"What do you want?"
By now, Emperor Yuanyou had become quite adept at handling Song Yu.
He had learned to first ask what this troublemaker desired, lest he be relentlessly hounded until his demands were met.
"Of course, they must pay the price." Song Yu's face flushed with anger. "I thought it was just simple dislike for Ah Huan, but I never imagined they harbored such malicious intentions."
If even a single mark appeared on his Ah Huan's face, he would make sure the Eastern Palace paid dearly.
"Next month marks the anniversary of my mother's passing. They will kneel before her memorial tablet for an entire day and take charge of all preparations for the sacrificial rites."
"Agreed."
Emperor Yuanyou answered so swiftly that it took Song Yu by surprise.
"Your mother was their rightful Imperial Grandmother. Kneeling and offering sacrifices are their filial duties." The Emperor's words left Song Yu momentarily speechless.
"Are you feeling alright today?"
Song Yu eyed Emperor Yuanyou suspiciously. The old man hadn’t rebuked him even once today.
Something was off.
"Get lost! Are you the only one allowed to be angry? Can’t I be furious too?"
......
Kunning Palace.
After hearing Song Yu’s words, the Successor Empress could no longer maintain her smile.
"Yu’er, my birthday is in half a month. Why not wait until after my celebrations to arrange your sister’s memorial rites?"
Her birthday and the death anniversary were over a month apart—there was no need to prepare so early.
This was clearly meant to humiliate her.
The Successor Empress gritted her teeth so hard they nearly cracked.
If her birthday banquet became entangled with sacrificial rites, how would the outside world view her as Empress?
"Imperial Mother must be joking."
Song Yu’s expression remained icy. "My mother was the rightful Imperial Grandmother of Yan Chao, Yan Ming, and Xi Yan. It is already disrespectful that they do not offer daily incense to her. Now that His Majesty has graciously given them this opportunity, why do you seem displeased?"
Make her grandchildren burn incense daily for a dead woman?
The Successor Empress longed to claw at Song Yu’s infuriating face.
"I am not displeased." The handkerchief hidden in her sleeve was nearly torn to shreds.
"Then it’s settled. They will begin kneeling at dawn tomorrow." Song Yu met the Empress’s gaze without flinching. "Afterward, they will handle all preparations for the rites—let them fulfill their filial duties."
Every word from Song Yu struck the Successor Empress like a knife to the heart.
After he left, several sets of priceless teacups were shattered in Kunning Palace.
When the news reached the Eastern Palace, Yan Chao and Yan Ming rushed to the Crown Prince, weeping bitterly.
Just then, the Crown Princess appeared gracefully.
"I have experience with sacrificial rites. I will assist Yan Chao and Yan Ming in the preparations."
At her words, the two were overjoyed.
"Thank you, Mother."
Even the Crown Prince regarded the Crown Princess with a measured gaze.
"Then we’ll trouble you, Lixian." His expression softened slightly as he turned to Yan Chao and Yan Ming. "If there’s anything you don’t understand, consult your mother."
The Crown Princess smiled gently in response.
"Your Highness, is there anything I can assist with regarding Her Majesty’s birthday banquet?" Her demeanor was a far cry from days prior. "With the sacrificial rites looming, Her Majesty must be distressed."
"Visit Kunning Palace tomorrow and ask if she needs help."
"I will go first thing in the morning."
Having achieved her goal, the Crown Princess withdrew from the courtyard.
Under the moonlight, her lips curled into an eerie smile.
A birthday banquet clashing with memorial rites—it seemed even the dead refused to spare the living.
......
At dawn the next day, Yan Chao, Yan Ming, and Xi Yan knelt before the memorial tablet of the late Empress.
"Young Masters and Mistress, there is a proper way to kneel—backs straight, eyes lowered, expressions reverent." The matron, sent from the Emperor’s palace, left no room for defiance.
"This servant will wait outside. You are to remain until nightfall before leaving."
With that, she exited, leaving the three seething with resentment.
"Second Brother, Third Brother, why were you two summoned to kneel as well?"
Xi Yan’s question made Yan Chao and Yan Ming stiffen. The only misdeed since their return was storming the Qin Prince’s Mansion to defend her honor.
But they couldn’t admit that.
"It must be a deliberate attack on the Eastern Palace," Yan Chao muttered darkly.
"This is outrageous!" Xi Yan’s eyes welled with tears. "Imperial Grandmother’s birthday is approaching, yet we must kneel before a tablet all day."
"Kneeling requires sincerity."
A clear voice interrupted them. Song Shihuan stood at the doorway.
"If your hearts are impure, beware of ghosts visiting at midnight."
With that, she knelt, pressing her forehead to the ground three times before lighting three sticks of sandalwood incense.
Grandmother, today your granddaughter must expose the false sisterhood between the Successor Empress and you. Forgive me for disturbing your peace.
"Song Shihuan, don’t get too smug."
"Do you know why you’re kneeling here?" Song Shihuan’s dark gaze pinned them in place.
"Because you tried to ruin my face."
Xi Yan’s breath hitched. "Song Shihuan, don’t you dare slander us!"
"I am blessed by heaven to resemble our Imperial Grandmother." Song Shihuan’s voice was deliberate, chilling. "And you sought to destroy that likeness. That is why you kneel today."
"Reflect before her tablet—why did you wish to deface a face so like hers?"
Her slow, haunting tone sent shivers down their spines.
"Do you think her spirit will forgive you without remorse?"
A soft laugh escaped her as she tapped Xi Yan’s slumped posture.
"Xi Yan, kneel properly, or Grandmother will deem you disrespectful."
Then she left, leaving the three trembling on the floor.
Outside, Song Shihuan turned to Baoxia.
"Is everything prepared?"
"Princess, yes. The candles inside are specially made—they will burn out just as night falls. The window paper is thin; shadows outside will be clearly visible."
Song Shihuan nodded, glancing at the darkening sky.
As night descended, the three inside had long collapsed, knees swollen and bruised.
"Second Brother, Third Brother, why isn’t it over yet?" Xi Yan whimpered, rubbing her knees. "She’s already dead—what power does she have?"
The moment the words left her mouth, the candles flickered wildly—then snuffed out.
Darkness swallowed the room.
A figure with disheveled hair flashed past the window. Xi Yan screamed.
Yan Chao and Yan Ming, equally terrified, shrieked:
"Help! A ghost!"
