TGPSAC – Chapter 103

In early August, just as Princess Lin’an was about to reach the outskirts of the capital, the Grand Princess of Qin’s residence received an unexpected guest.

Chi Wan was full of questions as she looked at Commandery Mistress Fu Qing before her.

They had long known that Fu Qing had come to Great Zhou with the Beining diplomatic mission, but she had quickly vanished.

Where had she gone? To arrive in secret only to hide herself away suggested she was planning to stir up trouble from the shadows.

Furthermore, while the Nanyue and Beining delegations had supposedly returned home, they had left quite a few people behind.

Beining’s A Baoping was the son of their prime minister; he naturally wouldn’t linger long in enemy territory, so he had left behind his trusted aides.

Xi Wu, the Young Valley Master of Nanyue’s Insect Valley, had not left either.

As for that Duan Jinxian, she herself was gone, but a letter arrived at the Grand Princess’s Residence every day, its contents being nothing more than invitations for Chi Wan to visit Nanyue.

A letter a day. It was obvious that when Duan Jinxian was in the capital, she had written an unknown number of them and arranged for someone to deliver one each day.

After reading them for three days, Chi Wan had stopped looking at them altogether.

What surprised her was that Yu Jiuzhou had shown no reaction to this. Was it because she trusted her completely, or because she didn’t care?

In any case, she felt that Duan Jinxian’s name should be changed to something like “Duan Genxian.” Who sends “love letters” every day to someone who is already married?

Duan Jinxian was convinced that the relationship between her and Yu Jiuzhou was not real and would not last, and she believed their public displays of affection were all an act.

She had no idea where Duan Jinxian got her confidence from; perhaps it was some gossip she had picked up somewhere.

The capital was currently filled with people from all factions, but with the departure of the diplomatic missions, the foreign personnel had all gone underground.

Chi Wan had never expected Fu Qing to appear at this particular moment.

Not earlier, not later, but right when her mother was about to return. And to arrive at the Grand Princess’s Residence so openly—it felt wrong no matter how she thought about it.

“For what purpose has Commandery Mistress Fu Qing come to the Grand Princess’s Residence?” Since Fu Qing didn’t speak, Chi Wan took the initiative to ask.

Fu Qing was dressed in a bright red martial uniform, looking quite heroic and valiant. She sized up Chi Wan, then said, “The Grand Princess is my elder cousin. What is wrong with me coming to visit my cousin?”

Of course there was something wrong. Fu Qing had been in the capital for so long without visiting once, yet she chose this specific time. There was definitely a scheme afoot.

A smile touched Chi Wan’s lips. “Of course not. Her Highness the Grand Princess is busy with official duties, and I handle all matters, large and small, within the residence. I was merely curious to see Commandery Mistress Fu Qing visit so suddenly. After all, by rights, you should be in Beining. I wonder when you arrived in the capital.”

She was asking what she already knew, just to see if Fu Qing would tell the truth or a lie.

However, Commandery Mistress Fu Qing was not easily fooled. She smiled. “I came to the capital with the Beining diplomatic mission.”

She stated the timeline without any concealment, which piqued Chi Wan’s interest.

“If that is the case, why did you not enter the court for an audience?” To come all this way and not see the Emperor would inevitably invite criticism.

The Emperor surely knew Fu Qing had arrived. She just wondered if he would feel that Fu Qing was disrespecting him.

Chi Wan picked up the teacup beside her. The weather was getting hotter and hotter, so her cup was filled with a cold drink.

Her teapot contained iced fruit juice, but the tea for guests was just tea.

On such a hot day, a cold drink was wonderfully refreshing.

Fu Qing watched her drink her tea and thought: Is she already showing me the door?

Serving tea to see a guest off was a tactful way of asking someone to leave.

Fu Qing was displeased and pretended not to notice. “Fuma, my mother and I were driven out of Great Zhou. My mother was killed by that person. Even if we return, there must be a process, no?”

