After all, hadn’t Azure Justice appeared in the chaotic Duke of Ding aftermath, when all the Sun males were executed?
He wanted Sun Yu to give himself up for the country, but that scholar had dared ram himself to death!
He wanted the lives of the Sun males to pacify Great Zhou anger, but the females had dared cook up this justice alliance to foment rebellion, and even dared attempt to assassinate him!
He was the lord of a nation and ruler of all! Could he not give the order in something as minor as this? Even the Suns’ Institute of Luminous Charm was now in née Qin’s hands. Although Cao Yuqing had made her investigations and confirmed that née Qin had nothing to do with Azure Justice, the girl was still the granddaughter of the leader of that rebellion.
Qin Meng was indeed loyal and only had this one child.
So what?
His imperial authority would not brook any challenge or belittling!
With the empress’ deep understanding of the emperor, she’d more or less guessed what was going on in the imperial mind when she saw various expressions flicker through the majesty’s face. She encircled the emperor’s neck and rubbed her soft body against the emperor’s.
“Your Majesty, don’t you want me to be forever young and always be by your side, serving you like this? Don’t you like me, Your Majesty?”
Her teasing successfully aroused the emperor’s attentions and lewd thoughts started running rampant. The Soothsayer’s divine pill would bestow vigor even when he was a hundred years old. If the empress aged well before that, what would be the joy in life then? Besides, his darling just wanted some medicine ingredients to maintain her looks. There was nothing over the top about that.
He smiled when his thoughts travelled here. “Alright then, it shall be as you say because I dote on you so. I’ll think of a way to get the girl.”
The empress bestowed a delighted kiss. “Thank you for your favor, Your Majesty.”
The emperor’s hand ran up and down the woman’s body. “And what will you thank me with?”
“Your Majesty~” The tender voice tempted even the soul, making the emperor brush off all the petitions on the table with a broad sweep of the hand and placing the empress on it instead…
The guards and eunuchs on duty at the doors of the imperial study felt incredibly awkward. One of the young eunuchs was beet red and surreptitiously took a few steps away, like he didn’t want to hear what was going on inside.
The head eunuch found the awkward sight of his disciple quite funny. “Little Yuzi, what’s with you? What are you squirming around for? Are there worms in you?”
Little Yuzi flushed an even brighter red. “Master. I, I, would like to visit the outhouse.”
“You little monkey, can’t take even this? Let me tell you something, this is nothing! Go on your way, don’t embarrass yourself staying here.”
Little Yuzi scratched his head and scampered off, drawing laughs from the guards and a few eunuchs.
The young eunuch sprinted off to find a place to relieve himself, but hastily scrawled a note and sent it to the Eastern Palace using previously agreed upon methods when he saw that no one was around.
Weichi Yan received the note from another young eunuch during lunch. Color drained rapidly from his face with a single glance, and he almost knocked over the porridge bowl in front of him.
He was first shocked, then so furious that his body shook from anger. “Trampress, that trampress! She really should die!”
……
The Anping Manor had been celebrating over the past two days.
Elder Statesman Cao’s prized pupil had been demoted and stripped of his minister position while the statesman himself had been reprimanded for incompetence. On the flip side, Qin Huaiyuan was an official of great merit after the successful peace talks and censuring the statesman. He was highly commended and strings of imperial gifts flowed into the manor these days. They ranged from gold, silver, and jade to even tokens such as snacks that the emperor found delicious. All of them made their way to the Qins.
This level of honor was something that many families wouldn’t reach after several lifetimes. The old dowager was delighted from dawn to dusk and felt that her eldest son had brought great glory to her. The Caos’ downfall also made her cool towards Cao Yuqing. Her attentions were bestowed on Qin Yining, and even née Sun, since the girl had caught the Great Zhou prince’s eye.
* * *
Someone born as an earth rabbit is candid and straightforward, and prizes loyalty and relationships. Someone born as an earth dragon is hardworking and takes the initiative. Someone born as a fire chicken will find it difficult to make progress in their career and will be plagued by scheming characters.
Chapter 168: Wanting a Life (I)
Chapter 168: Wanting a Life (I)
Who in the capital these days didn’t know that the Faithful Prince of the First Rank was throwing away money like it was dirt on the Qin fourth miss? He was raiding execution grounds and gifting her grand manors. And when they met Tatar assassins on his way out of Great Yan, he’d even pulled her onto his horse to protect her.
The females of the eight great noble houses had witnessed Pang Xiao’s dashing flair at close quarters, that day at Ning Park. It would inevitably come up in private gossip with their dear friends. The gossip had made the rounds, and now everyone in high society knew of Pang Xiao’s uncommon gallantry.
Great Zhou and Great Yan were now allies, and marriage was naturally permitted between friends. Here was a handsome hero with impressive military accomplishments, the commander of the dominating force that was a hundred thousand Valiant Tigers, and a steely man amongst men. Such a character was naturally a target of admiration of all the girls, and he loved only one! What an envious and dreamy pairing.
