After school.
Song Yu stared blankly at the entrance of the girls' school, having forced himself to read for hours until his mind was filled with nothing but ancient proverbs...
Beside him, Shen Qingping wasn’t faring much better. Only when a figure in pale yellow appeared did Shen rub his eyes and say, "The princess has come out."
He thought Princess Fu'an looked even more beautiful than before.
Could it be that a master sees their disciple through rose-colored glasses?
Snapping out of his daze, Song Yu strode toward Song Shihuan. Everyone around couldn’t help but glance their way—among all the students at the girls' school, only Princess Fu'an had the privilege of being personally picked up by the prince every day.
Most others were fetched by servants from their households.
"Father, today Xiling invited me to have dinner at Prince Chu's Mansion," Song Shihuan said, glancing at Song Xiling, who followed closely behind her.
Hearing this, Song Xiling forced a smile. For some reason, she had grown somewhat fearful of her usually fearless uncle.
"Yes, Father and Mother said that since Sister and I are close in age, we should spend more time together," Song Xiling added nervously, swallowing hard, afraid Song Yu might insist on joining them.
Song Yu frowned. He had specifically ordered someone to bring back Eight-Treasure Chicken for Ah Huan tonight.
"Ah Huan, perhaps another day?"
Song Yu didn’t have a favorable impression of Prince Chu's Mansion, and after the Sun family incident, he found Song Xiling increasingly disagreeable.
"Father, I’ve already promised Xiling," Song Shihuan said with a bright smile. "You and Master Shen can dine together. I’ll return right after the meal."
She had important matters to attend to.
......
Prince Chu's Mansion.
As soon as the carriage arrived at the gates, the Princess of Chu came out with a smile, followed by the dignified Madam Sun.
"Ah Huan is here! Tonight, your aunt has prepared a grand feast just for you," the Princess of Chu said with a strained smile. "Come in and rest first."
Song Shihuan glanced subtly at Madam Sun before stepping into the mansion as if nothing were amiss.
"Ah, we owe you so much for what happened with your father before," the Princess of Chu said, looking at Song Shihuan with feigned sympathy. "Xiling, you should learn from your sister—standing up when it matters most."
"If I hadn’t been pushed to the brink with no one willing to lend a hand, I too would love to be as carefree as Xiling."
The pointed remark made the Princess of Chu’s smile stiffen.
"I’ve always heard that Princess Fu'an is clever and well-mannered. Seeing you today, you truly live up to your reputation," Madam Sun chimed in with a smile.
"You are Madam Sun?"
Song Shihuan raised her eyes slightly—the woman’s features bore an uncanny resemblance to Sun Hu’s.
As soon as Madam Sun nodded, Song Shihuan feigned surprise. "So the boy I beat up last time was your son? Sun Hu had quite the loose tongue. You should discipline him properly, Madam, lest he bring more trouble upon your family."
Madam Sun’s face flushed red with humiliation at being scolded so bluntly.
"Ah Huan, Madam Sun is still an elder," the Princess of Chu said, siding with her family. "Your aunt knows you’re straightforward, but one must still show respect to elders."
"Elders?"
From the moment Song Shihuan saw Madam Sun, she had no intention of keeping the peace tonight.
"Aunt, I am a princess of the imperial family. Only His Majesty, Her Majesty, my father, and my uncles and aunts can be considered my elders," Song Shihuan said sweetly, though her words were cutting. "Madam Sun is merely your sister-in-law. If Xiling wishes to regard her as an elder, that’s her business. What does it have to do with me?"
The servants in the room held their breaths.
The Princess of Chu cared deeply for the Sun family, so whenever they visited, the household treated them with utmost deference.
This was the first time... a member of the Sun family had been publicly slighted in Prince Chu's Mansion.
"Let’s eat first..." Song Xiling, sensing the tension, tried to mediate in a soft voice.
But Madam Sun suddenly began dabbing her eyes with a handkerchief. "The princess is right. But how can I discipline my son if I can’t even see him? He’s locked in the imperial prison—no one is allowed to visit. How can I teach him anything?"
Mention of her nephew suffering in prison brought tears to the Princess of Chu’s eyes as well.
Song Shihuan looked genuinely surprised. "Madam Sun, you’re asking me how to raise a child? I’m still a child myself."
The remark nearly made Madam Sun explode with rage.
"His Highness has returned," a servant announced, temporarily easing the stifling atmosphere.
......
At the dinner table, everyone’s thoughts were elsewhere—except Song Shihuan, who ate heartily.
"This is my first time meeting you, Ah Huan," Song Yanhong said warmly. "Now that I see you, you truly look like a fairy-tale princess."
Emperor Yuanyou had four imperial grandsons—three from the Eastern Palace, and the fourth was Song Yanhong of Prince Chu's Mansion.
"Fourth Brother."
Song Shihuan knew almost nothing about Song Yanhong. She acknowledged him briefly before returning to her meal.
Madam Sun kept shooting meaningful glances at the Princess of Chu, who tugged at Prince Chu’s sleeve. Noticing this, Prince Chu’s eyes flickered.
"Ah Huan, what happened last time was your third and fourth uncle’s fault. Let me take this chance to apologize. Let’s put it behind us, alright?" Prince Chu said amiably.
Song Shihuan nodded. "If Third Uncle hadn’t mentioned it, I would’ve forgotten."
Not a chance.
She remembered every detail—even how many punches she’d landed on Sun Hu.
Prince Chu’s smile deepened. "Since the matter is settled, and Sun Hu has suffered long enough in prison, why not release him?"
Song Shihuan nodded again.
Under their hopeful gazes, she finally spoke, feigning surprise. "Has Sun Hu committed another crime?"
She sighed like a wise adult. "His Majesty is most merciful. If he’s still imprisoned, it must be for another offense."
Madam Sun’s face twisted. How could he commit crimes while locked up?
Was this ten-year-old girl truly clueless, or was she playing dumb?
Steeling herself, Madam Sun blurted out:
"Princess, please beg His Majesty to release Hu’er! He’s never suffered like this before!"
Watching Madam Sun’s tearful display, Song Shihuan paused mid-bite.
"Me?"
She set down her chopsticks and dabbed her lips with a handkerchief.
"Madam Sun, have you lost your senses? Sun Hu slandered my reputation—I’m the victim here. Why would you plead with me?"
Was she out of her mind?
Seeing Song Shihuan’s indifference, Madam Sun fell to her knees in desperation. "Princess, I beg you! Have mercy on Hu’er! Ask His Majesty to release him!"
"Sister, please let Cousin go," Song Xiling sobbed beside her.
If only he were freed, everything would be resolved.
Prince Chu's Mansion was determined to put Song Shihuan in an impossible position.
Yet Song Shihuan remained unfazed. She turned to Prince Chu.
"Third Uncle, as an imperial princess, I’m entitled to accept Madam Sun’s kneeling, am I not?"
Then, with a pitiful sniff, she added, "Madam Sun, if I refuse, will you spread rumors that I’m arrogant and disrespectful?"
Madam Sun nearly choked on her own fury.
"If that's the case, I dare not refuse. I'll have no choice but to stay right here in Prince Chu's Mansion and never leave."
