"Princess, my elder sister scolded me."
Qin Prince's Mansion.
Looking at Gu Mingzhu, who was sobbing incessantly before her, Song Shihuan quickly rose to her feet. "Sister Gu is so understanding—why would she scold you?"
After Gu Mingzhu recounted the whole incident, Song Shihuan couldn't help but twitch the corner of her mouth.
Well, you totally deserved that scolding, kid.
As Gu Mingzhu's cries grew louder, Song Shihuan had no choice but to order Sanxi to leave the mansion and buy pea cakes for her.
But it still didn’t help.
"Shh, don’t let my father hear you." Song Shihuan put a finger to her lips, and Gu Mingzhu wiped the tears pooling in her eyes, barely managing to crack them open.
"My father has declared that if anyone in the mansion disturbs his reading, he’ll drag them into the study to stay with him."
The crying stopped instantly.
"My father wakes up earlier than the roosters and sleeps later than the dogs," Song Shihuan said, her eyes gleaming mischievously. "The books in his study are piled as high as a mountain. Aside from meals, he spends every moment there."
As she spoke, Song Shihuan sighed.
"His fingers have even developed calluses from writing."
"The prince doesn’t... doesn’t seem like that kind of person, does he?" Gu Mingzhu said hesitantly. Though people often said she was childish, she wasn’t foolish—the prince had once been just as averse to reading as she was.
"You don’t believe me?" Song Shihuan raised an eyebrow. "Come, let’s go take a look outside the study."
Half an hour later.
Through the window, Gu Mingzhu caught sight of Song Yu buried in his books, dark circles under his eyes from exhaustion.
Startled, she accidentally knocked over a vase by the window.
Crash—
Gu Mingzhu froze.
Disaster! She had disturbed the prince’s reading.
Hearing the noise, Song Yu instinctively looked toward the window. "Ahuan, Mingzhu, what brings you here? Come in quickly—don’t let the shards cut you."
To Gu Mingzhu, his words sounded like:
"Dare to interrupt my reading? Get in here and stay with me."
Instantly, all color drained from her face.
"Your Highness, Princess... I just realized that my elder sister scolded me because I was in the wrong. I should hurry back to apologize before she gets upset. Next time... next time I’ll come visit again."
With that, Gu Mingzhu turned tail and bolted out of the Qin Prince’s Mansion.
Behind her, Song Yu stood dumbfounded.
"What’s gotten into Mingzhu?"
"Nothing much. It’s just... your diligence moved her, Father. She must be thinking of rushing home to study hard too." Song Shihuan didn’t miss the chance to flatter Song Yu, and immediately, his exhaustion seemed to vanish.
"Don’t worry, Ahuan. Next year’s provincial exam—I’ll take first place again!"
......
Song Shihuan coaxed him with small comforts every few days and grand gestures every fifth.
Sometimes she devised new ways to improve his meals, other times she showered him with endless praise.
She even adapted historical tales into plays and had troupes perform them in the mansion.
Before long, Song Yu’s diligence reached unprecedented heights.
Purple Dawn Palace.
"The Prince of Qin is working this hard?"
After hearing Shen Xiao’s report, Emperor Yuanyou’s eyes widened in disbelief.
"Your Majesty, the guards stationed at the Qin Prince’s Mansion all confirm it." Shen Xiao was equally stunned—such dedication was unheard of for a prince.
"This is downright bizarre." The emperor pondered, then questioned, then pondered again.
So absorbed was he that he nearly plucked out a strand of his beard.
Thinking of his recent worries, Emperor Yuanyou sighed. "Shen Xiao, investigate all unmarried daughters of officials ranked third-grade or higher in the capital. Compile a registry and present it to me."
Gu Zheng’s daughter was already married off—there was no reason his own son should remain unwed!
Recalling Gu Zheng’s smug expression in court these past few days, the emperor’s competitive spirit flared. "Be quick about it. I want the registry by tomorrow."
"As you command."
Not daring to delay, Shen Xiao hurried out of the palace.
The next day.
Emperor Yuanyou flipped through the registry from start to finish, his brow furrowed the entire time.
This one’s no good—too meek, wouldn’t keep those petty officials in line.
This one’s worse—too fierce, would clash with that troublemaker.
After much deliberation, the emperor found none worthy of Song Yu.
"Summon Mei Zhilin."
Time to consult the old fox.
......
"Your Majesty, are you unwell?" Mei Zhilin wore an expression of grave concern.
But the next moment, a registry was tossed at him.
"I intend to select a consort for the Prince of Qin, but after reviewing this registry, I find no one suitable." Emperor Yuanyou sighed dramatically.
Mei Zhilin’s eyelid twitched. Perhaps Your Majesty should suppress that smirk first?
"This humble official recalls that two years ago, around this time, Your Majesty was so distressed over the prince’s marriage prospects that you lost your appetite."
Mei Zhilin forced a stiff smile. "Now, the problem is reversed—the prince is so outstanding that no one measures up."
"Exactly!" The emperor nodded eagerly.
Sometimes, having too exceptional a son was its own burden.
Hearing this, Mei Zhilin nearly lost his composure. "Marriage is a weighty matter, and the Prince of Qin is a man of unparalleled nobility."
He emphasized the words "unparalleled nobility."
"In my humble opinion, it is better to lack than to accept the unworthy."
"Mei Qing, you understand me perfectly!" The emperor, thoroughly pleased by the praise heaped on Song Yu, beamed. "If I am to choose a consort for him, she must be the finest woman in all of Great Qi."
He couldn’t just throw his son into a pit.
Mei Zhilin’s smile turned rigid. So His Majesty summoned him just to hear more flattery about the prince?
Heaven above, who will rein in this imperial father and son?
......
At the end of June, Shen Mingwen finally caught up with Gu Zheng after court adjourned.
"General Gu, I’ve arranged another marriage for my grandson—the ceremony will be held in November." Shen Mingwen, slightly winded from running, spoke earnestly. "What happened before was my family’s fault. I hope you won’t hold it against us."
Gu Zheng nodded.
"I know you were unaware of the matter, Grand Tutor, so I bear no grudge against the Shen family."
Shen Mingwen blinked. Then who was the one ignoring him for days?
Was it not Gu Zheng before him?
"I’m a rough man, but I deeply respect learned men like you, Grand Tutor. Still, there’s something I must say—though I hesitate."
"Speak freely, General." Seeing his solemn expression, Shen Mingwen grew serious.
"The fall of great houses often happens in an instant, and the seeds of ruin usually sprout from within."
Gu Zheng met Shen Mingwen’s gaze squarely. "If I were you, I would uproot those seeds before they take hold."
