Chapter 32: I Feel Safe and Happy When I’m With You Part 1

Third Young Master Sima lay on the ground wailing, a sight utterly at odds with the romantic spring scenery.

Yan Zhi’an stood firmly in front of Xunqi, lifting her gaze to meet the Emperor’s. Her eyes were cold and distant as she questioned Third Young Master Sima: “Young Master Sima, you entered my Left Prime Minister’s Residence uninvited and behaved with such impropriety. What is the meaning of this?”

“It wasn’t me, I didn’t—” Third Young Master Sima scrambled to explain, but the pain in his wounds made his vision swim with black spots. He pointed at Xunqi with indignation: “It was her, she struck first!”

Xunqi showed no fear, arguing her case with confidence. “You looked first, then I acted. Where was I wrong? I’m not some delicate young lady from outside. If your eyes wander where they shouldn’t, I will get angry.”

“Your Majesty, Aunt, you must seek justice for me.” Third Young Master Sima’s face was pale as death from the pain. He didn’t argue with Xunqi but instead appealed to his paternal aunt.

The Female Emperor looked coldly at her nephew and questioned him: “Is what Xunqi said true?”

“Your Majesty, you would believe her over your own nephew?” The Duchess of Dingguo answered on her son’s behalf, saying with fury: “Her words can be verified, but Third Young Master’s injuries are real. Even if what he said is true, our two families are already betrothed. What’s wrong with a private glance? How can she injure someone so severely?”

“Duchess of Dingguo, you speak with reason. But I have a bad temper. I am the Young Mistress of the Yan family, and my family owns countless mines. I am in no hurry to marry. Why should I marry your son? What do you mean, ‘our two families are already betrothed’? Whoever made that arrangement can marry him themselves. I will not marry your son. If you truly insist, I could marry him—but you’d better worry whether your son will survive to the second day of the marriage.” Xunqi’s eyes were sharp, a rare look of disgust crossing her face. “Let me tell you, if we meet again, I will blind his eyes.”

“You are far too insolent!” The Duchess of Dingguo was shocked. The Young Mistress of the Yan family was this arrogant, and the Left Prime Minister stood to one side, looking on with indifference, showing no intention whatsoever of disciplining her. She snapped: “Left Prime Minister, this is the fine daughter you’ve raised?”

Yan Zhi’an stood in front of Xunqi, blocking the Duchess of Dingguo’s line of sight, and said calmly: “Your son was rude first, which shows your own parenting is lacking. Why do you come to criticize mine? The marriage was decided by Her Majesty herself. Since your son has such poor character, the Yan family will not marry our daughter into the Sima family. As Xunqi said, the Yan family has countless mines. We have no need to beg the Sima family.”

“Yan Zhi’an, you go too far!” The Duchess of Dingguo was so angry she felt dizzy. At that moment, Third Young Master Sima finally cried out: “Mother, quickly find a physician! I’m dying of pain!”

Only then did the Female Emperor speak: “Summon the Imperial Physician.”

Yan Zhi’an gave a light cough. “I have a female physician at my residence. She can be lent to treat Young Master Sima.”

“I don’t want a female physician!” Third Young Master Sima wailed, trembling all over from the pain. His eyes turned to Xunqi: “Xunqi, I won’t let this go!”

“How dare you!” The Female Emperor spoke up in rebuke. “How did your father teach you? With your elders present, you dare to speak such reckless words? What do you plan to do? How exactly won’t you let her go?”

Yan Zhi’an smiled coldly and said: “If my daughter ever suffers any harm in the future, it will be the doing of the Sima family.”

Third Young Master Sima, caught between fury and pain, fainted on the spot. The Duchess of Dingguo cried out in panic for her son, and Yan Zhi’an summoned servants to carry him back to the Sima Residence.

“Send the Imperial Physician-in-Chief as well.” The Female Emperor gave the order with helpless resignation.

After the orders were given, the servants lifted Third Young Master Sima onto a stretcher, and the Duchess of Dingguo left weeping and wailing.

Yan Zhi’an let out a sigh of relief. She turned to look at Xunqi and said: “Kneel.”

