Song Yu froze for a moment.
Then, a mouthful of wine caught in his throat, bending him over in a coughing fit, his handsome face flushing crimson.
Emperor Yuanyou’s glare lashed at Song Yu as if it cost nothing. With so many ministers watching, his dignity was being thoroughly trampled.
Had he known this would happen, he would have skipped introducing this troublemaker altogether!
"You mean to say—you want to acknowledge Prince Qin as your father?" The Crown Prince seemed to have lost his composure. He’d rather send Song Shihuan to the Eastern Palace than watch her call Song Yu "Father"!
Song Shihuan nodded expressionlessly.
That’s right. In this life, her choice was Prince Qin, Song Yu—the eldest legitimate son of Emperor Yuanyou and his late empress, Lady Xu.
Less than two years after giving birth to Song Yu, the late empress died shielding Emperor Yuanyou from an assassin’s blade during a rebellion. The Xu family proposed that her younger sister, Lady Xu the Younger, be married to the emperor as his new consort.
The year after Emperor Yuanyou’s grand wedding to Lady Xu the Younger, Crown Prince Song Ling was born.
Song Yu was raised under Lady Xu the Younger’s care, but with her own son to dote on, she had little thought to spare for him. Gradually, Song Yu’s reputation as a wastrel became widely known in court.
The world said Prince Qin was insolent, unruly, and utterly unlearned.
But Song Shihuan knew better. In her past life, when she was pushed into the imperial garden’s lake and the palace servants, following Song Xiyan’s orders, refused to save her, her soul had left her body. She watched helplessly as her corpse floated on the water.
It was Song Yu who had dived in and pulled her out.
And the day after her death, Song Yu was executed by the newly enthroned Song Ling on charges of treason.
So, she and Song Yu were grasshoppers tied to the same string.
Seeing Song Shihuan’s response, the Crown Prince’s eyes burned red, his gaze sharp enough to flay her alive.
This little wretch was truly born to be his curse.
"Tsk."
Having recovered, Song Yu straightened his robes, a smirk playing at his lips. "Second Brother, since I have no heir, and you clearly don’t want this child, why not hand her over to me? A perfect solution, no?"
Watching the Crown Prince’s face darken with rage, Song Yu grinned even wider. "Besides, as the elder brother, isn’t it my duty to clean up your messes?"
"You—!" The Crown Prince’s veins bulged at his temples, his fury barely contained.
Song Yu was thoroughly enjoying himself. It had been too long since he’d riled the Crown Prince up like this.
As for the child? It was just an extra mouth to feed—hardly a burden for the Qin Prince’s Mansion.
The Crown Prince and Song Yu stood locked in a battle of wills, neither yielding. Emperor Yuanyou, long accustomed to their clashes, patted Song Shihuan’s shoulder. "Child, are you certain about choosing Prince Qin?"
He truly feared Song Yu would corrupt her.
At the emperor’s words, Song Shihuan studied Song Yu carefully once more.
Rumor had it Song Yu resembled his late mother—tall nose, lips like vermilion, eyes that crinkled when he smiled. But the air of dissipation about him made him seem like a rake.
Emperor Yuanyou had four sons. Though the Crown Prince had been appointed, the covert struggles among the princes never ceased.
Only Song Yu, despite being the most legitimate heir, was seen as utterly unfit for the throne.
Thinking of this, Song Shihuan’s gaze darkened. Given Song Yu’s temperament, the fact that he’d fallen so low likely meant he’d been schemed against countless times by the step-empress and the Eastern Palace.
Now, whoever she chose would tie her fate to theirs—for better or worse. Song Yu was the best choice.
"Imperial Grandfather, your granddaughter is certain."
...
Song Shihuan was enfeoffed as Princess Fu'an, her name recorded after Song Yu’s as the Qin Prince’s Mansion’s eldest legitimate daughter.
With the matter settled, the Crown Prince and Song Yu were summoned away by Emperor Yuanyou, leaving only a handful of people in the hall.
"Song Shihuan, do you even know Prince Qin’s reputation?" Song Yanzheng, the Eastern Palace’s eldest son, said coldly. "Flirting with women, gambling on cockfights—no noble family in the capital would marry their daughter into the Qin Prince’s Mansion. Your cleverness has only doomed you."
"No need for Your Highness’s concern. Compared to Huangjue Temple, I’m quite content now."
Song Shihuan’s tone was laced with mockery. Song Yanzheng might appear the perfect gentleman, but beneath that façade lay a ruthless schemer. She’d learned that the hard way in her past life.
Seeing her defiance, Song Yanzheng’s expression darkened. "You’re nothing compared to Xiyan."
"Brother, must you always compare me to others?"
Song Xiyan’s voice was sweet and delicate. Instantly, Song Yanzheng softened, coaxing, "My mistake. No one could ever rival our Xiyan."
Nearby, the Crown Princess watched Song Shihuan intently, searching for any trace of hidden anguish.
But there was none.
"Xiyan has slept by my side since birth. His Highness visits her the moment he returns to the Eastern Palace. Her three brothers have filled two courtyards with rare treasures for her." Even the Crown Princess didn’t know why she was saying this—only that she needed to provoke a reaction.
"Xiyan could read at three, recite poetry at five. She excels in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. Every noble lady in the capital sings her praises."
"Your Highness has raised her well," Song Shihuan replied evenly, then added, "Though earlier, you claimed to have been bedridden with grief after my abduction. Clearly, it wasn’t because of me—perhaps raising such an accomplished daughter was simply too taxing."
The Crown Princess’s face twisted. Her grip on Song Xiyan’s hand tightened painfully, fueling the girl’s hatred.
She loathed this wild girl who’d appeared out of nowhere!
"Such sharp words. Prince Qin will have his work cut out for him," the Crown Princess bit out. She didn’t even like this child, so why did her chest ache so?
Song Shihuan’s indifference made her feel as though something vital had been torn from her.
"Who’s talking about me now?"
Song Yu’s boisterous voice rang out as he strode in, promptly pulling Song Shihuan behind him. The Crown Prince followed, his face stormy.
"My child is the most honored under heaven. She’ll want for nothing—food, clothes, or backing. Why would she need to mind anyone’s temper? Right, Second Brother?"
Honestly! If this little one was bullied by the Eastern Palace the moment she became his, where would that leave the dignity of Prince Qin?
Behind Song Yu, a glimmer of approval flashed in Song Shihuan’s eyes:
Willing to fight the Eastern Palace over every inch—this father had potential!
