Binding Spring Love

Although Song Fu knew that his sister was intelligent from a young age, he was still somewhat surprised by her keen insight. After a moment of silence, Song Fu said, "I'm afraid she won't be able to inherit the throne in the future."

"According to Qianbai, on the day he went to Dengtian Tower to light the lanterns, he smelled a strong burning smell as soon as he lit the dragon and phoenix lanterns. He hurriedly ordered the imperial guards who followed him downstairs, but the moment they were lit, the dragon and phoenix lanterns exploded."

"Weren't the lanterns inspected multiple times and only sent to the Tower of Heaven after they were confirmed to be problem-free?"

"It must have been sabotaged at the last minute."

Song Fu pursed his lips, his tone heavy: "I've inspected it. The bamboo frame inside the lantern is the most severely damaged, which means someone must have put something easily ignited inside."

"And Qianbai was closest to the lantern at the time; half of his face..."

destroyed.

Song Wan's heart sank, and she couldn't utter another word.

After a long while, she murmured, "This kind of firearm, was it made by Jiang Xingjian?"

"no."

Song paused, then said, "But I can't escape my ties with him either."

"The craftsmen who make the lanterns and the guards of the Heavenly Tower have intricate connections with the Empress's faction. My father and I both believe that it was the eldest prince who targeted Qianbai."

"The eldest prince deliberately chose firearms, probably to frame Consort Jiang. He originally wanted to reap the benefits, but he didn't expect to be shot in one eye."

Song Wan asked, puzzled, "Who was responsible for the Crown Prince's injury? Could it be Jiang Man?"

"I don't know, but I don't think so."

Song Wan and her brother entered the main hall of the house. Hengzhi and Hengwu were busy outside the courtyard. After a while, Hengzhi brought up fragrant tea, poured tea for the two of them, and then left briskly.

Seeing that the two were taking such good care of Song Wan, Song Fu secretly put his worries to rest.

While feeling sorry for Shen Qianbai, Song Wan pondered the political situation in the court. However, being a woman, she did not know as much as her father and brothers, and for a while, she had no clue what to do.

"What did His Majesty say about the Lantern Festival?"

Upon hearing this, Song Fu frowned deeply: "The eldest prince was shot out of one eye, Qianbai was disfigured, and Shen Qianshu broke his leg. I don't know if His Majesty doesn't want to investigate or if he really believes that Nanqing is behind it, but he has actually pushed all the blame onto Nanqing."

"His Majesty has always feared the military strength of Nanqing. Now that he has pushed this matter onto them, he is probably preparing to let it go."

The late emperor had many sons, but more than twenty princes died in the struggle for the throne. Among them were the talented Prince Su'an, who was skilled in governing the country; the brave and skilled Prince Sucheng, who was able to force the Southern Qing to retreat; and even the Prince Sukang, who knew how to recognize and appoint people based on their abilities.

These people were so renowned that even a sheltered young lady like Song Wan had heard of them, and the other princes also possessed remarkable talents, but only the current emperor…

With a soft sigh, Song Wan lowered her eyes and remained silent.

After a long silence, she finally spoke softly, "What will become of Qianbai in the future?"

Shen Qianbai carries the hopes of the Song family, but now that he is disfigured, he may lose his chance to become emperor. Moreover, the palace has not had any more children for many years, and people say that Emperor Wenhui is in poor health and may not be able to have another son.

In this way, the eldest prince, along with Qianbai and Shen Qianshu, found themselves in another deadly predicament.

"What about the Fifth Prince? Is he badly injured?"

"I saw him at the Marquis of Chengyang's residence that day; both his legs were broken. I wonder if he will be permanently disabled?"

"We don't know yet. Everyone in the palace is in danger, and it's not good for news to get out."

Song Fu paused slightly, then said hesitantly, "I have a guess in my mind."

"Brother, please speak."

Song Fudao said, "Do you think the person who shot and killed the eldest prince could be the crown prince of the Eastern Palace?"

