The Eastern Palace.
The Crown Prince and the Crown Princess wore troubled expressions.
"Your Highness, do you think we made a mistake from the beginning by sending that child to the Qin Prince's Mansion?" The Crown Princess grasped the Crown Prince's hand. "If not for that, His Majesty would hold the Eastern Palace in higher regard now."
"Lixian, there's no use dwelling on it now."
The Crown Prince's eyes turned sharp. "His Majesty actually allowed Song Yu to enter the Ministry of Revenue—this is something I absolutely cannot tolerate. Yan Zheng pleaded for so long, yet His Majesty never relented."
"But Your Highness, don't you find it strange these past two months?" The Crown Princess couldn't hold back. "All our schemes have come to nothing. Not only has the Qin Prince's Mansion remained unscathed, but we’ve also ended up stained by the mess."
"You're right. The Qin Prince's Mansion's luck has been unnaturally good."
The Crown Prince sighed. Even the Empress Dowager's side... had suffered repeated setbacks.
Thinking of the Chu Prince's Consort's plea, the Crown Princess spoke again, "Third Brother's wife came to me, begging Your Highness to intercede for Sun Hu."
"Sun Hu..."
Mentioning Sun Hu, the Crown Prince recalled how Song Shihuan had risked everything to save Song Yu.
And that day in Kunning Palace, how Song Shihuan had unhesitatingly taken a blow meant for Song Yu.
That child should have been his.
If one day he were in danger, would Xi Yan also throw herself into harm's way to save him?
The Crown Prince's heart trembled. Xi Yan would surely do the same...
The more he thought about it, the more unsettled he became. He abruptly stood. "I’ll find an opportunity to speak to His Majesty about Sun Hu. Tell the Sun family not to panic."
"Also, let’s refrain from further moves for now. Focus on winning over Third Brother and Fourth Brother." The Crown Prince gazed into the distance. "Yan Ming and Yan Chao will soon return from their travels. Once they do, His Majesty’s attention won’t remain solely on Song Shihuan."
Watching the Crown Prince leave, the Crown Princess pressed her lips together.
"Your Highness, don’t trouble yourself too much," a matron beside her consoled.
"Nanny, I can’t shake the feeling that the Qin Prince's Mansion’s fortune is tied to that child." The Crown Princess frowned deeply. "Even Her Majesty, with her iron will, has suffered repeated failures. Could it be... that the master’s prophecy about the Eastern Palace’s fortune wasn’t solely tied to Xi Yan..."
"Mother, I’m back."
Song Xiyan’s voice rang out, and the Crown Princess quickly masked her expression. "Xi Yan, you’re home."
Seeing Song Xiyan’s sullen face, the forced smile on the Crown Princess’s lips faded. "What’s wrong?"
Song Xiyan embellished the events of the day at the girls' academy.
The Crown Princess’s expression grew distant.
"Xi Yan, you’re saying Song Shihuan answered every question correctly?" The Crown Princess murmured, "How is that possible?"
"Mother, who knows if she just got lucky?"
The Crown Princess shook her head. The instructor had posed questions at random—it could only mean Song Shihuan had mastered the Four Books and Five Classics in a short time.
This child possessed genuine talent.
"That wretch! Uncle even smashed the academy’s plaque." Song Xiyan clenched her fists. "I wish I could complain to Grandmother!"
"Complain? And reveal that we deliberately had Dean Yan arrange the competition?"
For the first time, the Crown Princess began to see her usually proud daughter as naive... even foolish.
"Today, that wild girl stole the spotlight. Had I known, we should’ve included music, chess, calligraphy, and painting in the contest too."
The Crown Princess could no longer focus on Song Xiyan’s words.
No matter what the Crown Prince thought, she now felt a pang of regret.
Her mother had always said that child should not be allowed to live, but killing her was no easy task.
Now, they could only watch helplessly as the Qin Prince's Mansion thrived.
......
Early the next morning.
As Song Yu and Song Shihuan stepped out of the mansion, they spotted Song Yanzheng waiting for them.
"Uncle." Song Yanzheng appeared courteous, but Song Yu grew even more guarded.
A weasel paying respects to a chicken—what good could come of it?
"I’ve come today... with a presumptuous request." To Song Yu’s surprise, Song Yanzheng bowed. "Uncle, might I learn from you? Now that you’re handling affairs at the Ministry of Revenue, you lack capable aides. Please make use of me."
Song Shihuan’s eyes widened. Here was a target delivered right to their doorstep.
"That won’t do." Song Yu shook his head. "Without your grandfather’s decree, I dare not command you."
"Uncle, I’ll do anything you ask." Song Yanzheng spoke earnestly, though venom seethed in his heart.
The Ministry of Revenue was a coveted position—one he had long schemed for.
At his age, his father had nearly been named Crown Prince, yet he held no authority of his own.
Just as Song Yu prepared to refuse again, Song Shihuan tugged his sleeve.
"Father, don’t you have urgent business to attend to? With His Highness’s status and prestige, bringing him along would be ideal."
Song Shihuan smiled slyly.
Debt collection was a thankless task—having Song Yanzheng shoulder some of the burden... What a delightful opportunity.
Song Yu caught on and feigned reluctance before finally agreeing.
"Yanzheng, let me be clear—I’m currently handling a critical assignment. If you follow me, you cannot back out midway."
Song Yu eyed Song Yanzheng. "You must promise me now."
"Thank you, Uncle."
Song Yanzheng exhaled in relief. As long as he could access the Ministry of Revenue’s affairs, controlling it would only be a matter of time.
Little did he know, Song Yu had prepared a grand surprise for him.
......
"Uncle, why aren’t we heading to the Ministry of Revenue?" Song Yanzheng trailed behind Song Yu, noticing they weren’t moving toward the palace.
"Who said I was going to the Ministry of Revenue?"
Song Yu glanced at the imperial guards behind him, pleased. "We’re going to the Chang residence."
"The Chang residence?"
An uneasy premonition crept over Song Yanzheng.
Half an hour later, Song Yu’s party arrived at the Chang estate.
Song Yu had a chair brought out and seated himself boldly before the gates.
"Someone, summon Lord Chang and Madam Chang."
The Chang couple hurried out, momentarily relieved to see Song Yanzheng—until Song Yu spoke:
"Lord Chang, I’ve reviewed your accounts. Your household’s expenditures don’t match your income. It seems the Chang family has embezzled a considerable sum from the imperial treasury."
Lord Chang and Madam Chang’s pupils shrank in shock.
Even Song Yanzheng was caught off guard.
"Show Lord Chang and Madam Chang the ledgers."
Song Yu crossed his legs, grinning broadly.
