Upon hearing this, Xunqi’s expression turned grave, as if a gust of wind had blown in and given her a headache. She said, “Actually, if Her Majesty had just ruled as Empress Dowager Regent, she wouldn’t have to bear so much infamy.”
“Xunqi, you don’t understand her thoughts.” Yan Zhi’an shook her head, her arm resting on the table growing slightly numb. She explained, “She and Emperor Ming were childhood sweethearts, and she was already the Empress. After being forced by Emperor Hui, how could she be willing to hand the throne to Emperor Hui’s descendants?”
Xunqi was young and didn’t grasp the meaning. “But he’s her child too.”
“Xunqi, it’s not about whose child deserves pity, but about setting things right. Do you understand?” Yan Zhi’an sat across from her, her tone stern. “To set things right, the throne must be returned to Emperor Ming’s bloodline, not to let this wrong continue.”
Xunqi was frightened into silence by her mother’s frosty voice, but she remembered the phrase ‘set things right.’
“Xunqi, the bonds of blood are stronger than any reasoning in this world. The Crown Prince is Your Majesty’s child, but Princess Zhaohui is as well. Both are flesh and blood from the same palm. What do you think should be done?” Yan Zhi’an spoke gently, not pressuring her. “Xunqi, tell me, what should be done?”
“I…” Xunqi couldn’t answer. She looked at her two hands—left hand, right hand—which one did she favor more?
She silently lowered her head. Under the glow of the lamp, the room fell silent.
How should one choose?
Seeing her truly bewildered, Yan Zhi’an offered a hint: “The people must come first. Virtue and talent matter more. Both are of imperial blood; we must see who is more fit for the throne.”
So, Xunqi, you must work hard and surpass the Crown Prince.
Xunqi was still confused. “Actually, both the Princess and the Crown Prince are Your Majesty’s blood, merely divided between Emperor Ming’s and Emperor Hui’s lines.”
“Blood first, then ability. Princess before Crown Prince. If this Princess truly proves unworthy, the throne will naturally pass to the Crown Prince.” Yan Zhi’an analyzed calmly. This was precisely why Prince Ji was in such a hurry to have a country girl impersonate Princess Zhaohui—he wanted to cement the Crown Prince’s reputation for virtue and build momentum.
Xunqi understood, then suddenly asked, “Is this Princess even real?”
“I don’t know.” Yan Zhi’an had no intention of revealing the truth. “Alright, I’ve told you everything. Go to sleep now.”
“After hearing something this big, I can’t sleep.” Xunqi sighed, looking at her mother’s straight back before her. A sudden surge of boldness rose in her heart, and she said, “Mother, I want to follow you.”
“Aren’t you already following me?” Yan Zhi’an was amused and reached out to tap her nose. “Go to sleep. I have court tomorrow. Once you’re rested, you’ll go study at the Imperial Academy.”
The Imperial Academy was the empire’s greatest institution of learning, filled with the children of high ministers. Xunqi would go there to broaden her horizons.
She said, “I’ll handle your studies. Once you’re in, you don’t need to attend the lessons. What you need to learn is the social intricacies between the great families. I’ll give you a chart of the relationships between each household. You must memorize it. In the future, when you walk through the Capital City, how you conduct yourself will depend on those relationships.”
In truth, the throne didn’t require exceptional scholarship—it required the art of governance, and that was something the Imperial Academy would never teach. Yan Zhi’an didn’t intend for her to learn knowledge; she wanted her to make connections.
“I understand. Please rest, Mother.” Xunqi was sensible and withdrew first, not disturbing her mother’s rest.
As Xunqi left, Yan Zhi’an relaxed her spine, revealing her exhaustion.
Prince Ji’s move had caught her completely off guard.
The night was deep, and all was silent.
The following evening, the Female Emperor held a banquet to welcome the Left Prime Minister back. Princess Zhaohui, the Crown Prince, and other imperial heavyweights were all in attendance.
Yan Zhi’an led her daughter into the palace, sharing some details about the imperial clan along the way. “The imperial clan still has Prince Ji. He’s over forty, the youngest uncle of Emperor Ming and Emperor Hui, and the current power behind the throne. He supports the Crown Prince’s ascension. The Crown Prince is nine now; upon reaching adulthood, he will take the throne.”
This meant the Female Emperor only had nine years left.
Xunqi heard this and asked her mother in confusion, “Are the Crown Prince and Your Majesty of one mind?”
Yan Zhi’an smiled bitterly, then turned to the girl and asked, “Are you and I of one mind?”
“Naturally, of one mind.” Xunqi didn’t hesitate and answered her mother with certainty. “Everything I have was given by you. But everything the Crown Prince has wasn’t given by Your Majesty. In short, Your Majesty is merely holding the throne for the Crown Prince. Thinking about it that way, I feel a bit sorry for Your Majesty. I’d guess that with Prince Ji around, the Crown Prince and Your Majesty are not of one mind.”
Yan Zhi’an fell silent, because Xunqi was absolutely right. Over the years, Your Majesty had never stopped the Crown Prince from associating with the Li Family and the imperial clan.
She didn’t continue that topic. Instead, she asked Xunqi seriously, “If the Yan Family is handed to you in the future, how will you treat me?”
“By the time you hand it to me, you’ll already be gone. How can I treat you then?” Xunqi rolled her eyes without restraint. “You ask me, and I can say all the nice things you want to hear. What’s the point? Why are you worried I’d betray you?”
Yan Zhi’an shot her a look, rubbed her chest, and felt a pang of anger. “Shut up.”
