"Your Highness, are you going to investigate that matter from years ago again?"
Shen Qingping couldn't help but widen his eyes. They had looked into the incident before but found no trace of evidence.
Left with no choice, they had been carrying the blame all this time.
Song Yu nodded. "This prince cannot let Ah Huan think my judgment is so poor."
"Ah?"
Shen Qingping was momentarily stunned.
He had considered many possible reasons, but never one so... straightforward.
"Yesterday, when Ah Huan asked whether that woman was exceptionally beautiful or possessed mountains of gold and silver, I felt utterly humiliated."
Song Yu's expression was serious. For years, people had called him a wastrel, yet he had never felt ashamed.
But yesterday, he wished he could proclaim to the world that Song Yu's taste was far from so vulgar.
"How does Your Highness plan to investigate?"
Shen Qingping couldn't help but sympathize.
Among all the lovely ladies at Yingchun Pavilion, none had ever caught the prince's eye. Could he really have been interested in Xin'er from the empress's palace—that woman who always wore a sour expression as if everyone owed her money?
"This prince intends to visit the imperial prison."
Song Yu's eyes gleamed faintly. "While there are still members of the Chang family breathing, I might as well see if I can extract some answers."
After all, on the day Chang Qing had dashed himself against the pillar, he hadn't seemed entirely ignorant of the matter.
"Then I'll accompany you."
Just as the two were about to leave, they pushed open the door and came face-to-face with Yi Xi.
Despite countless mental preparations, Shen Qingping's expression still twisted slightly.
"Your Highness, if the princess doubts your judgment, perhaps it isn't entirely unfounded?"
After all, the attendants the prince had personally selected were truly... hard to describe.
"What do you know?" Song Yu shot Shen Qingping a glare, then cleared his throat. "Prepare the carriage. This prince is going out."
He was worried Ah Huan might be swayed by those dashing young scholars from romance novels.
"Your Highness, you still have half of today's reading left." Yi Xi spoke with earnest honesty.
Song Yu's face stiffened at the reminder—he had nearly forgotten.
Expressionless, he returned to his desk and resignedly picked up the heavily annotated book, glancing at Shen Qingping.
"If I had known it would come to this, I would have studied more diligently in the past."
......
At the women's academy,
In Class C, Song Shihuan sat in the most prominent seat. The instructor no longer taught as carelessly as before and had begun lecturing seriously.
During the short break, the students of Class C immediately swarmed out of the classroom.
Song Shihuan was baffled.
Previously, everyone had stayed inside until dismissal before hurrying away. What was different today?
"Princess, they're just showing off," Gu Mingzhu said leisurely. Her relationship with Song Shihuan had grown much closer lately.
"Showing off?"
Seeing Song Shihuan's confusion, Gu Mingzhu grinned mischievously and led her outside. "In the past, our class was always bullied by Classes A and B. Now the tables have turned—just look at them, noses held so high they might tip over."
Indeed, every student from Class C walked with their chins raised, radiating pride.
Understanding the situation, Song Shihuan couldn't help but laugh.
"Especially since that certain someone... is also under house arrest. Now, Class A students tuck their heads in when they see us," Gu Mingzhu added, feeling thoroughly pleased. "Princess, you're truly Class C's lucky star."
"Lucky star?"
This was the first time anyone had called her that, and Song Shihuan found it amusing.
"Of course!" Gu Mingzhu linked arms with her. "I’ve already warned the others—they can vent their frustrations, but they mustn’t bully others just because they have your backing."
"If they hadn’t bullied Class C in the past, they wouldn’t be so guilty now," Song Shihuan said with a smile. "At least now the instructors teach properly, and everyone can learn something useful."
"Properly" was an understatement.
Gu Mingzhu grinned. The new headmistress, a highly respected figure, had purged the academy of many unprincipled instructors.
Now, even the air in the academy felt fresher!
"Elder Sister."
Song Xiling's voice rang out as she slowly approached. "You’ve finally come today. I haven’t seen you these past few days."
"I had matters at home."
Facing Song Xiling, Song Shihuan couldn’t muster a smile.
"Father and Mother have been worried about you. They even mentioned taking you to Prince Chu's Mansion sometime." Remembering the Princess of Chu's repeated instructions, Song Xiling bit her lip. "Why not today?"
Song Shihuan studied Song Xiling.
Though also a royal princess, she had been raised into such a timid character—always trailing behind Song Xiyan to scheme against her.
"I'm afraid today won’t do." Song Shihuan glanced around; many were already watching them. "I can’t possibly visit Uncle and Aunt empty-handed. Let me prepare some gifts first, and I’ll visit another day."
Her refusal was flawlessly polite.
"Elder Sister..."
"The break is almost over. The instructor will be upset if we’re late."
Song Shihuan turned and left, leaving Song Xiling clutching her handkerchief anxiously. Her cousin was still imprisoned, and if her mother found out she had failed to bring Song Shihuan to Prince Chu's Mansion, she would be furious again.
And her uncle and aunt would look at her with disappointment...
Steeling herself, Song Xiling hurried after Song Shihuan. "Elder Sister, we’re family—there’s no need for formalities. After class, let’s go to Prince Chu's Mansion together, alright?"
Song Shihuan nearly laughed in disbelief.
"Xiling, are you sure you want me there tonight?"
Song Xiling’s heart trembled, but she nodded stiffly.
Meeting her gaze, Song Shihuan’s eyes turned cold. "Very well. Wait for me after class."
Invite her to Prince Chu's Mansion?
Then she would teach Song Xiling the meaning of "easier to invite the devil in than to send him away."
......
Meanwhile, at Prince Chu's Mansion.
"Your Highness, will the princess really bring Princess Fu'an?"
Madam Sun was so anxious that blisters had formed on her lips. Sun Hu had been imprisoned for nearly a month, yet the Emperor remained unmoved.
Lately, she had been restless, unable to sleep peacefully.
"Xiling will do her best." The Princess of Chu sighed. "Even the Eastern Palace has pleaded on our behalf, but His Majesty remains firm. Now, only Song Shihuan can persuade him."
"Princess Fu'an is deeply favored by the Emperor. She will surely secure Ah Hu's release."
Madam Sun murmured a prayer.
"When I see Princess Fu'an, I’ll kneel and beg until she agrees." Madam Sun hardened her resolve. "If even a noblewoman like me kneels, she won’t dare refuse—not unless she wants to be seen as arrogant and heartless."
"Exactly. Sister-in-law, you are still an official’s wife. If she ignores your pleas, rumors will spread that she’s domineering and disrespectful."
The Princess of Chu exhaled. "I only regret that you must endure such humiliation."
