"The empress summoned the young lady to the palace, but for the sake of the fifth prince?"
"Probably not."
Song Wan held the handkerchief and felt a little strange.
"Brother said that the Holy One has sent people to conduct a careful inspection, and it is indeed true that the fifth prince died accidentally. There is no need for the prince or his aunt to take action against the fifth prince now, so calling me into the palace today should be for other reasons."
Song Wan pursed his lips: "I just don't know why."
Heng Zhi said: "Miss, there is no need to worry, it shouldn't be anything important."
He chose a cherry red floral skirt from the wardrobe. Heng Zhi was about to change Song Wan's clothes when she saw her shaking her head: "Change into something more elegant."
"There is a funeral in the palace. Although the fifth prince is young and there is no funeral ceremony, it is not easy for us to show off."
After changing into a goose-yellow cloak and a moon-white dress, Song Wan got on the carriage that Chang Ping came to pick him up from.
Song Yuning had been waiting for her at Changxin Palace early in the morning. When someone came over, she couldn't help but smile and praise her for what she was wearing today.
After saying a few words, Concubine Yun chuckled and said, "My aunt is also entrusted by someone today. Someone wants to see you."
Song Wan was confused and was about to ask, but Song Yuning spoke again: "Let him tell you himself."
Signing Heng Zhi to leave with him, Song Wan was the only one left in the entire courtyard.
Just when she didn't know what was going on, she heard someone cough lightly.
Shen Qianyu was wearing the prince's regular clothes and walked up to Song Wan in a few steps. Song Wan looked at his face and his expression changed several times.
"See the prince..."
Just as she was about to kneel down, Shen Qianyu helped her and stopped her from kneeling down.
Song Wan took a step back and still knelt down: "I have met His Highness the Crown Prince."
"Girl, get up quickly."
As soon as Shen Qianyu moved forward, Song Wan stood up and took another step back.
She lowered her head slightly so that no one could guess her thoughts, but Shen Qianyu knew that she was annoyed.
"I didn't mean to deceive. In fact, I could only live under the identity of Jirong in the palace before, so that the girl could misunderstand me. And I have never had the intention to play tricks on the girl. You must not think of me like this."
Knowing that Song Wan was unwell, Shen Qianyu took the initiative to distance the two of them.
Song Wan still lowered his head and remained silent, allowing him to explain alone.
"I know that what I did was inappropriate and not the behavior of a gentleman, but I was forced by the situation and there was really no other way to offend the girl."
Hearing his evasive words, Song Wan felt ashamed.
For the prince to interact with her as a chamberlain was not only inappropriate, but also... unseemly.
Holding the handkerchief tightly, Song Wan blushed with anger, and after a long time he uttered: "I wonder why the prince summoned his daughter to the palace?"
Shen Qianyu's eyes dimmed, knowing that if it happened today, the two of them would never be able to go back to the past.
But he is not a person who gives up easily. On the contrary, he becomes more courageous with every setback. Seeing that Song Wan was resisting his approach, Shen Qianyu looked more solemn and said, "I came here looking for the girl today because I want to make a deal with the girl."
"What deal?"
Song Wan frowned slightly and raised his head to look at the prince.
“A deal that kills two birds with one stone.”
Putting his hands behind his back, Shen Qianyu breathed out secretly to relieve the tension and shyness in his heart. It's just that he pretends to be calm and quite human.
"I want the girl to enter the East Palace..."
Song Wan was about to retort when he raised his hand to interrupt him: "Young lady, listen to what I have to say first."
"Although I had to hide my identity to deceive the girl before, I have never had any ill intentions towards you or the Song family."
Seeing that her expression seemed to be moving, Shen Qianyu continued: "Young lady also knows that I have been in Nanqing as a hostage since I was a child. Not to mention reading and literacy, it is quite difficult to read a few literary excerpts..."
"So I need someone by my side, someone who is capable of assisting me, has a calm temperament, and can help me preserve the royal face."
"I feel that only Miss Song's character and knowledge are qualified for the job."
Seeing her expression becoming more relaxed, Shen Qianyu couldn't help but hurriedly followed: "I have no intention of bullying or blackmailing girls with my power. I have gathered several talented and virtuous girls from the capital, but I just can't let go of my guard." My heart is close to them, and I cannot trust them as much as I trust girls.”
Anxious to show his sincerity to her, Shen Qianyu murmured: "After much thought, a girl is the most suitable."
Song Wan's brows furrowed slightly for a moment.
"Of course, I will not let the girl suffer in vain."
Shen Qianyu stood up and took a step forward: "If the girl is willing to enter the East Palace, I will promise her the next position."
Song Wan's eyes widened in surprise.
"This statement is sincere and there is absolutely no deception."
Seeing that Song Wan was unmoved, Shen Qianyu said, "You don't have to be surprised. This is a deal between this palace and the Song family."
"Song family?"
Song Wan pursed his lips and believed what he said.
If she hadn't had a bad relationship with her family, her aunt wouldn't have arranged for the prince to meet her.
And the father... would never refuse the prince's proposal.
The girl's beautiful eyebrows slightly raised, and Shen Qianyu softened his heart, coaxing softly: "I respect the girl's knowledge and wealth, but I really can't bear that the girl will end up in a mediocre life just because of the wrong person she entrusted to her."
"If the girl enters the East Palace, it will only be beneficial to your brother and Concubine Yun."
Sure enough, when Song Futong and Song Yuning were mentioned, the wary look in Song Wan's eyes instantly faded. Her eyes narrowed slightly, as if she was planning how to act in order to seek the best interests for her brother and aunt.
A faint smile appeared on Shen Qianyu's lips, feeling helpless and distressed in his heart.
I feel sorry for her that even now, she has never planned a day for herself. Feeling sorry for her, she only heard that entering the East Palace would be beneficial to the Song family, so she put aside the difficulties she might encounter in the harem and concentrated on thinking about how to help Song Yuning.
He stretched out a hand and just reached it in front of Song Wan, but Shen Qianyu took it back again.
He almost, almost couldn't control himself from stroking her hair.
With a slight cough, Shen Qianyu put his hands behind his back.
"When you enter the East Palace in the future, you and Concubine Yun will be able to see each other all day long. You can also take care of the third prince closely until he is granted a fiefdom."
"When Song Fu gets married in the future, the British government will not dare to take advantage of the eldest princess and look down on him."
Song Wan was silent for a long time, then he held the handkerchief and said, "My identity prevents me from entering the East Palace."
Shen Qianyu's breath was suffocated: "This...you don't have to worry about this, girl, everything is up to me. As long as the girl agrees to enter the East Palace, I...I will figure out everything else."
"It's just that I may have to offend the girl a little bit before, so the ranking for entering the palace shouldn't be too high."
Song Wan shook his head: "It all depends on His Highness's arrangements."
As she is remarried, she may not be able to say anything that can help her aunt and brother's marriage. It is an unexpected joy to be able to enter the East Palace now and be able to add some help to the family in the future.
Hearing this, Shen Qianyu said in an urgent tone: "Don't worry, girl, don't worry... I will make sure everything is properly arranged and nothing will go wrong!"
