Xunqi nodded in a daze, her eyes glancing at her mother guiltily. However, the other woman wasn’t looking at her, but was removing her makeup in front of the mirror. She had been worried for nothing. In an instant, Xunqi’s face broke into a smile. She moved closer and started fiddling with her mother’s vanity case.
The vanity case was filled with jewelry, a dazzling array of precious gems and jade. Xunqi picked up a pair of bloodstone earrings. The bloodstone was as clear as green jade, translucent and bright.
Xunqi played with them for a while. Yan Zhi’an got up and left. She looked at herself in the mirror, at her plain face, then down at the precious jewelry, her eyes brightening.
When Yan Zhi’an returned, Xunqi was still sitting in front of the bronze mirror, looking through the jewelry. “What are you looking at? Which one do you like?”
“They’re all the same. Nothing I particularly like.” Xunqi couldn’t explain it. They felt precious, heavy in the hand, very weighty. She touched a buyao hairpin. “It doesn’t feel comfortable. It’s more comfortable to just tie my hair up.”
“Then tie it up. Once you enter the Patrol Battalion, you’ll be tying it up most of the time.” Yan Zhi’an looked at that fair, soft face, her eyes reflecting clear spring water. At this moment, she looked foolish yet earnest, clean as the sacred snow on a mountain peak.
Xunqi played for a while, then put the vanity case back in its place. She took a deep breath, looking adorable. Yan Zhi’an’s gaze lingered on her face for a moment, then she finally said, “Go wash up. Your clothes have been brought back.”
“Okay.” Xunqi stood up, her brows and eyes curved, a faint dimple appearing when she smiled. Her cheeks had gained some flesh, looking very healthy, and she had grown taller.
She left happily. Yan Zhi’an bent down and sat down. The moonlight fell to the ground, spilling through the window.
Yan Zhi’an leaned against a soft pillow, looking at the stool in front of the vanity. The image of the girl secretly wearing her jewelry appeared before her eyes. It seemed like a small person wearing adult clothes, strangely adorable.
After June, she would be an adult. That meant there were still three years left.
But Her Majesty was still standing still. She had killed Sima Xun, cutting off one of Prince Ji’s arms. But Prince Ji still represented the Imperial Clan. How to bring down Prince Ji was the top priority.
Since the fake princess incident, Prince Ji had gone into hiding, seemingly waiting for the Crown Prince to grow up.
The current Crown Prince was studying in the Eastern Palace and didn’t involve himself in court affairs. With Prince Ji and the Crown Prince in hiding, they had no way to start.
Yan Zhi’an felt uneasy. She still needed to find something for Prince Ji to do. Otherwise, if they just waited, Xunqi would grow to eighteen, and the Crown Prince would still be the Crown Prince. If Xunqi came back, she would be at a loss.
Yan Zhi’an felt inexplicably irritable. She simply lay down. A moment later, Xunqi tiptoed in, blew out the lamp, climbed onto the inner side of the bed, and burrowed into the quilt.
The moment she got in, she turned over to face her mother. “What are you thinking about?”
“Thinking about why you’ve been staying here every day lately.” Yan Zhi’an opened her eyes, her gaze clear, and turned to look at Xunqi.
The young person was curled up in the quilt, only her head showing. She grinned. “I want to sleep here.”
“As you wish.” Yan Zhi’an had low demands for her. As long as she didn’t have a sweetheart, she could do whatever she wanted.
Just don’t let her like women. If it happened again, she would be scared to death.
Xunqi moved closer, gazing deeply at her mother’s plain face. She slowly yawned, closed her eyes, and fell asleep.
A good night’s sleep. Yan Zhi’an got up early and left. Xunqi also woke up, full of energy, and got up early to practice martial arts.
Xunqi’s life was very dull, the same every day. Yan Zhi’an was different. Her life was exciting. She listened to the court officials argue every day, with Prince Ji standing on the side, not saying a word.
After arguing for a while, the court quieted down. Yan Zhi’an stepped forward and bowed to the Female Emperor. “Your Majesty, I have obtained information about Princess Zhaohui.”
The just-quieted grand hall immediately erupted like boiling water.
“Where is Princess Zhaohui?”
“Is what the Left Prime Minister says true?”
Prince Ji, who had been squinting, also opened his eyes wide and looked at the woman in front. He saw the Left Prime Minister standing at the head of the crowd as usual, her expression indifferent, revealing nothing. For a moment, he couldn’t figure out what she was trying to do.
“Where is she?” The Female Emperor demanded.
The Left Prime Minister glanced at the crowd, her lips curving slightly. She replied, “I have sent people to search. Your Majesty, please wait for news. I believe that heaven helps those who help themselves, and you will soon be reunited with your daughter.”
Sima Zhan immediately stepped forward to flatter. “Your Majesty, this is great news. I congratulate Your Majesty on fulfilling your wish.”
After he spoke, the others followed suit. The Female Emperor’s brows and eyes relaxed, her smile hard to hide. But her gaze was on Prince Ji. He had been acting unconcerned, but now his brows were furrowed, as if he were thinking about something.
Yan Zhi’an’s move was to divert the trouble. Let’s see if Prince Ji would take the bait.
After court was dismissed, Prince Ji caught up with the Left Prime Minister, not hiding his intentions at all. He asked directly, “May I ask where the Left Prime Minister obtained information about the Princess?”
“Tell you, so you can send someone to kill Her Highness, right?” Yan Zhi’an didn’t give him any face. Since the Female Emperor had given her the princess, she had been on the opposite side of Prince Ji. Her gaze was deep. “I don’t understand. They are both your grand-nephew’s children. Why do you treat them differently?”
