Three days later, Song Shihuan and her party arrived in the capital ahead of Song Yu.
As soon as they stepped through the city gates, Wu Qi greeted them with a beaming smile. "Princess, His Majesty has been eagerly awaiting your return."
"I’ve missed Grandfather too," Song Shihuan replied.
Wu Qi’s grin widened further. With the princess back, their days of good fortune were about to begin.
With that thought, Wu Qi turned to Shen Mingwen and Shen Qingping. "My lords, you must be exhausted from the journey. Please return to your residences and rest."
In other words, the Emperor had no time to see either of them at the moment.
Shen Qingping clearly understood the implied message and couldn’t help but twitch his lips. "In that case, my father and I shall return to the Shen residence."
For the first time, he felt a pang of sympathy for the treatment Song Yu and Song Shihuan received whenever they returned to the capital—always singled out for special attention.
Purple Palace Hall
Song Shihuan burst into the hall like a gust of wind.
"Grandfather, your granddaughter is back!"
She was about to bow when Emperor Yuanyou personally lifted her up. "My dearest treasure, you’ve finally returned."
Dearest treasure...
Song Shihuan shuddered slightly. That phrase... it sounded like something straight out of a romance novel.
"You’ve grown thinner, Ah Huan. Blame those troublemakers in Guanzhang Prefecture for draining your energy," Emperor Yuanyou lamented, his heart aching. He immediately ordered the imperial kitchen to prepare extra dishes for her.
Song Shihuan pinched the soft flesh on her cheeks. Thinner?
Truly, there was a kind of "thin" that existed only in her grandfather’s eyes.
"How is Grandfather’s health? Have you been eating properly? Have the court officials been giving you trouble?"
Her questions made Emperor Yuanyou’s heart melt like honey.
That night, he insisted Song Shihuan stay in the palace, lodging her in the side chamber of the Purple Palace Hall.
Meanwhile, a certain prince returned to his mansion late at night, only to find himself staring blankly at the five attendants left behind.
"Where is my daughter?"
"Your Highness... the princess was taken to the palace as soon as she arrived and hasn’t returned since," Third Xi stammered.
"This is outrageous... no, this is an outrage against the Jieyuan!" Song Yu roared.
The Next Morning
For the first time, Emperor Yuanyou faced his censors with a smile, leaving the civil and military officials momentarily stunned.
Seizing the rare opportunity of the Emperor’s good mood, they hurriedly submitted all pending memorials.
From start to finish, not a trace of anger flickered across Emperor Yuanyou’s face.
The officials marveled—Princess Fu'an was truly a miracle cure.
After court, Emperor Yuanyou took Song Shihuan out of the palace, his imperial carriage heading straight for the Qin Prince's Mansion under the pretext of visiting the "convalescing" Prince Qin.
Qin Prince's Mansion
"Where is that rascal?"
Emperor Yuanyou glanced around but saw no sign of the figure he’d been longing to meet.
"Nanny, where is Father?" Song Shihuan asked, noticing the nanny’s hesitant expression. A sense of foreboding crept over her.
The next moment, Song Yu—a grown man—walked in with the frail grace of "a willow swaying in the wind," his face deathly pale. "Father, your son greets you."
"You... what’s happened to you?" Emperor Yuanyou’s heart skipped a beat. How had his perfectly healthy son turned into this?
"The imperial exams drained too much of my energy, and the relentless journey back worsened my condition," Song Yu said, wrinkling his nose slightly. Too much powder—I’m going to sneeze.
"A few days of rest will suffice."
"You’ve suffered greatly," Emperor Yuanyou said, his heart heavy. "You’ve brought honor to our ancestors by placing first in the provincial exams. Name your reward—I’ll grant anything."
Song Yu’s eyes sparkled briefly before dimming again.
"Your son wishes for the rare treasures in Father’s collection."
"Granted," Emperor Yuanyou agreed without hesitation.
"During the exams, I met several talented individuals. I’d like to promote them in the future."
"Building your own faction is wise," Emperor Yuanyou replied, still smiling.
After extracting a few more concessions, Song Yu finally made his real request:
"For this month, I’d like Ah Huan to stay by my side."
"What?" Emperor Yuanyou’s beard bristled.
Cough... cough cough. Song Yu lowered his gaze. "If Father refuses, it’s fine. I’ll recover alone in the mansion. Let Ah Huan accompany you in the palace instead."
Something felt off, but Emperor Yuanyou couldn’t pinpoint what.
Yet, faced with his son’s scholarly achievement and pitiable state...
With great reluctance, he relented. "Very well."
Song Yu instantly perked up.
"Father, an emperor’s word is unbreakable."
"You little brat, you dared trick me!"
Song Shihuan stood frozen, watching as the father-son harmony dissolved into a chase around the room. She shook her head in disbelief.
The dynamics of this imperial family... are truly unmatched.
That Night
"Your Highness, that move was ruthless—checkmating His Majesty in one stroke," Shen Qingping praised, giving Song Yu a thumbs-up.
"Stay humble, stay humble," Song Yu replied, his grin nearly splitting his face. No doubt the old man was fuming right now, powerless to retaliate.
Having scholarly honors really does boost one’s confidence!
"By the way, I have something to report to Your Highness and the princess," Shen Qingping said, turning serious.
"What is it?"
"Gou Wu, Prince Qi’s strategist, personally went to Ji'an Prefecture—likely to win over Guo Feng. And it’s not just Prince Qi’s faction; many others are making similar moves."
Shen Qingping glanced at Song Yu. If Prince Qi knew the man he’s trying to recruit is his greatest rival, what would he think?
"For now, the Guo family is stalling by claiming Guo Feng hasn’t returned, but that won’t hold forever."
Song Yu laughed. "Trying to recruit Guo Feng? How amusing."
Is my charm truly that irresistible?
Might as well come to the Qin Prince's Mansion directly.
"The tutor was right—we must bring Guo Feng’s parents to the capital overnight. Since next year’s metropolitan exams will be held here, the Qin Prince's Mansion can openly protect the Guo family," Song Shihuan declared, a glint of authority in her eyes. "We’ll announce that all scholars from Yong'an County are under our protection—no need for others to interfere."
"Do as Ah Huan suggests," Song Yu agreed.
As for Prince Qi...
"Let that Gou Wu witness firsthand how beloved my daughter and I are among the people when he reaches Ji'an Prefecture," Song Yu said with a smirk. "For schemers like him, the greatest torment is seeing their plans unravel."
"Slowly, he’ll lose faith in that fool Prince Qi."
To kill a man’s spirit—that’s true vengeance.
"Understood. I’ll make the arrangements," Shen Qingping said, his lips curving. With the prince and princess’s strategies in play, there was hardly any room left for him to contribute.
Days Later
When Gou Wu arrived in Ji'an Prefecture, brimming with confidence to showcase his sincerity, the streets echoed with praises for Prince Qin and Princess Fu'an.
His heart trembled.
How could this be?!
