Early the next morning.
Song Yu rose and took his carriage to the imperial palace to attend the special court session.
The heavens were favorable, allowing Song Yu to encounter both Shen Mingwen and Ye Shijie right at the palace gates.
"Your Highness."
"Your Highness."
Two voices sounded, and the smile on Song Yu's face gradually stiffened.
"What a coincidence, meeting both of you esteemed ministers here."
"I have yet to personally congratulate Your Highness on achieving the top scholar honor," Shen Mingwen said with a familiar air. "Your Highness's journey has truly been arduous, especially encountering such a strict chief examiner. But all that is past now. The road ahead will surely be smooth."
The implied strict chief examiner, Ye Shijie: "......"
Ye Shijie looked at Song Yu, revealing a favorable expression that Song Yu had rarely seen in decades. "Your Highness is a heaven-sent genius. Regarding that matter from years past, this official believes Your Highness also had your difficulties. Should Your Highness ever require guidance in the future, please do not hesitate to consult this official."
Liuxi, standing to the side, shivered slightly, sensing flashes of clashing blades in the air.
"Thank you, both esteemed ministers."
Song Yu felt like a piece of tofu sandwiched between two thick walls, in danger of being crushed with the slightest misstep.
"Time is getting late. We should hurry to the court session to avoid being tardy."
Hearing Song Yu's words, Shen Mingwen, who had already been tipped off by a certain young Master Shen, immediately revealed an even brighter smile. "I nearly forgot. Today is also a grand day for Your Highness. My early congratulations."
Song Yu fled as if escaping.
Left behind, Shen Mingwen snorted coldly at Ye Shijie. Hah! He still had a son being heavily relied upon by His Highness! His chances of victory were higher!
Seeing this, Ye Shijie was left fuming, eyes wide with anger.
Old and shameless, still relying on his son to compete for the position of Imperial Tutor!
......
At the morning court session.
Present were the energetic Emperor Yuanyou, Song Yu maintaining his composure, Shen and Ye glaring at each other like fighting cocks, and the listless Prince Qi.
In short, every civil and military official who could draw breath was summoned today.
It was clearly a day for significant events.
"Those with matters may present them; if none, the court is dismissed."
Wu Qi's voice rang out, but not a single official below dared to step forward.
It wasn't without reason. Years of cultivated political instinct told them today was not a suitable time for petitions.
Hadn't they seen the expectant look on the Emperor's face upon the dragon throne?
That expectation was certainly not for their petitions.
Sure enough.
When Song Yu stepped out from the ranks, Emperor Yuanyou's smile broadened even further.
"Your son has a petition."
"Speak."
"It concerns the previous matter of Song Yanming of the Ping Prince's Mansion killing Song Yanchao while drunk. Your son believes he should be severely punished, charged with the crime of fratricide."
Fratricide was the charge Song Yu believed Song Yanming truly deserved.
"This matter... pains Us greatly as well," Emperor Yuanyou said with a long sigh.
"A person truly drunk could not have delivered so many stab wounds. Song Yanming was likely only slightly inebriated at the time. It was his own malicious intent that led to this tragedy."
"Father, a prince who breaks the law is equal to a commoner in punishment. I implore Your Majesty to severely punish Song Yanming."
This impassioned speech drew frequent nods from many officials.
To murder one's own full brother in such a cruel manner would not be shielded even in an ordinary family.
If the imperial family could also deal with Song Yanming decisively, it would surely set an example for the common people.
"We approve."
Emperor Yuanyou's voice sounded. "Strip Song Yanming of his imperial grandson status, demote him to a commoner, administer fifty court strokes, and imprison him for life under house arrest."
Demoted to a commoner, Song Yanming would not even qualify to enter the Imperial Ancestral Temple.
"Your Majesty is wise."
Song Yu knelt, finalizing Song Yanming's fate.
