Shen Yanxin received another reply from Si Yunqin. Upon opening the letter, she found that this time there was no mention of any serious matters—just some daily affairs. It also mentioned that Yuwen Qiyue was ill, and that the bow was quite useful; she thanked Shen Yanxin for the early birthday gift.
“Qiyue’s health has never been good, so we’re not planning to return for the New Year for now. Spending the New Year in the Southwest is just fine. Don’t be envious while you’re in the Imperial Palace with the Young Emperor.”
There wasn’t much content, but the words were filled with joy and ease.
After reading, Shen Yanxin let out a soft laugh. By now, Heavenly Light City was already covered in snow.
But this year’s snowfall wasn’t as heavy as in previous years, and the winter wasn’t as cold. Shen Yanxin warmed herself by the charcoal fire, looking at the memorials on her desk. For once, her mood wasn’t soured by them.
This year, the Northern Region wasn’t as severely affected by disasters. Perhaps it was because of early preparations, or perhaps because it wasn’t as cold. There were fewer displaced people and fewer deaths from freezing compared to previous years.
After last year’s severe freeze disaster, Shen Yanxin had early on ordered the preparation of relief grain and supplies. Most people should be able to get through this winter safely.
In addition, last year’s flood control efforts had been quite effective, so the damage from the rainy season in the Southern Region was also light this year. It could be said that everything was moving in a positive direction.
Outside, it began to snow again. Shen Yanxin stood by the window, watching the accumulated snow. It had snowed all day yesterday, and now it was snowing again today. A cat leaped down from the palace wall, leaving a trail of paw prints in the snow.
It walked onto the windowsill beside Shen Yanxin. She reached out and stroked its head. “Si Yunqin isn’t in the palace now. You’ve lost someone who feeds you, haven’t you?”
Whether it understood or not, the cat rubbed against her palm.
After a while, Shen Yanxin saw another small figure running in from the doorway.
Yuwen Luo, bundled up tightly, ran to the door of Shen Yanxin’s study. At the door, she deliberately straightened her clothes.
“Mother Empress.” Yuwen Luo entered. Shen Yanxin turned around and saw her little red face, with snowflakes that had landed on her hat from running over.
“Why are you here? No school?”
“Mm, the Grand Tutor said starting tomorrow, I don’t have to go to the Academy.” Yuwen Luo stood before her, tilting her head up to smile at her.
“Mother Empress, I made a snowman. Would you like to come see it?” Yuwen Luo looked at Shen Yanxin with clear eyes, a mix of expectation and nervousness.
In the past, although she had been close to Shen Yanxin, she had never been this relaxed and affectionate.
She wouldn’t have dared to say such things before; she had always been a bit timid around her. But perhaps after spending so much time with Si Yunqin, she had grown bolder.
Shen Yanxin chuckled. “Alright.”
There was nothing wrong with this. Si Yunqin was right—she had been too strict and harsh with Luo’er in the past. She was an emperor, but in the end, she was still a child.
Yuwen Luo walked over to her, took her hand. Shen Yanxin smiled at her, then bent down and lifted her up.
The little girl in her arms rubbed against her and then gave her a kiss. “I like Mother Empress.”
Shen Yanxin let out a soft laugh. “Did Sister Yunqin teach you that again?”
Yuwen Luo nodded. “She said, she said that if you like someone, you have to say it.”
“Mm. She’s right.”
Having said that, Yuwen Luo leaned against her shoulder. “Mother Empress, a palace maid said that Sister Yunqin is sick, very sick and can’t be cured. That’s not true, right?”
The Young Emperor was still young and couldn’t understand the twists and turns of schemes and interests. Shen Yanxin had never explained so much to her.
Now, hearing her ask, she realized how much the little one cared about Si Yunqin.
“She is sick, but it’s not incurable. There’s a doctor who can cure her. Maybe by next spring, Luo’er will be able to see her. She even sent a gift back for Luo’er. I’ll give it to you later.” Shen Yanxin patiently explained to her.
