Song Shihuan slept until dusk.
"Imperial Grandfather, Father."
Rubbing her bleary eyes, Song Shihuan stared at the father-son pair engrossed in their chess game. She couldn’t help but blink in disbelief—since when did her father sit at a chessboard?
Was she seeing things?
"Ah, you’re awake, Ahuan. Are you hungry?" Emperor Yuanyou shot Song Yu a glare. He never should have dragged this scoundrel into a game—the man was an atrocious player with no sense of sportsmanship, shamelessly taking back moves and cheating without hesitation.
Gurgle—
Her stomach growled loudly, reminding Song Shihuan of how she had cried her eyes out that morning. She sheepishly patted her belly. "Starving."
"Wu Qi, bring the prepared dishes," Emperor Yuanyou commanded, stepping down to stand before Song Shihuan. "Your father and I have been waiting for you to wake up so we could enjoy hot pot together."
At the mention of hot pot, Song Shihuan’s eyes lit up imperceptibly.
She adored winter hot pot—the kind that warmed you from head to toe.
Fifteen minutes later, the three of them gathered around the simmering pot, an assortment of meats and vegetables bubbling inside. Song Yu animatedly recounted the day’s events, particularly the military officers’ petition.
"These are the finest men of Great Qi."
Moved, Song Shihuan murmured, "They understand that a nation’s dignity must be earned."
"Now, there’s one problem," Song Yu said, his expression darkening with disgust at the mention of Rong Lingchen. "We absolutely cannot let Rong Lingchen leave the capital. But after discussions today, Gu Zheng and Shen Xiao agreed that we shouldn’t reveal our intention to attack Great Yue prematurely—we must catch them off guard."
"So, we need a plausible reason to keep Rong Lingchen here."
Song Shihuan chewed thoughtfully on a slice of beef. "Generals Gu and Shen are right. Let me think… maybe I can come up with something."
The meal left all three thoroughly satisfied. Afterward, Song Shihuan patted her rounded belly.
"Both of you will stay in the side palace tonight. Return to the Qin Prince’s Mansion tomorrow," Emperor Yuanyou declared.
Song Yu and Song Shihuan readily agreed.
---
The next day, after court adjourned, Song Yu prepared to leave the palace with Song Shihuan. At the gates, the Qin Prince’s Mansion carriage had long been waiting.
"The prince has come out!"
As the palace gates opened, Song Yu noticed a crowd of commoners gathered near the carriage.
"Princess! The princess is here too!"
The moment Song Shihuan appeared, the crowd surged forward eagerly.
"Princess, I’ve read your policy essay a hundred times—each reading reveals new insights! You are the guiding star of my studies!"
"With such brilliance, the princess is truly a blessing to Great Qi!"
"Princess, would you grace the upcoming poetry gathering with your presence? Your attendance alone would ensure its place in history!"
The overwhelming adulation left Song Shihuan stunned.
"Father, what…?"
Even Song Yu was taken aback. Had his daughter bewitched all these people?
"Princess, I traveled from outside the capital just to see you. Now that I have, I can die without regrets."
No one could have predicted it.
A conspiracy, a single policy essay—and by sheer accident, Song Shihuan had become a legend across Great Qi overnight.
"Please, everyone, calm down."
The moment Song Shihuan spoke, the crowd fell silent.
"As a princess of Great Qi, I hope more will produce even greater policy essays." She smiled sweetly. "I urge the heavens to shake off complacency, and send us talents unbound by convention."
"May you all aspire to greatness and serve our nation well."
Long after her carriage vanished from sight, the crowd remained spellbound.
"I urge the heavens to shake off complacency…" What a magnificent line!
"The princess urges us to strive—we must not fail her!"
Soon, Song Shihuan’s words at the palace gates spread throughout Great Qi. Scholars revered her, and even her decade away from court became the stuff of legend.
In this era, anyone who dared criticize Song Shihuan faced the collective wrath of the literati.
The only casualty in all this was Shen Mingwen, sitting despondently in the Shen residence.
His treasure… gone.
---
Qin Prince’s Mansion.
"Father, I’ve got it!"
Song Yu nearly jumped at his daughter’s sudden exclamation. "Got what?"
"A way to keep Rong Lingchen in the capital." Song Shihuan winked. "This plan is foolproof."
The Great Yue envoys had been confined to a courtyard within the mansion. Standing outside, Song Shihuan waited as the steward unlocked the gates.
"Princess Fu'an, do you not fear jeopardizing diplomatic relations by detaining us?"
"Detaining you?" Song Shihuan feigned innocence. "Has the Qin Prince’s Mansion denied you food? We’re merely hosting you as guests."
"Guests? Then when will we return to Great Yue?"
"Tomorrow."
Her answer made the envoys exchange wary glances. Would Great Qi truly release them?
"However, Prince Min and those dancing maids won’t be accompanying you."
Song Shihuan’s radiant smile sent chills down their spines.
"Why would His Highness stay?"
"He’s chosen to remain willingly." She sighed dramatically. "At the banquet, he couldn’t take his eyes off the Second Princess. What else could it mean?"
The envoys hesitated. True, the prince had seemed captivated by Great Qi’s Second Princess.
"But—"
"His Majesty understands you’d face punishment returning empty-handed. As a gesture of goodwill, we’ll send a royal descendant to Great Yue."
"This should resolve everything."
The head envoy’s eyes gleamed. Their emperor despised Prince Min anyway—exchanging him for a hostage from Great Qi was a flawless trade.
"Agreed."
"Carriages will arrive tomorrow to escort you. His Majesty has even arranged for Great Qi’s soldiers to ensure your safe passage to the border."
"Thank you, Princess."
The moment she turned away, Song Shihuan’s lips curled into a sly grin.
At dawn, the envoys boarded their carriages. "Princess, where is the royal descendant you mentioned? Which one is it?"
"The carriage will follow yours. I keep my word—since Prince Min fancied the Ping Prince’s daughter, we’re sending the Ping Prince’s son."
Song Shihuan was in high spirits, her tone cheerful.
As the wheels began rolling, another carriage departed from the Ping Prince’s Mansion. Inside, Song Yanzheng’s eyes widened in horror.
"Where are you taking me?!"
"Grand Prince, by His Majesty’s decree, you are to fulfill your duty as a royal descendant."
Half an hour later, Qin Prince’s Mansion.
"Princess, the carriages have left the capital."
"Good."
Song Shihuan slowly placed a piece on the chessboard.
Goodbye, Song Yanzheng.
