Chapter 30

The Imperial Examination was far more interesting to watch than the written exam, and of course, it provided plenty of entertainment. Many of the speeches had Si Yunqin laughing to herself.

The Young Emperor sat on the Dragon Throne, fiddling with his Luban Lock, while Si Yunqin enjoyed herself listening.

There were those with genuine talent and learning, and others who could only write essays but couldn’t express themselves clearly in speech.

Today, Si Yunqin was just there to watch the fun and that was all. After all, such matters were none of her business.

When Yan Yusheng came up, Si Yunqin saw that she was dressed in a long gown today, looking a bit shabby compared to the many aristocratic youths. Yet her attitude was calm, neither servile nor arrogant.

Shen Yanxin also noticed her. Setting aside everything else, the literary bearing of this person was quite good.

Because Si Yunqin had mentioned her, Shen Yanxin asked a few more questions. Yan Yusheng answered fluently. Shen Yanxin then casually brought up the trade with the Western Regions, and Yan Yusheng responded logically and methodically.

Si Yunqin watched from the side. Although Shen Yanxin still wore a cold expression, she was clearly satisfied with Yan Yusheng.

After the Imperial Examination ended, it was time for the noon meal. Shen Yanxin suggested they eat together, so Si Yunqin followed along.

Three days later, the results of the Imperial Examination were announced. On the day the results came out, Si Yunqin happened to be outside the palace having fun.

Si Yunqin even specially set up a table and invited Yan Yusheng over to celebrate with her.

By now, most of the literati in Heavenly Light City knew that the two young ladies of the Sikong Mansion possessed talent no less than Si Yunqin’s.

For a time, the people of Heavenly Light City’s impression of the Sikong Mansion changed greatly.

Many even came directly to propose marriage, which scared Si Yan half to death.

He even said that if Si Yunqin was going out, why didn’t she dress as a man?

Si Yunqin cracked melon seeds unconcernedly. “I was born a woman, so why should I pretend to be a man?”

She didn’t like men, and she didn’t like men’s clothing either. The women’s clothing of this era incorporated many elements of Hu attire. There were plenty of outfits that were easy to move in, so there was no need to dress as a man at all.

“Get the matter the Empress Dowager assigned you done quickly. Don’t keep leaving the palace. It’s against the rules,” Si Yan scolded Si Yunqin.

Si Yunqin took the pastries that Si Xiaoyu had brought her. “Father, you’re being pedantic and old-fashioned. The Empress Dowager hasn’t said anything, so why are you in such a hurry? I will naturally do my best to complete the task the Empress Dowager entrusted to me. Otherwise, if she urges me, I won’t be able to deliver. This daughter knows that clearly, so there’s no need for you to worry so much.”

“How can you just finish scolding those civil officials in court for being too pedantic, and then turn around and expect your daughter to abide by the Three Obediences and Four Virtues? That’s not right, is it?” Si Yunqin fired back one question after another.

Si Yan glared at her in exasperation. “When did I ever ask you to observe the Three Obediences and Four Virtues? But after all, this is your position. If people find out you’re outside the palace every day, it might cause trouble.”

“I’m just the Empress Dowager’s eyes and ears outside the palace. After all, how can someone who lives deep in the palace know the people’s conditions?” Si Yunqin defended herself.

“Stop spouting nonsense to me with that. If you want to observe the people’s conditions, why don’t you go to the prefectures and counties? Under the Son of Heaven’s feet, in this grand Imperial City, how miserable can the common people possibly be?” Si Yan gave her a smack in annoyance. “Stop tricking the Empress Dowager day after day. The Empress Dowager is not as simple as you think.”

Si Yunqin smiled. “Father, your daughter knows her limits. If the Empress Dowager were simple, Father wouldn’t have chosen to side with her, right?”

Si Yan was hit right on the mark by his daughter. Finally, he sighed. “If your two elder brothers could see things as clearly as you and your sister, I wouldn’t have to worry.”

