Qin Yunduan grew more and more aggrieved as he spoke. “Lord Yan, am I really that useless? That stupid? That hopeless? My father has looked down on me since I was little. He never says it outright, but the distrust and doubt in his eyes are laid completely bare.
“It was the same when I was studying as a child. He would stand beside me, and whenever I wrote something wrong, he would shake his head and sigh, looking at me with such disappointment. Then, in the end, he’d say, ‘Sigh... I shouldn’t have hoped for anything from you.’ I asked him whether he truly hated me—if he did, if he wanted someone else to be his son, he should just say so. But then he’d say he didn’t mean that. Lord Yan, I... I’m in so much pain. I’m so miserable...”
Qin Yunduan was utterly distraught, but Yan Tongshu did not know how to comfort him.
Qin Yunduan himself was actually quite satisfied with who he was, nor did he think himself stupid or foolish. The one dissatisfied with him was Prince Wuyang—his father.
“Qin Yunduan.” Yan Tongshu spoke slowly. “You’re very capable. Your shadow-puppet performances are excellent, and you’re a strong organizer too. Look at what you’ve accomplished in such a short time: you assembled an entire shadow-puppet troupe, promoted the art during the day, sought out folk shadow-puppet artists, organized opportunities for them to learn from one another, and helped publicize their work. You’ve inspired so many people in Bianjing to go watch shadow-puppet plays. You really are remarkable.”
In modern times, he would at least qualify as an inheritor of intangible cultural heritage.
Qin Yunduan sniffled, looking pitifully wronged. “But he thinks I’m wasting my life on improper pursuits. He thinks I have to marry Princess Xing’an—that only then will I have lived up to him, to His Majesty, and to the court. He says it’s the only chance I’ve had in all these years to make something of myself, and that I must seize it. But Princess Xing’an doesn’t like me. I can’t seize something that isn’t there.”
Yan Tongshu wanted to speak, but stopped himself.
The heart of the problem was not with Qin Yunduan at all. It was with Prince Wuyang.
There was no use trying to persuade Qin Yunduan. Qin Yunduan had always been optimistic; he could make peace with almost anything himself. The real issue was Prince Wuyang. Only when Prince Wuyang let go of his obsession could Qin Yunduan be freed from this pain.
But Prince Wuyang was already well advanced in years and stubborn by nature. He was likely beyond persuasion.
Yan Tongshu sighed. Judging by the timing, the peace negotiations were nearly concluded and an agreement would soon be reached. Princess Xing’an had someone she loved, so she presumably would not agree to the marriage alliance. In a few days, she would likely leave Bianjing with the delegation.
By then, Prince Wuyang would surely abandon his unrealistic hopes, and Qin Yunduan would finally be free.
Worried that Qin Yunduan would drink himself into stomach trouble, Yan Tongshu urged him to eat some meat along with the wine.
Qin Yunduan was not good at academics, but he had always listened to advice since childhood. Even drunk, he was no exception. Yan Tongshu only had to persuade him a few times before he obediently ate a skewer of meat for every cup of wine.
After a while, Qin Yunduan burst into loud, heartbroken sobs once more. Only then did he finally fall completely asleep.
His personal attendant helped Qin Yunduan into the carriage.
Yan Tongshu could do nothing but sigh, again and again.
“I just can’t understand it.” Pearl sighed as well. “If my family had an estate as vast as Prince Wuyang’s, with no worries about food or clothing, I’d let my children do whatever they wanted. Why force them so hard? And I think the Qin heir is quite good. He’s much better than Heir Yan of Prince Ming’s household or Prince Ning of the Yu State Duke’s residence. He’s sincere, generous, cheerful, and doesn’t have a bad bone in his body. Being around him is so much fun. Why turn someone happy into someone unhappy? I simply can’t understand it.”
Jinbao nodded vigorously, fully agreeing with Pearl.
“All one can say is that everyone thinks differently.” Yan Tongshu said helplessly. “Prince Wuyang is afraid the family will decline, so he wants his son to become accomplished. He’s simply too impatient. He’s pushed the Qin heir far too hard.”
And judging by what Qin Yunduan had said, Prince Wuyang was also somewhat awkward by nature, leaving Qin Yunduan caught in an impossible position.
He allowed Qin Yunduan to feel a father’s love, yet at the same time made him feel deeply rejected. The two forces combined, leaving Qin Yunduan constantly tormented by doubt and self-doubt. Just as he began to believe in his father’s love, he would be dealt another blow. Just as that blow left him hurt, his father would warm him with affection again.
