Si Yunqin spent the rest of the morning at the Palace of Grand Consort Yuande, resting for most of it. With only half a shichen left before the banquet, she reluctantly took her leave.
Grand Consort Yuande comforted her. “The capable are always busy.”
Si Yunqin put on a pitiful expression. “Then I just want to be a useless person.”
Grand Consort Yuande smiled without replying and saw her out.
After confirming there were no issues, Si Yunqin had someone invite the Grand Consorts and consorts from all the palaces. Of course, the most important guests were Shen Yanxin and the Grand Princess.
She sent people to invite them, but the imperial banquet wasn’t that extravagant.
By the time Shen Yanxin arrived, everyone else was already seated. Only the Young Emperor and the Grand Princess had yet to appear.
Si Yunqin sat in her own seat. The Young Emperor and the Empress Dowager were at the head of the table. The Grand Princess, as the guest of honor, was seated below Si Yunqin.
When the Young Emperor and the Grand Princess entered, they respectfully addressed Shen Yanxin as “Mother Empress.” Si Yunqin considered this carefully—Shen Yanxin was only two or three years older than the Grand Princess, wasn’t she?
Being called “Mother Empress” really did make Shen Yanxin seem older. But since Shen Yanxin didn’t mind, Si Yunqin certainly didn’t care either.
The banquet began. Si Yunqin exchanged a few pleasantries, then focused on eating while watching various performances. The Young Emperor sat by himself, and Shen Yanxin occasionally put some food on his plate. It looked like a scene of a loving mother and filial son.
The Grand Consorts in the palace seemed to have good relationships with the Grand Princess as well. They chatted about this and that, asking about her situation in her fief, their words full of sympathy and affection.
Apart from her opening remarks, Si Yunqin spent the rest of the time diligently eating. Unless someone addressed her directly, she absolutely refused to initiate conversation. After all, besides the consorts from the various palaces, there were also the female relatives of princes and high officials.
Although the Grand Consorts had good relations with her, during such a formal banquet, they treated her with courtesy and gave her full face.
After all, Shen Yanxin was presiding from the main seat—no one dared to be reckless.
Ever since the last time she had too much to drink and spouted nonsense at Shen Yanxin, Si Yunqin had learned her lesson. Today she didn’t touch a single drop of alcohol.
Watching the beauties of the palace dance and play music—even the musicians had lovely faces. Who didn’t enjoy looking at beautiful people?
The female relatives of the princes and ministers were all as lovely as flowers, each with their own unique charm. Si Yunqin suddenly understood the joy of an emperor.
Though she sat upright on her seat, her movements and bearing strictly following etiquette and ritual, Shen Yanxin, seated above her, could still tell that this girl’s eyes were roaming over every beauty.
She truly loved beautiful people—every pretty face was her heart’s desire.
Shen Yanxin couldn’t stand seeing her enjoy herself like this. In her daily palace life, she always avoided Shen Yanxin and wanted nothing to do with court affairs.
Among the female guests were some who had known Si Yunqin since childhood. When they met again today, many came over to greet her.
Each one addressed her as “Elder Sister” or “Younger Sister,” their faces never losing their bright smiles.
After a while, the Grand Princess also came over to toast Si Yunqin. She had been talking with Yuwen Luo earlier and learned that Si Yunqin had shown Yuwen Luo much kindness, even teaching him to read and write. As his elder sister, she was naturally grateful.
Si Yunqin hadn’t planned to drink, but since the Grand Princess had already raised her wine cup, how could she refuse? Of course she had to drink.
“I’ve heard of the Empress’s talent even outside the palace. Now that I’ve met you, I see the rumors are true. His Majesty is young, and you have taken great pains on his behalf,” the Grand Princess said.
“You flatter me, Grand Princess.” Si Yunqin held her cup with both hands and clinked it with the Grand Princess’s, a sincere smile on her face.
Her principle in dealing with others was to treat them as they treated her. Since the Grand Princess was warm, Si Yunqin responded with kind words.
After they toasted each other and chatted for a few more sentences, Si Yunqin found the conversation quite enjoyable. This Grand Princess was someone she could be friends with.
