Chapter 33: Can’t Call It Even

A chorus of startled yelps sent the little yellow dogs passing by skidding to a halt before they bolted away in terror.

“You, you—how did you—?” Shi Yuning leaped back a full step, her eyes darting frantically in every direction.

Fortunately, there were only a few mangy stray dogs that had been lounging together nearby, and they had already scattered in fright.

Shi Yuning’s heart had nearly jumped out of her chest from Xie Zhaoran’s sudden action.

The culprit was still grinning smugly. “What about me?”

Xie Zhaoran’s feigned innocence was obvious as she tapped her cherry-red lips. Her brows and eyes softened like willows swaying in a spring breeze, curving upward slowly. “Last night, you were the one who stole a kiss from me first.”

She laughed merrily, her words trailing off in a playful lilt that brimmed with intimacy.

Shi Yuning hadn’t expected Xie Zhaoran to bring it up like this, bold as brass in broad daylight under the clear sky.

Sure, she had been the one to make the first move last night with that stolen kiss, but—

Shi Yuning’s face burned as she stuck out her neck in defense. “You… you kissed me back…” Her voice trailed off softer and softer with each word.

Emboldened after speaking, she lifted her chin. “We’re even!”

It was the first time Xie Zhaoran had heard someone claim a kiss could be squared away like that. Gazing at Shi Yuning’s face, flushed red as a ripe jujube, she let out a light chuckle. “Not even. Didn’t I just kiss you again?”

Shi Yuning was struck speechless.

Seeing her conflicted expression, Xie Zhaoran’s smile deepened as she teased, “What’s with that dopey look? Did I hurt my hands and feet while you hurt your head?”

Shi Yuning snapped back to herself. “You’re the one who hurt your head.” Inwardly, she added, How else could she act so brazen?

Xie Zhaoran put away her smile and adopted a serious expression. “My head’s fine. I still remember how a certain young lady sneaked a kiss from me last night and said she liked me.”

Shi Yuning could tell by now that Xie Zhaoran was deliberately teasing her.

“Yeah, it was me. I sneaked the kiss. But you said you were fond of me too—you said—”

The words caught in her throat as her face flushed with embarrassment. She couldn’t quite bring herself to repeat what Xie Zhaoran had said last night.

“That I’m fond of you, that I like you, and only you.” Xie Zhaoran smiled and finished for her.

Shi Yuning’s eyes widened as she stared at Xie Zhaoran. How had she never noticed before just how thick-skinned this woman was?

She could say things like that without batting an eye or blushing.

Yet the way she said it was captivating—her eyes sparkling, her voice so alluring. Those simple words were like a scoop of ice on a summer day, soothing Shi Yuning down to her very soul.

Suddenly, Shi Yuning broke into a grin. It wasn’t a dream. This was real.

Seeing Shi Yuning’s joyful expression, Xie Zhaoran’s grip on the stool leg eased slightly.

She had been so tense earlier that she had nearly wrenched it right off.

A gentle morning breeze rustled the leaves as it blew through the summer courtyard.

With her beloved laughing freely in the golden sunlight, the emptiness in Xie Zhaoran’s heart suddenly felt filled.

“No more chit-chat. I’ll go make breakfast.” Shi Yuning felt bashful under Xie Zhaoran’s gaze. Remembering they hadn’t eaten yet, she hurried off to cook.

She hadn’t gone two steps before doubling back.

She helped Xie Zhaoran up, took the stool from her hands, and set it aside. Sitting on it briefly to test, she nodded.

“The stool’s fine—nice and sturdy.” Shi Yuning pushed Xie Zhaoran down onto it. “You sit here and enjoy the sun. I’ll handle breakfast.”

Xie Zhaoran had thought Shi Yuning was returning for something important.

She hadn’t expected this thoughtful arrangement.

“Alright.”

Xie Zhaoran agreed and settled quietly onto the long bench, watching as Shi Yuning headed into the kitchen.

