"Hua'er, why do you look so pale?"
Seeing Shen Hua'er remain silent, Lady Chang pressed further, even instructing the maid to summon the House Physician to examine her.
Suddenly, Shen Hua'er snapped back to attention. "Sister, I was just reminded of how His Highness looked before his passing... It frightened me."
"My apologies for speaking out of turn."
Lady Chang quickly replied, "Since Hua'er isn't feeling well, I won't keep you any longer."
Almost the moment Lady Chang finished speaking, Shen Hua'er rose and excused herself.
By the time she reached the side courtyard, her legs were still trembling.
"Bi'er, about what happened back then... Could Lady Chang have noticed something?" Shen Hua'er asked in terror. If the truth from those years were exposed... her life would be forfeit.
"You're overthinking it, Consort. Perhaps Lady Chang merely mentioned it in passing."
Seeing Shen Hua'er's distress, Bi'er added, "Should we inform the Eldest Imperial Grandson and ask for his help?"
"No!"
Shen Hua'er's expression turned grim. "If Song Yanzheng finds out, given his usual methods, neither of us will survive—let alone receive his aid."
"He wouldn’t hesitate to condemn the Shen Family to hell, then pin everything on me alone. That man would do anything to save himself, no matter how ruthless."
Worst of all, even if she claimed Song Yanzheng was involved, who would believe her?
The poison had come from her hands. He could easily twist the blame back onto her.
"Then... what should we do?" Bi'er panicked.
"Perhaps Lady Chang only suspects something. It may not be the worst-case scenario yet. Even if it is... we must deny everything to the death." Shen Hua'er bit her tongue to steady herself.
"Our priority now is to remain calm."
......
"Lady Chang said Shen Hua'er turned pale the moment Song Ling’s death was mentioned—proof of her guilt."
In the Qin Prince's Mansion, Song Yu spoke leisurely. "Song Ling truly deserved it. Scheming all his life, only to be outwitted by his own concubine... perhaps even his own children played a part."
"For now, we can only confirm Shen Hua'er’s involvement. But without evidence, we can’t prove Song Yanzheng or the others were complicit."
Shen Qingping’s gaze sharpened. "Even if Shen Hua'er accuses them, without proof, Song Yanzheng can easily claim she’s lying."
Hearing this, Song Yu smirked.
"His Majesty doesn’t need hard evidence to pass judgment."
If the Emperor believed Song Yanzheng guilty, then guilty he would be.
"Your Highness is right." Shen Qingping nodded. When it came to understanding the Emperor, he couldn’t compare to the Prince.
"When does Your Highness plan to report this to His Majesty?"
At this, Song Yu faltered.
Though he’d assured A’huan the Emperor wouldn’t be shaken, he wasn’t entirely confident. The old man wasn’t as resilient as he used to be.
"This Prince... has a plan."
Translation: Don’t ask, don’t rush.
Shen Qingping pressed his lips together, choosing not to expose Song Yu’s hesitation.
......
In the following days, Song Yu became unusually attentive. He stopped arguing with Emperor Yuanyou and even went out of his way to bring him treats from outside the palace.
The Emperor was almost unsettled by the change.
Inside the Purple Palace Hall:
"Father, this shop is a renowned pastry store. Commoners line up daily just to buy these." Song Yu grinned. "They say elders often crave sweets—see if you like them."
Emperor Yuanyou eyed the pastries suspiciously. Was there laxative mixed in?
"You try one first."
Song Yu popped a piece into his mouth, then grimaced at the overwhelming sweetness. Ugh, disgusting.
Only then did the Emperor tentatively take a bite. Hmm, not bad.
"You’ve been acting strangely lately."
After finishing a second piece, Emperor Yuanyou waved for Wu Qi to clear the plate. He studied Song Yu with a knowing look.
"Father jokes. There’s nothing strange about me."
Song Yu was sweating bullets.
"You’ve been more filial."
"And more patient."
"And more—"
"Father, you simply never noticed these qualities before." Song Yu cut him off before his composure cracked.
"Out with it. Stop beating around the bush."
Having humored Song Yu’s sudden devotion long enough, Emperor Yuanyou finally lost patience.
Song Yu chuckled awkwardly. "There is indeed a matter I wish to report."
Outside the hall, Liuxi sprinted away the moment he heard those words. His orders were clear: the moment the Prince began speaking, he was to fetch the Princess at once.
Song Yu spoke for half an hour.
When he finished, Emperor Yuanyou sat motionless, his expression unreadable.
Song Yu’s heart sank.
"Father?"
"Father!"
"Grandfather!"
Hearing the alarm in Song Yu’s voice, Song Shihuan rushed in without regard for decorum.
Emperor Yuanyou slowly raised a hand and wiped his face.
"How certain are you that he... was poisoned?"
"With certainty, Father. If the exhumation confirms poison, then tenfold."
A fit of coughing erupted. Emperor Yuanyou’s straight back gradually hunched as Song Shihuan hurried to support him.
"Such wickedness... Such wickedness."
Tears welled in the Emperor’s aged eyes.
Song Yu knelt. "I beg Father’s permission to exhume the body."
"The descendants of the Song may die, but never in obscurity." His gaze burned. "Never so pitifully."
To die... without even knowing how.
Song Yu thought again of that dream about A’huan. Song Ling deserved death—but it should have been by his hand.
"You have full authority to investigate."
Rage simmered in Emperor Yuanyou’s voice. "If Shen Hua'er is guilty, I will exterminate the Shen Family—down to the ninth generation!"
"Your son obeys."
Song Yu bowed low, his expression solemn.
......
Days later, at the imperial mausoleum:
Guarded by layers of imperial soldiers, Song Yu and Song Shihuan stood before Song Ling’s tomb, their expressions identically cold.
With a faint murmur, Song Yu gave the order:
"Open the coffin."
