Throughout the entire morning court session, Emperor Yuanyou's gaze scarcely strayed from Song Yu.
Why had he never noticed before that this scoundrel could look so proper and presentable when he put his mind to it?
As he watched, Emperor Yuanyou's mind began to wander. This scoundrel truly did have more the bearing of a crown prince now. Fen'er really knew how to bear good sons.
As the emperor, it was rare for Emperor Yuanyou to be distracted during morning court.
It wasn't until he realized everyone's eyes were on him that he coughed lightly, somewhat embarrassed. "What is it?"
"Your Majesty, the Prince of Qin requests you assign him an official post," Shen Mingwen reminded him, steeling himself.
Song Yu's bright, star-like eyes were now fixed eagerly on Emperor Yuanyou, like a fledgling eagle waiting to be fed. "Father, do you think your son is suited for the Ministry of Revenue? I just finished auditing the Prince of Qin's estate shops a few days ago and feel I have some talent for managing accounts."
Shen Qingping, standing at the very end of the line of officials: "..."
The one with the talent was him, Shen Qingping, alright? That certain prince hadn't so much as moved his lips the entire time!
"Quite suitable," Emperor Yuanyou nodded, rather cherishing his son's dependent demeanor.
"And what about the Ministry of War? Your son also feels suited there. I get along famously with General Gu Zheng and would like the chance to gain experience in the Ministry of War. In the future, I can expand our territories for you, Father, and help you become a wise ruler celebrated in history."
Upon hearing his name, Gu Zheng's eyebrow twitched, feeling the prince was greatly exaggerating their rapport.
"Suitable, suitable," Emperor Yuanyou, already thoroughly charmed, grinned broadly.
He had completely forgotten that the Ministry of War was currently Song Ling's domain.
Hearing this, Song Yu revealed an extremely shy smile, then, as if somewhat embarrassed, spoke again. "And then there's the Ministry of Personnel. Chang Qing told me many things about the Ministry of Personnel a few days ago, and I'm quite interested in that as well."
Song Ling was now like a balloon filling with air, on the verge of exploding.
The Ministry of Personnel, the Ministry of War, and the Ministry of Justice in his hands—and just like that, two were taken away with a few words?
And Chang Qing, what on earth was going on!
"Interest is good," Emperor Yuanyou's gaze towards Chang Qing grew even more benevolent. "Chang Qing, you must assist the Prince of Qin properly from now on."
"Thank you for the trust of Your Majesty and His Highness the Prince of Qin."
Chang Qing kowtowed to express his gratitude, never once meeting Song Ling's eyes throughout.
Prince Chu and Prince Qi beside him had their backs soaked with cold sweat.
Thank goodness they had chosen to pledge their allegiance.
Otherwise, the Ministry of Rites and the Ministry of Works in their hands would probably be gone too.
The entire court was already dumbfounded.
The Prince of Qin, long notorious as a wastrel, had suddenly shed his foolishness. With a silver tongue, he had coaxed the Emperor into a beaming smile.
And without lifting a finger, he had secured three of the Six Ministries.
Prince Qi, recalling Song Yu's previous instructions, rolled his eyes thoughtfully. "Elder Brother, why didn't you ask for the Ministry of Justice?"
Song Ling's face instantly turned ashen. The Ministry of Justice was all he had left now.
"Too much at once is hard to digest. Once I have these three ministries properly arranged, I will ask Father for the Ministry of Justice."
Song Ling: !!!
What a thoroughly sweat-drenching morning court session.
......
After court adjourned, Song Ling directly intercepted Chang Qing.
"Chang Qing, what is the meaning of this? First, you voluntarily gave silver to the Prince of Qin's estate, and now you're working for the Prince of Qin. What, are you counting on this crown prince to die soon?"
Hearing this, Chang Qing smiled. If he really did die, he would certainly set off a string of firecrackers outside the Chang residence.
"Your Highness the Crown Prince, the Chang family has been a distinguished official lineage for generations. We have never been anyone's vassal. We have the right to choose," Chang Qing looked directly into Song Ling's eyes. "The Prince of Qin is honorable and will not drive our Chang family to utter ruin."
