Tie Ci had no idea about Pingzong’s grand vow.

She had already received a message by carrier pigeon saying that Pingzong had run off on her own. Calculating the travel time, she should arrive in the next few days.

Thinking that Pingzong was traveling alone with her naive and willful nature, hoping she wouldn’t cause any trouble, Tie Ci ordered people to wait at the city gates these past few days.

She also instructed the waiting palace servants that after receiving Pingzong, they should go to the Rong residence, Qi residence, Tian family, and the guild hall to bring Rong Pu, Shen Mi, Tian Wu, Qi Yuansi, Yang Yixiu, and others. She would invite her little companions to tour the imperial palace together.

Although Rong Pu hadn’t directly escorted her into the city that day, he had sent people early to contact Shen Mi. Shen Mi happened to be in the capital participating in the metropolitan examinations and had been waiting in the city for her. He had also contacted the acrobat troupe, learned about the young ladies’ poetry society, and found ways to send them messages, which led to that scene of female support.

Yang Yixiu had drugged his father, preventing Minister of Rites and his group from getting to the city gates in time to organize a human blockade against the Crown Princess. Afterward, he dared not go home and stayed directly with Shen Mi at the guild hall, gathering a large group of Yue Li Academy students who had come for the examinations. They spent their days exchanging poetry and literature with examination candidates from various places, while spreading stories of the Crown Princess’s brilliant and martial exploits.

Tie Ci was currently in the Imperial Study attending to government affairs. As before, she hadn’t tried to interfere with political matters due to her increased abilities, still choosing to listen quietly to governance, which earned considerable praise from some veteran ministers who had previously held wait-and-see attitudes, worried she might become arrogant with success.

Today there were two major matters. The first was receiving a petition from ten thousand people in Yannan, claiming that the current female heir was abusing her younger brother, oppressing the people, and behaving improperly, requesting that the old king’s nephew You Weinan be established as the new heir instead.

Among the dynasty’s three major fiefs, Liaodong was the most unruly, Longxi was relatively well-behaved. The Longxi Prince of Changle lived up to his name, only seeking lasting joy, indulging in Daoist practices for longevity, and regarding court orders – as long as they didn’t infringe on Longxi’s interests, he could basically cooperate. Though Longxi had its own army, management was lax. In previous years, Tie Ci had suggested that the prefectures around Longxi gradually infiltrate it militarily and economically, which had been quite effective. The court had plans to incorporate Longxi, and the difficulty wouldn’t be too great, but incorporating Longxi would touch the sensitive nerves of Liaodong and Yannan, triggering uncontrollable consequences. Therefore, the court ministers’ opinion was to proceed gradually and slowly. If they must fight, they should fight Liaodong first – after incorporating Liaodong, taking the other two fiefs would be much easier.

Yannan’s attitude toward the court fell between Liaodong and Longxi. But the former Yannan King had placed great emphasis on military preparations. Yannan had many local indigenous people who couldn’t communicate with Great Qian’s language, had fierce and strange customs, and wandered among the mountains, making them difficult to control. Except for the You family that had controlled Yannan for generations, court-appointed officials couldn’t govern well either. Fortunately, Yannan still nominally respected Great Qian. Regarding this petition to change the heir, the court ministers were divided into two factions. One faction felt that with Liaodong not yet subdued, they should appease Yannan and Longxi more. The female heir was originally an expedient measure, and since the old king’s surviving youngest son was reportedly mentally impaired, adopting and establishing his nephew was reasonable. The other faction felt that since the old king’s children were incompetent, this was a great opportunity for the court – why establish a shrewd nephew? What if a formidable character emerged? Better to maintain the status quo, giving the court more opportunities.

The ministers debated endlessly. Tie Ci listened and tapped the table.

The ministers all stopped and looked at her.

Tie Ci smiled: “Yannan is remote and distant. Over the years, the court’s understanding of it can only be gleaned from documents Yannan itself submits. But what are Yannan’s actual customs and people like? What is the royal family’s attitude toward the court? What kind of person is the female heir? Is the younger brother truly mentally impaired? What is the character of the proposed replacement heir? Why would people who don’t usually care about politics submit a petition with ten thousand signatures for this person? Are there ulterior motives involved? We’re still in the dark about all these matters.”

