Chapter 28: Why Not Fake a Marriage? Part 1

Yan Zhi’an and Xunqi had grown up in vastly different environments. What Xunqi found delicious, Yan Zhi’an had long since grown tired of. Thus, she only took a single bite, never indulging. Xunqi, however, was at an age where she was still growing, and when she liked something to eat, she wanted another mouthful.

Yan Zhi’an remained still, quietly watching her eat. Xunqi had been by her side for a year now, extremely obedient, doing whatever she was told. She was serious about both her studies and mounted archery. Even Shangguan Li had praised Xunqi in front of her, saying she had a keen mind and could draw inferences from one instance.

Her carefree life was only just beginning, and now it was about to end?

Yan Zhi’an didn’t truly want to contend with the Female Emperor. That was her daughter, after all, and the future was not hers to decide. But following her heart, a marriage alliance with the Sima Clan would indeed solidify Xunqi’s position.

However, would such a Xunqi be happy?

If the engagement was announced early next year, the wedding would have to take place by the year after at the latest. All told, that left barely a year.

Yan Zhi’an lowered her head, like a child who had done wrong, filled with guilt.

“Why aren’t you saying anything today, now that you’re back?” Xunqi was puzzled. On previous days, her mother would rush back, eat quickly, and head to the study. Today she had returned early, yet remained silent. Xunqi’s heart skipped a beat, and she asked worriedly, “Is something troublesome going on?”

Yan Zhi’an was silent, but she shook her head in response. She felt a chill enveloping her, trapping her within it.

Should she speak now?

No, she couldn’t.

Yan Zhi’an’s decisiveness evaporated in that moment, because Xunqi smiled at her. That fair, clean face was filled with dependence. She could imagine Xunqi’s reaction upon learning of the engagement. She couldn’t push the person who depended on her into a pit of fire.

“The most troublesome thing is still Seventeenth Miss’s disappearance. We’re still searching.” Yan Zhi’an feigned composure, her brows softening with guilt. She reached out and pulled Xunqi to sit beside her, holding the young girl’s warm hand. In that moment, it felt like something was slowly filling the emptiness in her heart.

Xunqi also wore a worried expression. She leaned of her own accord against her mother’s arm, the familiar scent filling her nose. “Do you think she’s deliberately hiding from us?”

“Most likely, she’s hiding on purpose.”

“Why would she hide?” Xunqi asked in confusion, then instinctively sat up straight. “Did she run off to the ends of the earth with someone she likes?”

The so-called ‘elopement.’

Yan Zhi’an’s expression immediately soured. The word ‘elopement’ was far too ugly. If it got out, it would surely ruin the Yan family’s reputation.

At this point, she had more pressing matters. She no longer cared as much about Seventeenth Miss’s situation. Right now, Xunqi’s affairs were what worried her more.

Outside, snow began to fall again. The flakes drifted down like willow catkins, and within moments, a thick layer had accumulated on the ground.

Yan Zhi’an could only say, “Don’t talk nonsense.”

Xunqi fell silent. Actually, she had already guessed that Seventeen had eloped with someone, but she couldn’t say it outright. She sighed, then suddenly heard her mother say, “Xunqi, if you were in Seventeen’s position, what would you do?”

“Same as Seventeen. Run away first, then figure it out.” Xunqi pouted, then brightened up and said happily, “I believe you wouldn’t force me.”

Yan Zhi’an had dug a hole for herself and buried herself in it, slowly suffocating herself step by step.

She said nothing. Xunqi got up and went to the window to look at the snow, stretching out her arm. Large snowflakes landed in her palm, melting in the blink of an eye.

“Mother, let’s go build a snowman, okay?”

“No, it’s too cold.” Yan Zhi’an was past the age of playing with snowmen. “You go build one yourself.”

Xunqi glanced back at her mother, disappointment in her heart, but she went to play by herself anyway.

Within half an hour, a waist-high snowman stood in front of the main hall. It had a plump belly, wore a cloak, and held a sword in its arms—adorable yet imposing.

