That night, the Gu residence was filled with cries of pain.
"Father, I'm your son! How can you hit me so hard?" Gu Mingning clutched his backside as he darted around the courtyard, while Gu Zheng chased after him with a long stick.
"I'm beating you precisely because you're my worthless son! At the palace banquet, in front of so many eyes, you dared to disrespect the Imperial Grandsons. Tell me, have you grown tired of living?"
"Even if you have, I haven't!"
Being a military man, Gu Zheng's method of discipline was straightforward and brutal.
"That's not it!" Gu Mingning protested while running. "When the eldest Imperial Grandson spoke, His Highness the Prince's face darkened. If I hadn't spoken up, he might have flipped the table—then who could have enjoyed the feast?"
"Besides, with His Highness around, my head is perfectly safe."
"You brat, still refusing to admit your mistake? Today, I’ll beat you to death!"
Outside the courtyard, Gu Mingliu and Gu Mingzhu stood quietly by the gate, showing no intention of intervening. Only Yu Fan beside them grew frantic, his face flushed with anxiety.
"Mingliu, our elder brother just returned to the capital and can only stay for a few days. Shouldn’t we... try to stop Father?"
"No need," Gu Mingzhu said, tilting her small face. "Big brother has been beaten by Father since childhood. If Father couldn’t catch him before, he definitely can’t now."
A quarter of an hour later, Gu Zheng, panting heavily, threw down his stick.
His finger trembled as he pointed at Gu Mingning. That line from the poem—what was it again? "The brat mocks my feeble age..."
The commotion from the Gu residence reached the imperial palace, where Emperor Yuanyou and Shen Mingwen hummed cheerful tunes in delight.
"Wu Qi, it seems the Prince of Qin is truly exceptional."
"Your Majesty speaks wisely. The Prince of Qin is dignified and handsome, forthright in character, pure-hearted, and treats the people as his own children. Such a prince is rare across dynasties, not to mention he has a daughter like the princess."
Wu Qi showered praises without restraint.
Emperor Yuanyou glanced at him, his smile fading slightly, but he still said, "You’ve served well recently. The jade ruyi from my private treasury is yours."
"This servant... this servant thanks Your Majesty for your generosity!"
Heavens! Wu Qi had finally risen in the world—all thanks to the Prince and the princess!
......
Meanwhile, at the Qin Prince's Mansion.
Delayed in Laijin Prefecture, Song Yu stared at the towering stack of examination booklets piled nearly waist-high. He gritted his teeth and raised a thumbs-up toward Ye Shijie, who was far away in Ji'an Prefecture.
Truly, rain or shine, the booklets arrived without fail!
Thus, Song Yu plunged headfirst into the boundless sea of questions, refusing all outside disturbances.
"What has the Ping Prince's Mansion been up to these past two days?"
Behind the screen, steam rose from the bathtub. Song Shihuan rested her jade-white arms on the rim, petals floating on the water's surface. Yet, not a trace of a smile touched her face.
"Reporting to the princess, due to the second Imperial Grandson’s incident, the Ping Prince's Mansion has been unusually quiet. Only the second princess has been active," the matron replied softly. "This old servant suspects it’s because the October Women’s Academy’s championship competition is approaching."
"Grandfather ordered Song Xiyan to stay quietly in the Ping Prince's Mansion, but it seems she still won’t listen." A cold glint flashed in Song Shihuan’s eyes.
The next moment, her lips curled slightly. "It’s been a while since I visited the Women’s Academy. I’ll go tomorrow morning."
She wondered if Gu Mingzhu had been bullied there.
The next morning.
When the crowd saw the dragon-patterned palanquin, they instinctively prepared to kneel—after all, in the Great Qi, only the Emperor’s palanquin bore dragon motifs.
"Princess Fu'an has arrived—"
When Song Shihuan stepped out, everyone was stunned.
"Long time no see. I hope you’ve all been well."
Her voice sent shivers down their spines.
Heavens, they were about to be dominated by the eleven-year-old princess again.
No one could surpass her in the classics, music, chess, calligraphy, or painting.
Only Gu Mingzhu’s eyes sparkled. "Very well, very well!"
She had been studying diligently at the academy, hoping to advance to the top class in the upcoming examination.
Song Xiyan, however, remained low-key, hiding in the crowd as she silently watched Song Shihuan, her fists clenched tightly beneath her sleeves.
The Princess Consort had warned her—being allowed to leave the mansion for the academy was already a mercy from the Emperor. But seeing Song Shihuan so adored, how could she not seethe with anger?
......
"Xiyan, how are you finding Class C?"
The mention of "Class C" nearly made Song Xiyan lose control.
"Last year, I defeated you in the examination, forcing you down to Class C. Given your temperament, you must be confident about this year’s test, right?"
Song Shihuan smiled sweetly, her light tone leaving Song Xiyan no room to retreat.
At this moment, Shen Hua'er’s advice to conceal her abilities and play it safe vanished from Song Xiyan’s mind. Without hesitation, she declared:
"This time, I will enter Class A."
"What determination!"
Song Shihuan’s smile deepened. "Mingzhu, who currently ranks first in Class A?"
"Princess, it’s the second young miss of the Shen Family, Shen Lin'er," Gu Mingzhu replied, mischief in her eyes. She and Song Shihuan played off each other perfectly—after all, Shen Lin'er and Song Xiyan were now inseparable "sisters."
"Since Xiyan is so confident, she should compete against Shen Lin'er in the examination. Only then can her true skill shine."
"I..."
Song Xiyan sensed the trap, but she refused to back down in front of Song Shihuan. She clenched her teeth and agreed.
Whether Song Xiyan or Shen Lin'er won, the Ping Prince's Mansion would gain nothing—only humiliation.
Seeing Song Xiyan’s face pale, Song Shihuan smirked. This was just the beginning.
......
"Liuxi, spread the news that Song Xiyan will compete against Shen Lin'er."
Back at the Qin Prince's Mansion, Song Shihuan gave her orders. "Praise Shen Lin'er excessively—say she’s the Shen Family’s meticulously cultivated talent."
"Right now, the Ping Prince's Mansion is trying to win over the Shen Family. The Princess Consort won’t let them lose face."
Shen Qingping’s voice came from outside the room. "And Song Xiyan’s pride won’t let her admit defeat. This will surely sow discord between her and the Princess Consort."
"Princess, your plan is simple yet strikes at the heart of the matter."
Shen Qingping’s heart trembled. Why did the princess and the prince both seem to harbor such deep hatred for the Ping Prince's Mansion?
Song Shihuan chuckled. "Teacher, how far do you think Song Xiyan will go for this examination?"
She could hardly wait. Blood debts must be repaid.
It was time to collect more interest from Song Xiyan.
