Shangguan Li had seized on her mistake and lectured her every day after court, spouting one classical platitude after another until Yan Zhi’an’s ears were calloused—yet she couldn’t talk back.
Xunqi took her hand. “Do you want to give my ears a couple of tugs?”
“My hand hurts.” Yan Zhi’an pulled her hand back.
Yan Zhi’an had already discussed everything with the Sima Clan and arranged a plum blossom banquet. But Xunqi hadn’t returned. The plum blossoms arrived on schedule, yet she wasn’t there, and Sima Xun was deeply displeased.
To make amends, Yan Zhi’an arranged a spring banquet at the residence, just waiting for this Little Thing to come back.
She said, “You don’t need to apologize to me. You’re not allowed to leave the residence for a month. In half a day, there will be a banquet at the residence. As the Young Mistress, you should put in some effort.”
“What kind of banquet?” Xunqi didn’t understand her mother’s meaning.
Yan Zhi’an shot her a glance. “I have my reasons. Go rest. Get that little face of yours nice and fair again first.”
Xunqi covered her cheeks in confusion, then suddenly understood. “Are you arranging a matchmaking meeting for me?”
“You?” Yan Zhi’an gave her a sidelong glance. The older she got, the harder she was to fool. She’d only said one sentence, and the girl had already guessed it.
She said helplessly, “You’re fifteen now. But it’s just a look. If you don’t like anyone, then that’s that. Don’t force yourself. Rest assured, with me and your teacher here, the Sima Clan won’t dare act rashly.”
“Alright, I’ll do as you say.” Xunqi didn’t take it to heart and didn’t want to make things difficult for her mother. It was just a look, after all. It wouldn’t hurt her eyes.
The Left Prime Minister was habitually reserved and rarely hosted banquets. This year, she had gone out of her way to hold a spring banquet—everyone could see at a glance what she meant by it.
Every household that accepted an Invitation Card arrived with their sons, all to show off their brilliance before the young mistress of the Yan family.
Since her arrival, Seventeenth Miss had been managing household affairs behind Chen Qingrong. When she saw so many young lords entering the residence, her heart skipped a beat, and she immediately went to find Xunqi.
“Your mother is selecting a son-in-law for you!” Shiqi said urgently, turning to close the door and pulling Xunqi into the inner room to talk. “Why aren’t you worried?”
Xunqi remained completely unruffled. Adjusting her makeup before the mirror, she said lazily, “So what if she’s selecting a son-in-law? If I don’t fancy any of them, she won’t force me. I actually think she’s just putting on a show because people outside have been pressuring her.”
As her words landed, someone knocked at the door. Seventeenth Miss immediately went to answer it—it was Wushuang.
“Young Mistress, your teacher has sent you a Letter.” Wushuang entered, came into the inner room, and handed the Letter to her young mistress.
Xunqi opened it, glanced at it casually, then her expression shifted, her gaze turning fierce. “I understand. Tell the Teacher I know how to handle it.”
Shiqi asked nervously, “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing. It just told me who the real lead actor is today.” Xunqi put the Letter away, tucking it into her vanity to burn later when she had the chance. After doing all this, she called to Shiqi, “You go to the front first. I’ll be there soon.”
“Alright.” Shiqi was full of worry, but there was nothing she could do to help. The Capital City was full of high officials—what could she possibly do?
After Shiqi left, Xunqi dragged the Wooden Box out from under the bed and felt for a Small Knife. The Madwoman had given it to her for self-protection. Today, it would come in handy.
Meeting prospective husbands?
Well, we’ll see if any of you has the guts to marry me.
Xunqi sheathed the knife, tucked it into her bosom, and walked out as if nothing were amiss.
The front courtyard was packed with guests. Admiring the flowers was secondary—the real goal was to see the Left Prime Minister’s only daughter. A competition area had been set up in the front yard, where many young lords gathered to test their archery skills, cheers rising from time to time.
The Right Prime Minister sat in the pavilion, holding a cup of fine tea, listening to the women around her chat and laugh.
“I heard the Yan family and the Sima Clan are forming a marriage alliance. Is it true?”
“We’re just the supporting guests. I heard that Duke Dingguo’s unmarried third and fourth sons both came. You can tell at a glance why. I’ve also heard that the young mistress of the Yan family holds a Substantive Fief. If she’s to be matched, it should be with a legitimate eldest son. The third son is legitimate, but the fourth is a concubine’s child. I wonder what the Left Prime Minister is thinking.”
“I’ve heard this young mistress is extremely beautiful.”
The beautiful young mistress of the Yan family invited Third Young Master Sima into the rear courtyard. The front courtyard was for guests; the rear courtyard was where unmarried young ladies gathered.
