Noble Consort Jing’s expression changed slightly.

“Though your eldest brother was rude earlier, what he said wasn’t unreasonable. This is grandmother’s family’s first visit to the capital, yet the Crown Princess doesn’t show her face at all. This shows she looks down on our family, but ultimately it also shows she doesn’t regard you, her mother consort, with any importance. When the Crown Princess ascends the throne in future, if she takes a prince consort from a prestigious family and we’re far away in Western Province, who will protect Your Majesty if you encounter any difficulties? Can you count on an unrelated prince consort?” Lady Wang spoke earnestly. “Count them up—which empress dowager or empress of previous dynasties didn’t arrange marriages between their sons and their own nieces and relatives? Why was this? Wasn’t it so they’d have their own people nearby to help with matters?”

Noble Consort Jing’s color changed slightly.

Lady Wang pulled her son over with one hand. “Look, Dunzhi has an honest, obedient temperament. If he receives Your Majesty’s support, he will surely repay and protect Your Majesty well in future.”

Noble Consort Jing said softly, “Sister-in-law speaks reasonably, but the Crown Princess isn’t an ordinary princess. I… I truly cannot make decisions for her.”

Though tempted, she dared not make grand promises about things beyond her control. This was also her secret to surviving in the palace for years—don’t stand out, don’t cause trouble, cling tightly to her husband and daughter.

The most prominent things she’d ever done were petitioning the Empress Dowager for the Crown Princess. She got it wrong the first time and right the second, though she still didn’t quite understand where the right and wrong lay. But some lessons stuck with her—without her husband and daughter speaking up, she couldn’t meddle.

Lady Wang was somewhat disappointed but didn’t give up. “Then… our Dunzhi can try to win her over himself! Your Majesty just needs to tell us what the Crown Princess likes, what she enjoys eating, where she usually goes, what she avoids, what routes she might take during tomorrow’s hunt… and create a few chance encounters for Dunzhi… that would be enough!”

Noble Consort Jing hesitated, then said, “Then sister-in-law, listen to what I tell you…”

Lady Wang leaned her head closer.

Lady Liu watched from the side with envy and jealousy, glaring at her absent-minded son nearby.

She also had a son, but unfortunately this son was unambitious—he still hadn’t passed any examinations and was counting on the consort to arrange an official position for him. As for marriage arrangements, she really couldn’t bring herself to ask.

What a bargain for the eldest branch!

…

Half an hour later, after Tie Ci and Tie Yan finished their discussions, she returned to her residence at Tiren Pavilion, only to encounter her “strolling” eldest uncle, aunt, and others at the entrance.

She paused, gave the group a family bow, smiled in greeting, and was about to enter.

She had no intention of inviting these relatives inside. Where the Crown Princess resided was essentially the Eastern Palace, with cabinet documents and regional memorials inside—not a place just anyone could enter.

Especially knowing something about the Tan family’s character, she had no intention of causing trouble.

She didn’t invite them, but unfortunately they wouldn’t leave. The eldest aunt peered into the hall and smiled, “The Crown Princess’s courtyard is indeed different—it looks particularly elegant.” She then pulled Tan Dunzhi over, pointing to the soup in his hands. “We came to see Your Highness and brought along some tonic soup that Noble Consort Jing asked Dunzhi to deliver to Your Highness.”

Tan Dunzhi then personally carried the tonic soup forward.

Tie Ci didn’t even glance at the soup, turning to Dan Shuang. “Go ask Nanny Qin how she manages the palace attendants around Her Majesty. Even delivering soup requires no servants, troubling distinguished guests instead—where is the dignity of the Great Qian imperial family?”

Dan Shuang immediately went to carry out the order. Lady Wang’s face flushed red and white before she forced a smile. “Your Highness speaks too harshly. Noble Consort Jing was going to have palace servants deliver it, but we happened to want to visit Your Highness, so we volunteered for this task. We’re family after all, so we don’t mind such things… This also represents your cousin’s sincere intentions.”

Tie Ci glanced at Tan Dunzhi and smiled. “I didn’t know my cousin also enjoyed the work of serving tea and water.”

Tan Dunzhi flushed red. “Of course not! It’s only for delivering to cousin… Your Highness! I’m a provincial graduate, a scholar!”

