Wu Jue’s mind raced. “So Pearl, the maid who is always at her side, was merely a decoy Lady Yan left beside Yan Tongshu. Yan Tongshu is a woman, and women inevitably have their monthly periods. Since hers did not coincide with Pearl’s, she had no choice but to pass off her own periods as Pearl’s. So when Pearl supposedly had her first period at the age of nine, it was actually Yan Tongshu who had hers. Afterward, rumors spread throughout the Yan household that Pearl was in poor health and had irregular periods—sometimes they lasted unusually long, and sometimes they came twice in one month. All of that was meant to conceal Yan Tongshu’s secret.”
By the end, Wu Jue looked as though he had suddenly seen the light. “Now everything fits.”
Then he exclaimed, “The Yan family is far too bold! Yan Tongshu disguised herself as a man and took the imperial examinations. That is a crime of deceiving the emperor, punishable by the extermination of three clans. Your Highness, I’ll arrange for someone to expose her at once.”
“Not yet.” Prince Ming smiled with confidence.
In the past, they had been desperate because they could not find anything to use against Yan Tongshu. Now that they knew her secret, there was no need to rush. They had to choose the perfect moment to extract the greatest possible value from it.
…
The next day, after reporting to Kaifeng Prefecture, Yan Tongshu went out and bought a great deal of food before bringing Pearl and Jinbao to visit the Duting Post Station.
After announcing their arrival, Yan Tongshu was led into the reception hall.
Princess Xing’an looked deeply troubled. When she saw Yan Tongshu, she managed only a strained smile.
Yan Tongshu guessed that Chancellor Yelu had already laid everything bare before the princess.
She gave them a meaningful look, and Pearl and Jinbao handed all the large and small packages of food to A-Fu and A-Lian.
“These are all the most famous snacks in Bianjing,” Yan Tongshu said. “You should try them, Princess. If there are any you particularly like, let me know before you leave, and I’ll have more prepared for you. That way, you can enjoy them on the journey.”
“I can’t return to Northern Liao.” Princess Xing’an let out a choked sob. Her eyes were red as she lowered her head. “They want me to marry for the sake of an alliance and remain in Bianjing.”
Gently, Yan Tongshu asked, “Princess, do you dislike the Qin heir?”
Xing’an’s voice was hoarse. Clearly, she had cried for much of the previous night.
She said, “I can tell that Qin Yunduan is a gentle person, but I…I…I have someone I—”
“Princess!” A-Lian suddenly interrupted her. She opened one of the oil-paper packages in her hands. “Princess, look—soup dumplings. They smell wonderful.”
By then, Princess Xing’an had realized that she had misspoken.
As a princess betrothed for the sake of an alliance—and with peace negotiations still underway—how could she tell an official of the Wu dynasty whom she liked?
Princess Xing’an lost her appetite.
A-Lian picked up a soup dumpling and handed it to her. She lowered her head and ate in silence, looking like a withered gesang flower.
Yan Tongshu could more or less guess what Princess Xing’an had been about to say.
Young girls were always prone to the stirrings of love.
Princess Xing’an was at the age of innocence and vivacity. Raised on the grasslands, she was naturally lively and cheerful. It was perfectly normal for her to have fallen for a young man.
Yan Tongshu smiled. “In truth, Princess, there’s no need to worry. I asked His Majesty about it yesterday. Our emperor is broad-minded and magnanimous. He said that peace negotiations between two nations are matters of military and state importance; they should not be held hostage by a marriage. So everything can take its natural course.
“You and the Qin heir may continue to spend time together. If affection grows between you and you fall in love, both nations will naturally be pleased. If it does not work out, then every marriage is fated, and nothing can be forced. Peace supported by the people will not be destroyed because of one marriage—or because a handful of people oppose it.”
“Really?” At once, bright light burst into Princess Xing’an’s eyes. “Lord Yan, you’re not deceiving me, are you?”
“Of course not.” Yan Tongshu smiled and nodded.
“That’s wonderful!”
The withered gesang flower immediately began to dance in the breeze.
