Chapter 3

I moved back to my own residence and ordered an investigation into Liu Sanniang and her daughter.

Something was wrong. Song Heqing had kept this from me for forty years. Why not go on keeping it a secret?

Whatever the outcome, a public spectacle like this would leave the ducal household without a shred of dignity. Song Yumian was only a daughter. Giving her a generous dowry when she married would have made little difference.

Why insist on entering her in the clan register?

The answer soon came.

Song Yumian had become involved with the Third Prince and was already pregnant. Her present status ruled out marriage as a prince’s principal wife. But if the Song clan acknowledged her, she would be a duke’s daughter—and the Grand Princess’s daughter. That would make her eminently eligible.

No wonder Song Heqing and Liu Sanniang had made certain everyone heard about it. It really was all for their daughter.

Since I had returned to my own residence, Song Heqing had not visited once. I did hear, however, that he had brought Liu Sanniang and her daughter into the ducal household. Liu Sanniang had installed herself as its mistress; the servants addressed her as “Old Madam.” Song Yumian, too, behaved like the duke’s cherished young lady. My daughter-in-law even paid her respects morning and evening, dutifully treating Liu Sanniang as her proper mother-in-law.

Nanny Gao was indignant. “How can Lady Huang be so blind to right and wrong? After Your Highness treated her as your own daughter!”

I smiled, untroubled. “What choice does she have? Her father-in-law pressures her from above; her husband begs her at her side. She still has to live in that family. How can she defy the people who hold power over her?”

Song Heqing was putting on a show for me. He was trying to force my hand.

My son came to reason with me.

“She’s only an old concubine. Let her in. She won’t threaten your position.” Then he added, “You and Father are both getting on in years. Why ruin your marriage and throw the household into turmoil over something so trivial?”

“Why did you join with outsiders to deceive me?” I asked.

He did not try to hide it. “The Third Prince has taken a liking to my sister. She must become his principal wife.”

I scoffed. “How fond you are of her.”

He fell silent for a moment before saying softly, “The Third Prince is talented and virtuous. He has a great future ahead of him.”

I raised my eyes. Under my sharp gaze, he lowered his head, unable to look at me.

“I told you long ago: the Song family takes no sides.”

“But Mother,” he said, “you are the Grand Princess. While you live, the Songs need never fear losing imperial favor. But when you’re gone? We have no military honors, no record of achievement in office. How far can an empty title take us? Mother, for the sake of your children and grandchildren, please agree to Father’s request!”

He bowed his head to the floor.

I was furious. “The crown prince may be unexceptional, but he is diligent, cares for the people, and has a benevolent heart. The emperor has never intended to replace him.”

“The emperor has always respected you, Mother.”

They wanted me to plead their case. My support for the Third Prince would indeed improve his chances.

My disappointment was complete. “The Third Prince seduced a young woman of respectable birth and bedded her out of wedlock. Where is the virtue in that? You fool. Can’t you see he’s using the Song family? Using me?”

He grew agitated. “What difference does it make whether I see it or not? I mean to share in the glory of putting him on the throne! If you refuse to help me, Mother, I am a dead man!”

He, too, was trying to force my hand.

They all were.