Chapter 63

This person is the only daughter of the Prefect of Tianfu Prefecture, Ke Lanyue.

She hit it off with Si Yunqin immediately. The way she met Ke Lanyue was actually quite comical.

This girl had gone hunting without bringing many guards, and bandits had set their sights on her. Just then, Si Yunqin and the others happened to pass by, saving the girl.

And that’s how they got to know each other. When Ke Lanyue learned that they knew how to play mahjong and eat hotpot, she grew even more fond of them. She came to find them every single day.

Si Yunqin didn’t refuse. With a powerful and influential eldest daughter having their back, life was certainly more enjoyable.

With Ke Lanyue as their guide, the four of them had practically toured the entire Tianfu Prefecture. Before they knew it, early winter had arrived. By now, it probably wouldn’t be fun in the north. Yuwen Qiyue’s health was weaker than Xi Fengyu’s and Si Yunqin’s.

On top of that, a few days ago when they went horse riding, Yuwen Qiyue had caught a chill and fallen ill, so the plan to head north was put on hold.

As soon as Ke Lanyue sat down, she heard Yuwen Qiyue cough twice. Xi Fengyu gently patted her back. “How are you? If it’s really uncomfortable, I’ll go back with you.”

Si Yunqin poured her a cup of warm water. “Yes, if you’re uncomfortable, let’s go back. We can cook some hotpot at home. Yan Ke and I will go buy some ingredients.”

Yuwen Qiyue shook her head lightly. “It’s fine. It’s just that my body is weak. But I’ve been cooped up at home for three days. It’s nice to get out and get some fresh air.”

Ke Lanyue set down the wine. “Qiyue, don’t worry. I’ll have the mansion prepare some cough medicine for you in a bit. You really are coughing terribly. A few days ago, my mother returned to visit relatives and brought back some medicine for colds made by the witch doctor in the stronghold.”

Yuwen Qiyue smiled. “Then thank you very much.”

“Elder Sister Qiyue, don’t be so polite. We’re friends,” Ke Lanyue said with a smile. “Your name has the character ‘yue’ in it, and so does mine. That’s fate.”

Hearing this, Yuwen Qiyue also smiled. “Yes, fate.”

Ke Lanyue had brought wine today, but no one would drink with her. Si Yunqin really didn’t want to drink anymore. Ke Lanyue was about the same age as her; after her birthday this year, she would be fifteen. But her alcohol tolerance was truly terrifying.

“Well then, let’s have the food served.”

After having lunch together, Ke Lanyue returned with Si Yunqin and the others. But once they got back, no one was there to play with her. Xi Fengyu was reading a book. The first imperial examination would be held in early summer next year. The two had already decided: Xi Fengyu would take the civil exam, and Si Yunqin would take the military exam.

The military exam naturally tested not only martial arts but also the ability to command troops in battle. Si Yunqin was studying military strategy texts, and Ke Lanyue curiously came over to join her. Si Yunqin simply dragged her in as a sparring partner.

Meanwhile, Yuwen Qiyue was lying in bed. Xi Fengyu was worried because she still had intermittent fevers. Every half hour, Xi Fengyu would check her temperature.

Ancient medical skills were not so advanced, and people’s resistance was not so strong. Colds and fevers were still serious matters; many people died from them.

In the evening, Yuwen Qiyue’s fever returned, and she was a bit delirious.

Xi Fengyu went to ask Yan Ke to help fetch some cold water, then repeatedly changed Yuwen Qiyue’s towel to cool her forehead.

Si Yunqin also came over, looking somewhat worried. Yuwen Qiyue was seriously ill this time and not easy to recover.

After a while, the doctor from the Prefectural Mansion arrived. After examining Yuwen Qiyue, he brought some witch medicine from the Prefect’s wife.

Si Yunqin went to help decoct the medicine. Ke Lanyue followed her the whole time, full of endless questions about everything.

When it was time to feed Yuwen Qiyue the medicine, Xi Fengyu took over to administer it gently and patiently.

Once Yuwen Qiyue had taken the medicine and seemed to be sleeping more peacefully, Si Yunqin chased Ke Lanyue back home.

The two close friends sat together warming themselves by the fire. Si Yunqin asked Xi Fengyu, “I always feel that you have a special kind of worry for Qiyue, unlike the way you treat me, without any pity.”

Xi Fengyu glared at her. “You have your dear elder sisters to dote on you, and the Empress Dowager too. I heard a few days ago that the Prefect of Jingzhou has been dismissed. The Empress Dowager really cares about you.”

“She cares about me, but you know why,” Si Yunqin pouted.

Xi Fengyu let out a soft laugh. “In my previous life, I was an orphan, adopted into a family, living under someone else’s roof. Although my adoptive parents were good people, and I met her too, my personality was always somewhat timid and cautious.

Looking at Qiyue, I feel she’s a bit like my former self. She’s very careful with people and things. If someone is kind to her even a little, she wants to repay them tenfold, afraid that if she isn’t good enough, no one will care about her anymore,” Xi Fengyu said softly.

Si Yunqin couldn’t empathize with that feeling. In both her previous and current lives, her family had at least been harmonious.

But even if she couldn’t empathize, she could understand. Just listening made her feel sad for her friend.

“It’s okay, that’s all in the past. Qiyue too, she will live a good life from now on,” Si Yunqin comforted her.

Far away in Heavenly Light City, Shen Yanxin had already welcomed the first snow of the year. It was also in this snow that she received Si Yunqin’s letter. She seemed to have gotten used to counting the days, waiting for Si Yunqin’s letters, listening to her talk about the recent events, and catching a glimpse of her carefree life.

