Yan Tongshu nodded. “Is there something you need, miss?”
The young woman in pink said, “I apologize for my impertinence in disturbing you, Lord Yan. Please forgive me.”
Her voice was not gentle and melodious like most women’s—instead, it sounded as if sand were lodged in her throat, hoarse and rough. Even so, Yan Tongshu could detect the timidity in her character beneath it.
So Yan Tongshu softened her own tone as much as she could. “Have you run into some trouble?”
The young woman in pink tightened her grip on the pipa in her hands. “Lord Yan, I heard that you arrested the princess, took the prince consort into custody, and executed many mountain bandits. You are upright and impartial—a truly honorable official.”
The young woman spoke with her voice held back, extremely cautious.
She bit her lip. “I would like to ask—if someone commits a crime, will you always arrest them?”
Yan Tongshu said, “If there is conclusive evidence.”
“Then... what if...” The young woman hugged the pipa closer to her chest. “What if the other party holds great power and influence...”
Yan Tongshu said, “The law knows no mercy.”
The young woman asked, “What if the other party has outstanding merits and achievements, and no one dares to put them on trial...”
Yan Tongshu furrowed her brows and asked directly, “Who are you talking about?”
The young woman in pink did not reply. She only lowered her head and asked, “What if investigating that person would cost you your own life... Would you still do it?”
Yan Tongshu pressed again, “Miss, who are you talking about?”
The young woman in pink thought that Yan Tongshu’s refusal to answer and instead asking questions meant she was unwilling to respond. She let out a soft sigh. “So it really won’t work, then?”
This girl was far too gentle, far too weak, clearly still hesitating on the edge.
But Yan Tongshu did not dare make bold promises either.
After thinking for a moment, she said, “Miss, I am only one person. I cannot promise or guarantee you anything. The only thing I am certain of is this—if it were me, if the person I faced were unshakable, I would do everything in my power to bring the truth to light.”
The young woman in pink suddenly lifted her head, stunned.
A gentle breeze passed, and her light veil fluttered.
Behind the veil, a bright smile blossomed on the woman’s face. “Yes—thank you, Lord Yan, thank you, Lord Yan...”
She expressed her gratitude to Yan Tongshu with great excitement, then turned and ran off, laughing with relief.
Now it was Yan Tongshu’s turn to be stunned.
This girl just came over to ask a few casual questions?
Yan Tongshu thought it over briefly, then said, “Jinbao, follow her. See if she’s run into some kind of difficulty.”
Jinbao replied, “Yes.”
Jinbao quickened his pace and followed at speed.
With this interruption, Yan Tongshu no longer felt like traveling all the way to the outskirts to find Meng Zheng, so she simply strolled around with Pearl.
Yuanzi was too heavy, and Yan Tongshu’s shoulder was aching terribly, so she lifted it off her shoulder and held it in her arms instead.
Before long, Yan Tongshu discovered a little treasure of a stall, displaying all kinds of delicate hairpins and ornaments.
Yan Tongshu picked up a butterfly hairpin strung with tiny pearls. When she lifted it, the butterfly’s wings swayed twice, as if it were about to take flight.
Yan Tongshu tucked the hairpin into Pearl’s hair.
How pretty.
In truth, when she had first crossed into this world, she had loved these beautiful ornaments too.
Especially since, in modern times, she had been an intern doctor—no money, no time to dress up.
After crossing over, she had both money and time, but she had become a man.
Yan Tongshu shook her head. Still, compared to freedom, these pretty ornaments were worth nothing.
Since Yan Tongshu could not wear them herself, she took delight in dressing up Pearl instead.
Before long, Pearl’s hair was full of hairpins.
Pearl tilted her head. “Does the young master think I look good?”
Yan Tongshu chuckled. “Too many.”
Anything in excess is overdone.
The two of them picked out a pair of hairpins and continued walking as they shopped. When Yan Tongshu tired of carrying Yuanzi, she handed it to Pearl.
After a while, they grew tired and sat down to rest at a tea stall.
Beside them, two elderly men—one fat, one thin—were playing chess.
Yan Tongshu held a cup of hot tea and watched.
The fat man played black; the thin man played white.
Black’s moves were extremely aggressive, full of killing intent on the board, looking unstoppable in their advance—but the rear was riddled with holes.
