Facing the change in Song Shihuan's attitude, the Crown Princess, who had her own agenda, appeared somewhat uneasy.
"Ah Huan, may I speak with you alone?"
As if fearing rejection, the Crown Princess quickly added, "I brought almond milk I made myself."
At the mention of almond milk, Song Shihuan's eyes flickered, and she smiled in a way the Crown Princess couldn't decipher. "Very well."
In her past life, Song Xiyan had flaunted the Crown Princess's homemade almond milk in front of her more than once.
Back then, she had dreamed of tasting it—just once.
Inside the room, the Crown Princess glanced around, taking in the rare and exotic objects filling the space. It was clear that Song Yu held Song Shihuan in extraordinary regard.
Yingchun presented the almond milk to Song Shihuan, who took a small sip before promptly spitting it out. She fixed her gaze on the Crown Princess.
"This almond milk is bitter."
The Crown Princess immediately rose to taste it herself. "But it's sweet."
"It's bitter." Song Shihuan motioned for Yingchun to set the almond milk aside. "It doesn't suit my taste."
To her, the almond milk tasted just like her unbearably bitter past life.
The Crown Princess forced a strained smile. "No matter. This... this almond milk was taught to me by my mother—your maternal grandmother. Your three brothers and Xiyan all love it, so I assumed you would too."
"It seems I was never meant to be a child of the Eastern Palace."
Hearing this, the Crown Princess couldn't help but grasp Song Shihuan's hand.
"You are my child, born after ten months of carrying you. During those months, you and I were the only two bound together in this world." Her eyes reddened. "Hearing you say such things breaks my heart."
Song Shihuan stared at the hand holding hers.
Had the Crown Princess held her like this in her past life, she might have been overjoyed beyond reason.
But times had changed.
Slowly withdrawing her hands, Song Shihuan's expression turned mocking. "If I recall correctly, on the day of my birthday banquet, it was you who rejected me."
"You called me a curse, said I wasn't fit to touch Song Xiyan's clothes."
"That day... I was confused. I spoke nonsense." The Crown Princess grew frantic to explain.
She valued dignity above all else, and when she first saw the disheveled Song Shihuan that day, she had seen only a stain on the Eastern Palace's reputation.
Who could have guessed...
That this child would prove so brilliant and so favored by the Emperor?
"What mother in this world doesn't love her own child?"
The Crown Princess's eyes reddened further. "You and I both love reading histories. When I was pregnant with you, I loved listening to the zither—and now, you show exceptional talent in music. How can the bond between us be so easily severed?"
"But I don't need a mother."
Song Shihuan met her gaze. "Now, I have my grandfather and father to protect me. Your Highness, there is no affection between us."
Only the enmity of a past life.
The Crown Princess trembled. "But you are still flesh of my flesh."
"And yet, that didn't stop you from wanting me dead, did it?" The Crown Princess paled instantly, but Song Shihuan smiled. "If I had to guess, you came today to ask me to plead for the Chang family."
The Crown Princess stiffened. Seeing this, Song Shihuan's mockery deepened. "The Chang family overstepped their bounds. Now, they reap what they sowed."
"Your visit to the Qin Prince's Mansion today was in vain."
The blatant refusal made the Crown Princess desperate.
"If Prince Qin marries and has children in the future, you will become an outsider in his household." She stared at Song Shihuan. "The Chang family is my maternal family—and yours. They are your support."
"You bore three sons and a daughter, yet you still feel unsupported?"
The Crown Princess's expression darkened at Song Shihuan's words.
"I am not like you. The entire Qin Prince's Mansion is my support."
"If there's nothing else, Your Highness may leave."
The Crown Princess clenched her fists beneath her sleeves, her voice urgent. "What will it take for you to make Song Yu spare the Chang family? Name your price."
"Spare the Chang family?"
Song Shihuan nearly laughed at the absurdity.
"The Chang family seized the Qin Prince's Mansion's shops and tried to tarnish my reputation." She held the Crown Princess's gaze. "What I want... is for the Chang family to pay."
"Your Highness, can you give me that?"
A chill ran through the Crown Princess. The look in Song Shihuan's eyes filled her with inexplicable dread.
"Since you once scorned me for my wretchedness, don't expect me to yield to your demands now that I thrive. I am narrow-minded and hold grudges well."
Song Shihuan smirked.
In this life, she would make the Eastern Palace pay in blood.
Terrified, the Crown Princess fled in haste.
Meanwhile, Song Shihuan looked at the almond milk on the table and said softly,
"Yingchun, throw this out for the dogs."
......
The Chang Residence.
After hearing the Crown Princess's account, Madam Chang let out a wail.
"Your Highness, such a sum will ruin the Chang family!"
Chang Qing's face darkened. "Your Highness, is there truly no other way?"
The Crown Princess recalled Song Shihuan's icy stare and shuddered. "Elder Brother, I have done all I can. The Emperor is determined to support Prince Qin in this matter, and Ah Huan... refuses to intercede."
"If you ask me, the Chang family never should have listened to the Empress's orders to target the Princess." Chang Qing was filled with regret. "Now that we've offended the Qin Prince's Mansion, Prince Qin sees us as a thorn in his side—always making an example of us first."
Madam Chang dared not speak further.
Already distressed, the Crown Princess stood abruptly. "We have no choice but to gather the funds."
"Gather funds? The Chang family's expenses are too high—where will we find the money?" Chang Qing's face flushed with panic as he turned to Madam Chang. "Starting tomorrow, you will cease all your charity work."
"Husband, that is my life's work—" Madam Chang's vision blurred.
"I don't care what it is. We must fill this deficit first."
At his words, Madam Chang's eyes rolled back, and she fainted outright.
When Song Yu learned that the Chang family had halted their charities, he laughed heartily.
"Those soup kitchens and granaries must not disappear. Right now, I have more silver than I know what to do with." He declared grandly, "Make the porridge with meat, and use only the finest grains. We cannot let the people of Great Qi go hungry."
Song Shihuan and Shen Qingping exchanged glances.
The future Great Philanthropist Song!
