What had been said could no longer be taken back.
Rather than holding back, it was better to have it all out in the open once and for all.
"No one denies the Eldest Princess's contributions, but sometimes excessive power is a mistake. From something as small as the Emperor's daily meals and lodgings to major affairs of state, she handles everything personally. As a result, the Emperor is denied the chance to gain experience, unable to forge connections with civil and military officials. The opinions and decisions of officials are either ignored or overridden. Over time, officials would rather remain silent than utter another word, leaving the entire imperial court scattered like loose sand. I am sure you are the last person who would wish to see such a scene."
"Why do you fail to mention how many officials the Eldest Princess has promoted over the years? Are those officials you call silent merely good-for-nothings?" Qi Yelin wondered why he had never noticed before that Song Hesheng was filled with such boundless benevolence and sympathy. "Every court official receives a monthly salary, a place to live, a cotton quilt to sleep under, and white rice to eat. Instead of wasting your idle energy worrying over them, you would be better off showing some concern for the common people living in the depths of misery."
"Everything I am expressing is simply to make you understand that power should be subject to checks and balances, rather than being monopolized by a single person. No matter how high her status, the Eldest Princess is still mortal, and I refuse to believe every single decision she makes is correct!"
"Brilliant!"
A familiar voice, accompanied by a round of applause, rang out from behind Song Hesheng.
It turned out that Jintang could no longer bear listening and had gone halfway to tip off the Eldest Princess.
"Th-The Eldest Princess?" Song Hesheng turned his head. He looked at the Eldest Princess, dressed in luxurious goose-yellow court attire, her hair combed into a high bun, her bright eyes glancing around with a vibrant brilliance, yet carrying an innate majesty between her brows. His eyes were filled with utter shock—why was she at Prince Shen's Estate?
Song Hesheng, the only son of Grand Tutor Song, had been exceptionally clever since childhood, blessed with a photographic memory for books. He could compose poetry at age five, and by age ten, a single painting of his was worth a thousand pieces of gold.
Of course, what commanded the most respect was his character: open-minded, upright, righteous, and as gentle as jade.
When he was chosen by her as her Imperial Son-in-law, countless unwed maidens in the Capital had wept their hearts out.
"So the lofty and untainted son of the Grand Tutor also indulges in gossiping behind people's backs?"
"Eldest Princess, every word I spoke came from the depths of my heart. The Emperor must take charge of state affairs independently as soon as possible..."
Gu Zhaoyan did not let Song Hesheng finish speaking. With a backhand slap, she struck his fair cheek, leaving a bright red handprint that bloomed instantly.
Caught completely off guard, Song Hesheng crashed to the ground. If not for the burning pain on his face and the bloody scrapes on his hand from the floor, he would never have believed that what had just happened was real.
"Impudent wretch!"
Gu Zhaoyan shook her hand as she said, "This morning, the Emperor already issued an imperial decree, and this princess has already accepted it. Yet you ran straight to Prince Shen to spout such reckless nonsense—what on earth is your intention?"
The stinging pain on his face gradually brought Song Hesheng back to his senses.
"This commoner is terrified. Everything this commoner said was purely from the perspective of Dayan..."
"Stop using the perspective of Dayan as an excuse!"
Gu Zhaoyan had thought she could remain indifferent, but facing Song Hesheng's stubbornness, all the anger, reluctance, and grievances she had suppressed in her heart erupted at once. "Most of the people I appreciate and promote come from humble backgrounds, having studied hard for ten years in cold windows. Given their backgrounds back then, even if they passed the imperial examinations, they could be replaced by others at any moment. And even if they miraculously escaped disaster to top the examinations, how could they possibly establish a foothold in the imperial court with such meager family backing?"
Song Hesheng lowered his head in silence, cold sweat trickling down his cheeks.
"Since they must rely on recommendations from others just to secure a place, they will naturally choose me—the one who cherishes talent—among the powerful nobles and aristocratic families." Gu Zhaoyan squatted down, grabbed Song Hesheng's chin with her right hand, and forced him to meet her gaze. "Do you know how many impoverished scholars scrimped and saved, even doing hard labor everywhere just to afford a set of the four treasures of the study, all in exchange for a meager income?"
Her words struck Song Hesheng like a heavy blow to the head. He opened his mouth to speak, but not a single word came out.
"Instead of having the leisure to scheme for positions for those good-for-nothings, you'd be better off spending your energy on people who genuinely need help." Gu Zhaoyan's nails pinched hard into Song Hesheng's jaw. Seeing his brows knit involuntarily from the pain, a murderous intent gradually rose in her eyes, and her fingers pressed harder and harder.
Until...
A pair of hands covered her wrist.
Gu Zhaoyan raised her head and met Qi Yelin's indifferent gaze. Just as she was about to demand an explanation, she saw him pull out a clean handkerchief and gently wipe the stain from beneath her fingernails.
The raging fire burning in her heart slowly shrank and went out.
"Song Hesheng, persistence is a good thing, but excessive persistence becomes a flaw." Qi Yelin lowered his gaze, looking down at Song Hesheng with an oppressive intensity. "Anyone capable of securing a foothold in the imperial court is no ordinary person. You assume they follow the Eldest Princess's lead blindly, but little do you know that it is precisely because the Eldest Princess is here that they can be kept in check."
Song Hesheng jerked his head up, staring blankly at the two of them, his mind a swirl of questions.
"Song Hesheng, the Ministry of Personnel has already arranged a position for you. If you have any doubts, you can go and verify it yourself." Seeing Song Hesheng's bewildered expression, Gu Zhaoyan knew he must have been instigated by Grand Tutor Song to come find Prince Shen. "Or, we could make a wager."
"A wager?" Song Hesheng frowned. "On what?"
"On your future—do you dare?" Gu Zhaoyan asked with a slight smile. "Grand Tutor Song is the Emperor's tutor. As his son, your pressure must be immense. If you take this gamble with this princess and win, you will surpass your father and become the most renowned figure in all of Dayan."
Though Gu Zhaoyan appeared to be tempting Song Hesheng, she was actually dragging him into the deep end and making him a target for public criticism.
Yet Song Hesheng failed to realize this; he was already seriously considering his odds of winning this "game of chance."
A moment later, he cupped his fists: "I accept this wager. I only hope the Eldest Princess will honor her word."
"This princess has even relinquished imperial power; is there anything she cannot achieve?" The smile in Gu Zhaoyan's eyes grew heavier. "However, there is one thing this princess must warn you: once this high-stakes gamble begins, there is no turning back. Think it through carefully, and don't come crying back to me later complaining that I didn't warn you."
"I won't."
Song Hesheng's eyes were filled with the resolute determination to win. "I trust my own judgment. Also, regarding the annulment of the engagement..."
"Rest assured, this princess will provide an explanation to all three families."
Today, the Eldest Princess was so approachable that Song Hesheng felt as though he were dreaming, yet looking at her smile, it felt entirely real.
"Anything else?"
Song Hesheng shook his head: "Farewell."
Not until he had vanished completely did Gu Zhaoyan turn her head to meet Qi Yelin's probing gaze. "While I'm still in a good mood, you may ask whatever you wish, and I will answer."
Qi Yelin withdrew his gaze and let out a light cold hum: "This prince has no time to listen to your lengthy speeches."
Gu Zhaoyan said nothing, her gaze dropping to their intertwined hands. "Qi Yelin, you really are saying one thing while meaning another."
Qi Yelin looked down, and as if he had been burned, violently shook her hand off.
"Ah."
Gu Zhaoyan lost her balance and tipped backward.