Fate Trading System – Chapter 189

Plan A

Guiding Stars 5

Adding Members

“Imperial Father?”

Yue Xingyao didn’t understand why her Imperial Father, who was embracing her, had changed his mind so quickly, when just a moment ago he had spoken words of refusal.

“Yao’er has grown up and has her own opinions now. After careful consideration, Imperial Father thinks Yao’er is right. It’s time for Yao’er to have a close companion. That child was raised by me, so there’s nothing to worry about, and the surroundings are very clean [幹淨 | Gānjìng | Meaning both literally clean and free from corrupt influences], there won’t be any messy political forces.”

The Emperor Consort revealed a gentle smile, and the concern in his words was evident to everyone.

“Thank you, Imperial Father.”

Yue Xingyao remained in the embrace, raising her head to meet the Emperor Consort’s gaze as she happily expressed her gratitude.

The Emperor Consort tenderly stroked her face with some pity, then released her from his embrace.

When Yue Xingyao returned to her room, she saw the pot of flowers she had instructed the palace servants to place on her windowsill. The flowering season had long passed, and the buds remained tightly closed, quietly basking in the moonlight.

Yue Xingyao touched the flower buds, then bathed with the assistance of the palace servant, and lay down on her bed.

The night passed peacefully.

Meanwhile, Su Xin, under Jinxiu’s care, applied the new medicine sent by Yue Xingyao. This medicine was indeed extraordinary, its effects far superior to what she had been using before, working much faster.

“In a few days, master’s hand should be healed, and then you can return to Zixing Hall, how wonderful.”

Jinxiu carefully stored the medicine box in the hidden cabinet by Su Xin’s bedside, rejoicing in pure happiness.

“Mm-hmm.”

Su Xin originally thought that little ghost Yue Xingyao would only come out for one day, but unexpectedly, she had been seeing her for several days now.

“Wu Meimei.”

Ah… here she comes again.

It wasn’t that Su Xin felt weary, she just didn’t want to get too close. If they developed emotional bonds, it would be quite ugly when they eventually had to turn against each other.

Su Xin couldn’t bring herself to exploit and betray someone, especially when the subject before her was just a four-year-old girl. Even though in ten years she would grow into something terrifying, right now she was still just a pure and innocent child.

Su Xin could see that Yue Xingyao had developed a temporary dependence on her. If her goal wasn’t to become Emperor, she might have been willing to befriend this little girl, because this girl would certainly be extraordinary in the future. Perhaps she could help the original host escape the fate of beheading and family extinction from two lifetimes ago.

However, their goals were in conflict, destined for a future fight to the death. The alliance Su Xin wanted wasn’t based on family ties, but rather a business relationship that could form when Yue Xingyao could think rationally.

They could join hands against others, but after the transaction ended, they would become enemies.

Su Xin didn’t consider herself a good person, but she wasn’t a despicable one either. She didn’t need to violate her morals and conscience by setting up a long-term scheme. People develop feelings, and Su Xin didn’t want to feel guilty.

“Da Huangjie… am I bothering you by coming every day?”

Yue Xingyao very sensitively perceived Su Xin’s surprised meaning; her elder imperial sister seemed unwilling to let her get too close.

“No.”

Su Xin shook her head, pulled Yue Xingyao to her side, and dismissed all the palace servant.

“Wu Meimei, why have you been so diligent in coming to see me these past few days?”

“Because I want to talk with Da Huangjie.”

“Wouldn’t it be better like before?”

“Hm?”

“Wouldn’t it be better like before? You’ve never set foot in my courtyard before.”

To be honest, she had already given Yue Xingyao the cold shoulder for a day or two. When she came, Su Xin would just give a brief greeting, then not say a word to her all afternoon, focusing solely on her own tasks. But Yue Xingyao showed no signs of impatience, staying silent and just watching her every move. Whatever Su Xin did, she would follow with her gaze. There was nothing to be done about it.

Su Xin’s display of distance was already quite obvious, but unfortunately, Yue Xingyao couldn’t pick up on it, so Su Xin had no choice but to speak plainly.

“Da Huangjie… have you grown tired of Yao’er?”

Yue Xingyao’s expression dimmed, as if she had heard something unbelievably heartbreaking.

“No…”

Su Xin had a bit of a headache. Telling a child they shouldn’t meet anymore and should just maintain a plain sisterly relationship without getting any closer – she must have lost her mind. How could a child possibly understand? No matter how extraordinary or intelligent she might become in the future, right now she was still just a child.

“I won’t disturb you. I’ll just come to see you every day, and you can talk with me a little. That would be enough…”

Yue Xingyao was clearly quite hurt. Her Imperial Father, whom she thought wouldn’t agree, had agreed, but her Da Huangjie, whom she thought would agree, didn’t.

“Wouldn’t it be better like before? You’ll understand when you grow up.”

