"I don't understand what you're saying."
Shen Pu averted his gaze, unwilling to look at Shen Qingping any longer.
A low chuckle came from above. "Lord Shen, at this point, there’s no need for pretense between us. If you’re willing to tell me the truth, I can ensure the Shen Family retains a trace of its bloodline."
Such an offer carried immense weight.
"His Majesty has already decreed the extermination of the entire Shen Family, sparing only Princess Consort Ping, who married out," Shen Qingping said softly, his words sending chills down Shen Pu’s spine. "Prince Ping is dead, and Princess Consort Ping will never bear children. So, the Shen Family is destined for extinction."
"My visit here is the only hope you can grasp."
Time ticked by, but Shen Qingping showed no impatience, content to wait Shen Pu out—as if anticipating an inevitable victory.
Half an hour later, Shen Pu finally spoke, his voice hoarse with strain:
"Can you truly preserve a shred of the Shen bloodline? A boy or a girl?"
Shen Qingping scoffed. "Lord Shen, do you really think I’d allow the Shen Family to have a male heir? Impossible."
"If you’re not serious about negotiating, I’ll leave. I’ll uncover the truth sooner or later on my own."
He made as if to walk away.
"Wait."
Shen Pu stopped him. A girl would have to suffice.
"Why are you asking me about this?" Shen Pu struggled to speak. When Shen Hua'er married, his wife had indeed prepared certain medicines for her.
"The less the dying know, the better."
Shen Qingping’s patience was wearing thin. Why did Shen Pu keep dancing around the point?
Finally, Shen Pu relented. "My wife did prepare some medicines for Princess Consort Ping. You’ll have to ask her for the details."
"You promised me—to spare the Shen bloodline."
Shen Qingping nodded, his smile vanishing the moment he turned away.
A gentleman’s word was worth its weight in gold.
But Shen Qingping was no gentleman.
---
Lady Shen proved far more cooperative than her husband. The moment Shen Qingping relayed Shen Pu’s words, she spilled everything.
"The medicines I gave her were common remedies used in noble households... all except one," Lady Shen stammered fearfully. "That one was a secret medicine, something for her to rely on in dire straits."
"What secret medicine?"
"It... it drains the patient’s vitality several times over to sustain a few days of vigor, like a final burst of energy before death," Lady Shen’s voice trembled. "But I warned her never to use it lightly, so it should still be in Princess Consort Ping’s possession."
Never in her wildest dreams would Lady Shen imagine Shen Hua'er daring to use it on a prince.
"Words alone aren’t enough. You’ll need to sign a confession."
Shen Qingping recorded her statement and handed it to her.
"You... you swear you’ll spare a shred of the Shen bloodline?"
"I will."
Without flinching, Lady Shen pressed her thumb to the document.
Shen Qingping exhaled imperceptibly and swiftly left the prison.
On his way out, he passed the cell holding Chu Wuliang.
Chu Wuliang roared at him through the bars, but Shen Qingping didn’t even glance his way.
A dead man walking was beneath his notice.
---
Qin Prince's Mansion
"What’s wrong with His Highness? What are his symptoms?" Imperial Physician Mei Zhilin paced anxiously. "At least give me some idea so I can prepare!"
"Come in."
Song Yu’s voice rang out from inside, steady and strong—hardly the sound of an ailing man.
Mei Zhilin froze, his sweat turning cold.
"Greetings to Your Highness, to the Princess."
A glance was enough to confirm Song Yu was in perfect health.
"Your Highness summoned me under the pretense of illness. Has something happened?"
"Just a private matter I’d like to discuss," Song Yu said casually, as if they were old friends. "And it’s something I’d prefer His Majesty not know about."
Danger.
Mei Zhilin’s instincts screamed.
"There’s a pill—one that drains a patient’s vitality to sustain a brief resurgence, like a dying flare. Have you heard of it?"
Mei Zhilin thought carefully before shaking his head.
"It must be some obscure, illicit concoction."
"Then let me ask you this—do you think Song Ling, in his final days, seemed like he’d taken such a pill?"
Mei Zhilin’s teeth chattered.
Heaven above, why couldn’t he be deaf? Why must he hear such treasonous words?
"Well? Cat got your tongue?" Song Yu smiled.
"...It’s possible."
"I thought so too." Song Yu’s grin widened. "The pill came from Lady Shen to Shen Hua'er, but Lady Shen inherited it from her mother—who’s long since returned to dust."
"So I need your help to scour the underworld. Find out where such pills are made."
Mei Zhilin’s smile turned bitter. Did he have a choice?
"Physician Mei, we’ve confirmed the capital has no such pills," Song Shihuan chimed in. "But outside the city, your connections surpass ours. We’re counting on you."
"If you need manpower, just say the word. My father will handle it."
As if to prove her point, Song Yu thumped his chest.
"I... I’ll try?"
Mei Zhilin had never sounded so uncertain of his own abilities.
"I have faith that with Physician Mei on the case, nothing is impossible."
---
After Mei Zhilin left, Song Yu, Song Shihuan, and Shen Qingping huddled around the stone table beneath an old tree.
"Father, Teacher—which Shen descendant should we ‘spare’ to fool Song Yanzheng?" Song Shihuan frowned.
"Easy. Dump Shen Lin'er into Ping Prince's Mansion to keep Song Xiyan company," Song Yu said flippantly. "Weren’t they inseparable sisters?"
Once the truth came out, both Shen Lin'er and Shen Hua'er would burn.
As for his promise to Shen Pu...
Song Yu was no gentleman either.
"Who’ll explain this to Grandfather?" Song Shihuan pouted. They still had to hide their investigation into Song Ling’s death.
"His Highness should handle it," Shen Qingping declared.
"I agree. Father should go."
Song Shihuan swiftly backed him up.
