"This is the young lady of the Shen Family, here to serve Consort Mei in the palace."
Song Xiyan spoke up for Shen Hua'er. "She has been keeping me company for half the day today. With Sister Shen here, my heart feels much lighter."
Hearing Song Xiyan's words, Song Yanzheng's expression softened once more, and he smiled at Shen Hua'er. "Thank you, Miss Shen, for accompanying Xiyan."
"The Second Princess is wise and graceful. It is my honor to spend time with her."
Shen Hua'er's voice trembled slightly as she spoke.
Before her stood Song Yanzheng, radiant and full of youthful vigor, his smile reminiscent of the dashing young heroes from romantic tales.
Yet, this very man softened his gaze when facing Song Xiyan, his voice laced with gentle coaxing. Shen Hua'er's heart fluttered—this was the man she was destined to marry...
Song Yanzheng couldn't help but glance at Shen Hua'er again. She was quite clever, no wonder she had managed to earn Song Xiyan's favor.
He indulged her with a few more words before finally allowing her to leave Kunning Palace.
On the palace path, Shen Hua'er pressed a hand to her chest.
Her heart was pounding fiercely...
Jianjia Palace.
Just as Shen Hua'er was about to ask the matron to announce her arrival, she overheard Consort Mei's voice from inside.
"Your monthly courses came again this month?"
Hearing such blunt words from Consort Mei, the Princess of Qi paled.
Seeing her daughter-in-law's reaction, Consort Mei sighed heavily. "And none of those women in the rear courtyard have shown any signs either?"
"Mother Consort, I have already sought out several fertile concubines for His Highness, but none have borne good news." The Princess of Qi's eyes reddened. "I, too, long for Prince Qi's Mansion to have an Imperial Grandson, so His Majesty might look upon His Highness with more favor."
"At least you understand this much."
Consort Mei's gaze darkened. In a few days, she would send someone to procure more remedies for those women in Prince Qi's Mansion—they must bear her a grandson soon.
As the Princess of Qi stepped out of the chamber, she noticed Shen Hua'er standing nearby and offered her a gentle smile.
Yet, that smile faded the moment she boarded her carriage outside the palace gates.
"Your Highness, Her Ladyship seems even more impatient than before."
"Indeed." The Princess of Qi's tone was mocking. "All she cares about is securing an Imperial Grandson for Prince Qi's Mansion, without a single thought for my Xiyao."
"The first Imperial Grandson of Prince Qi's Mansion must come from my womb. Otherwise, no one else shall bear a child."
A ruthless glint flashed in the Princess of Qi's eyes. After so many years in the mansion, if she had not mastered some tricks, she would have wasted her family's teachings.
......
Several days later.
Song Yu was summoned to the palace.
"It's rare for His Majesty to summon Father so formally—it must be a matter of great importance." Song Shihuan's eyes sparkled mischievously. "And yet, he didn't summon me along!"
"Aside from the Ministry of War, what else could it be?"
Song Yu tapped Song Shihuan's high nose bridge playfully. "The old man must finally realize he has no one else to rely on, so he has no choice but to hand the Ministry of War to me."
"Then in the future, if I wish to visit the military camps, will it be easy?"
Song Shihuan's gaze flickered. Though she had studied military strategies extensively, she had never set foot in a real camp or witnessed the might of the Great Qi army.
"Naturally."
Hearing this, Song Shihuan grinned. The Ministry of War... was as valuable as the Ministry of Revenue.
If war ever broke out, she might even help her father earn military merits!
The future truly seemed bright.
After Song Yu left for the palace, Song Shihuan retreated to her chambers to escape the heat.
"This weather grows hotter by the day." She couldn't help but grumble. "Baoxia, your arms are strong—fan me a little more. Tonight, I'll have Sanxi buy you those apricot plums you love."
Seeing how much Song Shihuan suffered in the summer, Yingchun hesitated before speaking up.
"Your Highness, perhaps I could prepare some incense for you. While it won't dispel the heat, it may help calm your mind."
As the saying went, a tranquil heart naturally cools.
Baoxia paused in her fanning. "Ever since that incident with the sedative, Your Highness hasn't used incense in these chambers. If we reintroduce it now, I wonder if you'd even be accustomed to it."
"Incence..."
Listening to Yingchun and Baoxia, a sudden realization flickered in Song Shihuan's mind—but it vanished before she could grasp it.
"Still, incense must be used with utmost caution." Yingchun grew serious. "Many in the palace... have been ruined by it."
Having grown up surrounded by such tales, she knew countless horrifying stories.
Abruptly, Song Shihuan sat up straight. "Ruined by incense?"
"Indeed. Some incense can induce hallucinations, others can lull one into deep slumber, and some... can render a woman barren."
"Song Yanzheng has been wary of the Chang Family from the very beginning." Song Shihuan's expression turned grave. "The Eastern Palace never intended for the Changs to become the imperial in-laws."
"Your Highness..."
Yingchun and Baoxia were baffled by her sudden words.
But Song Shihuan stood immediately. "Yingchun, can you identify fragrances?"
Yingchun nodded.
"Come with me to the Chang Family—quickly."
Song Shihuan's eyes darkened.
That day in the imperial garden, Chang Ling'er had mentioned that the incense she used in her chambers was specially prepared by Song Yanzheng. At the time, Song Shihuan found it odd—even Song Xiyan had never received such treatment.
There could only be one explanation.
The incense Chang Ling'er had been using for years was tainted!
Recalling how Chang Ling'er had married Song Yanzheng in her past life, Song Shihuan's mind reeled.
So, the Eastern Palace had only ever planned to exploit the Chang Family's influence—the Crown Princess was nothing but a pawn from start to finish.
......
The Chang Residence.
The imperial guards on duty recognized Song Shihuan and swiftly let her pass.
Shen Xiao had given explicit orders—any matter concerning the Chang Family was to be deferred to the Qin Prince's Mansion.
Since this young mistress was from the Qin Prince's Mansion, they ought to escort her.
Song Shihuan and Yingchun hurried straight to Chang Ling'er's chambers.
"Yingchun, examine this incense carefully. Is there anything amiss?" Song Shihuan's breath grew shallow. If her suspicions were correct...
Yingchun inhaled the scent and frowned. "This incense contains a heavy dose of musk. Any woman exposed to it long-term would become barren."
Hearing this, Song Shihuan staggered back.
Then, a wild glint flashed in her eyes.
Years ago, the Eastern Palace had drugged her father during a palace banquet, framing him for an affair with a maid and staining his reputation for years.
Now, with the Successor Empress's birthday banquet approaching, would the Eastern Palace resort to the same trick?
Rather than waiting to counter, why not seize this chance to expose the truth and clear her father's name?
And if the Crown Princess could be turned against them, their task would be half done.
"Consider this incense a gift from the Qin Prince's Mansion to the Crown Princess." Song Shihuan smirked. "If she has even a shred of humanity left, she'll surely sink her teeth into the Eastern Palace."
"Let's go. We're heading to the palace."
