"His Majesty speaks wisely indeed!"
Song Shihuan raised an eyebrow—since when had her father come up with such a ruthless idea?
"After all, the concubine is the birth mother of several imperial grandsons and younger sister Xiyan. If word of her current state spreads, wouldn’t it bring shame upon the imperial family?" A smirk curled on Song Shihuan’s lips. "If Your Majesty sends a few matrons to the Ping Prince's Mansion, everything will surely be handled with proper decorum."
"Approved."
Emperor Yuanyou couldn’t even bring himself to glance in the direction of the Ping Prince's Mansion, as if a single look would only add to his vexation.
"By the way, what was it that the second and third imperial grandsons wanted to say earlier?" Song Shihuan turned to Song Yanchao and Song Yanming, her smile sending a chill down their spines.
"I suddenly can’t recall clearly—perhaps we should wait until the concubine arrives to discuss it."
"No... it’s nothing important. We can discuss it another day." Song Yanchao immediately cut her off, feigning filial piety as he helped Lady Chang to her seat.
They couldn’t risk provoking Lady Chang further, lest she reveal that they too were aware of the predicament at Li Garden.
If that happened, the label of "unfilial" would be impossible to shake off.
Once Lady Chang was seated, the court dancers and musicians resumed their performance, and the atmosphere grew warm again—except for Shen Hua'er, who remained silent.
"Consort..." Song Xiyan glanced at Shen Hua'er, opening her mouth but finding no words to say.
"We’ll discuss it back at the mansion."
Shen Hua'er kept her voice low, her expression dark with displeasure.
This Song Shihuan was truly sinister—as if she had been born to torment their Ping Prince's Mansion!
The thought of six matrons descending upon the mansion made Shen Hua'er shoot a venomous glare at Lady Chang.
When they had disposed of that old woman, they should have sent Lady Chang to the afterlife as well. Then none of this would be happening!
Of the entire family banquet, only Song Yu, Song Shihuan, and Emperor Yuanyou on the high platform left with smiles on their faces.
......
The next day, Song Yu and Song Shihuan rose early to bid farewell to Song Yanhong and his entourage as they departed the capital.
Only after watching Song Yanhong’s party set off did Song Shihuan return to the carriage, her smile fading as she rubbed her stiff cheeks.
"I’ve never seen you so affectionate with Song Yanhong before—'Fourth Brother' this, 'Fourth Brother' that."
Song Yu kept his eyes on the heavily annotated book in his hands, his tone laced with mock jealousy.
"The more effort I put in today, the more justified Father’s actions will be if he ever turns against us."
Song Shihuan propped her chin on her hands, staring intently at Song Yu’s large fingers gripping the corner of the book.
A royal grandson banished to a fiefdom, with little chance of ever leaving—what difference was there between him and a discarded pawn?
Yet even such a pawn was treated with utmost respect by the Qin Prince's Mansion. If Song Yanhong ever dared rebel in the future, the people’s scorn alone would drown him.
"Father is the one who treats me best in this world. I know that well."
Hearing her words, Song Yu was satisfied.
"I would give my life for you."
He reached out and ruffled Song Shihuan’s hair. "Ah Huan, in this world, apart from your grandfather, me, and Shen Qingping, never fully trust anyone else’s words."
"If our tutor heard this, he’d probably laugh himself silly."
Song Shihuan tilted her head, meeting Song Yu’s gaze with a grin.
Song Yu’s grip on the book tightened. That smile alone was worth fighting for with everything he had.
......
After the case of the abducted girls was finally resolved, the capital enjoyed a brief period of peace.
Just as the court officials began to relax, Song Yu dropped a bombshell during one morning court session, leaving them all stunned.
"Present your memorials if you have any. If not, this court is adjourned."
"This subject has a memorial."
At the familiar voice, the drowsy officials immediately perked up.
Since his return to the capital, the Prince of Qin had yet to submit a memorial in court. Which unlucky soul had provoked him today?
Watching the eager faces around him, Shen Qingping suppressed a smirk. Let’s hope they don’t end up as the spectacle themselves.
"This subject proposes that Great Qi follow the example of our ancestors and prohibit officials from frequenting brothels."
The entire court erupted in murmurs.
"First-time offenders shall receive fifty public cane strikes. Repeat offenders shall be stripped of their positions."
On the dragon throne, Emperor Yuanyou’s eyes widened. This rascal hadn’t mentioned this beforehand—was this a spur-of-the-moment idea?
Did he not realize how troublesome these court officials could be?
But as he watched Song Yu single-handedly dismantle the arguments of several ministers, the emperor fell silent.
"Your Highness, while past dynasties did implement such bans, they were later repealed—surely for good reason."
"To my knowledge, the one who repealed it was none other than the infamous Emperor Wei the Reckless, the last ruler of the fallen Wei Dynasty. His repeal led to unchecked decadence among Wei officials. Are you suggesting Great Qi should follow the same path?"
The minister’s face turned ashen as he hastily retreated.
"Your Highness, brothels and pleasure houses contribute significant tax revenue. Enforcing this law would drastically reduce those funds."
"Are you implying that most of those squandering wealth in brothels are court officials?"
The next official stammered, unable to respond.
"Your Highness, the Rites of Zhou established courtesans to entertain state guests. Even sages understood human nature. Enacting such a law would tarnish Great Qi’s dignity."
"Dignity?"
Song Yu’s gaze sharpened.
He knelt before Emperor Yuanyou. "Father, since this proposal is mine, I willingly bear all condemnation. I beg Your Majesty to enact this law, to cleanse the corruption in our court and spare more women from being forced into brothels for survival."
His face radiated righteous determination, bright as the rising sun.
"Your Majesty, this subject seconds the proposal."
Shen Qingping’s voice rang out. "As one familiar with the Ministry of Revenue’s affairs, I assure you Great Qi’s treasury does not rely on brothel taxes. We have the means to provide our people with honorable livelihoods—no need for the ministers’ concern."
If Song Yu was a sword drawn to draw blood, Shen Qingping was the scabbard that steadied it.
Emperor Yuanyou’s heart swelled. Suddenly, he threw his head back and laughed.
"Excellent! Truly excellent!"
"With a prince like this, what worry is there that Great Qi will not prosper for a hundred years?"
His words froze the entire court. Could the emperor mean...
He intended to name the Prince of Qin as crown prince?
"Summon the scribes. We shall issue the edict at once."
"Your Majesty is wise."
Song Yu pressed his forehead to the ground.
Even standing against the entire court, he feared nothing.
