A few days later, Song Yu mysteriously pulled Song Shihuan out of the manor.
Inside the carriage, Song Shihuan was utterly confused.
"Father, where are we going?" she asked, watching Song Yu’s barely contained excitement as her left eyelid twitched.
Something good must be about to happen.
"Kunning Palace sent someone to fetch Song Xiyan for a short stay," Song Yu said, grinning so widely it seemed his smile might split his face. "They already went once yesterday, but for some reason, they didn’t take her. Today, Chen Chi from Kunning Palace is going to the Eastern Palace in person to escort her."
"Really?!" Song Shihuan’s brows lifted in surprise. "How did you find out, Father?"
"Last night, Her Majesty went to Zichen Hall, and I happened to be dozing behind the screen," Song Yu said, winking at his daughter. "Song Xiyan has tried to bully you several times before. Today, I’ll take you into the palace to give her a taste of her own medicine."
......
Eastern Palace.
By the time Song Yu and Song Shihuan leisurely arrived, the Eastern Palace was in chaos.
"Eunuch Chen, Xiyan suddenly developed a high fever today and truly cannot be moved," the Crown Princess blocked Chen Chi’s path, shielding Song Xiyan. "Please inform Her Majesty that once Xiyan recovers, we will personally escort her to Kunning Palace."
"Her Majesty naturally cares deeply for Princess Fuyun’s health. She has specifically ordered Imperial Physician Mei to examine the princess daily at Kunning Palace. The princess will only recover better there."
Chen Chi’s expression darkened slightly. The Eastern Palace was showing distrust toward Her Majesty over a mere princess—this was what displeased the Empress most.
Hearing this, the Crown Princess’s face turned cold. "Xiyan is my daughter, Eunuch Chen. Unless you have His Majesty’s decree, you will not take her away."
"What’s going on here?"
Song Yu strode in with Song Shihuan, both feigning surprise.
"I brought Ah Huan to visit His Majesty and heard the commotion, so we came to see," Song Yu said, eyeing Chen Chi. "Eunuch Chen, why must you insist on taking someone else’s daughter away?"
"Your Highness, it is merely that Her Majesty misses the princess and wishes for her to stay at Kunning Palace for a while," Chen Chi replied, his brow furrowing almost imperceptibly at Song Yu’s presence.
"Xiyan is the most filial. If Grandmother wanted her company, she would have run there herself. Why does Eunuch Chen need to make such a scene?"
Song Shihuan chimed in, her mind racing—how could she escalate this situation?
Song Xiyan’s "high fever" was likely just an excuse to avoid going to Kunning Palace.
"Ah Huan, Xiyan isn’t feeling well," the Crown Princess said stiffly, unwilling to explain further in front of Song Yu and Song Shihuan.
"Xiyan isn’t well?" Song Shihuan’s eyes brimmed with concern. "Yingchun, go fetch Imperial Physician Mei at once! Qi Xi, inform Eunuch Wu at Zichen Hall that Father and I may be delayed."
With a few words, she had dragged both Emperor Yuanyou and Mei Zhilin into the affair.
The commotion outside reached the inner chamber, where Song Xiyan stiffened on the bed.
Clutching Song Yanzheng’s sleeve, she whispered tearfully, "Elder Brother, can you tell Grandmother about the prophecy the master made back then? Tell her I’m a lucky star."
She had sensed Grandmother’s growing displeasure with her recent actions... If she were forced to live in Kunning Palace, she dreaded what awaited her.
"Xiyan, the master warned that revealing heaven’s secrets invites retribution. Only Father, Mother, you, and our brothers were present then."
They had long believed the master’s sudden death was due to that very transgression.
For years, no one had spoken of it—except Song Xiyan herself.
A flicker of desperation crossed Song Xiyan’s face. "Then let Mother say it! She bore me—she won’t suffer retribution!"
Song Yanzheng’s gaze darkened at her flimsy reasoning.
"Elder Brother, Grandmother favors Second and Third Brother. Now that they’re confined because of me, how could she treat me kindly?" Tears spilled onto Song Yanzheng’s robes. "If misfortune befalls me, how can I protect the Eastern Palace?"
Song Yanzheng’s expression shifted.
......
Outside, the Crown Princess paled as Mei Zhilin arrived with his medical kit.
"Imperial Physician Mei, you’re finally here! Please examine Xiyan at once." Song Shihuan tugged Mei Zhilin’s sleeve toward the chamber, only to collide with Song Yanzheng.
"Elder Brother, you’re here too?"
"Imperial Physician Mei, Xiyan took medicine this morning. Her fever seems to have subsided—perhaps she’s improving," Song Yanzheng said, glancing at the Crown Princess. "Please check on her."
The moment Mei Zhilin took Song Xiyan’s pulse, his lips twitched.
High fever? She was as healthy as an ox!
Just then, Emperor Yuanyou arrived with Wu Qi, demanding, "Where is Ah Huan?"
"Father, Ah Huan rushed to summon Imperial Physician Mei the moment she heard Xiyan was unwell. They’re inside now," Song Yu said, stirring the pot with a smirk.
Emperor Yuanyou surveyed the scene, his gaze darkening with understanding.
This Xiyan… utterly spoiled.
"Mei Zhilin, how is Xiyan?" the Emperor’s voice rang out. "Is she truly ill, or is she perfectly fine?"
Mei Zhilin, ever the shrewd courtier, seized the cue. "Forgive my limited skill, Your Majesty, but I detect no ailment—only signs of agitated frustration."
Silence engulfed the Eastern Palace.
Eunuch Chen inwardly cursed.
Her Majesty had only sought the Emperor’s approval to guide Song Xiyan, hoping to mend her reputation.
Instead, the princess’s deception now lay bare before the throne.
"Song Xiyan!"
Emperor Yuanyou’s roar shook the room.
Song Xiyan scrambled out, kneeling before him.
"Grandfather, this granddaughter admits her fault!"
"Your grandmother dotes on you! Last night, she pleaded with me, saying you were merely spirited and needed guidance. And this is how you repay her?" The Emperor’s disappointment was scalding. "Faking illness to shirk her care—where is your filial piety? Has it been fed to the dogs?"
"This granddaughter…"
Spotting Song Shihuan, Emperor Yuanyou’s wrath flared hotter. "Look at Ah Huan—bright, capable, and genuinely dutiful. You, raised in the palace for ten years, can’t even match a fraction of her sincerity!"
The comparison to Song Shihuan made Song Xiyan’s eyes burn with fresh tears.
"Grandfather, perhaps Xiyan merely acted rashly," Song Shihuan interjected, mimicking the Empress Dowager’s tactic of feigned mercy masking provocation.
"Rashly?!"
The Emperor jabbed a finger at Song Xiyan. "Copy the Classic of Filial Piety three times from start to finish. Then get yourself to Kunning Palace—now!"
