The Eastern Palace.
"Father has released Song Xiyan."
Under the moonlight, Song Yu and Song Shihuan were strolling along a path in the Eastern Palace to aid their digestion.
"I told you, none of those from Pingwang Manor who bullied you will come to a good end."
Song Yu's tone was light and casual, yet Song Shihuan's eyelashes fluttered slightly.
"Now only Song Xiyan remains. Ah Huan, just watch her bring about her own destruction."
Song Yu was no longer the idle, pleasure-seeking prince who could be easily fooled. He had now learned to use leverage, manipulating people's hearts effortlessly.
"But..."
Song Shihuan wanted to say more, but Song Yu flicked her forehead. "Starting tomorrow, you go keep your Imperial Grandfather company. Relax properly. On the battlefield, I couldn't help you and could only watch you toil. Now that we're in the capital, I can protect our Princess properly."
The words 'our Princess' made Song Shihuan blush.
"Father, you're teasing me."
"Ah Huan is utterly deserving of this princess title. The only regret is that the conferment did not come from me."
Song Yu smiled, looking at Song Shihuan whose features were becoming more defined. "Rest early. Tomorrow, go visit the Gu residence and see that A'Tuan you've been pining for."
At the mention of A'Tuan, Song Shihuan's heart melted into a bubbly softness.
...
Early the next morning.
Song Shihuan arrived at the Gu residence and saw Gu Mingliu, who was still wearing a forehead band.
"Sister Gu."
Instead of rushing to see A'Tuan first, Song Shihuan took Gu Mingliu's hand. "Sister Gu, don't worry about Yu Fan. Imperial Grandfather has appointed him as a Deputy Fifth Rank Commander. To rise from a commoner to Deputy Fifth Rank is an unprecedented honor."
"That's right. Even young Lord Shen is only a proper Seventh Rank," Gu Mingzhu immediately chimed in, taking a jab at Shen Qingping.
"He earned his merits in battle, and I am happy for him," Gu Mingliu understood Song Shihuan's concern. "Your Highness, rest assured. I know Physician Mei is treating his injuries, and I am at ease."
"That's good then."
Only then did Song Shihuan look at A'Tuan in the swaddling clothes. The baby's skin was as white and tender as tofu, with grape-like eyes that were incredibly clear. Song Shihuan fell in love with little A'Tuan at first sight.
"Truly a child this princess has been looking forward to since before its birth."
Song Shihuan hadn't cuddled with A'Tuan for long when a servant reported that Song Hui had arrived with Song Xiyan.
Gu Mingzhu immediately rolled her eyes.
Of all times, they had to come now.
"Mingzhu, go welcome the two young mistresses in," Gu Mingliu, sensing the shift in atmosphere, instructed Gu Mingzhu with a smile.
Soon, Song Hui's laughter rang out.
"It seems Sister Xiyan and I have come at just the right time, bumping into Sister Ah Huan."
Then, Song Hui turned to Gu Mingliu. "I heard Sister Gu suffered greatly during childbirth, with Master Yu not by your side. It even scared Mingzhu to tears."
A seemingly ordinary sentence, yet the looks in Gu Mingzhu and Song Shihuan's eyes changed instantly.
The pastry shop...
Song Shihuan, who had just risen from her seat, sat back down. This is getting interesting...
At the same time, in the Zichen Hall.
"How do you all think these newly acquired cities should be governed?"
A group of senior ministers had been summoned to the palace. Faced with Emperor Yuanyou's question, each offered different answers.
Even King Heng, under the encouraging gazes of the ministers, boldly voiced his opinion.
Seeing this, Emperor Yuanyou looked at Song Yu. "Crown Prince, what are your thoughts?"
"Replying to Father Emperor, your son has no particular thoughts." As soon as Song Yu said this, joy surged within King Heng. The information he had gathered was correct; the Crown Prince was still a wastrel just a few years ago.
But the next moment, Song Yu spoke again:
"However, there is one person who should know. This person is the former Prime Minister of Great Yue, Cheng Guang."
Cheng Guang was brought into the palace and scrutinized by the senior ministers of Great Qi for a good while.
Then, the Crown Prince walked up to Cheng Guang. "Cheng Guang, we're troubled over how to govern those cities. Think of a solution for us."
Cheng Guang paused. To kill a man and condemn his heart.
"If the solution is good, we might consider giving you an official post."
Song Yu acted as if he and Cheng Guang were the best of buddies. "The solution must both stabilize the local populace and produce administrative achievements."
"Elder Brother, Great Yue has been destroyed. What talent could their prime minister possibly have?"
King Heng spoke without thinking, inexplicably wanting to appear superior to Song Yu before Emperor Yuanyou.
But it backfired.
Cheng Guang had been somewhat reluctant, but provoked by King Heng, he immediately said:
"Isn't it simple? Just appoint two prefects in each city, with equal authority. One should be an old official from Great Yue, and one an official from Great Qi. They check and supervise each other. The Great Yue official stabilizes the populace, the Great Qi official is responsible for achievements. After a stable transition, reduce to one Great Qi official."
Cheng Guang's words left everyone present stunned.
This method was truly better than all the ones previously discussed.
Even Emperor Yuanyou couldn't help but take a few more looks at Cheng Guang. He remembered Ah Huan mentioning this person, saying he was capable.
Cheng Guang gave a cold snort and walked up to King Heng. "And which prince might you be?"
"Minister Cheng, this is my cousin, the newly recognized King Heng," Song Yu kindly and thoughtfully added.
"Not raised under the guidance of a great talent since childhood, no wonder your vision is so shortsighted."
Ignoring King Heng's stiff expression, Cheng Guang went all out:
"Is the prime minister of a nation a position just anyone can hold? No matter how weak a country, one should not belittle its senior ministers. Your Highness's behavior makes me think Great Qi is nothing more than this."
Since being recognized, King Heng had been praised wherever he went. This was the first time he was pointed at and scolded, and his face turned pale.
"You defeated foe, how dare you openly provoke a prince of our Great Qi!" A senior minister, feeling Cheng Guang's act was provocative, rebuked him.
"I am a defeated foe, but I was defeated by the Crown Prince and the Princess, not by you." Cheng Guang seemed to have unlocked some inner potential. "The reason I stand before you is by the Crown Prince's will. I offered this strategy in response to the Crown Prince's request."
"Yet your King Heng here constantly belittles me. Isn't he simultaneously belittling the Crown Prince?"
Cheng Guang scoffed lightly. "He must harbor some ill intentions."
"Uncle, I absolutely have no such intention! This man's words are pure slander!" King Heng anxiously knelt on the ground, his back soaked with sweat.
Seeing this, Cheng Guang snorted coldly:
"Anyone with a bit of sense knows to say they have no ill intentions. Your Highness the Crown Prince, you'd better be more wary."
Song Yu struggled to suppress the corners of his mouth from turning up and immediately decided to send a pot of wine to Cheng Guang that evening.
