Shen Yanxin was making bold reforms in the imperial court, pioneering new systems, while Si Yunqin was lying flat in the harem, slacking off and playing mahjong.
From time to time, she would take Yuwen Qiyue, Zhu Jing’an, and the others out to have fun. Not only did they go to Fragrant Pavilion, but she also went to gatherings with the noble ladies of Heavenly Light City under the guise of being a cousin from the Sikong Mansion, playing pitch-pot games and going on spring outings.
She was living quite the comfortable life—so comfortable that even Shen Yanxin grew envious.
But that wasn’t the worst part. The worst was that no sooner had Shen Yanxin’s Imperial Examination Reform begun than the Imperial Loyalist Faction started contacting Yuwen Qiyue and Si Yunqin. Given the good impression Si Yunqin had built up before, the Loyalists believed she was someone worth courting.
Si Yunqin rarely visited Respectful Peace Palace, but it was late autumn, and the nights were still a bit cold. Shen Yanxin didn’t want to catch a chill by moving around at night, so lately, all the memorials had been sent to Respectful Peace Palace.
She watched as Si Yunqin, like a little hamster, kept eating nonstop while vividly describing how the Loyalists had approached her.
“In short, the gist of it is this: If the Empress Dowager keeps a tight grip on the court, I have no future, the Grand Princess has no future, the Emperor has no future, and Great Zhao is doomed.”
“They also said that the Empress Dowager would definitely support her own maternal family, and that the Sikong Mansion is ultimately just a different surname—a chess piece. If their power grows too great, she would become suspicious. Once the rabbits are killed, the hounds are stewed; once the birds are gone, the bow is put away. A person must learn to leave themselves a way out. They said the Sikong is muddle-headed, but I mustn’t be. Then they told me to look at how my third brother had rendered outstanding service but received no reward—his official rank wasn’t even given a special promotion.” After saying this, Si Yunqin smacked her lips.
“What’s a title compared to money in hand? If things really go south in the court, I’ll just roll up my money, pack my bags, and roam the world freely. Anyway, my third brother doesn’t like the court either.”
Shen Yanxin listened to her, her gaze falling on the plate in front of her. She looked at Si Yunqin’s little face and felt that the girl had put on some weight since the last time she saw her.
“These people also contacted the Grand Princess, but she’s already wised up and knows that their so-called Imperial Loyalist Faction is just trying to hold the emperor hostage to command the nobles.” Si Yunqin continued to chatter away.
But Shen Yanxin’s focus somehow wandered off: “Hold the emperor hostage to command the nobles? That’s a well-turned phrase.”
Si Yunqin almost choked. She’d forgotten that no such allusion existed in this world.
“That’s not important. What matters is that they don’t want you to implement the Imperial Examination System.”
“They’re all small landowners—not as strong as the aristocratic clans, but far more powerful than commoners. The late emperor propped them up. If I open up the examinations and elevate truly humble families, they’ll feel their interests are threatened, so of course they oppose it.” Shen Yanxin said lightly.
Si Yunqin nodded, wiped her mouth seriously, and said, “Exactly. So they want me to convince my father to oppose the reforms.”
“Or to abolish the Military Examinations, claiming that the military officers in this dynasty have too high a status, which is detrimental to the state.” Si Yunqin clicked her tongue. “Actually, it’s not entirely unreasonable.”
“They almost had me convinced.” Si Yunqin laughed.
But Shen Yanxin spoke up: “The military officers in this dynasty do have a high status, and they hold military power. They check each other for now, but once the emperor loses the trust of the people, it’s only a matter of time before chaos erupts under heaven.”
Si Yunqin nodded. “You want to take back the military power?”
Shen Yanxin smiled and shook her head. “No. Not for now, and I can’t anyway.”
Si Yunqin began to understand why feudal emperors always had to promote the idea of loyalty to the sovereign and serving the state—it was a form of restraint. After all, if civil officials dominated like in the Song Dynasty, no one could rebel, but external threats would be hard to handle. If military officers were too strong, they would be constrained by the court officials. This was an inevitable flaw of the system, no way around it.
“Right now, the military power is mostly in my hands. Even Prince Han can’t rebel. If I don’t take this chance to weaken the noble clans, once I step down later, Luo’er will have even less power. Then she’ll be constrained by both the noble clans and powerful ministers, and things will be even harder.” Shen Yanxin said calmly.
“True.” Si Yunqin wiped her hands. “Anyway, I’m still dragging things out with them. No substantial action yet. I’ll let you know when there is. These people might also become aids for Prince Han, so be careful yourself.”
“Just wait for me to go deep undercover.” After saying that, Si Yunqin stretched. “Alright, that’s the end of today’s meeting.”
“What’s the rush to go on such a late night?” Shen Yanxin asked half-heartedly.
“I’m going out of the city tomorrow with Elder Sister Xue to visit the temple fair, so I need to sleep early.” Si Yunqin said with a grin.
Shen Yanxin waved her hand. “Go on.”
She kept hanging around in front of her, almost making Shen Yanxin want to grab her and put her to work.
Si Yunqin quickly slipped away without lingering a moment longer.
Shen Yanxin pushed forward the Imperial Examination Reform in Great Zhao. There was strong opposition in the court, but outside the court, the response was overwhelmingly positive—especially from the common people.
To be fair, Shen Yanxin really had some skills. Within half a month, the decree had been issued nationwide, and the opponents couldn’t do anything about it. In fact, she even used the opportunity to dismiss some people.
As a result, the number of people visiting Si Yunqin’s palace at night increased. Annoyed by the constant interruptions, Si Yunqin had no choice but to agree to cooperate and promised to help persuade her father. She had dragged it out from summer to winter, so it was time to give an answer.
