Purple Palace Hall.
"Is the Xu family behaving?"
Emperor Yuanyou was engrossed in a book when Song Yu arrived alone. Without even looking up, he posed the question.
"They were unruly at first, but today they’ve settled down considerably."
Song Yu sat down and immediately poured himself tea. "At first, Elder Lady Xu even wanted Xu Yayu to marry me."
"You don’t like her?" Emperor Yuanyou glanced up, suddenly curious about what kind of woman could catch his son’s eye.
"Of course not."
Song Yu gulped down the entire bowl of water in one go. "But today, Xu Jinruo asked me to help find Xu Yayu a good match in a year’s time."
At these words, the murderous glint in Emperor Yuanyou’s eyes gradually faded.
Had the Xu family insisted on marrying their daughter to Song Yu, Emperor Yuanyou would have... made sure to deal with them.
Even as Song Yu’s maternal relatives, the Emperor could not tolerate subjects with such overreaching ambitions.
The deposed empress was already a thorn in Emperor Yuanyou’s heart.
It had to be said that Elder Lady Xu’s last-minute mercy, Xu Jinruo’s love for his daughter, and Xu Yayu’s resolve had collectively saved the Xu family.
"Then you’ll help find her a match when the time comes. After all, she’s practically your junior."
Now in a better mood, Emperor Yuanyou set down his book. "Where’s Ahuan?"
"My private treasury finally has some new additions. I was planning to take Ahuan to see them." The Emperor looked refreshed—local officials had sent tributes, and even the Japanese envoys had contributed.
Being Emperor certainly had its perks.
Hearing this, Song Yu immediately ordered Liuxi to fetch Song Shihuan from the Qin Prince’s Mansion.
"Father, you should’ve told me earlier. Had I known, I wouldn’t have sent Ahuan back first." Song Yu flashed an ingratiating smile, making Emperor Yuanyou roll his eyes with a disdainful snort.
......
Half an hour later, Song Shihuan arrived at the Purple Palace Hall.
"Imperial Grandfather, you said you had treasures to show me?"
"Indeed."
Emperor Yuanyou warmly took Song Shihuan’s hand. "Come, I’ll take you to my private treasury."
As the grandfather and granddaughter walked ahead, Song Yu naturally followed—only to be abruptly stopped by Wu Qi.
Song Yu shot him a questioning glare.
Wu Qi averted his gaze.
"Your Highness, His Majesty’s intention was... to only bring the Princess."
Song Yu was dumbstruck. Was the old man really this petty?
So what if he’d tricked a few things out of his treasury before? Was it really such a big deal?
Grumbling, Song Yu stayed behind to drink water in the hall while Emperor Yuanyou and Song Shihuan arrived at the treasury, where the guards opened the doors for them.
"Most of the gifts from the ministers are things you’ve likely seen before. The items from Japan are far more unusual—let’s start with those."
Emperor Yuanyou was in high spirits, like an elder eager to flaunt his wealth before a younger generation.
But moments later, his expression darkened.
"Is this what Japan sent as tribute?"
"Your Majesty, yes."
"How dare Japan deceive Us with such shoddy offerings!"
The Emperor was furious. These were common goods in Great Qi—how could Japan have the audacity to present them as tribute?
And worse, they’d made him lose face in front of Ahuan.
When Emperor Yuanyou returned empty-handed with Song Shihuan, Song Yu raised an eyebrow. Silly girl, even if she didn’t like anything, she should’ve at least taken a few items.
"Outrageous!"
Emperor Yuanyou’s sudden outburst startled Song Yu to his feet.
Song Shihuan quickly explained what had happened, and Song Yu’s anger flared as well:
"The insolence of Japan, daring to shortchange us?"
Emperor Yuanyou’s expression darkened like storm clouds. "Summon Xu Jinruo to the palace at once."
......
"Your subject Xu Jinruo greets Your Majesty."
Dressed in mourning clothes, Xu Jinruo no longer carried his former arrogance.
"Japan’s tribute is an insult to Us. We intend to teach them a lesson—Xu Jinruo, do you dare take on this task?"
Emperor Yuanyou had already decided the Xu family’s fate.
At the right moment, he would ennoble them as counts. Though removed from the heart of the court, they would retain their dignity—a final nod to their past loyalty during his rise to power.
And now, Japan had provided that opportunity.
"Your subject is willing."
Xu Jinruo answered without hesitation.
"Once your mother is buried, depart immediately for the border."
After Xu Jinruo left, Song Yu stole several glances at Emperor Yuanyou. "Father, now isn’t the time... to wage war against Japan, is it?"
"We said ‘teach them a lesson,’ not ‘declare war.’"
"But will Xu Jinruo’s thick head grasp the nuance?"
"He may be a fool, but he has a mouth."
True to the Emperor’s expectations, Xu Jinruo’s first stop after leaving the palace was the Gu residence.
When Song Yu heard the news, he laughed. Well, at least Xu Jinruo had the sense to ask the right person.
......
On the fourteenth day of the first lunar month, Elder Lady Xu was hastily buried.
Xu Jinruo then left the capital with the Xu men, leaving Xu Yayu behind.
With the Lantern Festival approaching, the capital’s festivities were nearing their peak, even surpassing the New Year’s celebrations.
Gu Mingzhu arrived early at the Qin Prince’s Mansion, having made plans with Song Shihuan to solve lantern riddles and admire the displays that evening.
Both girls wore red padded jackets, looking like figures from a New Year’s painting—their cheer infectious to anyone who saw them.
"Is Elder Sister Gu not joining us?"
"She wants to, but Father won’t allow it." Gu Mingzhu giggled at the memory of Gu Zheng’s nervous fussing. "He’s afraid something might happen to his precious grandson."
"Then it’s just the two of us tonight."
Song Shihuan jingled a money pouch by Gu Mingzhu’s ear. The crisp clinking of coins made Gu Mingzhu laugh.
Yes, she was broke.
The General’s Manor was perpetually broke.
Any spare resources went toward disaster relief.
Night fell quietly. Song Shihuan waved goodbye to her father, left behind at home, and boarded the carriage with her dearest friend.
The moment they reached the street, the girls stepped out.
The true joy of the festival could only be felt on foot.
They darted from one lantern riddle stall to another, claiming every prize that caught their fancy until Baoxia’s arms were piled so high she could barely see over them.
Just as Song Shihuan and Gu Mingzhu were still reveling in the fun, a scream tore through the air from a nearby house, instantly killing their mood.
"Stupid woman, starving your own man by refusing to cook!"
"I’m beating you to teach you a lesson. Keep this up, and I’ll divorce you on the spot!"
Drunken curses rang out.
Passersby glanced toward the source but quickly moved on, unwilling to interfere in a domestic dispute.
Only Song Shihuan and Gu Mingzhu remained, their expressions darkening.
