Unlike Song Yu, who had been stewing in anger at the Xu household, Emperor Yuanyou in the palace was so delighted he couldn’t stop smiling.
"Ah Huan, slow down—don’t trip."
Song Shihuan ran freely through the imperial gardens, while Emperor Yuanyou followed behind with a chuckle, urging caution.
Wu Qi nodded subtly to himself. This was precisely the advantage of having no consorts in the rear palace.
There were no distractions from flirtatious women to ruin the emperor’s mood—or threaten the security of his own head as the chief eunuch.
"Tired from playing?"
Emperor Yuanyou wiped the sweat from Song Shihuan’s forehead. "Your imperial grandfather will take you somewhere special."
After the time it took for an incense stick to burn, Song Shihuan stood before a row of ancestral tablets. Without needing a reminder, she lit three sticks of incense and knelt on the cushion.
"Ancestors, accept Ah Huan’s respects."
Watching her solemn, almost adult-like demeanor, Emperor Yuanyou’s face brimmed with pride. Just look—how exceptional his granddaughter was!
"Ah Huan, though the realm appears peaceful now, unrest simmers beneath the surface. To the south lies Dayue, to the north the Beidi tribes, to the east the Wokou islands, and to the west, the Miaojiang territories."
As Emperor Yuanyou spoke, Song Shihuan held her breath, listening intently.
"Next year, when we crush Dayue, it will send ripples across the land. The Beidi are the most unruly, which is why I’ve stationed Gu Mingning to guard the northern deserts." The emperor scoffed. "Miaojiang controls little land but excels in poisoncraft. As for the Wokou, they send tribute to both Dayue and Daqi to buy peace."
He despised the Wokou’s two-faced diplomacy!
Still... the tribute had to be accepted—no, demanded in greater amounts.
Where else would the imperial coffers be filled?
"Imperial Grandfather, if we can conquer Dayue, we can conquer the others too."
Song Shihuan’s words sent a thrill through Emperor Yuanyou.
"Our Song family will unite the world under one rule."
"Well said!" The emperor’s face flushed with excitement as he gazed at her with adoration. A true treasure!
"Ah Huan, unification is the goal, but there’s one place we must avoid."
Emperor Yuanyou motioned for Wu Qi to unroll a map and pointed to a marked location. "This land exists independently of all nations, currently governed by the Qingyun Sect."
"Qingyun Sect?" A flicker of confusion crossed Song Shihuan’s eyes. She had read about it, but the texts offered little detail.
"The Qingyun Sect is a centuries-old martial order."
......
For some reason, the mention of Qingyun Sect stirred an inexplicable emotion in Song Shihuan’s heart.
"So, fifteen years ago, the sect leader single-handedly annihilated rival sects in a great battle?"
Her eyes widened in shock. Just how formidable was this sect leader? Could he flatten her with a single slap?
Her mind raced with possibilities. No—she needed to train harder!
Emperor Yuanyou’s expression darkened. "The major sects never bowed to one another, but that battle forced their submission. The land was renamed Qingyun Realm."
"What happened to the sect leader afterward?" Song Shihuan couldn’t help but ask.
"Injured during the fight, his life force waned. They say Qingyun Realm’s cold climate hindered his recovery, so he left." The emperor glanced outside. "Years later, he was found unconscious near Tian Mountain. No one knows if he still lives."
What a pity.
Song Shihuan’s heart ached at the thought. Such a legendary figure—how tragic if he had perished.
"Imperial Grandfather, would Qingyun Sect ever attack Daqi?"
The sudden question drew a laugh from Emperor Yuanyou at her nervous expression.
"For centuries, Qingyun Realm has remained isolated, never interfering with other nations." He patted her head. "You needn’t worry, Ah Huan."
Worry? She couldn’t stop worrying!
Her heart pounded. If they were to unite the world, how could they leave a single land untouched?
"How old was the sect leader?"
Emperor Yuanyou pondered. "Younger than me, but no spring chicken."
Determined to understand her "enemy," Song Shihuan pressed further.
"And when was he found at Tian Mountain?"
"About five or six years ago."
The emperor studied her. "Ah Huan, you seem unusually interested in this sect leader."
But Song Shihuan had frozen.
Five or six years...
That timeline matched her shifu’s disappearance.
"Why did he go to Tian Mountain?"
"For snow lotus—a cure-all herb." Emperor Yuanyou sighed. "But Tian Mountain is no place for mortals. The man was a madman."
A cure-all... Her ailing grandmother back then...
Her hands trembled inside her sleeves. Impossible. Her shifu had been a scruffy-bearded old man who’d heartlessly abandoned her and her grandmother.
How could he have been a hidden sect’s leader?
She snorted, amused by her own wild imagination.
"Ah Huan?"
Emperor Yuanyou’s voice snapped her back. Flustered, she rubbed her nose.
Now she was even angrier at that old man for vanishing without a word.
"Imperial Grandfather, we must intensify military training." The Qingyun leader’s prowess had sharpened her sense of danger.
With that one remark, soldiers would henceforth rise half an hour earlier for drills.
Considering the impending war, Emperor Yuanyou approved with a wave.
Consider it his and Ah Huan’s New Year’s gift to the troops.
(Gu Zheng: "......")
(The troops: "......")
"The palace banquet begins soon. Ah Huan, we should go." Noticing Wu Qi pacing anxiously outside, the emperor stood.
That frantic look could only mean one thing—that troublemaker had arrived.
......
This year’s banquet mirrored those of the past. After Emperor Yuanyou’s opening remarks, cups were raised in toast. Amid the clinking of wine vessels, Song Shihuan stared blankly at the dancers.
"No one knows if he still lives..."
The emperor’s words echoed in her chest.
Had her shifu left because he was in trouble too?
Could he already be dead?
She pressed her lips together. If so, she’d rather believe him a cold-hearted deserter who’d left without a word simply because he wanted to.
At least then, he might still be alive somewhere.
