"Father, where are we going now?"
In the carriage, Song Shihuan asked while nibbling on pastries.
"To the estate in the outskirts of the capital, to deliver good news to Song Ling."
Song Yu's brows lifted, brimming with triumph. He couldn't even imagine what kind of spectacular expression Song Ling would make upon seeing him in the Crown Prince's python robe.
"The books say this is called... kicking someone when they're down." Song Shihuan tilted her head, thinking that 'kicking someone when they're down' didn't seem like a nice phrase.
"Exactly, we're going to kick him while he's down."
Song Yu had even considered whether to bring Cheng Guang along, but ultimately decided against it for fear of angering Song Ling to death.
After all, he still needed Song Ling to witness his ascension to the throne with his own eyes.
Half an hour later, the carriage arrived at an estate.
Song Ling sat in the courtyard, his eyes vacant. Screams from Song Xiyan and the angry shouts of Song Yanzheng and the others echoed out from time to time.
They were neither human nor ghost.
It wasn't until Song Yu and Song Shihuan appeared before Song Ling that a glint finally sparked in his eyes—one born of sheer fury.
"You've become the Crown Prince?"
Song Ling's eyes reddened with rage.
"What, isn't this attire obvious enough?"
Song Yu even turned around rather narcissistically, allowing Song Ling a clear view of his robes.
"No sooner was I deposed than you were immediately installed as Crown Prince. His Majesty truly couldn't wait."
"Attendants, slap his mouth."
Song Yu's face suddenly turned stern. Liuxi immediately stepped forward and delivered two loud slaps to Song Ling's face.
"Now that you are a commoner, how dare you address the Emperor as 'Father'?"
"Song Ling, after all your meticulous scheming for so long, when you fell, no one intervened on your behalf. Instead, I was enfeoffed as Crown Prince, becoming the choice favored by all. If I were you, I'd be so ashamed I'd slit my own throat."
Song Yu shook his head repeatedly. Nothing was more satisfying than sitting in your enemy's former position and looking down upon them.
"And what about her? I am already a commoner. She is my daughter, so she should be a commoner too."
"Liuxi, slap him again."
The previous two slaps from Liuxi had landed on Song Ling's left cheek. This time, Liuxi struck the right cheek without hesitation, making it perfectly symmetrical.
"Liuxi, tell Song Ling who stands before him."
Upon hearing this, Liuxi promptly cleared his throat:
"It is the Great Qi Crown Prince and his only daughter, the Fu'an County Princess."
"Song Ling, abandon your unspeakable schemes. Keep your eyes wide open and watch how I am revered by the masses. My birth is superior to yours, and everything about me will surpass you."
Song Ling stared blankly at Song Shihuan.
Suddenly, Song Ling spoke, "You are the lucky star."
Yet, Song Shihuan's eyes held no trace of fear towards Song Ling. He was merely her father's defeated foe, one who hadn't even lasted two months.
"That's right. Both Father and His Majesty the Emperor have said that I am the lucky star."
As Song Shihuan turned to leave, the sound of Song Ling's wretched laughter came from behind, chilling to the bone.
"Ahuan, how is your fist technique practice coming along lately?"
"Quite some progress." Song Shihuan was evidently being somewhat modest.
Hearing this, Song Yu chuckled softly. "None of the children Song Ling sired are any good. Go use them as punching bags, give them a beating. Help those they bullied vent their anger."
"Really? Can I?"
Song Shihuan's eyes uncontrollably lit up.
Although, apart from Song Xiyan, these people hadn't really offended her much, she just had an overwhelming urge to hit someone.
"Of course you can. Go ahead."
Soon after, the successive screams of several people could be heard, especially from Song Yanzheng and Song Xiyan, whose cries were the most piercing.
Song Shihuan pounded on them for a full half-hour before returning, panting and out of breath, to stand before Song Yu. Her eyes were gleaming brightly, and beads of sweat had formed on her forehead.
"Feel better now?" Song Yu asked with a smile.
"Much better."
It felt absolutely wonderful. She couldn't wait to go to the Gu residence immediately to share this good news with Mingzhu. This counted as personally avenging Mingzhu.
Thinking of this, Song Shihuan asked:
"Father, can we go to the Gu family?"
"Of course we can."
In high spirits, Song Yu directly took Song Shihuan to the Gu residence.
...
At the Gu residence.
Just listening to Song Shihuan's account, Gu Mingzhu felt immense satisfaction.
"County Princess, for such delightful matters in the future, could you take me along?" Gu Mingzhu rubbed her hands eagerly. "Otherwise, your hands might hurt from hitting them."
Such tasks should be handled by her, Gu Mingzhu!
Song Shihuan was both amused and exasperated.
Beside them, Song Yu shot several sharp glances at Gu Mingzhu. This little girl was quite fierce, no wonder Gu Zheng had always shielded her from contact with the royal family before.
Song Yu and Song Shihuan stayed for a simple meal at the Gu residence.
At the dining table, Gu Zheng seemed somewhat troubled.
"General Gu, is something troubling you?"
"To be frank with Your Highness, it's my eldest daughter. She has reached marriageable age. Recently, I've reviewed many potential candidates, but none seem suitable." Gu Zheng said while downing a cup of wine. "Seeing her days being delayed like this, I'm growing anxious."
Song Yu's previously relaxed posture instantly tensed up.
Oh dear, trouble's brewing.
He had sent a lot of grain to the northern frontier. Would Yu Fan still come seeking her in the capital?
Had he accidentally ruined Gu Zheng's perfect son-in-law?
Seeing Song Yu's sudden tension, Gu Zheng misunderstood and hurriedly explained, "I absolutely have no intention of marrying my daughter into the Eastern Palace."
Song Yu grew even more tense.
After struggling for a long time, he only managed to blurt out, "General Gu, perhaps you could try a martial contest to choose a husband?"
"A martial contest to choose a husband... that is indeed a good method."
Gu Zheng didn't dwell too much on Gu Mingliu's marriage matters, instead continuing to discuss future military campaigns with Song Yu.
But Song Yu could hardly focus on listening.
This won't do. A fine son-in-law like Yu Fan—he couldn't be the one to ruin a good match.
Under Song Yu's vigorous urging, the martial contest for marriage was scheduled for August.
Song Yu specifically ordered someone to spread this news to the village in the northern frontier where Yu Fan's family lived.
"What on earth is in the northern frontier?"
Shen Qingping looked puzzled. For the past few days, His Highness hadn't attended to a single piece of official business, just kept his eyes fixed on the northern frontier.
"There's a person."
Song Yu was worried, so worried he'd even lost a strand of hair.
"They say it's better to destroy ten temples than to break up a single marriage. Look at the mess I've made."
He still needed to rely on Yu Fan for future battles.
If it weren't for the fact that the person before him was Song Yu, Shen Qingping would have cursed him as a lunatic.
Song Yu haunted the reports from the northern frontier like a ghost.
Only when news came from the northern frontier that a thin, frail young man had set off for the capital, seemingly to participate in the martial contest for marriage, did Song Yu finally let out a heavy sigh of relief.
The moment Yu Fan arrived in the capital, Song Yu grabbed him by the collar and dragged him before Gu Zheng.
Straightening his spine, Song Yu bellowed at Gu Zheng:
"General Gu, cancel the martial contest. Your son-in-law has arrived."
