Chapter 33: Look Again, and You’ll Be Kneeling on an Abacus When We Get Home Part 2

Wuming couldn’t answer that question. She was only responsible for delivering messages; the rest wasn’t her business.

Unable to get an answer, Xunqi put down her bow and arrow. “Let’s go take a look near the Duke Dingguo’s Residence.”

“Alright, I’ll prepare the horses.” Wuming agreed.

The two changed their clothes, slipped out of the residence, and quietly appeared near the Duke Dingguo’s Residence. Sure enough, they saw a dense, dark mass of troops as soon as they peeked.

Xunqi crouched in a corner, peeked out, then ducked back. Wuming said, “All the nearby intersections are guarded. People who don’t live nearby aren’t allowed in. What crime has the Sima family committed?”

“I’m guessing it’s related to Princess Zhaohui.” Xunqi lowered her voice, scanning the area warily. “No matter how great the mistake, they’re still siblings. Why would it come to this? Princess Zhaohui is Her Majesty’s heart’s affliction. Sima Xun must have done something to wrong Princess Zhaohui, and the Emperor is furious.”

When the Son of Heaven is angry, corpses litter the ground. Sure enough.

The two crouched in the corner and watched for a while, then, taking advantage of a moment when no one was paying attention, rode away.

Leaving the neighborhood, Xunqi dismounted and led her horse, buying two pieces of sugar cake. She gave one to Wuming, and the two ate as they walked. Seeing a stall selling fried dough and sugar crisps, they bought two more.

They ate as they walked. Wuming was full, but the Young Mistress showed no sign of stopping. She spoke up. “Young Mistress, I can’t eat any more.”

Only then did Xunqi stop. She looked at the sun and said, “Let’s go pick up Mother.”

If they went now, Mother would just be getting off work.

The two rode through the streets and alleys, arriving at the government office entrance just in time. Xunqi dismounted but didn’t approach, waiting by the roadside instead.

After waiting for nearly half an hour, she saw Yan Zhi’an walk out, surrounded by her subordinates. Xunqi hurried over, startling Yan Zhi’an. “Why are you here?”

“Just passing by.” Xunqi beamed.

Yan Zhi’an smiled too. Xunqi took her hand and led her towards their family carriage.

The officials behind them saw that the Left Prime Minister’s daughter was already so grown up. For a moment, they were filled with mixed emotions. No one knew who said, “I remember two years ago, the Sima family proposed marriage to the Left Prime Minister. Who would have thought her daughter would already be of age?”

“Who could have guessed? She says it’s her own flesh and blood, but who knows the truth?”

“What, you don’t believe it?”

“I don’t quite believe it. But if the Left Prime Minister says she’s her daughter, then she’s her daughter. Even if she’s mistaken, and she’s not her daughter, it’s none of our business.”

The crowd sighed, feeling it was a pity that a beautiful flower was planted in a pile of cow dung.

Their words all reached Xunqi’s ears. She touched her own ear, looked back at the speaking officials, then glanced at her mother, who seemed not to have heard.

After getting in the carriage, Yan Zhi’an withdrew her hand and asked with amusement, “Did you come to find me for something?”

“I wanted to ask about the Sima family.” Xunqi sat up straight, putting on an air of wisdom to show she had grown up and could take on responsibility.

Yan Zhi’an didn’t notice the change in her. She lifted the carriage curtain and looked outside, thinking as she did so. “What do you think?”

“That day, Her Majesty’s protective stance towards the Sima family was obvious. For her to suddenly turn hostile today, what could it be about?” Xunqi’s face was tense. “It’s related to Princess Zhaohui, isn’t it?”

“Hm?” Yan Zhi’an was surprised. She couldn’t help but look at the girl. In that instant, she seemed to have grown up, able to analyze the court’s situation.

It was clear that Shangguan Li had been teaching her well recently.

