“Her Ladyship has repeatedly summoned Miss into the palace—could it be about the Fifth Prince’s matter?”

“It shouldn’t be.”

Song Wan pinched her handkerchief, also finding it somewhat strange.

“Elder Brother said His Majesty sent people to carefully investigate, and the Fifth Prince truly died by accident. Neither the Crown Prince nor Aunt currently have any need to move against the Fifth Prince, so summoning me to the palace today should be about other matters.”

Song Wan pressed her lips together: “I just don’t know what it’s for.”

Heng Zhi said: “Miss need not worry. It shouldn’t be anything urgent.”

Selecting a cherry red hundred-flowers skirt from the wardrobe, Heng Zhi was just about to help Song Wan change when she saw her shake her head: “Change to something more refined.”

“There’s mourning in the palace. Though the Fifth Prince was young and no funeral rites will be held, we still shouldn’t be too ostentatious.”

After changing into a goose-yellow cloak and moon-white long skirt, Song Wan finally boarded the carriage that Changping had come to collect her in.

Song Yuning had been waiting for her in Changxin Palace since early morning. Seeing her arrive, she couldn’t help but smile and praise her attire today.

After exchanging a few words, Noble Consort Yun smiled lightly and said: “Today, your aunt has also been entrusted by someone. There’s someone who wishes to see you.”

Song Wan was puzzled and was about to inquire when Song Yuning spoke again: “Let him speak with you himself.”

Signaling Heng Zhi to leave with her, only Song Wan remained alone in the entire courtyard.

Not knowing what the current situation was, she heard someone cough lightly.

Shen Qianyu wore the Crown Prince’s everyday attire and walked up before Song Wan in a few steps. Song Wan looked at his face, her expression changing several times.

“Greetings to the Crown Prince…”

Just as she prepared to kneel in obeisance, she was virtually supported by Shen Qianyu, who prevented her kneeling motion.

Song Wan retreated a step backward but still knelt down: “I’ve seen Your Highness Crown Prince.”

“Miss, please rise quickly.”

The moment Shen Qianyu moved forward, Song Wan rose and continued retreating another step.

She lowered her head slightly, making it impossible to guess her thoughts. But Shen Qianyu knew she was annoyed.

“I didn’t intentionally deceive you. The truth is that previously in the palace I could only survive using Ji Rong’s identity, which caused Miss to misunderstand. Moreover, I never had any intention of toying with you. You absolutely must not think of me this way.”

Knowing Song Wan was uncomfortable, Shen Qianyu took the initiative to increase the distance between them.

Song Wan still kept her head lowered in silent silence, allowing him alone to explain.

“I know my actions were improper and not those of a gentleman, but at that time I was forced by circumstances—there truly was no other method, which is why I was so presumptuous toward you.”

Hearing these words that shifted blame, Song Wan only felt overwhelming shame.

For the Crown Prince to interact with her in the identity of a palace servant was not only against propriety but also… completely lacking in decorum.

Gripping her handkerchief tightly, Song Wan’s face flushed with anger. After a long while, she finally uttered: “I don’t know what matter the Crown Prince summoned this subject woman to the palace for?”

Shen Qianyu’s eyes dimmed—he knew that with today’s events, the two of them could never return to how things were before.

But he wasn’t someone who admitted defeat easily. On the contrary, he became more courageous with setbacks. Seeing Song Wan resist his closeness, Shen Qianyu’s expression became somewhat more solemn: “I sought Miss today because I wish to make a transaction with you.”

“What transaction?”

Song Wan frowned slightly and only then raised her head to look at the Crown Prince.

“A transaction that kills several birds with one stone.”

Placing his hands behind his back, Shen Qianyu secretly exhaled to ease the nervousness and bashfulness in his heart. However, his face appeared steady and composed, quite presentable.

“I wish to have Miss enter the Eastern Palace…”

Song Wan was about to refute when he raised his hand to interrupt her: “Miss, please hear me out first.”

