The last glimmer of light faded from Prince Chu's eyes, his heart filled with regret.
If he had stayed quietly in his residence after his second brother's death, wouldn't he at least have been able to live out his days as a carefree prince in his fiefdom?
Now, he was imprisoned in Huangjue Temple—a place reserved for disgraced members of the imperial family!
"Father, Yan Hong... he is still young, not yet of age, and incapable of bearing such a heavy responsibility." Realizing his dire situation, Prince Chu knelt and clutched Emperor Yuanyou's leg. "I was wrong, Father. Please let me go to the fiefdom. I swear I will never set foot outside it for the rest of my life."
"I will strip you of your title and appoint Yan Hong as the heir." Emperor Yuanyou showed no mercy. "When Yan Hong comes of age, I will formally name him Prince Chu."
At these words, Prince Chu's face turned ashen—he had been discarded like a worthless pawn.
"Guards, take him to Huangjue Temple."
As Prince Chu was dragged away, Consort Hui covered her mouth tightly, not daring to make a sound.
Emperor Yuanyou bent down and helped Consort Hui to her feet, his smile not reaching his eyes. "Rise. From now on, I will rely on you to manage the affairs of the inner palace."
"This concubine... obeys Your Majesty's command."
Long after Emperor Yuanyou had left, Consort Hui remained standing motionless, her expression blank.
"Your Highness, the Emperor entrusted you with the inner palace. That means he still cares for you," her personal maid whispered in consolation.
But Consort Hui shook her head, tears streaming down her face.
"The Emperor does not care for me."
"It is only because the Qin Prince's Mansion lacks a princess consort."
......
The next day, the imperial decree appointing Song Yanhong as the heir to Prince Chu arrived at Prince Chu's Mansion.
Once lively, the mansion was now desolate. Inside, the Princess of Chu wandered the courtyard, screaming incoherently. Song Yanhong and Song Xiling stood outside, their expressions eerily calm.
After an incense stick's time, the imperial physician emerged.
"Young Master, Young Miss, Her Highness has suffered a severe shock, which has temporarily affected her mind," the physician said nervously. "She will require prolonged rest to recover fully."
"Thank you, Physician."
Song Yanhong stepped into the courtyard and stopped before the Princess of Chu.
"In a few days, I will depart for the fiefdom. If you wish, you may accompany me. If not, I can petition His Majesty to allow you to join Father at Huangjue Temple."
At these words, the Princess of Chu's screams quieted slightly.
Noticing this, a trace of mockery flashed in Song Yanhong's eyes.
"I am your son. Naturally, I would never mistreat you, Mother. You need not worry."
How could a son feel close to a mother who always prioritized her husband and maternal family over him?
......
Before Song Yanhong's departure, Emperor Yuanyou hosted a family banquet in the palace to bid him farewell.
Inside the hall, Song Yanhong and Song Xiling sat side by side, responding only when Emperor Yuanyou spoke. The atmosphere was stiff and awkward.
"Wu Qi, go check if Prince Qin and the princess have arrived yet."
Emperor Yuanyou could no longer bear the silence. Without that rascal Song Yu and Ah Huan, he had no idea what to say.
He wasn't familiar enough with these grandchildren to keep a conversation going.
Fifteen minutes later, Song Yu and Song Shihuan hurried in.
"Father, Ah Huan insisted on buying gifts for Yanhong and Xiling on the way, so we were delayed. Please forgive us." Song Yu smiled at Song Yanhong, while Song Shihuan peeked out from behind him.
"Oh? What did you buy?"
Emperor Yuanyou widened his eyes, staring at Song Shihuan's hands hidden behind her back. Had she remembered to get something for her grandfather too?
Song Shihuan cheerfully walked between Song Yanhong and Song Xiling, handing each a lucky charm doll.
"Children in the common folk love these fortune dolls. They say keeping them at home brings good luck. Since Fourth Brother and Third Sister are leaving the capital, I’m giving these as farewell gifts. May your journey be smooth."
Song Shihuan beamed.
If not for these two, Prince Chu might have continued causing trouble for much longer.
Giving two dolls was nothing—she’d happily give a thousand if needed!
Song Yanhong and Song Xiling were pleasantly surprised and quickly stood to accept them.
"Ah Huan, you... you must visit me often in the fiefdom," Song Yanhong said, his eyes reddening. "Whatever you want, I’ll give it to you."
"I knew Fourth Brother was the best!"
Having successfully orchestrated Prince Chu’s downfall, Song Yanhong had eliminated the threat to the Qin Prince's Mansion. Thus, Song Shihuan showered him with honeyed words, leaving even Song Yu stunned.
Just moments ago in the mansion, she had been scheming with Shen Qingping about planting spies around Song Yanhong to prevent him from following in his father’s footsteps. Now, she was calling him "the best"?
She’d never said that about her own father!
Thanks to Song Shihuan’s words, the smiles shifted from Emperor Yuanyou and Song Yu to Song Yanhong.
"The fiefdom is rich in fruits. I’ll send you plenty."
Under Song Shihuan’s sweet talk, Song Yanhong was ready to empty his entire fiefdom for her.
Watching Song Shihuan fawn over Song Yanhong, the three grandsons from the Ping Prince's Mansion clenched their fists in silence.
Song Yanzheng lowered his head, using his teacup to hide his discomfort.
When Song Shihuan had followed Song Yu around, calling him "Father" affectionately, he had remained indifferent.
So why did hearing her call Song Yanhong "Fourth Brother" so casually make him so agitated?
Song Yanchao and Song Yanming felt the same.
Just then, Song Yanhong’s clear voice rang out again:
"Grandfather, Ah Huan is a blessing. Everything goes smoothly when she’s around."
"A blessing."
Two simple words shattered the composure of Song Yanzheng and his brothers.
Song Shihuan should have been their sister!
She should have been calling them "Brother" with that same affection!
"Look how close Yanhong and Ah Huan are, just like real siblings," Prince Qi remarked casually. "Our Princess Fu'an is truly beloved by all."
To Song Yanzheng and the others, his words were pure mockery.
Finally, Song Yanchao could no longer hold back. He stood and said, "Ah Huan, I’m your real second brother. Have you ever given me a fortune doll?"
Song Shihuan’s smile vanished instantly.
She looked at Song Yanchao as if he were a fool.
With a dismissive wave, she pointed toward Song Xiyan.
"Look over there. That’s your real sister."
Did he really think he could claim kinship with her?
