Chapter 42

Si Yunqin and Yuwen Qiyue were currently walking back to their palaces, while Shen Yanxin had gone from the Respectful Peace Palace to the Imperial Study to meet with court officials. Today, she had taken an unusual detour, never expecting to run into Si Yunqin and Yuwen Qiyue.

Hearing Si Yunqin’s words, Yuwen Qiyue smiled. “I thought that after everything you told me, Yunqin, you believed the Empress Dowager was a decent person.”

Si Yunqin nodded. “She really is quite good—capable, not a tyrant, and not someone who confuses right and wrong. But liking someone and thinking they’re a decent person are two different things.”

Hearing this, the corner of Shen Yanxin’s mouth curved up slightly.

Even Lan Xi, standing beside her, could sense that Shen Yanxin was in a good mood.

“I’ll go ask the Empress Dowager today whether, once the eldest son of the Wen Clan enters Heavenly Light City, we can take Sister out to see him. At the very least, you should get a look at what he looks like and what kind of person he is, right?” Si Yunqin said softly.

Yuwen Qiyue was taken aback. “But even if he isn’t a good match, I can’t refuse the marriage because of that, can I?”

“So what’s the point of looking or not looking?” Yuwen Qiyue added, somewhat dejectedly.

Si Yunqin shook her head at her. “If you don’t even try, how will you know whether it’s possible?”

That made sense, but Yuwen Qiyue still hesitated. Si Yunqin made the decision for her. “Alright, don’t worry. It won’t hurt to take a look. Besides, I’m the one who’ll go talk to the Empress Dowager, not you.”

“I need to go back to my palace and prepare something to win over the Empress Dowager. Sister, go back and rest.” Si Yunqin smiled lightly, so much so that Yuwen Qiyue couldn’t help but trust her.

“Then I’ll leave it to you, Yunqin.”

“It’s no trouble. I want to get out too—being cooped up in the palace is driving me crazy.” Si Yunqin waved goodbye to her.

Watching Si Yunqin leave, Yuwen Qiyue only then remembered she hadn’t asked why the Empress Dowager would allow them to go out. That was against palace rules.

But Si Yunqin had given her so many shocks lately that Yuwen Qiyue couldn’t process everything at once.

“Forget it, I’ll ask tomorrow.”

Once Yuwen Qiyue had also left, Shen Yanxin, who had been on another path, finally spoke. “I’m curious what she’s going to use to win me over.”

Lan Xi looked at the smile tugging at Shen Yanxin’s lips and could easily sense the Empress Dowager’s delight and anticipation.

Even the court officials who had met with Shen Yanxin that day had benefited from Si Yunqin’s influence, escaping harsh reprimands.

After seeing the officials, Shen Yanxin returned to the Respectful Peace Palace and ordered the servants to bring the memorials there as well.

Si Yunqin went back to her palace, prepared some pastries and snacks, packed them up, and headed to the Respectful Peace Palace. These were new desserts she had the chef develop. After tasting them herself, she thought they would suit Shen Yanxin’s palate, so she brought two boxes along.

By the time she arrived at the Respectful Peace Palace, Shen Yanxin had just returned and, unusually, was not reviewing memorials but reading a leisure book.

Si Yunqin suddenly wondered if Shen Yanxin didn’t find this kind of life too dull. Work after work, with hardly anyone to share her thoughts with.

It really wasn’t easy. Si Yunqin dutifully went over to pay her respects. Seeing the food box in her hand, Shen Yanxin gestured for her to sit opposite. “Sit.”

A chessboard was laid out before Shen Yanxin. Seeing it, she had a sudden whim. “The Empress is here. Perfect timing—keep me company in a game?”

Si Yunqin glanced at the board, hesitated briefly, then nodded. “Then I’ll make a fool of myself.”

“It’s fine. I was about to go find Grand Consort Yuande, but then I thought it was a bit of a walk from the Respectful Peace Palace, so I dropped the idea.” Shen Yanxin picked up a few pieces and spoke softly.

She casually glanced at Si Yunqin. Today, the Little Empress was still wearing her favorite pink dress—she really did have a preference for pink.

“The small kitchen just made some new pastries. I thought Your Majesty might like them, so I wanted to bring some over. How about we eat while we play?” Si Yunqin asked tentatively.

Shen Yanxin chuckled lightly. “Alright.”

Si Yunqin was a bit surprised that Shen Yanxin didn’t immediately ask why she had come. She certainly didn’t believe Shen Yanxin would actually think she was simply here to deliver a treat. If Shen Yanxin believed that, even she herself wouldn’t believe it.

But since Shen Yanxin didn’t bring it up, Si Yunqin didn’t mention it either. She dutifully accompanied Shen Yanxin in the game. Her chess skills weren’t outstanding, but they weren’t terrible either—she could at least keep Shen Yanxin entertained.

She had been carefully taught by the Grand Tutor earlier, and after getting to know Xi Fengyu, she found that Fengyu also liked playing chess and painting. Watching her had helped Si Yunqin improve a little.

“Your Majesty, why don’t you try one? It tastes pretty good.” Si Yunqin ate as she played, but she always felt like eating something. However, since Shen Yanxin hadn’t started, she didn’t dare eat first—damn the rules.

Sensing her thoughts, Shen Yanxin smiled, reached out, and took a pastry, taking a bite. It was indeed quite good.

Sweet but not cloying, with a faint fragrance. “The Empress’s small kitchen really knows how to make snacks.”

Si Yunqin also took one. “Right? I think so too.”

The smile never left Shen Yanxin’s lips. Si Yunqin played chess with her all afternoon, only stopping when it was almost dark.