“That’s good. I also want to tell her that Luo’er has learned a lot of characters and many stories. Oh, Mother Empress, can Luo’er write to Imperial Elder Sister and Sister Yunqin?”
“Of course. When you’ve written it, give it to me, and I’ll pass it on for you.”
Lan Xi followed behind the two, listening to their conversation that was just like that of an ordinary mother and child. She couldn’t help but smile. Si Yunqin’s visit to the palace had truly changed many people.
Shen Yanxin accompanied Yuwen Luo to see the little snowman she had made, and then helped her make a few big ones—one for Shen Yanxin, one for Yuwen Qiyue, one for Si Yunqin, and one for Xi Fengyu.
Xi Fengyu had also taught her before, and the little girl remembered that.
After returning, Shen Yanxin ordered that Yuwen Luo be warmed up to prevent her from catching a cold. After washing up and returning to the bedchamber, she finally picked up a brush to write a reply to Si Yunqin.
The next day, she had people prepare some cold-weather supplies and also had the Imperial Hospital prepare some medicines for colds. Along with Yuwen Luo’s letter, they were all sent to Si Yunqin and the others.
It was sent via official courier and arrived in five days. Yuwen Qiyue’s cold had not fully recovered yet, but after taking the witch medicine given by Ke Lanyue, she began to improve. Around the same time, two shipments arrived from Heavenly Light City—one from her parents sending some things, and another from Shen Yanxin.
Her mother had especially included some silver bills, afraid she wouldn’t have money to spend outside.
While Si Yunqin and the others were taking inventory of the supplies, Ke Lanyue also arrived. Just then, Si Yunqin had Xi Fengyu change into a set of winter clothes custom-made by her mother.
Ke Lanyue’s eyes lit up. Xi Fengyu was already good-looking, and after being meticulously dressed up, she was stunning enough to make anyone think she was a celestial being.
Si Yunqin tapped her on the head. “You’re drooling.”
Ke Lanyue actually wiped her mouth, then accused Si Yunqin of tricking her.
Si Yunqin chuckled and handed over the matching cloak to Xi Fengyu. “Perfect. Tonight is the Winter Solstice, and there’s a temple fair. Wear this and go stroll around; you won’t need to change.”
“Qiyue hasn’t fully recovered from her cold yet, and you want to go out?” Xi Fengyu disapproved.
“It’s fine. Just wrap up warmly. Shen Yanxin sent medicine over, prescribed by Director Zhang. It should cure Qiyue’s cold. She’s been cooped up for nearly half a month and hasn’t gone out. A little walk with proper warmth will be fine.” Si Yunqin pulled out another set of clothes. “Here, just bundle up. Only leave your eyes exposed.”
At that moment, Yuwen Qiyue walked in. “Yunqin is right. Fengyu, don’t worry too much. I really do want to go out for a bit. It’s harmless.”
Since both of them insisted, Xi Fengyu had no reason to say no. In the end, they followed Si Yunqin’s plan and bundled Yuwen Qiyue up tightly before heading out together.
After Ke Lanyue got to know Si Yunqin and the others, she realized that these three elder sisters were not only skilled in martial arts but also all beauties. She was overjoyed every day and kept wanting to come over.
But a few days ago, her father had grounded her. On that day, she had beaten up the son of the Chief Steward of Tianfu Prefecture right on the street, leaving him with a bruised and swollen face.
It was because that steward’s son, Wang Xian, had seen Xi Fengyu going out to buy things while wearing a veil, and he had the audacity to harass her and even wanted to take her as a concubine. Ke Lanyue was so furious that she beat him up on the spot.
Xi Fengyu couldn’t stop her.
Since she happened to be there, Si Yunqin picked out some things to give her. The two had similar builds, and when Ke Lanyue took a liking to a set of Si Yunqin’s clothes, Si Yunqin gave them to her.
But then Ke Lanyue set her eyes on a jade fan. If it were an ordinary fan, Si Yunqin would have given it away, but since it was a gift from Shen Yanxin, she didn’t dare give it away casually.
If she went back and Shen Yanxin asked about it, and she said she had given it away, that wouldn’t be good.
