A single musical piece, and Song Xiyan had already missed at least three or four notes.
The noblewomen and ladies of the court present were no fools—their expressions shifted subtly. In previous years, the Second Princess had never played so poorly...
The Empress Dowager tried to smooth things over for Song Xiyan, but the girl’s eyes still reddened with unshed tears.
It was all Song Yu’s fault!
Song Xiyan seethed inwardly.
"Does Xiling or Xiyao have anything to perform?" The Empress Dowager’s eyes darkened slightly. In past years, these two had always been mediocre in their talents—perfect to divert attention from Song Xiyan’s blunder.
"Xiling, go and offer your birthday wishes to Her Majesty."
The Princess of Chu couldn’t wait to push Song Xiling forward. The girl stepped forward softly and said, "This granddaughter presents a dance in honor of Her Majesty."
As the music began, Song Xiling moved gracefully, her figure elegant and fluid.
"Before today, we only knew of the Second Princess’s mastery of the qin—who would have guessed the Third Princess dances like a celestial maiden?" A noblewoman remarked with a smile. "Your Majesty is truly blessed, with granddaughters each more outstanding than the last."
The Empress Dowager smiled broadly, though inwardly, she was seething. Forced by circumstance, she removed a phoenix hairpin from her own head and bestowed it upon Song Xiling.
Song Xiyao followed with a painting of longevity peaches, its clever composition delighting the guests. In mere moments, both performances had eclipsed Song Xiyan’s by far.
The Empress Dowager could only turn her gaze to Song Shihuan.
Song Shihuan sat composed in her seat, exuding an air of serene detachment.
"Might the Blessed Peace Princess... have prepared a gift for Her Majesty the Empress Dowager?"
The question came from Madam Sun.
Song Shihuan tilted her head slightly. "Madam Sun, it’s been a while. Has Sun Hu been released from the imperial prison yet?"
Madam Sun’s face stiffened.
With her words, all eyes turned to Song Shihuan. The Empress Dowager’s heart leapt—if she could use this chance to make Song Shihuan embarrass herself before the Emperor...
"Ahuan, is there any talent you’d like to display?"
No sooner had the Empress Dowager spoken than Emperor Yuanyou’s disapproving voice followed. "Ahuan has only been back for a few months, Empress. The children’s filial sentiments are enough."
"Of course, Your Majesty is right."
The Emperor’s blatant favoritism sent ripples of thought through the hall.
Rumors of the Blessed Peace Princess’s imperial favor were one thing—but witnessing it firsthand was another matter entirely.
"Imperial Grandfather, I’ve prepared a special piece for Imperial Grandmother."
"Ahuan will play the qin?"
Emperor Yuanyou set down his wine cup and straightened. Though his face showed anticipation, inwardly, he was uncertain.
How skilled was Ahuan with the qin?
Even if she played poorly, as long as he, the Emperor, praised her, who would dare speak a word against her?
Resolved, his smile grew even warmer. "Then We shall listen attentively."
The blatant partiality left the assembled nobles stunned.
......
Song Shihuan sat before the guqin, her slender fingers resting on the strings.
This was the very instrument Shen Qingping had personally delivered to the Qin Prince’s Mansion.
Her fingers moved.
Zheng—
A single, powerful note struck through the hall, reverberating through every soul present.
Unlike the usual delicate and soothing melodies, Song Shihuan’s playing grew increasingly vigorous, evoking visions of a thousand warhorses charging forth—the next moment, the listeners could almost taste the blood and steel of the battlefield.
The tempo shifted between swift and measured, masterfully controlling the emotions of all who listened.
Some military officials rose unconsciously, their faces alight with fervor, as if ready to draw their blades and take enemy heads on the spot.
"Magnificent!"
Emperor Yuanyou clapped in admiration.
With a wave of his hand, a flood of imperial rewards was directed toward the Qin Prince’s Mansion.
"The Princess, at merely ten years of age, can play such a composition!" Old Man Zhou exclaimed, trembling with excitement. "It makes this old man feel as though he’s returned to the battlefield!"
Song Shihuan lowered her eyes slightly.
Emperor Yuanyou was a ruler forged in war, and her father now oversaw the Ministry of War. The favor of the military officials was crucial.
Hence, she had chosen a strategic piece—a battle anthem.
As the generals showered Song Shihuan with praise, Song Yu grinned from ear to ear. "My daughter is truly a prodigy sent by the heavens."
Hearing his shameless boasting, the Princes of Chu and Qi ground their teeth in frustration.
How could such a brazen man exist?
"Might this humble one ask, Princess, who taught you?" A woman spoke up softly. "In all my years devoted to the qin, I’ve never heard anything so breathtaking."
"My teacher is Shen Qingping."
Shen Qingping!
The name echoed through the hall.
"In just a few months, I’ve only grasped the barest fraction of my teacher’s skill."
Song Shihuan had all but elevated Shen Qingping to the heavens.
In the crowd, Shen Mingwen struggled to suppress his grin. Let anyone dare call his son a good-for-nothing now.
"Shen Qingping? We shall reward him!"
At Emperor Yuanyou’s decree, Shen Qingping immediately stepped forward and knelt.
"For aiding Prince Qin in the porridge affair, contributing to the streamlining of memorials, and excelling in refined arts—We promote you to Academician of the Hanlin Academy."
A fourth-rank position!
Shen Qingping’s heart pounded wildly, his breath quickening.
From this day forth, those self-proclaimed scholars of refinement would never dare mock him again.
He had finally risen.
Seeing Shen Qingping’s promotion, Song Yu drained his cup leisurely and remarked,
"Then this year’s top honors naturally go to..."
"Ahuan, of course," Emperor Yuanyou declared without hesitation.
Song Yu shrugged at Song Ling. "See? This prince has a talent for divining the heavens."
Song Ling’s face darkened with fury.
......
Emperor Yuanyou had Wu Qi move Song Shihuan’s seat beside his own, chatting and laughing with her as though they were an ordinary grandfather and granddaughter.
Amid the revelry, Song Yanzheng quietly left his seat.
Noticing this, the Crown Princess followed him out of the hall.
"Yanzheng."
Turning, Song Yanzheng frowned instinctively at the sight of the Crown Princess.
"Can Mother ask a favor of you?" Her expression was unreadable. "Could you take Ling'er as your secondary consort? At least this way, her life might be spared."
"Mother speaks nonsense. The Chang family has been convicted—how could I take a criminal’s daughter as my consort?" Song Yanzheng refused without hesitation.
"But I, too, am a daughter of the Chang family. Your blood carries their legacy."
The Crown Princess’s voice was pleading. "You and Ling'er share such deep affection. Even if you never step into her courtyard again, as long as she lives, Mother will say nothing."
"Mother, you are now of the Eastern Palace. Your loyalty must lie there alone." Song Yanzheng’s gaze was cold. "As for the Chang family... do not trouble yourself further."
"Mother begs you."
Song Yanzheng met her eyes for a long moment before turning away decisively.
Behind him, the Crown Princess’s lips curved into a maddened smile.
Song Yanzheng—you’ve thrown away your last chance.
