The imperial edict declaring war was issued, stirring fervent emotions among the people.
Everyone watched to see what action the Gu family would take, as they had always held special sacrificial rites in the past.
Little did they know, Gu Zheng was already nowhere to be found within the Gu household at this time.
All that remained was a woman with a prominent belly, and a mischievous monkey, chased and jumping about after stealing pastries from the sacrificial altar.
Zichen Palace.
"Father, all military forces are in position."
Song Yu, dressed in the crown prince's python robe, looked pleasing to Emperor Yuanyou's eyes, putting him in a much better mood.
Emperor Yuanyou nodded. All the prior arrangements and groundwork were laid precisely to catch Da Yue by surprise.
By the time Da Yue received the news, Yu'er would likely already be standing atop the city walls.
"Pack your things and set off first thing tomorrow morning."
Emperor Yuanyou felt somewhat uneasy. "On matters of troop deployment and strategy, you must listen more to Gu Zheng's advice. You are, after all, lacking in experience."
Song Yu merely smiled without saying much.
After Song Yu left, Emperor Yuanyou heaved a heavy sigh of relief. Thankfully, the rascal hadn't mentioned taking Ah Huan with him this time. He could take her along for the imperial examinations, but surely not for war, right?
Yet, early the next morning, Wu Qi, pale-faced, presented Emperor Yuanyou with a handwritten letter left by Song Yu.
"Outrageous!"
Emperor Yuanyou was so angry his beard quivered.
He slipped away under cover of night, and even took his granddaughter with him?
Under the fine pretext that Ah Huan possessed exceptional martial skills and could protect the Crown Prince of Da Qi during wartime.
What kind of talk was that? A father relying on his daughter for protection?
He had no shame!
Half an hour later, Shen Mingwen was urgently summoned to the palace.
"Minister Shen, you be the judge. Isn't that scoundrel going too far this time?" Emperor Yuanyou fumed, then quickly added, "Your third son hasn't left, has he?"
"He has not."
Emperor Yuanyou's anger subsided a fraction. At least he knew to leave someone behind to handle affairs.
"Your Majesty, this subject believes His Highness the Crown Prince's words... have merit."
Emperor Yuanyou widened his eyes in disbelief. "Minister Shen, you..."
"When necessary, His Highness the Crown Prince may indeed require the protection of the Princess."
Shen Mingwen hadn't forgotten the look in Gu Zheng's eyes when he regarded the Princess—it was like looking at a fine sword.
As for his gaze towards the Crown Prince... it was more like looking at a piece of wrought iron.
"But my granddaughter on the battlefield... swords and arrows have no eyes, I..." Emperor Yuanyou was frantic. After much thought, he decided to send Shen Xiao to bring Song Shihuan back.
Just then, Shen Xiao appeared.
He materialized so silently that he gave Shen Mingwen a start.
"What has happened?" Emperor Yuanyou's expression turned serious as well.
"Reporting to Your Majesty, someone at the city gates claims to be a member of the imperial clan."
If not for such a significant matter, Shen Xiao wouldn't have startled Shen Mingwen like a ghost.
"A member of the imperial clan?"
Emperor Yuanyou narrowed his eyes.
His father had fathered four brothers. He was the eldest. The three younger brothers had either died or gone missing during the wars.
Not a single one remained.
But he had sat on the throne for forty years. That was plenty of time to come forward and claim kinship. Why had they never appeared before?
With many doubts in mind, Emperor Yuanyou still agreed to meet the man who claimed imperial kinship.
...
"This commoner, Mu Heng, pays homage to Your Majesty. May Your Majesty live ten thousand years."
Emperor Yuanyou looked at the man before him, about the same age as Prince Qi. His clothing was not opulent, but neither could it be called poor. His features did bear some resemblance to the old Song family.
"Uncle."
Before Emperor Yuanyou could react, Mu Heng's eyes welled up with tears. "My father has passed. It was only on his deathbed that he told me my surname is Song. After settling my father's affairs, I rushed to the capital. These are my father's belongings."
