"Your Highness, if His Majesty were to find out about this..."
Before Gu Zheng could finish his sentence, a flash of madness flickered in the Crown Prince's eyes.
"Then let him find out first."
Dozens of men drew their swords and charged at Gu Zheng, who instantly engaged them in a fierce battle.
"Father, once Gu Zheng is dead, I will pretend to have been stabbed," Song Yanzheng emerged from behind the screen, his voice cold. "You can then inform Grandfather that Gu Zheng attempted to assassinate an Imperial Grandson and was executed on the spot."
There was not a trace of pity in Song Yanzheng's eyes.
The Crown Prince nodded. This was a desperate measure.
He knew his father would suspect, but the crime of attempting to kill an Imperial heir was punishable by death—no one could argue against it legally.
"If Father is still concerned, I can stab myself with a blade," Song Yanzheng smirked. "If it ensures the Eastern Palace's safety, the wound is worth it."
Hearing this, the Crown Prince's gaze softened slightly. "Yanzheng, I know you are the child who cares most for the Eastern Palace."
Though Gu Zheng was a formidable warrior, he was unarmed and outnumbered.
After the time it took to burn an incense stick, Gu Zheng was covered in wounds.
He collapsed to his knees.
"Gu Zheng, if you weren't so stubborn, you wouldn’t have come to this," the Crown Prince said darkly. "Blame your late father, the old General Gu, for your family’s fallen glory."
"Finish him."
With that, the Crown Prince turned his back.
Dozens of blades descended upon Gu Zheng—only to be deflected in an instant by a figure who shielded him. Shen Xiao stood before Gu Zheng, his voice calm. "Your Highness, I act under His Majesty’s orders to protect General Gu."
"Shen Xiao, who gave you the audacity to barge into the Eastern Palace?"
The Crown Prince’s face twisted with rage, veins bulging on the back of his hand.
"I did."
A clear, composed voice rang out as Song Shihuan stepped forward.
This was the first time the two had stood face-to-face since the birthday banquet.
"Song Shihuan, you again." The Crown Prince gritted his teeth. Had he known, he would have strangled her at birth.
"Commander Shen was personally requested by me from Grandfather to ensure General Gu’s safety," Song Shihuan met the Crown Prince’s glare fearlessly. "Now that General Gu is in danger, there is no question of trespassing."
The Crown Prince shuddered. So this was why all his assassins had failed.
His father had sent Shen Xiao to protect Gu Zheng.
The Emperor favored the Qin Prince's Mansion so blatantly!
Song Shihuan helped Gu Zheng up and signaled Yingchun to tend to his wounds.
"Sharp-tongued wretch," Song Yanzheng sneered. "Song Shihuan, this is no place for you."
Song Shihuan laughed coldly.
"General Gu was investigating my father’s case on imperial orders, yet the eldest Imperial Grandson claims I shouldn’t be here?" Her voice turned icy. "I’d like to know why the Eastern Palace invited General Gu for a 'chat' only to attempt his life."
"But there’s no need to explain. Commander Shen, we’re going to the palace."
With that, they escorted Gu Zheng away.
Outside the Eastern Palace, Shen Qingping exhaled in relief upon seeing Gu Zheng still breathing.
Thankfully, he had reacted quickly, sprinting to the Qin Prince's Mansion to alert the princess.
A moment later, and Gu Zheng would have been dead.
......
In the Purple Dawn Hall, Emperor Yuanyou’s expression darkened as he took in Gu Zheng’s injuries and listened to Shen Xiao’s report.
"Gu Zheng, have you uncovered the truth about the poisoned porridge?"
Gu Zheng immediately presented the evidence. "Your Majesty, I’ve traced the conspiracy to the Qu family of Pingzhou—Crown Princess’s maternal relatives."
Emperor Yuanyou showed no surprise. He had suspected the Chang family... and the Eastern Palace.
"Summon Chang Qing to the palace," the Emperor ordered. "Shen Xiao, surround the Chang residence. No one leaves."
Song Shihuan’s heart clenched. The Chang family faced utter ruin.
Half an hour later, Chang Qing knelt before the Emperor, trembling.
But the Emperor turned to Song Yu, who had remained silent. "This is your case. You handle it."
Song Yu smirked, cracking his knuckles.
He strode to Chang Qing and punched him square in the face. "You dared frame me? What gave you the idea that I’m weak and easy to bully?"
These past six days had been agony—only hearing of A’huan’s well-being through Wu Qi, drowning in regret for letting his carelessness drag her into suffering.
All his fury poured into his fists.
When Chang Qing was barely clinging to life, Song Yu stepped on his fingers. "Who else was involved besides the Changs?"
Gasping for breath, blood dripping from his mouth, Chang Qing spat out, "The Eastern Palace... the second and third Imperial Grandsons..."
He hated the Eastern Palace.
He had warned them, yet they let Gu Zheng expose the truth, dooming the Changs.
If he was to die, he’d drag them down with him.
Hearing this, Song Yu looked up at the Emperor. "Father, summon the Crown Prince."
......
The Crown Prince arrived in dread. He never imagined Song Shihuan would storm the Eastern Palace with Shen Xiao, exposing his attempt to kill Gu Zheng.
"Father, I have sinned."
He knelt. "I should not have shielded the Changs for the Crown Princess’s sake. I was wrong. Punish me as you will."
Song Shihuan scoffed.
A clever play—admitting fault to muddy the waters and downplay the Eastern Palace’s crimes.
Before the Emperor could speak, Song Yu approached the Crown Prince. His gaze, hardened by the ordeal, unsettled the Crown Prince.
"You shielded the Changs, attacked a loyal general’s heir, and let me take the blame." Song Yu’s voice was razor-sharp. "So, in your heart, the Changs matter more than General Gu, more than me—even more than Father, is that it?"
With one sentence, he branded the Eastern Palace as disrespectful to the throne.
"Elder Brother, I never said that."
"But you acted on it." Song Yu laughed coldly. "Actions speak louder than words—or is the Crown Prince of this nation nothing but a petty schemer?"
Song Shihuan stared at her father, wide-eyed.
This eloquent, relentless man—was this really him?
