Chapter 35

That day, Grand Consort Yuande sent word inviting her to the palace for tea. Since official business had piled up over the past few days, Si Yunqin needed to attend to it anyway. After finishing the backlog, she headed straight to meet Grand Consort Yuande.

Although she had entrusted most palace affairs to Consort Chen, with the lower staff dividing the work, many matters still required her personal perusal. By the time she finished reviewing them, it was already noon.

After her afternoon nap, she dealt with the remaining items, then finally had some time to rest.

When she arrived at the palace gate, she saw Xi Fengyu approaching as well. Si Yunqin walked over to her. “You came too?”

Xi Fengyu nodded slightly and offered a salute. “Greetings, Empress.”

The palace had its rules, and they still needed to be observed. Si Yunqin put on a proper air and bid her rise, then they entered together.

Once inside the gate, Grand Consort Yuande’s senior palace maid came to greet them. “Her Highness is awaiting the two ladies in the side hall.”

Si Yunqin was already very familiar with Grand Consort Yuande’s residence; the side hall was a common place for receiving guests, so that was nothing unusual.

But when she walked in and saw Shen Yanxin, Si Yunqin found that quite surprising.

She was curious about why Shen Yanxin had come, but on the surface she still bowed respectfully. “Your subject pays respects to the Empress Dowager and the Grand Consort.”

Xi Fengyu, a step behind her, also bowed with proper ceremony.

Although she was a consort of the late emperor, her rank was not high and she had not been honorarily elevated to the title of Grand Consort, so her status could not compare with Si Yunqin’s.

Even though Si Yunqin felt that such hierarchical distinctions shouldn’t exist, since she couldn’t abolish them, she had to obey honestly.

Shen Yanxin looked at the two women before her—seemingly refined, well-mannered, and dignified. Who would have thought that on that drunken night, the two of them had secretly pointed at her and chattered boldly?

“No need for formalities. Since you’re here, please sit. I brought some fine tea, and I heard that Consort Yu is a connoisseur. Since you and the Empress are close, I thought we could all taste this new tea together. I’ve heard it’s a tribute from Southern Yue.”

On hearing the words “Southern Yue,” Si Yunqin looked up at Shen Yanxin in slight confusion. “Southern Yue?”

“Mm. It’s spring tea offered as tribute before the war began. The tea from Southern Yue is good,” Shen Yanxin said calmly.

Si Yunqin gave a light laugh. “And the land itself—isn’t it good as well?”

Shen Yanxin picked up her teacup and gently blew on it. “Of course it is.”

Grand Consort Yuande listened to them chatting; she felt there was some secret between the Empress and the Empress Dowager.

Xi Fengyu sat quietly beside them, only drinking tea and speaking little.

After enjoying tea for a while, Grand Consort Yuande half-jokingly said, “Drinking tea alone is rather dull. How about we summon some musicians and dancers?”

Si Yunqin nodded; she had no objection, and Xi Fengyu had even less.

But Shen Yanxin let out an inexplicable laugh. “I’m afraid the Empress and Consort Yu find such things far too boring. I’ve heard that mahjong is all the rage in the palace now—and that it was invented by the two of you?”

Xi Fengyu met Shen Yanxin’s gaze. Unlike Si Yunqin, who had grown used to Shen Yanxin’s scrutiny, she was not yet accustomed to it.

Under Shen Yanxin’s eyes, Xi Fengyu lowered her head slightly. “Yes, Your Highness.”

Si Yunqin didn’t know why she was asking either, so she didn’t interject, waiting for Shen Yanxin to continue.

“Then how about we play together? Sister Yuande knows how as well, doesn’t she?” Shen Yanxin’s attitude toward Grand Consort Yuande was quite amicable. The late emperor’s harem seemed different from what she had imagined.

There was no scheming or infighting; instead, everyone respected one another.

Shen Yanxin was similarly friendly toward Grand Consort Yuande, Grand Consort Xi, and Grand Consort Shu.

Grand Consort Yuande, asked by Shen Yanxin, nodded gently. “I know a little.”

Shen Yanxin smiled and turned to Si Yunqin and Xi Fengyu. “Then why don’t you teach me?”

