The Grand Commander gave a soft laugh, reached for her hand, and said, “No matter whether Lan’er is willing or not, I would be glad to do anything for her.”

Qian Lan quietly slipped her hand free without drawing attention to it. “Let me pour some water for the Grand Commander.”

“Of course, thank you for the trouble, Lan’er.”

The Grand Commander watched her retreating figure, his eyes filled with deep affection.

Qian Lan brought hot water and also a stack of documents.

“Grand Commander, these have just been delivered and require your review.” Qian Lan said. “I’ve kept the important ones and let them handle the trivial matters themselves. The Grand Commander’s health is far more important than any of this.”

“Still Lan’er who looks out for me.” The Grand Commander took a sip from the water cup. “Have a look for me — if there’s anything truly important, let me know.”

“I’ve already gone through them once. Only one matter is worth noting.” Qian Lan said with a serious expression. “More than twenty people have submitted a joint petition urging the Grand Commander to promptly determine the appointment of the Young Commander.”

“Oh?” The Grand Commander extended his hand. “Let me see.”

Qian Lan passed him the document. While he read it, she spoke at his side. “These people are all influential figures at the headquarters in the Blue Brick Tower. Their joint petition to the Grand Commander is likely because the position of Young Commander has truly been vacant far too long.”

“They think I’m gravely ill and urgently need someone to take my place, don’t they?” The Grand Commander let out a cold laugh. “I’ve only caught a chill — it’s not some terminal illness.”

Qian Lan smiled. “The Grand Commander is naturally in good health, but the position of Young Commander is like the Crown Prince of old. How can a nation have no Crown Prince? Regardless of who it is, he is the Grand Commander’s son — someone who must absolutely obey the Grand Commander’s orders.”

“Then which of them does Lan’er favor?” The Grand Commander seemed to have little interest in the document; what Qian Lan said mattered far more than any opinion on paper.

Qian Lan considered for a moment before answering. “Both Shi Ting and Shi Guang are outstanding sons of the Grand Commander. Each has his strengths. If I truly had to choose between them, I would be hard pressed indeed.”

“Lan’er need not hold anything back — speak freely.” The Grand Commander said encouragingly in a gentle tone.

Qian Lan curved her lips slightly. “Shi Ting’s Military Police Division has earned considerable renown among the common people over the years — he is the people’s choice. Yet he is a concubine-born son; his birth is not as distinguished as Shi Guang’s. Furthermore, his methods are too rigid. Take the matter of Minister Han — though the laws of Shun Cheng stood at the fore, it was not as though there were no room for flexibility. I’ve heard that at the time, he infuriated the Grand Commander greatly and put him in a very difficult position. The officials of the Blue Brick Tower — how many of them are truly clean? If every one of them were to be investigated, the Blue Brick Tower would likely have to shut its doors.”

At that, Qian Lan quickly covered her mouth lightly and looked at the Grand Commander with a faint expression of anxiety.

But the Grand Commander laughed and encouraged her further. “I said — speak freely. I won’t blame you.”

Qian Lan smiled as well — a warm, graceful smile, her eyes bright as stars. “Thank you to the Grand Commander for not taking offense at my ramblings. Then I’ll continue.”

She picked up her teacup to moisten her throat before going on. “I feel Shi Ting is too straightforward and inflexible. If someone like him truly became Young Commander, who knows how many officials would suffer. A true wise ruler is not one who is rigidly unyielding and unable to adapt — such rulers are often ones who know when to look the other way. After all, no one in this world is truly uncorrupt, and no person is without flaw.”

“And Shi Guang?”

“Shi Guang is the legitimate son — his claim is rightful and his status appropriate. He is also exceptionally capable. Beyond that, he is worldly and tactful; handling interpersonal affairs presents no difficulty for him at all. I believe that if he were to become Young Commander, he would lead Bei Di to even greater prosperity.”

The Grand Commander gave a nod. “You make a great deal of sense.”

“So the Grand Commander’s intention is?”

The Grand Commander looked at her with a smile. “Whatever Lan’er intends is what I intend. Whoever Lan’er thinks is suitable — that person is suitable.”

Qian Lan gave a light smile. “The Grand Commander trusts me so deeply — I feel a great deal of pressure.”

“Lan’er is my everything. These matters are small things.”

Qian Lan seized the opportunity. “Then shall the Grand Commander take this chance to settle the matter of the Young Commander? It would stop those people from bringing it up before the Grand Commander every other day.”

“Whatever Lan’er says is what shall be done.” The Grand Commander set down his teacup. “Then let us draft a document now.”

He looked at Qian Lan with a tender gaze. “Would Lan’er be willing to write it herself?”

“Of course.” Qian Lan rose and retrieved the brush and ink. After spreading the paper on the desk and under the Grand Commander’s guidance, she began composing the document. When it came time to write the name, she confirmed once more. “The Grand Commander wishes to appoint Shi Guang as Young Commander, correct? I wouldn’t want to make an error.”

“Didn’t Lan’er say Shi Guang was the more suitable one? Then it shall be Shi Guang.” The Grand Commander said without hesitation. “Whatever Lan’er thinks is good is good.”

Qian Lan’s back was turned to the Grand Commander. Hearing those words, the corner of her mouth curled into a sneer of contempt.

She held the writing brush and stroke by stroke wrote down Shi Guang’s name.

The title of Young Commander — this was what Shi Guang wanted most in the world, and it was the condition upon which their original transaction had been made.

