Outside the Imperial Prison.
Seeing the Imperial Guards blocking the way, Song Yu turned to glance at Shen Xiao, who had been following him all along, his face as dark as a burnt pot.
"Chief Shen, are you stopping this prince from entering?"
Song Yu’s demeanor made Shen Xiao’s heart tremble—his gaze was eerily similar to the Emperor’s.
"Your Highness, meeting with Young Master Shen at this moment would be unfavorable to the situation," Shen Xiao spoke slowly. "The private salt case is of grave importance, and the eyes of all civil and military officials are fixed upon it."
When Song Yu remained silent and even seemed intent on forcing his way into the prison, Shen Xiao added,
"His Majesty has decreed that neither you nor the Princess may enter the Imperial Prison without permission upon your return to the capital."
The air fell silent for a moment.
"Chief Shen, did Grandfather only forbid my father and me from entering the prison?" Song Shihuan stood behind Song Yu, her voice slightly hoarse.
"Princess, that is correct."
The next moment, Song Shihuan turned to Liuxi. "Liuxi, dispatch five guards from the Qin Prince’s Mansion to the prison. Have them stand outside my tutor’s cell and ensure no one opens it without my father’s or my orders."
If she and her father couldn’t enter, then no one else could take her tutor out.
Shen Xiao was momentarily stunned, completely unprepared for Song Shihuan’s command.
"Chief Shen, the Qin Prince’s Mansion will investigate this matter thoroughly, and we will protect our people. No one is to casually inflict punishment—that is our bottom line."
The implication was clear: they were deeply displeased that Shen Qingping had been whipped.
"As the Princess commands."
"Father, let us go to the palace and request Grandfather to grant you the authority to oversee this case," Song Shihuan said, casting a deep glance at the prison. "That way, our tutor can be released sooner."
"Agreed."
Before leaving, Song Yu’s voice dripped with unmistakable killing intent. "Chu Wuliang, was it?"
Shen Xiao nodded.
"This prince will remember him."
......
Purple Heaven Palace.
"Your Majesty, the Prince and the Princess have returned."
Wu Qi’s raspy voice echoed through the palace, loud enough for everyone inside and outside to hear. Emperor Yuanyou immediately set down his vermilion brush and hurried to the palace entrance.
This time, he had no official reason to welcome them openly, so he could only wait anxiously within the palace.
Moments later, two familiar figures—one tall, one small—appeared and bowed in unison to the Emperor.
But Emperor Yuanyou couldn’t help but frown.
Something was off.
He had braced himself for this troublemaker to set off firecrackers in celebration right here in the palace. So why was he kneeling so properly, speaking in such a subdued tone, devoid of any joy?
"Rise," Emperor Yuanyou said, his voice softening involuntarily.
"Ah Huan, did something happen on your journey?" The Emperor gently touched Song Shihuan’s cheek, his voice tender. "Did someone bully you? Tell Grandfather, and I’ll make it right."
A promise of justice delivered straight to the Emperor’s ears.
Plop—
Tear after tear fell onto the Emperor’s wrinkled hand, each drop burning his heart with pain. "What’s wrong? Why are you crying?"
"Grandfather, my tutor has been imprisoned in the Imperial Prison."
Song Shihuan looked up at the Emperor, her eyes brimming with tears.
"Ah Huan, this was all part of the plan. Your tutor must have explained it to you and your father. He is innocent—I know this."
Just as Emperor Yuanyou began to relax, Song Yu’s cold, hard voice cut in:
"Not only was he imprisoned, but he was also lashed with a barbed whip."
The Emperor was stunned.
......
"I sent the Imperial Guards to investigate this case. How could Shen Xiao have tortured Shen Qingping?"
Emperor Yuanyou frowned. Had Shen Qingping offended Shen Xiao before?
"Before the Imperial Guards arrived, Chu Wuliang interrogated Shen Qingping. By the time Shen Xiao arrived, he had already been whipped," Song Yu said, his expression grim. "And you forbade Ah Huan and me from entering the prison, so we don’t even know his current condition."
Now the Emperor understood.
So this troublemaker was furious.
"Wu Qi, summon Mei Zhilin to the prison and check on that young man from the Shen family," Emperor Yuanyou ordered, feeling uneasy himself. Minister Shen’s son had willingly stepped into this scheme, only to be imprisoned and whipped—it felt like a betrayal of Minister Shen’s loyalty.
Of course, these thoughts remained unspoken.
"Once this matter is resolved, I’ll promote Shen Qingping as compensation."
With a wave of his hand, the Emperor declared that Shen Qingping’s suffering would not be in vain.
"Grandfather is so thoughtful."
Song Shihuan clung to the Emperor’s arm. "Grandfather, I haven’t seen you in months. I missed you so much."
She had always known when to yield in front of the Emperor. Song Yu, watching this, pursed his lips but relaxed slightly when he saw Wu Qi leave to summon Mei Zhilin.
"Grandfather missed you too," the Emperor said, then shot a cold glance at Song Yu. "Unlike some people who forget their parents the moment they step outside."
Not even bothering to say a few comforting words upon returning.
Song Yu’s expression shifted, a strange smile creeping onto his face.
Suddenly, he dashed out of the hall, snatched a bamboo pole from Liuxi, and lit a firecracker.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
The explosions echoed outside the Purple Heaven Palace, making the Emperor’s veins bulge on his forehead.
"You insolent brat! You dare set off firecrackers in my palace?"
And so abruptly—it gave him a fright!
"Just celebrating," Song Yu grinned.
......
The next morning, at court.
The Emperor had yet to arrive, and Song Yu’s seat remained empty. The officials exchanged glances, murmuring among themselves.
"Did you hear? After returning to the capital yesterday, Prince Qin and Princess Fu’an went straight to the Imperial Prison but were stopped. Yet the Qin Prince’s Mansion guards entered."
"I also heard that Prince Qin set off firecrackers in the Purple Heaven Palace last night, nearly giving His Majesty a heart attack."
"Young Master Shen has always been close to Prince Qin. It seems the Prince is determined to protect him this time."
Whispers filled the hall, but Shen Mingwen’s expression remained unreadable.
With the Prince and Princess back, his third son would be safe.
Half an incense stick later, movement outside silenced the crowd.
Song Yu strode into the hall in his princely robes, but instead of taking his seat, he walked straight to Chu Wuliang.
"Chu Wuliang."
"Your servant is here."
Hearing his name, Chu Wuliang’s legs trembled.
"Was it you who interrogated Shen Qingping in the prison yesterday?"
Song Yu smirked, clapping a hand on Chu Wuliang’s shoulder.
"Brave of you to lay a hand on someone under my protection."
