A few days later, Song Shihuan and Shen Qingping set off for the capital together with Shen Mingwen.
As for Song Yu, he could only return in secret.
"Liuxi, tell me—when has this prince ever had to sneak around like this?" Riding back to the capital, Song Yu grew increasingly irritated. "My daughter gets to travel openly with Shen the Third, while I have to move under cover of darkness."
"Your Highness, your patience now will be rewarded when you top the imperial examinations," Liuxi coaxed with a few well-chosen words. "By then, the young mistress will have eyes only for you. Forgive my boldness, but even Young Master Shen won’t compare in her regard."
"You rascal, if Shen the Third hears you say that, you’ll be skinned alive."
Despite his words, Song Yu couldn’t help but smirk.
"It’s already October. Only six months remain until next year’s examinations."
Song Yu exhaled deeply.
"I’ll need to find a way to renovate the Eastern Palace ahead of time."
Hearing this, Liuxi nearly collapsed in fright—was this something they should even be discussing? Suddenly, he envied the other five attendants left behind at the prince’s mansion.
"Liuxi, remind me of this once we return."
Oblivious to Liuxi’s dismay, Song Yu was already envisioning a complete overhaul of the Eastern Palace, ensuring no reminders remained of the hardships Shihuan had endured.
"Yes, this servant will remember."
"Good. It’s dark now—let’s keep moving." Stretching his limbs, Song Yu urged his horse forward, eager to return and flaunt his success before the old man.
Little did he know, his alter ego "Guo Feng" had already become the talk of the nobility.
Capital, Purple Dawn Hall
"They’ve begun their journey back?" Emperor Yuanyou set down the romance novel in his hands, eyes alight with excitement as he turned to Wu Qi.
Wu Qi caught sight of the book and hesitated. The memory of the emperor beating the prince with a shoe for reading such frivolous material was still fresh.
"Your Majesty, the young mistress is traveling with Grand Tutor Shen and Young Master Shen. His Highness is returning separately and should arrive in two or three days."
"Excellent!"
The emperor was overjoyed. With Shihuan gone, he had been unbearably bored—and then his chess partner Shen Mingwen left too. He’d even resorted to reading romance novels.
Admittedly, they were quite entertaining.
"Wu Qi, make arrangements. I’ll visit the Qin Prince’s Mansion personally when he returns."
That rascal had claimed illness to avoid court—forcing the emperor to seek him out instead.
"As you command."
Meanwhile, Song Yu’s success as the provincial champion had cast another shadow over the desolate Ping Prince’s Mansion.
Liyuan Garden
"If you’re incompetent, don’t blame the road for being uneven," Chang Ling’er sneered, shooting a glance at Song Xiyan. "This year’s provincial champion from Ji'an Prefecture was assigned the foulest examination cell, yet he still triumphed. Unlike some, who crumbled at the first whiff of hardship—how shameful."
"My brother is still your husband!"
With the Ping household now under Lady Chang’s control, Song Xiyan had no choice but to curry favor with her and Chang Ling’er. Yet being openly mocked like this, she couldn’t hold back.
"Husband? What kind of husband poisons his own wife—with a sterility potion, no less?"
Chang Ling’er stormed forward, grabbing Song Xiyan and dragging her toward the gate. "Get out! Liyuan has no place for ingrates like you."
"Mother, will you let her treat me and my brother this way?" Song Xiyan pleaded tearfully, hoping to stir Lady Chang’s maternal instincts.
But all she received was a cold stare.
"Ling’er, help me inside to rest."
A maid brandished a broom, sweeping aggressively at Song Xiyan’s feet until she retreated.
Bang!
The slam of the gate ignited Song Xiyan’s fury. She stormed toward Song Yanzheng’s quarters.
——
"Song Yanzheng, others endure the foulest cells and still emerge as champions. Why couldn’t you even pass the lowest exams?"
Her face twisted with contempt, she glared at her brother.
"Xiyan, I—" Crippled and powerless, Song Yanzheng dared not provoke anyone now.
"Guo Feng of Ji'an Prefecture—provincial champion."
Song Xiyan laughed bitterly. "That man is your curse."
"You failed Ye Shijie’s test at the palace banquet, but Guo Feng aced it."
"You flunked after being assigned a foul cell, while Guo Feng became a scholar."
"Now, even in the same conditions, Guo Feng thrived where you collapsed. Song Yanzheng, you’re worse than a commoner!"
"I’m ashamed to call you my brother."
With that, she fled in tears. She’d rather ally with someone like Guo Feng than waste another thought on Song Yanzheng.
Guo Feng had also caught Prince Qi’s attention.
"Mr. Gou, you truly believe in this Guo Feng?"
Prince Qi frowned. "The man was a wastrel—no better than Song Yu. What greatness could such a person achieve?"
"Your Highness, time changes all men," Gou Wu urged. "After years of idleness, he now passes every examination effortlessly. His essays show extraordinary talent. If we recruit him, he could be pivotal to your cause."
"A reformed wastrel causing such a stir?"
Thanks to Song Yu, Prince Qi harbored a deep disdain for prodigals.
"Your Highness!"
Seeing Gou Wu’s frustration, Prince Qi relented. "Fine. Send someone to Ji'an Prefecture with offers of patronage. That should secure his loyalty."
"Your Highness, sincerity is key!"
Gou Wu’s temple throbbed. "Grand Tutor Shen admires Guo Feng greatly. Even Prince Qin might be eyeing him."
"That fool Song Yu? Guo Feng is a scholar of substance—he’d never serve an ignorant wastrel."
Prince Qi was confident. Scholars prized integrity—why would one choose a witless master?
Gou Wu swallowed further arguments. "Then I’ll go to Ji'an myself and secure Guo Feng’s allegiance."
"Your dedication is appreciated."
Sipping his tea, Prince Qi mused. Compared to Song Yu, his own literary talents would surely win Guo Feng over.
Guo Feng...
The name lingered in his mind.
For some reason, it felt unlucky.
Meanwhile
Achoo!
Three rapid sneezes left Song Yu dazed.
"Which bastard is bad-mouthing me now?"
