“Oh?” Yan Zhi’an was curious. “You’ve met him twice. I want to hear your thoughts.”
“No thoughts. I just don’t think he’s a great evil person.” Xunqi shook her head.
Yan Zhi’an said, “Setting things right, the throne doesn’t belong to him. His current power and position are stolen from others.”
Xunqi was speechless. She couldn’t comment on major matters, but this tangled mess would eventually have to be sorted out with bloodshed.
The two talked for a while, had dinner, and then Xunqi left.
The next day, the Right Prime Minister sent someone to invite Xunqi to the government office for a talk.
This was the first time the two had met in the government office to discuss serious matters. The Right Prime Minister spread out the patrol map and said earnestly, “In a few days, it will be the Winter Sacrifice. Her Majesty and the Crown Prince will leave the capital and spend two days in the Temporary Palace. The important officials of the capital will all go. Prince Ji will also go. The capital will be empty. It’s all left to you. Her Majesty and I have discussed it. The Patrol Battalion won’t move. In addition, I’ll transfer five thousand men to you. I’ve left you ten thousand troops.”
“The capital is a strategic location. Every man and horse is important. So, these ten thousand men are of the utmost importance. Handle it yourself.”
Xunqi felt inexplicable pressure. “Are you overestimating me?”
“You are my student. Shouldn’t I entrust you with an important task?” The Right Prime Minister smiled gently. “Xunqi, believe in yourself. You can do it. I’ve left you two old generals. Also, Zhao Fu is still recovering from his injuries. If anything happens, you can go ask him. Don’t be afraid.”
“You’ve given me the entire capital, Teacher!” Xunqi was a little dazed.
Unexpectedly, her teacher smiled faintly. “Just a city. Why panic? Xunqi, in a city, you hold the most troops. Xunqi, having troops is your confidence.”
A city was better than a residence.
With troops, you could do anything.
Xunqi was uneasy, standing in front of the Right Prime Minister, unable to speak for a long time.
“Xunqi, where’s your fearless drive? Where’s the decisiveness you showed when you killed that quack doctor? Where’s the energy you had when you rushed back to Jinling?”
“Teacher, this isn’t a simple city. It’s the capital, the place where Her Majesty resides.” Xunqi looked up, meeting her teacher’s eyes. “I’m scared.”
At fifteen, managing an imperial city. Anyone would find it absurd.
The Right Prime Minister waved her hand upon hearing this. “There are still civil officials stationed here. Don’t panic. It’s only two days.”
“I might as well go with you.” Xunqi complained.
The next second, she got a knock on the head. The Right Prime Minister lectured, “I’m giving you an opportunity. These five thousand men will be incorporated into your Patrol Battalion. When Her Majesty returns, delay a few days, and these men will be yours. You fool!”
This was the excuse Her Majesty had thought up.
Xunqi suddenly understood. “Won’t the other officials object?”
“Delay a few days. We’ll talk after the New Year. Alright, go back.” The Right Prime Minister waved her hand. “If you have nothing to do, go ask Zhao Fu. He’ll help you.”
Xunqi raised an eyebrow. The task was difficult, but afterward, her troops would double. How wonderful!
In an instant, she was happy again. “Thank you, Teacher. I’ll be going.”
The Right Prime Minister nodded, watching the little thing leave with cheers and leaps. She couldn’t help but find it amusing. Xunqi’s temperament was three parts like her elder sister’s: free-spirited and decisive.
On the day the imperial carriage left the capital, Xunqi escorted it with the others. Even Prince Ji, in his wheelchair, was going along.
Watching the procession disappear, Xunqi couldn’t help but sigh. She held the reins. Wuming tried to persuade her, “It’s only two days, Young Mistress. No need to be sentimental.”
“It’s not sentimentality. This trip is dangerous.” Xunqi was worried about the Left Prime Minister’s safety.
Wuming laughed. “Wuqing and Wushuang are both there. How could anything happen to the Head of the Family?”
“I hope so.” Xunqi couldn’t say. After all, this was a major court matter. She had no time to worry about it. What she should do was manage this city well and wait for Her Majesty’s return.