Little did she know, Chi Wan was simply thirsty and wanted a cold drink.

At the mention of Princess Lin’an, Chi Wan’s eyes softened considerably. She still admired Princess Lin’an and held a soft spot for Fu Qing, a girl who had grown up among foreigners since childhood.

But if Fu Qing had any consideration for the Grand Princess’s situation, she would not have come to their door like this.

Chi Wan did not welcome Fu Qing’s arrival. For someone who only thought of herself and disregarded the circumstances of others, it was already a great courtesy, for Princess Lin’an’s sake, that she didn’t have Fu Qing thrown out.

“Are you not afraid His Majesty will hear you speak such words?”

If the Emperor knew he was being resented, the person holding that resentment would never be given an important position and might even be killed if the opportunity arose.

Chi Wan had a file on Fu Qing’s upbringing in Beining.

The file indicated that the Great Khan of Beining had doted on her, likely out of his love for Princess Lin’an—an extension of his affection. Her education had been that of a royal daughter.

As a child, Fu Qing had lived under another’s roof and suffered some hardships in Beining, mostly at the hands of her peers and the palace eunuchs and maids who looked down on her.

Their situation only improved after Princess Lin’an realized that, given her circumstances, she had to win the Great Khan’s favor to improve the environment for herself and her child.

Fu Qing smiled. “Even if I don’t say it, will His Majesty not think it?”

By showing her dissatisfaction, she would actually put the Emperor at ease. If she showed no dissatisfaction at all and instead was forbearing and cautious in all things, the Emperor would probably think her ambitions were even greater.

Could she be seeking revenge for her mother? An assassination, perhaps?

By appropriately displaying her discontent, Fu Qing could make the Emperor think she wore her heart on her sleeve and was easy to control.

Chi Wan raised an eyebrow. “You’re not afraid I’ll tell His Majesty?”

Fu Qing was truly bold, wearing such a fearless expression.

“The Fuma may go ahead.”

Fu Qing had an air of indifference. She truly didn’t care. It would be best if someone reminded the Emperor what he had done to her and her mother.

Her mother was his biological sister, who had spent many years far from her homeland for the sake of his empire. Her Fuma had even been killed by the Emperor. Knowing the Emperor as Princess Lin’an did, as long as he didn’t see them, it was fine. But upon seeing them, it was unlikely he wouldn’t feel a pang of guilt.

Neither she nor her mother wanted that guilt, but they would use it.

As long as they appeared harmless, Emperor Shengyuan, no matter what, would not do anything to them. He would surely feel he had wronged them.

Most importantly, Fu Qing had clearly been in the capital but had hidden herself away, refusing to be seen. Didn’t that speak volumes?

If Fu Qing had eagerly sought an audience with the Emperor, that would have been suspicious. By hiding and not seeing him, she merely appeared resentful, not hateful.

Anger and hatred were different. Given Fu Qing’s actions, the Emperor, out of that sliver of guilt, would not do anything.

But why had Fu Qing come to the Grand Princess’s Residence to say all this? Was she seeking an alliance? Or did she have some other scheme?

Chi Wan let out a soft laugh. “You don’t seem worried at all that I will say something to His Majesty.”

Emperor Shengyuan was suspicious and not easily fooled.

The moment Fu Qing had stepped into the Grand Princess’s Residence today, the Emperor would have known about it. She would have to send someone to report it specifically; otherwise, the Emperor might become suspicious of her as well.

Fu Qing’s gaze fell on Chi Wan’s lips. Red lips, white teeth—the Fuma was truly blessed with good looks. No wonder the Nanyue royal daughter sent her an endless stream of love letters.

She just wondered what the Grand Princess thought of it. Did she care, or not?

If she cared, how could the Nanyue royal daughter’s letters still be delivered to the Grand Princess’s Residence?

