The Imperial Palace.
Mei Zhilin resignedly led Song Shihuan to the Zichen Hall. The moment Song Yu caught sight of Song Shihuan, he rushed forward, circling her in a frantic inspection. Only when he confirmed she was unharmed did his anxious heart finally settle.
"Father, I'm fine," Song Shihuan said, her eyes filled with concern. "I was just worried about you, not being able to see you."
"Why don't I hear A-Huan worrying about me?"
Emperor Yuanyou's voice rang out, and Song Yu rubbed his nose, uncharacteristically refraining from his usual sharp retorts.
The emperor shot Song Yu a glance. For days, because of this troublemaker, he had endured a bellyful of anger during morning court sessions, only to be bombarded with questions afterward. He was utterly fed up!
Now, when he finally got to see his beloved granddaughter, her attention was solely on that rascal.
Emperor Yuanyou couldn't take it.
"I was half worried about Father and half worried about you, Grandfather," Song Shihuan said, darting to the emperor's side. "You've grown thinner lately—all because Father made you fret over him."
The emperor's aged face instantly bloomed into a smile.
Now, this was the true treasure of the Song family.
Emperor Yuanyou pinched Song Shihuan's arm gently, his voice laced with both doting and distress when she winced. "You... I don’t even know what to say to you. Couldn’t you have let the servants distribute the porridge instead?"
Clearly, he was well aware of the events outside the palace.
"Grandfather, as a royal princess, I must stand firm when duty calls," Song Shihuan replied, her gaze clear and resolute. "Only then will the people trust the Qin Prince's Mansion."
What spirit!
The emperor couldn’t help but admire her inwardly.
"I came to the palace tonight to ask a favor, Grandfather," Song Shihuan said, kneeling. "Please order Shen Xiao to secretly protect General Gu tomorrow. He’s risking himself for Father’s sake, and I fear for his safety."
Emperor Yuanyou studied her face. "Rise. I grant your request."
Joy lit up Song Shihuan’s expression. With Shen Xiao’s protection, not only would General Gu be safe, but any assailants would also incur the emperor’s suspicion once uncovered.
A perfect plan.
"You’re a good child, but your father is hopeless," Emperor Yuanyou said, ruffling her hair. "This time, you’ve suffered for his sake."
Song Yu opened his mouth but found no words.
He could see that it wasn’t the emperor who had grown thin—it was A-Huan.
Yet Song Shihuan shook her head. "Father wasn’t wrong to distribute porridge. The fault lies with those who harbor ill intentions."
"Grandfather, when the culprits are found, you must punish them severely."
"They will face the full weight of justice."
......
The Chang Residence.
"General Gu Zheng will leave the capital tomorrow. Have all loose ends been tied up?" Chang Qing, restless and unable to sleep, sat up abruptly.
"Everything’s been handled, my lord," Madam Chang replied, her eyes downcast. "Plague-stricken horses aren’t unique to Pingzhou—there are reports across the Great Qi. Investigating them all would take over ten days. Besides, Pingzhou had hundreds of such horses buried. We only used two and replaced them with healthy ones."
Chang Qing relaxed slightly. "And the men who handled it?"
"They were servants from my family’s estate. You needn’t worry." Seeing his agitation, Madam Chang’s expression darkened. "Even if the worst happens, my lord, I’ve secured a retreat for the Chang family."
"What retreat?"
"The Eastern Palace’s Second and Third Imperial Grandsons have been traveling in Pingzhou lately and even visited my family’s home for a few days."
Chang Qing’s eyes gleamed. "You mean..."
"If we’re implicated, we’ll drag the two imperial grandsons into this. The Eastern Palace will have no choice but to shield us."
"Brilliant, my lady."
Chang Qing embraced her with a laugh, and soon the room fell into darkness.
The next morning.
Shen Qingping departed the capital with General Gu, while Shen Xiao followed in secret. No one would guess the emperor’s chief bodyguard had left his side.
"General Gu, though plague-stricken horses are reported in many regions, Princess Song urged us to focus on Pingzhou due to time constraints," Shen Qingping said, unwavering in his trust of her judgment. "And we must investigate Madam Chang’s maiden family, the Qu household."
General Gu nodded. "We’ll follow the princess’s lead."
He, too, suspected the Chang family most.
Thus, the group headed straight for Pingzhou, pushing their horses to exhaustion and arriving by nightfall after surviving a harrowing ambush.
"General Gu, you investigate the horses. I’ll look into the Qu family," Shen Qingping said, wolfing down a quick meal before hurrying off.
General Gu did the same, pausing to bow toward the shadows where Shen Xiao lurked. "Thank you for your aid today, Lord Shen."
"No need for thanks, General. It’s my duty."
Clutching an arrow retrieved from a dead assassin, Shen Xiao set off to uncover who had ordered the attack.
Heeding Song Shihuan’s advice, Shen Qingping and General Gu dug deep. Shen Qingping gathered every detail about the Qu family from a teahouse across the street, while General Gu compelled Pingzhou’s magistrate to exhume all registered plague-horse graves.
Chang Qing and Madam Chang never imagined their pursuers would zero in on Pingzhou, ignoring all other regions.
A day later.
General Gu pointed at two carcasses. "These horses look robust—nothing like plague victims. Summon the coroner."
The examination confirmed they were healthy.
Even more damning, a shovel lay buried in the pit—one of fine craftsmanship, far beyond what commoners could afford.
Shen Qingping smirked. "General, I’ve heard several Qu family servants recently came into wealth. Shall we question them?"
The two strode off together.
Meanwhile, back in the capital, Song Shihuan was distributing porridge when Madam Chang’s carriage rolled to a stop.
"The princess’s charity is admirable," Madam Chang said sweetly, stepping down. "Allow me to assist and ease your burden."
To onlookers, she appeared the picture of benevolence.
Whispers spread among the crowd: "Madam Chang is truly the capital’s kindest soul, aiding the Qin Prince's Mansion in its time of need."
Song Shihuan smiled. "How kind. I’ve been so unsettled, worrying about General Gu’s perilous journey to Pingzhou."
At the mention of Pingzhou, Madam Chang stiffened.
"Pingzhou...?" Her face paled.
"Strange. Isn’t your maiden family, the Qu household, based there?" Song Shihuan asked innocently.
Madam Chang felt as if she’d plunged into an icy abyss.
