"Who gave you the audacity to claim that Our son is an ignorant and utterly dissolute wastrel, hmm?"
Emperor Yuanyou's murderous gaze fell upon Censor Geng, causing the old man to tremble.
What had gotten into His Majesty today?
In the past, many had criticized Prince Qin in similar ways, yet the Emperor had never flown into such a rage.
Several officials familiar with Censor Geng desperately tried to signal him with their eyes, but the elderly censor, likely due to poor eyesight, failed to notice.
"Prince Qin has barely read a few books—how could he possibly handle the affairs of the Ministry of Revenue?"
"Then perhaps We should appoint you to the Ministry of Revenue instead?"
Emperor Yuanyou smirked, his tone deceptively light, as though a single nod from Censor Geng would send his head rolling the next moment.
Censor Geng swallowed hard and dared not speak further.
"We see that Censor Geng has grown too old for his duties. It is time for him to retire and enjoy his remaining years."
With a single dismissive remark, the Emperor stripped the censor of his position.
"Your Majesty... this humble servant..." Censor Geng's aged face turned deathly pale.
"As a censor, your foremost duty is to speak with evidence. Yet you abused your authority in court without even discerning right from wrong in last night's incident. Allowing you to resign and retire is already an act of mercy."
Emperor Yuanyou swept his gaze across the assembled officials. "Our decision is final. Court is dismissed."
He needed to find a way to secure real power for that scoundrel—only then would the Qin Prince's Mansion and Ahuan be safe from further harm.
The Emperor was shaken.
He had believed himself attentive to the Qin Prince's Mansion, but only yesterday had he learned of the countless schemes against them in places beyond his sight.
It seemed even within the palace, his vision was no longer clear.
"Your Majesty, shall we return to Zichen Hall?" Wu Qi asked softly.
"To Kunning Palace."
The Emperor's eyes darkened as he strode toward the Empress's residence.
......
Sun You had feigned illness today to skip court.
Inside his residence, Sun You was dining while the women of his household wept uncontrollably beside him.
"My lord, you must save Hu'er—he is your rightful heir!" Madam Sun sobbed, barely catching her breath. "He has always been closest to you. You cannot just watch him rot in the imperial prison!"
"Grandfather, please save Father!" His five-year-old grandson tugged at Sun You's sleeve, pleading.
Sun You set down his chopsticks and sighed heavily.
"My dear, Hu'er is my son too. How could I not want to save him?" Sun You rubbed his temples in frustration. "But His Majesty was furious yesterday. If I had persisted in pleading for Hu'er, the entire Sun Family might have been doomed."
"Then what are we to do?" Elder Madam Sun wiped her tears.
"Even the two princes were caned—let alone Hu'er. If we can at least spare his life, that will be a blessing."
At these words, Madam Sun fainted on the spot.
Amid the chaos, a servant rushed in with urgent news. "My lord, Prince Qin has arrived!"
Sun You shot to his feet. "Why has that harbinger of doom come?"
Outside the gates, Sun You was met with a crowd of onlookers, and his vision darkened.
"Your Highness, this humble servant was unaware of your visit and failed to welcome you properly."
"No need for formalities, Lord Sun." Song Yu gestured for his men to unload gifts of apology. "Yesterday, Ahuan acted rashly by intruding upon your residence. Today, I’ve come personally to apologize on her behalf."
Sun You immediately dropped to his knees.
Heavens! Did the prince want to further stoke the Emperor's displeasure with the Sun Family?
"Yesterday’s incident was entirely my worthless son’s fault—dragging Your Highness and the young mistress into it. It is the Sun Family who should apologize!" Sun You stammered.
Song Yu studied him for a moment.
It wasn’t Ahuan’s fault to begin with; his earlier words had merely been for show.
"Since Lord Sun understands the situation so well, I’ll say no more."
With that, Song Yu turned to leave. But before departing, he paused and added, "Lord Sun, in the future, it would be wise to keep your household in check—mind their words and actions."
What had been framed as an apology was, in truth, an open threat.
Sun You clutched his chest, seething with anger.
Song Yu strode away, leaving the crowd to gossip and point fingers at the Sun Family.
"Liuxi, go to the treasury later and fetch yourself a reward. You were quick-witted today." Song Yu nodded in approval.
"Many thanks, Your Highness!"
Liuxi beamed with delight.
......
Upon returning to his mansion, Song Yu was met with an imperial decree.
The eunuch delivering it had feared the prince might refuse, but to his surprise, Song Yu accepted it without hesitation.
"Tell Our father that on the day Ahuan enters the girls' academy, I will report to the Ministry of Revenue."
After the eunuch left, Song Yu examined the decree closely.
The Ministry of Revenue—not a bad appointment.
So the old man finally grew a conscience.
When Song Shihuan received the news, she personally brewed a cup of tea for him. "Congratulations, Father."
She, too, was pleased with Emperor Yuanyou’s decision.
The Ministry of Revenue had always been a coveted seat of real power.
"I have no political foundation in court. Who knows what awaits me there?" Song Yu drained his cup. "But I will perform my duties well."
Song Shihuan studied her father, finding him utterly changed from the man she had first met.
"These past two months, Father has changed so much."
"Because I have you now."
Song Yu smiled. A man with a weakness could no longer afford to be carefree.
"Father, have you thought about how to manage the Ministry of Revenue?" Song Shihuan rested her chin on her hands, looking utterly adorable. "Will you have to audit the entire Great Qi’s accounts?"
"I don’t know yet." Song Yu was clueless about governance.
"Then let me help you think of a way." After a moment’s pause, she continued, "His Majesty surely knows you lack experience. Why not consult him before making any decisions?"
"That way, at least you won’t make mistakes."
A fledgling seizing power and trying to soar alone would not sit well with the old bird.
Song Yu took her words to heart.
"The Ministry of Revenue’s affairs affect the livelihoods of the people. It’s better to be cautious than to act recklessly." Song Shihuan smiled brightly.
"Ahuan is right."
Song Yu chuckled, then winced as the motion tugged at the wounds on his face. "You are my lucky star."
While father and daughter made plans for the future, the atmosphere in Kunning Palace was far less cheerful.
"What?!"
The Successor Empress could not suppress her shock upon hearing Emperor Yuanyou’s words. "Your Majesty intends to send Yu’er to the Ministry of Revenue?"
The Emperor nodded, amused by her reaction. "The Crown Prince is in the Ministry of Works, Prince Chu in the Ministry of Rites, and Prince Qi in the Ministry of Works. The Ministry of Revenue is left vacant, and that scoundrel has no proper duties anyway."
"Moreover, this is no mere intention—We announced it in court today."
The matter was settled, irreversible.
The Successor Empress clenched her handkerchief. Her Ling’er had fought for years to secure a position in the Ministry of Revenue, yet the Emperor had never relented.
And now, Song Yu was simply handed the post?
