Volume One, Chapter 18: Xuan Song Qinghuan Enters the Palace
On the other side.
Madam Chen was attending to Marquis Song as he just arose.
“Master, did Prince Su make things difficult for you at court today? Yesterday, his attitude toward that girl was...”
Marquis Song’s expression grew grave.
No matter what, Song Qinghuan was still a member of the Song family.
Prince Su was meddling excessively!
By now, many whispered that Song Qinghuan was an unclean woman—that someone like her remaining in the mansion would only bring disaster eventually, and even the emperor would come to resent and fear her.
Yet Prince Su was a persistent obstacle.
“Difficult for me? He’s the one who doesn’t know his place by interfering in my family affairs!”
The marquis snorted coldly, having already made up his mind.
Winter was approaching; the sky was dark and heavy with clouds, as if the Forbidden City were shrouded in a prison.
Officials of both civil and military ranks arrived at court one after another.
When most had settled quietly, Marquis Song was about to speak when Xiao Xingyu on the opposite side spoke first.
“Your Majesty, a popular folk poem has been circulating recently.”
The surrounding officials responded in murmurs, “Is Prince Su referring to that poem...?”
They all hesitated, unwilling to continue.
The emperor, puzzled, asked, “What poem? Recite it for me.”
The assembled court exchanged glances, then instinctively lowered their heads in silence.
Xiao Xingyu’s dark eyes deepened as he slowly recited:
“The Song family’s daughter, Song Qinghuan,
Should have lived in splendor among the clouds.
Yet she was sent to the barbarians' land,
Ten years of hardship without peace of heart.
Returning to the capital with honor’s breadth,
But scorned by the powerful, her name disgraced!”
Silence fell like a shroud.
The line about hardship among barbarians spoke of neglect—because no one cared for her, a grave injustice by the state.
Scorn from the powerful, disgrace to her name.
Who held the greatest power in the realm?
Naturally, it was the one seated atop—the emperor himself.
At first glance, the poem seemed to criticize Song Qinghuan, but in truth, it was a condemnation of the emperor!
Because the emperor was unjust: unwilling to let his own daughter suffer, he sent her to the barbarian lands, then looked down upon her upon her return.
This had led her to such a humiliating plight!
The emperor’s gaze blazed like a sword cutting through the air, stunning all into breathless silence.
Yet the poem was true, and no one dared offer words of comfort.
Finally, the emperor sneered coldly, “It seems the people have much to say about me.”
A chill ran through the court. Marquis Song, as the father, knelt hastily.
“Your Majesty, please calm your anger. I have not heard this poem before; it seems it has not spread widely. Besides, the verses sound exaggerated—surely someone has added to it, perhaps...”
When the emperor was angered, all officials fell to their knees.
Marquis Song’s sweat broke out on his back in nervousness. If Song Qinghuan’s troubles displeased the emperor, no number of heads in the Song household would suffice to pay the price!
“Perhaps what?” the emperor asked slowly.
Though only a few words, they weighed on Marquis Song like a mountain, almost choking him.
“Perhaps it is a slander concocted by the barbarians to defame Your Majesty’s reputation, done deliberately!”
Marquis Song spoke passionately. “Your Majesty, the urgent matter now is to trace the origin of this rumor, so that more of the people are not deceived!”
The emperor gave the marquis a deep look, his anger subsiding somewhat.
For the emperor to be branded as faithless and unjust was a profound humiliation!
Marquis Song cleverly framed the incident as a barbarian conspiracy and dismissed the facts as mere rumor, thereby preserving the emperor’s reputation.
Xiao Xingyu sat silently, clad in dark robes that radiated an icy aloofness.
His gaze held a quiet mockery.
The court breathed a collective sigh of relief, but their eyes toward Marquis Song were complex—part shock, part fear.
Even a tiger does not devour its own cub.
To curry favor with the emperor, Marquis Song had sacrificed his own daughter’s dignity.
Not even fighting for her a sliver of hope!
The emperor said, “What you say is reasonable. Summon the men—find out immediately who composed this poem!”
Hearing this, some shook their heads in resignation.
It seemed the emperor truly no longer wished to show any favor to Song Qinghuan.
Ten years.
Only to be repaid with a satirical poem.
Song Qinghuan was truly wronged!
“If there are no further reports, the court is dismissed.” The emperor waved his hand, clearly in a foul mood.
“Your Majesty.”
All eyes watched this usually cold and indifferent lord of the underworld, who rarely meddled in others’ affairs yet kept bringing up Song Qinghuan—his motives were inscrutable.
“There is no smoke without fire in this world.”
“Moreover, this poem has already spread widely among the people. Even if we find the culprit, it will not silence the murmurs.”
Xiao Xingyu spoke deliberately, his thin lips pressed into a line, supremely composed.
If one did not look closely at his eyes, one could not discern his true feelings—he seemed to speak only for the court’s reputation.
The emperor pondered briefly, deeming Xiao Xingyu’s words sound, then asked, “What is Prince Su’s suggestion?”
Xiao Xingyu replied, “She is indeed a meritorious subject of the Tianqi Kingdom.”
The meaning was clear: a meritorious subject deserves proper treatment, not contempt!
If the court could not accept Song Qinghuan, who else would stand with her?
After ten years among the barbarians, it should not end like this!
The one who should intervene most was the reigning emperor!
The emperor found himself trapped. Though he disliked Song Qinghuan, considering Xiao Xingyu’s words he waved his hand decisively.
“Summon Song Qinghuan!”
Voices carried beyond the palace gates. Eunuchs and attendants immediately rose to proceed to the Song residence.
Marquis Song’s heart raced with dread.
If Song Qinghuan caused a scene at court, his reputation would be ruined beyond repair!
He hurriedly instructed his attendants to take a shortcut home to inform her.
Madam Chen initially did not believe the news, but when palace guards arrived with confirmation, she realized disaster was imminent.
“If she goes, the Song family is finished!”
Her face turned pale with fright.
Song Mingzhu’s eyes flickered; she steadied Madam Chen and cautioned, “Mother, don’t be so quick to worry. What if Sister Qinghuan refuses to appear? A young woman exposing herself like this—how would she ever be married afterward?”
Madam Chen was reminded by this.
Song Qinghuan must not be summoned!
She quickly called over a servant, gave hurried instructions, then dressed neatly and forced a smile as she went out to greet the arrival.
Song Qinghuan had just finished breakfast.
Since striking Aunt Zhao, the food from the kitchen had improved markedly—perhaps out of fear of her.
Pearl, however, was worried.
“Miss, you hit someone close to the lady. What if the lady treats you badly now?”
Song Qinghuan replied calmly, “Would she treat me well if I didn’t hit them?”
Her words were undeniably true. Pearl had no rebuttal and nodded, “Understood. Your blow was effective; at least the servants won’t dare show us attitude.”
Just then, a voice came from outside.
“Miss, the lady is looking for you!”
Pearl went to the door, heart pounding.
“Why does the lady want to see you, Miss?”
“It’s about Aunt Zhao,” the messenger urged.
“Hurry, Miss. The lady is waiting, don’t keep her long.”
Song Qinghuan’s eyes narrowed slightly; she signaled Pearl with a glance.
The attendants waited a long time with no movement. Just as they were about to ask, a sudden cry of pain came from inside.
Fearing the delay, the attendants pushed the door open.
Bang!
With one strike from Pearl’s hammer, the burly attendant was knocked flat to the ground.
Song Qinghuan lazily propped her chin on her hand, smiling faintly—detached but not reaching her eyes.
“Speak. What exactly happened?”