“Duke Dingguo is part of the Crown Prince’s faction, which is tantamount to betraying Her Majesty. Of course she’s angry. But the Ministry of Revenue is currently in his hands.” Yan Zhi’an steadied herself. The gentleness on her face dissipated, replaced by severity. “Your analysis is very good. But what do you think the situation will be like next?”

Yan Zhi’an was very indulgent in small matters, gentle when joking. But when it came to serious matters, she would restrain her smile, not allowing Xunqi to be confused.

Xunqi felt the pressure and couldn’t help but think, recalling the family relationship charts her mother had given her. She tested the waters. “A dragon gives birth to nine sons, and all nine are different. If one doesn’t obey, replace it with another?”

“And then? The Ministry of Revenue is in the hands of the eldest son.” Yan Zhi’an commented.

Xunqi frowned. “At this point, the sibling bond is gone. When necessary, one must act. Isn’t that right?”

The girl’s voice was hesitant, carrying a hint of uncertainty. Her expression fell upon Yan Zhi’an’s eyes. Yan Zhi’an sighed softly. “Xunqi, if you were betrayed, would you forgive it?”

“No. Forgiving them is like leaving a path for them. If they betray once, they might do it again. The first time you escape with your life, the second time you might lose it. You can’t be soft-hearted.” Xunqi nervously placed her hands on her knees. At a critical moment, she had to show her stance. “Mother, rest assured, I will never betray you.”

Yan Zhi’an’s heart felt blocked. She had sealed off her own escape route. If she revealed the truth in the future, wouldn’t that be a betrayal?

She was starting to get confused. She silently lowered her head, her eyes falling on Xunqi’s hands on her knees. As if understanding, she covered Xunqi’s hand with her own. “I know you won’t betray me.”

After the banquet last year, Xunqi had followed her desperately, risking her own life to fight the fake princess. How could she doubt her?

Xunqi couldn’t help but curve her lips. Yan Zhi’an withdrew her hand, and her smile vanished. Why did she only touch her for a moment? She moved closer, placed her mother’s hand back on top of her own, and then covered it with her other hand, effectively holding her mother’s hand.

She felt satisfied. Then her mother’s voice came to her ears. “Duke Dingguo must have allied with Prince Ji. Otherwise, Her Majesty wouldn’t be so furious. But Duke Dingguo forgot that Prince Ji is of the Imperial Clan, and Her Majesty can’t touch him. But the Sima family, Her Majesty can touch whenever she wants. Also, last year the court acquired a new mine, and the treasury is full. Sima Xun shouldn’t be causing trouble at a time like this.”

In fact, Sima Xun had underestimated Her Majesty’s intentions. He thought that after fourteen years, Her Majesty had long since accepted her fate and would obediently pass the throne to the Crown Prince, so he revealed his own intentions. But he never imagined that Her Majesty’s heart was still with Emperor Ming and her child.

Sima Xun had been too hasty.

Xunqi listened seriously, then asked in confusion, “Her Majesty has burned her bridges. Isn’t she afraid Princess Zhaohui won’t come back?”

“She’s already back, just being raised quietly among the people. It’s not the right time to show herself yet. The Sima family doesn’t know, so they’ve taken the wrong path.” Yan Zhi’an sneered. “These men just look down on women. They think Her Majesty will accept her fate, not knowing she’s already prepared a way out.”

“She’s back?” Xunqi jumped in surprise, her hair standing on end. She whispered, “Then is Her Highness worthy of being the Heir Apparent?”

As she asked, her eyebrows rose, and her small mouth pursed and relaxed, looking very amusing. Yan Zhi’an glanced at her. “Don’t ask about others. Ask yourself if you have the talent to be the Heir Apparent.”

“Me? No, I don’t. I don’t want to be the Female Emperor.” Xunqi held her mother’s hand and placed it against her own cheek, feeling her warmth, her heart leaping with joy. Yan Zhi’an let her do as she pleased, truly treating her as her own daughter.

That sentence, she didn’t count it. It was just said casually. How could it be taken seriously?

The two chatted all the way back. When they arrived at the Left Prime Minister’s Residence, a servant handed over several invitation cards. Yan Zhi’an glanced at them and said to Xunqi, “There’s a banquet tonight. Do you want to go?”

