After the palace banquet, Song Yu and Song Shihuan were asked to stay behind to keep Emperor Yuanyou company during the New Year's Eve vigil.
"Father, why not let Xiyao remain in the palace to accompany you as well?" Prince Qi suggested with a smile. "Prince Qi's Mansion has only Xiyao as the legitimate daughter, and she often feels quite lonely at home."
Song Xiyao was nudged forward, her expression visibly uneasy.
The Princess of Qi's face turned cold at the sight. "Your Highness, Xiyao is still young and can hardly stay awake. Let us not trouble His Majesty with her presence tonight. I will keep her company instead."
Watching the thinly veiled tension between Prince Qi and his consort, Emperor Yuanyou's smile faded.
These two were nothing but trouble. If they insisted on quarreling, they could at least spare him the spectacle.
He had no patience for such theatrics.
"Enough. It's late—take your child and return home," Emperor Yuanyou dismissed them irritably.
Prince Qi shot a glare at the Princess of Qi before storming off in a huff.
Behind them, Emperor Yuanyou quickly shifted his gaze to Song Shihuan.
A glance at Ah Huan was all he needed to lift his spirits and prolong his life.
How had he ever fathered such a foolish son as his fourth child?
At the palace gates, the Princess of Qi was about to help Song Xiyao into their carriage when Prince Qi's voice cut through the night.
"Return on your own. I have no desire to see either of you."
With that, he strode away, leaving the Princess of Qi behind.
A faint sob escaped Song Xiyao as she lowered her head.
With her maternal grandfather's family gone, if her father abandoned them too, she and her mother would truly have no home left.
Before long, another carriage pulled up.
"Princess of Qi, Fourth Young Miss, Princess Fu'an has sent us to escort you back to Prince Qi's Mansion."
"Thank you."
The Princess of Qi tightened her grip on Song Xiyao's hand. She knew her husband resented her for failing to bear him a legitimate heir.
But how could she share his bed when her entire family had perished—indirectly because of him?
Her only regret was the suffering it brought Xiyao.
......
Meanwhile, at the Xu residence.
"Rest assured... I will at least hold on until after the third day of the New Year. I won’t... burden the Xu family with my passing during the festivities."
"Mother, don’t speak like this!"
Xu Jinruo, a burly man, wailed uncontrollably. His large frame heaved with each sob, alarming those around him who feared he might collapse from the strain.
"Yayu, come here."
Elder Lady Xu beckoned to Xu Yayu, Xu Jinruo’s eldest legitimate daughter, now eighteen.
"Yayu, your grandmother has but one final wish—for you... to marry Prince Qin."
Only then would the Xu family be irrevocably tied to Qin Prince's Mansion.
"Grandmother, I have no affection for Prince Qin."
Xu Yayu’s eyes welled with tears. A scholar at heart, she had always admired men of literary brilliance.
"Prince Qin is not the man he once was. If you marry him... you will want for nothing." Elder Lady Xu paused. "Treat Princess Fu'an with genuine kindness, and the prince will honor you in return. Yayu, as a daughter of the Xu family, you bear a responsibility."
Xu Yayu fled the room in tears. Xu Jinruo, incensed, barked orders:
"Someone! Confine the young mistress to her quarters until she comes to her senses!"
"Don’t be too harsh. Give her time."
Elder Lady Xu sighed. "But remember, Prince Qin is not one to be coerced. When the time comes... you must tell him that Yayu will protect the princess as her own."
Just as her late husband had once pleaded with the emperor to wed another Xu daughter.
But Yayu was nothing like the deposed empress—she always kept her word.
"Mother, I will remember."
"Above all, remain loyal to Qin Prince's Mansion. Even if the marriage does not come to pass... do not let relations sour."
With that, Elder Lady Xu slipped into unconsciousness.
Xu Jinruo’s wails grew louder.
......
During the New Year festivities, Song Yu allowed himself a brief respite.
"I want to play with crickets."
"I want to listen to operas."
"I want to watch cockfights."
Lounging in a recliner, Song Yu brandished a whip meant for spinning tops, swishing it through the air.
Suddenly, the silence struck him as odd. He turned—only for the whip to snap back against his own leg.
"Ow—!"
Song Yu shot upright, clutching his stinging limb.
"Liuxi, fetch Father some crickets and fighting cocks, and summon an opera troupe at once!" Song Shihuan grinned, while Shen Qingping, standing behind her, shot Song Yu a helpless look.
"Liuxi, halt!"
Song Yu gritted his teeth. "I was merely... practicing how I used to speak. Wasn’t I, nanny? Did I sound convincing?"
"V-very convincing, Your Highness."
What a flimsy excuse.
Song Shihuan didn’t press the matter—after all, even scholars needed their diversions.
"So that’s how Father used to talk. Did the whip hurt?" She feigned concern, though laughter threatened to spill out.
She’d never seen anyone whip themselves by accident before.
Quite the spectacle.
"This? A trifle." Song Yu waved it off, turning to Shen Qingping. "What brings you here on the first day of the year?"
"Here to pay respects? Let me save you the trouble—no gold ingots for you."
How stingy.
Shen Qingping suppressed an eye-roll.
But the smile on his face widened. He’d come to deliver unpleasant news—yet what left his mouth was:
"I bring joyous tidings, Your Highness."
"Joyous?" Song Yu perked up.
"Word has it that Xu Yayu, the Xu family’s eldest daughter, sent her maid to knock on your door at dawn."
Shen Qingping chuckled.
"My door? Liuxi never mentioned it."
Song Yu glanced at Liuxi, who shook his head vehemently. No such visitor had come—he’d never forget something so important!
"Not Qin Prince's Mansion’s door. Guo Feng’s." Shen Qingping maintained an innocent expression. "Though no one answered."
"Why would she seek Guo Feng?" Song Yu was baffled.
Only Song Shihuan caught Shen Qingping’s implication.
Oh no. Father was in for trouble.
......
Back at the Xu residence.
"My lady, no one answered."
"Try again tomorrow. And ensure no one sees you." Xu Yayu clenched her handkerchief.
"My lady, Guo Feng is a widower. The master would never permit such a match."
"If I, Xu Yayu, am to marry, it will be to the most brilliant scholar of our age. Nothing else matters."
Her eyes burned with resolve.
Guo Feng’s literary genius made him worthy.
But Prince Qin? Never!