“Although previously I had no choice but to conceal my identity and deceive you, I have never harbored any ill will toward you or the Song family.”

Seeing her expression seem somewhat moved, Shen Qianyu continued: “Miss also knows I was sent to Nanqing as a hostage from childhood. Forget about reading, writing, and learning proper conduct—even reading a few literary memorials is quite laborious…”

“Therefore, I need someone by my side—someone capable of assisting me, with a steady temperament who can also help me preserve the imperial family’s dignity.”

“I feel that only Miss Song’s character and learning are sufficient for this responsibility.”

Shen Qianyu saw her expression increasingly soften and couldn’t help but quickly add: “I have absolutely no intention of using power to bully the weak or coerce you. I’ve searched through several women of both talent and virtue in the capital, but unfortunately I truly cannot let down my guard to approach them, much less trust them as I trust you.”

Urgently expressing his sincere feelings toward her, Shen Qianyu murmured: “After much thought, Miss is still the most suitable.”

Song Wan’s brows knitted imperceptibly for an instant.

“Of course, I won’t let Miss suffer grievances for nothing.”

Shen Qianyu stood up and stepped forward: “If Miss is willing to enter the Eastern Palace, I will certainly promise you the position of Empress.”

Song Wan was so surprised her eyes widened in circles.

“These words are sincere, absolutely without deception.”

Seeing Song Wan unmoved, Shen Qianyu said: “You need not be surprised. This is a transaction between me and the Song family.”

“The Song family?”

Song Wan pressed her lips together and believed his words.

If he hadn’t communicated with her family, Aunt wouldn’t have arranged for the Crown Prince to meet with her.

And Father… would fundamentally never refuse the Crown Prince’s proposal.

The young woman’s delicate brows furrowed lightly. Shen Qianyu’s heart softened as he coaxed gently: “I respect Miss’s extensive learning and truly cannot bear for you, simply because you previously entrusted yourself to the wrong person, to end up with a mediocre life.”

“If Miss enters the Eastern Palace, whether for your elder brother or Noble Consort Yun, there would only be benefits.”

As expected, at the mention of Song Fu and Song Yuning, the wariness in Song Wan’s eyes instantly faded. Her eyes lowered slightly, as if she was already calculating how to act in order to obtain the greatest benefits for her elder brother and aunt.

A faint smile curved at the edge of Shen Qianyu’s lips, his heart both helpless and aching.

His heart ached that even now, she had never planned for herself even one day. His heart ached that upon merely hearing that entering the Eastern Palace would benefit the Song family, she cast aside all the hardships she might possibly encounter in the rear palace, focusing wholeheartedly on pondering how to help Song Fu and Song Yuning.

Extending one hand, just as he reached before Song Wan, Shen Qianyu withdrew it again.

He’d almost—almost failed to control himself from stroking her hair.

Coughing lightly, Shen Qianyu placed his hands behind his back.

“After entering the Eastern Palace in the future, you and Noble Consort Yun can meet daily. Before the Third Prince is granted his fiefdom, you can also attend to him closely.”

“When Song Fu marries in the future, the Duke of Yingguo’s residence also won’t dare rely on the Grand Princess’s influence to look down on him.”

Song Wan remained silent for a long while before finally gripping her handkerchief and saying: “My status cannot enter the Eastern Palace.”

Shen Qianyu’s breathing caught: “This… Miss need not worry about this matter. Everything rests with me. As long as Miss agrees to enter the Eastern Palace, I… all the rest will be handled by me.”

“It’s just that initially you may suffer some grievances. Your rank upon entering the palace shouldn’t be too high.”

Song Wan shook her head: “Everything is according to Your Highness’s arrangements.”

With her remarried status, she feared she wouldn’t be able to secure any marriage that could help Aunt and Elder Brother. Now being able to enter the Eastern Palace, where she could add a measure of assistance to her family in the future, was already an unexpected joy.

Hearing this, Shen Qianyu’s tone became urgent: “Miss can rest assured, rest assured… I will certainly arrange everything properly and without the slightest risk!”