"Princess, this minor injury doesn’t hurt me."
Yingchun was applying medicine to Baoxia when the latter spoke. At her words, Yingchun pressed down harder, making Baoxia cry out in pain, "Dear sister, be gentler."
Song Shihuan’s expression was tense. She refused to believe today’s incident was an accident.
Outside the room, Song Yu’s voice rang out. Steadying herself, Song Shihuan asked, "Father, how did it go?"
"Your imperial grandfather was furious. He ordered Xu Jinruo to personally beat that wretched woman to death," Song Yu gritted his teeth. "Daring to bully you—I still think they got off lightly."
Song Yu recounted everything that had happened in the Zichen Hall in detail.
"I never knew my uncle was such a devoted lover," Song Shihuan remarked, her voice dripping with sarcasm.
"That bloated fool? A devoted lover?" Song Yu had not an ounce of goodwill left for Xu Jinruo. "Lin Jiao'er has bullied countless people, all because he spoiled her."
"Father, I’m worried..." Song Shihuan clutched the hem of Song Yu’s robe. "I’m afraid Uncle will blame this on us."
"How could that be?" Song Yu shook his head. "Ahuan, you were the one wronged, and your imperial grandfather stands behind you. Who could possibly blame you?"
Song Shihuan’s eyes narrowed. It wasn’t that simple.
Over the years, the Xu family had grown increasingly powerful, shielded by both the late and current empresses. That was why even the capital’s officials hadn’t dared to punish Lin Jiao’er outright.
But now, because of her, Lin Jiao’er had been beaten to death by Xu Jinruo himself.
Xu Jinruo’s fury would undoubtedly be directed at her.
For whoever orchestrated this, it was a win-win situation.
After a long silence, Song Shihuan parted her lips lightly:
"Father, could you send an invitation to Uncle on my behalf?"
......
Xu Mansion.
The entire household was on edge. In just half a day, Xu Jinruo had already ordered three servants beaten to death.
"My lord, no matter how grief-stricken you are, you must eat," Lady Xu pleaded, her eyes brimming with tears. "It’s all my fault. Lin Jiao’er insisted I inform her the moment there was news from the pastry shop. If I had refused, she wouldn’t have..."
"Madam, I don’t blame you. Leave me be. I just need some time alone."
Xu Jinruo looked around the room, filled with traces of Lin Jiao’er, and grief overwhelmed him once more.
"My lord, how can you say that?" Lady Xu rushed into the room. "You are my husband. How could I leave you like this? Today, Prince Qin showed no regard for the Xu family’s dignity. In the future, we need not spare them any consideration either."
"You’re right."
Xu Jinruo’s eyes burned with hatred. "If Prince Qin hadn’t insisted on appealing to the Emperor, Jiao’er wouldn’t have died so tragically."
Seeing this, Lady Xu relaxed slightly. As long as her lord didn’t suspect her...
Back in her courtyard, a faint smile finally appeared on Lady Xu’s face.
"My lady, what a brilliant scheme. Not only did you eliminate that wretched Lin Jiao’er, but you also accomplished the task assigned by the palace," whispered a trusted servant beside her.
"The only flaw is that the wild girl’s face wasn’t ruined."
Lady Xu leaned back in her chair, looking languid. "Heat some wine for me."
Only if the Xu family prospered would her sons and daughters thrive.
......
When Xu Jinruo received Song Shihuan’s invitation, his face darkened.
"Lord Xu, our Princess invites you to the Qin Prince’s Mansion in three days."
Xu Jinruo clenched the invitation so tightly it crumpled in his grip. "Fine. I’ll be there."
The Qin Prince’s Mansion was truly going too far!
Having already gained the upper hand, they still sought to humiliate him further.
Xu Jinruo’s hatred for the Qin Prince’s Mansion reached its peak. He wished the Crown Prince would ascend the throne immediately and order the execution of everyone in the Qin Prince’s Mansion.
But fate had other plans.
Three days later.
When Xu Jinruo arrived at the mansion’s gates, he saw a carriage already waiting.
"Lord Xu, our Princess has been expecting you."
The sight of Baoxia’s wounded arm sent a sharp pang through Xu Jinruo’s heart, reminding him of Jiao’er’s tragic end.
"Where does the Princess intend to take me?" Xu Jinruo’s voice was icy.
"Uncle, you’ll know when we arrive."
The carriage wheels turned slowly, eventually stopping at a secluded location.
The imperial mausoleum!
Xu Jinruo’s mind went blank. "Princess, why have you brought me here?"
"I wish to pay respects to Grandmother with you."
A faint smile graced Song Shihuan’s lips. This "Grandmother" was not the one in Kunning Palace.
Xu Jinruo hesitated but followed Song Shihuan inside.
The guards at the mausoleum stepped aside upon seeing Song Shihuan.
As they walked, an inexplicable chill seemed to seep into Xu Jinruo’s sleeves.
"Uncle must visit Grandmother often, no?"
Song Shihuan’s question made Xu Jinruo stiffen. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d paid respects to his long-deceased aunt.
Before the tomb, Song Shihuan kowtowed three times with solemn reverence.
"Grandmother, today your granddaughter and uncle have come to see you."
Her voice echoed faintly, reverberating in Xu Jinruo’s mind.
"Uncle, that day, Lin Jiao’er’s whip was aimed at my face. Had it not been for Baoxia, I would have been disfigured," Song Shihuan said, meeting Xu Jinruo’s gaze. "Though I spent ten years away, I am still a Princess of the imperial family. For Lin Jiao’er to publicly strike at the dignity of the imperial family—what fate could she expect?"
"And if the Emperor were to investigate the Xu family’s disrespect, what then?"
Her words struck Xu Jinruo like a bucket of cold water, jolting him back to reality.
"I invited you here today to settle this matter before Grandmother," Song Shihuan said firmly. "Don’t you find it strange, Uncle?"
"What’s strange?"
"My health is frail. That day was the first time I left the mansion for leisure. And yet, I just happened to run into Lin Jiao’er?"
Had they been anywhere else, Xu Jinruo, consumed by rage, might not have listened.
But standing before the tomb of the late empress, his confidence wavered.
"My father and I have little support. The Xu family is crucial to us," Song Shihuan said, her eyes reddening. "Could someone be deliberately pitting the Qin Prince’s Mansion against the Xu family?"
"Princess, I will investigate this thoroughly upon my return."
Xu Jinruo broke out in a cold sweat. The Princess was right—the coincidence was too glaring.
Disrespect to the imperial family... was a crime punishable by the extermination of nine generations.
Was someone truly scheming against the Xu family?
After Xu Jinruo hurried off, Song Shihuan knelt once more before the tomb.
Grandmother, your granddaughter is unfilial, borrowing your influence for her own ends.
Father and I have yet to establish ourselves firmly in the Great Qi. At this time, the Xu family’s wrath must not be directed at the Qin Prince’s Mansion.
A lone figure knelt before the vast mausoleum.
The sky darkened, and raindrops began to fall.
Song Shihuan rose slowly. Grandmother, rest assured—I will ensure the Qin Prince’s Mansion thrives for centuries to come.
Those who have wronged us will pay dearly.
I will visit you again.