When you grow up, you’ll understand that our previous way of interaction was the best way to get along.

Yue Xingyao stood up. Su Xin watched her approach while remaining seated.

“Da Huangjie, you’re speaking a bit like Imperial Father.”

Yue Xingyao lifted her head.

“Huh?”

“Imperial Father always says such things to me. He arrange everything for me, and when I’m slightly dissatisfied, he tells me it’s for my own good, that I’ll understand when I grow up… To be honest, I really, really hate it when he says that.”

That’s exactly what the Emperor Consort said when that little palace servant was dealt with.

“Da Huangjie, you dislike me, don’t you? But why do you dislike me? If you won’t let me get close to you, please give me a reason. We were both raised by Imperial Father, what’s the difference?”

Little Yue Xingyao was very stubborn. If you dislike me, please give me a reason for disliking me.

“I never said I disliked you… You’re very cute, really.”

Su Xin had no experience comforting children. She rubbed her temples in frustration. She only wanted to maintain a distant relationship with this sister, but she hadn’t said she disliked her. She didn’t want to make an enemy of her at such a young age.

“Then why won’t you let me get close to you? Why do you want me to go back to how things were before? Are you blaming me for never coming to play with you before? But why didn’t you come to find me either?”

Yue Xingyao’s heart was full of questions.

“If I tell you now, you won’t understand. You’ll understand when you grow up.”

“How do you know I won’t understand right now? You haven’t even told me, how do you know I won’t understand?”

The logic was very clear – you haven’t told me yet, so how do you know I won’t understand?

“So… ultimately… Da Huangjie… just doesn’t want to see me anymore, right? I originally thought our relationship would be better than with other sisters.”

Yue Xingyao’s eyes were like two black pearls, brimming with glistening light.

Su Xin felt a slight panic in her heart and quickly reached out to wipe Yue Xingyao’s tears.

How could this little one start crying just like that! That’s cheating! Don’t you know what a cool, domineering, and awesome character you’ll become in the future? How can you cry!

“Wu Meimei, please don’t cry.”

Su Xin hadn’t meant to make the child cry and was quite bewildered.

Lord Fourteen, what should I do!

【Sorry, host, this kind of problem is beyond my abilities to help.】

Argh, what use are you then!

“Then will Da Huangjie still ignore me in the future?”

To gain something only to let it go again is an extremely cruel thing.

Yue Xingyao was like someone who had opened a treasure chest and seen the mysterious unknown and brilliant starlight within. How could it be possible to make her walk away now and pretend none of this had happened?

Some doors, once opened, can never be closed again. Some things, once seen, can never be forgotten.

Su Xin had given up trying to reason with this child. She had originally thought she would have a CEO-like personality in childhood – very cold – and would leave on her own after hearing these words.

Now the situation was clear – her estimation had been wrong.

She can cry!

“I won’t anymore, but you must remember one thing: never regret getting close to me today.”

Su Xin helped wipe away Yue Xingyao’s tears and struggled to embrace the little one.

“Of course I won’t regret it. Yao’er will become a very, very powerful person in the future. Da Huangjie, I can help fulfill all your wishes.”

Su Xin smiled slightly, not taking it seriously, much less taking it to heart.

“My hand is almost healed. I should be able to continue attending classes at Zixing Hall tomorrow. Then I won’t be staying in the small courtyard.”

“I still have two years before I can study with you.”

“When you start, I will have already finished.”

Study at Zixing Hall begins at age six and ends at age twelve.

“That’s true.”

The child who had just finished crying had clear eyes and was dependently holding Su Xin’s hand.

Su Xin found it strange because Yue Xingyao had an extraordinary sense of closeness to her.

Su Xin recalled in her memories when the original host was born for the second time, going to the Imperial Study to see the Emperor but instead seeing Yue Xingyao, and her smile at that time.

A fourteen-year-old’s young, brilliant, yet twisted smile.

It was completely different from the current Yue Xingyao. Su Xin had Fourteen constantly monitoring Yue Xingyao to know exactly when she changed.

What kind of deep-seated pain could have transformed this girl who could laugh and cry into such a vicious and ruthless person later on?

Su Xin wanted to change the trajectory of the future, so she wouldn’t let Yue Xingyao become like before.

This wasn’t a case of being a saint or being driven by sympathy. For Su Xin, such a ruthless enemy would be much harder to deal with. If she could make Yue Xingyao more gentle, it wouldn’t be as difficult to handle her in the future.

Honestly speaking, wouldn’t it be simpler to just eliminate her now?

But she couldn’t be eliminated. Aside from the world’s rules, if she harmed Yue Xingyao, the Emperor Consort alone could kill her a hundred times over, unless she could do it without anyone knowing. But the palace had many eyes and ears, plus Yue Xingyao’s future powerful controlling force.

