Chapter 6: The Silver-Tongued Left Prime Minister, Yan Zhi’an.

The Yan clan had been in Jinling for a long time. Their mansion occupied half a street, with countless front courtyards, back residences, side gates, and rear gates. The Yan Family Garden was world-famous, the work of several generations of the Yan family, passed down through the ages.

Yan Zhi’an had never married, so her garden still existed within the mansion. It had a waterside pavilion in the front and a garden in the back.

In winter, mist rose from the lake, shrouding the surface in a watery haze, like a fairyland.

Yan Zhi’an’s Yunbo Pavilion was the largest courtyard in the Yan mansion. Because the lake was so big, from a distance, the entire courtyard seemed impossibly large.

This was the courtyard the Old Master had personally ordered to be given to her, complete with the waterside pavilion, the year she found her first mine.

Later, she went to the capital, and the courtyard was left empty. Her other younger sisters, seeing she didn’t return, tried to move in. After all, such a large waterside pavilion was perfect for enjoying the snow in winter and fishing in summer.

But the Old Master refused outright. Even if Yan Zhi’an didn’t return, unless she said otherwise, no one was to touch her courtyard. The Yan family wasn’t so poor that they couldn’t keep one courtyard.

The boxes had been moved in days ago. Entering the waterside pavilion, everything was already arranged. Several pots of peonies were placed in the room, blooming beautifully, a very pleasing sight.

“Eh? How are there peonies in winter?” Xunqi walked over and circled the flowers twice, full of curiosity.

Yan Zhi’an glanced at them. “If you like them, move them into your room.”

“Mother doesn’t want them?” Xunqi’s gaze was drawn to the flowers, and she replied casually.

She meant nothing by it, but Yan Zhi’an’s heart trembled at the words. Calling her ‘mother’ every time made her terribly afraid.

“If you like them, take them.” She didn’t care. She was tired from the journey and turned to go into the inner room.

She went in, and the maidservants followed to help her change out of her large robes into soft house clothes. She also took a hand warmer.

After the maidservants dispersed, Xunqi came in from behind the folding screen. She looked around and spotted the night-illuminating pearl in the corner. Her eyes lit up, and she reached out to touch it.

She was very curious. Suddenly, someone laughed, as if mocking Xunqi.

Yan Zhi’an looked towards the sound. “Stop.”

The departing maidservants all stopped. Yan Zhi’an pointed. “Who laughed just now?”

“Head of the Family.”

The last maidservant fell to her knees with a thud. “Head of the Family, this servant didn’t mean to.”

Yan Zhi’an put down her hand warmer, lazily straightened up, and her gaze suddenly deepened. Her clear, beautiful eyes reflected the maidservant’s trembling form. “Wushuang, take her away. Slap her mouth.”

Her cold tone carried the chill of winter. The maidservant was terrified and kowtowed to beg for mercy. Wushuang ignored her and took her away directly.

Soon, the sound of slaps came from outside.

Xunqi in the corner didn’t know what had happened. She only saw her mother’s cold, exquisite profile.

From this angle, Yan Zhi’an’s profile was like a painting, cold and unapproachable.

Yan Zhi’an had changed into a jade-colored, fitted, wide-sleeved long robe. Her back was straight, and her gaze had changed. She was a completely different person from the one who had been joking with Xunqi moments ago. Just now, facing the Old Master and the Eldest Master, she had a faint smile on her lips. Now, she was terrifying.

Hearing the slaps outside, Xunqi put the night-illuminating pearl back in its place and quietly walked over. “I… shouldn’t have touched it?”

“If you want to touch it, touch it. If it’s not too bright, you can even sleep with it at night.” Yan Zhi’an smiled again, her spine softening as she leaned back against the soft cushion, closing her eyes to rest. “You’ll sleep in the room next door. Remember, you are the Young Heir of the Yan Clan. In the future, the Yan Clan will be yours.”

One sentence, seemingly casual, but in truth giving Xunqi immense confidence.

The Yan Clan will be yours!

Xunqi couldn’t help but look at the pearl in the corner again. She walked over and touched it again. She’d touch it this time, but not next time.

She knew the maidservant had laughed at her for not having seen nice things. But she really hadn’t seen them, and she wasn’t ashamed.

She withdrew her hand, a satisfied look on her clean, fair face. Her life today was like a dream. Wearing new clothes every time was something she had never dared to imagine before.

It was truly a life of luxury. She no longer resented Yan Zhi’an. In this family, Yan Zhi’an herself had a hard time.

As a woman, holding the position of Head of the Family, everyone looked down on her.

“What’s going on here?” A soft female voice came from outside. Yan Zhi’an opened her eyes and beckoned Xunqi over. “Your Eldest Grandmother is here. She’s the Eldest Master’s wife.”

As the words fell, footsteps approached. The voice of the Eldest Madam came through. “Ninth Miss hasn’t been back for years. Why the sudden return? With the new year approaching, are you back for the New Year?”

Qin Ningjun’s gaze fell on Xunqi. The girl had a small, delicate face with refined features. Her brows and eyes held a hint of illness, as if sickness had entered her body. From a distance, she looked like an exquisite porcelain doll.

“Oh, whose girl have you brought back?” Qin Ningjun laughed. “She’s very pretty. Your mother will definitely like her.”

Chen Qingrong loved to play and loved beautiful faces. She was also the most unreliable person in the Yan family.

Yan Zhi’an said calmly, “Xunqi, greet your Eldest Grandmother.”

Xunqi immediately saluted. “Greetings, Eldest Grandmother.”

