Detecting the excitement in Shen Qianyu’s tone, Song Wan’s gaze swept across his face before quickly turning aside.

Shen Qianyu, however, was pondering which courtyard to arrange her in later.

It needed to be closest to him, so he could watch over her closely right before his eyes.

Just as he was contemplating various matters, he heard Song Wan say: “I wonder if Your Highness has discussed this matter with my father?”

“Naturally.”

“Lord Song knows of this matter. Miss can rest assured.”

“Does Your Highness have any other matters to convey?”

Shen Qianyu shook his head: “I won’t disturb Miss’s reunion with Noble Consort Yun. I take my leave.”

Having said this, Shen Qianyu exempted Song Wan from proprietary gestures and strode out.

The Empress had been imprisoned by Emperor Wenhui under the pretext of serious illness for quite some time. Who knew how much longer this could drag on? What if one day his narrow-minded, petty father recalled some ancient trivial matter and sent the Empress to the Yellow Springs—then if he wanted to send someone into the Eastern Palace, he’d have quite a wait.

Shen Qianyu secretly shook his head and quickened his pace back to the Eastern Palace.

“Send these items to the Song residence tomorrow.”

“The things on this list don’t look like they’re meant for the legitimate daughter of the Song family.”

The end of Shen Qianyu’s brow lifted: “Don’t look like it? How so? In any case, I haven’t named anyone specifically. Can’t I give them to whomever I wish?”

Wan Xiao’s gaze swept over the gift list as he looked at his master with a smile.

These things weren’t particularly valuable, but they were all rare curiosities. From cosmetics and powder for women to hair ornaments and jewelry, to fabrics and clothing—everything was included.

But all these items shared one characteristic: their styles were wealthy and ostentatious, their colors bright and pretty.

Anyone familiar with Song Wan’s temperament would, at first glance, feel these weren’t meant for her.

But…

Wan Xiao laughed lightly, secretly thinking his master was truly cunning.

“This subordinate knows what to do. Master need only wait for good news.”

Spending half a day, Wan Xiao finally gathered everything on the list properly. The day after the morning court session ended, he went to the Song residence.

When Song Lan’an saw him arrive, he came forward to greet him with a face full of smiles.

“I’ve come today on official business. Lord Song need not be so courteous.”

Wan Xiao’s face showed sincere respect: “His Highness has decreed that the Song family daughter is diligent and compliant, with gentle and virtuous conduct. Today he bestows six bolts of sunset-colored butterfly-and-flower patterned Shu brocade, six bolts of auspicious cloud-patterned gauze, a hundred blessings…”

Reciting the items Shen Qianyu had bestowed one by one, Wan Xiao directed the eunuchs behind him to carry them into the Song residence courtyard.

Song Lan’an’s expression remained unchanged as he thanked the Crown Prince with a smiling face.

After seeing Wan Xiao off, the courtesy in his eyes slowly faded away.

News that the Crown Prince had sent someone to bestow many items spread to the inner quarters. Madam Song had long been waiting to the side with a face full of joy. Now seeing Song Lan’an’s unpleasant expression, she couldn’t help but step forward to inquire: “Is Master displeased?”

Song Lan’an glanced at her without speaking.

Meeting with rejection again, Madam Song’s face twitched, nearly tearing the handkerchief in her hand.

“These things…”

Song Lan’an opened all the items one by one, silently gazing at the dazzling array of objects.

Seeing that pile of fine goods, Madam Song’s eyes and brows lit up.

“Are these… all bestowed upon Yao’er?”

Song Lan’an snorted coldly: “How do you know they’re bestowed upon Yao’er?”

“These… the patterns and styles of these things—aside from Yao’er, who else would be suitable? Could it be that when the Crown Prince bestowed these things, he didn’t say whom they were for?”

Song Lan’an snorted coldly again but still didn’t answer.

Madam Song was tormented by his manner until her mind and spirit were exhausted. Each time—his cold snorts, his disregard—caused her immense pain.

However, previously she hadn’t dared nor wanted to ask. Today, perhaps emboldened by the beautiful dream personally constructed by the Crown Prince, she finally couldn’t help but say: “If Master feels this concubine is foolish, then speak more with this concubine about what’s in Master’s heart. If Master doesn’t speak, how can this concubine guess?”

