The next day, Song Shihuan caught a whiff of something burning.
"Nanny, is there a fire somewhere?" She wrinkled her nose, only to see Nanny grinning from ear to ear. "My lady, Steward Liu is burning those storybooks."
Heavens knew the Qin Prince's Mansion had stacks of storybooks piled as high as a hill.
"All of them?"
Song Shihuan was surprised. She had thought her father was just making an offhand remark.
After all, his fondness for those storybooks was no less than his past obsessions with crickets and rooster fights.
"Every last one, not a single volume spared," Nanny confirmed with a nod. "And now the opera troupes won’t be visiting the mansion so often either."
Previously, whenever a troupe came, the prince would randomly pick a storybook for them to perform. A good show earned rewards, while a botched one meant a beating before being thrown out of the mansion.
With no more storybooks left, what could they possibly perform?
This was truly wonderful news.
"Good," Song Shihuan murmured as she strolled leisurely through the courtyard. "Father and Yingchun have been out for a while now. I wonder if they’ve found any servants to his liking."
Just as the group in the courtyard chatted and laughed, a messenger from the palace arrived.
"Eunuch Wu, what brings you here in person?"
Seeing the smiling Wu Qi before her, Song Shihuan’s heart skipped a beat—had her father caused trouble again?
"This servant comes by His Majesty’s order to deliver gifts to the lady," Wu Qi said, clapping his hands. A line of young eunuchs immediately filed into the courtyard, carrying lavish items.
"His Majesty said the lady has suffered undeserved grievances, so he specially opened his private treasury to select these for you. Does the lady find them pleasing?"
A sandalwood pearwood screen.
A night pearl the size of a goose egg.
Rare kohl from tributary states.
......
Song Shihuan’s eyes dazzled at the sight. Had her imperial grandfather emptied his private treasury of every item fit for a young lady and sent them all to the Qin Prince's Mansion?
"Eunuch Wu, please convey my deepest gratitude to His Majesty. I adore every single one of these."
Beaming, she slipped a red string from her wrist. "Eunuch Wu, this is my humble token of thanks."
Wu Qi stared at the worn-looking string, clearly worn daily for years. He hastily shook his head. "My lady, this is far too precious to give away."
"My grandmother wove this for me when I was little, saying it would keep me safe," Song Shihuan explained softly, her gaze tender at the memory. "Now that His Majesty protects me, this red string shall be my gift in return."
She pursed her lips shyly.
"Please don’t disdain it, Eunuch Wu. I... have nothing else worthy of repaying His Majesty."
Even the hardened eunuch felt his heart soften. Good heavens! In all his years serving the emperor, never had he seen someone who, upon receiving imperial gifts, thought to return the kindness.
"This servant will ensure His Majesty knows of the lady’s heartfelt gesture."
If even a eunuch like him was moved, imagine how the emperor would ache for his granddaughter upon hearing of this.
"My thanks, Eunuch. Baoxia, demonstrate that shoulder massage technique for him." Like a child eager to share a treasure, Song Shihuan added, "Eunuch, Baoxia’s hands work wonders."
"My lady, this servant really needn’t—"
Before Wu Qi could finish, Baoxia pounced, kneading his shoulders with expert precision.
To his surprise, the massage left him invigorated, his meridians flowing freely. This surpassed all the silver nobles had ever tipped him—pure bliss.
Wu Qi resolved then: henceforth, he would personally deliver every imperial gift to the Qin Prince's Mansion!
He departed in high spirits, the red string carefully wrapped in a handkerchief like a sacred relic.
"Baoxia, splendid work!" Song Shihuan praised.
Baoxia flashed a bright grin. "My lady, His Majesty is making a statement—declaring you’ve been wronged. Who would dare criticize you now?"
"Yes, His Majesty shields me."
Song Shihuan’s smile deepened. This was likely also a warning to the Eastern Palace.
Whether the Eastern Palace would grasp the message, however, was another matter entirely...
......
Kunning Palace.
Emperor Yuanyou gazed at the red string, his eyes glistening with uncharacteristic moisture.
"In my village as a boy, elders wove red strings for newborns to ensure their safe growth," he murmured.
Decades had passed since he last saw such a token.
"My own red string was lost long ago on some battlefield."
Tying it to his personal jade pendant, the emperor declared, "I shall wear this for Ahuan. From now on, I will be her protection."
Wu Qi’s eyes flickered. Henceforth, Lady Fuan would undoubtedly become the foremost among imperial grandchildren.
"Your Majesty, when this servant visited the mansion, I noticed a burning smell. Upon inquiry, I learned that on the lady’s mere suggestion, His Highness ordered all storybooks in the mansion burned." Wu Qi, ever perceptive in his service, knew when to share strategic details.
Emperor Yuanyou’s lips curved. "It seems my wayward son only lacked a cherished daughter all along."
How fitting.
"Wu Qi, decree that Mei Zhilin is to examine Ahuan at the Qin Prince's Mansion every three days." The emperor’s smirk widened. "I want my granddaughter plump, fair, and thriving."
For the head of the imperial physicians to personally attend to a lady—this was unprecedented imperial favor.
"Also, assign additional guards to the mansion. My granddaughter is not to be harassed by riffraff."
"As Your Majesty commands."
Wu Qi bowed deeply, his eyes alight with understanding.
......
The emperor's edict sent tremors through the court. The Eastern Palace reportedly shattered countless teacups, while the other two princes stirred uneasily. The inner palace buzzed with activity as consorts flocked to Kunning Palace.
Oblivious to the uproar, Song Shihuan scrutinized the four servants Song Yu had selected. The longer she looked, the more her lips twitched.
"Yingchun, these are your and Father’s choices?"
Forget handsome—these men were... spectacularly ill-favored.
Yingchun grimaced. "My lady, His Highness insisted such looks ensure diligent service."
She had protested, but the prince’s will prevailed.
"Father’s taste is... distinctive." Covering her eyes, Song Shihuan sighed. "Well, if he’s pleased with them... that’s what matters."
So unsightly.
Finding four servants this homely was a feat in itself.
Taking them outdoors might attract more mockery than going unattended.