Just as early winter arrived, Si Yunqin was still in Yuwen Qiyue’s palace warming herself by the fire when someone suddenly requested an audience with the Grand Princess.
Yuwen Qiyue was reading a storybook and was startled for a moment, then sighed. “Why are they here again? Isn’t it cold enough in winter?”
Hearing Yuwen Qiyue’s words, Si Yunqin tilted her head and looked at her, then belatedly realized that she might have led the Grand Princess astray. The Grand Princess used to worry about whether Yuwen Luo had support in court, but now she had become just as much of a slacker as Si Yunqin herself.
“Yunqin, should we meet them?” Yuwen Qiyue asked Si Yunqin.
Si Yunqin thought for a moment and nodded. “Sure. I hear the Empress Dowager is preparing to encourage people to migrate to the Celestial Wave Lake Basin. These people must be getting anxious.”
Yuwen Qiyue invited the visitor in, and they both sat upright in the main hall.
The visitor was a dancer, quite pretty, but what she said made Si Yunqin drowsy. It was nothing special—just telling Si Yunqin and Yuwen Qiyue that Shen Yanxin had dismissed some people and that they should put their own people in those positions.
When she finished, Si Yunqin lifted her eyelids and glanced at her. “Go back and tell your master that I have my own considerations. I don’t need you people to teach me how to do things.”
Yuwen Qiyue played along, smiling silently by her side.
After sending the dancer away, Si Yunqin yawned and hugged her hand warmer tightly. “Don’t they feel the cold?”
Because she felt the chill, Si Yunqin hadn’t been keen on going outside the palace lately, but these people still kept nagging day after day. So annoying.
This winter seemed especially harsh. Though it was just the start of winter, the temperature was already much lower than in previous years.
When Si Yunqin wasn’t moving, she could only huddle by the fire. Xi Fengyu also disliked writing and had even slowed down on updates.
But since the messenger had come, Si Yunqin had to make a trip to Respectful Peace Palace.
It was already late in the day. Si Yunqin wrapped herself in a cloak and put on a hat as she headed toward Respectful Peace Palace. Slowly, snow began to fall from the sky.
Just as Si Yunqin reached outside Respectful Peace Palace, she raised her hand to catch a snowflake, tilting her head back and letting out a breath into the air.
Two people were standing on the viewing platform of Respectful Peace Palace, taking in this very scene.
Shen Yanxin watched the girl dressed in red and white, wearing a fluffy hat and wrapped in a cloak, reaching out her hand. She was so eye-catching.
“Your Majesty, why have you come at this hour? I’ll go welcome her.” Lan Xi said.
Shen Yanxin nodded and let her go. She herself went down, returning to the study and holding a hand warmer. Her hands weren’t warm yet when Si Yunqin entered.
Once inside, Si Yunqin immediately went to the fire. “So cold.”
“Someone trained in martial arts, afraid of the cold?” Shen Yanxin asked with a smile.
Si Yunqin obediently nodded. “Don’t martial artists have the right to be afraid of the cold?”
Shen Yanxin handed her the hand warmer. “What brings you here at this hour?”
Si Yunqin hugged the hand warmer tight. “They want to put their own people in power. I’m here to tell you.”
“Who?” Shen Yanxin asked.
Si Yunqin slowly told her. After listening, Shen Yanxin nodded. “I have a good sense of it.”
“That’s good.” Si Yunqin buried half her face in her collar. “Why is it so cold this year? It’s already snowing.”
Shen Yanxin also looked at the snow falling heavier outside and murmured softly, “Many commoners are going to suffer again.”
Hearing this, Si Yunqin turned her head, then nodded. “It will be tough. Are you preparing for disaster relief?”
“Mm.”
“It’s hard being an emperor.” Si Yunqin sighed.
“Is there dinner to be had? A full meal will keep me warm on the way back.” Si Yunqin no longer stood on ceremony with Shen Yanxin.
“Tell Lan Xi whatever you want to eat and have the kitchen prepare it.”
“Got it.” Si Yunqin happily went to find Lan Xi. When she came back, she saw Shen Yanxin was still grading memorials. Seeing her return, Shen Yanxin waved her over. “Come here.”
Si Yunqin obediently went, but as she walked over, she thought, why am I so obedient? It’s like I’m a little dog—the master waves, and you come running.
“What?” Si Yunqin asked Shen Yanxin.
Shen Yanxin handed her a memorial. “Take a look.”
Si Yunqin: …
“Is it really appropriate for me to read state secrets?” Si Yunqin tried to weasel out.
“It’s appropriate because I said so.” Shen Yanxin smiled.
Si Yunqin: …
What else could she do? She had to accept her fate.
She accompanied Shen Yanxin in grading memorials until Lan Xi came to ask if they wanted to eat. Only then did Si Yunqin feel she was free.
Winter had come, so the rice enthusiast ate an extra bowl of rice and finished all the dishes. She always felt that was the only way to get her money’s worth.
After eating, Si Yunqin returned to Eternal Peace Palace. But Shen Yanxin wasn’t as idle as her. Seeing that a snow disaster was guaranteed this year, she had to take precautions early. Materials had to be sent in advance to the regions that usually suffered disasters.
And the person sent to carry out the relief had to be someone trustworthy. Otherwise, no matter how many supplies were allocated, they would just line the pockets of the officials, and the commoners would receive nothing.
Shen Yanxin was still racking her brains over who to send for disaster relief, while Si Yunqin had already burrowed into her bedcovers, ready to sleep soundly. In winter, you should sleep early and wake early. Working hard? Impossible. Absolutely impossible.
