Chapter 42: Suspicious? Part 1

Xunqi came back at a fixed time. Yan Zhi’an held a high position and could come back whenever she wanted. She was only afraid someone would complain to Her Majesty, but even that was useless. Yan Zhi’an had served Her Majesty for many years. Such a small matter wouldn’t be held against her.

But Yan Zhi’an was usually strict with herself. If she had work in hand, she wouldn’t come back early.

After the two entered the room, Yan Zhi’an released Xunqi and deliberately asked, “Zhao Fu was punished. How are things at the Patrol Battalion?”

“Not only Commander Zhao was punished, but also several deputy generals. They were also people with prestige in the camp. With all of them punished, the rest saw the example and were afraid. Naturally, they listened to me.” Xunqi explained with a smile, but she was dejected inside. She pinched her palm. Why did she let go as soon as they entered the room? She should have held on a little longer.

She didn’t dare show any abnormality, a smile blooming on her face.

Hearing this, Yan Zhi’an was relieved. “They won’t be able to come back for a while. This is a good time for you to establish your authority. Xunqi, I sent you to the Patrol Battalion not to stop at a mere Deputy Commander. I hope you can replace Zhao Fu. Of course, I won’t treat Zhao Fu badly. I’ll find him a better place. Don’t worry, I won’t make things difficult for you.”

This was her and Her Majesty’s goal: to let Xunqi hold heavy military power, giving her the confidence to contend with the Crown Prince.

Xunqi nodded seriously. “I understand. I’ll arrange it carefully. Don’t worry, I won’t let you down.”

She knew her use was to take control of the Patrol Battalion. This was the task the Left Prime Minister had given her. How could she let her down?

“That’s good. Do as you always have. Be like everyone else, put on a show, and quietly wait for Zhao Fu to return.” Yan Zhi’an was truly worried and had to remind her. “Don’t show any abnormality.”

“Alright, I’ll remember.” Xunqi agreed.

Yan Zhi’an was finally reassured. She encouraged her, “I know you work hard and are very dedicated. Xunqi, the next step is for me and Her Majesty to expand the Patrol Battalion.”

“Add more troops?” Xunqi understood immediately. “Why add more troops?”

“Her Majesty trusts you. Now, Her Majesty is gradually gathering military power. Emperor Hui came from a military background. Only by holding military power could he replace Emperor Ming. So, she hopes you hold military power. Trusting me is trusting you.”

Yan Zhi’an lied against her conscience. She had told one lie after another, and now she could do it without changing her expression.

Xunqi was confused, seeming to understand. She was just a pawn for Her Majesty and the Left Prime Minister to seize military power.

This thought had just sprouted when she suppressed it. No, that’s not right. Her Majesty and the Left Prime Minister could pick anyone to do this better than her.

Why choose her?

Xunqi was suspicious, but she wasn’t in a hurry. She continued to play along with the Left Prime Minister, her face full of humility. “I understand. After I entered the camp, Commander Zhao personally guided me. Everything is fine.”

“Good.” Yan Zhi’an was very satisfied. Xunqi was someone she had brought up. She was steady and down-to-earth. Give her two more years, and she would definitely achieve results.

The two talked for a while. When it was completely dark, they had dinner. Yan Zhi’an returned to the study, and Xunqi went back to her room to rest.

Xunqi left first. Yan Zhi’an was about to go out when she suddenly thought of something and stopped, turning to look back inside the room.

Wuqing was surprised. “Head of the Family, what’s wrong?”

“I…” Yan Zhi’an hesitated. She had thought of something wrong. These past few days, Xunqi had left after dinner and hadn’t stayed overnight.

That was strange.

But she couldn’t say it out loud, because the reasoning didn’t make sense. It was only natural for Xunqi to go back to her room to sleep. Why did she feel it was wrong?

She shook her head. Perhaps she was scaring herself. “Nothing. Let’s go.”

