"Long live the Crown Prince! A thousand, then ten thousand years!"
The unified chorus of voices echoed through the grand hall, lingering in the air.
Song Yu looked out. Everyone was kneeling. Only he and his father, the Emperor, remained standing.
Surveying all beneath the heavens.
"Rise."
"Thank you, Your Highness the Crown Prince."
Song Yu turned his head to look at Emperor Yuanyou, who nodded at him, his eyes filled with paternal affection.
From this day forward, everyone would address him as His Highness the Crown Prince.
Meanwhile, Shen Qingping's expression was grave. The imperial edict had mentioned appointing the Three Preceptors and Three Guardians... which meant the Eastern Palace staff would no longer consist of him alone.
He would need to keep his eyes sharp to find loyal individuals for His Highness.
Shen, the ever-worried Grand Tutor of the Crown Prince, felt the weight on his shoulders grow even heavier.
After the court session concluded, the officials did not leave immediately. Instead, they all surged towards Song Yu.
"Congratulations, Your Highness the Crown Prince."
"Your Highness is immensely talented and well-versed in the classics. You will surely lead Great Qi to greater prosperity."
"Your Highness..."
Watching Song Yu being surrounded, Shen Mingwen merely chuckled good-naturedly, but Ye Shijie grew anxious. There was still the Qionglin Banquet to attend.
It looked like this crowd intended to host banquets for His Highness as well.
"Ahem, ahem—"
The sound of Ye Shijie clearing his throat rang out. The officials were momentarily taken aback, then instinctively made a path for him.
After all, this man's temper was as stubborn and unpleasant as a rock in a latrine pit, yet he currently enjoyed immense imperial favor. It was wise to avoid clashing with him.
"Your Highness, the Qionglin Banquet is scheduled for today."
"Thank you for the reminder, Minister Ye."
Song Yu was immensely grateful to Ye Shijie for extracting him from the situation. "This prince will first go to the Eastern Palace. I will arrive at the Qionglin Banquet on time."
Ye Shijie felt deeply gratified upon hearing this.
He was also somewhat puzzled. The Prince's temperament seemed quite agreeable now. How had he managed to infuriate him to the point of spitting blood all those years ago?
Could it have been his own lack of emotional stability back then?
He found he could no longer empathize with his former self!
Using Ye Shijie's words as an excuse, Song Yu quickly slipped out of the grand hall and headed towards the Eastern Palace.
......
Ping Prince's Mansion.
"What is happening outside? Why all the gongs and drums?"
In Li Garden, Lady Chang seemed somewhat distracted. She had heard the gongs and drums yesterday as well. Upon asking the servants, she was told it was because the top scholar was parading through the streets after the palace announcement ceremony.
And that top scholar was none other than Prince Qin, Song Yu.
Lady Chang had been so stunned she dropped her teacup.
Because Song Yanzheng had also participated in the imperial examinations, she had heard the name Guo Feng. Who could have imagined that Guo Feng was actually Prince Qin?
Thus, Lady Chang had spent a sleepless night.
"In reply, Secondary Consort, the Emperor has issued an edict establishing the Crown Prince. Prince Qin has been named Crown Prince."
Upon hearing the servant's words, Lady Chang's hand stilled. She gave a faint, twisted smile. "So, the Crown Prince has been established."
"Yes. The edict has already been proclaimed throughout the land."
"Read me the contents of the edict," Lady Chang said softly, listening as the servant recited the decree filled with effusive praise for Song Yu.
"Indeed. The treatment of the truly intended heir is different."
The sound of someone pounding on the courtyard gate rang out, but Lady Chang's expression remained unchanged, as if she had grown accustomed to it.
"Secondary Consort, the Second Princess-Descendant is here again."
"I will not see her."
Lady Chang looked at Chang Ling'er beside her, revealing a bitter smile that Chang Ling'er could not decipher.
"Only now do I understand the true weight of the saying, 'Ah Huan is the lucky star of the Eastern Palace.'"