White played steadily, retreating step by step under black’s assault, seemingly about to lose most of its territory.
At this point, if white could swing around to the rear and seize black’s exposed weakness, it would surely overturn the situation in one decisive move.
Yan Tongshu leaned forward, holding her breath along with the other onlookers.
The thin man pondered for a long time, then chose to sheathe his sword and hold a defensive line.
“Ahh!” one of the spectators sighed in frustration. “Why would he do that? So hesitant and wishy-washy—at this rate, he’ll be devoured whole.”
Yan Tongshu shot him a glance.
Fool.
This was black baiting white into a trap. If white truly abandoned its defense and rushed after that false opening, then one careless move would lose the entire game.
This white player was making solid, steady moves. If he simply kept it up, black’s attacking momentum would inevitably weaken, and every bait black released would be slowly devoured clean by white piece by piece.
This was the moment when patience mattered most.
Yan Tongshu gripped her teacup, silently cheering for white.
Beside her, the man who had sighed received a retort: “Those who watch chess should stay silent.”
“Then let’s make a bet.”
“A bet it is.”
“I put my money on black.”
“Then I’ll put mine on white.”
One copper coin per bet—just for pride and fun, hardly gambling at all. Yan Tongshu pulled out a copper coin as well, betting on white to win.
After about a quarter-hour, things played out exactly as Yan Tongshu had predicted: black’s momentum collapsed.
“Ahh!” The man who had earlier called white too conservative lamented. “How did it end up like this?”
Hmph.
Yan Tongshu raised an eyebrow smugly. She knew white would win.
“Heh.”
A cold snort sounded from behind Yan Tongshu.
Who was that? Someone who lost and wouldn’t accept it?
Yan Tongshu turned around. Her face went stiff.
Qin Yi stood there, watching her with a knowing, faint smile.
Beside him stood Lu Xi and the new commander of the Divine Strategy Army, the female general Deng Xuanying, who had just returned from the border.
Was he cursed or something? Why would an emperor keep sneaking out of the palace instead of staying properly where he belonged?
Yan Tongshu’s mind raced at full speed, confirming she had said nothing inappropriate—she had only been quietly watching the chess game. She smiled and said, “What a coincidence, Your Grace. Aunt Deng, what a coincidence to see you here.”
Deng Xuanying was the distant aunt of the cousin of Lady Yan’s cousin’s husband. When Yan Tongshu had been demoted to the Xianlin Pavilion, she had made a point of visiting the Yan family to see her, and ever since, Deng had been stationed at the border. So calling her “Aunt Deng” was entirely fitting.
Qin Yi lifted the corner of his mouth. “Enjoying yourself?”
Yan Tongshu thought, damn it—could this dog emperor be misunderstanding something?
She truly couldn’t play chess.
Chess required both sides to engage in combat, to lay traps and calculate against each other. She could only read the position, read the situation, understand how to defend after she saw the flow—but she didn’t know how to attack on her own or how to set traps. So she really, truly, absolutely did not know how to play chess.
Yan Tongshu opened her mouth to explain, “I really don’t know how to play chess. I—”
At that very moment, the man running the betting game handed Yan Tongshu five copper coins. “This young gentleman is impressive—one of only three who bet on white. Here, this is the five coppers you won.”
Yan Tongshu’s expression went blank.
Qin Yi raised an eyebrow. “Go on, take it. Why don’t you?”
Hmph. Always pretending to be foolish.
Just as Yan Tongshu reached out to take the five coins, Qin Yi reached out first, scooped them up, and tossed them lightly in his palm. “Confiscated.”
On what grounds?!
Yan Tongshu was unconvinced, but didn't dare to question him aloud.
Qin Yi merely replied flatly, "Cherish life, say no to gambling, drugs, and depravity."
Yan Tongshu: "..."
Did this damned emperor have to throw every boomerang back at her just to feel satisfied?
Deng Xuanying looked at Qin Yi, then at Yan Tongshu. What kind of riddle were this sovereign and his minister playing with each other?
Qin Yi, apparently feeling his intelligence was insulted and his authority challenged, had a fire burning in his chest. He stepped forward, bent down, lowered his head, and murmured near Yan Tongshu's ear in a voice only the two of them could hear: "Yan Tongshu, let this be the wager — five copper coins. This game of chess, played with human hearts as the stakes — I, the Emperor, will gamble with you."
