Chapter 34: Why Is Your Body So Hot? Part 1

Today’s high-ranking officials were feasting. The intersections near Mingyue Road had all been sealed off, and inside the building, music and song filled the air, with lanterns blazing brightly.

Xunqi had never seen such a spectacle. The banquets at the Left Prime Minister’s Residence were just a group of people gathered together, toasting each other. When had there ever been such explicit dancing? She was like a young monk entering a city, dazzled by everything she saw.

After being scolded by her mother, Xunqi restrained herself, but she still stole a glance. “Mother, do you know the principle that existence is reasonable? Since they’re dancing like this, they must want us to watch. It’s unreasonable for you to forbid me from watching.”

“Is that so? You can keep watching, but I can still punish you!” Yan Zhi’an looked straight ahead. “The Hu people’s Whirling Dance is famous throughout the nation. After seeing it enough, it’s just that.”

“Mother, do not do unto others what you would not have them do unto you.” Xunqi argued. “You’re tired of it, but I’m not. You should let me broaden my horizons.”

Yan Zhi’an was silent for a moment. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw the Right Prime Minister approaching slowly, so she said, “Ask your teacher what ‘not looking at what is improper’ means.”

“I won’t look anymore.” Xunqi glanced cautiously at her mother. “You and my teacher are in cahoots.”

“Nonsense. The Yan family isn’t that poor.” Yan Zhi’an replied seriously. “That phrase of yours is easy to misunderstand.”

That phrase must have come from the Madwoman. Wearing the same pants? Hah, preposterous.

As the mother and daughter whispered to each other, a dancer came to lead them. “Honored guests, this way.”

Both of them suppressed their smiles and followed the dancer to a private room on the second floor. Behind them, the Right Prime Minister quickened her pace and caught up. “Left Prime Minister, why have you brought the Young Mistress along?”

“She insisted on coming. What could I do?” Yan Zhi’an sighed to the heavens.

Xunqi: “…” Didn’t you bring me? Why are you putting the blame on me again?

Xunqi frowned. Two people approached from the front. Yan Zhi’an took a quick step forward, leaving the two behind. The Right Prime Minister understood and instructed Xunqi, “Take a step back. The masters walk in front.”

Xunqi slowed her pace. The person approaching was the head of the Sima clan, warmly greeting the two.

“Are you two together?”

“We met at the door.” Yan Zhi’an’s expression was indifferent. “Clan Leader, why have you invited us here?”

“The Sima family has some misunderstandings with the two Prime Ministers. I’ve come specifically to apologize. This way, please.” The Clan Leader wore a smile, trying desperately to ease the tension. “It’s fortunate that you two are willing to let bygones be bygones. It’s a blessing for my Sima family.”

The Right Prime Minister smiled. “I have no misunderstandings with the Sima family. The one who punished Duke Dingguo was Her Majesty. It has nothing to do with us.”

The three sat down. The Sima Clan Leader spoke cautiously. “There is a misunderstanding. See, I’ve come to apologize. You two have worked with Duke Dingguo for many years and should know each other’s tempers. It’s my Sima family’s fault for being too indulgent with Third Young Master. Rest assured, when I return, I will have him strictly disciplined. He won’t appear before the Young Mistress Yan again.”

“Clan Leader, you’re overthinking. This matter has nothing to do with my Yan family.” Yan Zhi’an was uninterested and directly cut to the chase. “Duke Dingguo formed a faction for private gain. Her Majesty punished him. It truly has nothing to do with my Yan family.”

The words ‘formed a faction for private gain’ made the Sima Clan Leader’s face change. “Formed a… formed a… formed a faction for private gain?”

The Right Prime Minister lowered her eyes, examining the fine wine in her hand, and didn’t intend to speak. One person pointing it out was enough.