Xunqi felt no grievance. She lifted her skirts and knelt. “I won’t marry him.”

“Then who do you want to marry?” The Female Emperor’s expression had also turned sour with anger. He was her own nephew—she could have broken his arms or legs herself, but she… The more she thought about it, the more her head ached.

Outside the pavilion, the spring breeze was gentle, the temperature pleasant, and the sunlight glorious.

Xunqi knelt straight and tall, looking forward. “I won’t marry anyone. Why should I marry? What’s so good about marriage? Do I have to give half of my family’s mines to the Sima family? Does my mother have to clean up after the Sima family for the rest of her life? Since that’s the case, why should I make things difficult for myself and cause trouble for the Yan family?”

“Is his appearance not handsome enough?” The Female Emperor didn’t understand. She had searched through the entire Sima family before selecting Third Young Master. Everyone said women loved beauty, and Third Young Master’s looks were not lacking.

Xunqi was surprised. “What does his handsome appearance have to do with me? When I see him, I feel disgusted. He doesn’t even respect me.”

The Female Emperor was speechless. She realized she had been too hasty, and Third Young Master had indeed been in the wrong. For a moment, she didn’t know what to say. She looked at Yan Zhi’an, but Yan Zhi’an turned to gaze at the scenery outside. She gave a light cough. “Left Prime Minister.”

“Your Majesty, what does Your Majesty require of this subject?” Yan Zhi’an pretended to be ignorant despite knowing full well.

The Female Emperor shot her an annoyed glare. “Your daughter—aren’t you going to discipline her?”

“Being personally disciplined by Your Majesty is her good fortune.” Yan Zhi’an’s tone was sarcastic, then she quickly scolded Xunqi: “Hurry and thank Her Majesty for her leniency.”

Xunqi understood and quickly kowtowed to the Emperor. “This subject’s daughter was rude and offended Your Majesty. This subject’s daughter thanks Your Majesty for her leniency.”

The Female Emperor was so angry she pressed her hand to her forehead. A wave of helplessness washed over her. She said to Yan Zhi’an: “Prince Ji has petitioned on behalf of the Crown Prince, seeking the youngest daughter of Duke Dingguo as Crown Princess Consort.”

The Crown Prince couldn’t get a marriage alliance with the Sima family no matter how hard he tried, and here she was, practically forcing a marriage decree on Xunqi—and the girl had the audacity to dismiss it with contempt.

Those who are favored are always the ones who act with impunity.

The Female Emperor was so angry she stood up and left directly. Yan Zhi’an followed, but after two steps, she remembered something and turned back to look at Xunqi: “Clean yourself up and go entertain the guests.”

After the two had left, Xunqi lazily picked herself up from the ground and smiled faintly. This scene happened to catch the Right Prime Minister’s eye.

The Right Prime Minister strolled into the pavilion and sat down. Xunqi’s eyes lit up, and she immediately put on a well-behaved smile. A hint of amusement appeared in the Right Prime Minister’s eyes. “Your trip last year has improved you greatly. I thought you would obediently stay home awaiting marriage, then listen to your mother and marry into the Sima family.”

“My mother promised me she would never force me. I know she cannot defy the imperial decree, so rather than that, it’s better to cut the problem at its root.” Xunqi got up and rubbed her knees, then sat down as if nothing had happened. “I originally planned to scare Third Young Master Sima a little, but who knew his eyes would be so restless? So I acted. One stroke, done forever.”

“But the Sima family now bears you a grudge.” The Right Prime Minister pointed out the crux of the matter. “Marrying into the Sima family would make your position—and the Yan family’s—more secure within the Capital City.”

“Teacher, who do you think a marriage alliance truly benefits?” Xunqi lifted her head, her eyes clear and bright, her voice slightly hoarse. “It benefits the family, but it benefits no one except myself. I am a very selfish person. I don’t want to do things that bring no benefit to myself.”

Her change from her usual softness made the Right Prime Minister’s eyes light up. “What did you experience on your trip last year?”

“A woman is weak. If I don’t make myself strong, who will help me?” Xunqi said frankly. “Teacher, you all stand firm in the Imperial Court because the Emperor is a woman, isn’t that right? But the next Emperor will be a man. When that time comes and female officials are weakened, what kind of picture will that paint?”