An endless cycle of torment. An endless cycle of pain.
And Qin Yunduan’s abilities were limited; he had no way to live up to Prince Wuyang’s lofty expectations.
That only made it more painful.
Sigh...
Yan Tongshu sighed again. Every family had its own troubles.
“Have we paid the bill?” she asked.
Pearl shook her head. “Not yet.”
“Then order a few more skewers to take back,” Yan Tongshu said, lowering her eyes.
Pearl asked, “To save for tomorrow?”
They had all eaten quite a lot. They probably would not be able to eat any more tonight.
Yan Tongshu’s gaze drifted. “Let’s take them back first. We’ll see.”
The dog emperor had been coming every night lately. She would bring back a few grilled skewers to stuff his mouth and keep him from spouting any more of that damned flirtatious nonsense.
Yan Tongshu went back into the barbecue shop and ordered more food, which she had wrapped in oiled paper before taking it back to the Yan residence.
She returned excitedly with the skewers and pushed open the door to her room.
The candlelight burned quietly.
The lively room fell abruptly silent. Yan Tongshu hesitated, glanced at the bed, then went behind the folding screen to look.
He hadn’t come today?
Yan Tongshu set the skewers on the table. Normally, there was always someone making a racket and bothering her. Now that no one was there, she felt strangely unaccustomed to the silence.
She shook her head hard.
She was used to it. Very used to it.
She absolutely could not let herself grow accustomed to someone’s presence.
She would never enter the imperial harem.
“Pearl.” Yan Tongshu picked up the skewers again and called out, “Pearl, put these in the kitchen. We’ll reheat them tomorrow and have them for lunch.”
“Got it!”
Just thinking about getting to eat such delicious grilled skewers again tomorrow made Pearl happy. She immediately carried them cheerfully to the kitchen, then covered them with a lid to keep mice from stealing them.
At noon the next day, Yan Tongshu, Pearl, and Jinbao were sitting in the room eating grilled meat when Qin Yi entered with Lu Xi.
Lu Xi carried a tray piled high with memorials that had yet to be reviewed.
Qin Yi gracefully lifted his robe and sat down beside Yan Tongshu. “You’re in quite a good mood today, eating grilled meat?”
Yan Tongshu was utterly astonished. “Why are you here again?”
“The peace talks are more or less settled. The ministers can handle the finishing touches. I have plenty of time now—I can spend every day with you, Yan Qing.”
As he spoke, he reached over, took the skewer Yan Tongshu had only half finished, and continued eating it.
Unable to bear it any longer, Yan Tongshu snatched the skewer back. “There are so many on the table. Why do you have to steal mine?”
Qin Yi looked at Yan Tongshu with a smile, his eyes shimmering with tender warmth. “My elder brother said the cherry pork my sister-in-law feeds him tastes especially delicious, but I’ve never tried it. I wanted to see.”
“They feed it to each other. You’re just outright stealing.” Yan Tongshu ground her teeth.
Qin Yi leaned forward, fixing his gaze on Yan Tongshu. His eyes gleamed. “Then... will Yan Qing feed me?”
The words *Yan Qing* had never seemed like anything special when Qin Yi said them before.
But now...
Every time he spoke those two words, they seemed to roll over his tongue, low and husky, unbearably intimate—enough to make her bones go soft and her skin prickle.
Yan Tongshu clenched her fists and gritted her teeth. “Qin Yi, tell me honestly. Have you really never been to a pleasure house?”
The smile at the corner of Qin Yi’s lips stiffened. Deeply offended by Yan Tongshu’s distrust, he said, “Didn’t I already show you that illustrated book?”
At the mention of it, countless decidedly inappropriate images from that book flashed through Yan Tongshu’s mind. She ground her teeth, her voice seeming to squeeze out through the gaps between them. “Qin Yi, you are the emperor, not the top courtesan in a brothel.”
Always acting like some man from the pleasure quarters.
“Do you dislike it, Yan Qing, or...” He gave a low laugh and raised a hand to brush her reddened earlobe. “...are you embarrassed?”
“Ah!”
Just then, Pearl let out a cry. Her body bumped into the bamboo basket holding the charcoal, knocking it over. Black charcoal spilled all over Qin Yi’s legs and shoes.
“I’m sorry, I’m sorry, Your Majesty! This servant didn’t mean to!”
Pearl immediately dropped to her knees to beg forgiveness.