"I..." Yan Tongshu was speechless. This was exactly why she hated politicians — they always assumed the worst of others.
Not wanting to hear whatever unpleasant words Yan Tongshu might say next, Qin Yi turned and left, still clutching those five copper coins in his hand.
The Minister of Personnel and the Minister of Rites, those two veteran officials, had always kept to themselves on the surface. They appeared to be at odds with Yan Tongshu and frequently opposed any proposal she submitted. Yet, in a subtle and nuanced way, they wouldn't tolerate anyone else speaking ill of her.
Zhang Jiu, Cen Xu, Meng Zheng, and Meng Yi openly supported Yan Tongshu. Those two old ministers — and even more officials — were, to varying degrees, privately inclined in her favor.
He had climbed to the throne through a mountain of corpses and a sea of blood, bided his time in patience for ten years, and cultivated his own power right under the noses of the late emperor and Prince Ming. He refused to believe he couldn't win over a single Yan Tongshu.
As soon as Qin Yi walked away, Lu Xi and Deng Xuanying followed.
Yan Tongshu was absolutely seething. What did he mean by "gamble"? In plain terms, this damned emperor simply refused to believe she didn't know how to play chess.
Damned emperor, damned emperor, damned emperor — Yan Tongshu swung her fists at Qin Yi's retreating back.
After a few swings, still unsatisfied, she snatched Yuanzi from Pearl's arms and hoisted the cat up toward the receding figures of Qin Yi and his entourage: "Yuanzi, scratch him, bite him!"
The clever Yuanzi immediately bared its teeth and swiped its claws in the air.
As if sensing something, Qin Yi suddenly turned around.
Yan Tongshu ducked behind Yuanzi in a flash.
Scared the living daylights out of her.
Why did that damned emperor suddenly look back?
He didn't see her, right?
After a moment, Yan Tongshu timidly poked her head out from behind Yuanzi. No one there. Good grief, that was terrifying — that would've been a crime of great disrespect.
Yan Tongshu mentally cursed Qin Yi for another three thousand characters. She hadn't agreed, absolutely not. No gambling.
Hmph.
Yan Tongshu took Pearl to buy materials for making lanterns. After they'd bought enough, Jinbao came back: "Master, I lost her."
Yan Tongshu blinked.
That girl looked so gentle and harmless, like a little white rabbit — how could he lose her?
"That girl seemed very familiar with the alleys around here. She ducked into one and disappeared before I knew it," Jinbao scratched his head. "Maybe she didn't see my men, thought someone was following her, got scared, and deliberately gave me the slip."
Nothing to be done about it, then.
Yan Tongshu stroked Yuanzi: "Let's head back first. Maybe she'll go knock on the drum of justice herself in a couple of days."
Jinbao nodded.
After dinner, Zheng Chun came by again. She didn't know what he said to Yan Liangrong, but Yan Liangrong's attitude seemed to have softened somewhat.
Yan Tongshu sat in her room, warming herself by the fire while making lanterns.
Yan Liangrong and Zheng Chun's situation was the hardest to handle.
Forgive him — it felt like swallowing a fly. Don't forgive him — but the two were already married, bound together by so much, and they had a son, Zheng Ke.
Yan Tongshu shook her head. Whatever. No matter what her sister chose, as family, she would stand firmly by her sister's side.
For now, lanterns first.
She would take care of all the festive lanterns this year for the New Year.
Yan Tongshu and Pearl and Jinbao worked on lanterns late into the night. The next day, when they arrived at Kaifeng Prefecture, she and Pearl snuck out the lantern-making materials and happily slacked off.
Just as Yan Tongshu and Pearl were in the middle of happily crafting goldfish lanterns, a knock sounded at the door.
She quickly packed everything away and returned to her seat: "Come in."
Meng Zheng walked in and handed her an official document: "Here, the patrol deployment for the Lantern Festival."
Yan Tongshu opened it. Meng Zheng leaned lazily against the desk, glanced down, and noticed some tiny scratches on Yan Tongshu's fingers. His brows drew together. "Your hands — what happened? Injured?"