Qin Yining was now a target of aspiration for all Great Yan noble girls, and a bridge through which the old dowager could curry favor with the prince. For the matriarch, it didn’t matter if she failed. It would still be a great help to the Qins if Qin Yining was a concubine or married over as part of another girl’s dowry in the future. Therefore, the old dowager had kept her granddaughter by her side at all times over the past two days.
On this day, Qin Yining excused herself for a change of clothing when she saw Qiulu come to the Garden of Loving Piety. She met the maid in the covered hallway.
“What brings you here? Has something happened?”
Qiulu nodded. “The grand steward sent a messenger just now that a noble visitor is at his residence. His guest has something that he must pass onto you, miss, and the steward requests that you come as soon as possible.”
Qin Yining was quite surprised. What kind of visitor was it that couldn’t just make a visit themselves? Why did she have to make a clandestine visit to the steward’s home?
She paced slowly along the hallway and took a seat on a nearby cushioned bench, propping her cheek up with one hand, remaining deep in thought. This person definitely understood her daily routine since he’d gone to Grand Steward Zhong. The person knew that she often discussed things with the steward, so it wouldn’t raise suspicion if she made a visit. The contents of their impending conversation must be a secret since the visitor hadn’t directly come for her.
After some thought, she felt that the only person who’d do this was her maternal grandmother. The two hadn’t met ever since she learned of her grandmother’s identity as the leader of Azure justice. Did her grandmother need something from her now?
Qin Yining quickly had the servants prepare a carriage and made her excuses to the old dowager before rushing out the door with Jiyun and Bingtang.
They arrived at Steward Zhong’s house before long. As the maids helped Qin Yining down, the doorkeeper welcomed the miss as usual. “You’re finally here, owner! The steward was just standing outside in wait. There must be great, important business to discuss, so this humble one congratulates the owner in advance!”
“Thank you for your auspicious words.”
Qin Yining smiled gently and cast a slight look sideways. Jiyun took out a small pouch from her sleeves and grabbed a handful of copper coins for the doorkeeper. The doorkeeper bobbed repeated thanks and respectfully showed Qin Yining the way to the study.
Grand Steward Zhong was already waiting there, having received word from the servants.
“The owner’s come.” The steward’s smile was as usual. “A large transaction has come form the south and needs your decision. This is why I asked you to visit.”
Qin Yining nodded affably. “My experience and knowledge are shallow, being from the inner residence. I’m only here to listen and to learn from the steward.”
The steward quickly raised cupped hands. “Not at all, not at all.”
The Zhong clan servants were viewing their master with newfound respect. This was the official daughter of the Marquis of Anping, the target of affections from the Great Zhou Faithful Prince of the First Rank! It was plain to see how amazing their master was, with how courteous the Qin fourth miss was being.
The steward raised his hand to dismiss his servants, which Qin Yining also did to Jiyun and Bingtang. “Stand guard outside and don’t let anyone near.”
“Understood.” Jiyun and Bingtang nodded solemnly.
Qin Yining followed the steward up the steps into the study. The steward’s study wasn’t as spacious as Qin Huaiyuan’s, but it was neat and tidy. Books of scripture and history were placed into different categories on the book shelves, and a stack of accounts were piled on the table.
A tall gentleman dressed in gray was standing in front of the window with his back to them. He seemed to be admiring the bamboo patch outside the half opened window. Qin Yining raised her brows in slight bewilderment. It’s not grandmother? And the figure actually looked a bit familiar?
She was struck with stupefaction when the man turned around and identification was possible. She quickly curtsied. “This subject greets Your Highness. Please forgive me for any discourtesy in not knowing that Your Highness had graced us with your presence.”
Weichi Yan quickly stuck out his hand in a gesture of support and looked intently at the girl. “Please, rise. There’s no need to be so polite. You’re the grand preceptor’s daughter and thus my junior sister. Why stand on such courtesy?”
“There is a difference between liege and subject,” Qin Yining stood properly with her head down. “The rules cannot be ignored.”
“You’ve always been so polite.” Weichi Yan laughed wryly. “This seat behaved ludicrously that day and didn’t consider enough. That was why I said all that in front of others, so I hope you don’t take it to heart.”
She knew that he was speaking of his sendoff, the day that she’d been forced to join the peace talks. He’d blathered on something about how the position of Crown Princess Consort was going to be hers and made an incredibly blatant declaration of love. It’d resulted in some scandal, and worst of all, could’ve resulted in trouble for her father had she not turned him down severely on the spot.
To think that the crown prince had thought of that all this time!
“You speak too solemnly, Your Highness. This subject was discourteous and begs forgiveness if any offense was given.”
“Not at all.” Weichi Yan sighed. “I had indeed listened to the goadings of others that day and didn't think things through properly. It won’t happen again.”
Understanding dawned on the grand steward when he saw how careful the crown prince was acting towards the miss. Because he’d told his servants that business was taking place, he couldn’t very well go back outside. He settled for excusing himself to the side room and leaving this room to the two of them.
Qin Yining invited the crown prince to take a seat and took a lower seat herself. “Are there any pressing matters to do with your visit, Your Highness?”
