Lady Chang was ultimately granted permission to be buried with the honors due to a Princess of Ping.
Furthermore, the incident of Lady Chang killing her daughter was given an extremely plausible justification: Song Xiyan, unable to bear being demoted to commoner status, had sought an opportunity to kill Song Shihuan, and Lady Chang had acted only to prevent Song Xiyan from committing this crime.
Thus, in the mouths of the common people, all of Lady Chang's crimes were whitewashed.
Zichen Palace.
"Wu Qi, has A-Huan's appetite been unusual these past couple of days?"
Upon hearing this, Wu Qi immediately bowed. Just look at the imperial favor the Princess enjoys! Even matters of food and drink were something the Emperor found time to inquire about.
"Your Majesty, the Princess's appetite is as usual. It's just that she has remained in the Eastern Palace these past few days and hasn't come out."
Emperor Yuanyou sighed softly upon hearing this. He hoped Lady Chang's death would not affect A-Huan.
During these days when the Pingwang Residence had set up the mourning hall, A-Huan had not gone either.
Today was the final day the coffin would remain...
Outside the palace, the common people were also paying attention to Song Shihuan's movements, speculating whether she would come on this last day to see Lady Chang off on her final journey.
Eastern Palace.
"A-Huan, I plan to go to the Pingwang Residence. Are you coming?"
Song Yu spoke as if casually, wanting to gauge Song Shihuan's current mood.
"I'll go."
By the window, the young girl propped her head in her hands. Her usually lively eyes seemed somewhat pensive, as if she was brewing something.
"Father, I don't want to play along with King Heng's family anymore."
Song Yu was momentarily taken aback.
Then, Song Shihuan's voice sounded again, "The people of the Pingwang Residence have received their due retribution. From now on, I only want to live happily with you, Father. I don't want to play this cat-and-mouse game with King Heng's family anymore."
With her vengeance from her past life now fulfilled, she had no patience left to wait for King Heng to make a mistake.
So, she would force King Heng to err.
"We'll do as A-Huan says."
Song Yu was also thoroughly disgusted by King Heng's family, especially after realizing that even a young girl like Song Hui could use Song Xiyan without batting an eye.
Song Yu put on a profound air and sighed, "It seems the Song family's fortune has all landed on us."
Hadn't he noticed how the others were as foolish as pigs, lacking even half the bearing befitting imperial descendants?
"It's just that this family is too good at putting on appearances, and with the auspicious omen associated with them, Lady Chang's testimony lacks concrete evidence. I'm afraid they'll argue their way out of it."
"Isn't it enough as long as Grandfather believes it?"
Song Shihuan lowered her eyes. "Let Grandfather see the true nature of King Heng's family, force them to make a move, just like we forced Song Xiyan."
Just as Song Yu was about to say something more, Song Shihuan stood up. She was wearing a plain, pale yellow dress, with only a single jade hairpin in her hair. "Father, let's go."
If they didn't leave now... they would miss King Heng's family.
Seeing that Song Shihuan was not overly affected by Lady Chang's death, Song Yu felt relieved.
Then another thought occurred to him, filling his heart with sweetness.
Did this mean that A-Huan regarded only him as family?
That Lady Chang was nothing more than an ordinary person to A-Huan?
As they were leaving, Song Yu, rather excitedly, ordered a palace attendant to present the paper written by Lady Chang to Emperor Yuanyou.
Completely disregarding the likely outburst of rage Emperor Yuanyou would have in the Zichen Palace.
...
Pingwang Residence.
Song Yu and Song Shihuan happened to run into King Heng's family as they were leaving.
"Princess Ping's righteous act of severing ties for justice is truly admirable," King Heng said hypocritically. Song Yu merely smiled and did not respond.
"Did you know about Song Hui using Song Xiyan to target me?"
Song Shihuan's direct words froze the expression on King Heng's face, making him look utterly ridiculous.
"What Your Highness is saying... I don't understand."
"Your daughter, Song Hui, instigated Song Xiyan to publicly insult me at the palace banquet. Before her death, Lady Chang wrote down Song Xiyan's testimony. It has already been delivered to Grandfather." Song Shihuan's face was cold. "You should think about how to explain yourselves to Grandfather, not tell me you don't understand."
Seeing Song Shihuan, who seemed like a completely different person, Song Hui, standing behind King Heng, took a fearful step back.
Seeing this, Song Shihuan brushed past King Heng and walked towards the mourning hall.
Feeling panicked?
Panic leads to mistakes, to acting on one's most genuine impulses.
Thoughts raced through Song Shihuan's mind, but upon entering the mourning hall, she set aside all distractions and solemnly offered three sticks of incense to Lady Chang.
The grudges of her past life were now settled.
Meanwhile, before King Heng's party could even return to their residence, they were summoned to the palace.
All their pre-prepared excuses and arguments were useless in the Zichen Palace.
"Scoundrel! Is this the fine daughter you've raised?"
Emperor Yuanyou had no desire to listen to King Heng's defense. Furious, he threw the paper in Song Hui's face. "Such malicious intent at such a young age! You have disgraced the imperial family's name."
Song Hui had never experienced such a scene before and was scared into tears.
"It... it was Hui'er who harbored impure thoughts. Imperial Uncle, your nephew will return and discipline Hui'er properly."
King Heng made his choice almost instantly, pushing Song Hui forward to take the blame.
Seeing this, Song Hui cried until she was gasping for breath.
Emperor Yuanyou snorted coldly at the sight. "Song Heng, I know you suffered hardships outside, which is why I enfeoffed you as a prince upon your return. But do not take me for a fool."
"Song Hui shall copy the 'Admonitions for Women' ten times daily and is confined to the Hengwang Residence."
"I do not wish to see such a thing happen again."
A touch of sorrow inevitably welled up in Emperor Yuanyou's heart. Of all his brothers, only he remained. He had originally wanted to treat his brothers' descendants well, yet it had led to his own granddaughter being wronged.
Thinking of this, Emperor Yuanyou spoke again, "King Heng, from now on, you shall be an idle prince with no official duties."
King Heng trembled, choking back a sob as he accepted the decree.
This was cutting off any possibility of him handling court affairs.
...
The Hengwang Residence became unusually quiet, a quiet that brought a sense of peace to the court as well.
At least Cheng Guang's honking was no longer heard.
Eastern Palace.
"King Heng is truly someone who can endure humiliation and bear heavy burdens. After being reprimanded by the Emperor, he personally invited tutors to his residence to teach Song Liu and Song Hui. He's putting on a very good show of reforming himself."
Shen Qingping spoke slowly, a chill evident behind his words to anyone listening.
"But our goal isn't to make them afraid. It's to crush them completely."
A sharpness appeared between Song Shihuan's brows. "Master, regarding King Heng's true objective, do you have any conjecture?"
Shen Qingping paused upon hearing this. "He likely wants Song Liu to become the Crown Prince's son."
That would mean adoption.
Song Yu practically jumped three feet in the air.
"Become my son? Song Heng really has the audacity of a door-sized face."
If he died and it was Song Liu holding the spirit tablet and breaking the funeral bowl, he would be so angry he'd come back to life.
Song Shihuan's face showed no surprise. "Master's thoughts align with mine. Otherwise, King Heng wouldn't have set his sights on the Crown Princess position."
Hearing this, Song Yu looked left at Song Shihuan, then right at Shen Qingping.
Wait...
How come he hadn't noticed King Heng was so petty-minded and sinister?
