The Gu Household.
Gu Mingzhu followed behind Gu Zheng, grimacing in pain but not daring to make a sound, afraid he might remember he had forgotten to give her a proper spanking.
She then saw Gu Zheng silently take out the ointment specially provided by Song Yu, bend down, and carefully apply it to her face bit by bit.
"Does it hurt?"
Gu Mingzhu shook her head. Why wasn't her father yelling at her anymore? She was starting to feel a bit unaccustomed to it.
"Foolish girl, you take after your mother not one bit." Gu Zheng looked at the scratches on Gu Mingzhu's face, his heart aching terribly. "The Princess had already told you there were hidden guards, why didn't you stop?"
"With Song Xiyan's despicable behavior, I wouldn't be able to sleep well if I didn't hit her myself." Gu Mingzhu said while mimicking a punching motion, but accidentally tugged at her wound. "Ouch..."
"Stay still."
Gu Zheng rapped Gu Mingzhu's head with a mix of exasperation and affection. "Today was just a minor scuffle. If you encounter real danger in the future, acting like this could cost you your life."
"If I ever face real danger and don't step forward, then it would be the Princess's life on the line."
Gu Mingzhu became uncharacteristically serious. "Father, the Princess treats me exceptionally well. Today in the Zichen Hall, she seemed fine, but she actually cried when she saw Song Xiyan scratch me. She told me not to be so reckless in the future."
"And His Highness the Prince, though he's always teasing me with his words, today he also stood up for me and demanded an explanation. He even went to Mei Zhilin to get this top-quality ointment for me and sent over my favorite pea cakes."
"And His Majesty the Emperor, before you arrived, before even assigning blame, he first asked Imperial Physician Mei if my face would scar."
Gu Mingzhu's little mouth opened and closed, her words leaving Gu Zheng momentarily stunned.
"Father, so what I did was worth it."
"I really don't know whether to call you clever or foolish." Gu Zheng sighed and continued applying the medicine.
"The daughter of the great General Gu could never be foolish."
Gu Mingzhu smiled, her eyes curving like crescents. That Song Xiyan, she had wanted to give her a good beating for the longest time.
Suddenly, the smile on Gu Mingzhu's face widened.
Her backside was saved!
......
As the legitimate eldest son, Song Yu held authority over half of the Six Ministries and entered the Zichen Hall daily.
The Emperor personally cleared his name of past grievances and specifically decreed that his daughter, Princess Fu'an, was to receive treatment equal to that of a royal grandson and study in the Imperial Study.
Meanwhile, Crown Prince Song Ling was punished with confinement for reflection, the Crown Princess was sent back to her maiden home in the Chang family for an extended stay, and the once-unrivaled Princess Fuyun was punished with copying texts.
This series of actions sent a clear signal, instantly making the Qin Prince's residence a hub of activity.
"Liu Xi, accept all gifts from anyone who comes to offer them."
Song Yu lay on a reclining chair, speaking like a lord.
It was still most comfortable having Liu Xi by his side.
It had only been just over a month since Ah Huan was recognized, yet Song Yu already felt invincible.
A few moments later, Shen Qingping swept in like the wind.
"Your Highness, I've found the person you asked me to look for."
Song Yu glanced up and instantly sprang to his feet.
"You... you are Cheng Guang? Cheng Guang from Dayue?"
The man before him had a head of hair like a bird's nest, his clothes were disheveled, looking completely different from the man in his memories.
Cheng Guang nodded.
He had just been expelled from the Dayue Prince's residence when he was captured and brought all the way to Daqi.
Song Yu chuckled.
So, Cheng Guang hadn't gained prominence yet at this time.
"Follow me, and I'll ensure you live a life of luxury."
Cheng Guang had heard about the changes in Daqi's Qin Prince during his journey. His eyes shifted craftily. "If I can help Your Highness secure the throne, may I contend for the position of Chancellor?"
Thud—
Cheng Guang was struck from behind and fell to the ground, unconscious.
Song Yu looked at Shen Qingping, who wore an innocent expression.
"Your Highness, my apologies. My hand acted on its own just now."
Daring to covet his future chancellorship?
Song Yu massaged his forehead helplessly. Some rivalries truly transcended lifetimes.
"Rest assured, I have important uses for him. The Chancellor's position is still yours." Song Yu's gaze slowly drifted into the distance. "Next, we must accomplish some major tasks during this one month while Song Ling is confined."
......
Over the following month, Emperor Yuanyou received a succession of good news from his suddenly prodigal son.
"Your Majesty, Prince Qin sent someone to manage the flood control in Laijin Prefecture. They also dealt with the incompetent officials there and received a 'Ten-Thousand-People Umbrella' from the grateful citizens."
"Your Majesty, Prince Qin used his own funds to purchase large quantities of grain sent to the northern frontier. General Gu was so moved he hugged Prince Qin and wept, insisting on taking His Highness on a tour of the military camp. Prince Qin delivered an impassioned speech that greatly boosted the soldiers' morale; they are now eager for battle every day."
"Your Majesty, Prince Qin has uncovered and resolved several wrongful convictions across various regions."
"Your Majesty..."
Emperor Yuanyou was stunned for a moment, then turned to Wu Qi. "Wu Qi, pour me a cup of wine."
"And also, summon Shen Mingwen."
Heavens, was he dreaming?
His formerly wayward son had suddenly become the model child everyone envied!
Nowadays, during court sessions, the old ministers looked at him with envy in their eyes, jealous that he had such an outstanding son.
Upon receiving the summons, Shen Mingwen prepared himself to listen to Emperor Yuanyou's ramblings for another half hour. However, when he arrived at the Zichen Hall, he found a slightly tipsy Emperor.
Emperor Yuanyou slowly spoke:
"Minister Shen, is deposing a Crown Prince troublesome?"
Instantly, Shen Mingwen's eyes widened like copper bells.
It was known that his third son had said if Prince Qin ever ascended the throne, he would appoint him as Chancellor.
Then...
His Shen family was going to produce a Chancellor!
Thus, Shen Mingwen replied with a beaming smile, "Your Majesty, actually, it's not troublesome at all."
"How so?" Emperor Yuanyou was clearly very interested.
"It's a matter of a single edict."
Shen Mingwen even felt like having a few drinks with the Emperor right then.
Emperor Yuanyou was also pleased to hear this. If it was that simple, he would find a time to settle the matter.
"Alright, I understand."
When Shen Mingwen left the Zichen Hall, his surface was calm, but inwardly he was ecstatic.
Returning to the Shen residence, he dragged Shen Qingping, who had just returned to the capital covered in dust and was catching up on sleep, out of bed.
Shen Qingping, bleary-eyed with sleep, frowned slightly, showing clear annoyance at having his good dream disturbed.
"You little rascal, you've hit the jackpot! The Emperor just asked me if deposing the Crown Prince is troublesome!"
"What's so surprising about that? His Highness the Prince surpasses Song Ling in every aspect. Deposing the Crown Prince is inevitable. No matter how troublesome, His Majesty will do it." Shen Qingping rolled over. "I'm exhausted. I don't have time to burn incense for our ancestors right now."
The words Shen Mingwen hadn't yet spoken were thus blocked.
"Oh, and after this trip, the common folk have started calling me the 'Living King of Hell'."
"You might want to think about how to protect the Shen family's good reputation first."
With that, Shen Qingping fell into a deep sleep.
Shen Mingwen stood as if struck by lightning.
How on earth could his Shen family be associated with the term 'Living King of Hell'?