She turned her horse around and headed into the city. “Continue the patrol.”
A day passed. In the evening, she returned to the residence. As usual, she sat on the steps, carving a wooden figurine. She sat until ten o’clock, still alone, without the Left Prime Minister returning.
She put down the wooden figurine and looked up at the stars from afar. The winter was bleak and cold. The Temporary Palace was cold and secluded. She didn’t know if the Left Prime Minister, who was always afraid of the cold, could endure it.
What Xunqi was worried about was indeed Yan Zhi’an’s problem. She didn’t stay in the Temporary Palace. Instead, she set up a tent, burned charcoal, and stayed there alone.
After ten o’clock, the Right Prime Minister squeezed in. As soon as she entered, it felt like spring. She was surprised. “How did you bring charcoal?”
“None of your business.” Yan Zhi’an looked at her impatiently. “Get out.”
“It’s freezing outside. Let me stay for one night.” The Right Prime Minister didn’t leave. It was freezing cold outside, and the Temporary Palace didn’t allow charcoal burning, for fear of offending the spirits.
Yan Zhi’an put down her book and glanced at her. “This is my tent. What right do you have to stay?”
Despite her words, the Right Prime Minister still squeezed onto the bed. Yan Zhi’an looked at her with utter despair. “Shangguan Li!”
“Shangguan Li is my elder sister’s name, not mine.” The Right Prime Minister ignored this. She even shamelessly snatched the hand warmer from her arms, finally warming her own cold hands.
After a soft sigh, she looked up and got a glare from the Left Prime Minister. “I don’t like sleeping with others.”
“I don’t either. Why don’t you get off then?” The Right Prime Minister gave an awkward smile. “Haven’t you and Xunqi slept in the same bed?”
Yan Zhi’an explained, “That’s different. She’s a child.”
The Right Prime Minister frowned. “That means you can still accept it. It’s freezing outside. Let’s just squeeze together.”
Yan Zhi’an was helpless. She couldn’t chase her away. She had no choice but to stand up. The Right Prime Minister was surprised. “Are you really going back to sleep?”
“Wuqing!” Yan Zhi’an called out.
Wuqing lifted the tent curtain and entered. “Head of the Family.”
Yan Zhi’an said, “Move in a small bed.”
Wuqing nodded, glanced at the Right Prime Minister, then at the big bed, and quickly retreated.
The Right Prime Minister raised an eyebrow, not understanding. “Does Xunqi smell nice?”
“Shut up.” Yan Zhi’an was impatient. “Shangguan Li, she is she, and you are you. I have no relation with you. There’s no reason for me to share a bed with you.”
The Right Prime Minister: “I don’t mind.”
Yan Zhi’an: “I mind.”
The Right Prime Minister pressed her lips together and smiled, her smile meaningful. Yan Zhi’an was puzzled. “What are you smiling at?”
“I’ll go to sleep first.” The Right Prime Minister lifted the quilt, took off her outer robe, and burrowed into the blanket. It was warm inside, showing Yan Zhi’an’s luxurious lifestyle.
Being able to set up a tent outside the Temporary Palace, with charcoal and a bed, like spring, only Yan Zhi’an could do it. Others either had money but no guts, or guts but no money.
Yan Zhi’an’s eyes were deep, wishing she could throw the person out. If it weren’t for Xunqi, she wouldn’t put up with Shangguan Li’s bad habits.
By the time Wuqing moved in the small bed, it was already past midnight. The quilt was cold. When she lay down, a wave of cold air burrowed into the blanket.
She looked at the Right Prime Minister with resentment. “If you come again tomorrow, I’ll go to the Shangguan residence and find your mother.”
The Right Prime Minister was already asleep. She didn’t know if she heard or not. Yan Zhi’an lay down herself, cursing Shangguan Li’s ancestors for eighteen generations in her heart.
Calm down!
Warm time always passed quickly. Before dawn, noise started outside. The two opened their eyes at the same time and dressed separately.
Before leaving, the Right Prime Minister glanced at the small bed. “You don’t like sharing a bed with others. You can only share a bed with Xunqi.”
