Her dark, glossy pupils were filled with the figure of the person before her. Yan Yiqing stared at Zhao Huairen, her fingertips tightening slightly in clear urging, yet when she spoke, it sounded more like coquetry. “Does the Heir Apparent want to renege? Why aren’t you speaking again…”
Her long lashes were like butterfly wings dampened by rain.
The flush at the corners of her eyes resembled plum petals melting in the snow.
Zhao Huairen pressed her lips together, subtly withdrawing her gaze without a trace. She reached behind Yan Yiqing with her other hand and picked up the neatly folded fine cloth. “What does Young Master Yan hope I say?”
Just as she had treated her.
She hoped that she would say it to her.
—It wasn’t her fault.
If only it were that simple… Why could Huairen forgive others, yet refuse to… forgive herself?
The pretty little cat hung her head silently, her gaze gradually darkening as her shell-like teeth bit a faint white mark into her lip. She had clearly fallen into worry and entanglement.
Unnoticed.
The restraint of her fingertips gradually loosened.
“Lift your head.” Seeing Yan Yiqing lost in thought, Zhao Huairen gently drew back her own wrist, supported Yan Yiqing’s left arm, and carefully wrapped the fine cloth around her unhealed wound. “Does it hurt? Is it wrapped too tightly like this?”
Yan Yiqing shook her head. “The Heir Apparent is surprisingly good at taking care of people.”
“I rarely take care of people like this.”
“What do you mean?” Yan Yiqing lifted her gaze to Zhao Huairen, a flicker of confusion in her eyes. Seeing no response, she asked again, “Since the Heir Apparent already knows everything, what… do you plan to do next?”
A thin layer of frost covered her delicate brow bone.
The skilled chess player could not find a place to move.
Her father’s death was related to the Wang family—or rather, to Wang Qiyong.
Did her mother know about this?
If she didn’t…
Then, how would she choose when the time came?
“I’ve already had Qin An seal off the stone quarry in Changlin County. In my memorial to the throne, I’ll propose converting the stone quarry into an official workshop.” Yan Yiqing’s question wasn’t precise, and Zhao Huairen didn’t want to answer it directly, so she naturally shifted the topic. Her gaze calm, she said, “The silver seized from Qiu Luo and the others’ homes, including what was originally intended for military funds… most of it will be turned over to the court.”
Yan Yiqing frowned. “But that’s not what I—”
“Sealing the stone quarry was my personal order. If this matter is exposed in the future… I won’t escape responsibility either.”
Hearing this, the half-sentence stuck in her throat took a turn. Yan Yiqing caught the implication in Zhao Huairen’s words and blinked. “The Heir Apparent wants to board my pirate… er, I mean, the Heir Apparent has decided to conspire with me?”
“In my memorial, I’ve impeached Prince Gong. Before we arrive in Yanjing, Prince Gong will need to proactively plead guilty to the Emperor.” Zhao Huairen lowered her eyes, her slender fingers deftly tying a neat flat knot in front of her. “For failing in oversight, the Emperor will give Prince Gong a minor punishment as a warning, and the matter in Changlin County will be brushed over… The Crown Prince’s faction will trust me even more.”
Yan Yiqing went over Zhao Huairen’s words once, a spark lighting in her eyes as she stared at her unblinkingly.
“Why are you looking at me like that?” Zhao Huairen lifted her gaze and asked.
“The Heir Apparent is going to help Prince Gong?” Their gazes met in the air, and Yan Yiqing’s eyes flickered as she held her breath and said gravely, “The Heir Apparent knew earlier that I’m not Prince Gong’s person, so… what the Heir Apparent is doing now is—”
Seeing potential in Prince Gong.
Or doing it because of her.
“Profitable.” The woman’s voice was light and cool, dispelling the summer heat while dimming Yan Yiqing’s gaze.
The skin exposed to the air was like fine jade.
Snow-white and delicate, rising and falling with the beauty’s breaths.
“Prince Gong doesn’t have what I want.” Zhao Huairen’s fingertip lightly traced the warm jade, her phoenix eyes narrowing slightly as she adjusted Yan Yiqing’s clothes for her. “If he had leverage, he would have… traded it with me long ago.”