“Elder Brothers have their own lives and thoughts. Father doesn’t need to be too anxious,” Si Yunqin said calmly.

After finishing her conversation with Si Yan, Si Yunqin ate the last piece of pastry. “Aunt’s birthday is coming soon. Why don’t you think about what to give her?”

As soon as she brought this up, Si Yan’s head started aching again. “Quick, help your father think.”

Si Yunqin laughed but didn’t take on the task. “You think about it yourself. I haven’t even figured it out yet.”

With that, she dragged Xi Fengyu off to the Yun Residence. As soon as she arrived, she saw Yun Yi and Si Xiaoyu leading horses, seeming ready to go out.

“Elder Sister, Brother-in-law, where are you off to?” Si Yunqin asked curiously.

“My mother went to the temple outside the city to burn incense yesterday. Xiao Yu and I were busy yesterday, so we’re free today to go together. Tomorrow we can bring Mother back. The area near the temple is also good for hunting. Yunqin, do you want to come along?” Yun Yi asked.

Si Yunqin thought about it. She wanted to go, but Shen Yanxin didn’t allow her to stay out overnight.

But she really hadn’t been hunting in so long, and her hands itched. “How about you send someone back to the palace to report?”

Si Yunqin said quietly to Yan Ke.

Yan Ke looked at her. “I’m afraid that’s not appropriate.”

“It’s fine. If the Empress Dowager blames you, just say I wouldn’t listen to advice.” Si Yunqin really wanted to go outside the city to have fun.

After she told Xi Fengyu, Xi Fengyu said she had too much nerve. Si Yunqin asked her, “Don’t you want to go?”

Xi Fengyu honestly nodded. “Of course I want to.”

“Then it’s settled. Let’s go together. Anyway, Shen Yanxin already misunderstands our relationship,” Si Yunqin said carelessly.

“What relationship?” Xi Fengyu didn’t catch on at first.

Si Yunqin cleared her throat. “That kind of relationship.”

Xi Fengyu understood now. “How do you know she misunderstands? Even though she might have seen it at the Lake Heart Pavilion that day and there was a misunderstanding, it’s not certain.”

“Aunt Lan Xi warned me to be more restrained in the palace. Although the Empress Dowager doesn’t mind, rumors spread easily in the palace. If they spread too much, it’s bad for both of us.” Si Yunqin found it funny just thinking about it.

Xi Fengyu smiled and shook her head. “Forget it. As long as you don’t mind, I don’t mind anyway.”

After all, the love of her life was someone she would probably never see again in this life.

“I don’t mind. What’s there to mind? I just think Shen Yanxin has quite an imagination,” Si Yunqin said with a smile.

In the end, the two decided to follow Yun Yi and Si Xiaoyu to the temple outside the city.

Xi Fengyu knew how to ride. After all, she was the daughter of the Dunhuang Prefect, and she had grown up riding and shooting arrows as a child.

Galloping with Si Yunqin on the official road outside the city, Xi Fengyu felt she hadn’t been this free in a long time.

Along the way, the chirping of insects and birds, and the lush green mountains, all looked so beautiful.

Since she had been appointed as a consort by the Late Emperor, Xi Fengyu had never felt this carefree. Now, even the weeds by the roadside seemed extraordinarily beautiful, more beautiful than the colorful flowers in the palace.

What her eyes could see were green mountains and clear waters, not artificial rockeries and gardens.

A daughter who grew up galloping on horseback ultimately preferred the freedom outside the palace.

Arriving outside the temple, the four dismounted. A young monk from the temple came to help lead the horses. Yun family servants greeted them at the door and led the four to offer incense and pay respects to Lady Yun. After greeting the elder, Yun Yi led Si Xiaoyu and the others to go hunting.

Si Yunqin hadn’t hunted in a long time. Once she got addicted, she forgot the time. When she came to her senses, it was almost dark.

She shot an arrow and hit a rabbit. Si Yunqin dismounted to go pick it up.