“From which family?” Qin Ningjun’s face was full of smiles.

Xunqi frowned, not knowing how to answer. Yan Zhi’an answered for her. “My daughter. The Young Heir of the Yan Clan.”

“Ninth Miss, don’t joke. You’re not even married yet.” Qin Ningjun didn’t believe her. She smiled casually, about to praise Xunqi, when she heard Yan Zhi’an speak again. “I have already informed Grandfather and Mother.”

Such a big daughter!

Qin Ningjun’s joking mood vanished. “And her father?”

“Dead. That year, they ran into bandits in the mountains. He was pierced by a thousand arrows and fell off a cliff. His body was never found.” Yan Zhi’an answered calmly. “Eldest Aunt, did you come for something?”

Qin Ningjun had come to discuss a marriage for her. Ninth Miss Yan was twenty-seven. Her younger sisters were all married with children, but she was still alone. Since she was back, she had come to play matchmaker.

Fourth Madam Chen Qingrong was unreliable, but Qin Ningjun managed the household affairs. Naturally, she had to worry about the marriage of the younger generation.

She had come happily, but suddenly seeing such a big daughter, she felt the sky had fallen.

Her pure, innocent niece had become a widow with a daughter.

For a moment, Qin Ningjun was dizzy. She leaned on her maidservant’s hand and sat down with difficulty. She glanced at the innocent-looking Xunqi and cried out, “Why haven’t you mentioned this in all these years?”

“I’ve been looking for her. She was lost with her father, and I only recently found her.” Yan Zhi’an felt her face had grown thick, pushed step by step by Sima Shenrong to this shameless state.

She held her forehead, pretending not to hear Qin Ningjun’s sighs. Qin Ningjun turned around, trembling. “I’ll be going back first.”

I need to recover!

The sky has fallen!

Qin Ningjun left. Xunqi craned her neck to look, then turned to her mother. “Is my father really dead?”

Yan Zhi’an nodded. That statement was true. Emperor Ming had been dead for thirteen years.

Xunqi nodded. Dead was dead. She now had a mother with immense power. She didn’t need a father.

She asked again, “I think she came for something. But why didn’t she say it?”

“Hm?” Yan Zhi’an suddenly realized the reversal. With Xunqi here, it seemed no one was urging her to get married anymore. Even her Eldest Aunt had left without a word.

Yan Zhi’an gazed at the girl’s face and gently stroked her cheek. “You don’t have to reflect on your mistakes anymore. Go rest. There’s a family banquet tonight.”

Xunqi was confused. Why had it changed again?

Her mother was truly strange.

Before leaving, Xunqi looked back at her mother. Why did her mother change so suddenly?

The madwoman had said, the more beautiful a woman, the better she lies, and their lies make the world willingly believe.

Xunqi felt that saying was right. She knew her mother was lying, but she was willing to believe.

The Yan clan had six branches, with twenty children in total. The youngest was the Twentieth Miss. At today’s family banquet, all the daughters married in Jinling had returned. Since the Old Master had returned to Jinling three years ago, Yan Zhi’an had inherited the position of Head of the Family, but everyone was obedient on the surface, not in their hearts.

Now, a Young Heir had suddenly appeared, giving them all something to laugh at, especially with her unknown parentage.

Xunqi followed her mother, arriving late. Looking at the dozens of people seated inside, she said, “Mother, your family really knows how to have children.”

“I think so too.” Yan Zhi’an sighed lightly. “One is enough for you in the future.”

Xunqi frowned. “I don’t want to have children.”

Yan Zhi’an: “…”

“Why?”

“Childbirth is a gateway to death.”

Yan Zhi’an was impressed. She felt she had a point. Well, that wasn’t her business.

Yan Zhi’an’s seat was below the Old Master. The Old Madam was very happy to see her granddaughter, but when she saw the tail following behind her, the smile on her face froze. “Ninth Miss.”

“Grandmother, I hope you are well.” Yan Zhi’an stepped forward and saluted.

Xunqi watched her salute and imitated her, calling out after her, “Great-Grandmother, I hope you are well.”

The Old Madam’s face darkened. She nodded. “Sit, sit.”

She glanced at Xunqi. She didn’t look very energetic. Was she unwell? She asked her granddaughter, “She seems a bit unwell?”

“Mhm. She has injuries, and with winter, it’s healing slowly.” Yan Zhi’an admitted it openly. “I took the opportunity of returning to Jinling to let her recuperate for a while. We’ll return to the capital after the New Year.”

The dozens of people in the room had their own thoughts. They exchanged glances. Someone spoke up. “The child is so young. Isn’t appointing her Young Heir a bit hasty?”

Yan Zhi’an took a sip of wine. “Third Brother went to that kind of place at twelve. Compared to you, A-Xun, who knows nothing, is a bit young.”

Third Young Master Yan was speechless. He picked up his wine cup and drank, his face flushed.

Yan Zhi’an looked up and saw the dissatisfied Fifth Miss. “Fifth Sister, have you sorted out the mess in your household? I remember you weren’t married in Jinling. Why are you back?”

Fifth Miss Yan was startled. She quickly composed herself and pretended she didn’t exist.

Xunqi’s gaze swept over the crowd. Those she looked at all lowered their heads. Two sentences that struck the mountain to shake the tiger had silenced everyone.

Only then did she speak. “My daughter, Xunqi, has been found. From now on, she will be the Young Heir of the Yan Clan. If there are no objections, we will open the Family Ancestral Hall tomorrow and make an offering to the ancestors.”

“Ninth Miss, let’s slow down on this.”