the emperor’s words, Song Yanzheng’s smile stiffened slightly. "Imperial Grandfather, it was Mei Xiang from your grandson’s household who bore a son."
The mention of Mei Xiang darkened Emperor Yuanyou’s expression.
"This matter is hardly honorable. The mother and child may remain in the Ping Prince’s Mansion, but they need not appear in public."
Seeing not a trace of joy on the emperor’s face, Song Yanzheng felt as if a bucket of cold water had been dumped over him.
"Mei Xiang passed away during childbirth. Your grandson intends to register the child under Lady Chang’s name."
Instantly, an oppressive aura bore down on Song Yanzheng. Emperor Yuanyou’s eyes flashed with displeasure. Such a blatant move to eliminate the mother and keep the son—what foolishness!
"Have you truly thought this through? The child’s origins are tainted. Are you certain you want him to occupy the position of your legitimate firstborn?" At this point, Emperor Yuanyou remained unaware that Chang Ling'er could no longer bear children.
"Lady Chang has already agreed to this arrangement."
"Do as you wish." The emperor’s tone was icy, his disinterest in the newborn evident.
"Thank you, Imperial Grandfather. There is one more thing—when your grandson saw the child earlier, he noticed an uncanny resemblance to the late Empress Grandmother, especially in the nose..."
"Not just anyone can resemble Fen'er."
Emperor Yuanyou’s voice carried a sharp edge. "Yanzheng, I’ll allow you to grant him the status of a legitimate heir, but I will not tolerate any ulterior motives. Since you’ve chosen to sit for the imperial examinations, focus your mind on that."
After leaving the Purple Palace Hall, Song Yanzheng shuddered violently.
His imperial grandfather had spoken so bluntly—he hadn’t even shown the slightest interest in seeing the child.
With this in mind, Song Yanzheng quickened his steps back to the Ping Prince’s Mansion. He needed to inform the princess consort of the emperor’s stance immediately.
......
Qin Prince’s Mansion.
"A bastard elevated to legitimate heir?"
Song Yu’s lips curled in mockery. "The Ping Prince’s Mansion’s schemes are doomed to fail. His Majesty would never favor a great-grandson of such dubious origins."
"Moreover, the Ping Prince’s Mansion brazenly disposed of the mother to keep the child. Even if the boy survives, he’ll be worthless," Shen Qingping added languidly.
Footsteps approached as Yingchun entered the room, holding a slip of paper.
"Your Highness, Princess, Young Master Shen—this is a secret message from Liu'er."
At the mention of Liu'er, Song Yu cast an approving glance at Song Shihuan. "A brilliant move, Ah Huan, planting such an effective spy."
But when he unfolded the message, his expression darkened completely.
"Initially, I had no intention of making an issue over a mere child with the Ping Prince’s Mansion. But now they’ve gone out of their way to provoke me."
Song Yu’s voice was laced with fury. "Very well. For the child’s third-day celebration, I’ll prepare a grand ‘gift’ for them."
When Song Shihuan and Shen Qingping read the contents of the message, they too were rendered speechless by the audacity.
Claiming resemblance to the late Empress?
How dare some lowborn whelp compare to her?
......
Two days later, the Ping Prince’s Mansion hosted an extravagant celebration for the child’s third-day ceremony.
As the emperor’s first great-grandson—and bearing the status of a legitimate heir—court officials, uncertain of Emperor Yuanyou’s stance, arrived bearing gifts to offer their congratulations.
The mansion buzzed with activity.
"Uncle and Ah Huan have arrived."
Spotting Song Yu and Song Shihuan, Song Yanzheng’s eyes gleamed with smug satisfaction. No matter how powerful the Qin Prince’s Mansion might be, they lacked an heir.
Sooner or later, the emperor would realize that Song Yanzheng was the most suitable successor.
"What a lively affair today," Song Yu remarked, scanning the crowd with a smile. "Why didn’t you invite His Majesty? He hasn’t seen the child yet."
"Elder Brother, His Majesty is occupied with state affairs. We didn’t wish to trouble him further," Shen Hua'er interjected, attempting to salvage the Ping Prince’s Mansion’s dignity.
But Song Yu and Song Shihuan had come precisely to ruin their day. They had no intention of backing down.
Song Yu nodded knowingly. "Where’s the child? Bring him here for me to see."
When the wet nurse carefully presented the infant, Song Yu gave him a cursory glance before chuckling. "How fascinating bloodlines can be."
"This child bears no resemblance to Yanzheng at all. He looks far more like his mother."
A stunned silence fell over the room.
Everyone knew the young master’s mother had died in childbirth, hence his adoption under the princess consort’s name. For Song Yu to say this—wasn’t he openly exposing the truth?
"Elder Brother has quite the memory, recalling Mei Xiang’s appearance so clearly," Shen Hua'er forced out through gritted teeth, her fists clenched tightly beneath her sleeves.
"It’s not my father’s memory that’s remarkable—it’s his thoughtfulness."
Song Shihuan smiled sweetly. "Upon hearing that my little nephew lost his mother at birth, my father was deeply moved. He ordered people to locate the child’s maternal uncle and aunt overnight and had them brought to the capital."
"Just now, when I saw my nephew, the resemblance to his uncle and aunt was striking—as if they were carved from the same mold."
At these words, Chang Ling'er, who had been seething in silence, could no longer contain herself.
"In that case, let the child remain registered under Mei Xiang’s name."
She’d rather die than raise a child who didn’t even resemble her husband.
She wasn’t barren—why should a lowborn brat occupy the position of her firstborn?
"The princess consort is speaking nonsense. Someone, escort her away!"
Shen Hua'er’s face twisted with rage as she glared venomously at Song Yu. "How... considerate of you, Elder Brother and Ah Huan."
It was clear now—these two had come solely to humiliate the Ping Prince’s Mansion.
......
"No need for such gratitude, Sister-in-law. I’ve brought them all here today—they’re waiting outside the mansion. Send someone to fetch them so they can see the child."
Shen Hua'er felt as if her lungs were about to explode. Only Song Xiyan’s steadying grip kept her from collapsing.
Meanwhile, Song Yu peered down at the swaddled infant. "Look at those tiny eyes and nose—just like your uncle’s! Especially the nose. Once everyone sees your uncle, they’ll know exactly how you’ll grow up."
Within moments, a frail, dark-eyed man with unsteady steps was brought forward.
One glance at him, and Shen Hua'er fainted on the spot.