“Then hurry back to your studies. When cousin passes the imperial examinations as top scholar, I’ll toast you personally,” Tie Ci said. “A’li, escort Master Tan, Lady Tan, and the graduate gentleman.”

A’li suppressed a smile as she stepped forward, bowing respectfully in wait.

The eldest uncle stood to one side, frowning at Tie Ci, slowly saying, “Your Highness, Great Qian values filial piety above all. As heir apparent, you should pay even more attention to rules and propriety. We’ve traveled far to come here. You haven’t visited us in the western hall, won’t accept the soup we kindly brought—that’s one thing. But now, meeting us at your own palace gates, you don’t plan to invite your uncle inside for a chat?”

Tie Ci smiled without speaking.

A’li said crisply, “For Master Tan, Lady Tan, and the graduate gentleman’s information: where the Crown Princess resides is the Eastern Palace. Unauthorized persons are forbidden from approaching within a hundred paces during daylight, let alone after nightfall. If this were the palace proper, even imperial relatives wandering the corridors at this hour would certainly be escorted out by the Nine Guards.”

“How can we be considered unauthorized persons…”

“Setting aside the Crown Princess’s status and palace regulations, in civilian life, after nightfall, can uncles and male cousins enter a young lady’s chambers? Or are the rules and proprieties in Guishan County where Master Tan resides particularly different?” A’li tilted her head with a puzzled expression.

Master Tan was speechless.

Wasn’t it just that the Crown Princess’s status was so extraordinary it had diluted gender distinctions, making him momentarily forget that the Eastern Palace was also the Crown Princess’s “chambers”?

But for the Crown Princess to treat her maternal family so dismissively, with even a little palace maid being sharp-tongued and sarcastic, showed that the folk tales of the Crown Princess being benevolent and wise were nothing but flattering nonsense!

Before coming to the capital, Master Tan had received extraordinarily enthusiastic praise and friendship from his colleagues. He’d received half a room full of gifts—all from people asking him to put in good words with the Crown Princess. Countless people had congratulated him in advance, saying that uncles and nieces were especially close, and now that the Crown Princess held great power, she would surely look after her eldest uncle. This trip to the capital would definitely lead to rapid promotion, and they hoped for his support in future.

After hearing so much flattery, Master Tan truly began to believe he was the Crown Princess’s most important blood relative, connected by unbreakable bonds. He came to the capital with high hopes. Considering himself a gentleman, he still remembered those requests, with a long list of names in his sleeve—planning to have a good talk with the Crown Princess and demonstrate his patriotic insights.

Now, being repeatedly snubbed, he felt he couldn’t save face. Without bowing, he snorted coldly and turned to leave.

Even Lady Wang, thick-skinned as she was, could only take her leave at this point. She pulled Tan Dunzhi, still wanting to say something, when Tie Ci said, “Since cousin still needs to study, staying in an outside tent probably won’t allow for concentration. Shortly, I’ll have someone arrange a room in the traveling palace where cousin can study properly and prepare for next year’s autumn examinations.”

Lady Wang was delighted to hear this and immediately said nothing more, hurriedly pushing her son forward. “The Crown Princess is being so considerate to you—quickly thank Her Highness properly.”

Tan Dunzhi hastily bowed, looking at Tie Ci with bright eyes.

Tie Ci’s gaze swept over him as if he were air, nodding to Chi Xue in indication. Chi Xue, who always understood her intentions best, smiled and stepped forward to escort the group away.

Tie Ci sighed inwardly, thinking everyone has a few top-quality relatives.

Being poor was fine, having low status was fine, even not knowing etiquette was fine, but the worst were those with small vision but big schemes, shallow eye sockets trying to contain ambitions and desires vast as mountains and seas.

Worse yet, they were respected relatives of low standing. The lower their position, the less she could slight them, or the censors would cause an uproar in court again over impeaching her.

Suddenly seeing the girl who had stood silently behind Lady Wang earlier—apparently her cousin—turn back and run toward her, Tie Ci had to stop.

This seemed to be the second branch’s youngest daughter? Tie Ci remembered she was called Xiuyue.

“Cousin Xiuyue, is there something?”

Tan Xiuyue stood still, eyes slightly lowered looking at the ground, not speaking for quite a while.

Tie Ci grew somewhat impatient—she still had many memorials to review.