Halfway through the banquet, Shen Yanxin left her seat. The Young Emperor also left, since he was young and needed to get ready for bed early.
Throughout the entire affair, Shen Yanxin and the Grand Princess had barely exchanged a few words.
But neither had they been particularly hostile. Before leaving, Shen Yanxin instructed Si Yunqin to entertain the Grand Princess properly.
After leaving the banquet, Shen Yanxin didn’t return to the Respectful Peace Palace. Instead, she went to the Imperial Study.
A large pile of memorials still sat on the desk. The conflict between Zhao and Southern Yue had begun—the outbreak of war naturally brought a multitude of affairs.
There was a crowd of war opponents at court, claiming that the kingdom should focus on recuperation rather than launching a war.
Shen Yanxin had already overruled a group of them during this morning’s court session.
At this point, it wasn’t about whether Zhao would start a war. It was about Southern Yue’s provocation. If even a small kingdom like Southern Yue were tolerated, then the southern kingdoms would only grow more contemptuous of Zhao in the future.
Great Zhao had unified the Central Plains, but had not subdued all the southern kingdoms. In the later years of the chaotic wars that swept the land, the Central Plains had few troops left, its population depleted. In contrast, the southern kingdoms had fared better through recuperation.
Moreover, the northern nomadic tribes were eyeing them hungrily. Recuperation was a necessity. The previous emperor had spent more than twenty years on the throne focusing most of his energy on pacifying internal rebels.
Now Southern Yue had become the thorn. If Zhao couldn’t subdue them, more southern kingdoms would follow in their provocations. They might not be able to destroy Zhao, but they could continuously extract benefits from it.
Once a reputation of weakness took root, there would be no end to it.
But once war began, many problems came to light. Shen Yanxin had summoned Yuwen Qiyue back to the palace precisely to prevent any troublemakers from approaching her.
Yuwen Qiyue might not harbor rebellious intentions, but it would be unfortunate if she were manipulated.
Si Yunqin accompanied the female guests until the banquet ended. Her route back to the Eternal Peace Palace overlapped with the Grand Princess’s for a stretch, so they walked together.
The Grand Princess had drunk some wine and seemed more talkative. Si Yunqin didn’t bring up sensitive topics, only chatting about interesting matters.
After they parted, Si Yunqin returned directly to her palace. But on the way back, she passed by the hall that housed the Imperial Study, which was still brightly lit.
Si Yunqin casually asked, “Is the Empress Dowager in the Imperial Study?”
“Yes, Your Highness. Her Majesty went directly to the Imperial Study after leaving the banquet,” Lin Feng replied truthfully.
Si Yunqin sighed inwardly. Being Empress Dowager was truly not easy.
With the Southern Yue war ongoing, she didn’t know how her Third Brother was doing. She couldn’t leave the palace recently, and she didn’t dare to send someone home to inquire. It also felt inappropriate to directly ask Shen Yanxin.
Si Yunqin sighed again and thought about her brother-in-law, Yun Yi, who served as a palace guard. Perhaps she could go find him tomorrow.
Earlier, to avoid suspicion, she had never sought out Yun Yi since entering the palace. After all, Si Yan held a position among the Three Ministries—his status was sensitive. As the Empress, she was under intense scrutiny upon first entering the palace. In the inner court, she moved with ease and no one paid her much attention, but if she had any connection to the outer court, far more people would watch her.
It wasn’t even that she had interfered in court affairs—just getting close to the Emperor or leaving the palace would draw people’s notice.
Ah, everyone had so many schemes, each with eight hundred schemes of their own.
The next day, Si Yunqin went to find Yun Yi and asked about her family’s situation. She learned that her Third Brother still had no news, nor had his entire troop been seen—as if they had vanished completely.
“Perhaps they got lost in the mountains. The Hundred Thousand Mountains of Southern Yue have treacherous miasmas that make it very easy to lose one’s way. Yuanyou might have fallen into them when he led the pursuit,” Yun Yi sighed, his face showing distress.
“Third Brother must still be alive,” Si Yunqin said firmly.
Yun Yi nodded. “It’s alright. Don’t worry too much. The court has already sent reinforcements. The battle situation is in our favor as well. Southern Yue will be defeated sooner or later.”
