“Your Highness is going to personally lead the campaign…”

Song Wan felt some worry, yet she also knew that as Crown Prince, Shen Qianyu would inevitably have to take this step sooner or later. As soon as the words left her mouth, she fell silent.

Speaking would only add to their troubles.

“Wan’er need not worry. I understand the generals of Nanqing well, and I have a good chance of victory against them. Moreover, Nanqing is currently embroiled in severe internal strife, which will surely deplete their strength. Right now is an excellent opportunity.”

Years ago, Emperor Wenhui had not only sent hostages to Nanqing, but had also agreed to send tribute worth nearly a million taels of silver to Nanqing every year. Dongning’s treasury had originally been quite prosperous, but these past few years it had become increasingly depleted.

During his time in Nanqing, whenever Shen Qianyu witnessed the extravagant spending of those in the rear palace, he would feel they were draining the very marrow of Dongning.

Now that he had the chance to personally reclaim everything that belonged to Dongning piece by piece, he would have no regrets even unto death.

Song Wan knew of the ambitions in his heart. Though worried, she was also moved by his masculine fervor.

The two transformed their myriad emotions into gentle smiles, melting them into their very bones and blood.

Though Song Wan admired those of deep emotion and utmost virtue, one’s life must place nation and family first, romantic love second. Despite her countless reluctances, she would absolutely not obstruct Shen Qianyu. The two were of one mind—even without speaking a word, they felt no distance between them. In their mutual silence, there was even a trace of tender intimacy.

Song Wan grasped Shen Qianyu’s outstretched hand and gently squeezed his palm.

After Qin Rao stirred up trouble, everyone in the palace lived in constant fear. It wasn’t until the Qiqiao Festival on the seventh day of the seventh month that a bit of joyful laughter could be seen in the palace.

Song Wan went to Shang Rong’s bedchamber early in the morning. Today, the few of them had quite a major plan.

“At today’s Qiqiao gathering, we’ll also let that wooden blockhead princess from Nanqing see just how skillful the daughters of Dongning are.”

Zhao Nanzhang had a delicate slingshot hidden in her sleeve. These past days she had practiced during the day and practiced at night—all the teacups in their several bedchambers had been shattered by her. If Wan Xiao hadn’t sent several new sets, they would have had to hold teapots to drink their tea today.

Lu Youjun was stuffing watermelon seeds into an embroidered pouch while muttering: “These were specially made for me by the small kitchen at Liangdi Shang’s request—fresh watermelon seeds roasted with fine salt over low heat…”

“By the way, why does Sister Nanzhang call that Nanqing princess a wooden blockhead?”

Zhang Baozhen lightly tapped her head: “Don’t ask, just fill yours.”

Even if they told Youjun, she wouldn’t remember. They were already too lazy to explain.

Song Wan sat before Shang Rong’s vanity table while Zhao Nanzhang did her hair and applied makeup. Song Wan rarely appeared before others in heavily made-up appearance, but today she was dressed up as richly and gorgeously as possible.

Shang Rong was unwell and stayed behind in Qi Qingling’s bedchamber to keep her company.

Lu Youjun, Zhang Baozhen, and Zhao Nanzhang prepared everything and left first.

Wu Xixiang, meanwhile, followed a step behind Song Wan.

For the Qiqiao gathering, a Nine-Enticement Platform had been erected in the palace. Atop the high platform hung an enormous embroidered ball made of colorful silk threads, with the threads hanging down from all four sides for today’s consorts and female relatives mounting the platform to thread seven-holed needles.

Young ladies without status to mount the platform would place water bowls beneath the Nine-Enticement Platform. After the midday sun’s scorching heat, they would place needles in the bowls to pray for skillfulness.

This year’s Qiqiao Festival was especially grand due to the Nanqing delegation’s presence. Not only were female relatives from households of third-rank officials and above in the capital all invited to the palace banquet, but unmarried young ladies could also register with Consort Yun to mount the platform. Nearly a hundred small embroidered cloth tables were arranged beneath the Nine-Enticement Platform, all laden with fruits, dried meats, tea, wine, and refreshments.