From the yard, she had a clear view of the modest kitchen with its large earthen stove.

A smile played on Xie Zhaoran’s lips as she watched that busy figure—lighting the fire, washing the pot and vegetables, cooking with enthusiastic vigor.

In the palace, within Prosperity Governance Hall, Xiao Liju listened to her personal guard’s report on the matters concerning Duke Xie’s and Marquis Shi’s families, her face ashen.

After hearing the full account and learning of the starkly different attitudes the two families held toward their daughters’ falls from the cliff, she felt genuine sorrow for Xie Zhaoran.

Born into the imperial family, Xiao Liju had long known there was no true affection in the emperor’s house. Filial piety and maternal love were luxuries she had never dared hope for, sparing her the depths of disappointment.

But she still remembered how, as a child, Xie Zhaoran had held many expectations for her own family.

It must have been when Xie Zhaoran was around three, making Xiao Liju five. On her birthday that year, the Empress Mother had personally sewn her a garment to celebrate.

Xie Zhaoran had been puzzled, asking why the Empress would make clothes herself when there was the Clothing Bureau in the palace.

Xiao Liju had heard from her nursemaid that this was a mother’s love for her child.

Only half understanding, Xiao Liju had relayed it to Xie Zhaoran.

She would never forget the desolate look on Xie Zhaoran’s face upon hearing it.

Xie Zhaoran had said her own mother had never made anything for her.

Later, the Empress learned of it and scolded Xiao Liju for speaking carelessly. From then on, before every one of Xie Zhaoran’s birthdays, the Empress would send a letter reminding Duke Xie’s wife.

Even so, there were many birthdays when only gold, silver, and jewelry arrived from the border passes, with the Duchess claiming she was too busy to visit.

Xiao Liju sighed, pulling herself from those memories. Next month was Zhaoran’s birthday, yet no one even knew if she was alive or dead.

“Go on. Keep watching. Report back the moment there’s any news from Marquis Shi.” Xiao Liju waved her hand, dismissing the guard, then summoned another.

“Reporting to the Eldest Princess: Our people found no trace of Prince Yu at Crane Cry Temple. We’ve searched the nearby hills too—nothing.”

Xiao Liju wasn’t surprised. Prince Yu wouldn’t be foolish enough to hide in such obvious places.

Yesterday, while escorting his coffin to the Imperial Mausoleum, they had been ambushed by assassins disguised as mausoleum guards. Right in plain view, they had snatched Prince Yu away.

Having spent years at the border passes, Xiao Liju could tell at a glance that their martial prowess wasn’t that of Great Ye’s people. Their weapons resembled those commonly used by the petty kingdoms on the frontier.

The thought of Prince Yu colluding with foreign enemies made her chest tighten. She had nearly been forced into a marriage alliance because of them.

For years, those barbarians from the Northern Frontier had repeatedly raided their borders, and Prince Yu had been foolish enough to ally with them—inviting the wolf into the house.

For so many to infiltrate the country undetected, Prince Yu must have provided them with identities and cover.

“Any anomalies on Prince Qiwei’s side?” Xiao Liju asked. She suspected her imperial uncle’s involvement; Prince Yu alone couldn’t have pulled off something so meticulous without her noticing.

“None, Your Highness,” the subordinate replied, head bowed.

Xiao Liju narrowed her eyes, mentally calculating their next move. Prince Yu would need allies with military power, and there were only a few candidates.

As she pondered, hurried footsteps approached from outside.

A young eunuch hurried in, head lowered, to report that the Emperor had awakened and was requesting the princess’s presence.

Xiao Liju rose abruptly, instructing her subordinates to keep watch, then rushed to Emperor Hongjing’s bedchamber.

Emperor Hongjing’s face was as pale as paper, his sunken eyes ringed with dark circles. Upon seeing Xiao Liju, he coughed repeatedly while anxiously asking, “How is Zhaoran? Any news? Cough, cough…”

Xiao Liju hurried forward and supported the Emperor, who couldn’t stop coughing.