Princess Xing’an leaped up from her chair and grabbed A-Lian’s hand. “A-Lian, did you hear that? I can go home!”
A-Lian gave a faint smile. “Yes, Princess.”
A-Fu blinked her innocent, wide eyes. “Then, Princess, the Qin heir invited you to watch shadow puppetry this afternoon. Are you still going?”
“I am!” Princess Xing’an said excitedly. “I’ll explain everything to him, and we can go out and have some fun while we’re at it.”
It was not easy to get an opportunity to go out and enjoy herself.
If the Qin heir had not invited her, Chancellor Yelu certainly would not have allowed her to leave.
All her gloom had vanished, and Princess Xing’an was in high spirits again. She now had the appetite to sample the soup dumplings. She took an enthusiastic bite, her eyes sparkling.
“Wow, they’re full of juice…”
She hurriedly slurped up the broth. “They’re so fragrant and delicious! Lord Yan, these are amazing. I could eat them for several months straight and never get tired of them.”
Yan Tongshu smiled. “It is their good fortune to have found such an appreciative princess.”
After sampling every delicacy, Princess Xing’an stared at Yan Tongshu and suddenly looked embarrassed.
She gave Yan Tongshu an apologetic smile. “Lord Yan, please forgive my poor manners. I’ve been eating this whole time and completely neglected to entertain you.”
Yan Tongshu sat upright. “I bought these because they’re my favorite foods and came especially to bring them to you. The fact that you like them too means we share the same tastes. I couldn’t be happier.”
A-Lian brought in a damp handkerchief and handed it to Princess Xing’an. The princess carefully wiped each of her slender, pale fingers clean before asking, “Lord Yan, did you come to visit me today for a particular reason?”
The matter concerning Dowager Consort Ning was an internal scandal of the Wu dynasty. Naturally, they could not let the Northern Liao delegation know about it.
Thus, Yan Tongshu used an excuse. “Princess, I’ve heard that the horses of Northern Liao are larger and stronger than those of the Central Plains, and that they can run faster as well. I’m very curious. Would it be possible for me to choose one and give it a try?”
“Of course!” Princess Xing’an sprang to her feet, smiling brightly. “I’m not boasting when I say that our Northern Liao horses are raised on the grasslands and are naturally stronger than your Central Plains horses. Especially the ones we brought with us this time—they were all carefully selected. These horses are like the warriors of our grasslands, each one exceptional. You’ll understand once you see them.”
Yan Tongshu rose and cupped his hands. “Then I owe you my thanks, Princess.”
“Come on.” Princess Xing’an gestured generously. “I’ll take you horseback riding.”
Princess Xing’an walked ahead, with Yan Tongshu close behind. To reach the stables from the reception hall, they had to pass through three courtyards, allowing Yan Tongshu to see nearly everyone from the Northern Liao delegation.
There were thirty-two people in total: five envoys, one princess, and the rest guards and palace maids.
The man from the previous night had been wearing a guard’s uniform.
He had been tall and powerfully built, standing over six feet one. He had a thick beard and wore a woolen hat.
Although people from Northern Liao were, on average, taller than those from the Central Plains, very few were as tall as that.
Along the way, Yan Tongshu identified only three people who fit the description.
But their ages did not seem to match.
The man’s voice had sounded as though he was already advanced in years. The scars on the back of his hand, along with the wrinkles there, also suggested that he was not young.
At last, they arrived at the stables, where Princess Xing’an began introducing the prized horses they had brought with them, one by one.
“This one, Lord Yan.” Princess Xing’an stroked a chestnut-red blood-sweating horse. “This one is called Baatar. Of all the horses brought here, he is the strongest, fastest, and most enduring. If you can tame him, you’ll be the—”
Princess Xing’an gave a thumbs-up.
That impressive?
Yan Tongshu became interested. She walked up to Baatar and reached out to touch him, but Baatar glanced at her, arrogantly lifted his chin, and dodged her hand.
Princess Xing’an laughed. “Whether it’s a person or a horse, the more capable they are, the prouder they tend to be.”
