"I am already sixty-four this year."
In the Zichen Hall, Emperor Yuanyou stroked his long-grizzled beard, his laughter deepening the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes. "I wonder how much longer I’ll be able to watch over our Ahuan."
"Grandfather, don’t speak such nonsense. You will live to a hundred," Song Shihuan replied.
Emperor Yuanyou chuckled, his eyes crinkling. Throughout history, so many emperors had been hailed as "Ten Thousand Years," but which of them had truly lived that long? Reaching his age was already considered a rare blessing.
"Today is Ahuan’s birthday. I had planned a grand celebration, but this clever little imp insisted otherwise, saying a simple meal with me and your father would suffice." The emperor still seemed bothered that he couldn’t throw a lavish celebration for Song Shihuan.
Song Yu nodded in agreement. His Ahuan was already twelve today—in just three more years, she would come of age. The thought made him feel time was slipping away too quickly.
"Exactly. Birthdays are best spent with the people who matter most."
Song Shihuan gulped down a cup of tea. With the Shen family’s affairs just settled and the mystery of Song Ling’s death still unresolved, she had no desire for a grand celebration. Last year’s extravagant festivities had already made it clear to the entire Great Qi how dearly she was cherished.
"The little princess I hold in my palms deserves a celebration that shakes the heavens every year."
With only the three of them in the hall, Emperor Yuanyou and Song Yu drank freely. Within half an hour, both were thoroughly drunk.
"Today, Mei Zhilin isn’t here to scold me for drinking. My heart is truly at ease."
Outside the hall, Mei Zhilin, who was standing guard: "..."
"Physician Mei, His Majesty is in high spirits today. Let’s not spoil his mood," Wu Qi whispered hurriedly beside him.
"I know."
Mei Zhilin curled his lips. After today, he would make sure the emperor didn’t touch a drop of wine for ten days.
Hmph!
Inside the hall, the drunken Emperor Yuanyou began rambling about the past. When he mentioned Empress Yuan, Song Yu’s expression remained neutral, but his ears subtly perked up. He listened without reaction to the stories about his mother.
"Your father was a troublemaker from the moment he was conceived, making your grandmother lose so much weight she became a shadow of herself. It infuriated me to no end."
"When he was born, I held him, overjoyed—only for him to pee all over me before I could even savor the moment. The old generals in the army laughed at me for a full month." Emperor Yuanyou gnashed his teeth. "So when Song Ling was born, I refused to hold him. And the same went for all the boys after."
What kind of emperor would maintain his dignity if he got peed on?
At the mention of Song Ling, both Song Yu and Song Shihuan’s eyes darkened almost simultaneously.
Now that the moment had come, they were unsure how to broach the subject of exhuming Song Ling’s body for investigation with Emperor Yuanyou.
"Father, between me and Song Ling, who was better?"
Song Yu fixed his gaze on the emperor.
Emperor Yuanyou laughed and scolded, "He seemed obedient on the surface, but he was full of schemes."
"Unlike you—consistent inside and out, equally full of mischief."
Song Yu’s expression instantly cracked.
......
On the way back to the Qin Prince’s Mansion, the atmosphere in the carriage was somber.
"Father, Grandfather is getting on in years. If we suddenly propose exhuming Uncle Ling’s body, will his health be able to withstand the shock?"
Song Shihuan was deeply worried. She could employ the most ruthless methods to exact vengeance on the Ping Prince’s Mansion, but when it came to Emperor Yuanyou, she hesitated. The emperor treasured her like a jewel—she couldn’t disregard his feelings.
"Let’s have Lady Chang test Shen Hua'er first," Song Yu said after some thought. "Ahuan, your grandfather clawed his way to the throne through bloodshed. He’s not like ordinary people."
"Compared to an autopsy, he would hate even more for a child of the Song family to die under suspicious circumstances."
To die under suspicious circumstances...
Song Shihuan’s heart trembled.
No wonder, in her past life, the Eastern Palace had hidden her so thoroughly, keeping her out of Emperor Yuanyou’s sight. They must have feared this very outcome.
"Alright. We’ll proceed as you suggest, Father."
Noticing her agreement, Song Yu slowly pulled out a small wooden box from his sleeve and handed it to her.
"Your birthday gift. Open it."
Inside the box lay an exquisitely crafted hairpin, adorned with a luminous Eastern pearl.
"Our Ahuan is almost a grown woman now."
Song Yu grinned. When the time came, he would buy the most beautiful jewelry in the world for her.
"Thank you, Father. I love the hairpin."
Song Shihuan admired it with delight, marveling at how quickly time had passed. Two years had already gone by since she was recognized and brought home.
"Next year at this time, the palace examinations will be held. I’ll make sure Ahuan becomes the Eastern Palace’s only daughter."
"Happy birthday."
The words "only daughter" spoke volumes of unparalleled favor.
......
Ping Prince’s Mansion.
Song Xiyan’s birthday passed unnoticed as usual. Only Liu'er, slipping out of the mansion, managed to buy some pastries for her and wish her a happy birthday.
"Liu'er, after all these years, it seems you’re the only one who truly cares for me."
"Young Mistress is this servant’s master. Naturally, I must serve you with all my heart."
Liu'er’s words warmed Song Xiyan’s heart—though she didn’t realize that the "Young Mistress" Liu'er referred to wasn’t her.
Li Garden.
"Did Sister Chang summon me?"
When Shen Hua'er first arrived at Li Garden, she had expected Lady Chang to make life difficult for her. Yet, as time passed, Lady Chang never mistreated her, providing her with all the necessities.
"Today is Ahuan and Xiyan’s birthday, so I wanted someone to talk to," Lady Chang said, gesturing for Shen Hua'er to sit. "I’ve been feeling troubled, so I invited you over."
"Sister Chang, you may call me Hua'er."
"You’re a pitiable one too. By the time you married into the Eastern Palace, the prince’s health was already failing." Lady Chang’s eyes brimmed with nostalgia. "I remember, shortly after your marriage, he seemed to recover for a time—even became energetic again. Back then, I thought he had been cured."
At the mention of those days, Shen Hua'er’s face paled slightly.
"Yes... I thought so too at the time."
"How strange it was. It was as if, from one day to the next, the prince suddenly couldn’t rise from bed or speak." Lady Chang feigned sorrow. "It was like his spirit had been drained. Since you attended to him then, did you notice anything unusual?"
Clink—
The cup in Shen Hua'er’s hand fell to the ground, shattering.
"Sister, you jest. I’m just a frail woman with no knowledge of medicine. How could I have noticed anything amiss?"
Lady Chang nodded. "You’re right. I spoke out of turn."
"Ah, now that I think of it, besides you, weren’t Yan Zheng and the others also constantly at his side, never leaving?"
Shen Hua'er’s face turned deathly white.