“Then, what does the Heir Apparent want?”
Her long lashes trembled almost imperceptibly. Zhao Huairen lifted her gaze to her, a faint pink like peach blossoms blooming at her ear tips. “Yan Yiqing.”
Maomao’s ears instantly perked up.
She wagged her tail, not understanding why her master had suddenly called her name.
A trace of helplessness flashed in Zhao Huairen’s eyes. Before, she had only thought that Qingqing’s eyes were exceedingly beautiful… Now she suddenly realized that these ink-jade pupils brimmed with watery foolishness at every moment.
She had never understood.
Why that person had been blind to it.
Only now did she finally understand—that person might have harbored feelings for Qingqing back then, might have even confessed… but Qingqing hadn’t thought twice about it.
That was good.
Qingqing’s obliviousness was very good.
The regret of unrequited feelings instantly turned to secret delight. The corner of Zhao Huairen’s lips curved in a faint arc as she rose from the couch, walked slowly to sit behind the desk, her gaze still lingering on her.
“What does the Heir Apparent want?” Yan Yiqing turned her head to look at her, raising one brow stubbornly and pressing, “Don’t worry, I won’t compete with you for it. Tell me… maybe I can give it to you.”
Not maybe.
In this world, only you could give it.
It was good that she gave no one else an opening, but Qingqing’s feelings toward romance… weren’t they a bit too obtuse?
Zhao Huairen frowned at her, words hovering on her lips.
Yan Yiqing interpreted the beauty’s slightly stiff expression as a hidden difficulty. In a flash of insight, she clenched her fist and asked gravely, “What the Heir Apparent wants is to bring the criminals of that year to justice?”
At these words, Zhao Huairen’s gaze sharpened abruptly.
The criminals she spoke of.
One was the second-rank commander of the Forbidden Army.
The other…
Was the current Great Yong Emperor.
“Who exactly is behind you?” Zhao Huairen picked up the celadon teapot on the desk, her long lashes drooping as deep shadows flashed in her rippling phoenix eyes.
Neither the Crown Prince nor Prince Gong could possibly do it. Even if supported to the throne, they would never reopen the old case upon ascending. The culprits were their birth father, and the very reason they—had the right to sit on that dragon throne.
Only a few had the foundation for seizing the throne.
Those baiting with the promise of overturning the case were all smooth-tongued opportunists.
“Did I guess right?” Missing the off-note in her tone, Yan Yiqing raised a brow and asked.
“No.” Zhao Huairen lifted her gaze to her, brows tightly furrowed, her expression visibly heavy. “The one who wants to overturn the case is you.”
What had made Yan Yiqing hesitate before was: though she believed the culprit was the Emperor, Huairen had investigated for years without pinpointing the enemy, so she couldn’t fully confirm if they were on the same side.
But now she had solid evidence.
And Huairen herself acknowledged this conclusion.
“Indeed, I want to clear the names of Youzhou’s soldiers.” Yan Yiqing’s gaze was resolute, her clear voice carrying the clash of iron and armor.
As soon as she spoke, the air in the study froze.
Realizing Zhao Huairen’s expression was off, Yan Yiqing asked doubtfully, “Doesn’t the Heir Apparent want the truth to come out?”
“Young Master Yan leads troops and knows the principle that knowing when to fight and when not to leads to victory. I need hardly explain.” Her fingertips gripping the teacup paled slightly from excessive force. Zhao Huairen paused before continuing, “If the new Emperor ascends because of him and then settles the old scores upon taking the throne, wouldn’t that destroy his own foundation?”
Yan Yiqing understood both sentences.
Liu Zhengkang held a high position.
Opposing him was like an egg striking a rock.
Even if they desperately supported a new Emperor to the throne.
Once the birds were gone, the bow was hidden; the new Emperor wouldn’t overturn the case for her.
Put together—it meant: Wife, you’ve been fooled!!
“What if such a person exists? A benevolent, intelligent heir who willingly risks it all for the old case.” After figuring out what her wife was worried about, Yan Yiqing propped her head on one hand and asked casually, “What then, Heir Apparent?”