Yan Zhi’an’s voice wasn’t loud, but the people passing by all heard it, making them stop in their tracks, trying to eavesdrop.
Prince Ji’s little scheme was exposed. He looked at the Left Prime Minister impatiently. Was this woman mentally ill? How could she turn hostile so suddenly?
But he didn’t dare turn hostile with her. He could only put on a smile and act like a loving elder. “Left Prime Minister, you must be mistaken. They are all of my Imperial Clan’s blood. How could I treat them differently?”
“But you sent people to kill the two fake princesses.” Yan Zhi’an stopped pretending and completely revealed her cards, her smile deep. In an instant, she displayed her authority. She took another step forward. “So, Prince Ji, I will not tell you where the Princess is. I am also certain that she is the true Princess. You just wait in the capital. Why come to me to pry for information?”
With that, she turned around gracefully, leaving a bewildered Prince Ji behind. This woman was too much. She turned hostile without even looking at the occasion. All these old foxes were watching. It was truly inexplicable.
Prince Ji was also furious and left with a flick of his sleeve. The court officials who had been waiting to watch the excitement looked at each other, completely in the dark about what had happened.
The Right Prime Minister in the crowd narrowed her eyes. Had Yan Zhi’an started to make her move?
In two more months, Xunqi would be an adult and should enter the court to participate in politics.
The officials on the Hanging Dragon Path had mixed feelings. They looked at each other, and the old officials suddenly trembled. Princess Zhaohui was coming back. The capital was about to see a storm.
Xunqi didn’t pay attention to these things. When it was time to report to the Patrol Battalion, she led Wuming to the battalion.
The Commander of the Patrol Battalion had served for three years and was over forty. His name was Zhao Fu. When Xunqi arrived, Zhao Fu greeted her at the gate and personally led her into the camp. The Yan family’s money had been given generously, everyone got a share. It was hard not to be impressed by such extravagance.
After entering the camp, Zhao Fu stated that anyone who didn’t follow her orders would be expelled from the Patrol Battalion.
The money and clothing had already been distributed. No one expressed displeasure at this Deputy Commander who had come through the back door. Xunqi’s delicate appearance fell into everyone’s eyes.
Zhao Fu intended to support her. He chose a slender-looking man to be her stepping stone, specifically challenging her to a mounted archery contest.
But Xunqi shook her head. “I grew up in the mountains, living with wild beasts. My aim is excellent. Commander, shall we try?”
She didn’t dare compete with Zhao Fu in martial arts, but in archery, she could at least tie.
Hearing this, Zhao Fu’s eyes widened. Looking at her slender figure, he hadn’t expected her to have grown up in the wilderness. He immediately waved his hand. “Come, let me try with the Young Mistress.”
Zhao Fu addressed her as Young Mistress, clearly giving face to Yan Zhi’an.
His subordinates brought out archery targets and bows. Xunqi tested each one, while Zhao Fu directly chose the heaviest bow. Xunqi couldn’t match him, so she chose a second-tier one. Zhao Fu laughed. “The fact that you can draw it is already quite impressive.”
Hey, interesting. He had thought she was just a pretty face, but she actually had some real skill.
Xunqi scanned the crowd. Everyone was watching her. She couldn’t show any weakness this time. She had to show her real skills. She took a deep breath, adjusted her strength, and slowly drew the heavy bow. Zhao Fu’s eyes widened. He quickly handed her an arrow.
“Thank you.” Xunqi thanked him in a low voice, took the arrow, nocked it, and with a ‘twang’, the arrow left the string and hit the target squarely.
“Hey, not bad! Practice a bit more, and you’ll be able to draw my bow. I won’t shoot.” Admiration flashed in Zhao Fu’s eyes. He held his waist sword and said to Xunqi, “Don’t worry. The brothers here are all good hands. I’ll have them teach you later.”
Xunqi smiled faintly, putting her bow-drawing hand behind her back. Her arm was trembling. “Alright, thank you, Commander.”
The crowd’s gaze towards Xunqi also changed. The Commander led Xunqi into the building to talk. “My main duty here is patrol. The public security of the city is our responsibility. Let me tell you, the most troublesome thing is when the noble families fight. You can’t offend either side. Let me tell you, we not only have to patrol, but we also have to balance both sides. So, you need to know these high and mighty people. These next few days, I’ll take you on patrol so you can get acquainted.”
“Alright, I’ll remember.” Xunqi responded readily. Military men are straightforward and hate indecisive people.
Zhao Fu took out the city’s patrol map and pointed out each location to Xunqi. He taught carefully, and Xunqi listened attentively. In one day, she had a thorough understanding.
When it was time to get off duty, Xunqi said cheerfully, “I’ve booked a table at Mingyue Tower for you. Take the men there for a drink. I’ve already arranged it. It’s all on my account.”
“Oh? You’re not coming?” Zhao Fu was surprised. He thought she would go.
Xunqi waved her hand. “No, my mother doesn’t allow me to stay out late. Please apologize to them on my behalf today. Another day, come to my residence for a drink. I’ll be going now.”
Xunqi finished speaking and ran off. Zhao Fu couldn’t even call her back. He couldn’t help but pout. Still a little girl who listens to her mother.
After meeting her today, he realized this delicate-looking little girl wasn’t weak at all. She had strong arms and strength in her body. She was a good prospect, not just a pretty face. The heavy stone in his heart fell. As long as she wasn’t a pretty face, it was fine.
Everyone was happy.
After getting off duty, Xunqi galloped to the government office, eagerly waiting for her mother to return home together.
She waited at the gate for half an hour. As dusk fell, Yan Zhi’an finally walked out. Xunqi strode forward to meet her. “Left Prime Minister.”
