Chapter 75 : Entering the Palace

The little emperor Yue Xiuyuan walked down from the throne. He carefully tugged at Yue Shaozhi’s sleeve and said, “Uncle, I just want to see Sister Ying. Can you let her enter the palace? Just let her stay with me for a while.”

Yue Shaozhi stared at him coldly. “Why does Your Majesty want to see her?”

The little emperor glanced at the palace servants kneeling on the ground and shouted, “All of you get out! All of you get out!”

The palace servants all bowed and quietly left the hall.

Once they were alone, Yue Xiuyuan no longer referred to himself formally as “I” , but instead sounded like a child trying to coax Yue Shaozhi for dessert.

“My twelfth birthday is in two days. Uncle said we shouldn’t spend too much money. But my aunt and Sister Ying promised they would celebrate my birthday with me.”

Yue Xiuyuan raised two fingers and said, “Uncle, after Sister Ying celebrates my birthday with me, I’ll study hard and listen to you.”

“When did Song Ying promise you that?” Yue Shaozhi asked.

Yue Xiuyuan replied, “At the beginning of spring. Sister Ying said she’d prepare a gift for me. Uncle, I know you and Sister Ying aren’t together anymore, but she made me a promise. Can you ask her to keep it?”

Yue Shaozhi noticed from the corner of his eye that Yu Liang seemed to have something to say.

He turned and walked to the entrance of the hall. “What is it?”

Yu Liang whispered, “Your Highness, there’s news from Master Yu. He will arrive in the capital in three days to meet Miss Song Ying.”

Yue Shaozhi lowered his eyes slightly. “See Song Ying in three days?”

Yu Liang replied, “Yes.”

Yue Shaozhi looked out past the palace walls, slowly turning the ring on his finger.

Yue Xiuyuan stood inside the hall, anxiously watching Yue Shaozhi’s back, hoping this small wish wouldn’t go ungranted.

Wen Jun yawned and mocked, “Meeting Song Ying in three days, such a transparent motive.”

Yue Shaozhi withdrew his gaze, a smile playing on his lips. He turned to Yue Xiuyuan and said, “Alright. I’ll let Song Ying come to see Your Majesty.”

Yue Xiuyuan ran over and hugged Yue Shaozhi in delight. “Thank you, Uncle! Then when can she come?”

Yue Shaozhi replied, “Very soon.”

—

That night, Yue Shaozhi went to Xiaohanju.

As if he had expected the visit, Yu Liang had already informed them of his identity. The gatekeeper immediately welcomed Yue Shaozhi into the hall.

Song Ying had been waiting for some time. She gave a slight bow and said, “Greetings, Your Highness.”

Yue Shaozhi strode over to the main seat and sat down, his tone cold: “You deliberately leaked the news to lure me here. What do you want?”

Song Ying sat across from him. “I know the prince regent has been very concerned about the princess’s health recently. I can have Master Yu stay in the capital to treat her until the child is born.”

Yue Shaozhi asked, “How much?”

He was asking for the price.

But Song Ying just shook her head gently and said, “I don’t want money.”

Yue Shaozhi finally looked directly at her.

The last time they met, she had demanded an outrageous sum. And now she didn’t want a single coin?

The current Song Ying was a merchant if not money, then she must want something else.

Yue Shaozhi asked, “What do you want?”

Song Ying feigned hesitation and said, “It’s nothing major. I just want the prince to nod and make me a princess.”

Yue Shaozhi’s gaze turned cold. “Song Ying, do you know what you’re saying?”

Song Ying replied calmly, “I know.”

Yue Shaozhi said, “I could simply order someone to bring Master Yu directly to the residence.”

Song Ying didn’t mind. “Then the prince should also know that Mr. Yu is not only a strange person, but also quite proud. If he doesn’t agree voluntarily, he would rather die than agree. Even if he is forced to agree, do you dare to use him with confidence?”

Yue Shaozhi’s face darkened. “Song Ying.”

Song Ying sighed. “The less you know, the more you truly love Ruoer. When did you become so impatient?”

“I can make Master Yu willingly treat Song Ruoer.”