Third Young Master Sima was eighteen this year, three years older than Xunqi. He held a post in the Imperial Guard and often served at Her Majesty’s side.
The young girl sat in the pavilion, holding a Goose Feather Fan, smiling warmly at him. Her features weren’t soft and seductive; they were clear and striking with a hint of heroic spirit.
Third Young Master Sima’s heart stirred. He narrowed his eyes slightly and strode closer, deeply moved. Everyone said the young mistress of the Yan family took after her mother in beauty—a face like a flower, features like the moon. Seeing her today, it was true. She truly was lovely. This marriage would be no loss at all.
“Third Young Master Sima.” Xunqi smiled lightly, pure and charming. Her gaze fixed directly on him, then moved to the servant behind him. “Leave us.”
The servant looked at Third Young Master Sima. With a beauty before him, how would he dare anger her? He immediately waved his sleeve. “Go.”
His eyes lingered on the girl’s rosy, lovely face, longing to marry her and take her home this instant.
“I’ve heard you want to marry me.” Xunqi got straight to the point, unwilling to play games with a man like him.
“When elders speak, I dare not refuse.” Third Young Master Sima feigned composure.
Xunqi nodded, smiling sweetly. In an instant, the scenery within the pavilion seemed to pale in comparison. Third Young Master Sima stepped forward and sat down directly. This marriage had been personally decided by Her Majesty; today’s event was merely the icing on the cake.
He looked at the girl’s smile, his heart softening. Suddenly, Xunqi raised her hand and slammed her fist into his eye.
“Your eyes disgust me.”
The punch sent Third Young Master Sima toppling to the ground. He immediately shouted, “Someone! Someone—!”
Today, the Yan residence was packed with guests. Clusters of Peonies bloomed brightly beneath the corridor. In early spring, all things revived, and the festive Peonies perfectly matched the scene.
As the guests chatted and laughed, the Female Emperor arrived quietly and sat to one side, speaking with the Right Prime Minister.
They’d barely exchanged a few words when a servant of the Sima Clan rushed over and threw himself before the Duchess of Dingguo. “Madam, Madam, something terrible has happened! In the rear courtyard, the young mistress of the Yan family struck Third Young Master!”
The moment these words fell, everyone’s expression changed. In the shadows, the Right Prime Minister pressed her lips together slightly. Did anyone think Xunqi would simply resign herself to fate?
The child her elder sister had raised would rather die than bow to fate.
The Female Emperor immediately rose, swept her gaze around, and summoned a Female Official. “Keep an eye on things here.”
Then she headed to the rear courtyard together with the Duchess of Dingguo.
The Right Prime Minister had been seated, drinking tea. Fearing Xunqi might be at a disadvantage, she instructed a Female Official, “Go fetch the Left Prime Minister. I’ll go take a look.”
The Right Prime Minister was Her Majesty’s Trusted Confidant, so the Female Official naturally complied. The Right Prime Minister slipped away quietly.
When the Female Emperor reached the pavilion, she saw her nephew from her natal family lying on the ground wailing, blood pooling between his legs, while Xunqi crouched beside him with a flower-like smile.
“Xunqi!” the Female Emperor barked.
Xunqi looked up. The Female Emperor had come rushing over, daylight reflecting off her long, sword-like brows. Third Young Master Sima’s reinforcements had arrived. Xunqi rose to her feet, but feeling unwilling to let it go, she kicked Third Young Master Sima in the stomach, then shot a provocative glance at the Duchess of Dingguo.
The Duchess of Dingguo was shocked. Letting out a cry of anguish, she rushed over, then turned to Xunqi. “Young Mistress Yan, what have you done?!”
Xunqi smiled slightly. “He stared at me with his lecherous eyes—extremely rude. And he couldn’t beat me, so I made sure he’d never have descendants.”
Hearing this, the Duchess of Dingguo’s vision went black. She nearly fainted from rage. She immediately gathered her son in her arms and cried, “Your Majesty, Your Majesty, you must seek justice for my son!”
The Female Emperor stared straight at Xunqi. The girl’s face was full of defiance, even a hint of provocation. She walked over and demanded, “Why did you do this?”
“He has no manners. I imagine he bullies others like this on a daily basis. In that case, I might as well make him behave, so he won’t bully other young ladies.” Xunqi raised her eyes and met Her Majesty’s gaze directly. She knew this marriage had been decided by Her Majesty, and her mother couldn’t refuse. Since that was the case, she’d settle it once and for all.
The Female Emperor was furious. She raised her hand in anger, but at that moment, Yan Zhi’an hurried over and swiftly pulled Xunqi behind her. “Your Majesty, this Subject has failed to discipline her daughter properly.”