"You!"
"Our Chang family has done many dirty deeds for you. Looking back, what has our Chang family gained?" Thinking of his wife and daughter who had cried themselves into faints at home, a flash of ruthlessness passed through Chang Qing's eyes.
"This crown prince has already made it clear to you. One day, Ling'er will be Yan Zheng's principal consort." Song Ling could not bear to hand over the Chang family, his greatest asset, to Song Yu.
"A principal consort... who cannot bear children?"
Chang Qing laughed coldly. "Your Highness the Crown Prince, the fact that the Chang family has not chosen mutual destruction with the Eastern Palace is already out of consideration for Her Highness the Crown Princess."
With that, Chang Qing turned and jogged towards Song Yu.
Seeing Chang Qing catching up, Song Yu's lips curled slightly.
Destroying one's spirit after killing them was indeed satisfying.
Eastern Palace.
The Crown Princess looked at the violently enraged Song Ling before her and the four children watching intently, then calmly picked up her teacup and took a sip.
"Lixian, you are the Crown Princess of the Eastern Palace. How could you let the Chang family support Song Yu? Now the Eastern Palace is constrained at every turn. Go to the Chang family at once and persuade Chang Qing to return."
Faced with Song Ling's accusation, the Crown Princess scoffed.
"I will not go."
"Mother, you and Father have always been in perfect harmony. For your sake, Father hasn't taken a single concubine. How can you be so heartless?" Song Yanzheng protested indignantly.
The Crown Princess felt as if she had been blinded by lard all these years.
Slowly standing up, the Crown Princess mustered all her strength and slapped Song Yanzheng across the face.
"You wretched thing! Was giving Ling'er the medicine to make her barren your idea alone?"
The Crown Princess, always known for her weakness and incompetence, had suddenly found her backbone, leaving everyone in the Eastern Palace stunned.
"My Chang family married a daughter into the Eastern Palace and exhausted itself for its sake. And you, Song Yanzheng, repaid kindness with enmity by striking against my Chang family. I, Chang Lixian, am ashamed to have such an unfilial son. I would have no face to see the Chang ancestors after death."
"And you three. I had you read history books to understand principles since childhood, yet you pretended to be obedient before me while being different behind my back. Did all that learning go to the dogs?"
"And you, Song Ling, are a thorough hypocrite."
Seeing Song Ling's hand raised high to strike, Lady Chang took a step forward and challenged him:
"Hit me. Go on, strike."
"Right now, the Prince of Qin is looking for your mistakes. If, right after the Chang family pledges allegiance to the Prince of Qin's estate, I am humiliated in the Eastern Palace, do you think my elder brother would expose all the past affairs and fight you to the death?"
Song Ling ultimately did not dare to strike.
Seeing this, the mockery in the Crown Princess's eyes grew even more pronounced. She turned and instructed the palace servants, "Pack my things. I am returning to the Chang family for a visit home."
The plaque at Li Garden—just seeing it nauseated her.
She urgently needed to see Ah Huan to soothe her eyes, which felt like they were about to get styes.
Lady Chang left decisively, leaving the Eastern Palace occupants staring at each other.
......
Chang Residence.
A knocking sound came at the door.
Chang Ling'er, her eyes swollen from crying like walnuts, sobbed towards the door, "Don't bother me. I said I don't want to see anyone."
The next second, the door was kicked to splinters.
Gu Mingzhu sheepishly retracted her leg. She had used too much force.
She meant to apologize to Chang Ling'er, but upon seeing her state, Gu Mingzhu couldn't help exclaiming:
"Your Highness, she can cry her eyes into such a state. How impressive."
"If I could cry like that, my father surely wouldn't have the heart to beat me."
Song Shihuan quickly approached Chang Ling'er, her almond eyes filled with carefree innocence. "Cousin Ling'er, I'm Ah Huan. Mother has moved to stay at the Chang residence. Mingzhu and I will come to play at the Chang house from now on."
"Don't cry anymore. Come play with us."
