If Song Wan entered the Eastern Palace, no one would dare bully her even slightly. He respected her as a teacher and would certainly treat her well and honor her properly.

With his protection, how could people like her stepmother, stepsister, and cousin dare to look down on her for remarrying in the future?

Moreover, having Song Wan enter the Eastern Palace would also benefit him.

Among all the women in the world, only Song Wan was somewhat pleasing to his eye.

Shen Qianyu looked at Wan Xiao and said, “What you said has some merit.”

Wan Xiao raised his eyes, only to see his master’s eyes and brows filled with tender spring affection. He couldn’t help but say, “This subordinate didn’t mean it that way.”

“This matter requires careful planning. It cannot be accomplished overnight.”

Shen Qianyu frowned. “Return to the palace. I need to see Imperial Consort Yun.”

The Song family had Song Lan’an who didn’t manage anything, and Song Fu couldn’t make decisions. For what he had in mind, only Imperial Consort Yun could help.

Moreover, he could see that Imperial Consort Yun’s feelings for Song Wan were far more genuine than Song Lan’an’s.

“Master…”

Wan Xiao began, “Master… this subordinate isn’t…”

Shen Qianyu patted his shoulder. “The Dong Chang has many affairs. You should return first.”

With that, he strode away.

After handling official business with the court ministers, the sky had already darkened. On ordinary days he would invite the various ministers to dine in the Eastern Palace, but today he made no such mention, sending everyone away quite efficiently.

These past few days, both Jiang Man and the Empress had been restless, so Shen Qianyu was being extremely careful in his actions.

Once again exchanging identities with Ji Rong, he followed the Dong Chang members to Changxin Palace under cover of night.

Although Shen Qianbai’s injuries had mostly healed, large areas of burn scars remained on half his forehead and around his eyes. Since Shen Qianbai’s injury, Song Yuning had stayed in Changxin Palace for a long time without leaving, wholeheartedly accompanying her child.

When she saw Shen Qianyu, she was quite shocked.

“Why is the Crown Prince dressed like this?”

Shen Qianyu said, “Your Highness has been busy with affairs recently and may not know what has happened outside.”

Song Yuning’s expression turned stern. “What happened?”

For the Crown Prince to act so furtively, it must not be a small matter. Song Yuning mentally reviewed various unusual activities in the court and palace that she knew of. Just as she was secretly annoyed that she didn’t know where she had been lax in her vigilance and let someone exploit an opening, Shen Qianyu suddenly said, “It’s about Song Wan.”

“Wan’er?”

Song Yuning frowned. “Has her mother done something again?”

Hearing this, Shen Qianyu’s eyes lit up, full of unrestrained admiration.

He knew coming to find Imperial Consort Yun wouldn’t be wrong—she was the one who truly cared about Song Wan.

After thoroughly explaining how Madam Song and Song Fu had arranged two marriages for Song Wan that had nothing whatsoever to recommend them, Shen Qianyu said, “I feel the Song residence does not truly care for her.”

“…”

Song Yuning fell silent for a moment, her gaze profound. “You came in disguise in the dead of night just to tell me this?”

“Yes and no.”

Shen Qianyu’s expression grew solemn. “I hope Your Highness Imperial Consort Yun can inform Song Lan’an to have the Song residence stop interfering with Song Wan’s marriage prospects.”

Song Yuning remained silent, momentarily not understanding what Shen Qianyu meant.

After thinking for a long while, she frowned. “I don’t know what the Crown Prince means. You might as well speak directly.”

“Song Wan has shown me kindness in the past. I cannot bear to see her, just because she severed ties with the Marquis of Chengyang, fall to the point of being married off to a merchant family or seeking protection from relatives by marrying a cousin.”

“The Su family marriage seemed perfect, but in reality it has many problems.”

Song Yuning laughed coldly. “What problems?”