Occasionally, when Shen Yanxin read Si Yunqin’s letters, she would think: if only she could always protect her and let her live freely like this. At least someone had achieved the life she herself could not have.

But when she saw Si Yunqin’s memorials, she thought that wasting a person like her in the wilderness was a terrible squandering of talent. Besides, Si Yunqin had a heart that cared for the world; bringing her back to court didn’t mean trapping her.

This time, Shen Yanxin unfolded the letter. There was no memorial, only some simple greetings and narratives, along with gifts for her and the Young Emperor.

Si Yunqin described the scenery of the Southwestern region to her, saying that the Southwestern witchcraft and Gu magic wasn’t as miraculous as people said. Her words were full of disappointment. Shen Yanxin looked at her lively language and couldn’t help but raise the corners of her mouth.

Besides the text, there were also some small drawings unique to Si Yunqin. At first, Shen Yanxin needed Si Yunqin’s explanations to understand them, but now she felt she could understand without explanations.

This letter was thicker than usual. It also included a map of the Southwestern region. Shen Yanxin unfolded another piece of paper. The writing on this one was much more serious.

“Shen Yanxin, did you receive the map? I spent a lot of effort to get this. I’ve marked the main troop deployment points of Prince Han. No need to thank me. Remember to reward me when I return. I risked danger to investigate this. Alright, now for the serious matter. I estimate Prince Han’s military strength may be double what you previously estimated. But if it’s just that, we can still deal with it. With the Northwest Army moving south and the Southern Navy blocking the waterways, our chances of victory are still high. However, I don’t know how well he is connected with the aristocratic clans or whether he has contacted the new Khan of the northern nomads. You’ll have to investigate these yourself. Also, the matter of trade with the Western Regions should be put on the agenda. Once trade with the Western Regions is established, we can also ally with the Western States to check the Neda Dynasty. It’s exactly what General Nai Gu proposed: befriend distant states and attack those nearby. That’s all. Just a reminder about Prince Han’s forces. Make your plans early. Finally, tell me: am I not your heaven-sent lucky star?”

Shen Yanxin laughed at the phrase “heaven-sent lucky star.” She really knew how to boast.

But, come to think of it, it was somewhat true. Si Yunqin’s appearance had removed many obstacles for her.

Shen Yanxin put away the map and started thinking about how to deal with Prince Han. If she wanted to ascend the throne, she had to defeat Prince Han, the most capable candidate for the throne from the Yuwen Clan.

Thinking this, Shen Yanxin spread out a piece of white paper and picked up her brush to reply. But after a long hesitation, she didn’t know what to say.

She just wrote a few greetings, telling Si Yunqin to stay safe, to prioritize her own safety above all, and never to take risks. She also had a fine bow specially crafted by artisans sent to her, as she remembered that shortly after the preliminary civil exam, Si Yunqin’s birthday would be approaching.

Finally, Shen Yanxin couldn’t help but complain a bit about the court ministers, saying the old officials were stubborn and pedantic, the aristocratic clans cared only for their own interests, and the military officers were all brawny and simple-minded. Not a single one of them was worry-free.

When Si Yunqin received the letter, she found it amusing. This side of Shen Yanxin was unexpectedly adorable. Who would have thought that the normally cold, aloof, and unsmiling Empress Dowager had so many complaints in her heart?

Si Yunqin looked at the letter and felt that Shen Yanxin was becoming more and more human, or rather, regaining her humanity.

She remembered when she first entered the palace; she really felt that Shen Yanxin exuded an aura that kept people at a distance.

After receiving the letter, Si Yunqin went to show off her new bow to Ke Lanyue. Ke Lanyue wanted to trade something for it.

The bow was custom-made for Si Yunqin. The body wasn’t too heavy, just right for her to draw without too much effort. The bowstring was also specially made, very easy to use.

When Xi Fengyu heard Ke Lanyue wanted to trade, she laughed and said, “She won’t trade with you. This was a gift from her most special elder sister.”

Ke Lanyue tilted her head. “Most special? Her darling?”

Si Yunqin was eating fruit and almost choked on her words. Shen Yanxin? Darling? She wouldn’t dare. She could be a friend or a subject, but as a darling, she really didn’t have the courage. Shen Yanxin was destined to be an emperor. One couldn’t expect her to choose only one from three thousand beauties. The little bit of covetousness Si Yunqin felt for Shen Yanxin wasn’t enough to make her set aside all her other worries. Besides, she was after Shen Yanxin’s beauty, and Shen Yanxin wasn’t after hers!

“Don’t talk nonsense,” Si Yunqin retorted urgently.

“It’s not, then why are you so flustered?” Ke Lanyue bit into a fruit, eyeing her suspiciously.

Si Yunqin felt incredibly awkward under her gaze.

After Ke Lanyue left, Si Yunqin tried the bow again. She still really liked it. Since when had Shen Yanxin gotten such a precise handle on her preferences?

Since she was using someone’s gift, she had to respond. This time, she wrote back unusually quickly. In the letter, she mentioned that they planned to spend the New Year in the Shu region of the Southwest, that Yuwen Qiyue was ill, and that she had made a new friend.

After writing, Si Yunqin looked at the letter. She felt that what she wrote to her parents was about the same. Why did she have to go into such detail with Shen Yanxin?

But she didn’t want to rewrite it, so she let it be. She went out, found the courier station, and had the letter sent to Heavenly Light City.