“I’m not talking anymore.” Xunqi shut her mouth and decisively leaned against her mother’s shoulder, but Yan Zhi’an straightened her up. “Sit properly. Careful—your clothes will wrinkle, and you won’t be presentable.”
“So troublesome.” Xunqi was exasperated but composed herself, adding, “I still prefer staying at home. Madam said I could even lie down.”
“That’s because she wants to lie down herself.” Yan Zhi’an said with irritation. Truly, the old were corrupting the young. She said, “In the future, I’ll find you a governess to teach you proper manners. Don’t sway when you walk—you bounce around. Be more steady in the future.”
Xunqi’s head ached at the lecture. She reached up and covered her ears. Not listening, not listening—like a monk chanting sutras.
After four months together, Xunqi had revealed her childish side in front of Yan Zhi’an, growing increasingly dependent on this ‘mother.’
The carriage stopped at the Palace Gate. Xunqi helped her mother down and turned to look at the magnificent, towering palace before her. Yan Zhi’an took her hand and said, “Look carefully. You’ll be coming and going often in the future. Xunqi, you must remember—don’t let these things cloud your judgment.”
This palace was not merely a place of wealth and splendor; it was the center of the dynasty’s power.
Multi-eaved halls, vermilion walls, and rows of lifelike beast figurines lined the upturned eaves.
Yan Zhi’an led Xunqi through the first step of the palace gate, a thousand thoughts swirling in her eyes. Xunqi, I’m bringing you into the palace. I hope you won’t disappoint me.
Tonight’s banquet was held in Daxing Hall. From a distance, the hall shone like a bright lantern, radiant as a pearl, standing firmly upon the earth.
Yan Zhi’an led her daughter into the hall, and everyone turned to look. This Left Prime Minister, famous since youth, had never married—and suddenly had a daughter. It piqued everyone’s curiosity.
The girl had bright, sparkling eyes and obediently followed the Left Prime Minister to her seat. The Left Prime Minister sat in the highest position below the throne. Behind her sat another woman.
The Right Prime Minister—Shangguan Li.
Li. The way of the world.
No sooner had they taken their seats than Your Majesty arrived with the Crown Prince. The Female Emperor wore a Dragon Robe, with the Crown Prince following closely behind. Everyone knelt in prostration.
When they rose again, Your Majesty had taken her seat, but Princess Zhaohui was nowhere to be seen. The seat across from them was empty.
The Female Emperor looked at the vacant seat, her gaze darkening. She asked, “Where is Zhaohui?”
No one answered.
The hall was full of people, yet silent as a tomb. Xunqi was bold and secretly glanced at the Crown Prince across the way. Princess before Crown Prince—the Crown Prince’s seat was below the Princess’s. It showed where Your Majesty’s heart lay.
The Crown Prince would turn nine after the New Year. He wore a Python Robe, his small face fair and delicate, his features bearing some resemblance to the Female Emperor. His bearing was proper. When Xunqi looked at him, he was looking at her too.
Their eyes met. Xunqi smiled at him, but his gaze was sharp and deep. Xunqi didn’t know how to disguise herself. After one glance, she lowered her head. At that moment, her mother’s voice of instruction reached her ears: “He looks at you, you look at him. Whoever looks away first loses.”
Xunqi was stunned.
“Your Majesty, Princess Zhaohui has arrived.” The Palace Eunuch’s voice was shrill, piercing through the entire hall.
Prince Ji chuckled from the side. “The Princess doesn’t know her manners. She must have taken a wrong turn.”
Every heavy minister in this hall—pull out any one of them, and a single stomp of their foot would shake the Capital City. So many people waiting for one person. Clearly, this Princess had no sense of propriety at all.
Xunqi felt the oppressive weight of the hall and gasped in fright. At that moment, Yan Zhi’an quietly squeezed her hand beneath the table. “Scared?”
The hall wasn’t just oppressive—it was murderous.
Prince Ji’s mockery made everyone begin to look down on the sole heir of Emperor Ming. Princess Zhaohui hurriedly sat down, not even bothering to pay her respects to Your Majesty.
After Princess Zhaohui sat, the Crown Prince beside her could no longer hold back. “Imperial Elder Sister, arriving late is one thing, but have you forgotten to pay respects to Mother?”
Xunqi took a deep breath. Yan Zhi’an casually picked up her Wine Cup, took a sip, and handed it to Xunqi. “Open your mouth.”
Xunqi was forced to drink half a cup of wine, and her stomach immediately burned like fire. Only then did Yan Zhi’an slowly set down the cup and rise to her feet, her voice distant and ethereal: “Prince Ji, I heard the Princess was found by you?”
Xunqi was startled. What was Mother doing?
Prince Ji’s face darkened as he looked at the young Left Prime Minister. He sneered, “Is the Left Prime Minister questioning me?”
“Yes, questioning you.” Yan Zhi’an nodded, walking up to Prince Ji with a cold expression. “Prince Ji, I suspect you’ve passed off a fake as the real thing.”
“Yan Zhi’an, don’t you dare be presumptuous!” Prince Ji slammed the table and rose, veins bulging on his forehead. “I am Emperor Ming’s uncle. How could I dare to muddy his bloodline? Don’t you dare slander me!”
Yan Zhi’an wouldn’t believe a single word Prince Ji said. This fake Princess had returned to court deliberately playing the fool, tainting the name of ‘Princess Zhaohui’ with crudeness, making the world believe the Crown Prince was the people’s choice.
Yan Zhi’an looked down upon the crowd, standing tall in the Imperial Court, composed and unflinching. She declared solemnly, “Because the true Princess is with me.”