Yan Tongshu breathed a sigh of relief and silently gave Pearl an approving gesture. Then she cleared her throat twice and said, “Pearl, His Majesty is dressed casually today. He came here as a friend, so he won’t blame you. Get up.”
“Yes! Thank you, Your Majesty!” Pearl sprang to her feet without the slightest hesitation.
Qin Yi was so angry he nearly laughed.
It used to be Yan Tongshu alone playing dumb. Now the mistress and servant were doing it together.
The moment Pearl was back on her feet, Yan Tongshu promptly had her sit between herself and Qin Yi, while Jinbao took the seat at her other side.
Pearl and Jinbao sat like two guardian deities, flanking Yan Tongshu on either side and keeping a strict watch.
No matter how sharp a look Qin Yi sent their way, Yan Tongshu pretended not to notice.
That afternoon, Qin Yi had someone bring back the chair he had used before and place it beside Yan Tongshu’s seat. Then he sat down and began reviewing memorials.
Yan Tongshu had official business of her own to attend to. Since she could not drive him away, she could only pretend he was not there.
Pearl stubbornly and resolutely wedged herself between the two of them, grinding ink as she steadfastly blocked Qin Yi’s line of sight.
Pearl huffed to herself.
She would protect her young master no matter what. She absolutely would not give that dog emperor another chance to take liberties with her young master.
Thinking this, she signaled Jinbao with her eyes. Jinbao immediately understood and stepped forward as well, standing beside Pearl to form an insurmountable wall between Yan Tongshu and Qin Yi.
Yan Tongshu handed the official documents requiring higher approval, which she had finished reviewing, across the desk to Qin Yi.
Qin Yi gave them a glance, then pushed the imperial seal toward her. “Stamp them yourself.”
Yan Tongshu drew a deep breath. “Do your own work. Stop always trying to shove it off onto other people.”
“In that case, Minister Yan may choose again. One: I approve them. Two and three: same as last time.” Without even looking up, Qin Yi paused, then smiled. “If you choose two or three, I can do either.”
Yan Tongshu rubbed her forehead.
Headache. What a huge headache.
How had she never noticed before that the dog emperor was so shameless?
Yan Tongshu picked up the imperial seal.
The seal came down onto the documents, leaving behind a vivid scarlet imprint.
Pearl and Jinbao stared wide-eyed, their eyeballs practically popping out.
That was the imperial seal!
Had His Majesty lost his mind?
The two of them focused on official business, and before long, the sun had set.
Yan Tongshu stretched. After sitting all afternoon, her back and waist were aching.
When Yan Tongshu rose, Qin Yi set down his vermilion brush, and Lu Xi immediately gathered up the memorials he had finished reviewing.
Qin Yi stood and said slowly, “Come. Let’s go home together.”
Yan Tongshu froze halfway through her stretch. She pushed Pearl and Jinbao aside and was just about to explode when she suddenly sensed that something was off.
She fixed her gaze on Qin Yi, then narrowed her eyes slightly.
Qin Yi got goosebumps under Yan Tongshu’s penetrating stare.
Yan Tongshu looked at him without blinking. “Are you sure you’ve never been to a pleasure house?”
Qin Yi nodded.
He dared swear that he absolutely had never been.
Yan Tongshu smiled, as though she had everything figured out. “Qin Yi, I recall that when we played chess during the autumn hunt, you still owed me one question.”
Qin Yi raised an eyebrow slightly. “You want to claim it now?”
“My next question is the one I’m claiming.” Yan Tongshu went straight to the point. “Who taught you all these tricks you’ve been using lately? Or who shared those messy little picture books with you?”
She simply refused to believe that the imperial palace kept erotic manuals in the style of brothel entertainment.
“Cough, cough.” Qin Yi suddenly began coughing. After recovering, he hurriedly said, “There are still matters to attend to in the palace. I’ll be going back first.”
Trying to run, was he?
Yan Tongshu took a large step forward and blocked his path. “A ruler’s word is not to be taken lightly.”
She stepped closer, her brows sharp and cold. “Tell me. Who taught you?”
Qin Yi remained loyal enough to say, “What happens between the two of us is not suitable to involve others.”
So there really was someone stirring things up behind the scenes.
Yan Tongshu demanded indignantly, “Who was it?”
She would never let that bastard off.
Qin Yi refused to say. Yan Tongshu stepped forward again, tilting up her face to meet his eyes. “You are the emperor. If you go back on your word, what credibility will you have in the future?”
Qin Yi couldn’t say.