Xunqi clapped her hands happily, admiring her creation, her brows raised as she faced the wind and snow. Beneath the window, Yan Zhi’an held her hand warmer, quietly watching the young girl and her plaything. She was still at the age for playing with snowmen—how could she already be getting engaged?

Did Xunqi understand love? Did she understand men?

No, she didn’t. She didn’t understand anything. Yan Zhi’an’s heart gave her the answer. A strong sense of resistance surged within her, and for the first time, she had the thought of defying Her Majesty.

“Mother!”

A joyful call made Yan Zhi’an’s heart tremble. The young girl, draped in a red cloak, stood beneath the falling snow, her hair dusted with white flakes, waving at her with unbridled delight.

“Is my snowman cute?”

“Cute!” Yan Zhi’an answered loudly without thinking. She was a little anxious, wanting to preserve Xunqi’s innocence. It was true that this was Her Majesty’s child, but she had raised her for two years now. She was also her child.

Yan Zhi’an struggled fiercely within herself. The sovereign’s command was difficult to defy, but this time, she would refuse.

“Come inside. You’ll catch a cold.” Yan Zhi’an called out, then closed the window. Even holding the hand warmer, she felt a chill creeping down her neck, making her shiver.

Xunqi ran inside, took off her cloak at the door, patted the snow from her hair, and ran to her mother’s side. The other woman pressed the hand warmer into her hands. “Warm yourself up.”

This year’s snow was heavier than last year’s, and colder too. The chill seemed to seep into her very skin.

Xunqi took the hand warmer and snuggled up against her mother. Yan Zhi’an let her be, treating it as time set aside to spend with her.

The snow outside grew heavier and heavier. Chen Qingrong ate by herself in the courtyard. Seeing this, Yan Zhi’an didn’t make a fuss and sent someone to fetch Xunqi’s clothes. Tonight, she would sleep in her courtyard.

After returning from Jinling, Xunqi had moved out of her courtyard and into her own, but it wasn’t far from the main courtyard, so coming and going was convenient.

The snow was heavy today, and Xunqi didn’t want to leave now. It was getting dark, and the roads would be hard to traverse.

Xunqi walked around the room and spotted the empty space on the footboard. “I’ll sleep here tonight.”

Yan Zhi’an thought she was being silly. “You have a bed, why would you sleep on the floor?”

“Am I sleeping with you tonight?” Xunqi was a bit stunned.

Yan Zhi’an paused for a moment. She wanted to say: You can sleep in the adjoining room. But the words died on her lips, and she changed her mind. “Alright.”

Xunqi broke into a smile immediately and leaned close to her mother. Yan Zhi’an instinctively covered her mouth with her hand. “Don’t talk. I’m sure nothing good will come out of your mouth.”

“How do you know?” Xunqi grabbed her mother’s hand and laughed. “The Right Prime Minister said you’re naturally aloof and don’t like being close to people, even with me.”

Yan Zhi’an shot her a look. “You believe what she says?”

“The Right Prime Minister is learned and wise. She even explained the principles of gunpowder. She’s amazing.” Xunqi’s eyes sparkled with admiration. “You, the Right Prime Minister, and Headmaster Yuan—how are you all so formidable? Even the Madwoman is. Do you think, in another ten or twenty years, I could be as impressive as you all?”

Xunqi genuinely admired them from the bottom of her heart. These four women were not only learned but also exemplary among their sex, their brilliance far surpassing that of men.

“By the time you reach that age, you’ll definitely be even more impressive than us.” Yan Zhi’an’s heart softened at her warm, earnest gaze. She reached out and gently touched her forehead. “You should work harder, Xunqi. Your future will surely be even more brilliant than mine.”

Xunqi now had the support of the Yan and Shangguan families. As for the Sima Clan, if they remained neutral, that would be fine. But she feared Duke Dingguo would side with the Crown Prince.

