Song Yu brought Song Shihuan to the Eastern Palace and set fire to the woodshed that had once held her captive.
When Song Ling stormed in, furious and wanting Emperor Yuanyou to uphold justice, he was met with the sight of Song Yu and Song Shihuan wearing utterly innocent expressions.
"Father, 'If one cannot manage a single room, how can one manage the empire?' Song Ling cannot even properly manage the Eastern Palace, to the point it catches fire. Does he have the capability to govern the entire Great Qi?"
"Ahuan and I just went in to take a look, and it inexplicably caught fire. Could it be a deliberate attempt to kill us?"
Song Ling stared at Song Yu in disbelief. How had his eldest brother become so difficult to deal with, as if a different person now inhabited his body?
"I didn't..." Song Ling felt utterly unable to defend himself.
"Drunkards also claim they're not drunk," Song Yu clicked his tongue and shook his head.
"Song Ling, return and reflect on your mistakes."
Emperor Yuanyou didn't even deign to address him as Crown Prince anymore.
Song Ling's heart sank to the depths. He had never realized before just how blatantly biased his father was.
Back at the Qin Prince's residence, Song Shihuan quietly approached Song Yu. "Father, why did you burn that woodshed?"
"I consulted a master. That woodshed is inauspicious for the Qin Prince's residence. It had to go."
Instantly, Song Shihuan's eyes filled with admiration as she looked at Song Yu.
Her father was truly wise, decisive, and knew how to plan ahead.
A breeze blew past. Song Yu looked at the visibly excited Shen Qingping before him, glanced at Shen Qingping's hand tightly clutching his sleeve, and parted his thin lips slightly:
"What? Received an official post, so you're so excited you want to call me 'father' like Ahuan too?"
Shen Qingping instantly calmed down, the corner of his mouth twitching.
"When will Your Highness attend court?" Shen Qingping asked irritably.
Who could understand? All the welled-up emotion vanished the moment it met the prince's mouth.
"No hurry. This prince will first go recruit some followers. Otherwise, attending court lacks presence."
Song Yu spoke leisurely. A question mark slowly materialized above Shen Qingping's head. Was having him alone not enough for the prince?
......
The Gu Residence.
"His Majesty has ordered Ahuan to attend the Imperial Study daily with the imperial grandsons, so she needs a study companion."
Gu Zheng blinked at the Qin Prince before him, who usually had nothing to do with him.
So... what did this have to do with him?
"This prince and Ahuan have taken a liking to your family's Mingzhu."
"Impossible, absolutely impossible!" Gu Zheng reacted as if facing a great enemy. "My daughter is unruly and has disliked studying since childhood. If she becomes the princess's companion, I fear she will lead the princess astray."
Song Yu nodded inwardly.
Gu Zheng's assessment of his own daughter was quite accurate.
"Is that so..." Song Yu adopted a rather regretful tone. "This prince was prepared to order a daily supply of various pastries so Ahuan and the Second Young Lady Gu wouldn't go hungry in the study. Since it's like this..."
Father! To be chosen by His Highness and the princess is my great honor!
Gu Mingzhu darted out from behind the screen. Gu Zheng scratched his head in embarrassment.
Gu Mingzhu looked at Song Shihuan with utmost sincerity, as if gazing at her favorite pastries.
"Mingzhu, is it? What a lovely name, as clever and spirited as you are. Thank you for being willing to be my study companion."
Song Shihuan took Gu Mingzhu's small hand. Gu Mingzhu's face gradually turned red.
"Everyone says I'm dull-witted..."
"That's not true at all." Song Shihuan studied Gu Mingzhu's eyes. "People with clear, bright eyes are all treasures favored by heaven."
Aww—
Gu Mingzhu hugged Song Shihuan and yelled at her father, "I, Gu Mingzhu, will be the county princess's companion! If you don't agree, I'll run away from home and move into the Qin Prince's residence!"
Before Gu Zheng could react, Song Yu immediately panicked.
"It's settled then."
He absolutely must not let this little ancestor go to the Qin Prince's residence.
That night.
After Song Shihuan fell asleep, Song Yu left the Qin Prince's residence and arrived at a pleasure boat filled with song and dance.
Prince Chu and Prince Qi were there, full of complaints, cursing Song Ling for controlling many key positions in the court and restricting them at every turn.
Suddenly, a voice rang out:
"Well said."
Prince Chu and Prince Qi, looking at the suddenly appearing Song Yu, choked on their wine, faces turning red.
"You two want to be Crown Prince?"
"Cough, cough, cough—"
Prince Qi choked until his eyes rolled back. He felt he might be dying a little.
"What a shame. This prince also wants to be Crown Prince."
Song Yu poured himself a cup of wine. "Within one hour, if you can name three areas where you surpass this prince, this prince will help you secure the Crown Prince's position."
After recovering, Prince Chu and Prince Qi's eyes shone brightly.
"I am well-versed in the Four Books and Five Classics," Prince Chu said eagerly.
"Then let's compare."
One incense stick's time later, Prince Chu began to question his life.
"My archery is decent; I can hit an apple," Prince Qi followed closely.
"Let's compare."
Song Yu curled the corner of his mouth. What a coincidence. In his past life, he had secretly practiced just to prove himself in front of Ahuan.
After a few arrows were shot, Prince Qi rubbed his eyes, unable to believe it.
For the rest of the time, no matter what Prince Chu and Prince Qi said, Song Yu's response was a calm:
"Let's compare."
That one hour felt exceptionally long to Prince Chu and Prince Qi.
The man before them was actually a monster who was good at everything!
"If you pledge your loyalty to this prince, in the future, this prince will lead you to conquer Great Yue and the Northern Desert. Your names will be recorded in history, and I will ensure your wealth and prosperity, with rich and fertile fiefdoms."
Song Yu's voice drifted leisurely. "If not..."
"The Northern Desert will be your future residence."
Prince Qi felt an inexplicable chill all over. He felt these words carried great malice.
Song Yu waited quietly for Prince Chu and Prince Qi's answer. In this life, he didn't want to waste so much effort on these two fools.
"Loyalty, of course we pledge our loyalty."
Prince Chu and Prince Qi spoke in unison. What did they have to compete with such a legitimate son of the late empress?
Their handsome and dashing faces?
"Good. Then help this prince with the first task." Song Yu curled his lips.
"What is it?" Prince Qi asked warily. "I have principles, you know."
"Go and do your utmost to provoke Song Ling for me. Regardless of the consequences, this prince will cover for you."
"Consider it done." A smile instantly appeared on Prince Chu's face. This temptation was irresistible.
"Leave it to the two of us, Elder Brother. You can rest one hundred percent assured." Prince Qi also nodded with restraint, though in reality, he was trembling with excitement.
In the face of such a good deal, what were principles?
......
Several days later, Song Yu attended court for the first time.
Gu Zheng, for the sake of his little ancestor, hurried over cheerfully to greet Song Yu.
Prince Chu and Prince Qi also obediently called him "Elder Brother."
When Song Ling entered the hall, Prince Chu and Prince Qi both moved closer to Song Yu.
They had to stay away from Song Ling.
Otherwise, Elder Brother might misunderstand!
Shen Mingwen looked at the surreal scene before him, feeling his head buzz. Yesterday, the Emperor had summoned him to the Zichen Hall and rambled for a full hour, just to express his distress that Prince Qin would be isolated and unsupported in court.
Was this what 'isolated and unsupported' looked like?