Lu Xi promptly came to his rescue. “After the dismemberment case, His Majesty once summoned Lord Pei—Pei Jin'an.”
Yan Tongshu went blank.
Pei Jin'an?!
Yan Tongshu snorted angrily through her nose and began rolling up her sleeves.
Well, well, Pei Jin'an.
What a fine brother-in-law!
Instead of helping her, he had helped the dog emperor—an outsider.
From this day forth, she and Pei Jin'an were sworn enemies.
If Pei Jin'an managed to complete the wedding procession without a hitch on the day of his marriage, she would take his surname!
Yan Tongshu turned to leave, intending to settle the score with Pei Jin'an. Qin Yi caught her around the waist with one arm and lifted her up. “My lady, Lord Pei merely offered me a few suggestions. He had no idea it was you.”
Seeing the dog emperor getting handsy again, Pearl rushed forward, ready to fight. Lu Xi was quicker, swiftly stopping both her and Jinbao.
Yan Tongshu calmed down and asked, “He really doesn’t know it was me?”
Qin Yi raised a brow. “Given your current identity, how could I possibly tell anyone? I only summoned him because I thought that, since you and your sister are both from the Yan family, you ought to have something in common. So I called him in to ask.”
Yan Tongshu reluctantly accepted this explanation.
Her gaze fell on the hand gripping her waist. “Let go.”
Qin Yi released her, only to take hold of her shoulders and turn her fully toward him. He bent down, looking straight into her eyes. “Yan Tongshu, I know what you’re worried about. I remember every word you’ve said. Don’t worry. I’ll clear away every obstacle behind your concerns.”
She liked him. She merely had reservations.
Yan Tongshu pressed her lips together. “Do it first. Then we’ll talk.”
She pushed Qin Yi away, straightened her rumpled clothes, lowered her sleeves, and strode off with Pearl and Jinbao.
That night, Qin Yi came to the entrance of Yan Tongshu’s courtyard. The gates had been bolted from within, with no sign that they would be opened for him.
Qin Yi let out a long sigh.
The road ahead was a long one.
…
To get back at Pei Jin'an, Yan Tongshu practically monopolized all of Yan Liangyu’s free time.
One moment, she was dragging Yan Liangyu around to sample everything on Bianjing’s food rankings; the next, she was discussing cases taken over by the Legal Office with her; then she was pulling her along to choose a farewell gift for Princess Xing'an.
As a result, Pei Jin'an—who had no idea how he had offended Yan Tongshu—looked at her with utter resentment in his eyes, wearing the expression of an aggrieved husband all day long.
Yan Tongshu took Yan Liangyu from East Street to West Street, from South Street to North Street, gathering up nearly every delicious Bianjing specialty that could be stored for a while. She packed the carriage to the brim and had it delivered to the diplomatic hostel.
After announcing her identity, Yan Tongshu requested an audience with Princess Xing'an.
The guards ushered her and Yan Liangyu inside, then hurried off to report.
Before long, Xie Li came out. His face was clouded with worry as he said, “My apologies, Lady Yan, but Her Highness is not in a position to receive visitors at the moment.”
Yan Tongshu asked, “Has something happened?”
Xie Li shook his head, unwilling to reveal more. “She is simply in low spirits. Lady Yan, please do not ask further.”
Since it was inconvenient for him to say, Yan Tongshu did not press him. Pointing to the food that had been carried in and piled into a small mountain, she said, “These are well-known local specialties from Bianjing—pastries, flatbreads, sauces, a little of everything. The delegation will leave Bianjing in less than two days. I was worried that something unexpected might happen on the day of departure, so I prepared these in advance and brought them for the princess. Please trouble Guard Jieli to pass them on to her.”
“Yes, I understand,” Xie Li said. Yet the worry between his brows did not fade. “But I’m afraid Her Highness may have to disappoint Lady Yan’s kind intentions.”
Yan Tongshu and Yan Liangyu exchanged a glance, neither understanding what Xie Li meant.
Xie Li said, “The princess... she... probably won’t be leaving Bianjing.”
Yan Tongshu frowned. “Why do you say that?”
Xie Li lowered her head, pressing her lips together. After hesitating for a moment, she said, “It seems that the princess and the Qin heir have gotten along well these past few days. She has also taken a liking to life in Bianjing, so she has changed her mind.”
“Xie Li...”
Princess Xing'an had said that she already had someone she loved.
With Princess Xing'an’s temperament, if she truly loved someone, it would be a sincere and wholehearted affection. There was no way she could simply fall for someone else in the span of a few days and suddenly change her mind.
