"Has Father still refused to eat?"
Outside the room, Song Shihuan arched an eyebrow as she looked at the untouched meal in Liuxi's hands. Among the motley crew Song Yu had scrounged up, Liuxi was at least passable to the eye.
As for Yixi, Erxi, Sanxi... Song Shihuan preferred not to dwell on them.
"Your Highness, the Prince says he isn't hungry."
Two meals skipped—how could he not be hungry?
Song Shihuan knocked on the door. "Father, it's Ahuan. Let me in to see you."
"This Prince is tired and needs rest."
A muffled voice came from inside. Song Shihuan gestured for Liuxi to leave the tray outside. "Then promise me you'll eat."
A few moments later, Song Yu cracked the door open just enough to snatch the food inside, not even sparing her a glance.
Noticing the redness creeping up the back of Song Yu’s ears, Song Shihuan understood.
Her father had boasted that the Qin Prince's Mansion had endless wealth, only for it all to be embezzled. Now he was too embarrassed to face her.
Amused, she deliberately raised her voice. "Then rest well, Father. Once you wake, we’ll discuss how to reclaim every last tael of silver."
"That silver belongs to our mansion. No one gets to keep it."
Inside, Song Yu viciously tore into a chicken leg as if it were the throats of those who’d wronged him.
Merely getting the money back?
Far from enough!
They’d humiliated him in front of Ahuan. He’d sear their faces into his memory and beat them senseless whenever the mood struck.
---
The next day, Song Yu appeared before Song Shihuan right on time—with dark circles under his eyes.
"Come take a look, Father!" Song Shihuan beckoned him over. "I had Yixi and the others investigate, and the tutor helped calculate the proper profits these shops should’ve yielded."
Song Yu’s eyes nearly bulged out of his skull.
Heaven strike them dead—all that silver should’ve been his!
"Father, we need a proper plan to collect the debts. How do you intend to proceed?"
Song Shihuan’s eyes curved like crescents. Who in this world didn’t love gold and silver? The thought of such wealth soon filling their coffers made her ravenous.
"How else? This Prince will go door to door. If they can’t pay up, I’ll beat them to death on the spot."
Song Yu ground his teeth, fists clenched.
"Father, why not ask Tutor Shen to join us?" Song Shihuan smiled sweetly. "He’s sharp with money matters. With him, we’d be unstoppable."
"That miser?"
"Father, trust me on this. Please?"
She tugged at his sleeve. Behind them, Liuxi took one look at the situation and scurried off to summon Shen Qingping.
---
An hour later.
"No. Debt collection? I won’t do it."
Shen Qingping took several steps back. Taking on such a thankless, trouble-magnet task would mean his brain had been kicked by a donkey.
"You’ll get ten percent of the reclaimed silver."
Song Yu’s eyes widened to the size of copper bells.
Shen Qingping didn’t hesitate. "I’ll do it."
The offer was too generous. A donkey kick to the head occasionally wasn’t so bad.
And so, the trio began strategizing. Shen Qingping, shrewd as a fox, swiftly mapped out the order of targets.
"Start with Rouge Pavilion. It’s frequented by noblewomen daily—recovering its profits means instant funds and spreading word of our mission. Let those turtles tremble in fear." His analysis was flawless.
Song Yu shot him a deadpan look.
"Never realized you were this clever before."
"Money talks."
Song Yu kicked him. Unfazed, Shen Qingping gazed at Song Shihuan as if she were the God of Wealth incarnate. "Your Highness’ thoughts?"
"Brilliant."
Song Shihuan smiled. Shen Qingping was no fool.
Then again, the son of the top scholar—how could he truly be a pig-brained oaf?
---
Rouge Pavilion.
"So many customers, all leaving with armfuls of goods." Inside the carriage, Baoxia couldn’t help remarking. "Who knows how much silver they rake in daily?"
"Miss Baoxia, soon all that will belong to the Prince’s Mansion."
Shen Qingping teased her as they waited for the perfect crowd to maximize the scandal’s spread.
Meanwhile, Song Shihuan peered through the carriage window, her face veiled.
Suddenly, her gaze sharpened.
There—Song Yanzheng and Song Xiyan, strolling straight toward Rouge Pavilion.
---
Elsewhere.
"Xiyan, I finally managed to bring you out of the palace. Can’t you at least try to enjoy it?"
Dressed like a pampered noble, Song Yanzheng coaxed the fairy-like Song Xiyan beside him, drawing envious glances.
"Elder Brother, I just can’t."
Song Xiyan’s mood was foul. Ever since Song Shihuan’s return, nothing had gone right. Every scheme against that wild girl had somehow failed.
Was the brat truly this lucky?
"Xiyan, one failure doesn’t mean the end. We’ll have countless chances. But if you keep frowning, you’ll lose your beauty." He smiled. "Ahead is Rouge Pavilion. Pick whatever you like—I had the shopkeeper reserve exclusive items just for you."
Only at the mention of cosmetics did Song Xiyan force a faint smile.
---
Back in the carriage, Song Shihuan watched the pair enter Rouge Pavilion. The heavens themselves were aiding her.
"That shopkeeper is a servant of the Chang family."
Shen Qingping chuckled, utterly unsurprised.
"You knew beforehand?" Song Shihuan’s eyes gleamed. This tutor was far from simple.
"Learned it just an hour ago."
He nodded toward the shop. "Your Highness, Princess—it’s time."
Song Yu needed no further prompting. He stormed out before Song Shihuan could stop him.
---
Inside the shop.
Song Xiyan had selected two full cases of cosmetics. The shopkeeper fawned over her. "Your Highness honors us. Should you ever need anything else, this lowly one is at your service."
His groveling finally eased some of Song Xiyan’s resentment.
This was how it should be—she was the most exalted princess of Daqi.
She gave a regal nod and turned to leave with Song Yanzheng—
Only to freeze at the sight of Song Yu blocking the door.
"Niece Xiyan, have you forgotten something?"
"Uncle, what brings you here?" Irritation flashed in Song Xiyan’s eyes. "I merely came for a stroll with Elder Brother."
"Strolls are fine. But who taught you to take goods without paying?"
Song Yu’s glare shifted to the shopkeeper, who began trembling like a leaf.
"This is the Chang family’s shop, Uncle. What concern is it of yours?"