“Her Majesty has always favored the Sima family. If it were a small mistake, a few words of reprimand would suffice. But this is a great crime. It can’t be taken lightly.” Yan Zhi’an smiled faintly. “Clan Leader, you should be careful. Since ancient times, nine out of ten who are stained with this crime die. After all, if Duke Dingguo is gone, there are other brothers. But if the entire Sima clan is wiped out…”

Yan Zhi’an paused deliberately, lifting her eyelids. The other’s face changed color. “I understand, I understand your meaning.”

“In that case, it’s time to leave.” Yan Zhi’an stood up, having not touched a drop of wine. She turned to the Right Prime Minister. “My family’s restaurant has two new dishes. I was just about to go and taste them. Would the Right Prime Minister honor me with your company?”

“Very well, let’s go try them.” The Right Prime Minister put down her wine, didn’t even look at the Sima Clan Leader, and rose gracefully, bowing to the Left Prime Minister. “Thank you.”

The two left together. Xunqi looked at the Sima Clan Leader, whose expression had changed drastically. He didn’t even have the strength to stand up and see his guests out.

Forming a faction for private gain, was it really such a great crime? Xunqi didn’t understand at first, but she could glean something from the look on his face. It was a crime punishable by the extermination of one’s entire family.

She lifted her feet to follow the two elders, hurrying out of Mingyue Tower.

The carriage moved forward, crossed two streets, and stopped again. The people inside got out. The manager of the establishment came out to greet them eagerly. “You two are such rare guests.”

The manager, Minghong, smiled as she looked at the two, her gaze then falling on the young man in black behind them. Her eyes paused for a moment, then she greeted them.

“Bring out the new dishes.” Yan Zhi’an instructed.

“Right away.” Minghong agreed, summoned a waiter, whispered a few words, and didn’t try to curry favor further. She calmly stepped back.

The three entered another private room. Yan Zhi’an took off her cloak and handed it to Wushuang, who then retreated and closed the door.

“Xunqi, tell me your thoughts.” Yan Zhi’an spoke first.

Xunqi stepped forward. The Right Prime Minister also looked at her. Their eyes met. Xunqi smiled. “I was thinking, are you being alarmist? If I were an ordinary clan member, I would naturally fear the calamity of clan extermination. But Her Majesty comes from the Sima clan herself. She would never be so ruthless. You said that to sow discord, didn’t you? To put Sima Xun on the fire.”

“Quick reaction.” The Right Prime Minister praised without hesitation, straightening up. “The Sima family has three brothers. The eldest, Sima Xun, the second, Sima Zhan, and the third, Sima Qing. The three brothers are led by Sima Xun, and they’ve been at peace for years. But now, Sima Xun has brought such a great disaster upon the Sima family. What will happen within the Sima family? Her Majesty’s move, confining him without punishment, is waiting for the Sima family’s decision. Xunqi, the court is full of talent. Since he doesn’t obey, replace him. It’s like a sword that’s handy to use. Suddenly, one day, the sword turns against you. Do you keep it or destroy it?”

“Destroy it, of course.” Xunqi said without hesitation. “Keeping it is soft-heartedness, and it’s also harming yourself. Has Her Majesty given up on Sima Xun?”

“Hard to say. After all, they are siblings. Xunqi, nothing is certain. We should wait and see.” Yan Zhi’an’s tone was much colder than the Right Prime Minister’s, but when Xunqi looked at her, her expression was gentle, her eyes reflecting the other’s face.

This look fell into the Right Prime Minister’s eyes.

“The food is here.” Minghong called out from outside. The people inside immediately composed themselves.

Minghong pushed the door open, took the tray from the waiter herself, and personally brought the dishes in. She said cheerfully, “A Hu chef has come to the building. He made some Hu dishes, then modified them, combining them with the capital’s cuisine. Many guests are ordering them. Please, the three of you, have a taste.”

She deliberately placed the dish in front of Xunqi and glanced at her. Xunqi noticed her gaze and tilted her head with a smile. “Are you looking at me because you like me?”

“You little flirt. You’re too young. I don’t like you.” Minghong put down the dish, took the tray, and left.

