The imperial garden fell into sudden silence.
"Chang Ling'er, why have you left the imperial prison instead of repenting there?" Song Yanzheng's gaze sharpened. "Guards, take her back at once."
At his words, everyone present could almost hear Chang Ling'er's heart shatter.
"Cousin, how have you become like this?"
Chang Ling'er was restrained by the palace maids, her arms pinned behind her back, unable to break free. "You used to treat me so well, saying that Princess Fuyun and I were the most important people in your life."
"Someone, gag her!"
Seeing the situation escalate, the Successor Empress swiftly intervened, her voice stern.
Song Yanzheng's face darkened completely. In the past, the Chang family had been the Eastern Palace's greatest support, so he had naturally devoted effort to maintaining Chang Ling'er's favor.
But now that the Chang family had fallen, Chang Ling'er meant nothing to him.
Chang Ling'er struggled, muffled cries escaping her lips, while some timid noble ladies began sobbing in fear.
"How did the prison guards allow an unforgivable criminal to escape?" The Successor Empress straightened, her voice icy. "Chang Ling'er, if you continue this madness, do not blame me for disregarding past sentiments."
"Imperial Grandmother, please calm your anger."
A small figure darted out from the crowd and rushed to Chang Ling'er's side.
With practiced ease, she removed the gag from Chang Ling'er's mouth.
"Imperial Grandmother, this is all a misunderstanding."
"Ah Huan?" The moment she saw Song Shihuan, the Successor Empress's temples throbbed—she truly did not want to deal with this little troublemaker now.
"The Chang family's three-year-old child was burning with fever, and Father took pity, allowing Second Miss Chang to bring the child into the palace to seek Imperial Physician Mei's help." Song Shihuan sighed. "The child is still with Imperial Physician Mei now."
Then she turned to Chang Ling'er, her small face stern. "Second Miss Chang, if you slander my elder brother without proof, be prepared to face punishment."
"I'm not slandering anyone..."
Tears streamed down Chang Ling'er's face.
"The calligraphy and paintings in my room were all written by Cousin himself. Even the incense I burn daily was specially blended on his orders—he said it suited me best."
At her words, the noble ladies present gasped in shock.
"Chang Ling'er, have you lost your mind?" Song Yanzheng strode forward, his gaze burning with fury. In a voice so low only she could hear, he hissed, "If you don’t want to die right now, shut your mouth."
"If I can't have you, I'd rather die."
Chang Ling'er screamed in despair. "Cousin, you promised you'd find a way to save me, but now I see it was all lies!"
"Were all those years of affection just a pretense?"
"You swore you would marry me someday!"
Song Shihuan pinched her palm hard to keep from laughing aloud.
So Chang Ling'er's infatuation was because Song Yanzheng had played her all along.
What a spectacular scene!
......
"Utter nonsense!"
Seeing the situation spiral out of control, the Successor Empress rose to her feet, ready to have Chang Ling'er gagged and dragged back to prison.
But Song Shihuan wouldn’t allow it.
"Second Miss Chang's claims about the incense are baseless—she could be lying." Song Shihuan turned to Liuxi. "Liuxi, go to the Purple Palace and ask Father to visit the Chang residence. Let’s see if the calligraphy in Second Miss Chang's chambers truly belongs to Elder Brother."
She then glanced at Song Yanzheng with feigned concern. "Elder Brother, don’t worry. I’ll prove your innocence."
The way she said "Elder Brother" made Song Yanzheng's vision darken with rage.
Liuxi was swift on his feet—before anyone could react, he had already vanished from sight.
Seeing Song Yanzheng's stunned expression, the Successor Empress inwardly cursed.
"Forgive this unfortunate spectacle," she said, forcing a composed smile. "Let us postpone today's flower-viewing gathering to another day."
The noble ladies understood the dismissal and filed out of the garden one by one—but not without forming new judgments about Song Yanzheng.
An hour later, Emperor Yuanyou and Song Yu arrived in the imperial garden.
"Yanzheng, these paintings are unmistakably your work." Song Yu grinned, his white teeth flashing, making Song Yanzheng seethe.
"Could it be that you and Second Miss Chang... were secretly engaged?"
Song Yu feigned distress. "This... even I feel heartbroken for your Imperial Grandfather."
Sure enough, Emperor Yuanyou's furious voice rang out the next moment. "Yanzheng, I always thought you were steady and reliable. Never did I imagine you capable of such absurdity."
"Imperial Grandfather, I swear, I only saw her as... as a sister, like Xi Yan."
"A sister? Yet you promised to marry her?" Emperor Yuanyou's voice rose. "If this spreads, what respectable family would dare wed their daughter to you?"
"Your grandson..."
Emperor Yuanyou's gaze fell on Chang Ling'er, and with a wave of his hand, Wu Qi swiftly escorted her away.
"Though Chang Ling'er is now the daughter of a disgraced official and no longer your equal, you should not have gone this far." Emperor Yuanyou sighed. "Yanzheng, a man without integrity cannot stand firm."
The words struck Song Yanzheng like a thunderbolt.
"Your grandson... will remember Imperial Grandfather's teachings."
The Successor Empress's eyes darkened—lack of integrity was a grave accusation, tantamount to moral failure.
"Your Majesty, the noble ladies today were all quite lovely," she quickly interjected, changing the subject. "Among them, Old General Gu's eldest daughter, Gu Mingliu, struck me as particularly wise and composed. Yanzheng also thought highly of her."
"Gu Zheng's daughter?" Emperor Yuanyou frowned.
"Indeed. It suddenly reminded me of the verbal marriage agreement between Your Majesty and Old General Gu years ago."
Unaware of the storm brewing in Song Yu's eyes, the Successor Empress continued, "Ling'er was not fortunate enough to fulfill it, but if Yanzheng could marry the Gu family's daughter, it would be a joyous union."
"Joyous?"
Emperor Yuanyou stared at her, wondering if age had dulled her mind.
"After Chang Ling'er's public outburst, you expect me to bestow Gu Zheng's daughter upon Yanzheng now?"
"Imperial Grandfather, I truly admire Miss Gu. I beg for your blessing." To everyone's shock, Song Yanzheng dropped to his knees, his plea earnest.
Emperor Yuanyou's scalp prickled. Trembling, he pointed at Song Yanzheng.
"Do you seek a marriage or a feud? Do you not know Gu Zheng's temper?"
"Exactly. With Yanzheng and Chang Ling'er's scandal unfolding before so many witnesses, General Gu would never accept this match." Song Yu, ever the instigator, shook his head in mock sorrow.
"Father, if you decree this marriage, Old General Gu might just haunt your dreams tonight."
"You wretched fool!"
Emperor Yuanyou's vision darkened with rage.