Yan Tongshu understood. She gave a soft snort and glared at Baatar.
Princess Xing’an covered her mouth as she laughed. “Lord Yan, even if you glare at him to death, he still won’t lower his head.”
As she spoke, Princess Xing’an instructed A-Lian to fetch some fodder and signaled for Yan Tongshu to take it.
She said, “This is his favorite fodder. Try feeding it to him. Baatar is very intelligent. He’ll come to like you.”
“You brought this fodder from Northern Liao?” Yan Tongshu asked as she took it.
Princess Xing’an nodded. “Yes. Baatar only eats this kind.”
“Is it very different from the fodder in Bianjing?” Curious, Yan Tongshu put a stalk in her mouth and chewed it. She tilted her head, trying to discern the difference, but she couldn’t taste anything unusual.
“Neigh!”
Baatar let out a long cry and butted Yan Tongshu with his head. Startled, she hurriedly ran away.
Princess Xing’an stepped forward. “Don’t bully people, Baatar.”
Baatar snorted unhappily and glared at Yan Tongshu.
Yan Tongshu looked at the fodder in her hand. “Are you angry because I ate some of your fodder?”
She had only been a little curious about its flavor and had bitten off a tiny piece.
Baatar continued to snort.
Yan Tongshu held the fodder out to him. “Don’t be angry. I apologize. I won’t be curious about the taste of your fodder anymore, all right?”
Baatar rolled his eyes at her, opened his mouth, and snatched the fodder from her hand. Then he turned around and presented her with his backside.
Oh no. Baatar was truly angry.
It seemed she wouldn’t be able to ride him today. If she forced the matter, with her level of horsemanship, Baatar would certainly throw her off his back.
At that moment, a deep, resonant voice rang out. “Baatar is stubborn and difficult to ride. Lord Yan, if you’re interested, try Long Eagle instead. Long Eagle is gentle and obedient.”
Yan Tongshu turned toward the voice.
A tall, broad-shouldered man was walking over. He wore the uniform of a soldier who tended the horses and a felt hat. His skin was fair, and he was handsome—a rare fair-skinned man among the people of Northern Liao.
If he changed out of his Northern Liao soldier’s uniform and put on a scholar’s robe from Bianjing, with a folding fan in hand, people would probably mistake him for a scholar.
Although the man had no large beard, he stood well over six feet tall.
He came over, opened the stable gate, and led Long Eagle out. Then he handed the reins to Yan Tongshu. Her gaze instinctively fell on his right hand. Compared with his fair face, his hand was rough from years of hard labor, covered in wrinkles and small cracks.
But there was no long scar on the back of his hand—the scar from her memory.
Yan Tongshu took the reins. “And you are?”
“Mangtai.” Princess Xing’an walked over and gently stroked Long Eagle. “His name is Mangtai. He has cared for Long Eagle and Baatar since they were born. He not only knows how to look after horses, but is also an exceptional rider. Even Xie Li admits defeat when competing against Mangtai.”
The three of them were still talking when Xie Li walked over.
His gaze swept across Mangtai’s face before he turned to Princess Xing’an. “Princess, the chancellor is calling for you.”
Princess Xing’an pouted.
Whenever Chancellor Yelu summoned her, it was never for anything good. He either wanted to lecture her or offer her some admonishment.
Princess Xing’an forced a smile at Yan Tongshu. “Lord Yan, I’ll go over first. Spend some time getting acquainted with Long Eagle.”
“Mm.” Yan Tongshu nodded.
Once Princess Xing’an had left, Xie Li also cupped his hands and took his leave. “My apologies, Lord Yan. I’ve interrupted your time with the princess.”
“It’s nothing.” Yan Tongshu smiled and shook her head.
She hadn’t come for the riding in the first place, so there was no question of her being disappointed.
However, since she was already there, it would have been improper to leave immediately and attract attention. So, under Mangtai’s guidance, she led Long Eagle to an open area nearby and rode three laps.
After those three laps, Yan Tongshu was stunned.