All the ministers nodded. Rong Luchuan said: “What does Your Highness intend?”

“What the eye sees may not be true, let alone what the ear hears,” Tie Ci said. “Let’s take this opportunity to send people to investigate Yannan thoroughly.”

“Your Highness speaks wisely, but whom should we send? The other party is a prince – ordinary officials could completely ignore them. If we send a prince to lead the team…” Xiao Liheng’s eyes lit up. He was about to suggest Prince Zhao when Tie Ci cut him off: “I will go personally.”

The ministers were shocked. Some instinctively said it was impossible, others pondered. Those opposed argued that the heir carried Great Qian’s national fortune, Yannan’s loyalty to the court was limited, and a person worth a thousand gold shouldn’t sit under a dangerous wall – this absolutely couldn’t be done.

Tie Ci laughed: “I’ve trained for a year, been to Dongming, drifted on the sea, been hunted, burned by fire, struck by stones, flooded by water. In terms of danger, Yannan probably can’t compare.”

Xiao Liheng immediately shut up.

Xiao faction officials all lowered their heads and played deaf.

He Zi immediately stepped forward to express agreement, praising the Crown Princess for leading from the front, not fearing hardships, caring for the people, elevating the significance of Tie Ci’s journey to the level of serving country and people, adding another layer of gold to the Crown Princess’s already glorious image.

Tie Ci had discussed this with him beforehand, saying she needed to make this southern trip. He Zi didn’t oppose it – as long as the Crown Princess ensured her own safety, gaining more capital was always good.

The Xiao family and royal family currently maintained only basic balance because the truth about Xiao Chang’s death had been sealed. Di Yiwei’s report to the court stated that Xiao Chang and his personal troops were ambushed by Liaodong’s main army and completely annihilated. At the time, Tie Ci had personally killed Xiao Chang and ordered the siege of Xiao family troops to avenge the main army. The soldiers who participated in the revenge naturally kept their mouths shut. Other non-direct troops like the Kaiping Guard were transferred by Tie Ci’s orders afterward – part of Kaiping Guard was transferred to Yongping under Di Yiwei’s control, so Di Yiwei could naturally seal their mouths.

The Xiao family naturally didn’t believe this result, but with Xiao Chang dead, Huang Ming dead, and not one of the Xiao family troops returning, it wasn’t easy to learn the truth from such a distance. This matter was also one of the reasons stimulating the Xiao family to promote changing the crown prince.

But someday the Xiao family would know.

By then, they would have caught their breath, and there would be vicious retaliation.

Of course, whether they could catch this breath – the current secret struggle continued, depending on everyone’s abilities.

For example, regarding the spring examination’s chief examiner position, He Zi was definitely getting one slot. Which faction would get the remaining slots – the Xiao family held on tightly.

The Three Judicial Offices’ trial of Xiao clan members and Xiao Bi’an was also at a stalemate. Before Tie Ci’s return, Xiao Liheng had hinted yesterday that if Tie Ci’s side allowed the case of Xiao clan colluding with local officials to embezzle river management funds and cause flooding to be dropped, the Xiao family would randomly push out a scapegoat and spare Xiao Bi’an’s life, and the Xiao family would yield another slot.

Previously, the account books evidence of Xiao family embezzling river funds – the one Gu Xiaoxiao had worked so hard to obtain – after being sent to the Court of Judicial Review, the archive mysteriously caught fire, and the account books were among the destroyed items.

Fortunately, later Xiahou Chun sent the Nine Guards to find the families of merchants who had been tricked into digging the river that day. He Zi had them file complaints during the Emperor’s travels, making the matter public, so the case continued to be tried.

Previously the royal family had been puppets, but now they had some voice. Every court matter involving power and interests saw the three faction groups fighting irreconcilably, making policy implementation extremely slow. Both Tie Ci and He Zi felt this was internal consumption for Great Qian, and if it continued long-term, it would cause deep harm.

Only with smooth governance and harmonious people could there be a prosperous age.

Unless one side rapidly developed power to break the balance, or achieved world-shaking merit to directly overwhelm the other two sides and gain governing rights.

For example, pacifying the three fiefs.

When Tie Ci proposed going to Yannan, Xiao Liheng was frustrated that Tie Ci was currently in the limelight and getting in the way at court. He wished she would leave, and if something happened in Yannan, that would be even better.