It didn't merely mean the Eastern Palace would prosper with Ah Huan there.
Rather... whoever gains Ah Huan, gains the Eastern Palace.
What a pity that such a profoundly blessed child was pushed away by her own hand.
"Aunt, you pray for the well-being of the Blissful Peace Princess-Descendant every day without seeking her forgiveness. In that matter from years past, both of you had your own difficulties," Chang Ling'er said, her heart aching to see Lady Chang trapped daily in the prison of that past event, unable to break free.
"No."
"I had no difficulties. Only faults."
Lady Chang smiled self-deprecatingly. "The reason I still retain this life is to atone for my sins."
Sometimes, death is the greatest release.
Outside Li Garden, Song Xiyan slid to the ground.
"Why can Song Shihuan take up residence in the Eastern Palace?"
Song Xiyan's tears were almost cried dry. Every recent event felt like it was carving out her heart, leaving her in unbearable agony.
"Heaven is unjust!"
......
The Eastern Palace.
Song Yu had already changed into the Crown Prince's python robe. The golden threads woven into the garment made him appear even more majestic.
"Ah Huan."
Song Yu beckoned to Song Shihuan, who immediately ran to him.
"Congratulations, Father. I've been waiting to go to the Eastern Palace with you."
Song Shihuan's eyes sparkled. She had thought returning to the Eastern Palace, that place of past strife, might bring back memories of her tragic previous life. But standing before it now, her heart was filled with nothing but joy.
From now on, the Eastern Palace would be her and her father's home.
"Come, let's go in together."
Song Yu ruffled Song Shihuan's hair. "I specifically ordered the Eastern Palace to be renovated. Ah Huan, see if you like it later."
Stepping into the Eastern Palace, artificial hills and lakes complemented each other.
Apart from the Mind-Clearance Courtyard where Song Yu resided, there was another prime location within the Eastern Palace. Song Yu personally inscribed a new name for it: Moon-Embrace Pavilion.
Moon-Embrace Pavilion. Just from the name, one could tell it was a residence for someone of noble status.
And one who was deeply cherished, free-spirited, and unrestrained.
"Moon-Embrace Pavilion."
Song Shihuan looked at the name on the courtyard plaque.
Inside the courtyard, there was a swing, flowers and plants, and also a...
cat with amber eyes.
"Father, a kitten!"
Song Shihuan looked at the pure white cat in the cage, her expression vividly animated.
"If Ah Huan likes it, give it a name. From now on, let it stay by your side, to ward off evil and attract blessings for you."
Despite all the preparations, having the Eastern Palace almost completely renovated, Song Yu still worried that something might remind Song Shihuan of the unpleasant experiences related to Song Ling and others.
After much thought, Song Yu had found a kitten.
"Let's call it... let's call it Cloudball."
It looked just like a soft, fluffy cloud.
"Good. Cloudball it is."
Cloudball was affectionate. Once Song Shihuan lifted it from the cage, it nestled obediently in her arms, meowing now and then and rubbing against her hand.
Song Yu showed Song Shihuan around the entire Eastern Palace. Throughout the tour, Song Shihuan was as joyful as a spring breeze.
"Cloudball, this is our home from now on."
Meow—
Cloudball seemed to respond to Song Shihuan.
After the tour, Song Yu brought Song Shihuan to the front courtyard. All the servants of the Eastern Palace were assembled there.
Seeing Song Yu and Song Shihuan, everyone knelt down:
"We pay our respects to His Highness the Crown Prince, to the Blissful Peace Princess-Descendant."
"To serve in the Eastern Palace, without loyalty, means certain destruction."
Song Yu's voice rang out. He looked at Song Shihuan beside him. "Furthermore, the Princess-Descendant is precious and must be attended to with the utmost care."
"We shall remember Your Highness's command."
All the servants couldn't help but glance at Song Shihuan.
The Crown Prince's only daughter, peerlessly honored. This was the epitome of it.