“For the sake of you and your beloved child, isn’t a title a small price to pay?”

Yue Shaozhi sneered.”You can get it if you want it, what do you think your Majesty is?”

Whether the little emperor can issue an edict or not still depends on your approval in the end.

Song Ying replied, “As long as Your Highness nod, everything will be fine.”

Yue Shaozhi stood up and said, “If you want a title, go ask His Majesty for it yourself. You can have it if you’re capable enough.”

Song Ying raised her eyebrows. “What does the prince mean?”

Yue Shaozhi said, “His Majesty’s birthday is coming. You should go to the palace and celebrate it with him.”

If Song Ying wanted to be conferred a title, it would depend on her own abilities. Whatever she could obtain, he wouldn’t interfere.

Song Ying stood up and walked a few steps. Looking at Yue Shaozhi’s retreating back, she muttered unhappily, “Stingy.”

“What did you say?”

Song Ying bowed and said, “Farewell, Your Highness.”

—

The next morning, an imperial decree came from the palace, summoning Song Ying to enter the palace.

Song Ying deliberately dressed in a plain and simple outfit and took Faer with her in the palace carriage.

As soon as she left, the Marquis’ Mansion received the news.

Butler Hu Bo respectfully walked into the study. “My Lord, the eldest young lady has entered the palace.”

Song Jinzhuo’s eyes were filled with satisfaction and approval. “Send this message to Nanshan.”

Hu Bo: “Yes.”

A carrier pigeon flew to Nanshan Mountain and landed on the wooden fence at the mountain’s peak.

A young Taoist priest retrieved the message from the pigeon and brought it into the room, handing it to the old man sitting cross-legged on a mat.

Song Yunshan gently raised his hand. “Read it to me.”

Fifteen slightly opened his lips. “Yes.”

The eldest young lady was summoned to the palace this morning.

Song Yunshan narrowed his eyes and stroked his graying beard. “Fifteen, come down the mountain with me this time.”

Fifteen: “Yes.”

—

Song Ying had not yet stood firm after entering the palace where the little emperor lived when a bright yellow figure pounced towards him.

“Sister Ying!”

“Oh—Your Majesty, you can’t act like this.”

Song Ying tried to bow, but Yue Xiuyuan stopped her and pulled her inside. “Sister Ying, no need to bow. I’m so happy you came today!”

Song Ying glanced at the eunuch Fubao standing nearby and put a finger to her lips. “Your Majesty, you forgot to refer to yourself properly. There are still some courtesies that shouldn’t be forgotten.”

After saying that, Song Ying still knelt down and bowed.

“Your humble servant Song Ying pays respects to His Majesty. Long live His Majesty.”

Yue Xiuyuan pursed his lips. He really didn’t like all this formality.

He truly liked Song Ying, this older sister who could talk and laugh with him.

“Stand up.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

“Please, have a seat.”

Once seated, Song Ying gestured for Faer to come forward and present the birthday gift she had prepared.

“This is a gift for Your Majesty. I hope you’ll like it.”

Yue Xiuyuan happily accepted it and eagerly opened the box.

Inside was a fish carved out of wood.

“Does it move?”

Song Ying shook her head. “No, it’s just for decoration.”

Yue Xiuyuan liked quirky things, but this gift… really disappointed him.

“Oh.”

Song Ying asked, “Your Majesty doesn’t like it?”

Yue Xiuyuan replied, “I—I… like it.”

Song Ying stood up and said, “Your Majesty, why don’t we take it with us and walk around Taiye Lake?”

Yue Xiuyuan thought Song Ying was planning to surprise him, so he carried the wooden fish and followed her.

They arrived at the lakeside pavilion.

Yue Xiuyuan asked, “Sister Ying, what are we doing here?”

Song Ying smiled and pointed at the wooden fish in his arms. “Your Majesty, could you give it to me?”

Yue Xiuyuan obediently handed it over. But before he could ask anything, he saw Song Ying throw the wooden fish into the lake.

Yue Xiuyuan shouted, “Sister Ying, what are you doing?!”