Prince Chu's face darkened.
Just as he was about to reprimand Song Shihuan the same way he had scolded Song Xiling, a servant's voice echoed from outside the room: "Your Highness, someone from the Qin Prince's Mansion is here. They asked if the young mistress has finished her meal, as Prince Qin is waiting for her return at the mansion."
Prince Chu's anger instantly dissipated. If he provoked this little ancestor, his reckless elder brother would undoubtedly storm in to confront him. After all, Prince Qin had just caused a scene at the Zichen Hall a few days prior, resulting in the three children of the Eastern Palace being placed under house arrest—truly terrifying.
"Go and reply that I haven't finished eating yet. Tell my father to wait a little longer for me."
Song Shihuan sniffled and picked up her chopsticks again, as if determined to linger at Prince Chu's residence.
"Ah Huan, we're all family. Why must you make things so tense?" the Princess of Chu interjected, trying to mediate. "Everyone knows how much your grandfather dotes on you. A single word from you could resolve this matter, and everyone would be at ease."
"But I wouldn't be at ease."
Song Shihuan looked at the Princess of Chu seriously. "Aunt, if Sun Hu hadn't been forced to confess the truth that day, my father would have been branded as unfilial and disloyal. Uncle Chu was there too—if I recall correctly, you also took part in slandering my reputation."
A vein throbbed visibly on Prince Chu's forehead.
None of them had expected Song Shihuan to react this way.
"Uncle Chu just apologized to me. Has Sun Hu ever apologized? Why should I plead for him?"
When no one responded, Song Shihuan turned directly to Song Xiling. "Xiling, as fellow young women, if someone were to tarnish your reputation one day, would you plead for them?"
Song Xiling opened her mouth but ultimately couldn't muster a reply.
"Madam Sun is putting on such a show of desperation that I don’t dare refuse, but I also don’t want to agree," Song Shihuan continued. "In that case, I’ll just stay here in the mansion."
The atmosphere in the room grew palpably tense.
Madam Sun remained kneeling on the floor, tears streaming down her face, with no one offering to help her up.
The others picked at their food in silence, the meal tasting like ash.
"Young Mistress, if you refuse to plead for Hu'er, he might die in the imperial prison," Madam Sun choked out, on the verge of collapse. "He... he’s my only child."
"If Sun Hu is gone, Madam Sun can always have another well-behaved and clever child. That would be a happy outcome for everyone."
The moment Song Shihuan finished speaking, a few stifled laughs escaped—from Song Yanhong.
Song Shihuan’s gaze darkened, her eyes narrowing slightly in scrutiny.
Prince Chu shot Song Yanhong a glare before turning back to Madam Sun, his voice low. "Enough. Get up first, then we’ll talk."
If force didn’t work, perhaps a softer approach might.
By now, only the time it took for an incense stick to burn had passed since the servant’s first announcement.
"Your Highness... the Qin Prince's Mansion has sent someone again," the servant reported hesitantly.
"What did they say this time?" Prince Chu rolled his eyes. How long had it been? Did they really think the Chu residence would devour his daughter?
"They said... the food at Prince Chu’s mansion has always been mediocre, so the young mistress needn’t eat much. Prince Qin has already prepared supper for her at home."
A faint smile tugged at Song Shihuan’s lips, though she feigned further reluctance.
"I... I’m afraid I won’t finish anytime soon. Tell my father not to wait for me."
The servant retreated silently, while Prince Chu’s palms grew damp with sweat.
He knew their time was running out.
"Ah Huan, I know you’re upset."
Prince Chu softened his tone. "How about this? If you agree to plead for Sun Hu, the Sun family will let you pick any of their treasures. Not only that, but half of their shops will also be transferred to you."
Wealth had always swayed hearts, and Prince Chu seemed certain Song Shihuan would accept such "compensation."
"Yes, yes!" Madam Sun hastily chimed in. "Our family is willing to give all of that to the young mistress."
Song Shihuan appeared to consider it for a moment before flashing an innocent smile.
"Does the Sun family have more shops than the Qin Prince's Mansion? My father says our mansion never lacks for properties."
The stacks of deeds in the mansion alone were enough to make her dizzy.
"As for treasures, my room is already full of them."
Amusement glimmered in Song Shihuan’s eyes. "If I want something, my father will get it for me. If I compromise myself for mere trinkets, he’d be heartbroken."
Unlike her past life, in this one, she was a cherished child.
Madam Sun’s vision darkened, her body swaying unsteadily.
Even Prince Chu was at a loss for words. He, too, had once coveted the Qin Prince's properties...
Seeing that neither force nor bribery worked, Prince Chu exchanged a glance with the Princess of Chu. At this point, he had no other options.
Thinking of her nephew still suffering in prison, the Princess of Chu desperately grasped Song Shihuan’s hand—but before she could speak, the servant’s voice rang out again.
This was the third time.
"Your Highness... the Qin Prince's Mansion has sent yet another message. They said if the young mistress isn’t seen within half an hour, Prince Qin will personally come to tear the roof off the Chu residence."
"Elder Brother is being ridiculous!"
Prince Chu shot to his feet, immediately distancing himself from Madam Sun.
"Ah Huan, today’s meal was only meant to bring you and Xiling closer. As for the rest... let’s just pretend none of it happened."
Heaven help them if Prince Qin stormed in—this matter would spiral beyond control.
He might even end up under house arrest himself...
Meanwhile, outside the Chu residence, Liuxi glanced at the darkening sky.
Three warnings were enough.
If the young mistress wasn’t released soon...
His Highness would come charging in!
Back inside, Madam Sun pleaded silently with the Princess of Chu, but the latter kept her head bowed, avoiding her gaze.
"Pretend nothing happened?"
Song Shihuan frowned. "Madam Sun knelt and pressured me to plead for Sun Hu. Uncle Chu, how can you dismiss it so easily?"
"Dear cousin," Song Yanhong finally spoke, blinking at Song Shihuan, "what would it take for you to let this go?"
Seizing the opening, Song Shihuan prepared to drive a hard bargain.
"If the Sun family lets me pick all their treasures and gives me half their shops, then I’ll consider today as Madam Sun’s apology on Sun Hu’s behalf."
For a moment, Prince Chu was struck by the absurdity of it all.
The apple didn’t fall far from the tree—how could someone doted on by Song Yu be any less ruthless?
"You—this is extortion!" Madam Sun’s voice trembled.
"If Madam Sun refuses, then I’ll have to report everything truthfully to my father," Song Shihuan said with a helpless shrug. "As for what happens next... well, Uncle Chu, you know how my father is. No one can predict it."
"I’ll accept on behalf of the Sun family."
Prince Chu’s reply was swift and decisive.
Madam Sun swayed on her feet—then collapsed in a dead faint.