Long Eagle was indeed as gentle and intelligent as Mangtai had said.
After just one lap, Long Eagle seemed to realize that her riding skills were nothing special. Without needing her to control him, he maintained a steady pace—not too fast, not too slow. His main priority was stability.
Wah…
Yan Tongshu was deeply moved.
How could Long Eagle be so well-behaved?
When she returned, she asked Mangtai for a large amount of fodder and fed Long Eagle again and again. Then she turned toward Baatar and snorted at him twice.
Baatar snorted back. He was clearly very displeased that Yan Tongshu was feeding Long Eagle so much fodder. In a fit of anger, he stretched out his neck and spat right in her face.
“Baatar!”
Mangtai rushed over and slapped Baatar. “You mustn’t be rude to our guest.”
Baatar turned away arrogantly and presented his backside to Mangtai.
Mangtai laughed as he scolded him. “You stubborn mule.”
After scolding the horse, he cupped his hands toward Yan Tongshu in apology.
Yan Tongshu knitted her brows and gave him a faint smile without saying anything. Then she left with Pearl and Jinbao.
Back in the carriage, Yan Tongshu couldn’t help pondering Mangtai’s movement when he had raised his hand.
Near where his ear met his hair was a round scar, as though it had been burned into him with some kind of incense stick.
Although he had no large beard and there was no scar on the back of his hand, the way Mangtai had raised his hand to strike Baatar gave her an inexplicable sense of familiarity.
Where had she seen it before?
Yan Tongshu repeatedly recalled what had happened at the banquet the night before.
The other party had deliberately drawn her attention. When he realized that his plan to lure her away had failed, he had approached her and knocked her unconscious.
A large beard, a hat, a guard’s uniform.
The man’s voice had been deep and resonant, as though he had deliberately lowered it.
All the way back to the Kaifeng Prefecture, Yan Tongshu kept going over the events in her mind, replaying every detail again and again in an attempt to remember something she had overlooked in the darkness.
Once she returned to the Kaifeng Prefecture, Yan Tongshu summoned Xu Qiu.
She had Xu Qiu and Jinbao stand facing each other.
Yan Tongshu ordered, “Xu Qiu, knock Jinbao unconscious with your hand.”
“That’s too difficult, isn’t it?” Xu Qiu shook his head. “Lord Yan, I’m just an ordinary constable. I don’t have that kind of strength. Anyone capable of doing something like that would have trained for several years, or even more than a decade, and would be an expert.”
Yan Tongshu said, “Pretend to knock Jinbao unconscious and let me see.”
“Yes, I understand.”
Xu Qiu and Jinbao stood facing each other. Xu Qiu twisted his waist slightly and leaned forward, raising his hand to strike.
“Wait.” Yan Tongshu called for him to stop. “Don’t move.”
She stepped forward to observe them, her brows drawing tightly together.
Xu Qiu had a baton strapped to his waist. To knock Jinbao unconscious, he needed to lean forward slightly. Afraid that the baton would bump into Jinbao, he had instinctively twisted his waist to move it out of the way before raising his hand to strike.
Yan Tongshu gave another order. “Xu Qiu, take the baton off your waist.”
Xu Qiu was puzzled, but he did as instructed.
Yan Tongshu’s tone was solemn. “Try again.”
Xu Qiu subtly twisted his waist, leaned forward a little, and raised his hand to strike Jinbao on the neck.
Yan Tongshu narrowed her eyes sharply.
Xu Qiu was a constable. A constable always carried either a saber or a baton at his waist. After years of doing so, Xu Qiu had developed a conditioned reflex—whenever he raised his hand, he would unconsciously move in such a way as to keep his weapon from bumping into anyone.
The person who had knocked her unconscious that night had done the same.
That slight twist of the waist was a habitual movement.
Mangtai’s waist…
Yan Tongshu lowered her eyes as she recalled the details.
He wore a small wooden horse and several delicate decorative beads fastened with a double-loop knot. Judging from the color of the wood, the little horse had clearly been with him for many years.
Its body was smooth, obviously polished by countless caresses.