Could Si Yunqin and Xi Fengyu say no? Of course not.

As she sat down at the mahjong table, Si Yunqin still found it unbelievable. She had always thought Shen Yanxin was quite a serious person; she never imagined she would have the leisure to play mahjong with her.

Shen Yanxin had played once before with the palace consorts, so she picked it up quickly. At first, Si Yunqin and Xi Fengyu were a little cautious, but once the game got going, they threw caution to the wind.

They did whatever they wanted, holding nothing back—on the mahjong table, there was no sentiment.

At first, Shen Yanxin won. Si Yunqin frowned and said to Xi Fengyu with a serious face, “Beginner’s luck.”

Then, when her luck ran out and Si Yunqin started winning, she declared, “Mahjong is all about skill.”

Xi Fengyu chuckled. “Indeed.”

They played until evening. Grand Consort Yuande suggested they dine together, and Shen Yanxin didn’t refuse.

After dinner, Shen Yanxin seemed to suddenly remember something.

“The reform that the Empress mentioned to me that day—I have sorted it out with the Grand Tutor. I wonder if the Empress would be interested in reviewing it together?” Shen Yanxin smiled at Si Yunqin.

Si Yunqin instantly felt that the meal she had just eaten had turned tasteless. So this was what Shen Yanxin had been waiting for?

She touched her nose sheepishly. Before she could reply, she heard Shen Yanxin speak again. “I’ve heard that Consort Yu and the Empress studied under the same master, so she must understand it as well. Why don’t you both take a look?”

From her calm, flat tone, Si Yunqin knew that Shen Yanxin wasn’t asking for their consent.

“Yes, Your Highness.” A wise man submits to circumstances; one of Si Yunqin’s life principles was to never be the bird that sticks its head out.

Since Si Yunqin agreed, Xi Fengyu had no reason to refuse.

Shen Yanxin nodded in satisfaction, said a few words to Grand Consort Yuande, and led the two away.

Grand Consort Yuande watched the pair following behind Shen Yanxin and smiled to herself for no reason. Once Shen Yanxin set her sights on someone, there was no escape. The little empress was destined to work hard.

They went straight to the Imperial Study. By then, it was getting late, and lanterns were lit throughout the palace. Though it wasn’t as bright as day, it was still well illuminated.

Shen Yanxin sat in the main seat, and the aura around her instantly seemed different.

She handed the collated scrolls to Si Yunqin.

Si Yunqin and Xi Fengyu huddled together to read the contents. The more they read, the more astonished they became.

Xi Fengyu gently poked Si Yunqin. “Exactly how much did you say?”

Si Yunqin pulled a long face. “How would I know? I told you I drank too much.”

Shen Yanxin sat on the imperial seat, holding a memorial in her hand, looking completely absorbed.

But the two were whispering; she couldn’t hear clearly, but from their expressions, they seemed to be arguing about something.

Xi Fengyu poked Si Yunqin in the waist. “Quit drinking. You have to quit.”

Si Yunqin nodded pitifully. “All right, don’t be mad.”

Shen Yanxin heard this part.

A faint smile tugged at the corner of her mouth—a nearly imperceptible hint of amusement flashed across her face.

“What do we do now?” Xi Fengyu asked Si Yunqin.

Si Yunqin looked miserable. “What can we do? We drank at night, we talked that same night. If we play dumb now, we’ll be dead by tonight.”

Xi Fengyu let out a deep sigh as well, and they both began to read seriously.

“Let me say this first: I don’t know much about history—just high school level. You’ll have to do the heavy lifting yourself, Empress.” Xi Fengyu smiled.

Si Yunqin sighed deeply. She had dug this hole herself.

Shen Yanxin didn’t rush them. She waited as the two whispered for a long time. In the end, they decided to offer a few suggestions to Shen Yanxin and leave the rest to her own maneuvering.

After hearing their opinions, Shen Yanxin nodded slightly. Lan Xi, standing by, recorded everything.

“The Empress and Consort Yu have worked hard. Let’s stop here for today. Another day, I’ll invite the Vice Minister of Personnel to discuss this with the two of you.” Shen Yanxin smiled.

