Rong Lingchen subconsciously furrowed his brow. He only knew that back then, his father and aunt had come to Daqi for a marriage alliance that ultimately failed. His aunt had also participated in the women's academy competition but lost.
Could it be that the one who won back then was the noble lady before him now?
She didn’t seem quite like it.
Unnoticed by Rong Lingchen, Song Shihuan had quietly slipped out of the grand hall.
Mei Zhilin hurried over, panting heavily as he stood before Song Shihuan.
"My lady, you urgently summoned me—has something happened?"
"His Majesty is unwell. Later, you must examine his pulse."
At Song Shihuan’s words, Mei Zhilin immediately became alert. "Please, my lady, explain the situation in detail."
Meanwhile, inside the hall—
While pouring wine for Emperor Yuanyou, Wu Qi "accidentally" spilled it on the Emperor’s sleeve.
"This servant deserves death, this servant deserves death!"
Wu Qi knelt on the ground. "Your Majesty, allow this servant to escort you to the side hall to change."
Emperor Yuanyou glanced at the stain on his sleeve and rose, heading toward the side hall.
Since when had Wu Qi become so clumsy?
In the side hall—
"Your Majesty, you’ve been drinking again."
Having sensed the Emperor’s unusual state, Mei Zhilin spoke boldly. "Allow me to check your pulse and see how much more wine you may consume."
"Even my daily drinking is now under your control, you old fool."
Emperor Yuanyou’s gaze lingered on Song Shihuan, inexplicably unable to look away.
After checking the pulse, Mei Zhilin spoke slowly. "Your Majesty may only drink half a cup more."
Emperor Yuanyou glared at Mei Zhilin before storming off to change clothes.
Behind him, Song Shihuan’s expression was grave. "Physician Mei, what’s the situation?"
......
"His Majesty’s pulse shows no abnormalities—no signs of poisoning or parasitic influences."
Mei Zhilin’s words widened Song Shihuan’s eyes. "But His Majesty’s strange behavior..."
"My lady, remain calm."
Mei Zhilin sighed. "A normal pulse means His Majesty hasn’t been poisoned in the conventional sense. But there is one thing that cannot be detected through pulse diagnosis."
"Secret arts."
"Is there a cure?" Song Shihuan’s voice carried urgency.
Mei Zhilin’s expression turned peculiar. "Secret arts usually have a limited duration. Once the time passes, the effects naturally dissipate."
"It resolves on its own?"
A vein twitched on Song Shihuan’s forehead. "How can we shorten the duration? Even if it’s just an hour, I cannot allow His Majesty’s mind to remain disturbed by this."
"If we can identify the specific secret art, then we may find a way to reduce its duration."
A shadow flickered in Mei Zhilin’s eyes. "Of course, there is another method... but I don’t know if it will work. Whether to try it or not is entirely up to you, my lady."
"Speak."
......
Back in the hall—
Learning that Emperor Yuanyou’s pulse showed no abnormalities, Shen Mingwen and Gu Zheng’s worry lessened slightly. But Shen Qingping’s gaze remained fixed on Rong Lingchen from start to finish—like a beast poised to strike.
"Xiyan, I recall you wrote an essay last year. I still keep it in my study. Recite it for everyone, so they may appreciate it as well."
Under the influence of the drug, Emperor Yuanyou had turned into an effusive praise machine.
With those words, two people in the hall immediately paled.
One was Song Xiyan, who was already numb—what essay was he talking about?
The other was...
"Your Majesty, today’s banquet is to welcome Prince Min of Dayue. Perhaps we should save scholarly discussions for another occasion..."
Shen Mingwen was on the verge of tears. Your Majesty, didn’t we agree to keep the lady’s talents hidden so I could be her tutor?
He dreaded the uproar that would follow if that essay were made public.
But Emperor Yuanyou waved him off. "I recall you were present then too—you praised it highly."
"Xiyan, recite it for everyone."
"Grandfather, it’s been too long... I’ve forgotten." Song Xiyan gritted her teeth, feeling the weight of everyone’s stares. This trip was a mistake.
"I’ll recite it for her."
A voice rang out, drawing all eyes to Song Shihuan.
"A noble person in this world must uphold virtue, purify the heart, set great ambitions, and act with caution."
Her voice still carried a trace of youth, but the audience was already captivated.
"Thus, a scholar must be resolute, for the path is long and the burden heavy."
What a brilliant line!
Some officials couldn’t help but straighten, their gazes burning toward Song Shihuan.
This essay was clearly not written by the Second Lady. The one who composed such a masterpiece was...
Lady Fuan—Song Shihuan!
Yet Song Shihuan kept her eyes on Emperor Yuanyou, a faint smile on her lips.
"Thus... a noble person must..."
"Establish a moral heart for Heaven and Earth, secure the livelihood of the people, carry forward the wisdom of past sages, and bring peace to all generations."
Silence. The hall was utterly still.
Emperor Yuanyou was the first to break into a proud smile. "What do you think of my granddaughter’s essay?"
"Your Majesty, I wish to impart all my knowledge to the lady—if I may have the honor..."
"Your Majesty, I as well..."
Shen Mingwen was nearly cursing inwardly. What kind of mess is this?
The treasure he had worked so hard to conceal had just been exposed to the world...
"Second Lady, such an essay is truly admirable. I am in awe." Rong Lingchen’s gaze toward Song Xiyan now held infatuation. This is the kind of woman worthy of being my princess consort!
"Xiyan, so many wish to be your tutor. Choose one—I will decide for you."
"Cough, cough..."
The officials who had been clamoring earlier fell silent, heads bowed.
Please don’t pick me.
They wanted to tutor Lady Fuan, not the Second Lady.
"Grandfather, I choose..."
Song Xiyan was about to seize the chance to secure a tutor when Song Shihuan interrupted.
"Xiyan’s memory is poor. Such an important decision should be made another day."
Then she looked back at Emperor Yuanyou, her gaze filled with an emotion he couldn’t decipher.
Grandfather, I will try Physician Mei’s method.
I will save you.
......
At the same time—
Having left the hall, Song Yu stared at Pi’er, who was forced to kneel on the ground.
"You serve Rong Lingchen."
At his words, Pi’er struggled more violently.
"You came to Daqi not to poison my father, but to cast a secret art on him, correct?"
At the mention of "secret art," guilt flashed in Pi’er’s eyes—just in time for Song Yu to catch it.
"If you won’t speak, then you’ll never speak again."
Song Yu’s hand closed around Pi’er’s throat. As her face turned red, he tightened his grip.
Within moments, Pi’er had no breath left.
Shihuan said Mei Zhilin’s method was to kill the one who cast the secret art.
Whether it works or not, I must try.
At the very moment Pi'er breathed her last, Emperor Yuanyou within the palace hall felt as though something had been wrenched from him, and a sudden weariness overtook him.
"Wu Qi, I am weary. Assist me back to Zichen Hall."