Her verbal sparring with Chi Wan was, in the end, because Chi Wan was a favorite of the Emperor. “I am of course aware of the Fuma’s standing with His Majesty. But the Grand Princess, the Fuma, and I are not enemies. We can be friends.”

Chi Wan suddenly burst out laughing. “Commandery Mistress, you jest. What is this talk of enemies and friends? We are relatives, so naturally we cannot be enemies.”

How ridiculous. To come to the Grand Princess’s Residence and say such things, openly forming a clique? Emperor Shengyuan’s suspicion would reach its peak.

Hearing the word “relatives,” Fu Qing was momentarily speechless. It made so much sense that she had no retort.

“I want to see the Grand Princess.”

Having said this, Fu Qing realized Chi Wan was impervious to her tactics and decided to directly request a meeting with the Grand Princess.

That was not an option. Her Highness was pregnant; it was best she saw no one.

“Her Highness is suffering from a pollen allergy and cannot see anyone at the moment.”

This was the excuse Chi Wan planned to use with outsiders. A pollen allergy causing a facial rash made it plausible that she couldn’t receive guests.

Besides, an allergy was easy to fake. A few artfully applied blemishes with makeup would do the trick, and it would be difficult to diagnose, as one could only judge by appearance.

Fu Qing frowned. What a coincidence. An allergy today of all days?

“In that case, I ask the Fuma to inform Her Highness that I came today and have an urgent matter to discuss with her.”

If Yu Jiuzhou wanted to see Fu Qing, she would have someone come out and say so. Since no one had come, it meant she didn’t want to.

Chi Wan continued to refuse. “The Commandery Mistress can tell me whatever you have to say, and I will relay it to Her Highness. If it is inconvenient for you, then perhaps another day.”

From Chi Wan’s tone, that “another day” would likely be a very long time from now, if it ever came at all.

“Military intelligence from Beining. Does the Fuma not wish to know?” Fu Qing began to reveal the true purpose of her visit to the Grand Princess’s Residence.

A transaction?

If you wanted to make a deal, just say so. Why beat around the bush for so long, trying to drag the Grand Princess’s Residence into the mud? She wanted to cooperate but showed not a shred of sincerity.

Chi Wan smiled. “Xia Qu, see the guest out.”

Fu Qing: “?” She wasn’t interested in news from Beining!

It wasn’t that she wasn’t interested, but it was impossible for Fu Qing to seize the initiative. The upper hand had to remain with the Grand Princess’s Residence.

Of course, Fu Qing could also go and cooperate with Prince Bao’an, but so what? Since Fu Qing had come here, it meant that to her, the best partner was the Grand Princess, not Prince Bao’an.

“Fuma, Beining is going to use troops against Great Zhou.”

Fu Qing finally couldn’t hold it in any longer, but this piece of news was clearly not worth much.

Everyone knew of Beining’s wolfish ambitions. The issue was the specific military intelligence: when Beining would attack Great Zhou, how many troops they would deploy, who would lead them, where they would attack from, what their strategy would be, and so on.

A simple statement that Beining was going to attack Great Zhou said nothing.

Just as Chi Wan was about to speak, Chun Gui’s voice came from the inner room. “Fuma, Her Highness asks Commandery Mistress Fu Qing to come in.”

It seemed Yu Jiuzhou knew that Fu Qing wouldn’t act without seeing the prize, so she had decided to meet her.

Chi Wan nodded and entered the inner room first. It was less an inner room and more an inner hall, a very large space. Yu Jiuzhou sat behind a screen, her appearance obscured.

She walked straight behind the screen, while Fu Qing bowed outside.

Seeing Chi Wan walk in without being summoned, Fu Qing realized that the outside world had misjudged Chi Wan’s status in the Grand Princess’s Residence.

Even now, many people believed that the Fuma and the Grand Princess did not have a good relationship, that everything was an act for the public.

But from that single action, it was clear that few people around the Grand Princess would dare to do such a thing.