When Mangtai raised his hand to hit Baatar, the motion was very light. It looked like a reprimand, but in truth, he was only putting on an act.
It had happened in an instant, entirely on instinct, leaving no time for careful thought.
He had struck with his right hand. Even if he twisted his waist, his body should have turned to the left. Yet he had turned to the right.
Just like the man that night.
It had been a very slight movement, but he had indeed twisted his waist.
He had been afraid of dirtying the little horse.
He worked in the stables, where everything was filthy, yet the little horse was spotless, without even a tiny scratch. Clearly, he treasured it dearly.
Because he cherished it, he was always careful not to let the little horse touch anything. That was how he had developed the same conditioned reflex as Xu Qiu—the habit of subtly twisting his waist.
There were only four people at Duting Post Station who stood over one meter eighty-five.
The ages of the first three did not match.
Only Mangtai was the right age.
The person that night was very likely Mangtai.
Yan Tongshu was secretly shocked.
If Mangtai really was the culprit, then he was no ordinary man. He had been bold enough to knock her unconscious and scheme against her right in front of her, yet he still dared to appear before her as though nothing had happened, smiling and chatting with her while introducing the horses.
Yan Tongshu immediately ordered someone to find Meng Zheng.
This man had patiently lain in wait, disguised himself, and infiltrated the imperial palace. He had boldly attacked a third-rank official and was even connected to Dowager Consort Ning and Prince Ming. Whatever he was plotting could not possibly be a minor matter.
The constables of the Kaifeng Prefecture were all ordinary men. If she had them monitor Mangtai, they would inevitably be exposed very quickly.
Only the Divine Guard had the ability to investigate someone without alerting him.
Meng Zheng arrived soon after. Yan Tongshu omitted the part involving the emperor and simply told him that she had been ambushed in the palace, knocked Dowager Consort Ning unconscious, and escaped.
Meng Zheng’s expression changed dramatically. He took two or three strides forward and inspected Yan Tongshu from head to toe with his eyes.
“You’re really all right?”
“It’s already been a day. If something were wrong, it would have shown by now.” Yan Tongshu smiled and spun around once. “See? Healthy and perfectly fine. Not a problem at all.”
“You nearly scared me to death.” Meng Zheng finally managed to relax a little. “I was scared out of my wits.”
Yan Tongshu teased him with a smile. “You’ve been on the battlefield. I heard that you once accidentally wandered into enemy territory and were surrounded, then fought your way out single-handedly on horseback, drenched in blood. You weren’t afraid then, yet this little thing has frightened you?”
“This is not a little thing!” Meng Zheng’s voice suddenly rose.
Then he pressed his lips together, a trace of confusion appearing between his brows. Why had he raised his voice so loudly? He had even startled Lord Yan.
“What I mean is…” Meng Zheng felt inexplicably flustered. “I was afraid something would happen to you.”
“I know. We’re friends, and you’re worried about me. But this isn’t the time to discuss that.” Yan Tongshu told him about her suspicions regarding Mangtai. “Lord Meng, I can’t do anything more from here. I’ll have to leave the rest to you and the Divine Guard.”
“Don’t worry.” Meng Zheng’s face turned grim. “He won’t get away.”
With that, he strode off with vigorous steps.
The armor on his body gave off a murderous clang.
After handing Mangtai over to the Divine Guard, Yan Tongshu continued accompanying the officials and the Northern Liao delegation in their negotiations.
The negotiations were long and tedious. Yan Tongshu thought countless times about throwing in the towel.
At last, the two delegations reached a preliminary compromise. Yan Tongshu let out a sigh of relief and was just about to leave the palace when Lu Xi approached with a broad smile.
“Lord Yan, there is good news. Please come with me.”
“No.”
What good intentions could that dog of an emperor possibly have?
This was obviously a trap to lure her in. She was not foolish enough to fall for it.
“Oh, Lord Yan, you have to trust me. It really is wonderful news.” Eunuch Lu tried repeatedly to persuade her, but Yan Tongshu remained determined and continued toward the palace gates.