Si Yunqin quickly bowed. “Your subject’s abilities are limited; I dare not involve myself in court affairs.”

Xi Fengyu also tried to decline. If they actually had to discuss this with the Ministry of Personnel, the nature would be completely different.

“Your Highness, this matter requires thorough preparation; we cannot act rashly.” Xi Fengyu kept her head down, her voice gentle but without any sign of fear.

Si Yunqin took over the conversation. “Reforming the selection of officials is not something that can be done overnight. It must be handled cautiously and slowly. If we push it forward now, the aristocratic clans will certainly not allow it. Your Highness will also find it hard to explain to the scholars and court officials.”

“The matter I previously proposed—expanding official schools—should be carried out first. Only when there are suitable people under Heaven can the subsequent policies be implemented. Furthermore, this matter requires careful deliberation. Your subject and my senior sister need more discussion. It concerns the foundation of the state; we dare not act rashly.”

If Shen Yanxin were the emperor, she could use harsh measures. But she was only an empress dowager ruling from behind the curtain. Too many eyes were watching her. Behind her, aside from the Shen family far away at the border, there was no stronger support. Si Yunqin couldn’t think of a better way to rein in the aristocratic clans at the moment; she truly dared not speak carelessly.

The young emperor was still a child. The Yuwen clan, eyeing the throne, would be only too happy to see Shen Yanxin lose the people’s support, so they could control the emperor and command the nobles, or even replace the young emperor.

Si Yunqin admitted that she hadn’t studied history thoroughly enough to boast about knowing the past and present.

But having been born into the Sikong mansion—with a father who held a high position in the Three Ministries, a mother who knew how to read the times, an elder sister married into the Yun family, and a promising older brother—she understood at least a little about the court dynamics.

She knew how difficult Shen Yanxin’s seemingly glorious position was. She did support Shen Yanxin to some extent, and naturally didn’t want to see her struggle, nor did she want the Si family to suffer.

When Shen Yanxin heard their advice, instead of frowning, she smiled. “All right, then we’ll follow what you’ve said and discuss it slowly. Go back and rest.”

Si Yunqin breathed a sigh of relief. At least she was willing to listen.

The worst would be someone who refused to listen.

After they left, Lan Xi handed over the recorded memorial.

“The Empress doesn’t like trouble. Will Your Highness really let her off?” Lan Xi could also see the talents of Si Yunqin and Xi Fengyu, and understood Shen Yanxin’s desire to treasure such people.

Shen Yanxin smiled. “What the two of them said today shows they can be used by me. They have ability and foresight; they won’t waver in their stance just because of one word from me. Such people are hard to find.”

It also showed that Si Yunqin and Xi Fengyu cared about her and Yuwen Luo’s wellbeing. But she didn’t say that part to Lan Xi.

As for whether they cared for the sake of their families or for themselves, that wasn’t important. What mattered was that they had people and things in their hearts—only then could cooperation work.

Si Yunqin thought that from now on she would just rest in the palace, pay visits, play mahjong, practice swordsmanship, and read some storybooks.

She hadn’t expected Shen Yanxin’s summons to come so quickly.

The very next day, while she was still at the training ground, she received an oral decree from the Empress Dowager: she was to be responsible for the arrangements to welcome the Grand Princess back to the palace.

The Grand Princess was naturally Yuwen Luo’s elder sister. Before the late emperor died, he had granted her a fief. As soon as he passed, she left for her fief. After several months, why was she suddenly returning?

“But I’ve heard that the Grand Princess is also a refined and elegant person. It wouldn’t hurt to meet her.” Si Yunqin spoke lazily.

Xi Fengyu wiped away her sweat and sheathed her sword. “You’d better focus on the welcome arrangements. This is the Grand Princess’s first return to the palace. If anything is not properly prepared, you might give people something to gossip about.”

Hearing her gloating tone, Si Yunqin pulled a small, distressed face and let out a long sigh. “A life of toil.”

Then she muttered under her breath, “Shen Yanxin definitely can’t stand to see me idle.”

Xi Fengyu glanced at her but couldn’t help laughing.