"Ever since the Crown Prince returned to the capital eight years ago, he has been in a state of utter confusion, his life hanging in the balance. Back then, the Empress used countless vicious methods to test him, trying to prove that he wasn't faking his insanity or paralysis. According to the palace servants, the Crown Prince wasn't actually this ill when he first returned to the palace. The Empress deserves much credit for the fact that he's been bedridden for eight years."

"Now that the situation has changed, with the Crown Prince being blinded by an arrow and Qianbai and Shen Qianshu being crippled, it seems that the Eastern Palace is the one that benefits the most."

"Although I know it's unlikely, I can't find any other answer."

Upon hearing this, Song Wan lowered her head and fell into deep thought.

She never easily refuted others, even though she thought it was a bit of a fantasy that the Crown Prince could lie low and endure under the Empress for eight years. But after hearing Song Fu say this, she was moved and began to think about it carefully.

"At first glance, the current situation does seem to favor the Crown Prince the most, but it was Consort Jiang who attacked Qianbai, and the Fifth Prince's injury was likely caused by his aunt. If the Crown Prince truly had the ability to orchestrate the Lantern Festival and harm three princes, they wouldn't have remained silent for eight years."

"If Wan'er remembers correctly, the Crown Prince's background is extremely low."

Song Fu nodded: "The Crown Prince's birth mother was a singing girl in His Majesty's household before he ascended the throne. It is said that she was extremely beautiful but came from a family of courtesans."

Song Wan nodded: "The Crown Prince has no maternal family to support him, and he has been a hostage in Nanqing for many years. After returning to the palace, he has never appeared in public again. Even though he has the title of Crown Prince now, he has no supporters behind him and cannot stand firm in the court."

"Leaving aside the court's hatred for Nanqing, just consider this: whenever the Crown Prince is mentioned in the future, he will have to give up the throne."

"What is it?"

Song Wan said, "Identity."

When the Crown Prince was sent back to the capital by the Southern Qing, it was the time when the First Prince was at the height of his power and the most popular candidate to succeed to the throne. At that time, no one paid any attention to the Crown Prince, and Emperor Wenhui did not even meet his son who had been a hostage in an enemy country for many years.

"The Crown Prince went to Nanqing when he was less than five years old and returned when he was already a teenager. Even though we all know that the Crown Prince is the Emperor's son, as long as the Empress or Consort Jiang insists that the Crown Prince's identity is unknown, there is no possibility of the Eastern Palace succeeding to the throne."

Whether the Crown Prince is the real Crown Prince or not is not important. But if the court officials have even the slightest doubt about the Crown Prince's identity, or label him as a spy from the Southern Qing Dynasty, he will never be able to ascend the throne.

Unless all the princes in the court are dead, no one else will have to acknowledge his identity.

After Song Wan finished speaking, she looked at Song Fu with a hint of doubt: "If Wan'er can think of something, Brother shouldn't be unable to think of it either, so why did Brother still bring up the Crown Prince?"

"But is there anything Wan'er doesn't know, and that you, brother, can't say?"

"You really can hide anything from me."

Song Fu stood up, a hint of annoyance in his eyes.

"As you know, Father has always prioritized the overall situation. Although he is the biological father of both of us, he is also the head of the Song clan and an important minister in the court."

"Father... has a vision that is beyond our comprehension."

With just a few words, Song Wan felt the hairs on her body stand on end and her head spin.

Her voice was hoarse with disbelief as she asked, "Brother, do you mean that if Qianbai is not destined for the throne, Father is prepared to support Shen Qianshu instead?"

Song Fu pursed his lips, his helpless appearance filling Song Wan with despair.

Yes, there were only three princes in the court: Shen Qianchi, Shen Qianbai, and Shen Qianshu. The eldest prince was blind, and Qianbai was disfigured, so naturally only Shen Qianshu could be chosen.

Song Wan's eyes reddened, and her fingers trembled slightly: "If Father really switches his support to the Fifth Prince, then wouldn't Jiang Xingjian and I be...?"

Before she could finish speaking, Hengwu rushed over from outside the courtyard in a panic: "Young Master, Miss, Master... Master has come with his wife and two elders from the clan."