“Your Majesty, please don’t worry. I’ve dispatched more men, and the Shi family is searching with full effort.”

A flash of grief crossed Emperor Hongjing’s eyes. “So, no news yet.”

Xiao Liju consoled him. “No news is good news.”

As long as no body was found, there was still hope they had survived.

“Now that Your Majesty is awake, there’s something that requires your decree: a citywide manhunt for Prince Yu. The Empress Mother is still in his hands.”

Emperor Hongjing swallowed back the metallic taste of blood and gripped the hand of the attending Eunuch Xiaolin tightly. “Fetch the imperial seal.”

Eunuch Xiaolin, holding back his grief, acknowledged the order. He called his apprentice to support the Emperor while he personally retrieved the imperial seal and Emperor Hongjing’s signet.

The scribe eunuch stood ready as Emperor Hongjing dictated two imperial edicts.

The first stripped Prince Yu of his princely title and ordered his arrest nationwide. The second appointed Eldest Princess Xiao Liju as regent.

Once sealed, Emperor Hongjing immediately had Eunuch Xiaolin send them out.

Xiao Liju stood quietly to the side, her expression hesitant.

Emperor Hongjing understood her thoughts. He took her hand. “Imperial Sister, Zhen knows you don’t wish to take over these duties while I’m still here. Cough, cough.”

Seeing how labored his speech was, Xiao Liju urged, “Your Majesty, we can discuss this once you’re better.”

Emperor Hongjing shook his head. “Cough, cough. I know my own body. Better to arrange these matters while I’m still lucid, so you can rule with legitimacy later.”

He referred to himself as “I” and called Xiao Liju “sister,” like an ordinary younger brother speaking to his elder sibling.

A pang of sorrow struck Xiao Liju’s heart. If not for his frail health, her brother would have been a benevolent emperor lauded by all.

“Sister understands your intent, but you know as well that being a woman is the greatest stain on my legitimacy in the eyes of the court.”

Emperor Hongjing looked at her steadily. “Does Imperial Sister fear it?”

Xiao Liju shook her head, her eyes gleaming with resolve, her face firm. “No. This Palace will make it reality. Since there’s no precedent, I’ll be the first! I’ll show the world that a woman can be emperor too.”

Admiration shone in Emperor Hongjing’s eyes. “Zhaoran always said Imperial Sister is the emperor Great Ye needs most now. She has never been wrong.”

Great Ye faced internal strife among court factions, a decadent bureaucracy that sidelined talent; externally, frontier barbarians eyed them hungrily, raiding year after year.

The challenges were immense, demanding not just a benevolent ruler who loved the people, but a shrewd strategist who knew how to employ talent—a true sage sovereign.

Xiao Liju possessed it all. Back when Zhaoran first proposed this bold idea, even Crown Prince Hongjing had struggled to accept it—it was too radical.

Like the Late Emperor, he had once thought the throne should pass to Prince Yu after his death.

But year after year, Prince Yu proved utterly unworthy. Lacking both talent and mercy, his reign would bring tyranny and misery, dooming Great Ye’s century of legacy.

How could he then face their ancestors?

“Cough, cough. Imperial Sister will do better than I, cough, cough. Zhaoran won’t be wrong, cough.”

Mentioning Xie Zhaoran brought silence between them. That sheer cliff… Deep down, they knew the odds were slim, but neither dared voice it.

They preferred to believe in miracles—that Xie Zhaoran had survived against all odds and was waiting somewhere for rescue.

The Xie Zhaoran they were thinking of was lounging lazily on the rocking chair at Tian Dame’s house, rubbing her full belly and letting out a satisfied belch as she savored the rare sensation of being stuffed.

Shi Yuning watched from the side, torn between laughter and exasperation. She had cooked that pot of thin porridge intending to let it cool for lunch, but Xie Zhaoran had polished it off in one go, along with all the little side dishes.

So much for her picky eating!