What then…?
Truly, the fox dreams of the raccoon dog.
Zhao Huairen took a sip of tea without replying.
The little cat, who usually didn’t pry deeply, refused to give up without an answer this time. She stared at her with sparkling eyes, saying nothing, yet as if endlessly calling: Heir Apparent! Heir Apparent… Heir Apparent…
“I would support them.”
“Really?!” Yan Maomao jumped for joy, but her nose tip wrinkled almost imperceptibly.
“Try moving again and see.”
The delighted little cat tucked her tail dejectedly and sat obediently, not daring to tear at her wound. But moments later, Yan Yiqing lifted her face again, unable to resist confirming, “The Heir Apparent won’t go back on your word, right?”
“Benevolent, intelligent, with the courage and resolve to reopen the old case.” Zhao Huairen spoke two words at a time, and Yan Yiqing on the couch nodded each time, earnestly like a little parrot learning to mimic.
Who exactly had deceived Qingqing like this?
There was no imperial heir in all of Great Yong whom she didn’t know.
Utterly certain that no such person existed as her wife described, but facing her expectant gaze, Zhao Huairen replied solemnly, “I won’t go back on my word. If such a person truly exists as Young Master Yan describes, I will support them with all my might.”
“Following the current trajectory, she will definitely become as I described.”
It sounded…
A bit mystical.
“And the Heir Apparent can reason with her too!” For the first time gaining the upper hand before Zhao Huairen, Yan Yiqing smugly swung her legs, sneaking a glance at her and mysteriously teasing, “If the Heir Apparent doesn’t believe me… we can make a bet? You’ll know once we return to Yanjing anyway.”
She didn’t believe such a person existed.
But Qingqing wasn’t one to speak empty words.
“What does Young Master Yan want to bet with me?” The porcelain cup spun once in the woman’s palm before settling steadily on the desk corner. Zhao Huairen’s voice was clear and smooth.
Seeing her agree so quickly, Yan Yiqing pouted. “The Heir Apparent really doesn’t believe it?”
Her fair, jade-like fingertips covered the celadon teapot. Zhao Huairen smiled without speaking, merely pouring herself another cup.
Lose and be happy.
Win and be equally happy.
She was of course willing to take such a bet.
“I’m thirsty too. I want some tea.” Yan Maomao deflated at her own words and rose, walking slowly to the desk.
An utterly ordinary sentence.
Yet it kicked over.
A certain… petty woman’s jar of vinegar.
A barely perceptible shadow flashed in her eyes. Zhao Huairen lifted her gaze to her and said indifferently, “Why does Young Master Yan suddenly want tea now?”
“I like tea. Why can’t I have tea?”
A sour scent wafted over.
The immature green plum overflowed with juice.
Her indigo sleeve draped down, revealing half a snow-white wrist. Following Yan Yiqing’s wish, Zhao Huairen poured her a cup.
Her fingers were as beautiful as ever.
Slender and exquisite, like polished white jade.
Yan Maomao happily admired her wife, reaching out her paw to take the cup—but before it reached her lips—
“Does Young Master Yan change her mind easily?”
Huh!?
This was pure slander!!
“You said before that you don’t like tea.” The woman’s gaze fell on her, deep and profound like drifting waterweed at the sea bottom. “How long has it been, and you’ve already changed your mind.”
…
Wasn’t it because you like tea!?
Yan Yiqing awkwardly set the cup back down and mumbled, “Then I don’t like it anymore?”
“Be faithful from start to finish. Once you like it, you can’t change your mind.”
“Then I like it?” Maomao was lost in the fog, peeking at her expression before foolishly reaching out again.
Easily changeable though she was.
She could be taught slowly.
Her fair fingertips touched the cup first, her ear roots heating slightly. Zhao Huairen handed her the cup, speaking of tea yet as if of herself: “Hold it steady. Like it forever.”
Huairen truly was a refined soul.
Even a cup of tea was treated with such gravity.
“I understand.” Yan Yiqing carefully took the cup from her, not even daring to flutter her lashes, handling it more preciously than an imperial edict. Solemnly, she said, “I’ve got it. I’ll like it forever.”
