Chapter 21: The One in My Heart: Back from the Dead

The top courtesan with a face like flowers and moon, the master of Myriad Treasures Pavilion with wealth beyond measure, the princess of noble birth—not to mention the voluptuous personal maidservant by her side.

Such a person who excelled at attracting bees and butterflies.

Was Zhao Huairen a woman? She must have… lost her mind thinking that.

Or perhaps it was because of their appearances?

Twins looked too alike, so she had lost her head.

Dark gloom pressed between her brows, her face alternating between green and pale. Yan Yiqing did not realize how terrifying the aura she emitted was.

The main registrar saw Yan Yiqing return and hurriedly stood to greet her. “Lord Yan.”

“The handwritten order.”

Just a stick of incense ago, everything had been fine, but after a trip to the clerk’s office, her face had turned blacker than ink. One could guess the reason with their toes.

This Lord Yan—

Had surely quarreled with the Heir Apparent just now.

Not daring to say a word, the main registrar bowed and took the crumpled note from Yan Yiqing’s grip, asking as usual, “Which year’s files does Lord Yan wish to review?”

“Enming Year’s Youzhou Military Pay Case.”

…

“Lord Yan, here are the files from the Military Pay Case that year.” The main registrar presented the files with both hands, full of respect.

“Mm.” Yan Yiqing took the files.

Seeing that she did not make things difficult, the stone weighing on the main registrar’s chest finally dropped, and they quietly let out a breath.

When titans clashed, little ghosts suffered. The quarrel might be a flirtation for them, but if the main registrar accidentally touched this Lord Yan’s sore spot, there would be no good end later.

“Did Zhao Huairen tell you to watch me?”

Waving a hand, the main registrar hurriedly lowered their head. “The Vice Minister gave no such order.”

Recalling her actions in front of that person earlier, Yan Yiqing gripped the files so tightly her fingertips turned white, her brows furrowing tightly. “If she gave no such order, then stay far away.”

“Yes.” The main registrar shrank back like a quail and silently moved to the other side of the archive room.

Lowering her gaze to the files in her hand.

Yan Yiqing held her breath and focused, clearing her mind of all thoughts unrelated to the case.

The archive room was dimly lit, with tall wooden shelves arranged like a maze. The deeper one went, the thicker the scent of paper and wood became.

She reached a secluded corner.

Leaning against the wall, she quickly flipped through the yellowed pages.

As she had expected before coming to Dali Temple, the file recorded the ins and outs of the Youzhou Military Pay Case in exhaustive detail.

The crimes of embezzling military funds and delaying military intelligence were all pinned on the Hedong Circuit’s Inspector, while everyone and everything related to Yan Capital was completely cleared.

Though she had prepared for failure, seeing this outcome with her own eyes still left Yan Yiqing somewhat disappointed.

Discerning even the finest details.

Yan Capital was truly laughable.

–

In the afternoon of spring, a gentle breeze blew, and the gorgeous sunset dyed the distant peaks tenderly.

Strolling through the bustling streets, her gaze dim, Yan Yiqing looked utterly dejected.

After several encounters with Zhao Huairen.

She suddenly did not want to go through with this marriage very much.

Passing through the drooping flower gate of Yan Mansion, she found Yan Yue sitting in the hall waiting for her. Yan Yiqing’s tone lifted slightly. “Sister, why are you here?”

“Did Dali Temple have what you wanted?”

“Seven years is enough time for them to hide their tails well.” Yan Yiqing slumped into the chair beside her and poured herself a cup of clear tea. “But I’ve already ordered people to watch. Those with guilty consciences should make a move in the next few days.”

Yan Yue nodded lightly, her gaze passing over her to land on the carved screen near the corridor.

“What’s wrong with the screen?” Yan Yiqing followed her line of sight toward the corridor, her low spirits instantly swept away, her voice unable to hide her surprise. “Sister, did you empty out Prince Gong Mansion?”

Yan Yue gave her a complicated look and said softly, “These, and everything in the courtyard, are all betrothal gifts from Duke Rui’s Mansion.”

It was merely an exchange of interests.

The three letters were simply replaced by an imperial edict.

So she had not expected the betrothal gifts to appear so suddenly.

