Kunning Palace.
Song Yanzheng and his three siblings wept bitterly, their faces streaked with tears and mucus, while Song Ling's eyes were also bloodshot.
"He took control of three of the six ministries on his very first court appearance. The Chang, Gu, and Shen families are now all on Song Yu's side. That old traitor from the Shen family is everywhere proclaiming that Song Yu has the talent of a top scholar. Even those two fools, Prince Chu and Prince Qi, have been utterly bewitched by Song Yu," Song Ling said, growing more furious with each word. "Mother Empress, I fear my position as Crown Prince is about to be lost."
"Nonsense!"
The Successor Empress forcefully slapped the table. "As long as I am here, your position as Crown Prince is as solid as a rock."
"How can a man of such flawed personal character, who engaged in an illicit affair with a maid from his stepmother's palace, possibly become the heir apparent?"
A flash of venom crossed the Successor Empress's eyes. "We only need to widely publicize this fatal flaw of Song Yu's, and those old-fashioned ministers at court will never accept him as Crown Prince."
"Imperial Grandmother, can we have the Xu family help us spread the word?"
Song Yanzheng's eyes were brimming with tears. In just a few days, he could keenly feel the change in attitude the court officials showed towards him.
He had always been fiercely proud; how could he accept such treatment? Yet now, the only ones firmly supporting the Eastern Palace seemed to be the Xu family.
Hearing this, the Successor Empress thought of Elder Lady Xu and let out a heavy sigh. "I will personally visit the Xu family."
The Xu family should not refuse her face.
But no sooner had the Successor Empress sent someone to deliver her message to the Xu family than Song Yu arrived at the Xu residence, bringing Song Shihuan with him.
"Father, will Elder Lady Xu like me?"
Hearing this, Song Yu pinched Song Shihuan's little cheek. "Since Ah Huan returned to the palace, aside from those in the Eastern Palace who have eyes on their backsides, has Ah Huan met anyone who didn't like you?"
Song Shihuan shook her head.
Father liked her, Imperial Grandfather liked her, her tutor liked her, Mother Empress liked her, Mingzhu liked her...
She was so happy.
Arriving at the Xu residence, after paying her respects, Song Shihuan proactively pattered over to Elder Lady Xu. The seven parts fondness in Elder Lady Xu's heart instantly turned to ten.
"You've suffered, little princess."
Elder Lady Xu stroked Song Shihuan's slender arm. It was clear Prince Qin was raising her well, but having come through hardship, she still looked delicate and thin.
"Thank you for your concern, Grandaunt. I don't feel it was suffering. Seeing you today, you truly are, just as Father said, a good person like a Bodhisattva."
"I like Grandaunt just as much as Father does."
Song Yu raised an eyebrow. Could such words have come from his mouth?
Elder Lady Xu laughed, the wrinkles around her eyes deepening. "This old woman only has one granddaughter, Yayu. She's not as clever or sweet-tongued as you, Princess. Someone, open my dowry chest and let the Princess pick what she likes."
The old maidservant beside her was stunned. Elder Lady's dowry chest had only been opened once before, when the eldest young master took a wife.
Song Shihuan spent less than an hour at the Xu residence and received a full carriage of gifts.
When leaving, Elder Lady Xu held her in her arms, reluctant to let go, calling her 'darling' and 'treasure'.
"Grandaunt, Ah Huan will come see you often."
Song Shihuan waved her little handkerchief reluctantly, then boarded the carriage with her most precious father.
Indeed, Elder Lady Xu liked her too.
Behind them.
The smile on Elder Lady Xu's face gradually faded. She summoned Xu Jinruo.
"Plead illness tomorrow, do not go to Kunning Palace. From now on, the Xu family will follow Prince Qin's lead."
"Mother?" Xu Jinruo was somewhat taken aback. "Didn't you say before that Prince Qin held no particular affection for the Xu family?"
“Prince Qin of the past was cold and unyielding. Even the Emperor couldn't make him obey meekly. The throne would not be handed to him.” Elder Lady Xu let out a long sigh. “But now, with the little princess, Jinruo, Prince Qin is different.”
"He is, after all, the child of the late Empress. He is blessed."
"I will follow your instructions, Mother." Xu Jinruo's only virtue was his filial piety.
“Also, I will write you a list later. Have people purchase the items and send them to Prince Qin's residence for the princess. What a delightful child. When you think about it, she is also of Xu family blood. The Xu family must protect her.”
That evening, Xu Jinruo looked at the list stretching down to the floor before him, his face expressionless.
Was Mother's decision to have the Xu family follow Prince Qin's lead really not just because she liked the princess?
...
The next day, the Xu family pleaded illness, which directly infuriated the Successor Empress into taking ill herself.
Song Xiyan led a group of people and aggressively blocked Song Shihuan's path to the Imperial Study.
"Song Shihuan, you are so cunning and deceitful, actually sowing discord between my Imperial Grandmother and my Grandaunt."
Thinking of her father in the Eastern Palace, smashing teacups and roaring in anger, Song Xiyan looked at Song Shihuan with utter hatred in her eyes.
"Today, I will make you understand the price of offending the Eastern Palace."
"Fool."
Song Shihuan stood before Song Xiyan and deigned to utter a single word.
At this moment, there was a natural, awe-inspiring calm about Song Shihuan.
"You dare call me a fool?"
"I'm calling you exactly that. If your ears are blocked, go find a night soil collector to clean them out." Gu Mingzhu stepped in front of Song Shihuan, putting on an even more arrogant air than Song Xiyan. "Our princess is granted the Emperor's favor to attend the Imperial Study for lessons. If you delay the princess's study time, aren't you afraid the Emperor will hold you accountable?"
"The Emperor is my Imperial Grandfather too, not hers alone."
“Yes, yes, yes.” Gu Mingzhu rolled her eyes. “May I ask if Princess Fuyun can attend the Imperial Study daily as well? If you don’t hurry to the girls’ school, I’ll report you for skipping class!”
Skipping class meant getting your palms punished. Gu Mingzhu had personal experience; it hurt.
Song Xiyan was furious to the point of frenzy.
Song Shihuan seemed amused by Gu Mingzhu's protective stance and continued, "Grandaunt is ill today. I was planning to visit her after my lessons. As for what you said about sowing discord, I don't understand."
How could the children raised in the Eastern Palace be so foolish?
Little Song Shihuan couldn't help but feel a flicker of relief. Fortunately, Father had acknowledged her early; otherwise, she might have become foolish too!
"Fine, you don't understand? Then go explain it to the sticks."
Song Xiyan gave a look to the little eunuchs behind her, who immediately raised their sticks and advanced.
A look of anticipation flashed in Song Xiyan's eyes. She couldn't wait to see Song Shihuan covered in bruises, kneeling and begging for mercy.
But Song Shihuan wasn't flustered in the least.
Father had assigned her hidden guards. Probably in a few more steps, those little eunuchs would get a beating.
Song Shihuan was already contemplating how to lodge a complaint with Emperor Yuanyou.
What Song Shihuan didn't expect was that Gu Mingzhu, like a whirlwind, charged at the group of little eunuchs, fists flying.
While fighting, she wailed towards Song Shihuan:
“Don't worry, princess, I will definitely protect you!”
"Just please don't tell my father, I'm afraid my backside won't survive!"