“Don’t ask about this one. I can’t give this away. I can give you other things.” Si Yunqin hid the jade fan away.
In the end, Ke Lanyue managed to get a sword from her. That sword was one Si Yunqin had bought herself, so giving it away was fine.
Later, Si Yunqin found out it was a good thing she hadn’t given away the jade fan. It was Yan Ke who told her that the fan contained hidden mechanisms—it could shoot hidden weapons and could save her life in critical moments.
Yan Ke taught her how to use it step by step, and Si Yunqin really did like it.
After packing things away, the group cooked a hotpot at home and ate some dumplings. After dark, they went together to the temple fair and also watched the face-changing opera. The face-changing opera in Tianfu Prefecture was a local specialty, truly spectacular. Even Yan Ke relaxed a lot during the stroll.
Si Yunqin also bought a few face-changing masks and some local trinkets.
After returning, she read Shen Yanxin’s reply and also showed Yuwen Qiyue the letter from Yuwen Luo. It was clear the Young Emperor had written very seriously. Although there were still quite a few wrong characters, she had really tried her best. For characters she didn’t know, she even drew pictures.
It was strangely adorable. Si Yunqin didn’t like children, but a kid like Yuwen Luo was someone she could get along with.
But it was one thing for Yuwen Luo to draw pictures; Shen Yanxin had also drawn one. Even though it was just a snowman that Yuwen Luo had made, no matter how she thought about it, Shen Yanxin seemed pretty cute too.
The letters from home were about the same as usual. Si Yunqin learned that everything was fine at home, so she had no worries.
After replying to each one, she sent back those little trinkets.
She sorted out the ones for her family and the ones for Shen Yanxin.
Before they knew it, it was New Year’s Eve. Yuwen Qiyue’s illness had mostly recovered. Even though they were away from home, they still had to celebrate the New Year properly. The three of them went to buy some couplets and lanterns and hung them in the courtyard. They also did a thorough cleaning of the house according to local customs.
In the evening, they dragged Yan Ke to join them for the New Year’s Eve dinner. At first, Yan Ke felt it was against the rules, but after spending time with Si Yunqin and the others, she gradually began to treat them as friends.
For Yuwen Qiyue, this year was the most unrestrained she had ever been—free and unfettered, with friends and liberty.
In Heavenly Light City, Cheng Wan and the others received Si Yunqin’s letter on New Year’s Eve as well. Learning that Si Yunqin was doing well outside, Cheng Wan felt relieved.
“Mother, you can rest assured. I’ve made inquiries. Yunqin is now a prominent figure in the martial world. I heard people call her the Peach Blossom Swordsman. She’s quite formidable. What could happen to her? She even took down a few bandit dens and got rid of two human traffickers who specialized in abducting children.” Si Yuanju added vegetables to Cheng Wan’s plate with a smile.
“You children, none of you are worry-free.” Cheng Wan glared at him.
Meanwhile, in the palace, Shen Yanxin had hosted a banquet for the officials during the day. In the evening, she only had a small gathering with the consorts of the harem. But she felt that this year’s imperial banquet wasn’t as lively as last year’s.
Yuwen Luo sat beside her, eating very seriously. Her gaze inadvertently fell on the seat of the Empress. This year, without that person, the fun had diminished a lot.
She also thought back to last year when Si Yunqin had given Yuwen Luo a small sip of wine, getting her drunk. She couldn’t help but smile for no reason.
This year had not been easy, but at least there were some gains. The opening of the imperial examinations and the southward migration of the population had been implemented.
Si Yunqin had also contributed to this. Although she was away, she still gave Shen Yanxin advice. Moreover, because she was out there and had a better understanding of the people’s conditions, many things didn’t remain empty plans that couldn’t be realized.
She inexplicably wondered if Si Yunqin would still be like this if she had a sweetheart.
At that moment, Shen Yanxin actually felt a desire to keep that person by her side.
She took a sip of wine to shake off the thought, but in her heart, she inexplicably missed last year’s New Year’s Eve.
