"No need, I've already prepared a room for Ahuan."
Without another word, Song Yu directly took the little girl from Emperor Yuanyou's arms and spoke with a thin, insincere smile, "I won't trouble you to bother."
"Oh, and I've sent you a few chickens. Have the imperial kitchens stew them for you to nourish yourself."
With that, Song Yu left with Song Shihuan, not looking back.
Emperor Yuanyou was both angry that this scoundrel had taken his granddaughter away and curious about when this scoundrel had developed a sense of filial piety, even sending him chickens.
When Emperor Yuanyou saw the familiar fighting cocks, he immediately ordered:
"Stew them at once."
"Stew them until they're very tender. My teeth aren't what they used to be."
Damned birds, they had nearly driven him to fury before!
"Wait, how could that scoundrel bear to give me his fighting cocks?" Emperor Yuanyou only then realized something was off. "Shen Xiao, go investigate what Prince Qin did after returning to his mansion."
Prince Qin's Mansion.
"Your father usually dislikes extravagance, so there aren't many servants in the mansion."
Song Shihuan nodded, her eyes looking at Song Yu with a new trace of admiration. To hold such a high position yet remain frugal and simple—Father is so impressive!
"This is the study where your father usually reads. It's also the place he spends the most time."
The weeds were quickly cleared away, leaving the study spotless.
"Ahuan, you may enter the study anytime in the future."
"Come, let Father show you your courtyard now."
Behind them, the matron and the steward's faces both stiffened.
They recognized every word His Highness had just said, but put together, they couldn't understand them.
The little Song Shihuan, thoroughly coaxed by Song Yu, looked up at him with her small face:
"Father, I want to be someone as amazing as you when I grow up."
Song Yu was elated.
This was the most triumphant episode of his life, both in his past and present lives!
Meanwhile, in the Zichen Hall.
"Deceiver!"
Emperor Yuanyou nearly tore the memorial in his hand to shreds. "Such a grown man, deceiving a child. My old face is utterly shamed."
Truly shameless.
"Let's see how this scoundrel will handle it when his lies are exposed!"
Emperor Yuanyou fumed indignantly, all his resentment stemming from his granddaughter being snatched away.
This was his newly discovered genius granddaughter!
......
Early the next morning.
When Song Shihuan opened her bleary, almond-shaped eyes, she saw two strikingly handsome faces suddenly magnified before her.
Drowsily, she called out:
"Father."
Her voice was milky and soft, making Song Yu feel his heart melt.
"Did Ahuan sleep well last night?"
Shen Qingping felt a chill, goosebumps rising all over. Where did that disgustingly sweet, affected voice come from?
"The bedding was soft and smelled nice. Ahuan slept very well."
"Then time to get up. The sun is almost shining on your bottom."
Song Yu scooped the little one up in one motion. Immediately, new faces entered holding trays to attend to Song Shihuan's washing and dressing.
"Father, Ahuan only needs to wear one dress." Song Shihuan looked at the dozen or so dresses before her, somewhat troubled. Father, Granny, and Master were all the same—they'd rather suffer themselves and give the best to her.
"It's not enough. Ahuan can wear a different one every day."
Shen Qingping couldn't take it anymore. He got up and walked outside into the courtyard, taking deep breaths of fresh air.
"Has your prince been possessed by something?"
The matron shook her head, saying cautiously, "If he has, it's by something good."
Shen Qingping looked up at the sky in speechless despair.
Just yesterday he was drinking with him at the Yingchun Pavilion, and today he's become an upright prince who loves his daughter as his own life?
Shen Qingping found this breakfast utterly tasteless.
Song Yu, however, was busy and delighted, one moment picking food for Song Shihuan, the next trying to feed her congee.
He also didn't forget to badmouth the Eastern Palace.
Now, in Song Shihuan's eyes, everyone in the Eastern Palace was like a flood or a fierce beast.
"A crown prince should be virtuous and benevolent, otherwise disaster is inevitable. Since the Crown Prince is like this, wouldn't it be better for Father to become the Crown Prince instead?"
Song Yu was so excited he immediately gave Song Shihuan a thumbs-up.
Shen Qingping helplessly held his forehead. Little Princess, do you think your father is any better?
"Ahuan is right. So, for the sake of the common people and the Great Qi's peace for a hundred years, I have decided to contend for the position of Crown Prince!" Song Yu looked at Song Shihuan. "Will Ahuan support Father?"
"Support!"
Song Shihuan's eyes shone brilliantly.
"Since Father has such lofty ambitions, is this gentleman Father's strategist, the future Chancellor?"
Shen Qingping's previously slouching posture instantly straightened.
He then revealed an extremely amiable smile to Song Shihuan. "The Princess has keen insight. I am Shen Qingping, indeed His Highness's strategist and the future Chancellor."
From now on, he, Shen the Third, would raise the banner only for the Princess!
While Song Shihuan was practicing her fist forms in the courtyard, Shen Qingping sidled up to Song Yu. "Your Highness truly intends to contend for the Crown Prince's position?"
Song Yu nodded.
"This prince never lies to his daughter."
"But Your Highness, you..." Shen Qingping gave Song Yu a look that said 'you know what I mean'.
Song Yu cleared his throat, putting on an unbearably pretentious air.
"A wastrel? That's merely my protective coloring."
......
The little one finished practicing her forms and came running over, her expression conflicted.
"Father, throughout history, contending for the crown prince's position has always involved bloodshed and is fraught with danger. I'm worried something might happen to you."
Shen Qingping's gaze towards Song Shihuan had changed. A ten-year-old princess, understanding so much?
Could the prince have casually picked up a genius daughter?
"Ahuan, don't worry. Father is different from others, so Father's method of contending for the crown prince's position will also be different."
"How is it different?" Song Shihuan was curious, and so was Shen Qingping.
"This prince can simply go tell your imperial grandfather that I want to be the crown prince."
Song Yu curled the corner of his mouth. "Ahuan just needs to help plead for mercy when Father gets a beating."
Shen Qingping: ......
Is this reliable or not?!
He really wants to be Chancellor!
A few days later, Song Yu used personal practice to answer Shen Qingping.
For several consecutive days, Emperor Yuanyou had sent people to the Prince Qin's Mansion trying to bring Song Shihuan into the palace. Finally, Song Yu, annoyed beyond endurance, mercifully allowed the grandfather and granddaughter to meet.
Zichen Hall.
Emperor Yuanyou held Song Shihuan, unwilling to let go.
"There's something I want to tell you."
"Speak." Emperor Yuanyou still didn't even look up.
"I want to be the crown prince."
With a clatter, the memorials on the desk were accidentally knocked to the floor by Emperor Yuanyou.
"I am not the wastrel you believe me to be. I have the talent of a top scholar and the ability to govern and bring stability to the state. The reason I've concealed it all along was to protect myself."
"Now that I have Ahuan, I don't want to continue like this."
"In terms of status, I am nobler than Song Ling. In terms of learning, I have many times more knowledge in my belly than Song Ling. In terms of benevolence, I have more conscience than Song Ling."
For the first time, Song Yu had put on such a grand performance in front of the old man.
He felt thoroughly invigorated. All the hardships he endured for the imperial examinations in his past life had now become his confidence.
Song Yu looked at Emperor Yuanyou:
"Father, choose me as crown prince. It's a sure profit, no loss."