Yan Tongshu didn't look up, unconcerned: "Made some lanterns — paper pasting and bamboo strips. Just small cuts, no big deal."
After confirming the patrol arrangements for the Lantern Festival were in order, Yan Tongshu hoisted the big, thick official seal and stamped it.
Meng Zheng put the document away and raised an eyebrow. "You can make lanterns?"
Barefaced doubt.
Yan Tongshu glared. "Don't look down on me! Why wouldn't I be able to make lanterns?"
Meng Zheng remained skeptical. Lantern-making was a highly intricate craft.
His mother Wen Taojun's father had built his fortune making lanterns.
Later, when her family suffered a catastrophe, she was entrusted to her uncle Wen Shouan, then commander of the Yizhou military, and raised in his household until she married and came with his father to Bianjing.
Despite all she'd been through, his mother had never forgotten the family's hereditary craft. Every Lantern Festival, she would personally make two beautiful lanterns — one for him, one for his father.
In Meng Zheng's memory, making a single lantern took at least several days, and the skill required was extremely high.
Faced with his skepticism, Yan Tongshu decided to let facts speak for themselves. She bent down, ducked under the desk, and pulled out a carp lantern she'd just finished: "See? I made it. Absolutely perfect."
Meng Zheng stared at the carp lantern.
It was small — just right to hold in both hands.
On both sides of the lantern were painted lively, playful carps, and the shape was indeed that of a carp.
Its tail was red. Once lit, it would surely be very festive.
It was only then that Meng Zheng realized — this was the kind of lantern Yan Tongshu meant.
This simple, little lantern.
Yan Tongshu looked at him expectantly: "Now, say it."
Meng Zheng gave Yan Tongshu a thumbs up: "Truly worthy of Lord Yan."
Yan Tongshu was satisfied, pleased. In her good mood, she generously offered to give the carp lantern to Meng Zheng.
Meng Zheng held the lantern by its handle — small, quite adorable.
He thought for a moment, then propped his elbow on the desk and leaned toward Yan Tongshu: "Lord Yan."
Yan Tongshu: "Hmm?"
Meng Zheng: "For the Lantern Festival — you haven't made plans with any lady, have you?"
Yan Tongshu honestly shook her head.
In her situation, making plans with a lady would be doing that lady a disservice.
Meng Zheng smiled: "Then come with me. How about it?"
Noticing Yan Tongshu's hesitation, Meng Zheng tempted her: "You gave me a lantern, so on the night of the festival, I'll give you one too. My mother is an expert at making lanterns. Every year she asks me what I want and makes me a particularly beautiful one. Last year, she made a qilin — so lifelike, it even moved and stuck out its tongue. This year, if you agree to attend the Lantern Festival with me, I'll give that chance to you."
"It moves?" Yan Tongshu's eyes went wide. "Really? It even sticks out its tongue?"
Meng Zheng: "If I'm lying, I'm a dog."
Yan Tongshu asked cautiously: "Could I have a nine-tailed fox?"
"Of course." Meng Zheng said proudly, "My mother hasn't made a nine-tailed fox in recent years, but she's made three-tailed ones, and each tail is different. When it walks, the tails sway up and down, so lifelike."
Wow!
Just hearing Meng Zheng describe it made Yan Tongshu can't wait to see that kind of magical lantern.
Meng Zheng smiled. "Coming?"
Yan Tongshu nodded desperately. "Yes, yes, I'm coming."
Meng Zheng curled his lips into a smile. "Let's go."
He carried the small red carp lantern and walked away with vigorous strides.
...
On the day the Zhou family came to discuss the marriage, Yan Tongshu didn't show up, and neither did Yan Liangrong.
Master Zhou and Lady Zhou sat awkwardly in the room.
Zhou Zhengxun stood behind them, silent.
Lady Yan quietly sipped her tea, while Chen Meirong toyed with the peony-shaped gold pendant the size of a fist hanging around her neck.
Lady Zhou smiled warmly. "Lady Yan, is Lord Yan simply too busy at the Kaifeng Prefecture to get away today?"
Lady Yan didn't respond. Chen Meirong said in her shrill voice, "We've been discussing this marriage date for so long now, and who knows if we can even finalize it today. Our Tongshu is swamped with work and can't afford to put aside official duties for such trivial matters."
