A few days later, at Li Garden.
Facing Song Yanzheng, Lady Chang's expression remained unchanged. "What could possibly be so special about Li Garden to warrant a visit from the Grand Imperial Grandson?"
Seeing that Lady Chang still refused to show him even a hint of courtesy in front of the maids, a shadow flickered in Song Yanzheng's eyes. "Great Qi governs with filial piety. It is only natural for a child to visit their mother."
"Natural?"
Lady Chang scoffed as if hearing some absurd tale. "How rare for the Grand Imperial Grandson to show such kindness. Now that you've seen me, you may leave if there's nothing else."
She couldn't bear to spare him another glance.
The Ping Prince's Mansion had become a den of monsters—Song Yanchao had been stripped of his golden sash, Song Xiyan took daily pleasure in tormenting him, and Song Yanzheng, as the eldest legitimate son, turned a blind eye to it all. Worse, he even allowed Shen Hua'er to drug Song Xiyan.
Each of these acts was horrifying beyond belief.
In the dead of night, she often wished she had strangled these wretches in their cradles the day they were born.
Song Yanzheng's gaze briefly swept over the almond milk on Lady Chang's table. "Mother still enjoys making almond milk, I see."
"Just a pastime to pass the time."
"It's a skill passed down from Grandmother. You should teach it to Xiyan or Ling'er—don't let it fade away."
With those words, Song Yanzheng swiftly left Li Garden.
He now knew how to subtly strike at Li Garden.
......
Meanwhile, after the recent turmoil, Shen Hua'er finally returned to the Shen household.
"Father, I couldn't control what happened at the women's academy. I did everything I could." Shen Hua'er sighed heavily. "Yanzheng and I even went to the palace to accuse the Gu family of arrogance, only to be scolded by His Majesty. For now, Lin'er will have to endure this humiliation, but the Ping Prince's Mansion will make it up to her in the future."
"Make it up?"
Shen Pu's anger still simmered. "Every daughter of the Shen family is praised by all. Yet now, Lin'er has been trampled by that little Gu wench. Your second uncle hasn’t even been coming home these days."
"Father, if in the future... I will arrange for Lin'er to marry Yan Ming."
At her words, Shen Pu froze.
"Do you mean it?"
"If you doubt me, I can put it in writing."
Seeing her resolve, Shen Pu's heart fully leaned toward the Ping Prince's Mansion. "The current situation is far from favorable for both the Ping Prince's Mansion and the Shen family."
"I’ve already thought of a solution."
"The courtiers only see Prince Qin’s strengths and flock to him, but they overlook his true nature—a talentless fool with neither learning nor martial skill. If we expose these fatal flaws, the wise will naturally seek better shelter."
Shen Pu stroked his beard, realization dawning. He glanced outside.
"Golden October—perfect weather for a hunt."
With Prince Qin’s pitiful skills, he wouldn’t even catch a rabbit in the hunting grounds.
Let him disgrace himself!
......
Meanwhile, Song Yu remained oblivious to the Shen family’s scheming, burying himself in books.
If he passed the spring examinations, he’d become a scholar.
Meanwhile, in the mansion’s courtyard, Song Shihuan turned to Shen Qingping, who was reviewing documents, and asked with feigned seriousness, "Teacher, what’s the punishment for a drunkard trespassing into a commoner’s home?"
"Thirty lashes in public."
Shen Qingping closed the document and looked up.
"Who?"
That single word carried an edge of menace, making Song Shihuan quickly shake her head. "Shen Lan hasn’t provoked me. I just want to stir some trouble for the Shen family."
Only then did the coldness fade from Shen Qingping’s eyes. He had thought someone had dared offend the princess again.
"Teacher, Bao Xia is sharp. She noticed that Second Master Shen hasn’t returned home since Lin'er’s defeat. He claims to stay at his private residence, but Bao Xia saw him entering a house in the eastern alley."
At the mention of gossip, Song Shihuan’s eyes sparkled.
"Bao Xia even heard children playing inside."
"Interesting." Shen Qingping smirked. "Bao Xia, where does Shen Lan usually drink?"
"Xingfu Tavern!" Bao Xia answered brightly.
That night, as Shen Lan tried to sneak into his mistress’s home, patrolling guards caught him red-handed. Under interrogation, it was revealed that the woman inside was his mistress of nearly ten years.
The scandal erupted, and Second Madam Shen immediately threatened to take Lin'er back to her family. The uproar even led to Shen Pu being impeached multiple times in court.
"Minister Shen, perhaps you should visit a temple?"
After court, Shen Qingping strolled up to him. "You’ve been rather unlucky lately."
"No need for your concern, Junior Minister Shen," Shen Pu replied stiffly.
"I only ask because the Gu family’s little pearl mentioned that Miss Shen has been weeping daily at the academy. If this continues, the moat might overflow."
"That... that insolent brat!"
Watching Shen Qingping walk away laughing, Shen Pu felt blood rise in his throat. The humiliation was unbearable.
Dealing with Prince Qin could no longer wait.
......
Purple Dawn Hall.
"You had nothing to say in court earlier. Why return now?"
Emperor Yuanyou clearly had no patience for Shen Pu. If he couldn’t even manage his household, how could he be trusted with state affairs?
"Your Majesty, there is a matter unfit for open discussion."
Shen Pu forced a smile. "It’s been two years since the last autumn hunt. With the weather so pleasant, perhaps Your Majesty might consider holding another."
"A hunt?"
The emperor, now aged, had little interest in hunting.
Great Qi had never placed much emphasis on it.
"Indeed. Most dynasties held hunts annually. Discovering talented youths would greatly benefit Great Qi." Shen Pu pitched it like a brothel madam promoting her girls. "Moreover, the princes and imperial grandsons could display their prowess."
"Granted."
The emperor agreed so swiftly it stunned Shen Pu.
Did His Majesty not fear Prince Qin’s disgrace?
Bewildered, Shen Pu withdrew.
Emperor Yuanyou watched him leave before turning to Wu Qi. "Inform Prince Qin of the hunt. And tell him not to embarrass me on the field."
He paused, then added,
"Let Ah Huan participate instead."