The Right Prime Minister fell into thought. This was precisely why she had chosen to assist Xunqi. The system of female officials in their dynasty had flourished under the current Emperor’s reign, but what would it look like ten years from now?

She closed her eyes. “Continue.”

“That’s all.” Xunqi shook her head. “After the Emperor abdicates, I will leave the Capital City and return to Jinling. So I will not use my own happiness to maintain relationships that don’t belong to me.”

The Right Prime Minister was struck speechless, then let out a laugh. “Xunqi, you will stay. The current Son of Heaven is searching for her daughter. She wishes to return the throne to the descendants of Emperor Ming. In truth, they are all the Emperor’s children. Whichever one the Sima family supports, the future Emperor will still call them ‘Maternal Uncle.'”

“Is that so? What if the Princess they find turns out to be mud that can’t be plastered on a wall?” Xunqi countered her teacher. “You are staking your futures on the unknown. That’s not your usual style.”

“Xunqi, I cannot argue with you.” The Right Prime Minister gave up. Xunqi’s way of thinking was different from theirs. Each generation produces its own talents—it was time to inject some fresh blood.

The Right Prime Minister left.

Xunqi let out a soft breath, pressing a hand to her chest, still shaken. Then she looked at Wuqing, who stood to one side, and said: “How did I do just now?”

“Young Mistress was very composed. You’ve grown up.” Wuqing praised her sincerely.

Xunqi beamed, but soon furrowed her brows. “I’ve ruined the relationship between the Yan family and the Sima family.”

Wuqing tried to console her: “You should go ask the Head of the Family whether she’s willing to sacrifice your happiness to maintain a relationship with the Sima family. It’s the Sima family who are shameless.”

“You’re right. Let’s go.” Xunqi regained her confidence. It was the Sima family who were shameless. It had nothing to do with her.

A quarter of an hour later, Xunqi appeared in the front courtyard. The Sima family had already left, and everyone’s attention was drawn to the young woman.

At fifteen, having undergone her Coming-of-Age ceremony, she was now an adult. She swept gracefully into everyone’s line of sight, her red dress as resplendent as a blooming Peony. Her face was delicate and beautiful, and her long black hair fell over her shoulders, smooth as silk. As she walked in, it was like a gentle breeze sweeping through.

The crowd lost their words, unable to help but marvel at her. She was born into prominence—the sole daughter of the Left Prime Minister. Those four words alone represented a height most people could never touch in a lifetime. The Left Prime Minister excelled at Mineral Prospecting and mining, and the Yan family’s wealth rivaled that of a nation. Xunqi was also the future Head of the Family, of distinguished status, and blessed with a beautiful face. Who wouldn’t envy her?

Xunqi had power, wealth, and beauty—comparable to a Princess.

The Madams glanced at her, then turned back to discussing the Sima family matter.

“I’d wager this Young Mistress doesn’t like Third Young Master. The marriage is probably off.”

“The Yan family will definitely bring a son-in-law into the household. Otherwise, who would inherit such a vast estate?”

“A son-in-law? I think the Sima family definitely wouldn’t agree to that. They couldn’t come to terms, which is why they parted ways.”

As the crowd buzzed with gossip, Xunqi stood behind her mother, observing these nosy Madams. She scanned the area but couldn’t find Chen Qingrong.

“Mother, where is Madam Chen?” Xunqi searched again but still couldn’t find her.

“She’s next door, listening to some scandalous stories.” Yan Zhi’an no longer tried to hide things from her. Xunqi had cut off Third Young Master Sima’s lifeline with a single stroke—clearly she was no longer an innocent young girl unaware of the world. That strike had been fast, accurate, and precise. One could only imagine.

Xunqi blinked. “Can I go?”

Yan Zhi’an shot her a look, and she immediately said: “I’m just joking. I’ll keep you company. Where is Her Majesty?”

“She went back to the palace, angered by you.” A deep helplessness appeared on Yan Zhi’an’s always gorgeous, radiant face, her eyes dark and heavy as mountains.