Two days later.
Emperor Yuanyou, accompanied by his civil and military officials, waited outside the capital to welcome the returning party. As they drew closer to the city, Song Yu and his daughter Song Shihuan grew increasingly nervous.
Unconsciously, they both pinched the flesh on their cheeks—though there wasn’t much left to pinch.
When the carriage came to a halt, Song Yu stepped out first before turning to offer his hand to Song Shihuan inside. The moment father and daughter stood together, the assembled officials behind Emperor Yuanyou suddenly dropped to their knees in unison.
"Your subjects welcome the return of Prince Qin and Princess Fu'an to the capital!"
Their voices thundered, shaking the heavens.
Song Yu and Song Shihuan were stunned. Song Shihuan arched an eyebrow—according to the Great Qi’s ceremonial protocols, only the Emperor or the Crown Prince warranted such a kneeling reception upon their return.
The last time she and her father had returned from Ji'an Prefecture, the officials hadn’t knelt. So why now...?
Before the pair could process the situation, Emperor Yuanyou’s trembling voice reached them:
"How... how have you grown so thin?"
"Your son pays respects to His Majesty."
"Your granddaughter pays respects to her Imperial Grandfather."
Song Yu dropped to his knees with a thud, his joints rattling from the impact. But when he looked up, he found Emperor Yuanyou reaching out to stop Song Shihuan from kneeling, not even sparing him a glance.
Song Yu couldn’t help but pout. Just as he’d expected!
"Imperial Grandfather, your granddaughter hasn’t lost that much weight."
As Emperor Yuanyou’s wrinkled hand brushed over her face, Song Shihuan pressed her lips together.
"I remember your chin wasn’t this sharp when you left the capital," the Emperor murmured, pulling her into an embrace. When Fen’er had suffered alongside him in the past, she too had been reduced to skin and bones.
Now, as the ruler of an empire, he had still allowed his young granddaughter to endure hardship and danger.
"My dear child, you’ve suffered greatly on this journey."
Emperor Yuanyou stroked Song Shihuan’s soft hair, just like any doting grandfather would. "Now that you’re back, we must nourish you properly—until your little face is round again."
A bittersweet smile touched Song Shihuan’s lips. Such a sweet yet troublesome concern.
Only after lavishing attention on his beloved granddaughter did Emperor Yuanyou remember Song Yu, who had already risen to his feet on his own.
Seeing Song Yu’s equally gaunt cheeks, the Emperor’s eyes darkened. But his words came out stern:
"At least you didn’t embarrass me this time. Otherwise, I’d have made you regret it."
"Wouldn’t dare shame Your Majesty," Song Yu retorted with sarcasm.
Shen Mingwen, ever vigilant, quickly stepped forward to mediate. "Your Highness, His Majesty ordered the officials to receive you and the Princess with the ceremonial honors reserved for the Crown Prince. Such is his regard for your return."
On such an auspicious occasion, he couldn’t let the imperial father and son descend into another quarrel.
"Crown Prince?" Song Yu’s expression remained unchanged. "I’m merely safeguarding the Crown Prince’s seal on His Majesty’s behalf."
His words sent a ripple of alarm through the officials.
Grand Tutor Shen had been right—Prince Qin truly had no intention of becoming Crown Prince!
"Enough," Emperor Yuanyou interjected calmly. "Return to the Qin Prince’s Mansion to freshen up. Join me in the palace for the evening banquet."
Unlike usual, he didn’t immediately whisk Song Yu and Song Shihuan into the palace. The pair saw nothing amiss and departed for the mansion first.
Left behind, Shen Mingwen inwardly groaned. This didn’t bode well.
......
"All officials implicated in the Laijin Prefecture affair—regardless of the severity of their crimes—shall be beaten to death."
"Their male relatives are to be exiled; the women shall serve as palace maids."
Emperor Yuanyou’s expression darkened instantly, his fury palpable. Had these incompetents not neglected their duties, his son and granddaughter wouldn’t have been worn to such a state!
"Furthermore, summon Mei Zhilin to devise medicinal tonics for Prince Qin and Princess Fu'an. They must replenish their health daily."
The Emperor’s fingers trembled beneath his sleeves as his gaze swept over the officials. "Should such negligence occur again, I will exterminate nine generations of the culprits’ families."
"Your Majesty, please calm your wrath!"
Gu Zheng felt his heart sink. All his efforts to fatten up the two royals had been for naught.
Shen Mingwen, meanwhile, breathed a quiet sigh of relief. Thank heavens he’d persuaded Shen Qinghui’s family to drown themselves earlier. Otherwise, the Emperor’s rage might have consumed the entire Shen clan.
Only Shen Qingping remained unperturbed.
The executions were just. Those who had caused Prince Qin and Princess Fu'an such suffering deserved no mercy—every extra day they lived had been an affront.
That evening, Emperor Yuanyou hosted a grand banquet in the palace, attended by all civil and military officials of the fourth rank and above.
Song Yu arrived in a deep red robe, a black sash cinched at his waist, and a mutton-fat jade pendant hanging at his side—every inch the noble prince.
Yet his expression was anything but pleased.
The attendees instinctively glanced around for the familiar petite figure, only to find her absent. As puzzled murmurs arose, Shen Qingping lowered his head to hide a smile.
No doubt the Emperor had whisked the Princess away first. No wonder Prince Qin was in such a foul mood.
"Congratulations, Uncle."
Song Yanzheng rose to toast Song Yu, his smile superficial.
"Congratulate me? For what?" Song Yu’s eyes flashed with barely contained hatred as he pointed at Song Yanzheng’s chest. "Laijin Prefecture suffered a flood. Your words are ill-considered—your heart holds no concern for the people, only frivolous notions."
Song Yanzheng stiffened.
Why was his uncle suddenly so sharp-tongued, drawing blood with every word?
Before he could defend himself, a minister interjected:
"Indeed, the people of Laijin Prefecture endured great suffering. His Highness’ love for his subjects makes him particularly sensitive to such inappropriate remarks."
"‘Congratulations’ is wholly unsuitable. The Grand Imperial Sun should focus more on his studies, especially with the imperial examinations approaching..."
Song Yu blinked in astonishment as voices rose one after another in his defense.
Since when did these officials side with him so boldly, even at the risk of offending Song Yanzheng?
"I merely spoke without thinking," Song Yanzheng forced out through gritted teeth.
"Elder Brother, don’t be too harsh. Yanzheng was simply overjoyed to see you," Prince Qi interceded, his tone ingratiating as he curried favor with the Ping Prince’s faction.
"If you’re so magnanimous, why didn’t you go to Laijin Prefecture during the flood?" Song Yu shot back. "That generous belly of yours could’ve swallowed half the floodwaters and eased the crisis."
Prince Qi flushed scarlet. "Must you be so vulgar? Such coarse language is unbefitting of royalty!"
"Prince Qi’s words are even more inappropriate," another official countered. "Prince Qin shares his people’s hardships, adopting their ways—a blessing for Great Qi’s citizens."
"By pointing out the Grand Imperial Sun’s flaws, Prince Qin shows true familial care."
Song Yu didn’t even need to speak—the ministers battled on his behalf.
Dazed, he felt as though he’d stepped into an alternate reality.
So this was what it meant to have scholars argue your case...
This feeling—it was exhilarating!
