"Why didn't your father attend court today?"
After the morning court session, Song Yu looked curiously at Shen Qingping. Shen Mingwen's attendance at court was as diligent as Cheng Guang's; he would never request leave without an important reason.
"He's drunk."
Shen Qingping had never imagined a day when his father would be too hungover to get up for court.
Song Yu couldn't help but widen his eyes. "Who did he drink with to end up like that?"
"Ye Shijie."
Song Yu suddenly felt a pang of guilt.
When those two got together, he wanted to stay as far away as possible.
"Let's go. Weren't we supposed to go to the Shen residence today to see my two potted flowers?" Shen Qingping walked a few steps forward but noticed the person behind him remained rooted to the spot as if nailed to the ground.
"Your Highness, why aren't you coming?"
"Suddenly remembered I have some matters to attend to..."
In merely the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, Song Yu swiftly disappeared from Shen Qingping's sight.
"Third Master, His Highness seemed a bit strange today," Nian'an whispered.
"Is there any day His Highness isn't strange?"
Nian'an was taken aback for a moment; it seemed His Highness was indeed strange every day.
Song Yu walked idly along the palace path, feeling as if he couldn't return home.
"Liuxi, what if I go back now and chase Lady Chang away?"
Liuxi's mouth twitched involuntarily. "Your Highness, Lady Chang already follows your rule, visiting the Crown Princess only once every half month for just two hours each time. If you drive her away now, the Crown Princess will be upset."
Song Yu's features contorted briefly.
Steeling himself, he headed towards the Eastern Palace.
......
Eastern Palace.
Song Shihuan nestled in Lady Chang's embrace. Lady Chang held Song Shihuan's hand, patiently teaching her how to paint.
Midway, Song Shihuan mischievously wriggled her right hand, causing a drop of ink to splatter onto the paper. Song Yu, peeking from outside the courtyard, felt his scalp tighten at the sight.
He suddenly began to doubt whether making Gu Mingzhu Ahuan's study companion was a good idea.
Ahuan's behavior was exactly like a carbon copy of Gu Mingzhu!
"Naughty."
Lady Chang wasn't angry. With a few brushstrokes, she seamlessly incorporated the stray ink blot into the painting.
"Mother, you're amazing."
Song Shihuan lifted her little face. "Mother is well-versed in the Four Books and Five Classics, proficient in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. Grandaunt told me that Mother was once the most accomplished noble lady in the capital. I am Mother's daughter, I must not bring you shame."
Lady Chang kissed Song Shihuan's fair, tender cheek. "Ahuan, I will teach you anything you wish to learn. But you don't have to measure yourself by others' standards. As long as Ahuan is happy, that's all that matters."
Song Yu watched the scene in the courtyard, his expression gradually growing complex.
In the courtyard, after finishing the painting, Song Shihuan pestered Lady Chang to style her hair, chattering nonstop about her favorite hair ornament styles, gesturing with her little hands as she spoke. Lady Chang nodded continuously.
"Mother will go buy them for Ahuan later."
"I also want a little rabbit sachet. Mingzhu said General Gu bought one for her, and it's especially pretty."
Song Yu's expression changed abruptly.
Why didn't Ahuan ask him, her father, to buy it?
"Mother, I want to hear a lullaby. Grandma used to sing them to me. It's been so long since I've heard one."
By the time the two hours were up, Song Shihuan had already fallen asleep on the reclining chair.
Lady Chang carefully covered Song Shihuan with a thin blanket and walked towards the courtyard exit.
His Highness the Crown Prince was excellent in every way, except for being overly petty. If she overstayed, he would find ways to prevent her from seeing Ahuan again.
As she reached the courtyard exit, Lady Chang saw Song Yu.
Song Yu gave a slight nod and strode past Lady Chang.
It was good.
What he never had, Ahuan now possessed.
Song Yu carried the little one back to her room. Then, he personally went out of the palace to buy several little rabbit sachets, finally returning home satisfied.
In matters like this, the spotlight should still be on the father!
......
October.
The territories originally belonging to Great Yue were completely annexed by Great Qi. Officials were gradually assigned to various regions, leading to a shortage of personnel at court. It was at this time that Song Yu proposed the addition of a special imperial examination.
"Excellent. This year, with the investiture of the Crown Prince and the conquest of Great Yue, it is fitting to hold a special examination to select more talents."
Emperor Yuanyou agreed without hesitation.
"Regarding the chief examiner, I have an immature idea." A smirk played on Song Yu's lips. Those familiar with him knew someone was about to be in trouble.
Several senior ministers in the Zichen Hall all turned their gaze to Song Yu.
"I think Ye Shijie is quite suitable."
As soon as Song Yu's words fell, the entire Zichen Hall fell silent.
Ye Shijie? Hadn't this person been sidelined long ago?
And wasn't he once so infuriated by His Highness that he spat blood...?
Everyone's minds raced, but no one could connect Song Yu and Ye Shijie.
"The chief examiner for the imperial examinations must be someone of unwavering integrity like Lord Ye. Whether for the county-level exams or the metropolitan exams, Lord Ye is qualified to be the chief examiner." Song Yu gave a sly smile. "Therefore, I suggest assigning Lord Ye... to conduct inspection tours of examinations across the regions."
"So, We would have to specially create a new official post for Ye Shijie—'Imperial Examination Inspection Commissioner'?"
Emperor Yuanyou was also amused.
"Your Majesty is wise."
"Are you serious?" Emperor Yuanyou couldn't remain calm.
"After learning about Lord Ye's scholarship, I deeply repent for what happened in the past. So, I wish to place Lord Ye in a position truly suited for him, as a gesture of my apology."
Song Yu spoke with great emotion, though inside, a mischievous little version of himself was already jumping for joy.
Imperial Examination Inspection Commissioner?
Perfect for Ye Shijie!
"Since the Crown Prince puts it this way, We grant it."
Emperor Yuanyou considered Ye Shijie's temperament and actually thought he was quite suited to be an examiner.
Under Shen Qingping's puzzled gaze, Song Yu's grin nearly reached his ears.
He had been drenched by the rain before, so now he would tear up the umbrellas of other candidates!
Tear them to shreds!
......
"Your Highness, I still don't understand," Shen Qingping couldn't help but ask.
"I don't understand either..." Cheng Guang quickly chimed in.
"Big Brother, we don't understand either..." Prince Chu and Prince Qi also wore identical looks of confusion.
Seeing this, Song Yu smiled slightly and said to Liuxi, "Liuxi, go ask Lord Ye to prepare a set of exam papers at the county-level difficulty. Tell him His Majesty wishes to test Prince Chu and Prince Qi."
Then he turned to the others. "Don't worry, you'll find out tomorrow."
The next day.
Four small desks were neatly arranged in the courtyard of the Eastern Palace.
Shen Qingping glanced at the exam paper and chose to lay his head on the desk to sleep.
Cheng Guang was so anxious he scratched his ears and cheeks, inwardly cursing Ye Shijie countless times.
Prince Chu and Prince Qi looked as if their souls had left their bodies, staring blankly at the empty papers.
Prince Qi mustered his courage and looked at Song Yu:
"Big Brother, if Ye Shijie becomes the chief examiner, won't it truly incite public outrage?"
Song Yu hesitated for a moment, then still shook his head.
Suddenly, Cheng Guang jumped up, shouting at the top of his lungs, "With this set of questions, if anyone among us here can get a perfect score, I, Cheng Guang, will kneel before him and call him 'Father'!"
Song Yu was stunned.
Super... super promotion in seniority?
