Prince Qin's Mansion.
"Cheng Guang, how goes the investigation into the Xiao family I tasked you with?"
The Cheng Guang before him had now taken on a proper appearance. Benefiting from his time as a censor when he could even uncover what a minor concubine in an official's household was up to, the first task Song Yu had given him was to investigate the Xiao family.
"I've even found out who Xiao Bingsheng sleeps with every night."
With Cheng Guang's loud declaration, Shen Qingping felt his hand itching again.
"Xiao Bingsheng is extremely cautious, but his second son, Xiao Zhang, is ridiculously easy to investigate. Your Highness, I believe the Xiao family is problematic," Cheng Guang said with rare seriousness. "And it's a significant problem."
"I believe the Xiao family harbors rebellious intentions."
Shen Qingping shot to his feet. To make his reaction seem reasonable, Song Yu deliberately feigned shock:
"Heavens, such a thing could happen?!"
"I merely thought that Xiao Zhang was too arrogant and wanted to find an opportunity to teach the Xiao family a lesson. How could it come to this..."
Seeing Song Yu's reaction, Cheng Guang, fearing disbelief, hurriedly handed over a pile of materials. "Your Highness, I'm truly not speaking without evidence."
"The Xiao family are considered nobility, yet there's a small dog hole in their garden leading outside the estate. I've seen figures moving at night—if it's not illicit affairs, it's rebellion."
"A few days ago, for the Old Madame Xiao's birthday celebration, I secretly checked the gifts. Several sent from outside the capital were far beyond the proper specifications."
Cheng Guang was striving to prove his point, unaware that Song Yu had been satisfied from his very first sentence.
Though, to even discover a dog hole... no wonder he was suited to be a censor.
"This matter is grave indeed."
Song Yu appeared deeply distressed. "Song Ling is actually involved with such people."
"This is absolutely perfect."
Shen Qingping suddenly spoke up, amused.
When luck runs out, even drinking water makes you choke.
...
Over at the Eastern Palace, things also felt strange.
"Father, it's odd that the Xiao family is willing to help us but only from the shadows."
Song Yanzheng's brows were tightly furrowed. What they lacked now were people who could openly voice support for the Eastern Palace.
"He said he could provide us with what we need—people, grain, weapons..." Song Ling's expression darkened. "A mere Vice Minister of Rites, how could he possess so much? This Xiao Bingsheng is no simple character."
It was possible they were merely using each other, the Eastern Palace and him.
"Father, should we still cooperate with the Xiao family then?"
A choice lay before Song Ling.
Knowing the Xiao family was problematic, should they cooperate?
"We have no other path." After a moment of contemplation, Song Ling spoke again, sealing the Eastern Palace's fate. "We can only cooperate with Xiao Bingsheng. Yanzheng, are you willing to forever remain beneath others, kowtowing and paying homage to Song Yu?"
Song Yanzheng shook his head.
"Then we can only cooperate with the Xiao family."
Xiao Bingsheng dared to reveal his hand to him, betting precisely on the fact that Song Ling now had no other choice.
"Then we... are we rebelling?"
Song Yanzheng asked with great difficulty. In just over a month, why had they fallen from being masters of the Eastern Palace to this state?
Song Ling did not answer, silently drinking his wine instead.
Within the Eastern Palace, Song Xiyan was under house arrest. Song Yanzheng vented all his anger on her.
"If not for you, how could the Eastern Palace have come to this?"
At that moment, Song Xiyan, copying the "Admonitions for Women," was in tears. How had it become her fault alone?
...
Song Ling began competing openly with Song Yu.
If Song Yu donated grain to the northern frontier, Song Ling would donate grain too.
If Song Yu resolved an old case, Song Ling would also start reinvestigating old cases.
With Xiao Bingsheng's support behind him, Song Ling's courage grew.
Zichen Hall.
"Don't you think your son has been acting a bit strange lately?" Song Yu said.
"You're the one who's strange, suddenly turning over a new leaf. Even I'm having trouble getting used to it."
The corner of Song Yu's mouth twitched. He was asking about Song Ling.
Emperor Yuanyou looked at Song Shihuan, growing fonder the more he looked. Suddenly, the Emperor paused, his voice even trembling slightly.
"You rascal, look... does Ah Huan not look remarkably like... your mother?"
Song Yu rolled his eyes. Although he knew the resemblance was strong.
But was the old man losing his mind? Logically, he shouldn't know what Mother looked like when she was young...
"Have I ever seen what Mother looked like when she was young?"
Emperor Yuanyou glared at Song Yu. Useless thing.
"Wu Qi, quickly summon Mei Zhilin here."
At this moment, Emperor Yuanyou could care less about anything else. Upon hearing Mei Zhilin's confirmation, the Emperor trembled as he drew Song Shihuan into his embrace.
"Good child, your grandmother is watching over you from the heavens."
How marvelous. The child who looked most like Fen'er had, no matter what, ultimately ended up with the Prince of Qin's household.
"Imperial Grandfather, do I really look like Imperial Grandmother?" Song Shihuan's expression was particularly adorable.
Seeing Emperor Yuanyou nod, Song Shihuan pursed her lips:
"Then if Imperial Grandfather misses Imperial Grandmother, just summon Ah Huan to the palace. Ah Huan will keep you company."
What a wonderful granddaughter!
Emperor Yuanyou's heart melted, wishing he could hand over all the keys to his private treasury.
After another long bout of doting between grandfather and granddaughter, Song Yu finally couldn't help but speak up again. "Father, I was asking if you think Song Ling has been acting strange lately."
"What has he been doing lately?"
Right.
A wasted question.
"Old man, I think Song Ling has a problem, a huge problem!"
Song Yu addressed Emperor Yuanyou directly. Finally, the Emperor's gaze returned to Song Yu, a shoe sole still in his hand.
"How dare you address me like that, you little brat? Feeling bold, are you?"
Thus, the next scene in Zichen Hall featured the Prince of Qin running circles around a pillar.
"Father, Father, please calm down!"
"That Song Ling is colluding with rebels. This is a major issue, concerning whether you'll be standing or kneeling when you meet our ancestors in the future!"
Emperor Yuanyou stopped.
Pointing at Song Yu, he said, "Speak. Explain everything clearly to me."
He, a founding emperor, absolutely could not be kneeling when he met the ancestors!
"Xiao Bingsheng. I suspect he harbors treasonous ambitions. The evidence is almost all gathered."
Song Yu looked at Emperor Yuanyou with a complex expression. The old man had it quite comfortable as emperor, didn't he? Not having to lift a finger while rebels were uncovered.
So, let the old man stay on that dragon throne a few more years this time.
"Your son has been in very close contact with Xiao Bingsheng recently. The Xiao family is even supplying grain to the Eastern Palace. If they give grain today, who knows if they'll give troops and horses tomorrow." Song Yu clicked his tongue. "The Crown Prince of a nation colluding with rebels... tell me, wouldn't this... make our ancestors rise from their graves in fury?"
"Fool!"
Emperor Yuanyou threw down the shoe sole in his hand, fuming with anger.
How could he have fathered such a stupid son? It must have been the Empress's fault!
