"Father, Elder Brother has been gone for quite some time now."
Yu Fan couldn't help but speak up as he watched the motionless Gu Zheng.
Though his father appeared calm on the surface, deep down, he was reluctant to let his eldest son leave so soon, without even a few more days to stay.
"It's good that he's gone. Now he can achieve merit."
A glimmer of tears flashed in Gu Zheng's eyes. "This time, he’s bringing silver and grain with him. The people will rejoice at his arrival."
Since ancient times, loyalty and filial piety have been hard to balance. But now, with Ming Liu and Mingzhu by his side, he considered himself fortunate.
"Regarding the situation in the northern frontier... I’d like to find an opportunity to personally thank the Prince and the Princess." Yu Fan’s eyes also welled up with tears. Having come from hardship himself, he understood just how crucial these resources were to the people of the northern frontier.
Gu Zheng reached out and patted Yu Fan’s shoulder. "Tomorrow, you’ll join the military camp and train alongside the soldiers. Becoming stronger yourself is the greatest thanks you can give to the Prince and the Princess."
"I’ll follow Father’s wishes."
......
Qin Prince's Mansion.
"You also want to compete with the students of Class A?"
Before Song Shihuan could respond to Gu Mingzhu’s words, Song Yu interjected with an incredulous look, "Little Mingzhu, I recall you’ve never been fond of studying since childhood."
"It’s never too late to mend the fold after the sheep are lost. Isn’t that what Your Highness did as well?"
Gu Mingzhu’s exaggerated head-shaking made the maids and attendants outside the room burst into laughter. This Second Miss Gu was truly a delight.
"Last year, I failed the cross-class exam, but I’m determined to be in the same class as the Princess."
For once, Gu Mingzhu’s small face wore a serious expression. "I’ve been studying very hard, Princess. I’ve waited so long for this cross-class exam."
Her hands were clasped behind her back, the fingers calloused from relentless practice.
"I believe in Mingzhu."
Song Shihuan spoke softly. "Mingzhu is naturally bright. With her full effort, Class A will be no challenge. On the day of the exam, I’ll personally cheer for you."
Song Shihuan’s philosophy was always encouragement and praise.
Sure enough, the worry in Gu Mingzhu’s eyes vanished instantly. "Princess, just wait for me to join Class A and sit beside you again."
She, Gu Mingzhu, was the Princess’s closest confidante—the best of friends.
Gu Mingzhu hurried off, leaving Song Yu dumbfounded.
"Ah-Huan, I’ve noticed that anyone who dislikes studying changes completely once they’re near you."
Song Yu leaned closer to Song Shihuan. "Could it be that you’re the reincarnation of the God of Literature?"
"Father, in a few days, Song Xiyan and Shen Lin'er will be competing in the cross-class exam. Will you be watching this spectacle?"
"Absolutely!"
Song Yu’s answer was resolute.
Not only would he watch, but he’d also secretly fan the flames.
......
"Minister Shen, what a coincidence."
Shen Qingping smiled as he blocked Shen Pu’s path. The Prince had paid him a hundred taels of silver for this task, and he’d also invested heavily in the gambling houses. There was no way he’d fail.
"Young Master Shen."
Shen Pu, as the head of an aristocratic family, maintained his dignified air in front of an upstart like Shen Qingping.
"I heard the Second Princess is competing with Second Miss Shen?"
"It’s just a friendly contest between young ladies. Why is Young Master Shen so interested?" Shen Pu’s right eyelid twitched—an ominous feeling rising in his chest.
"It’s not me who’s interested. The whole capital is buzzing about it. Didn’t you know, Minister Shen?"
Shen Qingping feigned surprise, shaking his head repeatedly.
"Every street and alley is debating who will win. The gambling houses have even set up wagers. They say the Second Princess was taught by the Ping Princess Consort, while Second Miss Shen was also once under her tutelage. One is a daughter, the other a sister... Now that’s a spectacle."
Watching Shen Qingping’s careless demeanor, Shen Pu grew furious.
"I can’t wait to see who comes out on top."
As Shen Qingping walked away, Shen Pu fumed. "Go and check if what he said is true."
An hour later, a servant from the Shen family rushed back in a panic.
"Master, the gambling houses have indeed opened multiple wagers. Everyone is debating whether the Shen family or the Ping Princess Consort is better at teaching their daughters."
"Absurd!"
Shen Pu gasped in anger. "Send a letter to Ping Prince's Mansion. Tell the Princess Consort to return home at once."
......
Shen Hua'er returned to the Shen family, but when she came back to Ping Prince's Mansion, her face was ashen.
Qin Prince's Mansion.
"Your Highness, Princess, Young Master Shen says he didn’t waste the Prince’s silver."
Hearing Liu Xi’s report, Song Shihuan turned to Song Yu. "Father, you intervened too?"
Song Yu pretended to be nonchalant. "A spectacle is only worth watching if it’s grand. I may not have as many tricks up my sleeve as Shen Qingping, but I do have some silver to spare. So I paid someone to stir the pot."
Song Shihuan couldn’t help but twitch her lips. What a generous, free-spending Prince indeed.
Poor Shen Qingping—now branded as the scheming one.
"Then this play will be even more entertaining." Song Shihuan’s almond-shaped eyes sparkled. If forced to choose, would Shen Hua'er side with Shen Lin'er or Song Xiyan?
Ping Prince's Mansion.
"Feign illness and skip the cross-class exam."
Song Xiyan’s eyes widened at Shen Hua'er’s emotionless command. "Why? You’re the Princess Consort of Ping Prince's Mansion now. Only if the mansion thrives will you benefit."
"Besides, I’ve worked so hard for this exam—"
Before she could finish, Shen Hua'er raised a hand to silence her.
"Because right now, Ping Prince's Mansion needs the Shen family’s support. If anything goes wrong because of you at this critical moment, can you bear the consequences?"
When it came to real interests, Shen Hua'er had no patience for further argument.
"So I’m the one to be sacrificed? Am I not part of Ping Prince's Mansion too?"
"You’re a Princess."
Shen Hua'er’s gaze was icy. "And all you need to do is pretend to be sick. That’s a far better solution than losing to Lin'er."
"What if I can beat Shen Lin'er?"
Song Xiyan lifted her chin stubbornly. She had risen early and stayed up late for this exam. She was confident she could defeat Shen Lin'er and return to Class A.
To secure her place in the championship trials.
"Do as you please."
With that, Shen Hua'er left without another word.
Song Xiyan thought the matter would end there. But on the morning of the exam, as she tried to get up, she found herself dizzy, her body too heavy to move.
"Liu'er..."
At her weak call, Liu'er rushed in, pressing a hand to Song Xiyan’s forehead.
"Princess, you’re burning up! I’ll fetch the physician at once."
In an instant, Song Xiyan understood the cause of her sudden fever.
Her nails dug into her palms.
Shen Hua'er...
"Don’t call the physician. Help me up. I’m going to the academy."