Yan Tongshu instinctively wanted to press for what had really happened, but the words reached her lips and she realized it was not her place to ask.
Whether Princess Xing'an ultimately chose to enter a political marriage alliance was an internal matter of Northern Liao.
As a citizen of Wuchao, Yan Tongshu should not interfere. If she did, and some incident arose that disrupted the peace negotiations, the two nations might go to war, bringing suffering and death to countless people.
Yan Tongshu swallowed her questions and smiled. “In that case, we won’t disturb her any longer. But please do see that these gifts are delivered to the princess.”
Xie Li nodded. “Yes. I will personally place them in the princess’s hands.”
After settling the matter, Yan Tongshu and Yan Liangyu left the Hall of Reception and, guided by Northern Liao attendants, departed from the Diplomatic Inn.
The two had only just reached the entrance when they saw Qin Yunduan, alone and without announcing himself, making his way with familiar ease toward the princess’s chambers.
Yan Tongshu’s brows drew together slightly.
Had Qin Yunduan and Princess Xing'an already become so close?
She asked the guard guiding them, “Has the Qin heir been coming to the Diplomatic Inn often lately?”
The guard smiled. “The Qin heir is the future prince consort. Chancellor Yelu and Prince Wuyang both hope their relationship will continue to deepen, so they arranged for the Qin heir to stay temporarily in the room beside the princess’s chambers. It has only been for the past couple of days, though. He will move out tomorrow.”
Hearing this, Yan Tongshu could not help but feel a surge of irritation.
The situation gave her a powerful sense of déjà vu.
It was like a story she had once heard: neither the bride nor the groom wanted to marry, yet both were forced into it by their parents. Neither had any interest in the other, but their families had already sent out the wedding invitations.
The Emperor had made it clear: no need, no need, no need.
The negotiations between the two sides had been proceeding smoothly, and the terms had already been settled.
Yet Northern Liao was pushing, and Prince Wuyang was pushing.
Prince Wuyang could at least be said to want the seemingly mediocre Qin heir to achieve something. But what about Northern Liao? Were they simply willing to sacrifice a princess?
Was a political marriage alliance really so important?
Perhaps noticing Yan Tongshu’s displeasure, Yan Liangyu comforted her after they left the Diplomatic Inn. “Elder Brother, Princess Xing'an is a princess, after all. If she refuses, they would not dare force her.”
Yan Tongshu could only nod, but unease still lingered in her heart.
Chancellor Yelu was King of Liao’s younger brother. By rights, Princess Xing'an ought to address him as uncle.
Though the princess was indeed a princess, Chancellor Yelu was her elder.
When it came down to it, the princess was still beneath Chancellor Yelu in standing. Resisting him would not be easy.
Back at Kaifeng Prefecture, Yan Tongshu began to feel unwell. She went to the privy to check and, sure enough, her monthly bleeding had come. Fortunately, her cycle was regular, and Pearl had prepared menstrual pads for her long ago. After changing, she also put on a sachet meant to mask the scent of blood.
It had been the same every month for years, without a single mishap. She was used to it by now.
Until that evening, when Yan Tongshu pushed open her bedroom door and saw Qin Yi.
She pressed a hand to her forehead. She had forgotten about this guy.
Qin Yi was reclining sideways on her bed, propping his head up with one hand. His robe hung half-open, while in his other hand he held an erotic picture book. Yan Tongshu caught sight of the title on its cover: *The Precious Mirror of Romance: True Hearts Between Heaven and Earth*.
He was turning the pages one by one.
Hearing Yan Tongshu enter, Qin Yi’s lips curved in an almost imperceptible smile. “The books Minister Yan usually reads are no less daring than the little volumes Pei Jin'an presented to me.”
Yan Tongshu: “...”
Perhaps she had grown accustomed to the daily shocks awaiting her whenever she returned home. Yan Tongshu suddenly realized that, even after Qin Yi discovered her questionable picture book, her heart remained utterly unruffled.
She washed up at an unhurried pace, then slipped beneath the covers and closed her eyes.
“How heartless,” Qin Yi murmured.
Yan Tongshu clutched the quilt tighter. “I am upright by nature—a true gentleman. I will never be swayed by beauty.”
“So Minister Yan admits that I possess considerable beauty?” Qin Yi lay down beside her. “As I recall, Minister Yan enjoys good food, amusement, and beautiful things. I’ll take those words as a confession of affection.”
Thump!
Yan Tongshu drove her elbow hard into him.
