The Purple Palace Hall.
"Any news yet?"
Emperor Yuanyou gazed eagerly at Shen Mingwen before him. "Did your third son's letter mention when they’ll return to the capital?"
"Your Majesty, the Prince and Princess Fu'an plan to stay in Laijin Prefecture a few more days. They will return in mid-September."
Shen Mingwen spoke under immense pressure, watching as the Emperor's hopeful expression dimmed.
"Why must they linger in Laijin? Haven’t matters been settled? Can’t Gu Zheng and the others oversee things there?"
Emperor Yuanyou was so furious his head nearly steamed.
He had waited with bated breath, only to learn their return would be delayed.
Did they spare no thought for their Emperor?
"Your Majesty, the Prince and Princess are deeply concerned for Laijin’s people. They cannot bear to leave hastily," Shen Mingwen attempted to console, but for once, his words failed to soothe.
The Emperor snorted coldly, turning his back on Shen Mingwen.
Half an hour later, Shen Mingwen nervously exited the Purple Palace Hall, exhaling heavily the moment he stepped outside.
Just then, Emperor Yuanyou’s irate voice erupted from within:
"Wu Qi! What wretched tea is this today? Disgusting!"
Wu Qi had no time to pity Shen Mingwen, scurrying into the hall with a grimace.
Shen Mingwen quickened his pace, eager to leave the palace.
With the Prince and Princess absent, lingering in the Purple Palace Hall was perilous...
......
Meanwhile, in Laijin Prefecture.
Song Yu exchanged a glance with his daughter, Song Shihuan, at the sight of the lavish feast before them.
"General Gu, Father and I have been feasting for days. Truly... we’ve no appetite left," Song Shihuan sighed. Gu Zheng and his men insisted they eat five or six meals daily, scowling if they skipped even a bite—as if his frown could crush a fly.
The estate now employed five or six chefs.
Were they humans or piglets?
"Your Highness, Princess, please eat a little more."
Gu Zheng’s wrinkled face beamed like a chrysanthemum, unsettling his son, Gu Mingning, who had never seen his father coax others to eat so earnestly.
It was... downright eerie.
"Your Highness and the Princess have grown gaunt during your stay in Laijin. If His Majesty sees you like this, the entire Great Qi might suffer for a month..."
Gu Zheng’s tone dripped with paternal care, but his underlying message was clear: For the sake of the empire’s peace, they must regain their lost weight—or countless officials would face consequences.
Song Yu and Song Shihuan paused, then obediently resumed eating.
General Gu was right.
If Emperor Yuanyou saw them so thin, not only would the court suffer, but they’d also be force-fed tonics endlessly.
The mere thought reignited their appetites.
Laijin’s officials monitored their weight gain closely, finally setting a return date once assured the Emperor wouldn’t rage.
That night, father and daughter scrutinized themselves in a bronze mirror.
"A-Huan, do I look acceptable now?"
"Father, do I?"
Shen Qingping, seated nearby, lowered his gaze. Though they had regained some weight, they remained far leaner than when they’d left the capital.
How could the Emperor not be heartbroken?
......
The capital, morning court.
"Ministers, Prince Qin and Princess Fu'an will depart for the capital in four days," Emperor Yuanyou declared from his throne, his voice imperious. "We intend to welcome them with ceremonial honors befitting the Crown Prince. Any objections?"
Since Song Yu had produced the Crown Prince’s token in Laijin, courtiers had whispered privately, but none dared address it openly.
Shen Pu, father of Shen Hua'er, paled at the Emperor’s words.
Since the former Crown Prince’s deposition, the Shen family had been subtly sidelined, excluded from key affairs. Hua'er had urged him to support the Grand Imperial Grandson, and though he hadn’t committed, the idea tempted him.
"Your Majesty, Prince Qin merely holds the Crown Prince’s token. He has not been formally enshrined as heir. Granting him such honors may be... improper."
Shen Pu forced himself to speak, knowing silence now meant forfeiting any chance to oppose.
Emboldened, other officials—allies of the Ping Prince’s Mansion or enemies of the Qin Prince’s Mansion—voiced agreement.
Normally, the Shen and Gu families would counter such dissent.
But this time, before Shen Mingwen could speak, a neutral elder statesman stepped forward:
"If Minister Shen deems it improper, why not have Your Majesty formally decree Prince Qin as Crown Prince? Then all would be in order."
Shen Pu’s face whitened. "The selection of an heir cannot be trivialized! Moreover, Prince Qin has never studied governance or shown scholarly inclination. How could he be Crown Prince?"
"Why should Prince Qin not be Crown Prince?"
The elder’s voice boomed like an ancient bell, resonating through the hall.
To the astonishment of Emperor Yuanyou and Shen Mingwen, a chorus erupted:
"Why should Prince Qin not be Crown Prince?"
For the first time, Song Yu commanded overwhelming support in the succession debate.
"A Crown Prince must prioritize the people’s welfare, act decisively, and remain composed in crises. Does Prince Qin lack any of these qualities?"
The accusations swelled. Watching the court unite for Song Yu, Shen Pu’s heart sank.
Previously, none had linked Prince Qin to the throne. Yet Laijin’s events had shifted opinions overnight.
This couldn’t be!
"We petition to enthrone Prince Qin as Crown Prince!"
The clamor grew. Emperor Yuanyou struggled to suppress a grin.
Heavens! These blind courtiers finally saw the light.
Fen'er’s eldest son was born to be Crown Prince.
Clearing his throat, the Emperor silenced the hall.
"First, prepare the Crown Prince’s welcome for Prince Qin and Princess Fu'an."
"As for the succession, We shall discuss it with Prince Qin upon his return."
"Court is dismissed."
With a flick of his sleeve, Emperor Yuanyou sauntered off, leaving the officials dumbfounded.
Did the Emperor just say...
He would consult Prince Qin?
Since when did an Emperor negotiate with his heir?
"Minister Shen," a bold courtier whispered, "could Prince Qin possibly... refuse the throne?"
Shen Mingwen was also brimming with mischief. "As you all know, His Highness the Qin Prince has always been free-spirited and unconstrained since childhood. Perhaps he truly has no desire to become the Crown Prince."
"Ah!"
Shen Mingwen deliberately heaved an exaggerated sigh. "A prince like His Highness the Qin Prince—where else in history could a dynasty like Great Qi be so fortunate? During the flood in Laijin Prefecture, His Highness personally waded into the waters to rescue people. Could any of you have done the same?"
"His Highness doesn’t want to be Crown Prince? That won’t do!"
At Shen Mingwen’s words, the court officials grew anxious. They had finally found a worthy heir—though he was a bit unruly, less studious, and quick-tempered...
But he was still the best candidate for the throne!
"Ah, but His Highness has a soft heart. If everyone were to plead with him to accept the position, he likely wouldn’t refuse."
With that, Shen Mingwen leisurely took his leave.
Left behind, the officials began scheming how to persuade Song Yu to become Crown Prince.
Meanwhile, far away in Laijin Prefecture, Song Yu’s left eyelid twitched violently. He turned to Song Shihuan beside him and said,
"Ah Huan, I feel like something good is about to happen to us."
