"Imperial Grandfather... your granddaughter will go to Imperial Grandmother’s palace now. Please do not anger yourself and harm your health."
Song Xiyan trembled so violently her teeth chattered, not daring to look back as she hurried toward Kunning Palace.
Emperor Yuanyou cast a deep glance at the Crown Princess and Song Yanzheng before taking Song Shihuan by the hand and leaving the Eastern Palace.
Left behind, Song Yanzheng’s eyes darkened with resentment—the Qin Prince's Mansion was gaining ever more imperial favor these days.
"Mother."
Song Yanzheng spoke gravely, "The matter of Song Xiyan being the Eastern Palace’s lucky star back then—it’s time to inform Imperial Grandmother. Otherwise, she remains in the dark and cannot properly plan for Xiyan’s future."
The Crown Princess did not immediately grasp the implications of his words and merely nodded faintly.
"Mother, find an opportunity to tell Imperial Grandmother about the lucky star prophecy."
Hearing this, the Crown Princess lifted her gaze, all the fury she had suppressed suddenly erupting.
"Song Yanzheng, divine secrets must not be revealed."
"But if Xiyan suffers misfortune, how can she continue to protect the Eastern Palace?" Song Yanzheng retorted without hesitation. "Mother, why can’t you think of your son’s interests?"
"Then why don’t you tell her yourself, Song Yanzheng?"
The Crown Princess’s eyes burned red as she stared at her eldest son, once her greatest pride.
"You know full well that revealing divine secrets invites retribution, yet you still push me to do it. Song Yanzheng, I carried you for ten months and gave birth to you—I owe you nothing."
The recent schemes of Song Yanzheng and Song Ling to arrange marriages, along with Ling’er’s abandonment, flashed through her mind, twisting her expression into something near madness.
"Mother, should we have Father speak of it instead?" Song Yanzheng sneered. "My brothers and I are imperial grandsons—it would be improper for us to bring it up."
"How convenient."
The Crown Princess laughed, her smile growing ghastly.
"Now that the Chang family has fallen, you see me as useless, eager for your father to take a new consort." Her voice was icy. "And you—so quick to discard Ling’er, desperate to secure a new alliance through marriage. Song Yanzheng, I am your mother!"
"Do you even have a heart?"
"What nonsense is this, Mother?" Song Yanzheng met her gaze unflinchingly. "When Father ascends the throne, you will be Empress. In time, you will be Grand Empress Dowager of Da Qi."
"You are blinded by power."
The Crown Princess’s heart ached. She could not understand how her once-beloved son had become this unrecognizable stranger.
"If that’s what you believe, then so be it."
Song Yanzheng scoffed. "I leave Xiyan’s matter in your hands."
After he left, the Crown Princess collapsed to the floor. An elderly maid rushed to support her. "Your Highness, the Eldest Imperial Grandson is merely... temporarily misguided."
"Nanny, what kind of child treats his mother this way?"
Clutching her chest, the Crown Princess whispered, "I gave him life, raised him, offered him the world’s finest treasures. Yet now, because the Chang family has fallen, he casts me aside like rubbish."
"What hope do I have left in him?"
......
Kunning Palace.
Upon learning of the Eastern Palace’s turmoil, the Successor Empress pointed at Song Xiyan in exasperation. "Xiyan, do you truly think I would devour you?"
"Imperial Grandmother, no, I—"
Song Xiyan was utterly distraught.
"Your greatest mistake was feigning illness."
The Successor Empress sighed deeply. "And of all times, for your Imperial Grandfather to witness it. Xiyan, affection between people can wither away."
Panicked, Song Xiyan looked up. "Then what—what should I do?"
"You and I will go to the Purple Dawn Hall to beg forgiveness. Now."
The Successor Empress’s gaze darkened. Recently, it seemed the Eastern Palace had offended some unseen force—misfortune clung to them all.
She feared today’s incident would further tarnish the Emperor’s view of the Eastern Palace, so amends must be made swiftly.
"Xiyan, when you kneel before your Imperial Grandfather, be sincere. Admit your fault without excuses—do you understand?"
"Yes, Granddaughter understands." Song Xiyan murmured meekly.
An hour later, the Successor Empress and Song Xiyan stood outside the Purple Dawn Hall. "Eunuch Wu, this Empress has brought the Princess to seek pardon."
She had deliberately removed her ornate hairpins, dressed plainly in an indigo robe.
"Your Majesty, please wait. This servant will announce you."
From within the hall, Song Shihuan’s laughter drifted out. Song Xiyan clenched her fists inside her sleeves.
Why does Imperial Grandfather favor her over me?
Emperor Yuanyou’s smile vanished the moment he saw the Successor Empress and Song Xiyan.
"Your Majesty, this consort has failed in her guidance. I beg your forgiveness."
Song Xiyan knelt beside her. "Imperial Grandfather, your granddaughter should not have pretended to be ill just to stay in the Eastern Palace with Second Brother and Third Brother. They had been away from the capital for so long—I missed them terribly."
The Successor Empress inwardly cursed her foolishness.
Idiot! Why mention Song Yanchao and Song Yanming? Now you’ve reminded His Majesty of past grievances!
Sure enough, Emperor Yuanyou seized an inkstone from his desk and hurled it at Song Xiyan. "The reason I confined you was your habit of spreading lies and stirring discord between Yanchao and Yanming! Clearly, you’ve learned nothing—still deceiving others with false ailments!"
Song Shihuan smirked.
Song Xiyan was so accustomed to lying that she instinctively fabricated excuses. This time, however, she had met her match.
Deciding to fan the flames, Song Shihuan stepped forward, eyes brimming with feigned sorrow.
"Xiyan-mei, I never had the chance to ask—why did you tell Second Brother and Third Brother such terrible things about me?"
She tilted her head. "You claimed I bullied you. Mei, how could I possibly bully you?"
Cornered, Song Xiyan jerked her head up. "When did I ever say that?"
"Still lying?" Song Shihuan sighed. "Second Brother and Third Brother confessed everything in this very hall. Would our wise and benevolent Imperial Grandfather have punished you otherwise?"
Song Xiyan’s lips quivered, hatred flashing in her eyes.
"When someone lies as easily as breathing, even their closest kin will despise them."
Song Shihuan’s pointed words snapped the last thread of Song Xiyan’s restraint. With a shriek, she lunged, nails aimed at Song Shihuan’s face.
"Ah-Huan!"
Song Yu threw himself between them, shouting, "Father! She tried to disfigure Ah-Huan right before you!"
Cold sweat drenched Song Xiyan’s back.
"Outrageous!"
Emperor Yuanyou’s roar shook the hall. "Guards! Strip Song Xiyan of her title and confine her to Kunning Palace for reflection!"