Xiao Chongzi smiled, “Miss Cousin, it’s late. If you have something inconvenient to say, perhaps speak tomorrow instead.”

Tan Xiuyue scraped at the ground with her toe, still dithering. Tie Ci turned to Xiao Chongzi, “Since cousin doesn’t want to speak, you stay here to await Miss Cousin’s instructions. I’ll go in first.”

Tan Xiuyue said hastily, “No, I want to say it. I… I can only tell Your Highness.”

Tie Ci looked at her with a smile.

Well, speak then.

Just how hard was this to say? Her toe was about to scrape out a whole Ruixiang Hall.

“I just wanted to ask… to ask Your Highness… that gentleman who was cooking soup earlier… is he from your palace? Is he in your palace now…”

Tie Ci paused, then realized—wasn’t she talking about Murong Yi?

This girl had taken a fancy to Murong Yi?

That wasn’t strange—after all, Murong Yi’s face was a trouble-making face.

A girl from a small county in Western Province, suddenly seeing such a person, would be strange if she didn’t like him.

This girl was clingy by nature but quite bold—after hearing Murong Yi tell her aunt that he was Tie Ci’s man, she actually ran to ask about him.

Tie Ci wasn’t angry or jealous—with someone like Murong Yi, such things were inevitable, and she couldn’t get jealous over everything.

Young ladies being infatuated with handsome faces was perfectly reasonable. She wouldn’t blame Tan Xiuyue for it.

The key was that she’d always believed jealousy and envy stemmed from lack of self-confidence and insecurity about one’s position.

She wasn’t afraid of all the beauties in the world flocking to Murong Yi. Who in this world could compare to her? How blind would Murong Yi have to be to choose someone else?

If one day he truly transferred his affections due to some flattery and advances, it would only prove this person wasn’t worth loving, and Tie Ci could turn away without hesitation.

But while her thinking was magnanimous and generous, she still needed to block what should be blocked.

Whether handing over her man generously, letting go in a fit of pique, or self-righteously letting irrelevant people test her man—all were foolish moves caused by insecurity.

After all, Murong Yi couldn’t be tested. If that maniac got annoyed, or wanted to demonstrate loyalty by killing someone, what then?

“Him? He’s from my palace.”

Joy bloomed in Tan Xiuyue’s eyes.

Xiao Chongzi sucked in air through his teeth.

This girl wasn’t very bright.

A young man serving in the Crown Princess’s palace—could he be normal?

Tan Xiuyue clearly had other thoughts.

“Your Highness, he’s your…”

“In my palace, naturally he’s my person.” Tie Ci smiled sweetly. “What, did this eunuch offend you? You came specially to ask about him?”

“Eunuch…” Tan Xiuyue was clearly shocked.

“Of course, at this age to serve in the inner palace, what else could he be but a eunuch?”

With just a few words, the young lady was not only shocked but devastated.

She used her toe to draw another palace with her toe at the palace gates, but ultimately couldn’t bring herself to continue asking about a eunuch, and returned dejectedly.

Tie Ci sighed—finally she could go back to work.

Soon Chi Xue returned too, telling Xiao Chongzi she had arranged Suxin Study in the northwest corner of the traveling palace for Tan Dunzhi.

Xiao Chongzi’s eyes widened. “Suxin Study is so remote! It’s far from all the palace halls, even farther from the outside camp! And I heard Suxin Study is haunted!”

“How could that be? Scholars should live somewhere quiet.” Chi Xue went to report with her gentle, gracious smile.

Remote was good. Far away meant he couldn’t come over and cause trouble.

Separating this young master from his scheming mother was also for his own good.

As for shabby and haunted—he’s a scholar, a graduate gentleman with the literary star above his head and scholarly refinement on his shoulders. What was there to fear?

…

Before sleeping that evening, Tie Ci rearranged the security for the traveling palace and camp. Qi Ling and the Capital Prefecture Guard led Capital Prefecture troops and reliable soldiers from the three main camps to garrison at the mountain’s base, with Blood Cavalry scouts patrolling. The Crown Princess’s Nine Guards with three thousand men formed the inner ring, while the traveling palace appeared to have few people but was embedded with Scorpion Camp elites.