After returning to her room, Xunqi took out the wooden figurine and looked at the wrong cut for a long time. One wrong step, and this wooden figurine couldn’t be used anymore. It didn’t even give her a chance to fix it.

She stared blankly at the wooden figurine, at a loss. In the past, she would have thrown it away. But this time, she couldn’t bear to throw it away.

After much deliberation, she found an empty box and carefully placed the wooden figurine inside. Since she couldn’t carve it and couldn’t throw it away, she would find a place to put it.

After doing this, she lay down to sleep as usual.

She was very tired. After a day of patrolling, she was exhausted. She fell asleep as soon as she lay down.

When she woke up, she was full of energy. But she still touched the box, opened it, and looked at the wooden figurine. Then she went to the Patrol Battalion for duty.

It was cold in winter, and there weren’t many people on the streets. Most were walking in a hurry. She often encountered bodies lying under the eaves, frozen stiff. Xunqi would give money to have them properly buried.

Since winter began, it was the best time to see the warmth and coldness of the world. The rich had servants to call on, while the poor didn’t even have clothes to cover themselves. Xunqi often stared blankly at the frozen corpses, remembering the Madwoman and her past life.

Her current power came from the Left Prime Minister. With one word from the Left Prime Minister, she would become a little beggar again.

Unease and fear often churned her heart.

But when she returned to the residence and saw the Left Prime Minister’s gentle face, she felt she was overthinking. How could the Left Prime Minister be so heartless?

No, she wasn’t an abandoned pawn.

Xunqi tightened her grip on the reins, her eyes cold. She had to let the Left Prime Minister see her worth. She now commanded the Patrol Battalion. She was no longer a commoner.

“Young Mistress Yan.”

A man’s voice broke her reverie. The winter sun hung in the sky, looking warm but actually still cold.

Xunqi followed the sound. A man rode over on horseback, wearing a jade crown and luxurious clothes, rich and noble. She smiled. “So it’s the young lord of Prince Ji’s family.”

Prince Ji’s third son, known as Li Sanlang.

After one glance, Li Sanlang frowned, stunned by her beauty. He hadn’t expected the Young Mistress Yan to be so beautiful.

The girl sat on her horse, her long hair tied up, black as silk. Her skin was like a peeled egg. Her brows and eyes were raised, a faint smile on her lips. Beautiful features, strong presence. This one glance seemed to make Li Sanlang unable to forget her.

“What do you want?” Xunqi was unruly. Looking for a beating?

How could Li Sanlang know her thoughts? He eagerly rode up and glanced ahead. “There’s a riding ground ahead. Would the Young Mistress like to go play?”

“I’m on duty. I can’t go.” Xunqi refused directly. “Look at this winter. The grass is all gone. What’s there to play with?”

The people were starving and freezing, while the powerful played and amused themselves every day, spending money like water.

Xunqi was dissatisfied, but she had no choice.

Li Sanlang looked her up and down. “It’s fine. Her Majesty is merciful and won’t mind. If anything happens, I’ll beg Her Majesty. She definitely won’t blame you.”

“I heard Prince Ji fell. Why aren’t you at home attending to him?” Xunqi didn’t give him any face and asked directly.

Prince Ji was sick, but the Princess Consort of Ji had sent Li Sanlang to get close to Xunqi, hoping to win her over. He had been disdainful at first, thinking the Young Mistress Yan was fierce and evil. He never expected her to be such a beauty. He was immediately smitten.

“I came because I was invited. I had no choice.” He had an excuse too.

Xunqi sneered. “In that case, go play.”

With that, she raised her whip and galloped away. Li Sanlang let out an “Oh!” and spurred his horse to follow. This scene happened to be witnessed by people in a restaurant.

“What is Li Sanlang trying to do? Chasing after a girl like that?”

“The Young Mistress Yan is a hot commodity now. Which noble family doesn’t want to marry her? Marry her, and you save thirty years of hard work.”

