Emperor Yuanyou sat on the throne, observing the reactions of everyone below him. Beside him, Consort Hui appeared flustered, inwardly cursing Shen Pu repeatedly.
What a fool, stirring trouble for no reason by provoking Prince Qin’s faction.
And now she might be implicated for suggesting the talent display.
Thinking this, Consort Hui whispered to a nearby maid, "Go check on the Second Miss Gu. If she truly doesn’t wish to perform, say her dress was soiled and she must return home to change."
"Yes."
Watching the maid hurry off, Consort Hui finally felt somewhat at ease.
Yet, to everyone’s surprise, Gu Mingzhu actually returned—now dressed in a sleek, martial outfit.
"Mingzhu, what talent will you perform?"
Emperor Yuanyou’s address—using her given name instead of "Second Miss Gu"—carried unmistakable intimacy.
"Your Majesty, I wish to perform a sword dance. May I request permission to wield a sword before the throne?" Gu Mingzhu’s voice silenced the entire hall. Even Shen Pu nearly choked on his wine.
A sword dance?
Song Shihuan’s eyes lit up.
"Imperial Grandfather, this granddaughter wishes to see a sword dance."
"Granted."
Emperor Yuanyou didn’t hesitate for even a moment. If his beloved Ah Huan wanted to see a sword dance, he’d fetch the stars from the sky if needed.
Gu Mingzhu flashed Song Shihuan a sweet smile before catching the longsword Gu Zheng tossed her. "Mingzhu, catch!"
With a flick of her wrist, the sword twirled elegantly in Gu Mingzhu’s hand.
"Minister Shen, Second Miss Shen, you wished to see the talents of the top-ranked lady scholar? Then witness what it means to be the daughter of a military house!"
Her swordplay was fierce yet laced with feminine grace, as if transporting everyone to the northern frontier in an instant.
Gone was Gu Mingzhu’s usual playful demeanor—replaced by solemn focus.
As the dance concluded, she knelt on one knee, sword in hand. "Today, this humble girl dedicates this dance to the warriors of Great Qi. May our empire stand strong for millennia."
"Excellent! Excellent! Excellent!"
Emperor Yuanyou’s triple praise turned Shen Pu and Shen Lin’er pale. Even Shen Hua’er, seated elsewhere, wore a grim expression.
"I’ve heard of the dispute over the top scholar title. Shen Lin’er, do you challenge Mingzhu’s merit?"
"This humble girl wouldn’t dare." Shen Lin’er’s voice trembled with tears. "I merely admire Second Miss Gu."
The emperor spared her only a glance before dismissing her. "Gu Zheng, you’ve raised your daughter well. She upholds the Gu family’s legacy."
Gu Zheng’s face reddened with pride—praise for his daughter pleased him more than praise for himself.
"That hairpin on Second Miss Shen’s head is quite exquisite."
Shen Qingping’s teasing tone darkened Shen Pu’s face. Mocking the Shen family’s daughter in public was tantamount to trampling their dignity!
"Ah, Princess, even the artisans at Red Rouge Pavilion couldn’t craft something so delicate." Shen Qingping winked at Song Shihuan. "The Shen family’s centuries of refinement truly show in their daughters’ adornments."
"You flatter us, Young Master Shen. It’s merely a girl’s cherished trinket."
Blinded by anger, Shen Pu missed the emperor’s frown.
Gu Zheng quickly caught on. "In such matters, my Gu family pales in comparison to the Shens."
With Shen Qingping’s prodding, the conversation shifted to extolling the Shen family. Other officials, emboldened by wine, began recounting their ties to the Shens.
Each word drained the emperor’s smile further.
"Ancient history, yet my colleagues remember so clearly." Shen Pu, now emboldened, toasted freely.
"Father has steered the Shen family well." Shen Hua’er finally smiled. Such a powerful Shen family would make a perfect ally for Ping Prince’s Mansion—a mutually beneficial union.
After the banquet, on the way home, Yu Fan remained sharp-eyed. "Father, Young Master Shen acted unusually today."
Slightly drunk, Gu Zheng patted his shoulder. "Shen Qingping is poison incarnate. If he keeps you at arm’s length, you’re safe."
"But if he suddenly acts friendly, that person is doomed."
"What?" Yu Fan gaped.
"Don’t be shocked. The Shen family is finished."
Gu Zheng shook his head. At least Old Shen had some principles, but this young wolf? Ruthless beyond measure.
"Praise the Shen family more these days. Let them grow arrogant—help that young wolf along."
That night, Emperor Yuanyou sealed the Shen family’s fate.
During the New Year’s vigil, he pondered their final punishment.
"Imperial Grandfather, tell me stories of your childhood."
"Very well..."
Distracted, the emperor’s smile returned.
......
After Song Yu’s rampage at the imperial prison last year, this New Year felt peaceful by comparison.
On the first court session after the holidays, Song Yu appeared once more.
"Last year, Ji'an Prefecture’s officials were purged from top to bottom. I remain uneasy—how are the people faring now?"
On the throne, Emperor Yuanyou sighed theatrically.
"This son volunteers to return to Ji'an Prefecture and assess the situation for Your Majesty." Song Yu stepped forward, his bearing resolute.
"Agreed. You know Ji'an well."
The emperor’s heart ached. Barely past New Year, and this troublemaker was leaving again—taking Ah Huan with him.
The other ministers exchanged glances. Prince Qin departing the capital again?
Did that mean another upheaval was coming?
Their suspicion wasn’t unfounded—every time Song Yu left the capital, some shocking incident followed.
"This son can depart whenever Your Majesty commands."
"Three days hence."
The emperor’s mood soured. Days without his granddaughter were dull indeed.
After court, he nearly jabbed a finger at Song Yu. "Return with Ah Huan as soon as the exams end."
"I must wait for the results. If I pass the imperial exams, shouldn’t I pay respects at our ancestral tomb?"
Song Yu grinned smugly. "If so, Father, I’d be the first scholar in the Song family line."
"And I’m the first emperor in the Song line!"
The emperor roared. If passing the exams warranted a tomb visit, would he set off firecrackers at the ancestral graves for higher honors?
