After the court session ended,
The officials all avoided Song Yu as if he were the plague, afraid of provoking the wrath of this formidable figure.
"Your Highness, the Emperor requests your presence in the Zichen Hall."
At Wu Qi's announcement, Shen Qingping, standing beside Song Yu, raised an eyebrow and shot him a look that said, "You're on your own."
The ban on officials visiting brothels had been implemented without prior consultation with the Emperor, and now it seemed His Majesty had caught on.
"In that case, Your Highness, this humble official shall take his leave."
The best strategy? A swift retreat.
Shen Qingping departed without a hint of hesitation, eager to avoid being dragged into the mess.
Song Yu pouted at the sight. "Lead the way, then."
Fine, he’d go!
A quarter of an hour later, Song Yu stepped into the Zichen Hall, only to find Emperor Yuanyou seated, head bowed over memorials, not even glancing up.
"Just moments ago, Father praised me in court, and now he won’t even look at me."
Song Yu’s words made Wu Qi’s heart tremble, wishing he could vanish from the hall immediately.
Such complaints—directed at the Emperor!—were beyond reckless.
Yet Song Yu remained blissfully unaware and continued, "Those who know might say Your Majesty is buried in state affairs. Those who don’t... might assume you have a grudge against your own son."
"Hmph!"
Emperor Yuanyou couldn’t hold back a snort. "Now that your wings have hardened, you dare enact major reforms without consulting me first? Had you done so, I wouldn’t have left you isolated in court today."
"Who was isolated?"
Song Yu’s voice rose indignantly, his eyes full of grievance. "Does Shen Qingping not count as a person?"
Meanwhile, Shen Qingping, happily on his way home, sneezed violently.
"I won’t argue with you."
Emperor Yuanyou shot Song Yu a glare. Since the matter was already settled, he’d let this troublemaker have his way.
Just as Wu Qi thought the perilous conversation had ended, Song Yu spoke again:
"Father, have you found the six matrons for Ping Prince's Mansion yet? Household affairs are as important as state affairs—you can’t neglect one for the other."
"You insolent brat, lecturing your own father now?"
Emperor Yuanyou tossed aside the memorial in his hand and grabbed the nearest object to hurl at Song Yu.
Wu Qi sighed inwardly. Why must His Highness provoke this?
"The matrons are crucial! I won’t have Ping Prince's Mansion embroiled in another scandal, dragging Ah Huan’s name through the mud." Song Yu dodged nimbly as he spoke. "Six of them—not a single one less."
A shoe flew straight at Song Yu’s head.
He ducked swiftly, and the shoe sailed past him—landing squarely on Wu Qi’s face.
The hall fell silent.
......
The next day,
Wu Qi inspected the six burly matrons before him and nodded in satisfaction.
He forced a smile, only to wince in pain, his eyes tinged with sorrow.
What was it they said about "when the city gate catches fire, the fish in the moat suffer"?
His swollen face was proof enough.
"Once you enter Ping Prince's Mansion, remember your duty," Wu Qi instructed. "His Majesty sent you to maintain order. Should any of you act out of line, don’t blame me for being heavy-handed."
"Understood, Eunuch Wu," the matrons chorused.
"And never forget who your true master is."
A battle between experts required only the lightest touch.
"Prince Qin arrives—Princess Fu'an arrives—"
At the mere mention of Song Yu's name, Wu Qi felt his face sting even more painfully.
"Eunuch Wu, I’ve come to inspect these matrons," Song Shihuan's voice rang out first. She had just stepped past Wu Qi but then backtracked, eyeing his face with concern. "Eunuch Wu, what happened to your face?"
Ahem— Song Yu coughed at the most inopportune moment, and Wu Qi replied miserably, "Your Highness, this lowly servant tripped and fell by accident."
"How strange—how does one’s face swell from tripping?"
Song Shihuan turned and instructed Baoxia, "Go back to the manor and fetch two bottles of Yingchun’s homemade ointment for Eunuch Wu."
"Many thanks for Your Highness’s kindness."
Wu Qi was overwhelmed with gratitude, his heart brimming with emotion. Truly, the princess was compassionate.
As he thought this, he subtly inched a few steps farther away from Song Yu.
Meanwhile, the father and daughter surveyed the six matrons before them, their eyes gleaming with satisfaction.
"Tell us your strengths—hold nothing back."
"Your Highnesses, this old servant is strong—capable of disciplining disobedient underlings."
"Excellent. You shall serve the Ping Prince’s concubine," Song Shihuan said, her eyes curving into delighted crescents.
"Your Highnesses, this old servant is well-versed in palace etiquette and can remind her mistress to abide by the rules at all times."
"Then you shall serve the Ping Princess Consort," Song Yu declared, his eyes alight with amusement.
"Your Highnesses, this old servant..."
By the time all six matrons had introduced themselves, Song Yu and Song Shihuan had already assigned each to their respective posts.
"Good. Pack your things and head to the Ping Prince’s Mansion at once."
Song Yu couldn’t help but chuckle—he could hardly wait to see the chaos that would unfold in the Ping Prince’s household.
......
"Princess Consort, the Li Garden has gone too far! They’ve sent someone claiming they’ll co-manage the household affairs with you—and even invoked His Majesty’s name..."
"Hold your tongue."
The matron’s figure suddenly appeared, and after bowing to Shen Hua'er, she spoke sternly, "Such words disrespect His Majesty. Princess Consort, you must not tolerate such loose talk from your attendants. Twenty slaps to the mouth are in order."
"Matron..." Shen Hua'er’s smile instantly faded.
"Princess Consort, setting aside the fact that the concubine is the mother of several imperial grandsons and the princess, she now has His Majesty’s decree. Co-managing the household affairs is perfectly justified. You should not obstruct her."
"Of course, Matron," Shen Hua'er replied through gritted teeth.
That shameless Prince Qin—how dare he plant spies in the Ping Prince’s Mansion so brazenly!
This was beyond insulting!
Meanwhile, in the Li Garden...
"Matron, would you kindly pass along a message? Inform them that from now on, the imperial grandsons and princess are to come to my courtyard daily to pay their respects."
After just a few days of recuperation, Lady Chang’s complexion had improved significantly.
Hearing her words, the matron bowed at once. "Rest assured, Concubine. This old servant will deliver your message without fail."
With that, the matron marched straight toward Song Yanzheng’s courtyard.
"The eldest imperial grandson is studying for his exams and has ordered no disturbances."
Faced with the blocking servant, the matron barged into the room with sheer physical force. "Eldest Imperial Grandson, the concubine has instructed that you pay your respects daily at the Li Garden from now on."
"Can you not see I’m reading?" Song Yanzheng snapped in displeasure.
"The Great Qi Dynasty governs with benevolence and filial piety. This old servant only barged in to protect Your Highness’s reputation."
Confronted with such a matron, Song Yanzheng felt his entire body trembling with fury.
In less than three days, the entire Ping Prince's Mansion was "refreshed from top to bottom" thanks to the joint efforts of six matrons.
At the Qin Prince's Mansion,
Liuxi animatedly read out the secret letter delivered by Liu'er, while Song Shihuan doubled over with laughter, clutching her stomach.
"Father, I can't take it—this is just too hilarious!"
"Song Yanzheng actually coughed up blood from sheer rage!"