The Young Mistress Yan’s current status was comparable to a princess, even surpassing one. Marrying a princess didn’t guarantee military power. Marry her, and you get power, wealth, and military power, all three.

The people upstairs fell silent. The Young Mistress Yan was the Left Prime Minister’s darling, and she was favored by Her Majesty. She was only fifteen, yet she had achieved what others achieved at thirty.

As they spoke, Xunqi had gone far. To shake off Li Sanlang, she simply entered the palace to see Her Majesty.

Li Sanlang was bold outside, but he didn’t dare enter the palace to see Her Majesty. The current Her Majesty was Sima Shenrong, not someone from his Li family.

Xunqi entered the palace, threw down her horsewhip, and strode forward, jogging into the palace.

The Chief Eunuch was leaning against a pillar, sunbathing, his eyes half-closed. A sliver of light leaked into his eyes. He opened them and saw a young girl. “Oh my, it’s the Young Mistress Yan.”

“Chief Eunuch.” Xunqi stepped forward and bowed, her smile gentle.

The Chief Eunuch didn’t dare offend this little ancestor. He quickly stood up straight. “Why have you come in?”

“Someone is chasing me. Very annoying. I came in for a walk.” Xunqi smiled at him, then looked at the palace gate. “What are you doing?”

The Chief Eunuch answered, “Oh, Her Majesty is busy. I’m slacking off. Who’s the one without eyes following you?”

“Li Sanlang.” Xunqi was extremely annoyed.

The Chief Eunuch’s face changed slightly. He had been in the palace for years and could see the signs. He understood immediately. “No need to pay attention to him. How about some tea?”

“Sure.” How could Xunqi refuse? She hadn’t come to see Her Majesty anyway.

The two walked to the tea room together. After entering, the Chief Eunuch sent someone to brew tea and sat down with Xunqi.

The Chief Eunuch had originally been the Changqiu Palace Steward, always following Sima Shenrong. After she became emperor, he became the Chief Eunuch. To this day, he had served Her Majesty for over ten years.

A palace maiden served tea. Xunqi took a cup. The Chief Eunuch smiled. “This is the Left Prime Minister’s favorite tea.”

“Oh?” Xunqi was surprised. She didn’t know that. Since it was the Left Prime Minister’s favorite, she took an extra sip.

The Chief Eunuch stared at her, his gaze burning. Observing her actions, he asked curiously, “Is the Young Mistress fifteen this year?”

“I’ll be sixteen after the New Year.” Xunqi answered truthfully.

The Chief Eunuch looked at her and couldn’t help but sigh. “Her Majesty’s princess is also almost sixteen.”

Xunqi was slightly stunned, her long eyelashes trembling, revealing a hint of panic. The Chief Eunuch continued, “The princess will be back soon.”

“Have you seen the princess?” Xunqi took the opportunity to ask.

The Chief Eunuch’s tone was compassionate. “I saw her when she was little. I even held her. She was a few months old then, very cute. Her Majesty adored her. But later, she was lost in the coup. Her Majesty was so depressed she nearly ruined her health.”

Xunqi took a sip of tea and deliberately asked, “You held her?”

“Yes. The princess was born in summer. In winter, she smiled beautifully. A three-month-old child can already smile. By winter, she was half a year old, sitting steadily on the bed. Tease her a little, and she’d laugh.” The Chief Eunuch couldn’t help but sigh. “Thinking about it, it’s been over ten years.”

Xunqi lowered her eyes and continued, “How is Her Majesty certain that the one in Jiangnan is the true princess?”

The Chief Eunuch sighed. Hearing the question, he said casually, “Her Highness has a red birthmark behind her ear, like a small red bean. She also has a nickname, Ah Chi.”

Chi meant red.

Xunqi understood. A voice came from outside the door. “Is the Chief Eunuch here?”

It was the Crown Prince’s voice. The Chief Eunuch quickly stood up, walked over, and opened the door. “Your Highness, come in and warm up.”