The next morning at court.
When Emperor Yuanyou officially announced that the Ministry of War would be handed over to Song Yu, the entire court erupted in uproar.
The Eastern Palace's lackeys immediately jumped to protest.
"Your Majesty, please reconsider. Prince Qin already oversees the Ministry of Revenue. If he also takes charge of the Ministry of War... I fear his energy may be insufficient," declared a half-gray-haired old official with righteous indignation. Before Emperor Yuanyou could respond, Song Yu strode forward and flashed a roguish grin.
"Minister Qian, this prince's energy is more than ample—certainly beyond what someone halfway into the grave could imagine."
Vice Minister Qian choked on his words.
"But the Ministry of War has always been under the Crown Prince's management, without a single mishap," Qian Sheng argued, unwilling to accept this turn of events as the Ministry's vice minister.
"Not making mistakes is enough?" Song Yu rolled his eyes. "This prince has achieved merits in the Ministry of Revenue. Besides, the Crown Prince is currently under house arrest—should the Ministry of War just wait idly for his release?"
"Your Majesty, Prince Qin is unfamiliar with military affairs. I believe the Crown Prince remains the most suitable overseer," another official echoed Qian Sheng's stance.
Emperor Yuanyou watched the chaotic scene—his ministers in uproar while Song Yu single-handedly debated them all.
For some reason, he suddenly felt his son was rather impressive.
"I support Prince Qin taking charge of the Ministry of War," Gu Zheng declared loudly. "His bold yet meticulous approach will surely bring achievements to the ministry. I will spare no effort to assist His Highness."
Song Yu instantly preened.
"Among all the court officials, only General Gu possesses true discernment."
Hearing this, Shen Qingping at the far end stiffened, his smile freezing. What did that mean?
Had His Highness forgotten he was also present in court...?
"Enough. The emperor's word is final," Emperor Yuanyou interjected, silencing further debate. The Ministry of War officials looked ashen, as if facing impending doom.
After court adjourned.
Emperor Yuanyou turned to see Song Yu trailing behind him, carefree as ever, and abruptly halted.
Song Yu nearly bumped his nose into the emperor's head.
"Father, why stop so suddenly? You almost flattened your son's nose."
Exasperated, Emperor Yuanyou snapped, "Tell me—after serving in the Ministry of Revenue all this time, how many officials have befriended you?"
"General Gu, of course."
As Song Yu grinned widely, the emperor pointed at him in frustration. "Aside from the Gu and Shen families, everyone else seems ready to devour you alive!"
"Then what should your son do?"
Song Yu played dumb.
"Even your third and fourth brothers have defenders speaking up for them in court. Only you—if not for Gu Zheng today, what could that insignificant Shen Qingping possibly do for you?"
"Then promote Shen Qingping."
"You—hopeless!" Emperor Yuanyou stormed off toward Zichen Hall.
Song Yu hurried after him. "Don't be angry, Father. Your son understands your meaning."
"But I entered court to serve you and the people of Daqi," Song Yu said earnestly, eyes bright. "Factionalism is beneath me."
The emperor stopped dead.
He turned to stare at Song Yu in disbelief.
With a smile, Song Yu continued, "During the congee incident, even when impeached by the entire court, didn't you still clear my name?"
"Thus, I only wish to ally with you, Father."
Those lighthearted words sent waves crashing through Emperor Yuanyou's heart.
After a long pause, the emperor said quietly, "The Ministry of War may resist you. If you need anything, ask freely."
"A mere prince can't handle those minnows?"
Song Yu straightened, suddenly serious. "Shen Qingping devised a plan. Just watch—and remember to promote him afterward."
"His rank is too low. It's embarrassing having him follow me around."
......
Ministry of War.
The officials had long prepared several strategies to humble Song Yu, sitting stiffly at their posts in anticipation.
They waited to avenge the Crown Prince the moment Song Yu arrived.
Yet even as the sun set, there was no sign of him.
"Vice Minister Qian... has Prince Qin skipped duty on his very first day?" someone ventured timidly. The senior officials' faces darkened instantly.
"Utterly irresponsible! He can't even bother to show up on time?"
Qian Sheng's gaze turned grim. "Find out where Prince Qin is—check if he went to the Ministry of Revenue."
After another half-hour of waiting, news finally arrived.
"Your Excellencies... Prince Qin went to the girls' academy to pick up Princess Fu'an after her lessons."
"Outrageous! We'll wait again tomorrow." Qian Sheng stood furiously.
"But Vice Minister Qian, these memorials..." Normally, these would be sent to the Eastern Palace for the Crown Prince's review.
Now that the ministry belonged to Prince Qin, no one knew how to proceed.
"Set them aside until we see Prince Qin tomorrow."
Meanwhile...
The moment he met Song Shihuan, Song Yu eagerly recounted his conversation with Emperor Yuanyou verbatim.
"Father! You killed two birds with one stone!"
Song Shihuan gave a thumbs-up. "Not only did you declare loyalty to Grandfather, but you also slipped in a request to promote Teacher Shen. Brilliant!"
"Just a modest effort."
Song Yu's eyebrows nearly flew off his forehead. "If not for your reminder yesterday, I wouldn't have realized. My clever daughter!"
As father and daughter lavished praise on each other, Shen Qingping—recalling Song Yu's indirect jab at his "lack of discernment" in court—bit savagely into a pastry.
So what if his rank was low?
It wouldn't stay that way forever.
To Qian Sheng's astonishment, Song Yu again failed to appear at the ministry the next day.
"Vice Minister Qian, some urgent memorials..."
By now, half the officials had abandoned thoughts of humbling Song Yu—they just wanted him to show up and handle the paperwork.
Qian Sheng stubbornly insisted, "We'll discuss them when His Highness comes tomorrow."
Tomorrow came and went. On the third day, Song Yu remained absent.
By then, everyone was desperate for his arrival, all thoughts of resistance long gone.
First day, second day, third day—morale had collapsed.
Finally, Qian Sheng understood Song Yu's game. His face turned thunderous. "Prince Qin won't come voluntarily. We must personally invite him at the Qin Prince's Mansion."
"Vice Minister Qian, this is dereliction of duty! We should report him to the emperor!"
"After three days, do you think His Majesty doesn't know?"
Qian Sheng broke into a cold sweat. The emperor's indulgence toward Prince Qin far exceeded his worst fears.
"Gather the memorials. We're going to the Qin Prince's Mansion to fetch His Highness."
