Kunning Palace.
"Imperial Grandmother, today your grandson had not even spoken plainly before Gu Zheng refused outright."
A shadow flickered through Song Yanzheng's eyes. He had personally paid a visit, yet the Gu Family still dared to show such disrespect. Did they not realize that his future consort would undoubtedly become the Empress of Da Qi?
This was an immeasurable fortune they were spurning.
"This matter is not something the Gu Family can refuse."
The Empress Dowager's gaze darkened with hidden meaning. "Yanzheng, years ago, your imperial grandfather made a verbal agreement with Old General Gu to unite their families through marriage. Originally, your father's imperial consort was meant to be Gu Zheng's legitimate younger sister."
"However, at the time, your father needed more than a newly risen family like the Gus. So, I devised a way to change the arrangement and secured the Chang Family—a lineage of generations of high-ranking officials—for your father instead."
At this, the Empress Dowager's expression turned cold.
Who could have foreseen that the Chang Family would prove so utterly foolish, dragging down the Eastern Palace in the process?
"Imperial Grandmother means to say..."
"Since your father did not marry into the Gu Family, this marriage alliance naturally falls to you." The Empress Dowager looked at Yanzheng steadily. "You need only show deep affection for Gu Mingliu. After that, I will ensure the matter is settled."
"Many thanks, Imperial Grandmother."
A faint smile touched Song Yanzheng's lips. With a father-in-law like Gu Zheng, how could he lack prestige in the military?
"How are Yan Ming and Yan Chao?" Concern laced the Empress Dowager's voice as she thought of her two younger grandsons.
"Imperial Grandmother need not worry. Yan Ming and Yan Chao are currently reflecting in their courtyard."
A cold snort escaped the Empress Dowager.
"Yanzheng, I know you treasure Xi Yan. But had she not spoken recklessly in front of Yan Ming and Yan Chao this time, would they have incurred your imperial grandfather's reprimand?" Displeasure colored her tone. "Yan Ming and Yan Chao are your full-blooded brothers. If they suffer, how can your path remain smooth?"
Song Yanzheng parted his lips but ultimately conceded, "Imperial Grandmother speaks wisely."
His father had never informed the Empress Dowager of the prophecy made by the grand astrologer years ago.
Thus, she did not know Xi Yan was the Eastern Palace's lucky star.
"Yanzheng, once her confinement ends, have Xi Yan stay in Kunning Palace for a time. I will personally instruct her."
The Empress Dowager's gaze was profound. If Xi Yan remained unchecked, she might bring even greater disaster upon the Eastern Palace.
"Imperial Grandmother, my mother can also guide Xi Yan." Song Yanzheng spoke slowly.
"Your mother has her hands full now, and you have no attention to spare for the inner court. Xi Yan is my own granddaughter—do you think I would harm her?"
"As Imperial Grandmother wishes."
......
Qin Prince's Mansion.
"Father, what did General Gu say to you before we left?" Song Shihuan popped a grape into her mouth as she spoke.
She had noticed her father's expression darken as if he had encountered something foul.
"Gu Zheng mentioned that His Majesty and Old General Gu once made a verbal marriage agreement." Song Yu wore a troubled frown. "Originally, this betrothal was meant for Song Ling, but it never came to pass. Gu Zheng fears the Eastern Palace may use this to petition His Majesty to bestow Gu Mingliu upon Song Yanzheng."
"So the original Crown Princess was meant to be a daughter of the Gu Family?" Song Shihuan's expression shifted.
"Gu Zheng's legitimate younger sister—now married into a family south of the Yangtze."
"Father, don't you think too many things trace back to the Crown Prince's wedding?" No sooner had Song Shihuan spoken than Shen Qingping pushed open the door and entered.
"What about the Crown Prince's wedding?"
He had only been away from the Qin Prince's Mansion for a day—how had he already missed something crucial?
Song Yu straightened his expression and decisively picked up a brush to write down all the details, connecting the dots. Then he abruptly looked up. "After Kunning Palace and the Chang Family reached an agreement, they first framed me, then called off the marriage alliance with the Gu Family."
"Father is wise."
Damn it all!
Song Yu’s nostrils flared in anger. Beside him, Shen Qingping also pieced together the truth, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.
"Your Highness, in that case, tomorrow we shall visit the imperial prison to see Madam Chang."
Shen Qingping’s tone carried an eerie calm. "The youngest heir of the Chang Family is now three years old. Unable to endure the prison’s cold, he’s been running a high fever these past few days. We can use his life as leverage to force the Chang Family to talk."
"I have no intention of saving that Chang brat’s life."
"That’s just what we’ll tell the Chang Family. Whether we actually save him or not… well, that’s entirely up to Your Highness."
Shen Qingping smiled.
Song Shihuan swallowed the grape in her mouth. As expected, her father could only manage petty schemes—when it came to truly ruthless tactics, it had to be her mentor’s doing.
......
Early the next morning, Song Yu and Shen Qingping arrived at the gates of the imperial prison.
"Has Your Highness prepared what to say?"
Shen Qingping glanced up at the sky. After over twenty years, the gods above ought to finally deliver justice to the prince.
"Before meeting the Changs, I must first pay Sun Hu a visit."
The prison guards trembled as they unlocked the cell door for Song Yu, who curled his lips. "Take me to Sun Hu."
Their last encounter hadn’t ended properly.
Within the time it took for an incense stick to burn, Sun Hu’s agonized howls echoed through the prison. Standing outside the cell, Shen Qingping casually picked at his ear—apparently, the prison food was decent, given how robust the man’s cries were.
Inside the cell, Song Yu vented his fury, delivering one last kick to Sun Hu.
Sun Hu’s barely healed face was once again a canvas of bruises, a spectacular sight.
Before leaving, Shen Qingping added, "I’ve heard that convalescents should stick to bland food. A simple bowl of rice porridge each day will suffice."
"Y-yes, as you command, my lord."
The guards bowed repeatedly in agreement.
The deeper they went, the heavier the oppressive chill grew, the silence broken only by the occasional drip of water.
The Chang Family, charged with grave crimes, were held in the prison’s innermost depths.
When Madam Chang came into view again, she was unrecognizable from her former plump and dignified self—now a gaunt figure, her sunken eyes hollow and terrifying.
"Prince of Qin, what an unexpected guest."
Madam Chang forced composure into her voice.
"I’ve come today to ask how much the Chang Family truly knew about the plot to frame me back then."
Song Yu cut straight to the point, his words draining the color from Madam Chang’s face.
"I don’t understand what Your Highness means."
Song Yu smirked, his gaze shifting to the unconscious child in the corner.
"Your grandson’s fever hasn’t broken. Without proper treatment, he might not even live to see execution day."
As Madam Chang’s eyes turned fierce, Song Yu’s smile widened. "If you’re willing to talk, I might consider summoning Mei Zhilin for him."
The air grew thick with silence.
After the length of an incense stick’s burn, Madam Chang finally twitched her lips. "I want Your Highness to promise me—spare my grandson’s life. Let the Chang bloodline live on."
"Fine."
Song Yu agreed without hesitation.
"I want Your Highness to swear on Princess Fu’an’s safety," Madam Chang pressed, her gaze locked onto him. "Once you do, I’ll tell you everything the Chang Family knows."
At the mention of Song Shihuan, Song Yu's eyes darkened with a crimson hue.
"Madam Chang, have I been too lenient with you?"
"Believe my words or not—it’s your choice. But if you refuse, that boy won’t last much longer. Soon enough, his corpse will be dumped in the mass graves."
Hearing this, Madam Chang dug her nails deep into her palms beneath her sleeves.
