"This exam is too difficult, it's bound to cause public outrage."
Shen Qingping looked at the blank exam paper before him, with no intention whatsoever of picking up his pen to answer. He spoke idly.
Based on his understanding of His Highness, this move by the prince was definitely intentional.
When did those candidates preparing for the imperial examinations offend His Highness?
Hearing Shen Qingping's words, Song Yu seemed to ponder for a moment before speaking, "Then have Ye Shijie prepare some practice booklets in his own style. Let those candidates get a bit mentally prepared first."
See, what a benevolent Crown Prince he was!
"So Your Highness means those candidates should start enduring such physical and mental torment even before the exam?"
Song Yu glared at Cheng Guang, who didn't dare to act up anymore.
"This isn't torment, it's called early adaptation."
Song Yu said with a curled smile. He had written so many practice booklets back in the day, even getting personally scolded by Ye Shijie in a letter. Why should others be exempt?
A certain Crown Prince's heart was wildly secreting the poison of jealousy.
Half a month later, Ye Shijie's practice booklets circulated, plunging the entire literary circle into an eerie silence.
Upon learning of this, Emperor Yuanyou only tactfully instructed Shen Xiao to increase the protection around Song Yu.
Fearing Song Yu might be assassinated.
Late October.
"Father Emperor, when shall we attack the Northern Di?"
In the Zichen Hall, Emperor Yuanyou for the first time took a proper look at his youngest son.
Prince Qi's cheeks were flushed with excitement, and he looked full of vigor.
Emperor Yuanyou did not directly answer Prince Qi's question. Instead, he put down the vermilion brush in his hand and asked, "How are things in your manor lately?"
"Quite well." Prince Qi was somewhat at a loss.
"Haven't you always wanted a royal grandson? Since there's no royal grandson born in your manor yet, you dare go to the battlefield?"
Emperor Yuanyou looked at Prince Qi. His youngest son, from some point on, seemed to have his head muddled, looking down on Xiyao all day long.
Those who respect others are always respected in return. Over time, he had grown weary of seeing Prince Qi's household.
"Father Emperor, I am no longer fixated on the matter of a royal grandson."
Prince Qi had never had much to say to Emperor Yuanyou, so he appeared particularly restrained.
"Ever since Ah Huan returned, I see every day how eldest brother treats Ah Huan, and I feel more and more ashamed. Xiyao is a good child, I treated her poorly before." Prince Qi pursed his lips, "Children are a matter of fate, they cannot be forced."
"Father Emperor, all I want now is to help Great Qi conquer the Northern Di."
A quarter of an hour later, Prince Qi walked out of the Zichen Hall in a daze.
Then, as if awakened, he frantically ran towards the palace gates.
Prince Chu's Manor.
Prince Qi rushed in like a gust of wind, his eyes red as he looked at Prince Chu and choked up:
"Third Brother, Father Emperor praised me."
"Father Emperor said I've made progress, that I'm starting to act like a prince."
As he spoke, Prince Qi squatted down, hugging his head and wailing loudly.
"The first time... the first time he praised me..."
......
"What? You're not going to attack the Northern Di anymore?"
Emperor Yuanyou's hand itched again, making as if to bend down and pick up a shoe sole.
Seeing this, Song Yu immediately pulled Song Shihuan, who was munching on pastries, in front of himself.
Emperor Yuanyou met Song Shihuan's almond-shaped eyes and finally straightened up, "My back was a bit uncomfortable just now."
"Imperial Grandfather, with General Gu in the northern frontier and the defense maps, this battle is certain to be a great victory." Song Shihuan paused, "Father says he's taking me to find my master."
"Your Majesty has more than just one son. The third and fourth princes should contribute some effort too. Send them both to the northern frontier as deputy generals, under Gu Mingning's command." Song Yu spoke in his usual provoking manner, "Ah Huan hasn't seen her master in years. I'm worried something might have happened to him."
Song Shihuan listened, nearly anxious to the point of tears.
"What kind of ominous talk is that? You're scaring the child." Emperor Yuanyou pulled Song Shihuan to his side, "Ah Huan, tell your Imperial Grandfather about your master. Perhaps I might know."
Whoever taught Ah Huan so well certainly couldn't be an ordinary person.
Upon hearing this, Song Shihuan began to recount the events of that year in detail. Song Yu listened with utmost seriousness. Substituting Master Qingshan's face into the story, Song Yu truly understood Master Qingshan.
Raising Ah Huan had exhausted all of Master Qingshan's energy; naturally, he regarded Ah Huan as more important than his own life.
Song Yu's lips moved slightly as he spoke:
"It sounds a bit like Master Qingshan of the Qingyun Realm."
Emperor Yuanyou was stunned for a moment, his eyes instantly lighting up, "Ah Huan, your father is right! This master of yours matches Master Qingshan!"
"Indeed, only someone like Master Qingshan could teach a disciple as exceptionally skilled in formations as Ah Huan."
Emperor Yuanyou told Song Shihuan about Master Qingshan.
Song Shihuan's eyes grew somewhat distant, "Master Qingshan..."
"He's unconscious. Could he be in mortal danger?"
"I'll take Ah Huan to the Qingyun Realm."
Song Yu voiced the thought that had weighed on his heart for months. This time, he would take Ah Huan personally to find Master Qingshan.
Emperor Yuanyou granted permission.
If it truly was Master Qingshan, then he was a benefactor to the Song family.
......
Along the journey, Song Shihuan was uncharacteristically quiet the whole time.
Song Yu slowly told Song Shihuan about Master Qingshan's deeds. Song Shihuan listened with great attentiveness, gazing at the distant, continuous mountain peaks. "Father, I have a feeling. He is my master."
"I misunderstood my master. I resented him for so long."
"Master Qingshan would not blame Ah Huan." Song Yu ruffled Song Shihuan's head, "If he is Ah Huan's master, he would fear nothing more than Ah Huan suffering. Beyond that, he fears nothing."
Not even death.
From the capital of Great Qi to the Qingyun Realm, Song Yu and Song Shihuan traveled post-haste for twelve full days.
Upon arriving at the Qingyun Realm, they happened to run into Qingling and his fellow disciples.
"Who are you? Outsiders may not enter the Qingyun Realm freely."
Seeing this, Song Yu remained unperturbed. Instead, he looked gently at Song Shihuan, "Ah Huan, don't be afraid. They seem to be disciples of Master Qingshan."
"Ah Huan, go spar with them using a few fist techniques."
Song Shihuan nodded. If everything was as she surmised, the people before her were her senior brothers.
"Song Shihuan of Great Qi, here to seek instruction."
With that, Song Shihuan moved towards Qingling with sharp, forceful fist strikes.
At first, Qingling's eyes were full of killing intent.
But the moment he crossed hands with Song Shihuan, an incredible realization exploded in his mind like fireworks.
The youngest, Qingchi, directly ignored the force of their punches and inserted himself between the two.
Everyone stared at the girl before them. Why did every move and stance of this young girl resemble their master's?
"You... why have you come to the Qingyun Realm?" Qingling asked, his voice trembling.
"I've come to find my master."
Song Shihuan's eyes also reddened.
"I was raised by my master's hand since childhood. Now that my master is gravely ill, I should attend to him at his side."
Qingling knelt on one knee, tears falling in large drops.
Their master lay unconscious.
They prayed day and night.
Thus, heaven bestowed upon them a clever, lovely young girl, bearing their master's imprint in every aspect.
