Volume 1, Chapter 10: Elder Sister Zhangsun

Pingyang Prince’s Mansion.

“Mother, do you think this official uniform looks imposing on me?” Song Qianshan was absolutely fond of the uniform; to him, it seemed tailor-made.

“It’s handsome. My son looks radiant no matter what he wears—so dashing.” His mother’s eyes sparkled with affection, utterly captivated.

Song Qianshan put his hands on his hips and boasted, “Of course! I am the legitimate heir of Pingyang Prince’s Mansion, not some impostor like Song Chenfei.”

Just then, the Pingyang Prince returned.

“Father, you’re finally back! How do you like my uniform?”

Song Qianshan, brimming with excitement, eagerly strutted in front of his father, showing off with a cocky swagger.

“Very good, very good, my foot!” The Pingyang Prince first laughed, then suddenly grew furious and slapped him hard.

Smack!

A vivid imprint of five red fingers burned Song Qianshan’s cheek.

“Father, why did you hit me?” Song Qianshan was stunned.

“I’m trying to kill you, you fool!” The Pingyang Prince’s eyes bulged, veins throbbing on his forehead in anger.

“Pingyang, how dare you lay a hand on Qianshan? Have you lost your mind?” the Pingyang Prince’s wife gasped, rushing forward to shield their son, her voice sharp.

“I may be mad, but only because of his actions! What good has he done?” The Pingyang Prince’s rage only deepened as he recalled the humiliation suffered before the Qian Emperor.

“I didn’t do anything!” Song Qianshan looked aggrieved.

“You still dare to claim innocence? Where did this uniform come from?” the Pingyang Prince thundered.

“I bought it with my own money.”

“Nonsense! And you still lie now? You snatched this uniform from Song Chenfei,” the Pingyang Prince accused. Song Qianshan’s heart skipped—how did his father know?

“Moreover, you took three thousand taels of silver bills from Song Chenfei. Who gave you such audacity? Do you even understand imperial law? How have I taught you?” The Pingyang Prince’s anger mounted.

The Pingyang Prince’s wife defended their son firmly, “So what if he took it? Three thousand taels and a uniform, what’s the big deal? Over the years, Song Chenfei has lived off us; this sum is but a drop in the ocean.”

“You don’t understand. This matter is far from simple.”

The Pingyang Prince wanted to mention the emperor but remembered the imperial decree forbidding disclosure; revealing it would disgrace the royal family and be deemed treason punishable by death.

“I don’t care how complicated it is. You hit Qianshan, and I won’t agree to that—and neither will his uncle.”

The Pingyang Prince’s wife emphasized her own family power: her elder brother was the Great General of the Great Qian Empire, commanding hundreds of thousands of troops, wielding immense influence in court.

“This matter requires explanation,” the Pingyang Prince conceded. He knew the general’s might and often deferred to his wife at home.

“Explanation? Simple. Let the subordinates take the blame. Qianshan was misled; it was all their doing. He is innocent.”

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