He never stopped spouting shameless nonsense.
And that Pei Jin'an—rather than teaching him anything decent, he had taught him nothing but filthy nonsense.
Yan Tongshu opened her eyes.
A flash of realization crossed her mind.
Could it be that, in private, Pei Jin'an used these same lowbrow tactics on Liangyu?
Liangyu was such an honest child. Did he actually fall for that sort of thing?
Yan Tongshu felt her entire worldview crumble.
“Minister Yan,” Qin Yi suddenly said.
Yan Tongshu answered lazily, “Mm?”
Qin Yi moved closer and wrapped his arms around her. Yan Tongshu was just about to jab him with her elbow again when he said, “You smell a little different today.”
Her body stiffened. Had he caught the scent of blood?
In that moment of distraction, Qin Yi held her firmly in his embrace.
He lowered his head and inhaled softly, amusement glinting in his eyes. “Mm. Especially fragrant.”
Yan Tongshu rolled her eyes at him. Too lazy to bother with him, she closed her eyes and went to sleep.
By the time Yan Tongshu woke the next day, Qin Yi had already returned to the palace for morning court.
Outside, the world was a hazy expanse of white.
The first snowfall of the winter had fallen the night before.
Yan Tongshu touched the half of the bedding that had already gone cold and could not help thinking that the dog emperor must be one of those people with boundless energy. Every day, he traveled from the Yan residence back to the palace for morning court; after court, he met with his ministers; after meeting with them, he still had memorials to review... Sometimes, he even came to Kaifeng Prefecture to handle paperwork there...
If he were not absurdly energetic, he would have worked himself to death long ago.
Yan Tongshu rubbed the tip of her nose.
If it were her, after lasting more than three days, she would probably want to drag everyone down with her into mutual destruction.
“Honestly, it’s really quite exhausting,” Yan Tongshu murmured. She got out of bed. Pearl had already prepared a fresh menstrual pad for her. Holding an umbrella against the light snow, Pearl carried the used pad to the laundry room to be washed.
The auntie in charge of the laundry took it expertly, but she could not help nagging her a little. “Oh, Pearl, dear, it’s not that I mean to lecture you. But you really need to listen and see a doctor soon. You’re still so young—if your periods are irregular and you don’t take care of it, it could cause serious problems for your health later on.”
“I know,” Pearl replied dismissively. “I’ll find a doctor and have it looked at properly next time.”
“Mm.” The auntie skillfully took apart the menstrual pad, emptied out the ash inside, and soaked it in water mixed with alum.
While Yan Tongshu was changing clothes, Pearl went to the kitchen and brought back a bowl of brown-sugar tangyuan for her.
Brown-sugar tangyuan made a suitable breakfast. The brown sugar could replenish the blood; Yan Tongshu ate it occasionally anyway, so it would not draw attention.
Besides, Pearl was eating with Yan Tongshu. That made it even less likely anyone would grow suspicious.
Two bowls of brown-sugar tangyuan were set on the table. Pearl handed Yan Tongshu a spoon, then sat down across from her.
“Oh, right, Young Master.” Pearl stirred the tangyuan with her spoon. “Not long after His Majesty returned to the palace, he had someone deliver mutton and black-boned chicken. He said they were recent tribute offerings and tasted excellent, but that the imperial chefs could not match the cooking in our residence. He asked us to prepare them, and then we could eat together.”
“Mm.” Yan Tongshu lowered her eyes and slowly chewed the tangyuan in her mouth.
The dumplings were soft and glutinous; the brown sugar, sweet.
She loved brown-sugar tangyuan.
She had only eaten half her bowl when she began to feel full. Then the steward suddenly rushed over in a panic.
“Young Master, something terrible has happened.”
Yan Tongshu swallowed her tangyuan. “Go on.”
The steward’s forehead was slick with cold sweat. “Something happened at the Duting Post Station. Assistant Magistrate Zhang sent someone to notify us. He said that Princess Xing'an had not emerged from her room for a long time this morning, so the guards on duty forced the door open and found that Princess Xing'an... Princess Xing'an had been killed by followers of the Northern Liao Northern Prefecture Heavenly God Cult.”
“What?!” Yan Tongshu sprang to her feet. Her body struck the table, knocking the porcelain bowl onto the floor.
Wiping sweat from his brow, the steward continued, “The runner who delivered the message said they cut off the Princess’s head and placed it on the altar in her room. They also left a message written in blood, declaring: ‘Those who betray the Heavenly God and seek peace talks shall die.’”
