The Purple Dawn Hall.
Seeing Emperor Yuanyou in a rage, the high-ranking officials rose one after another to take their leave. Within the time it took for an incense stick to burn, only Emperor Yuanyou and Shen Mingwen remained in the hall... along with Wu Qi, who was doing his best to minimize his presence.
"Does Minister Shen think I am too harsh?" Emperor Yuanyou asked.
When he learned that Yu'er had kept vigil for Song Yanchao for days and nights, he had no desire to hear any explanation from Song Yanchao. All he could think was that he would never allow such a fool to disgrace the imperial family.
That was his crown prince, the one in whom he had placed all his hopes. If anything were to happen to him...
He would have even considered executing Song Yanchao.
"May I boldly ask, does Your Majesty think I am too harsh?"
Shen Mingwen gave a faint smile. "Shen Qinghui has already thrown himself into the Mi River, taking Shen Zhikui—who was in the midst of marriage negotiations—with him. I specifically ordered Qingping to rush to Laijin Prefecture to deal with them personally."
"Minister Shen’s actions truly surprise me."
Emperor Yuanyou looked at Shen Mingwen, whose hair had noticeably whitened. This trusted civil official of his, when ruthless in his methods... The Emperor couldn’t help but muse inwardly—indeed, Shen Qingping’s notorious ruthlessness did not come from nowhere.
"Your Majesty values the Shen family, and the Prince and Princess are closely tied to us. This is a blessing the Shen family has cultivated over centuries." Shen Mingwen knelt on the ground. "The incident involving Shen Qinghui implicated the Prince and Princess and endangered the people of Laijin Prefecture. Though Your Majesty, in your mercy, does not wish to hold the Shen family accountable, we cannot rest easy in our conscience."
The words "cannot rest easy in our conscience" visibly moved Emperor Yuanyou.
Shen Mingwen’s face was filled with remorse. Though legally Shen Qinghui was no longer tied to the Shen family, how could he, Shen Mingwen, sleep peacefully knowing his own son had committed such grave errors?
"Thus, I had to be ruthless—to give Your Majesty and the people of the realm an answer."
Shen Mingwen slowly raised his head. "Your Majesty is the same. You must also give an answer to the Prince, the Princess, and the people."
Emperor Yuanyou’s lips curled slightly. "Who understands me better than you, Minister Shen?"
"This time, Yu'er produced the Crown Prince’s seal. I want the world to know how much I value Yu'er. No one shall ever shake his position as heir."
Thus, harsh punishment for Song Yanchao was the best way to make an example of him.
Emperor Yuanyou narrowed his eyes, exuding imperial authority.
---
Ping Prince's Mansion.
Shen Hua'er was about to take Song Yanzheng to the palace to plead for Song Yanchao when, just outside the mansion, she saw him being carried on a stretcher. Her pupils constricted sharply:
"What happened?"
"Madam, His Majesty has ordered the revocation of the Second Young Master’s golden sash and confined him to the Ping Prince's Mansion without permission to leave. We are here to deliver him."
No longer was he addressed as the Second Imperial Grandson—only as the Second Young Master.
"Impossible!" A shrill cry tore from Shen Hua'er’s throat. "Yanchao is His Majesty’s own grandson! How could he cast him aside?"
"This servant would never dare deceive you, Madam."
The eunuch bowed deeply before passing Shen Hua'er and carrying Song Yanchao straight into the mansion.
Chaos erupted instantly within the Ping Prince's Mansion.
"If his golden sash was revoked, why is he unconscious?" Song Yanzheng’s face darkened completely. His own younger brother, disgraced—how could he bear the shame?
He dreaded to imagine how outsiders would now speak of the Ping Prince's Mansion... and of him.
"Imperial Physician Mei examined the Second Young Master. He said it was a lingering effect of the plague." The eunuch’s expression was odd. "Now that he has been delivered, this servant will take his leave."
Inside the chamber.
Shen Hua'er and Song Yanzheng stared at the unconscious Song Yanchao on the bed. After a long silence, a vicious glint flashed in Shen Hua'er’s eyes:
"Yanchao is useless now. Just leave him in this courtyard. No one is to enter or exit freely."
Song Yanzheng nodded in agreement. "The people’s opinion of our mansion must have worsened again. We must find a way to salvage our reputation."
Without another glance at Song Yanchao’s fate, the two strode out of the room.
---
Two days later, Song Yanchao finally awoke. He called weakly for a servant to bring water, but no one answered. When he opened his eyes, he was met with Song Xiyan’s eerie smile.
"Xiyan? Why are you here?"
He had yet to grasp the severity of his situation.
"I heard Second Brother had his golden sash revoked and was left with plague aftereffects, so I came to see you." Song Xiyan smirked, glancing at the teacup on the side table. "Do you want water?"
Parched, Song Yanchao nodded without thinking.
But the next moment, Song Xiyan picked up the cup and poured its contents straight onto his head. Tea leaves clung to his forehead as he gaped in shock:
"Song Xiyan! What are you doing?"
"Giving you water, of course."
Song Xiyan smiled sweetly. "The Madam decreed you are not to leave this courtyard. Eldest Brother and Third Brother refuse to visit. As for our mother—well, need I say more? At a time like this, only your little sister is willing to keep you company."
"But Second Brother, you always disappoint me."
Her smile vanished as she produced a white porcelain vial of medicine. "Ever since we moved to the Ping Prince's Mansion, I’ve tried so hard to please you—yet you ignored me. I risked burns to make you congee, only for you to give it to a servant. I begged for this medicine, yet you scorned it."
"And now, I’m still here with you. Isn’t that kindness enough?"
"Get out!" Song Yanchao recoiled at her terrifying expression. "Call the servants! I want you gone!"
"Second Brother always loved playing with me when we were little. So now, I must stay with you."
Song Xiyan watched his helpless form with dark satisfaction.
A commoner now—how dare he call himself her brother?
A discarded pawn, at best. But as her punching bag, he could still serve a purpose.
---
News of Emperor Yuanyou’s punishment for Song Yanchao reached Laijin Prefecture just as Song Yu stood atop its highest peak, surveying the land below.
"The old man handled this beautifully."
Song Yu smirked. Revoking the golden sash, plague aftereffects—good, but not enough. Not nearly enough.
"When does Your Highness plan to return to the capital?"
Beside him, Shen Qingping gazed at the transformed Laijin Prefecture, a trace of sorrow in his eyes. "This time, you produced the Crown Prince’s seal. His Majesty could decree your formal investiture as Crown Prince at any moment."
"The time isn’t right."
Song Yu’s lips parted slightly. "I want the people’s genuine support. I must become the Crown Prince who exceeds my father’s expectations. That moment has not yet come."
More importantly, he had learned of that dream...
Learned how Ah Huan had suffered in the Eastern Palace.
If he did not drag every last member of the Ping Prince's Mansion into hell, he would never dare bring Ah Huan back to the Eastern Palace again.