With both He Zi and Xiao Liheng expressing agreement, the remaining Chief Minister Rong leading his faction of officials also went with the flow, and the matter was decided.

Tie Yan was somewhat reluctant: “You just returned to the capital – no need to rush into distant travel, right? At least wait until after your birthday.”

Tie Ci’s birthday was in April. Tie Yan was determined to celebrate the Crown Princess’s birthday properly this year and had made many preparations. Tie Ci naturally wouldn’t dampen his enthusiasm and agreed with a smile, while opening the next document.

As her gaze swept over it, her fingers paused.

The Cabinet had naturally already reviewed the memorial. Rong Luchuan said: “Liaodong spies report by fast horse that Liaodong claims Di Yiwei colluded with Liang Shiyi to disturb Liaodong’s northern borders. Heavy troops are now deployed along the Xizhou-Anzhou line near our Great Qian territory, with clear intent to divide and rule. Additionally, Prince Da’an, without court approval, directly announced to the world that the eighteenth prince Murong Yi had merit in quelling rebellion and should be established as heir apparent.”

Ministers angrily cursed Liaodong’s shamelessness in inverting black and white. Some were curious about this suddenly appearing eighteenth prince, having never heard of him before – how had he surpassed so many brothers to become heir? Tie Yan listened and found the name familiar, asking in amazement: “Isn’t this the one who was engaged to the Crown Princess then broke the engagement?”

Only then did everyone remember it was indeed this person. He Zi glanced at Tie Ci and said leisurely: “The original engagement was an expedient measure. Liaodong had treasonous intentions early on – how could the Crown Princess take such a rebel as national consort? Besides, his establishment as heir apparent wasn’t for merit in quelling rebellion, but for using deception to wound the Crown Princess in the Battle of Five Colors Plain, right?”

At these words, everyone was shocked. Tie Yan exclaimed: “He was the one who struck? How despicable!”

“The Crown Princess didn’t let him off easy either. She immediately returned the favor with her own blade,” He Zi said. “This person also once disguised himself and infiltrated Yue Li Academy as a teacher, showing his malicious intentions. Now that both sides are enemies with severed ties, it’s not necessarily bad. When they meet again, there will be no mercy. Isn’t that right, Your Highness?”

Tie Ci stared at those few short lines of text. After a long while, she closed the memorial, placed it squarely on the desk, and said calmly: “Naturally.”

…

At this time, in front of the palace gates square, Pingzong got off the carriage and looked at the enormous white marble square, exclaiming: “Is this that… someone’s courtyard? Her courtyard is really big.”

After thinking, she added: “Though it’s still a bit smaller than my family’s courtyard.”

Little Bug had received Tie Ci’s instructions to personally come to the palace gate to welcome Pingzong. Hearing this, his mouth twitched.

Go ahead and boast.

He asked Pingzong to wait briefly as several more carriages stopped in front of the square. Rong Pu and others got off, and Little Bug smiled: “Miss Pingzong, please wait. This slave will go greet my master’s schoolmates.”

“What are schoolmates?”

“Students who studied together at the academy.”

Pingzong’s expression changed: “Scholars? Scholars are the most annoying!” She turned and walked away.

She understood seniority – that woman’s classmates would all be a generation above her, wouldn’t they? She didn’t want to have to call everyone uncle.

Pingzong turned and left first. Little Bug had to have a young eunuch follow to guide her, afraid she might wander into Chengqian Hall and sit on the throne, which would be troublesome.

Pingzong was indeed very interested in the towering white marble steps and magnificent hall at the head of the square, commenting: “About as spacious as my family’s house. Why aren’t you taking me inside? Shouldn’t honored guests all be welcomed into the main house for entertainment?”

The guiding young eunuch was also mischievous, smiling: “Inner courtyard honored guests should naturally be entertained in the inner residence’s flower hall. Miss, please follow this slave. My master has prepared many fine pastries and tea, waiting.”

Hearing there was good food, Pingzong went gladly. She didn’t like the people of the capital, but the capital’s food was truly delicious. Earlier, before being picked up by the carriage, she had snatched a piece of mung bean cake from a little girl’s hands – it was wonderful!

