At the same time, within the Li Garden of the Pingwang Manor in the capital.
The cup in Lady Chang's hand fell to the ground with a crisp sound.
"Aunt." Chang Ling'er immediately put down the embroidery in her hands.
"I'm fine."
Lady Chang's sickly face forced out a few more traces of a smile, "I was just a bit distracted for a moment."
For that brief moment, Lady Chang had felt as if something was being pulled away from her body.
And then... her entire being felt lighter.
"Aunt, your health is getting worse and worse."
Chang Ling'er knelt before Lady Chang, reaching out to tightly hold her hands. Though not yet forty, the white hairs on her head were increasing more and more, making her seem like an old woman.
"The manor physician says you have a burden on your heart, but what burden could be more important than life itself?" Chang Ling'er's eyes were already brimming with tears. In this world, her aunt was her only family left.
"Ling'er, although you used to be quick-tempered, you've never done anything bad. If one day I am no longer here, the Crown Prince should spare your life." Lady Chang looked at Chang Ling'er with loving pity. "At that time, you can tend to some flowers and plants to pass the time. Don't let yourself suffer."
"Aunt, what are you saying? If one day you are gone, I will go with you."
Chang Ling'er always felt her aunt harbored a secret, one profound enough to make her indifferent to life and death.
"Don't talk nonsense, Ling'er. Aunt has a matter to entrust to you."
An hour later, Chang Ling'er emerged from Li Garden, her face blank and her steps somewhat unsteady.
Her aunt told her she must live well, no matter what.
To watch over Princess Fu'an for her aunt.
If one day Princess Fu'an was no longer under the protection of His Highness the Crown Prince, she was to bring Princess Fu'an back to Pingwang Manor in her aunt's name.
Her aunt also said... before she died, she would clean up Pingwang Manor...
Why would her aunt say such strange things?
...
News of Da Qi's successive victories reached the capital, stirring excitement among the common people.
Also gaining fame from a single battle was Song Shihuan's "Crane Wing Formation."
"Princess Fu'an, so young, yet able to conceive such an ingenious battle formation."
"I heard the frontline casualties this time were much lower than before."
Whether on main streets or in back alleys, rumors about Song Shihuan were spreading everywhere.
Commoners who had seen Song Shihuan before even described her as a celestial maiden descended from the heavens, even romanticizing her time living outside the palace as a period of receiving guidance from immortals.
"Lord Shen, why do these people's talk sound so mystical?"
Inside a private room, two bored individuals had gathered.
Shen Qingping deftly flicked Gu Mingzhu on the forehead, showing not a hint of elder-like demeanor. "Little ancestor, then you tell me, why would the Princess possess such astonishing ability in troop formation and strategy?"
"Naturally, she learned it from the military books my elder sister gave her."
Shen Qingping glanced at Gu Mingzhu, who was burying her head in eating, and revealed a look as if regarding a fool, too complex for words.
How did General Gu raise his daughter, managing to teach her into such a naively innocent, simple-minded state?
It was perfectly clear the Princess had some other opportunity, she just hadn't spoken of it yet.
"How is your elder sister?"
Remembering Song Shihuan's instructions before leaving, Shen Qingping patiently asked.
"She's very well, just her belly is getting bigger and bigger like a leather ball."
Great, the little ancestor had killed the conversation again.
"What about the painting of His Highness riding in the parade that day?"
A voice tinged with mischief sounded. Gu Mingzhu's swallowing movement halted. Oh no, it wasn't finished yet.
"Lord Shen, you must surely be burdened with miscellaneous affairs. I won't disturb you further, farewell."
On the way back to the manor, Gu Mingzhu even gave herself a smack.
Why was she so unreliable, insisting on inviting Lord Shen out for leisure?
Thinking of this, Gu Mingzhu's smiling face completely fell.
When would the Princess return? She was utterly bored.
...
No sooner had Gu Mingzhu left than Shen Qingping was summoned to the palace by Emperor Yuanyou.
"How are those new palace examination graduates?"
Emperor Yuanyou asked first, referring to Zheng Fang and the others.
"They've already started getting their hands on the work." Shen Qingping now appeared quite at ease before Emperor Yuanyou.
Otherwise, how could he be so idle?
If you don't know how to lead a team, you'll have to work yourself to death.
Emperor Yuanyou nodded, then suddenly dropped a line on Shen Qingping. "Song Yanzheng is dead."
"Ah?"
Emperor Yuanyou glanced at Shen Qingping; this expression was probably feigned shock.
Emperor Yuanyou guessed correctly.
Shen Qingping even added in his heart: Serves him right.
After Emperor Yuanyou described the manner of Song Yanzheng's death, Shen Qingping's eyes lit up. "Your Majesty, this truly shows Heaven is protecting our Da Qi."
A marvelous death.
"At tomorrow's morning court, I will announce this matter, and also announce Song Heng's true origins."
Mu Heng had already become Song Heng.
Hearing this, Shen Qingping merely lowered his head. The men he had sent to investigate Song Heng's family these past few days reported back that they were an honest, simple family.
But he didn't fully believe it. Even someone as foolish as Prince Qi wasn't truly simple.
What honest, simple people exist among the royal family?
Early the next morning, at court.
Emperor Yuanyou announced the cause of Song Yanzheng's death with a pained expression. Shen Qingping immediately stepped forward, holding his official tablet.
"Your Majesty, Da Yue harming a royal grandson of Da Qi shows they have no regard for our Da Qi whatsoever. Moreover, their prince is still being well-fed and cared for in Da Qi."
Shen Mingwen, who knew the inside story of this 'care': His old face stiffened.
"This subject believes Da Qi should take up the banner of carrying out Heaven's will, to bring divine punishment upon the Da Yue imperial family."
"This subject concurs."
The entire court agreed with Shen Qingping's proposal.
Zheng Fang and the others, newly entered court and standing at the very back, watched Shen Qingping's impassioned speech, much like Shen Qingping himself in his early days at court.
"I have another matter to announce."
Emperor Yuanyou paused. "My third brother had a son who was lost. Now that he has been found, I specially enfeoff him as Prince Heng. His son, Song Liu, is named Heir of Prince Heng, and his daughter, Song Hui, is named Princess Yale."
"They are a pair of twins," Emperor Yuanyou said with a smile.
“Heaven sending down this auspicious sign at this very moment further confirms Lord Shen's words earlier. Our Da Qi's dispatch of troops this time is an action in accordance with Heaven's will.”
After morning court, two pieces of news quickly spread.
Shen Qingping, being quite bored to begin with, simply rolled up his sleeves and began vigorously promoting and pushing the righteousness of this war. Unexpectedly, he may have overdone it a bit.
Commoners from various regions began voluntarily donating grain to support the front line...
The frontline, where granaries could hold no more: ...
"I had only heard of Lord Shen's reputation as a fierce god, never imagined... he had such skill as well." Gu Zheng swallowed hard with effort.
He had never fought a war with such abundance...
Song Yu also wore a complex expression, turning to order: "Tell the cooks not to worry about provisions when preparing meals. Let the soldiers eat their fill."
Only Song Shihuan stared at Gu Zheng for a long time before quietly speaking.
"General Gu, will the Young General Gu die of anger?"
After all, the northern deserts were short on grain!