Fu Qing lowered her eyes, regretting her decision to hold so much back. If she had known Chi Wan held such a position, she shouldn’t have been so secretive.

Fortunately, she was getting to see the Grand Princess. This trip was not in vain.

Fu Qing quickly bowed. “This subject, Fu Qing, pays her respects to Her Highness the Grand Princess. May Your Highness be well.”

“Mm,” Yu Jiuzhou responded coolly. “Speak. What business do you have with me?”

That voice—not a hint of impatience, yet cold enough to let Fu Qing know that if she didn’t provide any useful information, she shouldn’t blame the Grand Princess for being discourteous.

Chi Wan’s eyes crinkled with a smile, an expression that said, My wife is so amazing.

No wonder she used to be so afraid of Yu Jiuzhou. With that tone, that look, she was imposing without being angry, exuding a cold indifference. A lofty god of slaughter looking down at the ants beneath her feet—what ant wouldn’t be terrified?

Sensing the gaze beside her, Yu Jiuzhou helplessly pushed her face to one side, then looked at Fu Qing through the screen.

Only then did Fu Qing speak. “This subject heard that Your Highness sent people to renovate Princess Lin’an’s residence and came specially to thank Your Highness.”

Yu Jiuzhou did not reply. Thanks were thanks, but she didn’t want to exchange pleasantries. If Fu Qing didn’t get to the point, she wouldn’t engage.

This was the Grand Princess’s temperament. State your business, and don’t bother with trivialities, or she would not respond.

Chi Wan silently gave a thumbs-up. Her Highness was truly formidable.

Her hand rested on Yu Jiuzhou’s abdomen, it was unclear whether she was feeling the life within or something else.

Yu Jiuzhou gently patted her hand, then moved to pick up her tea.

Outside the screen, Fu Qing could only see their silhouettes. She couldn’t even see the shadow of their movements hidden by the table.

But when Yu Jiuzhou’s hand was placed on the table, Fu Qing could see it.

Seeing her reach for the tea was a clear sign that she was about to be dismissed.

Fu Qing hurriedly continued, “Although this subject grew up in Beining, my mother and her family are all people of Great Zhou, so I too am a person of Great Zhou. I was supposed to remain in Beining, and the Beining imperial palace kept a close watch on me. But when I learned of Beining’s plot to use troops against Great Zhou, I found a way to come to the capital with the diplomatic mission to deliver this news.”

Fu Qing spoke with great sincerity, but no one believed her.

Yu Jiuzhou simply said in a cold voice, “You have been back in the capital for many days, yet you only come to deliver this news now. Should I believe you?”

To wait until now to reveal such important news was certainly not out of concern for the nation, but for some greater benefit.

If that was the case, then she should just say so. Yu Jiuzhou was not good at making small talk, nor would she.

Fu Qing was at a loss for words, suddenly feeling that Chi Wan was easier to communicate with.

Her Highness the Grand Princess was simply too cold. Even without seeing her face, she could feel a powerful aura from her tone and the every move of the silhouette behind the screen.

She quickly said, “Your Highness, it is not that I did not wish to deliver the news in a timely manner, but the people from Beining were watching me. They worried I would betray them, and my mother was still in Beining. I did not dare act rashly. Thankfully, the Grand Princess and the Fuma showed consideration for my mother and brought her back to Great Zhou. It was only at the moment my mother set foot in Great Zhou that I dared to break away from the Beining party. I beg Your Highness’s forgiveness.”

This explanation was much more believable. Although it was still half-truth, half-lie, at least it wasn’t a complete fabrication.

Chi Wan glanced at Yu Jiuzhou, who gestured for her to speak. She immediately understood that Her Highness wanted her to be the bad guy.

“Hmph, who knows if that’s true or false.”

