Qin Prince's Mansion.
"Father, I’d like to go with the tutor to Ji'an Prefecture first to investigate Zheng Fang’s case. Once that’s done, I can wait for you there in advance. How does that sound?"
In the study, Song Yu glanced at the suddenly approaching face before him, snorted, and pinched it lightly. "What? You don’t want to stay in the mansion with me anymore?"
Song Shihuan immediately put on an ingratiating smile and began massaging Song Yu’s shoulders. "A-Huan does want to stay with Father, but Zheng Fang is a talent you’ve taken a liking to. I must guard him well for you."
"Besides, if the imperial examination waters are muddied, wouldn’t that hinder your path to becoming the top scholar?"
As Song Shihuan chattered away, Song Yu couldn’t suppress his smile and tapped her nose lightly. "Fine, do as you wish."
"When do you plan to set off?"
"The tutor said the sooner this matter is resolved, the better. He’s worried that if we’re late, Zheng Fang might already be executed. So we’re leaving tomorrow morning."
"Tomorrow morning?!"
Song Yu’s expression stiffened instantly. So soon? They were taking his daughter away this quickly?
"Mhm." Song Shihuan nodded obediently.
"Alright. Have Shen Qingping make a grand visit to the Qin Prince's Mansion later," Song Yu instructed Liuxi. "Then spread the word that I was furious upon hearing about Zheng Fang’s case and insisted on going to Ji'an Prefecture personally to uncover the truth for His Majesty and restore integrity to the imperial examinations."
Song Shihuan seemed to realize something, her eyes lighting up as she looked at Song Yu.
"Father means for me to go to Ji'an Prefecture in your stead, alongside the tutor?"
Liuxi, too, was stunned upon realizing the prince’s shrewdness.
Since the Qin Prince was in poor health and couldn’t go, it was only natural for the princess to go in his place.
Perfectly justified.
"Take half of the Qin Prince's Mansion’s guards, along with some imperial guards," Song Yu continued, unaware of how much his transformation had shocked Song Shihuan and Liuxi. He meticulously arranged the details of her trip to Ji'an Prefecture.
"Bring Baoxia with you, and don’t forget to pack medicinal supplies for injuries."
......
Faced with the rare prospect of being separated from Song Shihuan for a while, Song Yu kept repeating minor details over and over.
When Shen Qingping entered the room, he was met with a sharp glare from Song Yu.
What had he done to offend the prince this time?
"Leaving tomorrow morning?" Song Yu said irritably.
"It’s His Majesty’s order," Shen Qingping defended himself.
"And does His Majesty know you’re taking A-Huan away?" Song Yu shot him another glare, causing Shen Qingping to deflate like a punctured balloon.
He wouldn’t dare snatch someone from the emperor.
"Fine. Protect A-Huan on the journey. Zheng Fang is a talent—clear his name," Song Yu said, patting Shen Qingping’s shoulder. "I’m entrusting A-Huan to you."
"Your Highness can rest assured. Anyone who wishes to harm the princess will have to step over my corpse first."
Shen Qingping smiled at Song Shihuan, meeting her equally cheerful gaze.
The next morning, Shen Qingping and Song Shihuan departed the capital as planned, riding swiftly toward Ji'an Prefecture.
After reviewing Zheng Fang’s case files overnight, Song Shihuan also decided to bring Yue Qing along.
By the time Emperor Yuanyou learned that his granddaughter had been taken away, it was already after court.
Purple Dawn Palace.
"A-Huan went to Ji'an Prefecture with that brat Shen Qingping?"
"Your Majesty, please calm your anger."
Wu Qi dropped to his knees with a thud. "Last night, Young Master Shen visited the Qin Prince's Mansion. Afterward, word spread that the prince was enraged by Zheng Fang’s case and insisted on going to Ji'an Prefecture to investigate. But due to his poor health, the princess went in his stead alongside Young Master Shen."
"Quite the elaborate excuse."
Emperor Yuanyou flicked his sleeve angrily.
"That rascal didn’t even inform me before sending my granddaughter away?"
Wu Qi wept inwardly. Your Highness, oh Your Highness, you’ve really put me in a tough spot.
The emperor fumed in the Purple Dawn Palace, and the servants didn’t dare even breathe loudly.
Meanwhile, back at the Qin Prince's Mansion, Song Yu wasn’t faring much better.
......
"Your Highness, it’s time for your ginseng soup."
When Liuxi entered, he found his prince propping his head in his hands, staring blankly at the door, completely oblivious to his presence.
"Your Highness?"
Only after being called again did Song Yu snap out of it, looking dazedly at Liuxi. "What is it?"
"Your ginseng soup..."
"In the past, A-Huan always brought it to me herself."
Song Yu’s expression darkened, and the soup tasted unbearably bitter.
When mealtime finally arrived, Song Yu sat alone at the table. The lively chatter of the past was now replaced by solitude, and he ate without appetite. "I wonder how far A-Huan has traveled by now."
"Liuxi, I can’t eat."
Liuxi was so stressed he felt like he was losing hair.
Then Song Yu slowly stood and headed toward Song Shihuan’s courtyard.
"Greetings, Your Highness." Yingchun bowed upon seeing him.
"Rise. I’m here to water A-Huan’s flowers. The sun is strong these days, and she treasures them dearly—we can’t let them die."
If time could be reversed, Song Yu swore he would never have let Shen Qingping take A-Huan away.
Without her, he was like a fish out of water.
"Your Highness."
Yingchun retrieved something from inside the room and returned. "The princess left this for you before she departed. I was just about to bring it to you after watering the flowers."
"A-Huan left something for me?"
Song Yu’s eyes brightened.
Yingchun held a wooden box. Inside were small rolled-up slips of paper.
"The princess said you may open one slip each day. Each one is written in her own hand. Once you’ve opened them all, she will return."
Hearing they were Song Shihuan’s own words, Song Yu eagerly unrolled one. It read:
"Father, the horse-hoof cakes from the southern alley are delicious. Have Liuxi buy some for you to try."
Instantly, Song Yu’s gloom vanished.
"Liuxi, I want horse-hoof cakes from the southern alley!"
With renewed vigor, he strode toward the study. It felt as though A-Huan was still by his side, filling him with energy!
"At once, Your Highness!"
Liuxi gave Yingchun a grateful look before rushing off to the southern alley.
On the way, he clasped his hands together in relief.
"Thank goodness the princess left a backup plan. How wise of her."
Otherwise, the prince might have turned into a "daughter-longing stone," waiting day and night for Shen Qingping to bring the princess back...
And Liuxi would have gone bald from stress!