Emperor Wenhui was unwell and did not attend today. Among the female relatives, Song Yuning and Jiang Man should have occupied the main seats, but after Shen Qianshu’s untimely death, Jiang Man remained dejected and unseen all day. Emperor Wenhui neither inquired nor cared, and Song Yuning was even less inclined to pay attention. No one managed her absence.

Seated on equal footing with Song Yuning was Qin Rao. After she had injured someone and then brazenly left the palace, Qin Rao’s conduct had become even more outrageous.

Today she wasn’t even wearing proper clothing—a pair of fair white legs were faintly visible beneath her crimson gauze skirt, extremely lascivious and seductive.

Song Yuning glanced once and turned her head away, her eyes full of contempt.

The people from the Eastern Palace arrived somewhat late, but their status was precious and no one questioned it. After Wu Xixiang led several people to pay their respects to the Crown Prince and Song Yuning, they each took their seats.

When Song Wan appeared, she was quite stunning.

Shen Qianyu had never seen Song Wan dressed like this before. His Wan’er usually preferred light and simple attire. This was the first time seeing her so heavily made up.

The man’s gaze was drawn to her, and he couldn’t help but smile, his eyes brimming with unspoken emotion. Even without speaking, he made others’ cheeks flush.

Wu Xixiang glanced at Song Wan and smiled knowingly, then turned to tease Lu Youjun, only to see Lu Youjun staring intently at the dried meats and fruits before her, as if pondering which one to grab first.

Song Wan paid no attention to any of this. She simply stared quietly at Qin Rao, her expression calm as she scrutinized her from top to bottom, then from left to right. When she caught sight of her partially exposed legs, she smiled faintly, her expression full of disdain.

That air of aloof indifference completely enraged Qin Rao.

Just as Qin Rao was about to speak, Song Yuning suddenly said: “Will Princess Nanqing also mount the Nine-Enticement Platform to thread seven-holed needles?”

She came back to her senses and saw that Song Wan had already taken her seat. A eunuch was loudly chanting the Qiqiao blessing verses.

“What difficulty is there in threading needles?”

Qin Rao stood up, her face full of smiles as she pointed at Song Wan: “I want her to come with me.”

“This concubine is honored by the princess’s favor.”

Song Wan rose, her expression cold as she looked toward her.

Seeing this, Shen Qianyu clenched his fists tightly, then slowly relaxed them.

His Wan’er was clever and intelligent. He trusted that she could handle this with ease.

After Song Yuning and several other imperial consorts mounted the platform to pray for blessings, it was the turn of the Eastern Palace female relatives. Wu Xixiang and Lu Youjun and the others ranked higher than Song Wan, so they mounted the platform first to thread needles and secure good omens. Seeing several people ascend, Song Wan gestured invitingly to Qin Rao.

“You go first.”

Qin Rao smiled seductively, pointing at the Nine-Enticement Platform and gesturing for Song Wan to go first.

Song Wan did not defer and turned to walk up. Qin Rao followed closely behind. Once atop the Nine-Enticement Platform, as soon as Qin Rao reached Song Wan’s side, she suddenly raised her hand and struck toward her.

“You…”

Lu Youjun stepped forward, just happening to block in front of Song Wan. Her figure was plump, so even when Qin Rao pushed with force, she didn’t budge an inch.

“The princess is skilled—this concubine admits defeat.”

Having just reached the Nine-Enticement Platform, Song Wan turned and left. Lu Youjun then stepped heavily on Qin Rao’s foot, trampling hard across it. She also muttered: “This concubine also admits defeat.”

Seeing this, Wu Xixiang and Zhang Baozhen spoke in unison: “This concubine also admits defeat,” and descended the platform one after another.

The several people’s playful actions sent Qin Rao into a towering rage. She returned to her seat with a dark expression, the fury in her heart unable to calm for a long time.

“Princess…”

The Nanqing palace maid beside Qin Rao spoke in a low voice, but before she could finish the latter half of her sentence, she received a slap across the face.

Song Wan had been watching her all along. Seeing this scene, she covered her lips and laughed lightly, her eyes and brows full of scornful contempt.

The Eastern Palace group had deliberately provoked her again and again. Qin Rao could no longer contain the fury in her heart. As soon as the Qiqiao gathering ended, she followed behind Song Wan with a malicious expression, also heading toward the Imperial Garden.