Weichi Yan finally recalled the purpose of his visit and spoke rapidly. “Miss Qin, the trampress wants to kill you, be careful!” His words tumbled forth like an upended bucket of beads. “My man has just found out that the trampress played coy in front of my royal father and wants a medicine ingredient to improve her looks. She said that the Soothsayer says that she needs the heart, bones, and flesh of a girl born on a certain birthdate. The Soothsayer says that girl is you, and my father has already permitted it! I think that with how my father acts, he’ll move against you in the next two days. You, you should flee!”
Qin Yining was flabbergasted as color slowly drained from her face. She’d guessed that the trampress would take revenge. The feud between the Qins and the Caos had been well and truly cemented when her father had been elevated to the position of grand preceptor. The trampress had also caused her eldest cousin to commit suicide and the downfall of the Suns. I suppose I need to commend the harlot for biding her time for so long after publicly losing face in the Ning Park matter, given her temper. In fact, the trampress was downright mature in her restraint.
However, she’d never thought that the trampress would want to kill her, and with such violent methods to boot!
She’s a fast learner. Great Zhou had come up with the idea of Sun Yu’s brains as medicine. The trampress had immediately copied that and wanted Qin Yining’s bones and flesh as an ingredient. Isn’t she afraid that everyone beneath the heavens will curse her name once again after goading the trash emperor like this?
Or, the trampress didn’t care at all! The emperor was the master of all beneath the heavens, so she could do whatever she wanted as long as she had the emperor’s protection!
Sadly, every living being was likely his personal property in the trash emperor’s eyes, his to kill and slaughter like a dog or pig as he wished. Wasn’t there a saying that a subject had to die when his liege wished it? She was just a little girl and worth absolutely nothing in the trash emperor’s eyes. He’d destroyed a great family such as the Duke of Ding’s just like that, so what of her?
“Your Highness, is this certain?” She was trying to keep her calm with all her might, but her voice was still a bit hoarse.
Weichi Yan inclined his head solemnly. “My man serves in the imperial study and heard it with his own ears.”
“Why didn’t you tell my father about this, but ran to tell me about it instead?” Qin Yining looked at the crown prince with her clear eyes.
The man started and blushed. “I… I forgot to… in my hurry…” He’d even forgotten to refer to himself as ‘this seat’ or ‘this prince’.
Qin Yining smiled and shook her head at this. It looked like the crown prince really didn’t have any skill with politics.
“It’s just as well that Your Highness told me about it. This matter might’ve had adverse effects if you told my father.”
“Right, right. The grand preceptor is loyal without a fault and I wouldn’t want anything to come between the grand preceptor and my royal father. Except, my father’s already agreed to the trampress’ demands. …Miss Qin, you should flee!”
* * *
Chapter 169: Wanting a Life (II)
Chapter 169: Wanting a Life (II)
Qin Yining smiled wryly at this exhortation. “Where can I run to at this time? If the Qins don’t give me up when the emperor sends his decree, how do you think he’ll treat them?”
“This… ai! What can we do?”
Weichi Yan was extremely familiar with his royal father’s temperament. If it’d been him, Weichi Yan would’ve felt only admiration for Sun Yu having such grit to refuse to submit to the Great Zhou emperor’s threat, and to die in such a strong manner. He would’ve commended the Duke of Ding and treated them well. But what had his father done?
The crown prince felt tremendously embarrassed when he thought of how the Suns were Qin Yining’s maternal relations, and how her maternal grandfather, uncles, cousins, and little nephews had all been executed by his own father. A deep flush crept up Weichi Yan’s neck and face at this.
He might look like a lofty, noble crown prince to others; the emperor’s only heir, the future son
of heaven, and a born favored son, but Weichi Yan knew full well that the identity of a prince hadn’t brought to him honor or glory, but chains and burdens instead.
Because of his father’s ineptitude, he didn’t have the courage to confidently pursue the girl she liked, even when he came face-to-face with her. And now his father wanted to grind up the girl he liked for the empress to eat…
Qin Yining could more or less guess at what the crown prince was thinking, given how much he resembled an eggplant at the moment. She didn’t keep discussing the matter and curtsied sincerely. “Many thanks for Your Highness standing up for the right thing today. Had it not been for your early warning, I likely would’ve been offered up by my family.”
Weichi Yan quickly helped the girl up when he saw her sweep a graceful curtsey.
“Don’t be so, Miss Qin. I really am incompetent,” he spoke with ashamed tones. “I can do nothing other than tell you, and can’t think of any appropriate plans at the moment… But don’t worry, Miss Qin. I’ll contact my people when I go back, and we’ll all request that my royal father retracts the imperial decree if it’s given. We won’t have you lose your life for nothing!”
“This subject thanks Your Highness for your kind thoughts. However, I feel that we shouldn’t take any risky actions for the nonce.” Her face was slightly wan, but her brows were relaxed and the look in her eyes clear. It was apparent that she’d already recovered from her initial panic.
Ever since he’d frantically chased down the peace talks entourage with thoughts of declaring his love occupying his mind, Weichi Yan had come back to the understanding that the Qin fourth miss was no ordinary girl, after he’d thoroughly analyzed all of the ins and outs of the situation. Her public rejection demonstrated her high intelligence and illustrated why she was called the daughter of Wise Pan An.
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