She had promised him she would help him secure the title of Young Commander, and he had promised her that once he obtained the position, he would find an opportunity for the Grand Commander to meet with an “accidental death.”

Of course, that had only ever been their agreement. What she truly wanted was not the Grand Commander’s life — it was the complete ruin of the entire Shi family.

Shi Guang believed that once he obtained this position, everything would be in his control. But the Grand Commander remained in her hands. As long as she held this chess piece, no one could do anything to her.

After finishing the document, Qian Lan blew on the ink to help it dry, then held it before the Grand Commander once it was half-dry. “Grand Commander, please take a look — is this written properly?”

The Grand Commander took it and scanned it briefly, appearing somewhat distracted. “Lan’er need not ask me. Whatever you think is fine is fine.”

Qian Lan said, “Then the commander’s seal…”

“I nearly forgot.” The Grand Commander hurriedly retrieved a small box from beside his pillow. This time, he handed the entire box to Qian Lan. “Let me entrust this commander’s seal to you for safekeeping. From now on, whatever matters arise, you shall decide.”

Qian Lan feigned surprise. “How could that be proper? You are the Grand Commander.”

“Having you is enough for me.” The Grand Commander said with utter infatuation. “None of this matters.”

Qian Lan took it almost without hesitation. “Then I won’t be polite with the Grand Commander. For now, the Grand Commander’s health is what matters most — leave these small matters to me.”

Qian Lan turned away and took the commander’s seal from the box. Feeling its heavy weight in her hand, her cold smile was like ice-tempered steel.

She lifted the great seal and pressed it with force onto the document she had just written.

With this document, she could report back to Shi Guang. And what came after — that would be beyond Shi Guang’s ability to control.

“Grand Commander.” Qian Lan placed the document inside a small case, then walked over to the Grand Commander with graceful steps, an expression of hesitation on her composed face. “I have recently heard something — it is about Er Yitai.”

“What about Er Yitai?”

“I’m not sure how to bring it up…”

“Say whatever you wish.”

Qian Lan let out a soft sigh. “I’ve heard that Er Yitai and Steward Shi have had some improper dealings. Steward Shi has been coming and going to Er Yitai’s courtyard every other day. You’d think that whatever business he had could be relayed through a maidservant — yet he insists on going in person and speaking face to face. And once he goes in, he stays for a full hour, with no one permitted to attend nearby.”

The Grand Commander’s brow furrowed, his expression growing somewhat dark.

“And Steward Shi goes in and stays for a full hour, with no servants permitted to attend.”

“This is absolutely outrageous.” The Grand Commander slammed his palm against the bedside, his face flushing red with anger. “This shameless woman — she finally couldn’t endure the loneliness. Of all the people to entangle herself with, she chose Steward Shi. Steward Shi has been loyally serving the Shi Mansion for many years.”

“Grand Commander, please calm yourself. Perhaps the situation is not as it seems — they may truly have had some important matter to discuss.”

“Ha — what matter could they possibly have? Nothing but indecent dealings.”

Qian Lan said, “Then how does the Grand Commander wish to handle it? People outside are already talking.”

“And what does Lan’er think?”

Qian Lan considered. “Er Yitai has shown no virtue — conducting illicit affairs with a servant. By rights she ought to be drowned in a sack, but in consideration of her being Shi Ting’s birth mother, who raised him with her own hands, drowning may be set aside. However, to allow her to continue residing in the Shi Mansion would surely set an example for others to follow. People might think the Grand Commander cannot even manage his own concubines and allows them to do as they please. Where would the Grand Commander’s dignity go?”

“What does Lan’er think should be done with her?”

“I’ve heard that Shun Cheng is about to transport a shipment of textiles to Mo Cheng. The convoy will include several embroidery artisans. Is Er Yitai not skilled in needlework? Let her accompany the shipment to Mo Cheng. The official announcement can say that Er Yitai is traveling a great distance to support Mo Cheng’s textile industry — it might even earn her a good reputation.”

Mo Cheng was a place of bitter cold — the same place where Shi Qian had been sent away long ago. Even Shi Qian, a robust young man, had vanished along the way. How much less chance would the frail and sickly Luo Huaimeng stand?

This was not a journey of support. This was a journey to her death.

When Qian Lan finished speaking, she fixed her deep gaze on the Grand Commander, as if awaiting his decision.

The Grand Commander did not hesitate for a single moment. “Do as Lan’er says. The nerve of this shameless woman.”

Qian Lan walked out of the room, the shadow on her face growing ever darker.

Magpie came forward and asked, “Madam, what did the Grand Commander say?”

“They say a day of wedlock is worth a hundred days of grace — the Grand Commander and Er Yitai have been husband and concubine for so many years. He knows her character better than anyone. And yet, even so, he will send her to her death without so much as a blink.” Qian Lan let out a cold laugh. “Now, whatever I say, the Grand Commander will not bother to discern truth from falsehood. Whatever I ask him to do, he will do without hesitation. I could send him to his death — how much less an issue is it to dispose of one concubine?”

“And Er Yitai?”

“Convey the Grand Commander’s command: say Er Yitai’s embroidery is superb, and that three days from now she will travel with the convoy to Mo Cheng to support the textile industry there. Er Yitai’s journey to Mo Cheng is a meritorious deed — she should be admired for it.”

“I’m only worried about the Seventh Young Master’s side…”

“This is the Grand Commander’s order. If Shi Ting refuses to accept it, all the better — that is precisely the opportunity I need.”