He hurriedly called after her, “It concerns the Legal Office’s promotion list for the next six months. His Majesty has invited Lord Yan to discuss it.”
Yan Tongshu stopped and turned around.
“Eunuch Lu, lead the way.”
“Yes, yes.” Lu Xi smiled and complied, guiding Yan Tongshu to Funing Palace.
Yan Tongshu stood at the entrance and glared furiously at Lu Xi.
If this was an official matter, why had they come to Funing Palace?
Had someone occupied the Hall of Imperial Governance?
Lu Xi paid no attention to her angry stare and continued smiling.
“Lord Yan, please.”
Yan Tongshu straightened her official robe and hat, then stepped into Funing Palace.
“You’re here.” Catching sight of her, Qin Yi spoke softly. “Come over and see if there’s anything wrong with the promotion list.”
Yan Tongshu hesitated and did not move.
That dog of an emperor was far too shameless.
He was wearing only a long inner robe, and he had not even fastened the buttons. In this freezing weather, he was simply sitting there with it hanging open.
And as if leaving it open was not enough, three faint scratch marks were visible across his firm chest.
That was right—they were made by her.
What an utterly shameless man!
Seeing that Yan Tongshu remained where she was, Qin Yi straightened. His abdominal muscles were suddenly on full display, and his voice carried a hint of amusement.
“If you don’t come over, how are you supposed to look at the list?”
“Oh.” Yan Tongshu dragged her heavy steps to the writing desk. Stopping two paces away from Qin Yi, she reached out and tried to pull the list toward her.
Qin Yi raised an eyebrow but did not stop her.
Yan Tongshu examined the list. Her elder sister and Liangyu were both on it.
Their accomplishments over the past six months were noted beside their names.
Her sister and Liangyu ranked near the top, and their promotions had been earned through genuine merit.
She looked over the other names as well. Every one of them belonged to someone outstanding.
Her sister and Liangyu could both be promoted after six months, but in another six months—in other words, after completing a full year—their chances would be much slimmer.
Every female official in the Legal Office was fiercely driven and highly capable.
The competition for the highest position in the Legal Office, the post of Chief Administrator established at the equivalent rank of a Minister, would undoubtedly be intense.
Yan Tongshu returned the list to the desk.
“Your Majesty, there’s nothing wrong with it.”
“Is that so?” Qin Yi took two steps forward and approached her.
Yan Tongshu’s eyes nearly bulged out of her head. She demanded angrily, “Aren’t you cold?”
“I’m not cold.” Qin Yi bent down and brought his face level with hers. “But my Minister Yan seems rather warm. Her face is even a little red.”
That dog of an emperor.
Yan Tongshu clenched her fists, wanting nothing more than to punch him.
Before she could lose her temper, Qin Yi straightened and walked over to sit on a nearby couch, avoiding the kick Yan Tongshu was clearly tempted to deliver.
With a smile at the corners of his lips, he slowly began, “Yan Tongshu, I’ll give you two choices regarding this list.”
After a moment of thought, Yan Tongshu said, “Your Majesty, abusing your authority for personal gain is not the conduct of a wise ruler.”
“One.” Qin Yi’s voice tightened, carrying a trace of nervousness. “I approve this promotion list.”
Yan Tongshu raised an eyebrow. What was the second choice?
Qin Yi continued, “Two. I approve this promotion list, and you stay tonight to keep me company.”
“One, one, one…” Yan Tongshu chose without the slightest hesitation. “I choose one.”
Qin Yi’s face darkened.
“Why?”
Yan Tongshu said, utterly self-righteously, “I was taught from a young age never to engage in quid pro quo involving power and sex.”
“Three,” Qin Yi said again.
The corner of Yan Tongshu’s mouth twitched violently. “Your Majesty, didn’t you say there were two choices?”
Qin Yi said, “Three.”
Yan Tongshu: “…”
Qin Yi continued, “Third, I approve this promotion list, and I spend the night with you.”
Yan Tongshu fell silent again, then looked up at Qin Yi helplessly. “Is there any difference?”