“This concubine knows I’m not as clever as Elder Sister…”

Just as she mentioned Song Fu and Song Wan’s birth mother, she saw Song Lan’an’s expression darken.

Madam Song suppressed her indignation and said with reddened eyes: “This concubine merely asked Master why seeing these items bestowed by the Crown Prince still left you displeased in your heart. Can I not even say this?”

Song Lan’an looked at her once, his tone indifferent: “The Crown Prince bestowed so many boudoir trinkets—can’t you see what it means?”

Madam Song had originally wanted to say it was because the Crown Prince valued the Song residence and valued Song Yao, but seeing Song Lan’an’s expression, she knew that certainly wasn’t it.

She shook her head and looked toward Song Lan’an.

“Forget it.”

Song Lan’an said: “Bestowing gifts privately means the Crown Prince has no intention of making a Song family daughter the Crown Princess.”

Having said this, Song Lan’an strode away, no longer minded to bother with Madam Song.

If it wasn’t the position of Crown Princess, then whom these things were bestowed upon wasn’t so important anymore.

The Crown Prince’s thoughts were meticulous. The position of Crown Princess remained undecided—it must be because the Crown Prince already had someone chosen in his heart.

From his understanding of the Crown Prince, once the Crown Princess was decided, the position of Empress wouldn’t be easily changed. The Song family would likely have no connection to becoming the maternal clan of the Empress.

He hurried away, leaving only a shocked Madam Song standing dumbfounded in place.

Madam Song’s face was bitter, her heart aggrieved.

That’s right—if the Crown Prince intended to make Yao’er the Crown Princess, how could he bestow things privately? The Crown Prince’s marriage would necessarily be handled by the Imperial Clan Court. Matters of presenting betrothal gifts, inquiring about names, and sending dowries simply couldn’t be conducted privately.

Now sending things this way, the position given likely wouldn’t be high.

The positions of Crown Prince’s consorts were already full. The highest rank remaining now was only Crown Prince’s concubine…

Madam Song’s heart twisted painfully, extremely uncomfortable.

The mother of the Crown Princess could still receive three parts of courtesy from the Crown Prince. This mother of a Crown Prince’s concubine wasn’t even as valuable as her own status as an imperially granted lady.

Thinking of how Song Yao and Song Nian were still in the rear courtyard learning rules from their nannies, Madam Song felt her vision go black, dizzy to the extreme.

“Madam, are you all right?”

Tanzhu supported Madam Song and helped her back to her room.

In the evening, after Song Yao, Song Nian, and Song Ni finished their lessons, they came together to pay respects to Madam Song.

Seeing that Madam Song was unwell, Song Ni departed early, very properly.

“Mother was fine during the day. How is it you’re uncomfortable now?”

Madam Song grasped Song Yao’s hand and told her everything about the Crown Prince’s gift-giving today and what Song Lan’an had said.

Hearing this, Song Yao’s eyes reddened and she immediately felt aggrieved.

Song Nian consoled her softly from the side, but with minimal effect.

Seeing Mother and Song Yao looking as if the sky had fallen, Song Nian said gently: “There’s no need to be so sad. Though it’s currently only the status of Crown Prince’s concubine, in the future… there will still be opportunities.”

“As long as Father and Elder Brother establish merits, Elder Sister still has the possibility of advancing further.”

“Not to mention Crown Prince’s concubine—even as Chenghui, there will be times when rank can be elevated in the future.”

Hearing this, Madam Song said: “Nian’er is right. This counts for nothing now. Your good days will come after the Crown Prince ascends the throne.”

“Mother is right.”

Song Yao wiped the tears from her eyes and said with a smile: “Yao’er’s good days are ahead. Once Yao’er has status, Father and Song Wan won’t dare mistreat Mother anymore.”

“Mother, rest assured. Yao’er will certainly earn you a title so that everyone in the residence won’t dare look down on you again.”

“Yao’er is so good.”

Madam Song pressed her lips together, her heart finally settling down slightly.