Yan Zhi’an, who was straightening her clothes, paused inexplicably. When she looked up again, the person was already gone. She couldn’t help but wonder, what kind of madness was Shangguan Li spouting?
Before dawn, a cold wind blew, making people shiver.
Everyone stood in the cold wind, waiting for the Female Emperor to arrive. Yan Zhi’an walked in slowly, holding a hand warmer. As soon as she arrived, the Right Prime Minister came to snatch her hand warmer. She was prepared and sidestepped to avoid it. “I fell for that once. Do you think I’m a fool?”
The Right Prime Minister glanced at her. “If you don’t give it to me, I’ll go tell Xunqi that you’re not…”
“Here, here.” Yan Zhi’an shoved the hand warmer at her first. “Can’t you prepare your own?”
“I have no money. Besides, you have one. Why should I prepare one?” The Right Prime Minister accepted Yan Zhi’an’s hand warmer with a clear conscience.
Yan Zhi’an closed her eyes and once again paid her respects to her ancestors for eighteen generations.
Calm down!
Half an hour later, the Female Emperor arrived, followed by the Crown Prince. The crowd headed towards the sacrificial hall.
Prince Ji was at the front of the crowd. The Heir of Prince Ji pushed his wheelchair, followed by the court officials.
Yan Zhi’an quietly said to the Right Prime Minister, “Do you think the sacrifice will explode, blowing off Prince Ji’s other good leg?”
The Right Prime Minister answered, “Go find Xunqi and make a New Year’s wish. It will definitely come true next year.”
Yan Zhi’an: “…”
“You’d better hope she does well.”
The two fell silent. Prince Ji turned his head and looked at the two. The two immediately turned their heads in different directions, pretending to be at odds.
When he turned back, Yan Zhi’an sneered. The Right Prime Minister understood, but didn’t mention it again.
The crowd filed into the hall one by one. The Female Emperor was in front, the court officials behind.
A palace attendant presented the lit incense. The Female Emperor took it and worshipped according to the rites. Just as she bowed, the incense broke.
The crowd was shocked. The Female Emperor hesitated. The attendant knelt down and hastily begged for forgiveness. “Your Majesty, spare me! Your Majesty, spare me!”
“It’s fine. Do it again.” The Female Emperor didn’t mind, nor would she blame the attendant for this.
The attendant tremblingly lit another stick and handed it to the Female Emperor.
This time, the Female Emperor didn’t take the incense. Instead, she pinched her fingers and waited. The incense broke again.
She sneered. Suddenly, the attendant looked up, and a dagger stabbed towards her. She frowned, dodging aside. “Protect the Emperor!”
The Crown Prince behind her was dumbfounded, too scared to move. The attendant missed and stabbed towards him. Behind him were Prince Ji and the Heir. Seeing the situation was wrong, the Heir pushed Prince Ji and charged into the crowd.
The Crown Prince was left alone. Yan Zhi’an, who was behind him, stepped forward and pulled the Crown Prince back a step. Unexpectedly, the assassin gave chase.
“Protect the Crown Prince!”
The crowd protected the Female Emperor. Yan Zhi’an shielded the Crown Prince behind her. The assassin failed again. She then turned her gaze to Yan Zhi’an and stabbed at her again.
Yan Zhi’an had nowhere to dodge. She raised her hand to block. The dagger slashed across her arm. The Crown Prince was startled and took the opportunity to kick the assassin away.
The assassin was kicked to the ground. The Imperial Guard pounced over and pinned her down. The assassin sneered, used the dagger to slash her own throat. In an instant, blood sprayed three feet, and she fell dead.
The Crown Prince trembled with fear. The crowd was even more shaken. The hall was deathly silent.
“Left Prime Minister.” The Crown Prince looked at the Left Prime Minister’s arm.
Yan Zhi’an shook her head. “It’s nothing. Just a flesh wound.”
Who had the assassin been targeting? She attacked Her Majesty first. After failing, she stabbed at the Crown Prince. Failing that, she turned her gaze to her.
Who was it for?
A wave of pain hit her, startling her and sending a chill through her body. She looked at the blood flowing from her wrist.