Si Yunqin acknowledged this. Since she was a consort and he a guard, they couldn’t stay alone together for long. After getting her family’s news, she returned to the palace.
Once back, she had no heart for anything else. She thought over and over again, then took out a map to examine the situation. This war should be winnable for Zhao.
In terms of troop strength, provisions, and generals, Great Zhao was stronger than Southern Yue. But since she wasn’t on the battlefield, she didn’t know the exact situation.
She also didn’t have a detailed understanding of the reinforcements Yun Yi mentioned.
In the end, she gave up. Fretting over it here was useless.
Instead, she called Xi Fengyu to accompany her to the Training Ground to practice her skills.
When Shen Yanxin learned that Si Yunqin had met with Yun Yi, she didn’t ask many questions. She likely guessed that Si Yunqin was simply worried about her brother.
In the afternoon, Shen Yanxin had Lan Xi summon Si Yunqin.
At first, Si Yunqin didn’t understand why she was being called, until Shen Yanxin asked, “Worried about your Third Brother?”
Si Yunqin honestly nodded in response.
“Search parties have already been sent out, and reinforcements have arrived,” Shen Yanxin said in a calm tone, as if to reassure Si Yunqin. It took at least three days for a message to travel from the front lines of the Southern Yue conflict to Heavenly Light City—three days’ delay. That was all Shen Yanxin knew.
“Thank you, Empress Dowager,” Si Yunqin said respectfully.
“There’s no need to thank me. Whether for public or private reasons, your Third Brother must be rescued,” Shen Yanxin stated bluntly.
Si Yunqin understood and didn’t dwell on it.
“War with Southern Yue is unavoidable. Do you understand, Empress?” Shen Yanxin said lightly.
Si Yunqin nodded. “I don’t believe war is wrong. Southern Yue provoked us by attacking our city and capturing our people. If Zhao does not retaliate or care, then the southern kingdoms will only push further. They’ll take one city today, two tomorrow. If Zhao weakens, chaos will engulf the realm again. That is not what I wish to see.”
Shen Yanxin rarely smiled. “The Empress is truly sensible. Far more insightful than those stubborn old ministers at court.”
Si Yunqin smiled. “That’s because whether we go to war or not, I have nothing to lose. Perhaps those ministers have something to lose.”
Shen Yanxin’s eyes sharpened as she gazed at Si Yunqin. “Do you truly think so?”
“All the world bustles with activity for profit.”
“Didn’t you argue against war that day?” Shen Yanxin asked.
Si Yunqin had been about to drink some tea, but at Shen Yanxin’s question, she set down her cup. “That was different. You have to look at things with a developing perspective. Right now, we shouldn’t actively seek trouble. But if someone else stirs up trouble, we can’t hide. Otherwise, everyone in the world will think we’re easy to bully.”
“They’ll think they can’t kill you but can still scare you?”
Hearing this, Shen Yanxin let out a soft laugh. “You certainly have a way with words.”
“That’s just how it is. The words may be plain, but the reasoning isn’t crude.”
“If we don’t strike back at Southern Yue today, tomorrow it’ll be Northern Yue coming to loot and run, making faces at us, telling the whole world we’re useless.”
“Sensible,” Shen Yanxin nodded.
“My elder brother has always wished to fight on the battlefield and defend our homeland. But now he’s missing. My worry is only human nature, and I hope the Empress Dowager understands,” Si Yunqin said softly, almost imploring.
Shen Yanxin inclined her head. “I understand.”
“In that case, Empress, help me examine how these provisions should be dispatched?” In the court, everyone had their own interests, and most spoke on behalf of their own people. Shen Yanxin wanted to hear Si Yunqin’s opinion.
At least for now, Si Yunqin only cared about her family’s safety, without getting involved in any factional struggles. She was still relatively neutral.
When Si Yunqin heard this, the dessert she was about to bring to her lips no longer tasted sweet.
She looked at Shen Yanxin with mournful eyes. “Is that appropriate?”
Shen Yanxin personally placed the memorial before her. “I say it’s appropriate. Who dares to say otherwise? This concerns your brother’s safety.”
All right. When the words had been said to this extent, any further complaint would make her ungrateful.
