"Your Majesty... I can't remember what happened last night. Ah Huan, tell me everything in detail—don’t leave out a single thing."
Emperor Yuanyou’s expression turned serious. He knew his own son well—a man who carried the people in his heart. How could he not understand that in war, it was always the common folk who suffered? For this scoundrel to suggest going to battle, something grave must have occurred.
"Imperial Grandfather, they humiliated you."
Song Shihuan roughly wiped her tears with her sleeve. "They took advantage of your grief over Empress Yuan’s passing and used your longing for her to cast a dark spell on you, twisting your love and hatred."
She had held herself together all night, her mind fixated on breaking the spell. Only now, with Emperor Yuanyou restored to his senses, did Song Shihuan finally allow herself to feel the weight of her sorrow.
"After the spell took hold, you no longer favored me—you favored Song Xiyan instead."
"You no longer cared for Father, but for Fourth Uncle."
Song Shihuan’s eyes were red, like a little rabbit’s. "Imperial Grandfather, the maid who cast the spell on you was executed by Father, but I don’t think it’s enough."
Her lips trembled as she bit down hard, drawing a faint trace of blood.
"Even if Rong Lingchen were torn apart a thousand times, it still wouldn’t be enough."
"The entire kingdom of Dayue must pay for this!"
This time, by sheer divine protection, Imperial Grandfather had emerged unscathed. But what if something had happened to him?
Song Shihuan could not bear the thought of Emperor Yuanyou suffering even the slightest harm.
"Your granddaughter has never been one for forgiveness. Those who treat me well, I will protect with my life. But if I am wronged, I would rather be branded heartless and cruel than let it go unpunished—I will repay it a hundredfold!"
"My dear Ah Huan, this is Imperial Grandfather’s fault."
Emperor Yuanyou’s heart clenched as if gripped by an invisible hand, aching fiercely. He pulled Song Shihuan into his arms. "I was careless. I knew Rong Lingchen harbored hatred for Daqi, yet I let my guard down and allowed my precious granddaughter to suffer."
He gently patted the girl’s back, his eyes sharpening like a tiger’s.
"Yu'er was right."
......
"Your Majesty, many officials request an audience outside the hall."
A eunuch’s voice rang out, but Emperor Yuanyou did not immediately respond. Instead, he continued soothing the girl in his arms. "I must rise now. Ah Huan, rest on the imperial bed for a while."
"Light the calming incense."
Song Shihuan was dazed from crying, a stray lock of hair sticking up as she nodded blankly. She couldn’t interfere with Imperial Grandfather’s duties.
Song Yu, for his part, saw no issue with the emperor letting Ah Huan sleep on the imperial bed. After all, hadn’t she stayed awake all night? It was just a bed.
Only Wu Qi hesitated.
Was this appropriate?
Emperor Yuanyou personally removed the girl’s shoes and socks, while Song Yu swiftly tucked her in. The father and son moved with seamless coordination.
"Ah Huan, sleep well. Shen San is guarding the hall outside."
At the mention of Shen Qingping’s presence, Song Shihuan nodded again, her tension easing as she quickly drifted into slumber.
"Come, accompany me outside."
Emperor Yuanyou spoke softly, leading Song Yu out of the inner chamber with quiet steps.
......
To avoid disturbing Song Shihuan, Emperor Yuanyou and Song Yu walked straight out of the Zichen Hall, where the assembled ministers immediately knelt.
The emperor’s gaze swept over them—these were the military officers who had attended last night’s banquet.
"Your subject, Gu Zheng, comes to beg for punishment."
Gu Zheng was bare-chested, a cane strapped to his back. "It was my negligence that allowed that woman into the hall, nearly making me a traitor to Daqi. I beg Your Majesty to pass judgment."
"Your subject, Shen Xiao, comes to beg for punishment."
Shen Xiao held a sword in both hands. "As the leader of the Imperial Guards, our duty is to protect Your Majesty with our lives. I have failed in my post and ask for Your Majesty’s punishment."
Emperor Yuanyou paused, then looked at the others. "Are you all here to seek punishment as well?"
"Your Majesty, we implore you to issue an edict—let us march on Dayue!"
The moment these words were spoken, the eyes of every general burned with fury.
"Your Majesty, Daqi’s military might is no weaker than Dayue’s. Yet their prince dared lay hands on you! Daqi cannot endure such an insult. Give the order, and we will gladly shed our blood on the battlefield!"
As generals of Daqi, they had never suffered such humiliation.
If Rong Lingchen left the capital alive, every one of them would rather fall on their swords.
Without vengeance, they would have no face to meet their ancestors.
"Good!"
Emperor Yuanyou’s voice boomed with authority. "This war must be fought."
"But how we fight—gentlemen, we must plan before we act."
He turned to Song Yu beside him and clasped his hand. "When I first conquered this land, in our darkest hour, it was the people who sustained us—one sack of grain at a time. That was how we achieved victory."
"So if we go to war, we must devise a meticulous strategy. We must minimize casualties. Every soldier is a son raised by the people."
"Gu Zheng, Shen Xiao."
"Your subjects await your command."
Seeing both men pressing their foreheads to the ground, Emperor Yuanyou sighed. "The plan to attack Dayue will be entrusted to the two of you. Consider this your chance to redeem yourselves."
"As for the rest of you, not a word of this is to be leaked."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
A loud, unified response echoed through the hall. Emperor Yuanyou tightened his grip on Song Yu's hand.
After the others had dispersed, Gu Zheng and Shen Xiao remained kneeling before the emperor.
"If possible, I would prefer to delay the war until after next May," Emperor Yuanyou said before leading Song Yu into the Zichen Hall.
......
"Father..."
Song Yu hesitated, then spoke. He understood why his father had set the campaign for after May.
"This war, I want you to lead it personally."
Emperor Yuanyou's gaze bore into Song Yu. "By next May, whether or not you are the top scholar, I will name you Crown Prince."
"At that time, I will have it spread that I have been poisoned by Dayue's sorcery. As the Crown Prince of Daqi, you will lead the army to avenge your father. Victory in this war will win you the hearts of scholars and generals alike."
"Father need not worry. The top scholar’s position is already secured."
After only a brief pause, Song Yu's face brightened with determination. "You need only focus on recovering your health and staying well. When the time comes, I will avenge you."
"Good, good, good."
Emperor Yuanyou repeated the word three times before slowly unrolling the portrait of Empress Yuan.
"Yu'er, remember your mother’s face."
"Not just anyone can resemble her."
A deep fury smoldered in the emperor's eyes. To be outmaneuvered as the ruler of a nation—if he did not settle this score, he would be unworthy of being Daqi’s founding emperor.
Daqi had enjoyed peace for many years. Now was the time for its brave men to carve out their legacies.
