Chapter 18

Shen Yanxin had just left when Xi Fengyu arrived a moment later. As Xi entered, Si was sitting leisurely in the pavilion, enjoying the breeze and reading a book.

“What brings you here today?” Si Yunqin asked casually upon seeing Xi Fengyu.

“Nothing much—just felt like taking a walk,” Xi Fengyu replied with a smile.

Si Yunqin yawned lazily. “If you hadn’t come, I would’ve taken a nap.”

“It’s still early for a midday nap, isn’t it?” Xi Fengyu flipped open the book on her table.

“I’ve been run ragged all morning—the Young Emperor came to study, and the Empress Dowager came to inspect. How could I not be exhausted?” Si Yunqin felt much more relaxed around Xi Fengyu; she didn’t have to maintain a proper posture all the time, since they both understood each other’s backgrounds and knew neither of them liked these tedious rituals.

“What did the Empress Dowager want in your palace?” Xi Fengyu asked curiously.

Si Yunqin sat up straight and ordered pastries and tea. “Nothing much—maybe just to remind me of my place.”

She sighed softly, a bit troubled. “You know I don’t want to get involved in politics.”

Si Yunqin dismissed the attendants, leaving only the two of them in the pavilion.

“But Shen Yanxin seems to want my help,” she said helplessly.

“The court is treacherous,” Xi Fengyu warned, not wanting her friend to get dragged into court struggles.

“But my father and brother are already in the court. Whether I wade into those muddy waters or not, it’s not my choice. I’m not like you—the entire Xi clan is in Dunhuang, far from this deep water,” Si Yunqin shook her head.

“Have you thought this through? This isn’t any era we know from history,” Xi Fengyu said, using a self-made ink pen to paint. She lifted her eyes to Si Yunqin. “Even knowing the course of history, do you still want to get involved?”

Si Yunqin laughed. “I haven’t thought that far ahead. Knowing history doesn’t do much good—you do your best and leave the rest to fate.”

“I’m pretty open-minded about it. Take things as they come. Besides, Shen Yanxin does seem like a wise ruler.”

Xi Fengyu looked at her, surprised. “You want to help create a female emperor in this world?”

Si Yunqin picked up a piece of pastry and put it in her mouth. “What I want doesn’t matter. It’s not my decision.”

“Of course, if Shen Yanxin doesn’t come to me, I’d be happy to just slack off in the harem for the rest of my life. Even better if she lets me leave the palace and roam free. But if she wants me to assist the Young Emperor, then no deal—that’s boring.”

“If you’re going to take such a big risk, you might as well do something earth-shattering. Either do nothing, or do something interesting,” Si Yunqin said with a smile.

“I’m afraid the Empress Dowager won’t let you off so easily—you, the famed talented woman, the Grand Tutor’s proud disciple, and the daughter of the Sikong,” Xi Fengyu teased.

“Are you gloating? Are we friends or not?” Si Yunqin complained.

Xi Fengyu laughed. “It’s fine to be like me.”

Si Yunqin leaned closer to her. “If I do wade into this mess, I’m definitely dragging you in with me. That’s what friends are for—to throw each other under the bus.”

Xi Fengyu chuckled. “I have no real talents. If possible, when the Empress gets rich and powerful, remember to let me out of the palace to travel the world. Don’t worry, I’ll send you letters about what I see, and if I’m in a good mood, I’ll paint it for you. I won’t forget your great kindness.”

Si Yunqin pouted. “Thanks, I guess.”

Eternal Peace Palace was peaceful and quiet, with two friends joking and making empty promises to each other.

Meanwhile, in the Imperial Study, Shen Yanxin had just learned that Si Yunqin’s night excursion was to Bright Palace—most likely to see Xi Fengyu.

Could those two have known each other before? Otherwise, how could they become so close after just one meeting at Consort Chen’s Flower Appreciation Banquet?

Shen Yanxin put down the memorial she was reading. Every time she thought of Si Yunqin’s leisurely life, she felt envious. That Empress was far more carefree than she, the Empress Dowager.

Still, Si Yunqin and Xi Fengyu didn’t do anything unusual—just enjoyed the flowers and drank wine. Yuwen Luo had mentioned that Si Yunqin’s arithmetic lessons were still taught by Xi Fengyu.

Vaguely, Shen Yanxin sensed that Consort Yu, who had kept to herself since entering the palace, was no ordinary person.

A few days later, the Minister of Rites and the Minister of Personnel came to see her together, having drafted a list of rewards.

Shen Yanxin reviewed it and found it acceptable, but the list did not include Si Yan or Si Yuanju.

“The Sikong drove the enemy back beyond the borders and even captured a city from Southern Qi. He should be rewarded,” Shen Yanxin reminded them.

The Minister of Personnel raised his hand and bowed. “The Sikong holds one of the Three Ministries. We request the Empress Dowager to decide.”

Shen Yanxin was silent for a moment, then nodded. “I will think about it. For now, reward the others according to this list.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

The Minister of Rites then brought up the Feast of a Hundred Officials, asking who should organize it. Given that Shen Yanxin was busy, she certainly wouldn’t handle it herself. The Ministry of Rites could manage a palace banquet.

Shen Yanxin thought for a moment. “This matter will be handled by the Empress, with the Ministry of Rites coordinating.”

“This…” The Minister of Rites hesitated. The Empress was young, and although the Feast of a Hundred Officials wasn’t a grand event, all participants were court officials—nothing could go wrong.

