"Your Highness, this humble official... I don't understand what you mean." Chu Wuliang's voice trembled as he spoke. He had assumed Prince Qin's trip to Ji'an Prefecture would keep him away for at least half a year.
Who could have imagined that no sooner had he received the news than the prince was standing right before him?
"You don't understand?"
Song Yu's grip tightened abruptly, nearly forcing Chu Wuliang to his knees. "Minister Chu, as a key official of Great Qi, you claim not to comprehend plain speech? This prince worries for you."
"However, I will make sure you grasp my meaning."
Song Yu fixed Chu Wuliang with a deep stare—one that made the minister feel as though he were already seeing his ancestors.
As Song Yu took his position, Chu Wuliang couldn't help but glance at Shen Pu, who had been avoiding eye contact. Anxiety gnawed at him like ants on a hot pan—he had acted on Shen Pu's orders.
Now that he had drawn the attention of Prince Qin's household, surely Minister Shen wouldn't abandon him?
"His Majesty the Emperor arrives—"
Wu Qi's voice rang out, and Emperor Yuanyou's figure slowly came into view.
"Long live His Majesty—"
The synchronized greeting echoed through the hall. Emperor Yuanyou nodded, his gaze immediately settling on Song Yu.
As expected, Song Yu spoke the moment the Emperor permitted them to rise:
"Imperial Father, upon my return to the capital yesterday, I learned that Shen Qingping has been implicated in a salt smuggling case. This is utterly absurd. I request to investigate the matter on your behalf and deliver justice."
"Your Majesty, Prince Qin's proposal may be unwise."
Shen Pu could no longer hold back and stepped forward. "Young Master Shen has always been close to Prince Qin's household. Entrusting this case to him risks accusations of favoritism."
"Favoritism?"
Song Yu laughed as if hearing the most ridiculous joke. "This prince acts with integrity and has no need for the underhanded tactics Minister Shen implies."
"Your Highness may think so, but others may not."
Shen Pu was determined to stop Song Yu. If the truth came to light, the Shen family would be doomed.
"This matter, I will investigate. Even if Imperial Father denies me official authority, I will pursue it myself." Song Yu's tone turned defiant. "To pin a salt smuggling charge on someone under my protection based on the testimonies of a few spoiled nobles—is this an attack on Shen Qingping, or on me?"
Ahem—Emperor Yuanyou cleared his throat. If this rascal kept talking, he'd have no face left to show Minister Shen.
"Listen to yourself. What kind of talk is 'even if Imperial Father denies me'?"
The Emperor spoke irritably. "Fine, investigate. But the Imperial Guards will oversee the entire process."
"Thank you, Imperial Father."
The moment Song Yu spoke, Shen Pu's heart sank.
It seemed... the Shen family might be finished.
......
Ping Prince's Mansion.
"Your Highness, Princess, Minister Shen has arrived—he appears greatly distressed."
In the study, Song Yanzheng was copying texts while Shen Hua'er stood silently grinding ink for him. For days, Song Yanzheng had avoided meeting her eyes.
The tension between them had lingered uncomfortably.
"Why would Father come here?" Shen Hua'er sensed trouble. "Bring him in at once."
Song Yanzheng set aside his awkwardness with Shen Hua'er. "Minister Shen wouldn't visit without urgent cause."
The two hurried to the front courtyard.
"Your Highness, you must save the Shen family!"
The moment he saw Song Yanzheng, Shen Pu clutched his sleeve in despair. "This time, disaster looms over us."
"What?" Song Yanzheng's pupils constricted sharply.
If even he, a royal grandson who had lost imperial favor, hadn't called his situation dire, how could the Shen family be in greater peril?
After Shen Pu confessed everything, Song Yanzheng yanked his sleeve free and stepped back. "Minister Shen, salt smuggling is a grave crime."
"I... I was blinded by greed. If Shen Qingping reveals the smuggling routes, the Shen family won't escape punishment. Your Highness, only you can save us now."
"How could I possibly help?" Coldness seeped into Song Yanzheng's voice.
"I will provide you with a highly skilled shadow guard. If you can get close to Shen Qingping, the guard can eliminate him unnoticed."
Song Yanzheng remained silent, offering only that he would "consider it."
With no other choice, Shen Pu left to await his decision.
"Yanzheng, you... you..." Shen Hua'er struggled to find words.
"What Minister Shen asks is impossible."
Song Yanzheng's reply was icy. "Ping Prince's Mansion cannot be entangled in this. Remember your position, Princess."
The tenderness between them days ago might as well have been a dream.
"But the Shen family is my birth family!" Shen Hua'er stared in disbelief.
"You are now part of Ping Prince's Mansion. When the Chang family fell, your mother was spared. The same applies now." Song Yanzheng studied her for a long moment. "Escort the Princess to her quarters. She is unwell and should not leave the courtyard."
As Shen Hua'er was led away, a shadow crossed Song Yanzheng's eyes.
If he exposed the Shen family himself... would it not be to his advantage?
......
The Ministry of Justice.
Song Yu sat in the presiding seat, with Song Shihuan beside him.
"Bring forth the prisoner."
At the word "prisoner," father and daughter frowned simultaneously.
The next moment, Shen Qingping appeared in tattered prison garb, his hair disheveled, bloodstains from a whip lash still visible on his clothes. Chains bound his wrists and ankles—yet his demeanor remained composed.
"This humble official, Shen Qingping, greets Your Highness and Princess."
"Seat him."
Song Yu's order left the guards gaping. Had they misheard? Prisoners weren't given seats.
"My father said, seat him."
Song Shihuan repeated the command, ensuring clarity.
Immediately, a chair was brought, placing Shen Qingping opposite Song Yu and Song Shihuan.
Meeting their gazes, Shen Qingping smiled. "Wishes fulfilled."
More precisely: Congratulations, Your Highness, for topping the imperial exams—your wishes fulfilled.
Only Song Yu and Song Shihuan understood the seemingly cryptic phrase.
"Chu Wuliang and others accuse you of drunkenly ordering salt smuggling. True or false?"
"True."
"Then you admit to smuggling salt."
"I did sell salt." But not smuggled salt.
"What routes did you use?"
As Song Yu posed the question, Shen Qingping smoothed his sleeves, eyes glinting with quiet amusement.
"With Your Highness and Princess present today, I will confess everything."
