"Your Majesty, please calm your anger. Xi Yan has behaved improperly, and this consort will discipline her thoroughly upon returning," the Successor Empress said anxiously. "However, the revocation of her title is a grave matter. I beg Your Majesty to reconsider."
Her heart trembled faintly. Several in the Eastern Palace were still under house arrest... If Xi Yan were to lose her title as well, the court officials would surely believe the Eastern Palace had fallen out of favor.
What should be done?
When Song Xiyan heard the words "revocation of title," she froze in shock, her entire body trembling uncontrollably.
"This emperor once established a rule that princesses or noble ladies of Daqi must be granted titles only after turning fifteen. Had it not been for the Crown Prince’s persistent pleas back then, this emperor would not have bestowed the title 'Fuyun' upon Xi Yan in advance."
Thus, Xiling and Xiyao still had no titles.
Emperor Yuanyou’s gaze was sharp. He had come to realize that unless Xi Yan faced a punishment that struck at her core, it would be as ineffective as her previous house arrests.
Song Yu would never let such an opportunity slip. He quickly spoke up:
"Father is wise. In your son’s view, Xi Yan has become what she is today precisely because Your Majesty indulged her too."
Seeing the accusation of poor upbringing now directed at him as well, Emperor Yuanyou glared at Song Yu.
Song Yu glared right back.
His precious daughter had nearly had her face scratched—what was wrong with speaking his mind?
Clearing his throat, Song Yu continued without a trace of fear:
"Xi Yan repeatedly schemed against Ah Huan in the women’s academy, then sowed discord between Yan Chao and Yan Ming, driving a wedge between cousins. If left unchecked, she will bring about disaster."
"Father previously ordered Xi Yan to copy the 'Admonitions for Women' and placed her under house arrest, yet it achieved nothing."
At this point, Song Yu couldn’t help rolling his eyes inwardly. If copying texts could reform people, would Daqi still have good-for-nothings?
"In your son’s humble opinion, only the revocation of her title will truly make Xi Yan repent."
Hearing her past misdeeds exposed so mercilessly, Song Xiyan collapsed to the floor, shaking her head frantically.
"Imperial Grandfather, please forgive your granddaughter one last time. I swear I will never repeat my mistakes."
The Successor Empress, who knew Emperor Yuanyou well, felt her heart sink to the depths. But before she could plead again, Song Shihuan interjected.
"So it turns out that Xiling and Xiyao not having titles is in accordance with protocol," Song Shihuan said at just the right moment. "In that case, I beg Imperial Grandfather to revoke my title as well. Let me be the same as my younger sisters."
Seeing Song Shihuan’s display of understanding, Emperor Yuanyou was overcome with sorrow.
Look at Ah Huan—what a fine child she was!
"Ah Huan, the title 'Fu’an' was chosen by this emperor himself. The imperial family owes you ten years, and this title is what you deserve."
How could two imperial noble ladies be so different?
With this thought, Emperor Yuanyou declared firmly: "The revocation of the title is decided. We shall reconsider granting her a new one when she turns fifteen."
Wu Qi, who had been trying to remain unnoticed in the hall, shuddered at the words. The once-proud Lady Fuyun... had lost her title just like that?
Realizing there was no hope left, Song Xiyan’s eyes rolled back as she fainted outright.
Meanwhile, Song Yu and Song Shihuan exchanged a glance, both wondering how they should celebrate later.
......
In the following days, confined within Kunning Palace, Song Xiyan wept endlessly, her eyes swollen like walnuts.
The Successor Empress, too, was seething with frustration.
"Your Highness, the noble lady has only taken a little porridge again today. Would you like to check on her?" Chen Chi asked softly, careful not to provoke her.
"Let her be!"
The Successor Empress lifted her gaze. "This consort explicitly instructed her not to make excuses but to simply admit her faults. If she can’t even manage that—and has dragged the Eastern Palace down with her—what hope is there for her future?"
She had misjudged before, thinking Xi Yan was a clever child.
"If this continues, the Eastern Palace might..."
"This consort is not dead yet! If they think staying in Kunning Palace is suffering, let the Crown Prince come and say it to my face." The Successor Empress tossed her prayer beads onto the table. "They’re all nothing but burdens."
Chen Chi lowered his head. He feared the Eastern Palace might actually dare to do so.
And sure enough...
Days later.
Song Yanzheng arrived at Kunning Palace with the Crown Princess.
The Crown Princess looked haggard, her face gaunt and her body noticeably thinner. At the sight of her, the Successor Empress rose in alarm.
"Summon the imperial physician at once to examine the Crown Princess."
Could she be gravely ill?
"Imperial Grandmother need not worry. Mother is merely troubled in spirit," Song Yanzheng said calmly, betraying no emotion. "Today, your grandson and Mother have come because she has something to tell you."
At this, the Crown Princess gave a cold smile.
The scars on her wrists still ached faintly.
To force her to speak of the "auspicious star," the man she had loved and respected had turned into a raving beast. She had no doubt that had she refused, he would have killed her.
The Crown Princess took a deep breath.
So without the Chang family’s backing, she had fallen so low in the Eastern Palace.
"Mother?" Song Yanzheng’s deep voice prompted her. The Crown Princess’s smile grew even more eerie.
"Mother Empress, a master once prophesied that Xi Yan is the Eastern Palace’s auspicious star, destined to ensure its prosperity."
Here, she suddenly threw her head back and laughed mockingly. "But now, it seems the master may have been mistaken."
With that, the Crown Princess turned and left without another word to the Successor Empress or Song Yanzheng.
Inside the chamber, the Successor Empress looked at Song Yanzheng with a complicated expression.
"Yanzheng, do you truly believe Xi Yan is the auspicious star?" The Crown Princess’s final words had unsettled her.
Without hesitation, Song Yanzheng nodded.
"Imperial Grandmother, back then, Mother carried two children in her womb. If it isn’t Xi Yan, could it possibly be that wild girl?"
"Now that Xi Yan faces misfortune, the Eastern Palace suffers as well. I beg Imperial Grandmother to help Xi Yan—and in doing so, help the Eastern Palace."
After much deliberation, the Successor Empress finally nodded.
After all, Master Fuyuan, who had made the prophecy, was a figure of great renown.
......
In a side chamber, Song Xiyan stared blankly out the window, tears still streaming down her face.
"Xi Yan."
Hearing the Successor Empress’s voice, she snapped out of her daze and threw herself into her arms. "Imperial Grandmother, do you dislike me now too?"
The Successor Empress looked at her granddaughter, then thought of the prophecy of the auspicious star, and sighed helplessly.
"You are this consort’s own flesh and blood. How could I dislike you?"
"It’s my fault. I always wanted to outshine Song Shihuan, so I did so many foolish things." Song Xiyan clutched her sleeve. "These past few days, I’ve realized everything."
"There’s nothing wrong with wanting to surpass her—only in the methods you used."
The Successor Empress patted her head. "Stay quietly in Kunning Palace for now. When my birthday approaches, I will plead with His Majesty to lift your house arrest."
"When the banquet comes, you must conduct yourself impeccably and bring honor to the Eastern Palace."
Song Xiyan nodded tearfully, her heart still aching bitterly.
She no longer held her noble title...
She simply couldn't bear to be addressed as the Second Princess.
