Outside the Qin Prince's Mansion.
"Please inform His Highness that the Ministry of War has urgent matters requiring his immediate attention."
As Qian Sheng spoke these words, he couldn't help but feel a deep sense of humiliation.
They had originally intended to intimidate Prince Qin, but instead, they had been quietly put in their place by him. Now, they had to beg Prince Qin to handle official affairs at the Ministry of War.
"Wait here for a moment."
The steward nodded with an air of indifference before turning and walking into the mansion.
Once he rounded the corner, the steward casually took a seat, showing no urgency whatsoever. Lord Shen had already instructed him—they were to be left waiting for half an hour.
Inside the mansion.
"In another half an hour, those men should be properly humbled."
Shen Qingping glanced at the ledger in his hands and spoke slowly, "This is the roster of Great Qi's military officers. More than half of the old ministers who fought alongside His Majesty in the early days have been swayed by the Eastern Palace. That is the most troublesome issue."
In the past, Prince Qin had no interest in court affairs, and the current empress was the younger sister of the late empress. As a result, many of the old ministers shifted their support to the Eastern Palace to prevent Prince Chu and Prince Qi from gaining power.
"It seems that merely subduing those men outside isn’t enough for me to fully control the Ministry of War."
Song Yu suddenly stood up and touched his handsome face.
"Tell me, does this face of mine—bearing some resemblance to my late mother—carry enough weight to persuade them?"
Shen Qingping nearly choked on his own saliva.
"Your Highness, sometimes, the prejudices in people's hearts are mountains too steep to climb."
Song Yu’s expression twisted in frustration.
Just because he had indulged in a carefree lifestyle for a while, did they really think he was nothing but a useless wastrel?
"Father, if that’s the case... then perhaps I can help."
Song Shihuan timidly raised her small hand, blinking her bright eyes at Song Yu.
A flicker of guilt crossed her face.
She hadn’t yet told her father that she bore a striking resemblance to the late empress.
"A-Huan, I don’t quite follow." Song Yu looked puzzled.
"Father, it’s a long story. But if you want to win over those old ministers, just bring me along." Song Shihuan twisted her handkerchief nervously, unsure how to explain further.
Only Shen Qingping’s eyes lit up, as if he had realized something.
Half an hour later.
When Qian Sheng and his men finally saw Song Yu, their expressions were as if they had just beheld their ancestors.
"Your Highness, the Ministry of War has numerous memorials awaiting your review before they can be presented to His Majesty."
Song Yu’s face paled at the sight of the towering stack of documents—enough to require two men to carry.
"You expect me to read every single one of these?"
"Your Highness, indeed."
A sense of foreboding crept into Qian Sheng’s heart.
Song Yu randomly picked up one memorial, his head already throbbing at the sight of the densely packed characters.
"Reject all of these. Tell them to rewrite—briefly. Do you understand? Brief!"
For the first time, Song Yu felt a pang of sympathy for Emperor Yuanyou, who toiled daily in the Purple Palace reviewing endless memorials.
"Are you trying to exhaust me to death? Or perhaps you wish to wear His Majesty down with this nonsense?"
The accusation sent Qian Sheng and his men dropping to their knees in panic.
"Your Highness, we would never dare!"
"Take them away. Now."
Song Yu waved them off in disgust. "From now on, if anyone in the Ministry of War dares to submit a long-winded memorial, I will personally teach them how to write properly."
Qian Sheng and his men left in uneasy silence.
Meanwhile, Song Yu fixed Shen Qingping with an intense stare, making the latter squirm.
"Your Highness, do I have flowers growing on my face?"
"From now on, you will review all memorials from the Ministry of War on my behalf." Song Yu spoke with utmost seriousness. "Such meticulous work is not for me."
"I’m doing this for your own good. Reading these will give you insight into court affairs, and when it’s time for promotions, you’ll know exactly what to expect."
Shen Qingping: ???
......
Several days later.
Inside the Purple Palace.
Emperor Yuanyou stared at the concise and well-structured memorials before him, nearly moved to tears.
This was how court officials should submit their reports!
"How did Prince Qin achieve this?" Emperor Yuanyou couldn’t help but ask.
He had issued multiple decrees urging officials to be succinct, yet none had ever complied—until now.
When Wu Qi recounted Song Yu’s methods, the emperor’s lips twitched.
"His Highness threatened to personally teach them a lesson if they didn’t comply... No one dared to disobey."
Wu Qi added quietly.
As the Son of Heaven, Emperor Yuanyou had to be cautious—harsh punishments would tarnish his legacy in the annals of history.
But Prince Qin? He had no such concerns.
He would roll up his sleeves and storm into their offices without hesitation.
"My eldest son is bold, resourceful, and decisive. This pleases me greatly."
After a long pause, Emperor Yuanyou finally managed to say.
"Wu Qi, send all the finest treasures from my private vault to the Qin Prince’s Mansion. Also, deliver my decree—from now on, all memorials, not just those from the Ministry of War, must first pass through Prince Qin’s hands."
"As you command."
Wu Qi’s eyes widened in shock.
All memorials...
Wasn’t this tantamount to making Prince Qin the de facto regent?
......
When Song Yu received the news, he accepted it cheerfully and promptly moved all of Emperor Yuanyou’s treasures into Song Shihuan’s courtyard.
He only picked out a few less impressive items and tossed them to Shen Qingping.
"You’ll review all these memorials for me from now on."
Shen Qingping’s expression shifted—no longer resigned, but gleaming with excitement.
"Your Highness truly entrusts this task to me?"
Song Yu nodded. "I have no patience for such things. If you find any issues, bring them to my attention."
What Song Yu didn’t realize was that this moment marked the rise of a future grand chancellor.
After settling matters with Shen Qingping, Song Yu began compiling a list of old ministers to visit, muttering under his breath,
"I don’t know why A-Huan insists on coming along. Those old men are all battle-hardened—I’d hate for her to be frightened."
Shen Qingping suppressed a smile.
"If the young mistress wishes to accompany you, then let her. There may be... unexpected benefits."
The next morning, Song Yu and Song Shihuan arrived at the Zhou Residence.
"I’ve brought A-Huan to pay my respects to Old Master Zhou."
Song Yu was uncharacteristically solemn. Old Master Zhou, now advanced in years, spent his days in quiet retirement within his estate.
The current head of the Zhou family was Old Master Zhou’s eldest son—a staunch supporter of the Eastern Palace.
Guided by a servant, Song Yu and Song Shihuan soon found an elderly man with silver hair resting beneath a large tree.
"Uncle Zhou, I’ve brought A-Huan to see you."
Song Yu was uncharacteristically restrained. After all, if the old man decided to strike him with his cane, he would have no choice but to endure it.
"Greetings, Grandfather Zhou."
At the sound of Song Shihuan’s voice, Old Master Zhou’s eyes, previously half-lidded, flew open. Trembling, he spoke:
"A-Huan? You’re the young granddaughter His Majesty recently acknowledged?"
Why did she bear such a striking resemblance to the late empress?