So this was payback for last time, when the Zhou family came to discuss the wedding date and Zhengxun's father hadn't shown up.
Lady Zhou maintained her warm smile, as if Chen Meirong's jab hadn't touched her at all.
Lady Zhou smiled and had a maidservant hand the betrothal gift list to Lady Yan. "Liangyu and Zhengxun have been engaged for four years now. The two children are so fond of each other, so of course the wedding should be grand and lively. Our Zhou family was short on funds for a while, but now all the debts outside have been collected, and everything is looking up."
Seeing that Lady Yan's expression remained indifferent, Lady Zhou quickly added, "Lady Yan, Mrs. Qian, Liangyu is elegant and refined, well-read and sensible—she's the best possible daughter-in-law. Rest assured, once she marries into our Zhou family, I will cherish her like my own daughter. And from now on, if ever the young couple has a quarrel, I guarantee it will always be Zhengxun's fault."
Upon hearing this, Zhou Zhengxun puffed out his chest and looked at Yan Liangyu expectantly.
Lady Yan finished reviewing the dowry list and handed it to Chen Meirong. Chen Meirong took it, glanced over it, and smiled. "The betrothal gifts are settled, so let's discuss something else."
Lady Zhou's smile stiffened. "Something else...?"
Chen Meirong said without hesitation, "Your family has two sons—the elder, Zhou Zhengxun, and the younger, Zhou Zhenghao. Our Liangyu is the precious daughter I've raised with the utmost care. If you'll pardon my bluntness, in the unfortunate event that something should happen to Master Zhou in the future, how would the family property be divided? Shouldn't that be settled in advance?"
What did she mean by "something happens"?
Master Zhou's face darkened.
He was in the prime of his life—what could possibly happen to him? This vulgar woman Chen Meirong, opening her mouth only to spew vile words.
Lady Zhou tugged at Master Zhou and smiled. "Zhengxun and Zhenghao are brothers, and my husband is in good health. He'll live another hundred years, no problem."
Chen Meirong pressed on relentlessly. "Zhengxun is already seventeen—a grown man. It's best to make plans early. So tell me, how do you intend to divide the Zhou family property?"
Seeing that Chen Meirong was impossible to reason with, Lady Zhou turned her gaze back to Lady Yan. "Lady Yan, Mrs. Qian married Master Qian and runs the silk shop day and night, so she's naturally a bit sensitive about money matters. What do you think—is there any issue with the betrothal gift list? If not, shall we set the wedding date for the eighth day of the second month after the new year? We've consulted an astrologer—that day is auspicious for weddings, and it harmonizes well with Zhengxun and Liangyu's birth charts. There's nothing unfavorable about it."
Lady Yan took a sip of tea and spoke slowly. "The eighth of the second month feels a little rushed..."
"Not rushed at all, not rushed at all." Lady Zhou relaxed slightly, her face never losing its ingratiating smile. "If you agree, we guarantee that the Yan family won't have to lift a finger for the wedding—our Zhou family will handle absolutely everything perfectly."
Lady Yan's gaze was calm as still water, unmoved. "As for the betrothal gifts... although they've been doubled, marriages in the capital city follow certain customs. The dowry and betrothal gifts must be commensurate with each other. Based on the dowry we previously agreed upon, these betrothal gifts are still a bit lacking."
Lady Zhou and Master Zhou exchanged a difficult glance.
This was already the absolute limit of what the Zhou family could manage right now.
They had to leave something for their second son, didn't they? If they gave everything to Zhengxun for betrothal gifts, what would happen to Zhou Zhenghao, who would soon be at the age for marriage negotiations?
That boy would surely throw a fit.
Zhou Zhengxun tugged at Lady Zhou's sleeve. "Mother..."
Lady Zhou was mortified. "Lady Yan, Mrs. Qian, we've been friends for over ten years, and the children have known each other since they were little..."
Yan Liangyu sat quietly with her head bowed, listening to Lady Zhou appeal to their friendship over and over, haggling with Chen Meirong.
Just as she had done for the past month or more, she tried to put herself in Zhou Zhengxun's position, to treat Lady Zhou as her own mother, repeatedly probing, repeatedly tracing Zhou Zhengxun's state of mind.
The weather was bitterly cold, and despite the brazier in the room, it was freezing.