“What banquet?” Xunqi asked in confusion. Her mother handed her the card. “The Sima family’s apology banquet.”

She hadn’t intended to go, but Xunqi had too little experience. Taking her along to see the inner workings of the court wouldn’t be a bad idea.

“I’ll go. I want to see how they apologize.” Xunqi cheered.

“Go change your clothes. Wear men’s clothing and tie up your hair.” Yan Zhi’an instructed. “Follow Wushuang over.”

Xunqi immediately went to change, moving so fast she vanished in the blink of an eye. By the time Yan Zhi’an looked up, she was already gone. She couldn’t help but sigh. “Still just a child.”

Young, fast, quick to act, and quick to react. Many good qualities quickly flashed through Yan Zhi’an’s mind. She didn’t find her reckless at all.

Wushuang suddenly spoke. “Head of the Family, since the Young Mistress returned from Jinling, she seems to have grown up a bit, and become more sensible.”

“I’ve noticed she’s starting to take on responsibility.” Yan Zhi’an had felt it too. Before, she just buried her head in her studies. Now she knew to go out and observe the situation, and she would even come to her eagerly to analyze it.

Yuan Fusheng hadn’t mentioned much in her letters, just a few words, mostly about the portrait. She hadn’t mentioned anything else.

She sighed. “She’s grown up.” The carefree little Xunqi of last year was long gone.

Yan Zhi’an went back to her room to change clothes and then boarded the carriage again. Xunqi was wearing a black robe, with red threads outlining the cuffs. There wasn’t a single thread of gold on her. The dark color made the girl look more mature, and her silence added a touch of fierceness.

The little Xunqi was gone. The Xunqi who had lain on the bed, gasping for breath two years ago, seemed like a past life. Yan Zhi’an felt a pang of reluctance. She couldn’t help but touch her cheek. The girl beamed, her eyes clear and bright, looking adorable again.

“You’re still young. Wear more red. Don’t wear black next time.” Yan Zhi’an commented.

Xunqi instinctively touched her cuff. “I’ll remember. I’ll wear red next time.”

“So obedient.” Yan Zhi’an touched her cheek, then instructed, “Let’s go.”

The carriage stopped in front of Mingyue Tower, the largest restaurant in the capital. But today, there were no guests outside. It had long since been booked out by some noble.

Xunqi jumped out of the carriage, then turned back to help her mother down. She glanced up at the restaurant and asked in surprise, “How much does it cost to book the entire restaurant?”

“Maybe they didn’t spend any money. With a single order, who would dare refuse?” Yan Zhi’an explained the beauty of power to her. “Sometimes, even if you’re rich enough to rival a nation, without power, even throwing money at people won’t make them pay attention to you.”

“Is that why you became an official?” Xunqi turned to ask her mother.

The next second, her ear was pinched. Yan Zhi’an said impatiently, “Do you need to interrogate me? I like being an official. I like holding power. I like having power and money. So what?”

“You’re right, you’re absolutely right. I was wrong.” Xunqi grabbed her mother’s hand to rescue her poor ear.

Mother and daughter entered Mingyue Tower one after the other.

Entering the main hall, they first heard the sound of a zither. In the center of the hall was a high stage, and on it, a woman in exotic clothing was dancing. Xunqi looked at her waist, which was exposed. She was shocked and stared with wide eyes.

Yan Zhi’an followed her gaze and couldn’t help but scold her. “You little pervert. Take your eyes off her. It’s rude.”

“Mother, why is her clothing different from ours?” Xunqi was puzzled. She looked down at her own black clothes, which covered her completely, then at the dancer’s exposed skin.

Then she looked at her mother, who was wearing a cross-collared everyday outfit. She was also wearing a cross-collar. She couldn’t help but take another look. The next second, Yan Zhi’an, unable to bear it any longer, covered her eyes. “Look again, and you’ll be kneeling on an abacus when we get home.”