"What? His Highness was assigned to the foul-smelling cell this time?"
Shen Qingping first expressed surprise, then felt relieved. "Fortunately, the princess was wise enough to distribute Osmanthus Fragrance to everyone. His Highness should be fine, right?"
Since he had been interrogating prisoners earlier, by the time Shen Qingping arrived at the inn, Song Yu was already fast asleep in bed.
"He looks very weak."
Song Shihuan sighed softly. "On top of that, it rained on the first day of the exam, making the stench even worse. Even with the Osmanthus Fragrance, there’s no guarantee Father didn’t catch a whiff of it."
"Earlier, I heard that those assigned to the foul-smelling cells all emerged from the examination hall with the same deathly pale faces."
And that was with the Osmanthus Fragrance. Without it, they might not have lasted until the gates opened.
Just as Song Shihuan and Shen Qingping were speaking, Baoxia hurried over. "Princess, Lord Shen, the imperial physician has arrived."
"Have him examine His Highness immediately." Shen Qingping was also growing anxious.
The physician carefully checked Song Yu’s pulse, his expression growing increasingly grave.
"Princess, Lord Shen, His Highness was already mentally strained from prolonged exhaustion. Now that he’s let his guard down, I fear he may fall seriously ill."
The physician’s words left everyone in silence.
It was only through his diagnosis that the true extent of the usually carefree prince’s hidden efforts for the provincial exams became clear.
"However, the princess and Lord Shen need not worry too much. I will prepare a prescription. If His Highness develops a high fever tonight, brew the medicine immediately and administer it."
"Thank you, Physician."
As the physician went to another room to write the prescription, Song Shihuan turned her gaze to Song Yu lying in bed. "They say the imperial exams demand a decade of arduous study. Father took this path late, so naturally, he had to put in extraordinary effort."
Shen Qingping wiped his face upon hearing this. To think he had pushed himself to the point of falling ill...
That night, Song Yu indeed developed a high fever, his face flushed red, mumbling incoherently in his delirium.
"Teacher, he won’t take the medicine." Song Shihuan grew frantic.
"Let me pinch His Highness’s nose. You try pouring it in again."
Shen Qingping, clearly experienced, pinched Song Yu’s nose, forcing him to open his mouth instinctively for air.
Even so, just getting a single bowl of medicine down left Song Shihuan drenched in sweat.
"His Highness has never suffered like this before." Liuxi stood nearby, his eyes red with worry.
"Liuxi, before you came to the Qin Prince’s Mansion, your master endured far worse hardships than this."
"Ah Huan..." Song Yu began murmuring Song Shihuan’s name in his feverish state.
"Father, I’m here."
"Ah Huan, be careful... someone’s trying to push you into the lake..."
Instantly, Song Shihuan’s face paled.
"Liuxi, the princess and I can handle things here. You may leave." Shen Qingping, recalling Song Yu’s earlier mention of the Ping Prince’s Mansion bullying Ah Huan, immediately dismissed Liuxi.
"Ah Huan, don’t go to the Eastern Palace..."
Song Yu was completely lost in his fever, occasionally uttering fragmented words.
The two kept vigil over him all night. By dawn, Song Yu’s condition had stabilized, but Song Shihuan and Shen Qingping looked worse for wear.
One was heartbroken that her father, even in his dreams, was still trying to save her.
The other was furious that the Ping Prince’s Mansion had indeed bullied the princess behind his back—even attempting to kill her.
Though their emotions differed, both were equally enraged.
And just then, someone foolishly walked right into their line of fire.
"Princess, Lord Shen, trouble!"
Liuxi rushed into the room, panting heavily.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
The door was pounded urgently. With no time to hide, Song Shihuan and Shen Qingping ducked behind a folding screen while Liuxi lowered his head to obscure his face, cracking the door open slightly.
"Where’s Brother Guo?"
"My master returned from the examination hall with a high fever last night and still hasn’t woken."
"A fever? Has a physician seen him?" Outside, Zheng Fang and Ling Ming looked equally anxious.
"Yes, and he’s already taken medicine. Was there something urgent, young masters?" Liuxi deliberately softened his voice.
"Ah... we’ll discuss it when Brother Guo wakes."
After a brief glance at Song Yu, the two left.
Behind the screen, Song Shihuan’s eyes darkened. "Liuxi, what happened?"
For Zheng Fang and Ling Ming to seek him out in such haste...
"Word about the foul-smelling cells has spread. People are now saying Guo Feng won’t even make the lowest rank on the list."
Liuxi clenched his teeth. "They’re also saying... that after years of debauchery, being assigned to the foul-smelling cell was heaven’s way of punishing him."
"Outrageous."
Song Shihuan’s voice turned icy.
"Even past rumors about Guo Feng’s misdeeds are being dredged up—some so exaggerated he couldn’t possibly have done them."
Liuxi couldn’t understand. The exam papers were anonymized during grading. Smearing Guo Feng’s name now wouldn’t affect Lord Ye’s evaluation.
"They’re trying to ruin Guo Feng."
Shen Qingping smirked coldly. "If they tarnish his reputation before the results are announced, even if he tops the list, the court won’t employ someone with a sullied name."
The scheme was downright vicious.
"The Great Qi values integrity. Those deemed morally unfit are barred from the exams." Song Shihuan’s tone was so frigid it made Liuxi shudder. "Liuxi, relay my order: I will personally investigate Guo Feng. Anyone spreading rumors about his misconduct must provide testimony for verification."
"If Guo Feng is indeed guilty, I will forbid him from taking the exams."
"But if these are mere slanders, the rumor-mongers will pay dearly!"
A desperate gamble, but Song Shihuan had faith in Guo Feng.
The man who had grieved himself to death over his late wife’s demise would never commit true evil.
"Taking testimonies is my specialty."
Shen Qingping caught her drift and added, "Tell them this—I will personally record every statement. Tomorrow morning, I’ll be waiting at the yamen."
"Yes, I’ll go at once."
As Liuxi hurried off, he exhaled heavily. With His Highness ill, the princess and Lord Shen were already in foul moods.
For fools to provoke them now...
They were only digging their own graves.
Back in the room, a weak voice spoke up.
"Guo Feng... I investigated him before. He’s clean."
Song Yu had opened his eyes.
"Dare to cross me? They’re asking for death."
