Kunning Palace.
"What? You're saying several princes got into a fight?"
Upon hearing Chen Chi's words, the Empress Dowager's eyes gleamed with satisfaction. Excellent, truly excellent.
"Your Majesty, it's absolutely true. Our people witnessed it firsthand," Chen Chi replied with a smile. "By now, His Majesty the Emperor must have heard as well."
"Fighting in front of so many commoners—what a disgrace to the imperial family!" The Empress Dowager smirked maliciously. "Since Song Yu threw the first punch, this time, the Emperor won’t be able to shield him no matter what."
"Your Majesty is absolutely right."
"Chen Chi, discreetly send someone to inform Censor Geng. Have him submit a memorial denouncing Song Yu at tomorrow’s morning court session," the Empress Dowager said, her mood lifted. "Then go to the Eastern Palace and deliver this news to the Crown Prince."
"Lately, the Qin Prince's Mansion seems to have stumbled upon some stroke of luck—even the Emperor personally assigned guards to protect it. This incident will remind His Majesty exactly what kind of man Song Yu is."
That thorn in her heart, clinging to the title of the eldest legitimate son.
"Yes, this servant will arrange it immediately."
Inside the chamber, palace maids carefully massaged the Empress Dowager’s temples as she exhaled deeply.
This time, Song Yu would not escape punishment.
She needed to devise a way to pin him down for good.
If framed severely, this could be seen as the beginning of fraternal strife—something the Emperor despised above all else.
When the news reached the Eastern Palace, the Crown Prince burst into laughter, unable to contain his delight.
"Third Brother and Fourth Brother have done us a great service this time," the Crown Prince said, a hint of madness flashing in his eyes. "With Song Yu being the one who struck first, my faction can ensure his downfall is miserable."
"Father, while logic is important, you should also display brotherly compassion in front of the Emperor," Song Yanzheng suggested with a faint smile. "Express sorrow for Third Uncle and Fourth Uncle. That will only stoke the Emperor’s fury further."
"Yanzheng is right. Song Yu disregards kinship, but I am different."
The Crown Prince felt an overwhelming sense of exhilaration, as if the night stretched endlessly before him. He could hardly wait for the morning court session to arrive.
......
Song Yu and the two other princes were escorted into the palace by the Imperial Guards. Without even seeing Emperor Yuanyou, they were bound and thrown into the inner prison—a place reserved for imperial family offenders, distinct from the regular dungeons.
The cell was damp and freezing. All three bore injuries of varying severity, shivering uncontrollably.
"Your Highnesses, the Princesses of Chu and Qi have arrived."
At the guard’s announcement, Prince Chu and Prince Qi immediately stood, peering through the bars as their wives approached.
"Your Highness, are your injuries severe?" The Princess of Chu asked, tears welling in her eyes. "I’ve brought ointment, some food... and a bowl of sobering soup."
Beside her, the Princess of Qi looked unusually disheveled, gripping Prince Qi’s hand tightly. "Your Highness, don’t worry. Everything at home is fine."
Both princesses harbored resentment toward Song Yu, so they ignored him entirely.
For a moment, Song Yu remained alone in the corner, crouched in solitude.
When word of the prison conditions reached Emperor Yuanyou, his initial fury gave way to an uneasy pang.
"I’ve spoiled that brat rotten!" Emperor Yuanyou spat, flecks of saliva flying. "Daring to lay hands on his own brothers—serves him right to be left all alone!"
Still... the Princesses of Chu and Qi had gone too far. Couldn’t they have brought something for the wretch? They knew the Qin Prince's Mansion only had a young child.
"Your Majesty, this..." Wu Qi ventured cautiously. "Prince Qin isn’t unreasonable. Perhaps you should question the three princes directly. Otherwise, with him isolated in prison, the princess will be heartbroken when she finds out."
"Summon those three good-for-nothings! And bring the Crown Prince as well!"
Emperor Yuanyou slammed the table. He was only concerned for Ah Huan’s sake—certainly not for that insolent fool!
......
Half an hour later, Emperor Yuanyou glared at his three sons, their faces swollen and bruised. His barely subdued rage flared anew.
"I never imagined my own sons would dare try to kill each other!"
"In front of countless commoners, no less! You’ve humiliated me!"
He kicked each of them in turn. "Who’s going to explain? What happened?"
Prince Chu immediately clung to Emperor Yuanyou’s leg, weeping. "Father, I was beaten so badly! Eldest Brother attacked us without warning—everyone present can testify!"
"That’s right! Eldest Brother was drunk and completely unrestrained. He even dared to strike Third Brother and me—it’s outrageous!"
The Crown Prince arrived just then, his tone righteous. "Eldest Brother, this is unacceptable. We’re family. If you had grievances, you should have spoken calmly. How could you resort to violence?"
"Family? What a joke." Though Song Yu had initiated the fight, his injuries were the worst.
Song Yu had aimed his blows at Prince Chu and Prince Qi’s faces, while they targeted his body—leaving his wounds less visible.
"Worthless fool!"
Emperor Yuanyou kicked Song Yu again, this time striking his injured chest. Song Yu collapsed, coughing.
"Stop pretending! Why did you attack them?" Emperor Yuanyou’s finger trembled as he pointed. "They’re your brothers, not enemies!"
"Eldest Brother has truly lost his senses," the Crown Prince added, fanning the flames. "Disgracing the imperial family is a grave crime."
In an instant, Uncle Zhang’s dying words echoed in Song Yu’s mind:
"If the Crown Prince ascends the throne, you won’t be able to protect the princess."
"All it takes is one charge of defaming the imperial family, and the entire Qin Prince's Mansion will be destroyed."
Agony seared through Song Yu’s chest, spreading like wildfire.
Uncle Zhang was right.
"I asked you a question! Why won’t you answer?"
Emperor Yuanyou roared again. "Song Yu, I want to hear it from you—why did you attack your brothers?"
The Emperor was genuinely furious. He could already envision the mountain of impeachment memorials awaiting him at court tomorrow.
Even if he wanted to, shielding the brat this time would be nearly impossible.
"I threw the first punch," Song Yu admitted, kneeling upright. "But it was because they insulted Ah Huan."
"You insulted Ah Huan?" Emperor Yuanyou’s glare shifted to Prince Chu and Prince Qi.
"Father, we would never say such things!"
"Shen Qingping can testify," Song Yu said, swallowing the metallic taste of blood.
"Shen Qingping is Eldest Brother’s closest friend. Of course he’d take his side—how is that proof?" Prince Chu retorted, a smirk flickering in his eyes.
Song Yu’s breath hitched.
Emperor Yuanyou’s expression darkened.
Just then, a eunuch stumbled into the hall in a panic. "Your Majesty... Lord Sun, the Minister of Revenue, requests an audience! He says Princess Fu'an assaulted Young Master Sun!"
For a moment, Emperor Yuanyou was too stunned to react.
Who attacked whom?