They didn’t talk about palace affairs or politics. For once, Shen Yanxin chatted with Si Yunqin about strange tales and odd lore from all over the world. Those were topics Si Yunqin was happy to discuss.

Shen Yanxin looked at her radiant expression and, for some reason, a thought arose in her heart: she hoped Si Yunqin could always keep that smile.

Noticing Shen Yanxin staring at her, Si Yunqin blinked in confusion. “Your Majesty, why are you looking at me like that?”

Shen Yanxin wiped her mouth, then pointed at the corner of Si Yunqin’s lips. “There are crumbs.”

A look of embarrassment flickered across Si Yunqin’s face. She reached up to wipe her mouth but missed the spot.

After watching her fumble a few times, Shen Yanxin saw how clumsy she was, took out a handkerchief, and wiped it for her.

Si Yunqin was stunned. She looked at Shen Yanxin, then hurriedly thanked her.

“Stay for dinner at the Respectful Peace Palace before going back.” Shen Yanxin acted as if she hadn’t done anything unusual.

Si Yunqin actually wanted to say she wasn’t hungry—she had already eaten quite a bit.

But since Shen Yanxin had spoken, she stayed. She didn’t know whether it was Shen Yanxin who was acting strangely today or herself, but she felt that Shen Yanxin, alone in this vast palace, was truly solitary.

Though her relationship with the other Grand Consorts seemed fine, Shen Yanxin was always busy and rarely had time to visit their palaces.

Si Yunqin thought she might as well keep her company for a meal. Of course, when she saw the dishes on the table, she decided she could definitely eat.

After dinner, Shen Yanxin smiled at Si Yunqin. “Alright, now tell me—what did you come for this time?”

Si Yunqin coughed lightly, feeling a little embarrassed. It was as if she never came to see Shen Yanxin without a reason. But then she thought about it—that was pretty much true.

And Shen Yanxin never came to see her for no reason either. They were in the same boat.

“Well… the eldest son of the Wen Clan is supposed to arrive in Heavenly Light City in a few days, isn’t he?” Si Yunqin decided to come clean.

“Mm, I know. And then?”

“You asked me to help evaluate whether the eldest son of the Wen Clan is worthy. I was thinking, this is the Grand Princess’s own marriage, so she should be the one to decide. Even if others think he’s a good match, if she doesn’t like him, you can’t force a marriage. Otherwise, the rest of her life would be spent as bitter companions.” Si Yunqin was honest and spoke plainly.

Shen Yanxin nodded slightly. “That’s true.”

“Marriage has always been a matter of parental and matchmaker arrangement. The Empress is different.”

Hearing this, Si Yunqin weighed her words. She felt that Shen Yanxin certainly didn’t support the idea of blind parental arrangements—otherwise, she wouldn’t have asked Si Yunqin to help the Grand Princess make a choice.

“I don’t really agree with that kind of arrangement either. Marriage is one’s own affair. If you don’t like the person, the rest of your life is mutual torment. Of course, I do think families should be matched in status. If they aren’t, even if they end up together, a lot of problems may arise later,” Si Yunqin said frankly, without any pretense.

“That makes sense. Then we’ll do as the Empress suggests.” Shen Yanxin nodded again. “The eldest son of the Wen Clan will enter the city the day after tomorrow. You can take the Grand Princess with you.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty.” Si Yunqin didn’t show too much excitement. She performed a proper thank-you bow.

“Alright, it’s getting late. Go back.” Shen Yanxin dismissed her, and Si Yunqin obediently complied.

Just as she was about to leave, she heard Shen Yanxin tell Lan Xi to move the memorials to the bedchamber.

So pitiful—she still had to work overtime.

After Si Yunqin left, Shen Yanxin returned to her bedchamber. Lan Xi helped her remove her headpiece, and then Shen Yanxin began reviewing the memorials.

Late into the night, after finishing all the documents on her desk, Shen Yanxin stretched.

She looked up at the bright moon in the sky and thought about what Si Yunqin had said that day.

Since entering the palace, few people had spoken the truth to her, especially such genuine, heartfelt words.

Ever since she came to the palace, people would polish every sentence and beat around the bush before speaking. Over time, she herself had become the same.

But now she was used to hiding her thoughts. It was Si Yunqin’s arrival that reminded her that she hadn’t always been like this. There was still sincerity in the world, and she could interact with someone without having to scheme every moment.

The next day, Si Yunqin brought the good news to Yuwen Qiyue. Yuwen Qiyue still found it hard to believe.

She also asked Si Yunqin why the Empress Dowager would allow them to leave the palace.

“That’s a long story. Let’s not get into it. But the fact that the Empress Dowager is willing to let you secretly leave the palace to meet the eldest son of the Wen Clan shows at least that she hopes you can marry someone you truly love,” Si Yunqin said, still remembering her mission to make Yuwen Qiyue appreciate Shen Yanxin’s kindness.

She not only remembered but also worked hard at it.

Yuwen Qiyue was indeed stunned for a moment after hearing this. Then she smiled gently. “Perhaps.”

On the day the eldest son of the Wen Clan entered the city, Si Yunqin dressed up early in the morning. She once again pretended to be the cousin from the Sikong Mansion, and she also brought Xi Fengyu along.

As for Yuwen Qiyue, she obviously couldn’t pretend to be that cousin anymore. After thinking it over, Si Yunqin had her disguise herself as a man, with some modifications made to her makeup.

Xi Fengyu was skilled at painting, and with Si Yunqin brainstorming ideas, they managed to dress Yuwen Qiyue as a gentle and refined young gentleman.

As for the two of them, they didn’t wear masks. Instead, they each painted a scar on their faces—not ugly enough to be repulsive, but far from pretty.

Once they were all ready, the three of them left the palace. At that moment, the eldest son of the Wen Clan had just entered the city.