“Minister Kou has a different opinion?” Shen Yanxin asked coolly.

She merely glanced up, and the Minister of Rites immediately understood her intent: the feast must be handled by the Empress.

“Yes, Your Majesty. The Ministry of Rites will fully assist Her Majesty the Empress,” said the Minister of Rites, who came from a humble family and had relied on Shen Yanxin’s support to become minister.

Naturally, he stood on her side in court.

“Good.”

After the officials left, Shen Yanxin ordered Lan Xi to summon the Empress to the Imperial Study.

Si Yunqin was in the middle of drinking when she received the summons and rushed over after hastily changing clothes.

Entering the Imperial Study, she saw the woman in a dark robe seated there, holding a red brush as she reviewed memorials, her expression cold and focused.

Setting aside everything else, Si Yunqin truly admired this look—a capable, beautiful woman who was focused on her work. Who wouldn’t like that?

But that admiration only lasted until Shen Yanxin spoke.

When Si Yunqin paid her respects, Shen Yanxin put down the red brush and opened another memorial.

“Do you know why I summoned you here?” Shen Yanxin asked softly.

Si Yunqin thought to herself, “How would I know?”

“It is a blessing for Zhao that the people of Jiangnan survived the flood. The late emperor was gravely ill for many years and passed away this spring. The court has been busy, and the officials have been exhausted. They need a bit of relaxation. I intend to hold the Feast of a Hundred Officials on the first day of next month. What do you think, Empress?” Shen Yanxin rarely smiled at Si Yunqin.

Si Yunqin considered. Over the past year, there had been no real occasions for celebration at court. Even her marriage to the Young Emperor wasn’t a happy event—it was more of a farce.

“Your Majesty, in your care for the officials, this is indeed an excellent idea,” Si Yunqin replied.

“If the Empress thinks it’s excellent, then I’ll leave the organization of the feast to you,” Shen Yanxin said smoothly.

Si Yunqin: …

Oh, excellent. Excellent my foot.

“Your subject is foolish and fears she will mess up the feast. Perhaps it would be better for the Ministry of Rites to handle it,” Si Yunqin quickly tried to pass the buck.

“The Ministry of Rites will assist you. I trust the Empress,” Shen Yanxin said, the corners of her mouth lifting slightly. Watching Si Yunqin’s reluctant, displeased expression somehow made her feel pleased.

She had to give the Empress something to do, right? It wasn’t good for her to be too idle all day.

Though she said it with a smile, there was an undeniable finality in her words that Si Yunqin didn’t particularly like.

But disliking it was useless; she finally had to accept.

“Your brother followed the Sikong to fight the enemy this time, leading the charge to capture a city from Southern Qi. Though it’s not an important town, it did cut down Southern Qi’s arrogance. What reward do you think is appropriate, Empress?” Shen Yanxin asked.

Si Yunqin was losing patience. “Reporting to Your Majesty, I believe this is not a question you should ask me. Even recommending a relative requires avoiding suspicion, let alone matters of reward. It would be unfair for me to interfere, for no one would want to give their loved ones anything less than the best.”

She spoke bluntly, but Shen Yanxin wasn’t angered. She simply replied, “Then go prepare the feast.”

Si Yunqin reluctantly agreed. “Yes, Your Majesty.”

After Si Yunqin left, Shen Yanxin let out an inexplicable laugh. Quite a temper.

Well, having a temper was normal, since it seemed the Empress really wasn’t keen on doing extra work.

Back in her own palace, Si Yunqin immediately wailed to Xi Fengyu, who was still writing, pouring out her troubles.

“What is Shen Yanxin thinking? She’s already put my father and brother in important positions, and even my elder sister and brother-in-law are being promoted. Our whole family is working for her. Can’t she just let me be a slacker? Besides, isn’t she afraid the Sikong Mansion will become too powerful and threaten her?” Si Yunqin complained, lying on the table.

Xi Fengyu put down her brush, rubbed her sore wrist, and picked up the paper to blow on it. “She trusts those she employs—that’s always been her way. Besides, the Sikong is upright and straightforward. As long as it’s for Zhao, he won’t refuse. Personally, I think even if she ascends the throne and declares herself emperor one day, your father, the Sikong, might still be her supporter.”

Si Yunqin chuckled. “You’re right about that.”

“That’s why you haven’t fully rejected the Empress Dowager.”

“Yes and no.” Si Yunqin drew a random line on a blank sheet of paper, staining the clean Xuan paper with ink.

“Of course there’s more—your own dream.”

Si Yunqin didn’t deny it. “Don’t you have the same dream?”

Xi Fengyu straightened the dried papers and laid them in front of Si Yunqin. “Take a look.”

“Finally finished. I’ve been starving for books.”

Xi Fengyu put the brush and ink away. “If I could, of course I’d want to see it.”

She leaned closer to Si Yunqin and whispered, “The golden age of a female emperor. If I could witness it with my own eyes, I wouldn’t have lived in vain.”

They looked at each other and laughed in unison.

Of course, that dream wasn’t up to them—it was up to Shen Yanxin.

“Now that you’ve said that, I have to drag you onto this pirate ship,” Si Yunqin teased.

“Get on the pirate ship yourself first,” Xi Fengyu didn’t completely refuse her. After all, if she could really help, she would be glad to.

Shen Yanxin had no idea that by simply asking Si Yunqin to organize the feast, she was inspiring Si Yunqin to dream of making her a female emperor.