Song Yu had even prepared the place for Song Yanming's confinement in advance, with an environment and furnishings identical to where... Ah Huan... had been confined years ago.
By contrast, the officials' favorable impression of Song Yu multiplied exponentially.
Among the current princes, Prince Ping was dead, and none of the imperial grandsons in the Ping Prince's Mansion showed any promise.
Prince Chu was confined in the Imperial Ancestral Temple.
Prince Qi... best not mentioned.
All things considered, the Prince Qin before them was the most suitable to inherit the great succession.
At that moment, Emperor Yuanyou's voice rang out:
"Today, We have one more matter to announce."
Song Yu had just returned to his position when Emperor Yuanyou spoke eagerly.
"Today, We will appoint a Crown Prince."
Appoint a Crown Prince!
The officials gasped.
......
"We have heard that the vast firmament displays its signs, the Purple Forbidden Star shines with the radiance of the pivot. The Imperial Eldest Son, Song Yu, possesses distinguished features and a pure, excellent nature."
Wu Qi's voice sounded. Within the great hall, only the sound of alternating breaths could be heard.
Reciting the edict for appointing a Crown Prince was not Wu Qi's first time.
But this time, Wu Qi's voice trembled with excitement.
"He recites poetry and books, comprehending the ways of Yao and Shun; he practices military strategy, understanding the methods of Sun and Wu. He manifests filial piety and fraternal duty, spreads benevolence and virtue... The civil and military officials all praise his goodness; the multitudes of common people all deem him fitting."
"Now We command the Ministry of Rites to select an auspicious date, and the Imperial Clan Court to prepare the ceremonies. We confer upon you the jade register of the Eastern Palace and crown you with the seven-beaded dark crown. Assisted by the Three Masters and Three Guardians, instructed in the Six Codes and Six Rites... Proclaimed within and without, so all may know."
After Wu Qi's voice fell, those present remained lost in thought for a long time.
They had all heard the appointment edict for the deposed Crown Prince back then. Compared to today's... it was simply the difference between cloud and mud.
Indeed, the difference between one imperial son and another was greater than that between man and beast.
"Yu'er, come forward to receive the register."
Emperor Yuanyou's voice sounded, and Song Yu moved once more from among the crowd.
Song Yu knelt before Emperor Yuanyou and received the register.
The various officials of the Eastern Palace had not yet been appointed, so standing behind and to the side of Song Yu was the Junior Tutor of the Heir Apparent, Shen Qingping.
Song Yu handed the register to Shen Qingping, then performed the grand ceremony of three kneelings and nine prostrations towards Emperor Yuanyou.
Emperor Yuanyou looked at his eldest son before him, feeling as if all the blood in his body was boiling.
Fen'er, do you see?
Our son is now the Crown Prince of Great Qi. One day he will sit upon the dragon throne and lead the Great Qi we built together to even greater prosperity and flourishing.
To be remembered by the world.
At this moment, the aura around Song Yu suddenly transformed, becoming so noble it was difficult to look upon directly.
In the crowd, Ye Shijie couldn't help but widen his eyes. So the 'grand day' Old Man Shen mentioned was the Crown Prince appointment!
Prince Qi, however, wore a bitter expression. So Father Emperor was this impatient, not even appointing the Eastern Palace officials before first issuing the edict to confirm eldest brother's position as Crown Prince.
Prince Qi knew more.
The Crown Prince appointment edict for Song Ling back then was drafted by the Ministry of Rites. Emperor Yuanyou had merely glanced at it and nodded its use. But today's... one could tell it was written by Emperor Yuanyou himself.
The more one knew, the greater the pain.
After completing the rites, Song Yu slowly straightened up and faced the civil and military officials.
Seeing this, the full assembly of officials knelt in unison. Prince Qi also knelt along with everyone else. This kneel marked the distinction between sovereign and subject.
After a few breaths, the entire court cried out in unison:
"Long live the Crown Prince! Long live, long live, long live the Crown Prince!"