She snorted, putting some pressure on Fu Qing, then continued, “Regardless of its truth, you came to the Grand Princess’s Residence so openly today without first paying your respects to His Majesty. This will make people think you have no respect for His Majesty. You must know, Her Highness is currently the Regent Grand Princess. Her position is already difficult, with so many eyes watching her. What position does this action of yours put Her Highness in?”

Given Emperor Shengyuan’s personality, he was suspicious of everyone, even his own daughter.

When Emperor Shengyuan learned of this, he would definitely suspect that Yu Jiuzhou and Fu Qing had some clandestine secret.

Fortunately, Chi Wan had already sent someone to inform the Emperor, relaying every word Fu Qing had said outside the residence to his ears.

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Upon receiving the news that Fu Qing had gone to the Grand Princess’s Residence, just as Chi Wan had thought, Emperor Shengyuan’s first thought was that they were plotting something.

A moment later, a new message arrived, which Wang Hai personally scurried over to report to the Emperor.

From the moment he knew Fu Qing had gone to the Grand Princess’s Residence, he knew the Emperor would suspect the Grand Princess. Just as he was feeling anxious, a new message thankfully arrived from the Fuma.

He repeated the message from Chi Wan, word for word, to the Emperor.

Emperor Shengyuan pondered for a moment. “That child Fu Qing grew up in Beining, and her character has been ruined. She has been back in the capital for a month and has not come to see Us even once. Zhou’er is with child, yet she goes to disturb her. Truly inconsiderate.”

After learning what Fu Qing had said at the Grand Princess’s Residence, the Emperor’s attitude changed quickly.

Wang Hai took the opportunity to convey Chi Wan’s final sentence. “Commandery Mistress Fu Qing said it concerned Beining’s plan to use troops against Great Zhou, so Her Highness the Grand Princess kept her.”

“Beining is going to use troops against Great Zhou?” Emperor Shengyuan sat up abruptly. “Send word to Chi Wan. Have her find out the reason, whether it is because of bringing Lin’an back.”

Wang Hai quickly said, “The Fuma said that she will send any news over immediately, but…”

“Speak.” Seeing Wang Hai hesitate, Emperor Shengyuan was somewhat displeased.

Only then did Wang Hai say, “This servant thinks that since Commandery Mistress Fu Qing came with news of Beining’s military plans, then Beining must have intended to use troops even before the diplomatic mission’s visit. Spring has passed, and the weather is hot. In previous years, Beining would only mobilize in autumn and winter to plunder supplies for the new year, and always with small forces. To begin preparations so early now, I fear their ambitions are not small.”

Wang Hai’s words sent Emperor Shengyuan into deep thought.

In truth, these were words Chi Wan had instructed Wang Hai to say. She couldn’t let the Emperor connect Beining’s military action to Princess Lin’an’s return; otherwise, the days ahead would be difficult for her, Yu Jiuzhou, and Princess Lin’an.

Chi Wan knew that getting past Emperor Shengyuan would not be easy, so she had made arrangements in advance.

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She and Yu Jiuzhou had a clear division of labor. Yu Jiuzhou remained impassive while she did the questioning, which would make Fu Qing reveal more information.

Sure enough, after hearing her words, Fu Qing revealed some information. But it was clear from what she said that she was still holding cards back.

It was like she was dangling bait; they would have to offer sufficient terms before she would continue.

Chi Wan and Yu Jiuzhou exchanged a look, and soon after, Chi Wan escorted Fu Qing out.

When she returned to the inner hall, the screen had been removed, and Yu Jiuzhou was reclining on a chaise lounge.

A beauty reclining on a chaise lounge—the sight made it impossible for Chi Wan to look away, and her mouth felt a little dry.

She knelt on one knee beside Yu Jiuzhou, like a loyal guard beside a deity. Her hand instinctively found Yu Jiuzhou’s foot and began to warm it with her own.

Then she asked, “It’s been four months. We should be able to have sex now, right?”

Yu Jiuzhou: “?”

She had thought Chi Wan was going to discuss serious business, but instead, it was this.

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