Jiu Yue received the imperial decree, and Eunuch Mao smiled at her, saying, "If Your Highness the Crown Princess has no urgent matters at the moment, please proceed to the imperial study. His Majesty awaits you."
Jiu Yue nodded, her gaze briefly sweeping over Consort Ning standing nearby.
Compared to her earlier composed and refined demeanor, Consort Ning's face was now expressionless.
To others, it might seem like Consort Ning was simply stunned—after all, they were equally shocked. This was the position of Crown Princess! And the Emperor had bestowed it so casually!
But Jiu Yue could sense the underlying gloom and fury beneath Consort Ning's façade.
She was a master of disguise, a true expert in restraint.
Jiu Yue had accepted the decree appointing her as Crown Princess right in front of Consort Ning, yet the woman had maintained her composure without a single slip.
Jiu Yue was impressed. Then, with a radiant smile, she said, "Ah, Consort Ning, could it be that you are my lucky star? Today, you graced me with a rare visit, and lo and behold, His Majesty's decree arrived!"
Consort Ning: "..."
An arrow named "lucky star" pierced straight through her heart.
Jiu Yue continued cheerfully, "Then let’s double the joy! Consort Ning must have another congratulatory gift for me, right? Surely you’re delighted that I’ve become Crown Princess!"
Consort Ning: "..."
A second arrow, named "congratulations," swiftly followed the first.
Jiu Yue sincerely took Consort Ning's hand and said earnestly, "You’re so wonderful, Consort Ning. No wonder my sisters adore you—now I do too! But His Majesty is waiting for me, so I must take my leave. Please take care, and do visit often! I’d be delighted to welcome you anytime!"
Lianqiao, ever sharp-eyed, quickly scurried after Jiu Yue.
She dared not face Consort Ning alone—Princess, wait for her! Wuwu!
Consort Ning: "..."
Consort Ning watched Jiu Yue’s retreating figure with a cold gaze, feeling as though her chest had been completely blocked, leaving no room to breathe.
Very well.
A flash of murderous intent flickered in her eyes, vanishing as quickly as it appeared, unnoticed by anyone.
Damnable Yan Zhaoning!
Back then, she should have persisted and never let that traitor slip away.
Whatever Consort Ning thought, Jiu Yue paid no mind. She only waited for the woman to make her move.
Once she acted, there would be traces—and Jiu Yue was eager to see what kind of methods lay behind a woman who had hidden in the palace for over a decade.
Now, Jiu Yue had arrived at the imperial study. Emperor Yan was still reviewing memorials, unsurprised by her entrance.
"Father," Jiu Yue cut straight to the point, "I... your daughter has something to say."
Emperor Yan glanced up and waved, dismissing everyone else from the room.
Only the father and daughter remained in the study.
"No need for formalities," Emperor Yan gestured for her to sit, looking at her with doting affection. "Just be yourself."
Jiu Yue took a seat across from him. Faced with the middle-aged emperor’s indulgence, her emotions were complicated.
If she were an outsider, she would surely criticize Emperor Yan for being so unfit—clearly, he had other children, yet only Yan Zhaoning received such favor, while the others could barely earn an audience with him...
But she was the one being spoiled.
Suppressing her thoughts, Jiu Yue spoke, "Father, you never mentioned the decree appointing me as Crown Princess."
At this, Emperor Yan seemed pleased.
"This was my decision. You need not feel uneasy." His eyes held a peculiar expectation—not the usual hope for a child’s success.
"Zhaoning, you may not yet understand some of my choices... but I only wish for you to live well as Crown Princess, to live a full and happy life."
"I’ve said it before—you take after me." Emperor Yan chuckled.
Jiu Yue studied him for a long time.
Finally, she forced a smile. "Father is mighty!"
Emperor Yan laughed heartily—it was the happiest he had ever sounded.
"Not bad," he said, not mentioning the pressure he had faced from the court’s opposition during this time.
After steadying her emotions, Jiu Yue returned to business.
"Father, Muling is still waiting for us. As for the grasslands, you needn’t worry. I’ll handle it."
The abrupt shift in topic made Emperor Yan’s expression turn serious. "How do you plan to handle it?"
Jiu Yue considered her words. "The third princess is about to be sent for marriage alliance... I’ll use this opportunity to eliminate the Old Khan."
Emperor Yan repeated, "How?"