Such was the temperature of winter.
Dreary the year-end winds, dim the day-long snow.
Withered branches broken, fierce north wind, rustling and moaning.
Like a dirge.
She felt no satisfaction at this reversal of fortune, at watching a mother humble herself and plead for her son's sake. She only felt sorrow—for herself, and for Lady Zhou.
And for herself at thirteen, and Zhou Zhengxun at fourteen.
"Zhou Zhengxun." Yan Liangyu raised her head and spoke slowly.
Lady Yan and Chen Meirong both looked at her at once.
Yan Liangyu said, "Zhou Zhengxun, let's go outside and talk."
She wanted to make an end of this.
Lady Zhou, thinking Yan Liangyu had softened, hurriedly pushed Zhou Zhengxun. "Go, go! Go on."
She signaled to him with her eyes and whispered, "Talk to Liangyu nicely. I'll find a way about the betrothal gifts—I'll go beg your grandfather for help if I have to."
Zhou Zhengxun nodded.
Yan Liangyu and Zhou Zhengxun stepped out onto the corridor.
Snow filled the sky, laying a blanket of white over the red-painted walkway.
Zhou Zhengxun spoke eagerly, unable to contain himself. "Liangyu, look—I've convinced my parents. We can be together now."
Yan Liangyu looked at him calmly. "Zhou Zhengxun, don't you feel sorry for your mother?"
Zhou Zhengxun was bewildered.
Yan Liangyu asked again, "You used to feel so much for her. When she was ill, you made me wait. When she was tired, you made me back down. When she came to the Yan household to make a scene, you asked me to understand. So now, when she's humbling herself in this pitiful way just to secure a good match for you, why don't you feel sorry for her anymore?"
Zhou Zhengxun didn't understand what Yan Liangyu was talking about. He stepped forward and took her hand. "Liangyu, what's wrong with you? We can finally be together—aren't you happy?"
Yan Liangyu pulled her hand away. "Zhou Zhengxun, I don't want to be with you anymore."
Zhou Zhengxun's body went rigid. "What's the matter with you?"
Yan Liangyu's eyes reddened. "Zhou Zhengxun, today's meeting isn't about marriage negotiations. It's a play I asked my mother and Aunt Chen to put on."
Zhou Zhengxun's pupils trembled, and he jolted awake: "You're taking revenge on us?"
He reached out again to grab Yan Liangyu, pleading, "It's alright, Liangyu. You can take revenge on me, on the Zhou family. Just—don't abandon me, as long as you still want me. As long as we can still be together, you can take whatever revenge you want, hit me, curse me, do whatever you need to do."
Yan Liangyu stepped back, firmly keeping his distance from Zhou Zhengxun: "Zhou Zhengxun, believe it or not, I have never once thought about retaliating against you or the Zhou family."
Zhou Zhengxun: "Then... why..."
"I just wanted to figure out what you were really thinking." Yan Liangyu gave a bitter twist of his lips. "I used to think it was because of filial piety, because of your sense of duty to your family, that you had too many helpless moments, too many things you simply couldn't do. After all, your mother is so domineering, and your family doesn't have a century of foundation behind them. You couldn't use your selfish love to destroy the hard work of three generations, or let your mother suffer in her illness.
I always believed that. I really did. Until I asked Pei Jin'an for help, until I started letting go of the beautiful memories I had of the fourteen-year-old Zhou Zhengxun, and began to put myself in your shoes. I tried to imagine, if I were you, what I would do to be worthy of the Zhou family, to be worthy of your mother, what I could do to have the best of both worlds, what I could do to maximize the benefits."
Yan Liangyu took a deep breath. "Only after we switched positions did I realize that's not how it was. You could have managed your parents all along—just like today, your father and your mother came to the Yan residence, humbling themselves with smiles. You always had that power. You are their most beloved son, just as I am the most cherished daughter of my mother and eldest brother's mother. They made concession after concession for me—how could they possibly not compromise for you?
You gave them the wrong impression, you gave them the confidence to keep pushing me around, pushing the entire Yan family around, again and again. Because doing so served you best. You thought the Yan family had fallen, so the Yan family owed you, and you had to maximize your own gains. And now, the Yan family has risen again—my eldest brother has earned the emperor's favor—and you've started weighing my worth anew..."