Emperor Yuanyou glanced at the so-called belongings, then at Mu Heng. So, this was the son of his third brother.
Looking at the young man and girl behind Mu Heng, Emperor Yuanyou raised an eyebrow. "And these behind you..."
"They are twins, a dragon and a phoenix. The boy is named Mu Liu, the girl Mu Hui."
Twins.
Liu (flow) and Hui (return flow). The meaning of returning to one's ancestral roots was evident.
Emperor Yuanyou rotated the thumb ring on his hand. With that third brother's sorry state, could he really have fathered twins?
No matter how many thoughts raced through his mind, Emperor Yuanyou maintained a stern expression. "The imperial bloodline cannot be confused. You shall stay in the capital for now. I will have the Imperial Guards investigate this matter thoroughly."
"Thank you, Uncle."
"Thank you, Grand-Uncle."
Hearing this form of address, Emperor Yuanyou's brow twitched.
Half an hour later, only Emperor Yuanyou and Shen Mingwen remained in Zichen Palace.
The ruler and his minister familiarly set up a game of chess.
"Wasn't Your Majesty going to have Commander Shen bring the Princess back?"
Hearing this, Emperor Yuanyou paused the piece in his hand. "With new developments in the capital, Ah Huan is shy around strangers. It's better for her to stay by her father's side."
What a fine phrase—'the Princess is shy around strangers.'
Shen Mingwen's mouth twitched, nearly uncontrollably.
It was simply worry that the temperaments of those twins might not suit the Princess's liking and that they might offend her.
After a few more moves, Shen Mingwen couldn't hold back and spoke again:
"Has Your Majesty considered using these twins to add some difficulty for Da Yue?"
"I knew you wouldn't be able to resist."
Emperor Yuanyou laughed heartily. "Go on."
"If the identities of those individuals are genuine, then at the very moment Da Qi and Da Yue go to war, long-lost members of the imperial clan are found, and the royal family gains a pair of dragon-phoenix twins—this is a great auspicious omen!"
Shen Mingwen spoke with animated excitement. "In other words, doesn't that make Da Yue the long-lost kin of Da Qi?"
"Heaven has sent a sign, hinting that Da Yue should return to Da Qi's rule."
"Perfectly logical." Emperor Yuanyou, having read dozens of storybooks, gave a high evaluation.
This was exactly what had crossed Emperor Yuanyou's mind when he saw the twins earlier.
"Thus, this war becomes one where Da Qi follows the will of heaven and upholds rightful principle."
Having said this, Emperor Yuanyou was satisfied.
Throughout history, whenever raising troops for a campaign, it was essential to have an absolutely righteous justification.
Now Da Qi's justification was as perfect as it could possibly be.
"Wu Qi, tell Shen Xiao to investigate faster."
Emperor Yuanyou was growing impatient. Wu Qi immediately scurried out.
...
"Father, Grand-Uncle didn't seem particularly happy."
Mu Hui whispered. That Grand-Uncle hadn't smiled once the entire time, and his voice was cold.
But mother had clearly said that she and her brother were twins, and Grand-Uncle would surely be pleased.
"Hui'er, your Grand-Uncle is the Emperor."
Mu Heng looked at his now graceful and elegant daughter. "I've made inquiries. None of the royal princesses are older than you. You will have your hair-pinning ceremony next year. If you can please your Grand-Uncle, your marriage prospects will be smoother."
Mu Hui nodded. "Father, I will."
Seeing this, Mu Heng let out a sigh. In his heart, he felt some resentment towards his deceased father. Why did he have to wait until his deathbed to reveal their true origins?
If not for that, Liu'er and Hui'er's path could have been smoother.
"Alright, let's settle in and get organized first."
As their status was yet to be confirmed, Shen Xiao arranged for them to stay in a residence outside the palace.
Outside the courtyard, lively voices rose, all discussing the war with Da Yue.