Jiu Yue blinked. "...Kill him?"
Emperor Yan: "..."
Belatedly, he remembered one thing—his Zhaoning had grown up in the martial world. It was only natural for her methods to be straightforward.
"Then how many men do you need?" Emperor Yan asked.
Jiu Yue had expected him to press for details and had even prepared explanations—she couldn’t possibly betray Yan Lingshuang.
But Emperor Yan asked nothing, simply offering her resources.
This feeling of being completely trusted... was absolutely exhilarating!
No need to overthink anything!
Moved, Jiu Yue shook her head. "No need. I can do it alone. More people would only make it harder to infiltrate the marriage procession."
Emperor Yan frowned, but Jiu Yue leaned in and whispered, "Father, I’m the strongest martial artist in the world. Bringing others would just expose my trump card."
Emperor Yan eyed her skeptically. Though her meals in the palace had improved, her constant sneaking around had kept her from gaining weight. If anything, dark circles had formed under her eyes.
Emperor Yan: "..."
Still uneasy, he insisted, "I’ll assign you one person—someone to protect you in critical moments."
Jiu Yue relented. "Fine."
And so, upon returning to Glazed Palace, Jiu Yue brought back a secret document and a personal shadow guard.
The document was a diplomatic agreement between the grasslands and Great Yan... The last truce between them had been over twenty years ago.
In recent years, Tianqi had also grown stronger, nearly catching up to Great Yan’s power. The old fox of the grasslands had seized the opportunity, calculating that Great Yan wouldn’t risk war at this time.
Jiu Yue sneered.
If not for the suffering war would bring to the people, she would have been a staunch advocate for battle—charging straight to the front lines and turning the grasslands into Great Yan’s pastures.
Now armed with the document and Emperor Yan’s support, Jiu Yue went to find Yan Lingshuang.
The moment Lianqiao turned around, a man materialized out of nowhere behind her, coldly gripping his sword.
Before Lianqiao could scream, the man flashed the token given by Emperor Yan and asked in a strange tone, "Where is Princess Zhaoning?"
He had blinked, and she was gone.
Lianqiao steadied herself and shook her head. "Her Highness has her own affairs to attend to. Don’t interfere."
The shadow guard: "..."
If he didn’t interfere, how was he supposed to protect her???
Tianqi.
Sima Qing had resumed his position as regent, but he concerned himself not with governance—only with catching thieves.
What thieves? Grave robbers, of course.
For a time, the grave robbers of Tianqi were so impoverished they could barely scrape by. Those with weaker nerves even turned themselves in, begging to be imprisoned for a meal.
Prison food was still food!
This life of hiding and starving was unbearable!
The Emperor: "..."
The Emperor sighed helplessly. "Uncle, it really wasn’t me... I’m not so deranged as to dig up graves! The dead are already gone—why would I disturb them?"
Sima Qing sat coldly with his arms crossed, "Your Majesty has your own plans. This humble subject has no right to interfere, nor does Your Majesty need to explain yourself to me. The truth will prevail—isn't that right, Your Majesty?"
The emperor, who was shouldering the blame for the first time: "..."
Si Shui, hidden in the shadows: "..."
Si Shui felt like he was seeing traces of Jiu Yue in the current regent.
Utterly fearless.
"Imperial Uncle, are you aware that the marriage alliance between Great Yan and the grasslands will be finalized in the next few days?" the emperor brought up another matter.
Sima Qing responded indifferently with a faint "Hmm."
The emperor frowned again. "Imperial Uncle, do you think they might join forces to attack us?"
Sima Qing smiled faintly. "If only Your Majesty's magnanimity were as vast as the matters you worry about."
The emperor: "..."
Suppressing his irritation, the emperor composed himself and said solemnly, "I know Great Yan has always prioritized peace over war, but after all these years, what if Emperor Yan's stance has changed?"
Sima Qing ignored him again.
The emperor sighed, pacing restlessly. "You probably haven’t heard yet—Emperor Yan has appointed a crown princess. Rumor has it she was suddenly found and brought back. What do you think Emperor Yan is pl—Imperial Uncle, when did you get so close?"
Behind him, Sima Qing fell into an unusual silence. "Crown princess?"
The emperor nodded. "Her name is Yan Zhaoning... For some reason, I feel uneasy about this."
Sima Qing sank into deep thought.