This marriage was an unexpected disaster for both her and Zhao Huairen. Even though Duke Rui’s Mansion was overflowing with wealth, she had no desire to touch that meat.

Yan Yue took in her changing expression, lifted her teacup, and said casually, “Here, the gift list is on your right.”

Her lips pressed into a straight line. She did not reach for the so-called gift list. Yan Yiqing, who was usually the greediest for money, now sat unmoved.

“Return the betrothal gifts.”

Her slender fingers lightly held the teacup lid, slowly skimming the foam from the tea. Yan Yue lowered her eyes and said, “This marriage was personally granted by the Empress. It’s impossible to back out at the last minute.”

“I know.” Yan Yiqing’s hand clenched loosely into a fist. She paused before saying, “Not calling off the marriage, just return the gifts.”

“Why?”

Though she had yet to figure out the true purpose behind Zhao Huairen’s overtures, whatever the reason, she would eventually propose a divorce.

“I don’t want to owe her.”

Her fine brows arched slightly, a hint of amusement in her eyes. Yan Yue did not spare her any face. “Then what about before? You sold the painting she gave you.”

Before, she had thought there would be no entanglements between them. But now… she always lost control and mistook her for Zhao Huairen.

Every time she met Zhao Huairen’s eyes, when that pair of icy jade phoenix eyes reflected her figure, Yan Yiqing could not help but be stunned.

How could they be so alike…

Or were twins just like that?

Her pert nose wrinkled, her downcast peach-blossom eyes full of vexation. Yan Yiqing said indifferently, “I already sold it. If she wants it back, I can just return the money.”

“She doesn’t lack your bit of money.”

Seeing Yan Yue still smirking, Yan Yiqing’s gaze flickering, she asked out of nowhere, “Sister, do you think the dead can come back to life?”

“…” Yan Yue fell silent.

Reading the obvious disdain in her silence, Yan Yiqing’s lips tugged into a self-mocking smile. She no longer indulged her delusions. “Returning the gifts might stir up gossip. Forget it. On the wedding day, I’ll just send these things back as my dowry.”

“You couldn’t be…”

Yan Yiqing’s brows furrowed slightly, her voice cold. “I told you, I have someone in my heart.”

Though Yan Yiqing had sworn it that day, Yan Yue still found the existence of this “beloved” suspicious. A few days ago, she had specially asked Xing Wanyang, who as adjutant had been by Yan Yiqing’s side the longest.

But even she did not know.

Who this beloved person was.

“Qing’er.” Meeting her eyes, Yan Yue asked, “What is your beloved’s name?”

The three words Zhao Huairen stuck in her throat, but Yan Yiqing could not utter them.

Duke Rui’s legitimate daughter, who had heroically died saving her brother.

With her reputation praised by all, she did not want her liking to taint it with—

Any rumors that might invite criticism.

“Sister, she’s gone. I don’t want anyone saying anything bad about her.” The self-willed general’s brows and eyes suddenly turned serene as she spoke.

Meeting Yan Yiqing’s somewhat stubborn gaze, Yan Yue knew she could no longer question the authenticity of this “beloved.”

Even if Yan Yiqing was just deceiving her.

Such acting skills were enough to fool everyone.

“I won’t ask then.” Yan Yue picked up the gift list from the table and said softly, “I came today originally worried you might forget to pick up the wedding attire from the Wardrobe Bureau. But who would have thought she prepared a separate phoenix crown and rosy cape for you.”

In the chest lay a set of bright red wedding robes.

Twin lotuses embroidered with gold thread, flowing wide sleeves like clouds, the collar with fine stitches adorned with pearls—luxurious yet not garish.

At the top was a gold-inlaid kingfisher-feather phoenix crown, the phoenix with wings spread, a pearl in its beak, gold tassels dangling from both sides that shimmered with every sway.

By Great Yong’s rites, for an Empress-granted marriage, the wedding attire was made by the inner court’s Wardrobe Bureau.

Such painstaking efforts to please.

What exactly was Zhao Huairen trying to do?

Yan Yue looked up to see Yan Yiqing’s face uglier than if she had swallowed a fly, so she comforted her. “It’s come to this, so we can only make the best of it.”

“Sister believes that with Qing’er’s abilities, she can certainly protect herself in Duke Rui’s Mansion.”