After she left, both elders laughed, especially Yan Zhi’an, who teased her. “Your attempt to flirt with the older sister failed.”

“Stop it. She was looking at me, and I felt something was off. Is she your subordinate?” Xunqi covered her flushed, hot cheeks, embarrassed. She pinched her own face. “Am I really that young?”

“Are you really that old?” The Right Prime Minister joined in. “You haven’t even come of age yet.”

“What month is my birthday?” Xunqi turned to ask her mother.

Yan Zhi’an was slightly taken aback. Her Majesty hadn’t said what month… She instinctively looked at the Right Prime Minister, who lowered her head and pretended to joke. “I remember the Left Prime Minister mentioned it. It seems to be in the summer. It’s coming up soon.”

“Oh, right, it is coming up soon.” Xunqi lowered her head and picked up her chopsticks, her long eyelashes hiding the defiance in her eyes. So Mother doesn’t even know my birthday. Since it’s in the summer, why wasn’t it mentioned last year?

She picked up a piece of fish and put it in her mother’s bowl, forcing a smile. “Eat some fish. Teacher, what will you have?”

“I’ll help myself.” The Right Prime Minister smiled along. “The dishes tonight are quite good.”

The three had different expressions. As Xunqi lowered her head, a look of regret appeared in Yan Zhi’an’s eyes. Princess Zhaohui’s birthday was in the summer. She had never dared to bring up the birthday, because she didn’t know how to cover up this lie.

Now, the lie was rolling like a snowball, getting bigger and bigger!

After a simple dinner, the three parted ways. Yan Zhi’an led Xunqi back to the residence.

It was already past nine o’clock when they returned. They each washed up and went to bed. Yan Zhi’an had just gotten onto the bed when someone wrapped in a quilt walked in. She was surprised. “What’s wrong with you?”

“I want to sleep with you. I brought my own quilt.”

Xunqi stood on the footboard, wrapped in her quilt, only her pitiful little face showing. Yan Zhi’an’s heart softened. “You sleep on the inside.”

“Okay.” Xunqi immediately beamed, climbed onto the bed wrapped in her quilt, and lay down stiffly, her eyes squinting with a smile.

Yan Zhi’an turned her back to her and pulled down the bed curtain, not seeing her triumphant smile. After Yan Zhi’an lay down, Xunqi moved closer, pressing against her shoulder. She didn’t speak, just closed her eyes. Yan Zhi’an didn’t refuse, only assuming she was scared tonight. She reached out and gently touched her cheek.

The two lay there like that, neither speaking.

They slept quietly through the night. Yan Zhi’an got up early for court and didn’t wake her. The moment the door closed, Xunqi opened her eyes, a look of confusion in them.

With Duke Dingguo confined to his residence, the court was much quieter. Even Prince Ji, who usually liked to oppose the Female Emperor, was uncharacteristically silent. The morning court passed without incident. Officials reported matters, discussed them, and resolved them.

It wasn’t until noon, when court was dismissed, that the Female Emperor kept the Left Prime Minister behind. Everyone else filed out.

“I kept you here because I want to arrange for Xunqi to enter the Patrol Battalion. What do you think?” The Female Emperor spoke. “Duke Dingguo’s attitude has made me realize something.”

Even her own brother didn’t think highly of her daughter, let alone anyone else. In that case, she would give her military power, let her establish a foothold in the capital.

Yan Zhi’an bowed. “I have no objections. But what position?”

“The Patrol Battalion has five thousand men. She can be a nominal Deputy Commander. Once she has merit, I will give her the entire Patrol Battalion. So what if it’s conspicuous? I want to tell the world that Xunqi is capable of this position.” The Female Emperor was confident, looking down on the world. “Left Prime Minister, what do you think?”

Within the Patrol Battalion, there was one Commander and two Deputies. The Commander was in charge. The Deputy Commanders weren’t that important. Sometimes they just collected a stipend and held a nominal title. It looked like a Deputy Commander position, but sometimes people climbed their whole lives and never got promoted.