Just as Xiao Liheng had guessed, when Tie Ci returned to the capital last time, three thousand from Blood Cavalry’s Scorpion Camp escorted her. Tie Ci rushed ahead while the rest, except for three hundred Blood Cavalry, traveled slowly. As they traveled, everyone forgot about them, but they had actually secretly entered the city in batches, taking advantage of the Spring Examination case to disperse for rescue operations, control the Imperial City, and wave after wave, assassinate Xiao Liheng.

They’d wounded Xiao Liheng so badly he was still recovering.

These three thousand were Di Yiwei’s gift to Tie Ci—the elite of the elites from Blood Cavalry and Scorpion Camp, specially protecting imperial family safety.

Tie Ci also had a small force that was Dan Ye’s gift. Among the teams assassinating Xiao Liheng, those ghostly arrows came from these Western Rong warriors, but these were even more secret weapons than Scorpion Camp—Tie Ci rarely used them.

Strength shouldn’t be easily seen through, though last time assassinating Xiao Liheng, she’d used almost everything. Old Xiao might be able to guess.

Tie Ci brought the Western Rong archers this time too, making arrangements. With all three family members present, though the danger was greater, protecting them was also safer.

Even without Murong Yi’s warning, Tie Ci wouldn’t relax her guard on this trip.

Though tomorrow’s hunt would obviously provide better opportunities for assassination, what if the opponents used reverse psychology? So tonight also required vigilance.

Late at night, Tie Ci personally led people on patrol, checking even the outside camp guards. Most tents had extinguished their lights, but one distant tent still glowed. Tie Ci knew that was Murong Yi’s tent.

Looking at his camping position, close to the guard camp and sandwiched between them, showed his father didn’t trust him.

In April, grass and trees grew lush with mountain mist. Boots on grass made soft, scattered sounds. Similar footsteps sounded nearby. Tie Ci glanced toward the shadows.

A tall shadow stretched long across the ground, extending all the way to her feet.

He didn’t approach—she was in the inner ring, he in the outer ring, accompanying her slow patrol of her land and subjects.

When the moon was high, Tie Ci waved at him from afar, signaling him to go sleep.

Murong Yi stood motionless, watching her enter the traveling palace gates.

He didn’t return to his tent, instead leaping onto a large tree near the palace entrance. Just as he was about to find the most comfortable branch to sleep and keep watch, he discovered someone was already there.

A dark, rough-skinned man held a bow, looking at him with hostility.

Murong Yi kicked the guy right out of the tree.

Obviously one of that puppy Dan Ye’s men!

Annoying!

The archer was kicked down in confusion, instinctively about to shoot back in retaliation, when Tie Ci, who had her back turned, seemed to have eyes behind her head and beckoned with her hand behind her back.

The archer had to find another tree to guard from.

Tie Ci returned to her hall to find a plate of fruit on the table. Chi Xue, who was guarding inside, said, “Princess Pingzong climbed the tree herself to pick these and nearly got bitten by insects. She said the fruit was delicious and had some sent over.”

Tie Yan had recently enfeoffed Pingzong as a princess and recognized her as his adopted daughter. Naturally she accompanied them on this trip.

The fruit was dark purple, already washed, looking fresh and appealing.

As Chi Xue was about to serve them, Tie Ci said, “Have the imperial physician test for poison.”

Chi Xue’s expression turned serious as she immediately went to summon the physician.

Dan Shuang couldn’t help saying, “But Princess Pingzong personally climbed the tree to pick these randomly…”

Implying that tree fruit, randomly picked, with a grandmaster like Pingzong present who had already eaten some while in the tree, surely posed no threat.

“Pingzong doesn’t understand poison detection, and her internal energy is too strong—she can resist most toxins. Just because she’s fine doesn’t mean others would be… Were these fruits sent to Father Emperor and Mother Consort?”

“They were sent, but His Majesty ate too much at dinner and doesn’t like sweet and sour fruit, so he immediately had them distributed to the attendants. At Noble Consort Jing’s quarters, she was sleeping early, and the maid delivering fruit didn’t dare disturb her and returned.”

Tie Ci nodded. There should be no problem, but when away from home, excessive caution was never wrong.

The imperial physician arrived and confirmed no poison. Only then did Tie Ci peel and eat one.

It was sweet, sour, and juicy with excellent flavor.

After eating one, Tie Ci paused and pointed to the remainder, “Send them over.”

Dan Shuang was puzzled—send them where, to whom?