She was led past Qianqing Gate, heading toward the inner palace. Rong Pu and others stopped in front of Wumen Gate. Rong Pu pointed to the three main halls – Chengqian, Chengen, and Chengwen – on the palace’s central axis: “These are the palace’s three main halls, where civil and military officials pay court and deliberate, and where scholars throughout the realm aspire to reach. Thanks to the Crown Princess, we can step foot here legitimately today.”

Tian Wu grinned: “Scholar Rong needn’t be modest. You’re already a Hanlin Academy compiler, so-called future prime minister material. You often come here, and in future you’ll be able to enter Chengqian Hall in the front row. I, Old Tian, am different – a rough beef seller who can enter Wumen Square brings glory to ancestors and should be quickly recorded in the family genealogy.”

“Brother Tian needn’t belittle yourself either. You scattered your family wealth for the Crown Princess and are also a Yue Li Academy student. You’ll surely enter Chengqian Hall in future – no need to rush writing this small matter in the genealogy, afraid there’ll be too much to write later.”

They all laughed, gazing up at the golden glazed tiles spreading across the great hall’s peak like molten gold, splashing into the bright, hope-filled eyes of young scholars.

A group of ministers walked out from the hall. The young men quickly bowed and stood aside.

Most ministers recognized Rong Pu and understood these must be the Crown Princess’s supporters from Yue Li Academy. Not wanting trouble, they walked around at a distance, though their eyes glanced at the leading senior ministers.

Rong Luchuan saw his grandson and frowned slightly but said nothing, only: “Come pay respects to the various lords.”

Rong Pu then led the group in bowing to Xiao Liheng and others who followed behind.

Xiao Liheng glanced at these people, finding them unpleasant no matter how he looked, but smiled benevolently on the surface. He turned to Rong Luchuan: “Haven’t congratulated Chief Minister yet. I hear Scholar Rong attended the Crown Princess throughout her trials, working tirelessly, and has now returned to the capital with the Crown Princess. Good news must be near.”

Without waiting for Rong Luchuan to respond, he added meaningfully: “Speaking of which, when the Crown Princess was selecting a consort, most ministers’ sons declined, but only the Rong family didn’t withdraw. Now it seems Chief Minister truly has far-reaching vision.”

Rong Pu smiled, responding naturally: “Grand Secretary Xiao flatters me. But regarding the Crown Princess’s consort selection, the imperial family decides. We ministers cannot interfere. For us subjects, dedicating ourselves wholeheartedly to our sovereign is our duty.”

Rong Luchuan smiled slightly.

Rong Pu’s response was composed and appropriate – he was very satisfied.

He hadn’t overly interfered with Rong Pu’s insistence on following the Crown Princess. Great families avoided putting all eggs in one basket – having children in different factions was common.

If circumstances changed, they wouldn’t be completely wiped out.

The Crown Princess now seemed quite wise and capable. Having Rong Pu gain her favor wasn’t bad.

Rong Luchuan had also read the six-volume “Chronicles of Compassion,” which featured Rong Pu prominently with much praise and subtle romantic undertones. He knew these chronicles were compiled by He Zi’s faction of scholars, representing the Crown Princess’s faction’s attitude toward Rong Pu, which pleased him greatly.

He also hoped the Crown Princess understood reason – having received Rong Pu’s devoted help, she should reciprocate.

But Xiao Liheng turned to look at Qi Yuansi: “This must be Commander Qi’s beloved son? Also a young hero – I heard he was even in the same academy hall as the Crown Princess before, quite connected. Ha ha, so-called enemies become friends! Though the engagement was broken initially, now he’s invited to the palace too. The Crown Princess must harbor no grudges toward Young Master Qi and values him greatly. Congratulations!”

While congratulating, he beckoned Commander Qi who was just passing: “Old Qi, come here. The Crown Princess has invited your son to tour the palace.”

Commander Qi came over laughing: “Young people get along well. The Crown Princess values our Yuansi greatly.”

Rong Luchuan’s face darkened slightly.

Rong Pu’s smile faded a bit.

Qi Yuansi wasn’t stupid either – he vaguely understood and felt his scalp tingle.

