Qin Prince's Mansion.
Song Shihuan was chatting and laughing with Shen Qingping over a game of chess, occasionally analyzing the political situation at court. It was under these circumstances that Song Yu barged in.
"Father, what's wrong?" Even Shen Qingping wiped the smile from his face.
"It's nothing. Just that the Lady of the Chang family suddenly started spouting nonsense, and it angered me." Seeing Song Shihuan, the panic in Song Yu's heart slowly dissipated.
Shen Qingping raised an eyebrow at this. "The Ping Prince's Mansion is sealed off. How did Your Highness get in?"
"I had them tear off the seal." Song Yu didn’t see any issue with it. "I had them put it back after I left."
Shen Qingping’s lips twitched—so the seal was only effective against others.
"Father, what nonsense did the Lady of the Chang family say?" Song Shihuan asked casually, as if it were of no importance.
"Just some things about the Ping Prince's Mansion—asking why I had Song Yanzheng’s legs broken." Song Yu reached out and ruffled Song Shihuan’s hair.
"Ah-Huan, have you had any strange dreams lately?"
As he spoke these words, the palm of his other hand grew slightly damp with sweat.
"Since coming to the Qin Prince's Mansion, I’ve hardly dreamed at all." Song Shihuan smiled, her eyes curving like crescents. "What counts as a strange dream?"
Hearing that Song Shihuan hadn’t dreamed, Song Yu’s tense heart finally settled.
Good.
At least Ah-Huan doesn’t know about this so-called past life.
A smile gradually spread across Song Yu’s face. "A strange dream is a nightmare. If Ah-Huan ever has a nightmare, you must tell your father. Whoever bullies you in the dream, I’ll avenge you."
"Alright."
Shen Qingping glanced left and right, feeling as though he’d missed something. He couldn’t quite grasp the meaning behind the prince’s words.
This wouldn’t do!
......
Late at night.
Song Yu tossed and turned, unable to sleep. Eventually, he got up, threw on an outer robe, and stood under the eaves, lost in thought.
"Chirp-chirp—"
The quiet courtyard was suddenly pierced by a distinct noise. Song Yu’s expression instantly turned exasperated. "What kind of ghostly noise is that? Why are you here so late?"
Shen Qingping’s head peeked out from the courtyard gate.
"Today, I noticed Your Highness seemed troubled. I couldn’t rest easy."
In truth, he was worried about his standing in the prince and the princess’s hearts.
A joke—Shen Qingping had to be the foremost figure in the Qin Prince’s faction.
"You came at the right time. Liu Xi, bring wine."
Despite the fine wine, Song Yu’s frustration only grew.
"I shouldn’t have just confined the people of the Ping Prince’s Mansion. It was too lenient."
Song Yu muttered between sips.
Shen Qingping’s gaze sharpened, but he didn’t press for details. Instead, he asked,
"What does Your Highness wish to do with them, then?"
"Song Yanzheng—breaking his legs wasn’t enough. His arms should go too."
"Song Yanchao and Song Yanming must endure daily scorn and abuse from servants—starving, sleepless, covered in wounds."
"As for Song Xiyan... I want her paralyzed, blind, stripped of everything she holds dear, and finally drowned in a lake."
After these words, Shen Qingping fell silent.
For a full incense stick’s worth of time, he said nothing. Then, he abruptly downed a cup of wine.
"Why?"
What kind of hatred could drive a man of the prince’s temperament to such extremes against the Ping Prince’s Mansion?
"They bullied Ah-Huan."
Instantly, Shen Qingping’s gaze turned razor-sharp.
"That’s easily done."
......
On the way back to the Shen residence, Shen Qingping remained deep in thought, eyes closed throughout the carriage ride.
"Third Master, you and His Highness truly are kindred spirits. You said he wouldn’t sleep tonight, and indeed, he didn’t."
Beneath his sleeves, Shen Qingping’s hands clenched into fists.
"His Highness bears the makings of a wise ruler—decisive, straightforward, caring for his people. Only, he lacks skill in torturous schemes." Shen Qingping’s voice was icy. "In that case, I’ll handle such methods."
"Tomorrow, find the female coroner who examined Song Ling’s body."
The next day, outside the Yue residence.
When Yue Qing opened the gate, she found Shen Qingping already waiting.
"Miss Yue, my master wishes to discuss a matter with you."
Yue Qing glanced at the banner on the carriage and curtsied. "This humble girl greets Young Master Shen."
The renowned Young Master Shen—of course she knew of him.
"I’d like to request your assistance in examining a body. Name your price."
Shen Qingping lifted the carriage curtain, his gaze fixed on Yue Qing.
"Where is the body?" Yue Qing asked calmly.
"The mass graves."
Shen Qingping’s eyes darkened. "Get in."
......
After Shen Hua'er was beaten to death, her body was denied burial in the imperial tombs. The Shen family had no place for her either, so Song Yu had her wrapped in a straw mat and dumped in the mass graves.
The previous night, Shen family servants had spent hours digging before finding her remains.
The corpse’s face was wrapped in white cloth—clearly to prevent Yue Qing from seeing it. Instead of starting the examination immediately, Yue Qing turned to Shen Qingping.
"What does the young master wish me to determine?"
Shen Qingping’s lips parted slightly. "Determine whether this woman died a virgin."
At these words, the attendant Nian'an nearly choked in shock.
This body... belonged to the Ping Prince’s concubine...
He felt he’d stumbled upon something earth-shattering.
Yue Qing nodded and began her examination.
Fifteen minutes later, she handed Shen Qingping a written report.
"The deceased was not a virgin at the time of death."
"My thanks."
Shen Qingping glanced at Nian'an. "Nian'an, purchase a residence near the Court of Judicial Review for Miss Yue."
"Young Master, the examination—" Yue Qing hurriedly tried to decline.
But Shen Qingping cut her off. "This was a private request. I’d prefer it remain undisclosed."
"I don’t like owing favors."
......
With the report in hand, Shen Qingping headed straight for the Qin Prince’s Mansion. Along the way, Nian'an kept stealing glances at him.
Finally, he couldn’t hold back.
"Third Master, you’ve never bought a residence for a woman before."
"Hm." Shen Qingping had no intention of entertaining this line of questioning.
"Why near the Court of Judicial Review?" Nian'an was baffled. If his master fancied the girl, shouldn’t the house be closer to the Shen residence?
"The Chief Justice is slippery. If the princess ever needs Yue Qing’s help, living nearby will make it easier for her to keep an eye on the Court."
Nian'an’s lips twitched.
He’d been naive, thinking his master had finally developed romantic feelings.
"This servant noticed Miss Yue’s family seems troublesome. That residence might end up in someone else’s hands," Nian'an muttered.
"Whether she can keep it is her problem."
"I only care that we’re even."
