"Her Majesty has always been exceptionally wise, yet it's rare to see her fail to comprehend something," Song Yu said with a mocking expression. "Since that's the case, once I uncover the truth, I'll explain it to Her Majesty properly."
The Empress Dowager's handkerchief was twisted into a crumpled mess as she avoided Song Yu's piercing gaze. "Your Majesty, has the matter of the meat porridge been resolved?"
Emperor Yuanyou turned to the Empress Dowager. "We have already decreed the execution of the Chang family. However, according to Chang Qing's confession, this matter is also heavily linked to the Eastern Palace."
With that, Emperor Yuanyou kicked the Crown Prince.
The sudden action caught everyone present off guard. Unlike the usual light kicks he gave Song Yu, this one sent the Crown Prince, Song Ling, doubling over in pain, his forehead beading with sweat.
"Song Ling," the Emperor's voice was laced with fury, "not long ago, We explicitly warned you and the Crown Princess that what We despise most in this life is fratricide." As the Emperor's rage filled the hall, Gu Zheng and Wu Qi instinctively moved to kneel, but Song Yu stopped Song Shihuan from doing the same.
"Ahuan, we are the wronged party. There's no need to kneel."
Song Shihuan looked at Song Yu's cold, unyielding profile and nodded.
She was beginning to realize that the repercussions of the meat porridge incident on her father were beyond estimation.
"Imperial Father, this son..." The Crown Prince stammered, too afraid to speak further. The Empress Dowager couldn't hold back and interceded on his behalf. "Your Majesty, how could Ling'er ever commit such a heinous act against his own brother? It must be the Chang family falsely implicating him!"
"Empress!"
Emperor Yuanyou's voice burned with fury.
"This fool admitted it himself!"
For a moment, the Empress Dowager was stunned. Had Ling'er lost his senses?
Why would he confess to something he should be desperately denying?
"Imperial Father, this son admits his wrongdoing," the Crown Prince said through gritted teeth. "In the future, I will never... never commit such a foolish act again."
"How can We trust you?" Emperor Yuanyou pointed at the towering pile of memorials nearby. "For days, the petitions condemning your elder brother have piled higher than you stand. Tell Us, how many of these were your doing?"
The Emperor's anger was genuine. If the Crown Prince couldn't tolerate his own brothers while he was still alive, what fate would await his three brothers if Song Ling ever ascended the throne?
"Your Majesty!" The Empress Dowager wept. "The fault lies entirely with this consort. It was my failure in teaching Ling'er properly that led him to commit such a reckless act."
"When we were young, my elder sister often said that being siblings was a blessing cultivated over lifetimes, and that we must stand united." At the mention of the late Empress, Song Yu's eyes dimmed.
"This consort has failed her sister's teachings. I did not raise Ling'er well."
Hearing this, the Crown Prince hastily kowtowed. "Imperial Father, from now on, this son will follow the teachings of the late Empress and rectify my conduct. Never again will I commit such a foolish act."
The moment the Crown Prince referred to the late Empress as his "mother," the Empress Dowager's heart bled.
Yes, in the presence of the late Empress and Song Yu, she was merely the second wife, and Ling'er was the son of a concubine-turned-consort.
The mention of the late Empress stifled Emperor Yuanyou's fury, but then Song Shihuan suddenly burst into tears.
"Ahuan, what's wrong?" Song Yu immediately grasped her wrist. "Are you hurt? Or in pain?"
Song Shihuan shook her head, tears pooling in her eyes. "I'm just heartbroken."
"When Grandmother passed, Father was not yet two years old, so he could only learn of her through others' words." Her sobs grew heavier. "Father was her only child. If Grandmother were still alive and saw him being denounced by the officials, she would have been as sleepless with grief as I am now."
If they wanted to use the late Empress to plead for the Eastern Palace, they would have to see if the Qin Prince's Mansion allowed it!
Hearing Song Shihuan's words, Emperor Yuanyou kicked the Crown Prince again.
Ignoring the Empress Dowager's pleas, he declared:
"The Crown Prince has acted improperly. From today, he is confined to the Eastern Palace for one month. Additionally, summon Song Yanming and Song Yanchao back to the capital immediately. They are to spend one hour daily in the imperial study reciting the Classic of Filial Piety for a month."
The Empress Dowager nearly fainted.
At the critical moment when the Chang family was being executed, Ling'er being confined for a month—how would the world view the Eastern Palace now?
And Yanming and Yanchao—being summoned back only to recite the Classic of Filial Piety was as good as branding them unfilial.
In the Great Qi Dynasty, unfilial conduct was a crime that could cost one's life.
This punishment was far too severe for the Eastern Palace.
"Your Majesty..." The Empress Dowager made one last attempt.
"Our decision is final," Emperor Yuanyou said coldly. "Empress, as for the Crown Princess, We leave her to you. We do not wish to see a woman whose heart does not belong to the imperial family."
The Emperor had even considered executing the Crown Princess!
"Your Majesty need not worry. The Crown Princess understands the gravity of the situation. This consort will handle it." The Empress Dowager trembled as she spoke. This time, the Eastern Palace had suffered a devastating blow.
Song Ling was escorted back to the Eastern Palace under guard. Those who had acted against Gu Zheng were all beaten to death, and the stench of blood lingered for days.
---
The next morning, the seventh and final day of the deadline arrived.
The court officials awaited Emperor Yuanyou's arrival, but when the familiar figure in imperial yellow appeared, they were stunned to see someone at his side.
Song Yu, clad in the robes of a prince, his sharp brows and bright eyes striking, stood beside the Emperor.
This was Song Yu's first time stepping into the imperial court.
"The investigation into the tainted horse meat in the porridge is now concluded. The Qin Prince is innocent. Wu Qi, announce the truth to all."
Emperor Yuanyou's voice echoed through the hall, and all eyes turned to Song Yu.
Wu Qi proclaimed the findings in a booming voice, sending chills down the spines of those present. The mighty Chang family had been utterly destroyed for scheming against the Qin Prince.
The Emperor's gaze swept across the court before settling on Song Yu. "From now on, this shall be your place in the morning court."
His position was slightly behind the Crown Prince's, but with Song Ling confined, Song Yu now stood ahead of Prince Chu and Prince Qi.
"This son obeys the decree."
"In the future, I shall strive to be worthy of this robe I wear."
Song Yu's response left everyone astonished.
The officials exchanged glances—had the Qin Prince been replaced by someone else? Since when did he speak so properly?
At the very back of the crowd, Shen Qingping lowered his head to hide his grin, which threatened to split his face.
When one man prospered, even his dogs and chickens rose to heaven—now he, too, could attend court!
His Highness had said that from now on, the Qin Prince's Mansion would claim its share of power in this imperial court.
Shen Qingping's eyes gleamed as he envisioned his future glory.
"Good! This is how Our eldest legitimate son should conduct himself!"
The Emperor's words sent the officials' minds racing.
Eldest legitimate son...
Indeed, the Qin Prince was the eldest son of the late Empress.
The most noble prince of the Great Qi Dynasty.