Xiao Liheng’s gaze turned to Yang Yixiu, about to find Minister Yang in the crowd, but Yang Yixiu was more flexible than anyone. He immediately interjected: “Uncle Xiao, don’t call my father over. I haven’t been home for ages, and my father was so angry he beat me. I’ve been avoiding him these past days. Don’t make me get another beating – it wouldn’t look good for you either if I got beaten in front of you, right?”

Xiao Liheng paused. Now he really couldn’t call Minister Yang over to create a scene. He looked at Yang Yixiu with a smile: “Little Yang—”

Yang Yixiu interrupted again: “Uncle Xiao, you and my father are colleagues. Help me persuade my father. Children this age shouldn’t be beaten randomly – he should leave discipline to a daughter-in-law. Instead of beating me when he has time, he should worry about quickly finding me a good marriage. My standards aren’t high – just find someone with beauty and talent like your granddaughter. Oh, my father’s coming. Could you go discuss this with him now? I’m counting on you!”

Like a monkey, he bowed and pushed Old Xiao forward while pulling Qi Yuansi and Rong Pu backward, distancing himself from this troublemaking old schemer.

Over there, his father had already seen him but abruptly turned to walk away from the side.

Xiao Liheng, pushed forward and handed a task by this monkey, couldn’t return to make more trouble. He could only smile, point at Yang Yixiu saying “what a little monkey,” and walk away.

Yang Yixiu silently breathed a sigh of relief, thinking how close that was.

He’d almost been dragged into the Crown Princess’s harem competition, facing the Chief Minister’s enmity and suppression forever.

That wouldn’t do – his youthful reputation couldn’t be damaged, and he still wanted to marry a wife!

At least he’d taken the opportunity to clarify he had no interest in the Crown Princess, so he could be left in peace hereafter.

Over there, Commander Qi and Chief Minister Rong exchanged glances. Rong Luchuan was deep and mature, nodding slightly without intending to say anything. But Commander Qi was a military man – seeing this situation, he felt uncomfortable and laughed: “The Crown Princess invited Yuansi to gather in the palace today, but didn’t expect Young Master Rong to come too.”

Rong Luchuan’s white eyebrows moved. He thought this was inappropriate wording and said calmly: “Qianzheng is following the Crown Princess’s orders to show several schoolmates around the palace city.”

He subtly clarified the hierarchy. Now Commander Qi found it unpleasant, chuckling: “My Yuansi has been in the palace before, and will be coming and going regularly hereafter. No need to trouble Scholar Rong.”

Rong Luchuan: “Coming and going regularly?”

Commander Qi: “Doesn’t Chief Minister know…”

Qi Yuansi: “Ow, my stomach really hurts!”

Xiao Liheng suddenly wandered back with a smile: “I suddenly remembered – I heard from my old family members that when the Crown Princess was at the academy, she had an extraordinary relationship with an archery teacher. Don’t know which family’s son could gain the Crown Princess’s favor. I’ll go ask the Crown Princess later – if she’s set her heart on someone, the Ministry of Rites should petition His Majesty about this matter early. We’ll have happy news in the palace soon.”

Having spread his poison, he left satisfied, leaving Rong Luchuan and Qi Ling looking at each other, then both staring at their respective children.

Qi Yuansi: “I don’t know anything!”

Rong Pu: “Absolutely no such thing!”

The two important ministers exchanged glances and decided to temporarily avoid confrontation, first investigating the archery teacher matter.

The Crown Princess better not think of abandoning their son (grandson) after using him!

Everyone watched the big shots leave with cold sweats. Shen Mi and Tian Wu had stood aside throughout – the former was grateful his low status kept him out of the battlefield, while the latter was too crude for the big shots to consider him possibly the Crown Princess’s type, so they ignored him completely.

Tian Wu, confused, loudly asked Yang Yixiu: “Yixiu, Yixiu, why were you talking about so many unrelated things just now? What happened?”

“Lower your voice! I was clarifying that I have no interest in the Crown Princess, and she has none in me. Harem rivalry has nothing to do with me!”

“Ahahaha, gaga.” Tian Wu laughed like a hundred ducks. “What are you thinking! Crown Princess’s harem? Why would you enter the Crown Princess’s harem? You’re thinking too much – that’s our father! Wouldn’t it be good to serve father properly!”

Not far away, the group of ministers who hadn’t left yet and had been eavesdropping all stumbled simultaneously.

…