Xi Fengyu followed behind her. “It’s getting dark. Do you remember where you shot it?”

Si Yunqin only remembered the general direction. “Over there, let’s go look.”

But perhaps because it was dark and hard to find, the two of them searched everywhere for quite a while without finding it.

In the end, Yan Ke came over and helped find it.

They had hunted three rabbits in total. Si Yunqin carried them back to her horse. The temple didn’t allow killing living creatures, so they certainly couldn’t bring them inside. Instead, they set up camp outside. The temple wasn’t far away. When the two returned, the Yun family servants had already set up the tent and started a fire.

Si Xiaoyu saw them come back. “If you hadn’t come back soon, I was going to send people to look for you. If you got lost, I wouldn’t be able to answer for it.”

“I’ve been coming to this place since I was little. How could I get lost? Here, what do you think about taking it back to make spicy rabbit?”

“No need to take it back. Mother’s cook came along, and he knows how to make it,” Yun Yi laughed.

Si Yunqin laughed. “That’s great.”

Xi Fengyu had also hunted a rabbit today. Si Yunqin said she didn’t expect her archery skills hadn’t declined.

But Xi Fengyu herself knew clearly. She hadn’t practiced in a long time, and the strength in her arms wasn’t as great as before. She could only use the bow with the least power.

The group roasted and ate meat by the fire, got themselves some wine, and felt perfectly at ease.

Si Yunqin had a bit of wine and felt dizzy. After eating her fill, she lay down in the tent. The Yun family servants kept watch outside.

Xi Fengyu’s tolerance for alcohol was also ordinary. After eating and drinking her fill, she felt sleepy.

Although Si Yunqin was dizzy, she was very excited. Si Xiaoyu knew her well—when she drank too much, she got hyper.

Yun Yi didn’t drink much because Si Xiaoyu controlled him. He hadn’t wanted to let Si Yunqin drink much either, but unfortunately, the wine was strong, and they had underestimated it.

Si Yunqin dragged them into playing rock-paper-scissors. Finally, she let them off only when Yun Yi got sleepy.

But after sleeping a while, Si Yunqin was suddenly woken by noise outside. She walked out groggily and vaguely saw many people holding torches, and quite a crowd.

The person at the front looked a bit familiar. She squinted at them for a long time but couldn’t remember.

Xi Fengyu was also woken up. She stepped out of the tent. Si Yunqin hooked her arm around Xi Fengyu’s shoulder and asked, “Doesn’t that person look a bit familiar?”

Hearing her question, Xi Fengyu also nodded. “Familiar.”

As the person came closer, Si Yunqin leaned her head on Xi Fengyu’s shoulder. “Quite good-looking. A cold and aloof beauty. My type. Does Sister like girls?”

Shen Yanxin heard from Yan Ke that the Yun family had gone hunting and set up camp here. She had planned to come by for a look.

She never expected to dismount her horse and immediately hear the drunk Si Yunqin and Xi Fengyu, along with her drunken nonsense.

Hearing what Si Yunqin said, Xi Fengyu also muttered quietly, “So this is your type.”

Si Yunqin turned to look at her. “Hehe, I like girls like you too.”

Xi Fengyu pushed her head away. “Stop it.”

“Really looks familiar. Have we really met before, this beautiful sister?” Si Yunqin muttered again quietly.

Si Xiaoyu and Yun Yi, who had just come out of the tent, were scared sober by her words.

How could you not find her familiar? This was the Empress Dowager.

Si Xiaoyu’s forehead started sweating cold sweat. She knew well what her sister was like when drunk. She had thought there was no one else around, and they couldn’t be this unrestrained in the palace, so since they had a rare chance to go out, she hadn’t stopped her too much.

She never expected this.

But Shen Yanxin listened to Si Yunqin’s words without getting angry. She just curled her lips slightly. The Empress seemed to like quite a few people. She even had reason to suspect that the Empress liked anyone who was good-looking.