"Father, has Song Yanchao done something again?" Hearing Song Yu's words, Song Shihuan's little face tensed up.
Song Yu crouched down and pinched her cheek lightly. "No, I just spent days guarding him and felt displeased, so I wanted to teach him a lesson."
At this, Song Shihuan nodded emphatically.
"He's the only one in Laijin Prefecture who caught the plague—clearly, he deserved it," she said indignantly. "And he even put Father in danger! Liuxi, given Song Yanchao's character, he’ll surely try to slack off. Make sure to lead the people past him from time to time, so everyone can see what kind of person he really is."
Seeing how eager she was to stand up for him, Song Yu couldn’t help but grin.
Just as he stepped outside the manor, he saw a crowd of commoners gathered at the gates. The moment they spotted Song Yu, they knelt and kowtowed.
"We’re here to thank Your Highness for saving my daughter’s life."
"And we’re here to thank Your Highness for saving my wife and child."
One after another, voices of gratitude rose, but Song Yu clutched his chest in silent agony. He had saved so many, yet in his dreams, he couldn’t save Ah Huan.
"There’s no need to come all this way to thank me," he said, forcing himself to speak. "The soldiers have also worked tirelessly to save lives. As long as you all remain safe and well, that’s enough."
"We’ve already thanked the soldiers, but we couldn’t find you for days," the people said, tears in their eyes. "When we heard you were guarding the Second Imperial Grandson, we... we were all worried for you."
"I’m fine. Go home now."
A little girl beside a burly man beamed sweetly at Song Yu, and he managed a faint smile in return.
"Go back."
At least so many wouldn’t have to witness their own child’s death, as he had.
......
Inside the hall, Song Yu sat at the head of the room.
The assembled officials remained silent, waiting for him to speak.
"Now that Laijin Prefecture has weathered the worst of the plague, we’ve won."
His words brought tears to their eyes.
This disaster had been as deadly as war—how many of them had thrown themselves into the fray without regard for their own lives?
"But our soldiers cannot leave yet. We must help the people rebuild their homes," Song Yu continued methodically. "And the fields must be sown soon, or famine will strike next year."
"Your Highness need not worry. The Princess has already given orders for these matters," Gu Zheng said, though he couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off about Song Yu. He added cautiously, "Now that the situation has stabilized, both Your Highness and the Princess should take care of your health."
If the Emperor were to see the Prince and Princess in such a state...
Gu Zheng felt his vision darken.
Given the Emperor’s favoritism, the court officials would surely suffer for at least a month.
"I’m fine."
Song Yu toyed with a small stone Song Shihuan had picked up by the river, his gaze icy. "There’s one more matter I haven’t had the chance to address."
What matter?
The officials exchanged puzzled glances.
"I and Ah Huan have the authority to execute first and report later."
Execute first and report later!
Hou Zhiyuan’s brow twitched. When the flood had ravaged Laijin Prefecture, the imperial messenger could only shout from outside the city walls:
"By the Emperor’s decree, Prince Qin and Princess Fu'an are granted the authority to execute first and report later!"
Fearing his words wouldn’t reach them, the messenger had bellowed until his voice turned hoarse.
Now, everyone in Laijin Prefecture knew of this power.
"It’s time to settle the score."
Song Yu stopped turning the stone in his hand. His fury demanded an outlet.
Let blood be the first offering.
......
In the fields.
"Have you heard? Shen Qinghui and Xie Zhiyi were hung outside the yamen. His Highness even left two whips nearby—any passerby can take a lash at them."
"That’s right. And there are imperial physicians standing by to make sure they don’t die too quickly."
"What a satisfying sight!"
The soldiers spread word of Song Yu’s punishment for Shen Qinghui and Xie Zhiyi, discussing it tirelessly.
"Uncle’s methods... seem excessively cruel..."
A dissenting voice cut in. The soldiers turned and saw Song Yanchao, their eyes flashing with disdain.
"Greetings, Second Imperial Grandson."
Song Yanchao had been assigned the hardest labor. After days of toil, his resentment toward Song Yu was nearly overflowing. Now, he couldn’t bear to hear another word of praise for him.
"Xie Zhiyi deserved death, but Shen Qinghui’s crimes weren’t so severe," Song Yanchao said, tossing aside his rake. "From what I know, Shen Qinghui did order the soldiers to open the gates in the end—it’s just that they refused to obey him. Uncle treating them the same is unjust."
"If the Second Imperial Grandson wishes to plead for Shen Qinghui, why not go to the yamen and speak to His Highness directly?"
A soldier spoke up fearlessly.
At once, the others joined in, urging Song Yanchao to take his case to the yamen.
Song Yanchao glared at the stubborn soldiers, both flustered and furious. He had only been mouthing off—did they really expect him to plead for Shen Qinghui?
Just as he was about to brush them off, a soldier suddenly called out, "Young General Gu, perfect timing! The Second Imperial Grandson was just saying he’d go to the yamen to plead for Shen Qinghui."
"Oh?"
Gu Mingning grinned, revealing a row of white teeth. "In that case, I’ll escort him there."
Before Song Yanchao could react, he was already standing outside the yamen.
Behind him, the soldiers exchanged smug looks.
"You’re a clever one."
"The General’s orders must be carried out flawlessly."
......
Outside the yamen.
Song Yanchao stared at the two bloodied figures before him, unable to tell which was Shen Qinghui and which was Xie Zhiyi. He took an involuntary step back.
But behind him stood a crowd of commoners, watching him intently—they’d heard he was here to plead for Shen Qinghui.
A clamor rose as the crowd parted like stars around the moon, making way for two figures—one tall, one small—who emerged from the yamen and stopped before Song Yanchao.
"Song Yanchao, so you’ve come to plead for Shen Qinghui?"
"You think I’m cruel?"
"You think Shen Qinghui doesn’t deserve this?"
Three questions in rapid succession left Song Yanchao’s head spinning. He couldn’t fathom how he’d ended up in this situation.
"Speak!"
Song Yu’s sharp command made Song Yanchao flinch.
"I guarded you day and night, and this is how you repay me?" Song Yu’s eyes were full of scorn. "Do you even know how many people died in Laijin Prefecture because of this disaster?"
"Are you even fit to be an Imperial Grandson of Da Qi?"
Song Yu watched coldly as Song Yanchao stumbled into the trap he’d laid.
Yes.
First, he would ruin Song Yanchao’s reputation.