“The Su family seeks to marry Song Wan from the position of benefactors. Once she marries into the Su residence, it would be equivalent to being one step below them—a step she could never make up for in her entire life. Even if they are close relatives, even if he is her legitimate maternal uncle, there’s no guarantee they can forever treat her with the affection shown to an unmarried niece.”

“Being someone’s daughter-in-law is different from being someone’s relative—how could they be the same?”

Song Yuning smiled faintly. “Crown Prince, continue.”

Shen Qianyu glanced at her and said with righteous conviction, “I am different. I respect her as a teacher. If she enters the Eastern Palace, not only will she receive my veneration, she will also possess the highest status, and no one can bully or humiliate her anymore.”

“The highest status?”

Song Yuning laughed coldly. “You mean to give Wan’er the position of primary consort?”

“Naturally. You don’t expect me to make my teacher a secondary consort, do you?”

“…”

Song Yuning was momentarily speechless at his righteous and confident manner, finding no words to respond.

“Do you know what Wan’er’s status is?”

“Of course I know.”

Song Yuning’s lips curved slightly. “You want Wan’er to become Crown Princess as a remarried woman?”

“I want Song Wan to become mistress of the central palace.”

He wasn’t afraid to reveal his ambitions.

Song Yuning froze on the spot, actually moved by what Shen Qianyu said.

He was so certain and so confident. That air of proud bearing and looking down upon the world actually made her feel somewhat submissive.

The majesty of the Son of Heaven should be like this.

After studying Shen Qianyu for a moment with raised eyes, Song Yuning suddenly smiled. “Why are you so determined to marry Wan’er?”

“Song Wan is deeply learned, virtuous, and graceful in bearing. Moreover, she has shown me kindness. I respect her as my…”

Song Yuning waved her hand, cutting off Shen Qianyu’s words. “In this world, there are no teacher and disciple who sleep in the same bed.”

Sleep in the same bed?

With Song Wan?

Shen Qianyu’s ears reddened, then his brow furrowed tightly.

There were too few intact places on his body. Song Wan was delicate—she would surely be frightened. And that brand mark of the character for “slave”…

Familiar irritation surged in his heart. Shen Qianyu lowered his eyes for a long moment before raising his head. “What is Your Highness saying? I have never thought of such things.”

He wasn’t someone who indulged in carnal pleasures.

“I simply cannot bear to see Song Wan, with her status as a noble lady, married down to such circumstances. Moreover, she has shown me kindness… Why has the conversation shifted elsewhere?”

Song Yuning stared at him, finding his stubborn appearance increasingly amusing.

She suddenly became somewhat curious about what exactly the Crown Prince had experienced in Nanqing to develop such a nature that didn’t understand romantic feelings.

“How much time do you need?”

Song Yuning said, “I can’t possibly help you delay things indefinitely. Moreover…”

“Have you asked Wan’er? If she’s unwilling to become mistress of the central palace, what will you do?”

Shen Qianyu frowned. “Are there actually women in this world who wouldn’t want to become mistress of the central palace?”

“I don’t know about others, but with Wan’er, it’s hard to say.”

Hearing this, Shen Qianyu also felt there was some truth to it. That woman was no ordinary shallow beauty—what others liked, she might not necessarily value at all.

Remembering that person’s desolate smile when they parted at the residence, Shen Qianyu felt reluctant.

“If she’s unwilling, I naturally won’t force her.”

If he forced her, what kind of repaying of kindness would that be?

As for time…

“Before next winter. I hope Your Highness Imperial Consort can help me delay until next winter.”

“Alright, I agree.”

Song Yuning smiled slightly.

She would watch how Shen Qianyu cleared obstacles for Wan’er step by step to welcome her as mistress of the central palace. She would also watch to see when Shen Qianyu and Wan’er would share the same bed.

Thinking of this, Song Yuning stared at the Crown Prince with his expression of “kindness is paramount” and suddenly laughed until her whole body shook.

For some reason, she just felt that this foolishly earnest person would, in the future, hold Wan’er in his hands and cherish her carefully and meticulously, treasuring and protecting her preciously.