In less than fifteen minutes, the steward had someone bring over a portrait of Xi Qingyue. It was a smaller, younger version of her—several years younger than she was now.
Duke Anguo glanced at the portrait and felt no sense of recognition. “She doesn’t look anything like Wen Liang.”
After looking it over, he thought nothing more of it. He handed the portrait back to the steward. “Put it away. There are plenty of people in this world who look alike. Wen Liang said the two children were already dead. They can’t be them, and they certainly wouldn’t appear in the capital.”
The steward had his doubts and suspicions, but after thinking it over, he decided it was probably impossible. He did not dare say anything and simply returned the portrait to Xi Daniu’s study.
Xi Daniu was still lying in bed recovering from his illness. He had no idea that the portrait in his study had been taken away and then returned. As for the Heir Consort, she was busy caring for him and comforting her childish son, leaving her no time to bother with such trivial matters.
The search outside was still ongoing. The entire capital was being subjected to an extensive search for suspicious individuals.
The streets were visibly less crowded than usual. People from the various residences had stopped wandering about aimlessly that day; no place was safer than home.
At the Ninth Princess’s residence, Lu Qianning held a small jade bottle in her hand. Inside was the potion Xi Qingyue had given her. With just one sip, it could immediately create the appearance of someone being half-dead, just as before. She had not drunk it yet.
She still was not certain who would be coming to the residence, and wanted to wait a little longer. When she heard that the visitor was Zhao Fenghua, she smiled faintly. “Well, that makes things easier. I don’t even need to drink the potion now.”
In the front courtyard, everyone in the princess’s residence had been summoned except Lu Qianning. Luo Ling also handed Zhao Fenghua a register. “All the details about the people in the residence are recorded here. Lord Zhao, please look it over.”
Zhao Fenghua gave a detached hum, accepted the register, and read it carefully.
After finishing, he nodded, returned the register to Luo Ling, and turned to leave. He had no intention of questioning Xi Qingyue and her sister at all.
One of the more honest Imperial Guards kindly reminded him, “My lord, you haven’t checked the two of them yet.”
Zhao Fenghua glanced at the sisters the guard was pointing toward and glared at him before rebuking him, “What is there to check about the Seventh Princess’s adopted sisters? Consort Qin has already acknowledged them herself. What else is there to investigate? Stop wasting time. We still have other residences to search.”
With that, he led a group of Imperial Guards away at a brisk pace, as if eager to search the next residence.
Xi Qingyue merely smiled at the sight. She took Xi Weilan’s hand and led her toward Lu Qianning’s room.
Inside, Lu Qianning was reading a book. She had not even lain down on the bed because she was certain Zhao Fenghua would not allow anyone to search her room.
The door creaked open.
Xi Qingyue walked in with Xi Weilan, smiling. “Sister Lu, you’re quite capable. No one even bothered to search the two of us. I was all ready to make a move.”
Lu Qianning tapped her lightly on the head with the book, then smiled and pulled Xi Weilan onto her lap.
She spoke leisurely. “Zhao Fenghua may be taciturn, but he understands gratitude better than anyone. I once saved his life, so he has long since regarded me as his master. Besides, so many things have happened in the capital. Aren’t you afraid that people will suspect you if you act now? There are a hundred thousand troops stationed at the camp outside the capital. Don’t be careless.”
Xi Qingyue smiled, completely unconcerned. “Don’t worry. There probably isn’t anyone who can kill me. What can a hundred thousand troops do?”
Lu Qianning was still shocked by the confidence in her expression. She knew Xi Qingyue was formidable and that she possessed secrets, but just how powerful did one have to be to disregard a hundred thousand troops? Was this really an eight-year-old child?
Xi Qingyue continued, “By the way, Sister Lu, can you imitate someone’s handwriting?”
The hand Lu Qianning had been using to feed pastries to the little girl on her lap paused. “Whose handwriting?”
“Your father’s. I need an imperial edict. Tonight, I’ll get a blank one. You can write the contents for me, and I’ll give you a blank edict in return.”
Lu Qianning’s breathing caught. She stared at Xi Qingyue in disbelief. Did this girl even realize what she was saying? Were blank imperial edicts something worthless?
Xi Qingyue raised a brow. “What? One isn’t enough? Two, then?”
Lu Qianning lifted a hand to stop her before she could continue. Then she suddenly smiled. “One is enough. There’s no need for too many posthumous edicts.”
Xi Qingyue was very satisfied with her answer. “Then it’s settled. I’ll get the edict tonight.”
After a pause, she asked in confusion, “Since you have the ability, why don’t you depose him?”
She was referring to the old emperor.
“There’s no need. His body has long since been ruined by all those alchemical pills, and he wouldn’t have lived more than a few years anyway. His recent bouts of vomiting blood and fainting have damaged him even further. He’ll certainly die within a year. If he dies too soon, it will easily cause unrest.”
Lu Qianning spoke of the emperor’s life and death with complete calm, as though he were not her father but a stranger.
After all, her mother had been poisoned and killed with the emperor’s tacit approval. She had never forgotten that debt.
Since the path she had originally wanted to take was blocked, she would simply choose another.
She smiled at Xi Qingyue. “Luo Ling said you want to establish an independent household for women. Don’t worry. In the future, women throughout the realm will be allowed to register households in their own names. Their family members will no longer be able to swallow up their property, and they won’t have to depend on someone else just to survive.”
Xi Qingyue believed her completely. She hoped for the same thing.
Having finished discussing business, she prepared to leave with Xi Weilan. Rising to her feet, she smiled and said, “I have to visit Sister Jinshuang. My Ta Feng is still with her, and I need to bring him back. In a few days, Weilan and I will be leaving.”
Lu Qianning felt a little reluctant. She truly regarded the two girls as her younger sisters.
Xi Weilan wrapped her arms around Lu Qianning’s neck and said, “Sister Lu, my big sister is taking me to travel all over the world. Just wait for us. Once we’ve had our fill of fun, we’ll come back to the capital to see you.”
“All right. I’ll wait for you here in the capital.” Lu Qianning could not resist pinching Xi Weilan’s little cheek. The more she looked at her, the more she adored her.
Xi Qingyue took Xi Weilan’s hand and walked out of the room. She never left Xi Weilan alone anywhere when she was away—not even with Lu Qianning.
The two of them did not go directly to the Seventh Princess’s residence, nor did they let Mu Jin and the others accompany them. They traveled alone.
Carrying Xi Weilan, Xi Qingyue flew straight into the Seventh Princess’s residence. When Lu Jinshuang saw them, her mood immediately brightened.
“Moon, Weilan, you finally came to see me! Let me tell you—Imperial Guards came to search my residence earlier. Luckily, I usually hide all my valuables in the secret chamber. Otherwise, there wouldn’t have been enough time to move everything.”
She happily picked up Xi Weilan and patted Xi Qingyue on the head, clearly delighted by their visit.
However, her casual remark made the sisters exchange a glance, and Xi Qingyue’s eyes lit up.
How could she have forgotten something so important? Ta Feng could be taken away at any time, but opportunities to search for treasure were rare. She had already stolen from the Grand Tutor’s estate, but she had not yet taken anything from his residence. Today was the perfect opportunity.
She snatched Xi Weilan into her arms and gave Lu Jinshuang an apologetic smile. “I’m sorry, Sister Jinshuang. I just remembered that I have something urgent to take care of. I’ll come see you again later.”
With that, she took Xi Weilan and flew out of the princess’s residence.
Lu Jinshuang stood there, looking utterly bewildered. How had he managed to leave again after she’d said only one thing?