She took a deep breath, feeling helpless. Xunqi beamed. “I think I can do it.”

“Yes, you can.” Yan Zhi’an turned her helplessness into affection, tapping her nose. “Go play by yourself.”

The snowflakes were as large as willow catkins, swirling down. By nightfall, the snow on the ground was three inches thick. And Xunqi’s snowman, holding its sword, stood guard over the Prime Minister’s Residence, looking quite majestic.

Outside, snow fell heavily. Inside, warmth and coziness reigned.

Xunqi climbed comfortably onto the bed and lay on the inner side. Suddenly, she felt a small box. She touched it, and Yan Zhi’an took it directly, calling for a maidservant. “Take this to the study.”

“What’s that?” Xunqi propped her chin on her hands, lying on the bed, watching it leave with reluctance.

Yan Zhi’an blew out the lamp, answering as she did so, “Your wooden dummy.”

“Oh, right.” Xunqi chuckled, propping her chin on both hands, quietly watching her mother until she undressed and got onto the bed. Her long, thick, jet-black hair cascaded over her shoulders. Xunqi’s eyes went wide. The next moment, Yan Zhi’an lay down and tucked the blanket around her.

“Time to sleep.” Yan Zhi’an called out, then closed her eyes.

Xunqi didn’t move. She lay on the bed, gazing at her mother’s fair profile. Her eyes traveled down to her clean, slender, jade-white neck.

For a moment, she felt she shouldn’t be looking. She quickly lowered her head and closed her eyes.

But even with her eyes closed, the image from before lingered. She felt this was wrong. She quietly turned around, facing the wall, and opened her eyes to stare at it.

She pressed herself against the wall to sleep, but the wall was cold, making her shiver. She couldn’t help but shift back out a little. Just then, a hand pressed against her waist, startling her into absolute stillness.

“Why are you pressing against the wall? It’s so cold.” Yan Zhi’an reached out and pulled her back, then turned to tuck the blanket in along the wall. Afterward, she lay back down.

Xunqi stared wide-eyed into the darkness, feeling her heart suddenly race, nearly leaping out of her throat.

In that instant just now, she felt like she was floating.

Floating on clouds!

Xunqi turned her head to look at her mother. She was already asleep. Was she the only one in a panic?

What was going on?

Xunqi couldn’t figure it out. She slowly regulated her breathing, then curled up and gradually shrank back to the inner side of the bed.

The snow fell all night. In the morning, news arrived that due to the heavy snowfall, court was suspended for the day.

Yan Zhi’an was in no hurry to go to court. As she got up, she reached over and hauled the person on the inner side of the bed up. “Time to go to class.”

At her tug, the groggy girl immediately snapped awake, poking her head out from under the blanket, staring at her mother in surprise and confusion. The other woman smiled gently. “Morning grumpiness?”

Xunqi’s mind was stuck on last night—that hand pressed against her waist, her entire body burning up.

She was utterly bewildered. She touched her own forehead, unable to speak for a long moment.

“Running a fever?” Yan Zhi’an grew concerned. She leaned over and reached out to feel her daughter’s forehead. It wasn’t hot. She relaxed. “Did you have a nightmare last night?”

“No.” Xunqi quickly explained. She felt her mother’s hand was burning hot, so hot she could barely breathe.

Yan Zhi’an had no idea what was going through her mind. She straightened her own clothes, then reached out to pull Xunqi up. “Get up and get dressed.”

Xunqi nodded, the confusion in her eyes gradually fading. She set her feet on the ground, immediately flinched from the cold, and jumped back onto the bed. Her comical movements made Yan Zhi’an laugh.

“Why are you so silly?” Yan Zhi’an laughed behind her hand. Not only she, but the maidservants in the room were laughing too. Only Xunqi was blushing furiously.

Xunqi sat down stiffly, staring at Yan Zhi’an with a look of grievance. Only then did Yan Zhi’an restrain her laughter. “I’ll help you dress. Consider it my apology.”