"Your Majesty is wise."
Song Yu smiled with narrowed eyes. "Yan Zheng and Second Miss Chang have been childhood sweethearts since they were young. Now that the imperial family does not disdain Second Miss Chang and still grants her a grand wedding, surely the common people will praise the royal family for its benevolence and righteousness."
The phrase "grand wedding" shattered the Crown Prince's composure entirely.
A daughter of a disgraced official, one who could never bear children in this lifetime—yet the Eastern Palace was to host a grand wedding for her?
Before the Crown Prince could even adjust the hatred in his gaze, Emperor Yuanyou's voice rang out once more from above. "I will not tolerate any further schemes against Ah Huan from the Eastern Palace. If it happens again, I will punish you severely."
"As for the Crown Princess, her virtue is also lacking. She is demoted to a concubine."
"Now get out."
The Crown Prince and his entourage hastily retreated from the Zichen Hall, fearing that any delay might invite further punishment.
Inside the hall, Emperor Yuanyou glanced at Prince Chu. "The matter of Yan Zheng and Chang Ling'er's wedding shall be entrusted to Consort Hui and the Princess of Chu to arrange swiftly."
The Princess of Chu, who had remained silent until now, felt a tremor in her heart. Could it be that her time had finally come?
The Empress and Crown Princess, who had loomed over her, had both fallen from grace on this very day. Now, His Majesty was even entrusting her with official duties.
Thinking this, the Princess of Chu immediately spoke up. "Your Majesty need not worry. This daughter-in-law will ensure the arrangements are carried out with the utmost grandeur."
The words "utmost grandeur" dripped with irony at this moment.
......
Half an hour later, only Emperor Yuanyou, Song Yu, Song Shihuan, and Wu Qi remained in the hall, the latter two exchanging awkward glances.
It was clear that the time had come for the father and son, Emperor Yuanyou and Song Yu, to settle their accounts.
After much hesitation, Emperor Yuanyou tentatively began, "Ahem... I was wrong in the past for not standing firm in my belief in your innocence. Now, how would you like me to make amends?"
Who would have thought that at his age, he would still have to find a way to apologize to his own son? What kind of father did that make him?
"Announce the truth of what happened during morning court and restore my reputation," Song Yu declared, lounging in his chair like a lord.
"Naturally," Emperor Yuanyou agreed without hesitation.
"Renovate the Kunning Palace and fill it only with my mother's belongings." Song Yu shot a glare at the emperor. "Your Majesty wouldn’t still be thinking of appointing a new Empress, would you?"
The suspicion in his gaze made Emperor Yuanyou flush with anger. "I will not appoint another Empress."
As if he were that kind of man...
"Also, on the anniversary of my mother’s death, you must personally admit to her that you wronged me all these years."
"Fine." Emperor Yuanyou gritted his teeth and agreed. "What else?"
"Nothing else comes to mind for now." Song Yu’s tone shifted. "But the Qin Prince's Mansion must be granted a pardon token, to be kept for emergencies."
A pardon token!
"Song Yu, what kind of trouble are you planning to stir up that you need a pardon token?" Emperor Yuanyou could no longer contain himself, rising from his seat in fury.
"See? A few words and you’ve already lost patience. Truly, a motherless child gets no love."
Instantly, Emperor Yuanyou deflated like a punctured balloon.
"...Fine. I’ll grant it to you."
Song Shihuan watched the exchange, her expression cracking slightly, while Wu Qi struggled to maintain his composure.
His father’s ability to make outrageous demands was truly unmatched in the entire Great Qi.
Emperor Yuanyou glanced outside. "The rain is heavy. Returning to your mansions now would leave you drenched. You and Ah Huan may stay in the side hall for the night."
Meanwhile, Prince Chu and Prince Qi, who were braving the storm to return home: ???
......
The next morning, during court.
With the truth finally revealed and his name cleared, Song Yu held his chin so high it nearly touched the sky.
Faced with this revelation, the assembled officials were in an uproar, many struggling to believe what they had heard.
Only when the decree deposing the Empress was announced did the matter truly settle.
After court, the ministers returned to their mansions and relayed the news to their families, sighing in regret.
"If only we had withstood the pressure and married our daughters to Prince Qin back then, wouldn’t we be riding high now?"
What a pity.
Might Prince Qin now consider their daughters of marriageable age?
After all, the Qin Prince's Mansion currently had only Princess Fu'an as its sole young occupant.
If one could become the Princess Consort Qin...
Unbeknownst to Song Yu, many noble families had already begun scheming.
"Achoo!"
Back at the Qin Prince's Mansion.
Song Yu rubbed his reddened nose. "Who’s cursing me behind my back now?"
"Most likely the Eastern Palace," Shen Qingping remarked, resignedly reviewing documents. "I wonder when the Eastern Palace will hold the wedding for Chang Ling'er. I’m looking forward to offering my congratulations."
Song Yu shot him a glance but didn’t comment on Shen Qingping’s sarcasm.
"Speaking of you, Minister Shen."
Song Yu’s tone turned teasing. "Not only have you been promoted, but your reputation has also soared in the capital. Has the Shen family started worshipping you yet?"
At this, Shen Qingping sighed heavily, his face darkening with anger.
"A matchmaker actually came to my door!"
"A matchmaker?" Song Yu blinked. "Your eldest nephew is already married, and there are no unwed daughters in your household."
"They came for me."
Shen Qingping’s expression turned thunderous. "To arrange a marriage for me."
"Ha?"
Song Yu stood and circled Shen Qingping. "Someone actually wants to marry you?"
"I am a fourth-rank official, young and accomplished," Shen Qingping defended himself. "But back then, they looked down on me. Now they want to shove their daughters into my household? Too late."
Song Yu nodded approvingly. Shen Qingping had a point.
"Your Highness, you’ll likely be next."
Shen Qingping gave him a knowing look. "A prince so favored by His Majesty—many will surely set their sights on the position of Princess Consort Qin."
"Like hell they will."
Song Yu’s lips curled in disdain. "Every one of them cursed me behind my back back then. Now they want to marry their daughters into the Qin Prince's Mansion to bask in its glory? I’ll tear the roofs off their mansions."
"Your Highness and I are truly kindred spirits."
Shen Qingping nodded fervently. The prince had put his own thoughts into words!
As the two commiserated inside, Song Shihuan, who had been about to enter, withdrew her foot.
Perhaps she shouldn’t disturb her father and Minister Shen.
Nearby, Yingchun and Baoxia stifled their laughter. Even the Emperor couldn’t control their prince—those scheming nobles would surely be disappointed.
Meanwhile.
To avoid clashing with the late Empress’s death anniversary, Consort Hui and the Princess of Chu swiftly completed all pre-wedding arrangements for Song Yanzheng and Chang Ling'er.
All that remained was selecting an auspicious date.
Yet Emperor Yuanyou, with a stroke of his vermilion brush, ignored all considerations of fortune and set the wedding for three days later—coincidentally, a day of great ill omen.
"Your Majesty, from where shall Miss Chang depart for the wedding?"
Consort Hui ventured cautiously.
"From the imperial prison."
At the Emperor’s words, Consort Hui nearly smiled in delight.