Moreover… seeing those dependent eyes before her now, she really couldn’t bring herself to act.

The power behind Yue Xingyao, like the person who could disguise themselves as the Emperor, couldn’t have been cultivated by Yue Xingyao herself. Su Xin suspected it might be from Yue Xingyao’s birth mother’s side.

Yue Xingyao’s birth mother must have been someone with exceptional martial arts skills, able to scale high walls, evade strict patrols, enter the Emperor Consort’s palace, and become intimate with him.

For Lord Fourteen to investigate someone’s life, it needed one of two things: either Su Xin had met the person, or she knew their name.

If neither of these conditions were met, or if one couldn’t be met, Fourteen couldn’t investigate.

At Wei Shi [未時 | Wèi shí | 1-3 PM in traditional Chinese timekeeping], the Lieyan flowers in the small courtyard bloomed together, their color as red as the proud sun, seeming to burn into one’s heart.

Dusk approached slowly, and the sun set in the west.

Su Xin watched Yue Xingyao’s departing figure, the small person walking further and further away, surrounded by a group of guards and palace servants.

Wherever she went, it was always with such grand presence. Though she appeared to live freely within this palace, she was actually restricted everywhere.

What is freedom?

Freedom is a comfortable and harmonious psychological state free from fear, slavery, harm, and capable of satisfying one’s desires and realizing self-worth. Freedom includes both the right to do as one wishes and the responsibility not to harm others.

“Freedom is the right to do anything that does not harm others.” — Article 4 of the Declaration of Human Rights.

Su Xin sneered at her own thoughts. In this palace, perhaps possessing kindness was the most tragic thing. If this were a quiet and peaceful world, if these people had no ambitious desires for power, then kindness might be a very good trait. Unfortunately, the timing wasn’t right.

In the afternoon, Su Xin sent a palace servant to deliver a message to Xiao Mingyi, saying her illness had completely healed and she could resume normal studies tomorrow.

The next day, Su Xin was assisted in rising early. After finishing her morning meal, she saw Xiao Mingyi waiting at the door.

Perhaps these days of rest had made Xiao Mingyi lazy again; her eyes were half-closed, looking as if she was between sleep and wakefulness.

“Paying respects to Dianxia [殿下 | Diànxià | Your Highness].”

The moment Xiao Mingyi saw Su Xin, her eyes immediately opened wide, looking completely awake.

Su Xin felt this situation was quite like a student dozing off in class suddenly becoming alert when the teacher stands beside them.

“Have you eaten enough this morning? Here, for you.”

Su Xin wrapped two pieces of pastry in a handkerchief for Xiao Mingyi. Judging from Xiao Mingyi’s build, she knew she was typically a glutton, which was indeed true. She loved eating, especially the palace pastries, after all, the Imperial Chef’s skills were incomparable.

“Thank you for Dianxia’s reward.”

Xiao Mingyi, as if seeing something wonderful, broke into a smile and hurriedly expressed her thanks, then took the food and eagerly stuffed it into her mouth.

When she stood up, deep dimples appeared on both her cheeks, looking exceptionally cute and soft.

But all of this was just Su Xin’s inner thoughts; she wouldn’t dare say it aloud. Otherwise, the little study companion would bristle. In this era, using “cute” to compliment a woman was truly not a good idea.

“Dianxia, shall we go?”

Xiao Mingyi had finished the two pieces of pastry, took out her handkerchief to wipe her mouth clean of crumbs, then handed the handkerchief to Jinxiu beside her. This series of actions was performed with utmost familiarity.

Jinxiu accepted it with a smile, watching her mistress and the other young lady leave before turning to enter the palace.

They had always gone to Zixing Hall together, and at noon mealtime, Jinxiu would bring a large food box for them both to enjoy.

“Greetings, Taifu Daren [太傅大人 | Tàifù Dàrén | Grand Tutor].”

Both of them properly greeted the white-haired woman of fifty or sixty years standing in the hall.

“Da Dianxia [大殿下 | Dà Diànxià | Great Imperial Highness] has come. Has your health fully recovered?”

“Thank you for your concern, Taifu. This student’s body has no major ailments anymore.”

“That’s good. Please be seated.”

Soon after, the Er Huangnu [二皇女 | Èr Huángnǚ | Second Imperial Princess] and San Huangzi [三皇子 | Sān Huángzǐ | Third Imperial Prince] arrived with their respective study companions.

During class, they didn’t interact with each other. None of them were mischievous types.

The imperial children were each more well-behaved than the other, almost unnaturally so.

While Taifu Daren felt gratified on the surface, there was more worry in her heart.

These children all thought far too much. At such young ages, they all displayed unusual maturity. This wasn’t necessarily a good thing, especially if they all shared the same goal.

The lecture content covered many aspects. Taifu gave many examples, vividly helping her students understand, while also not forgetting to instill some dry theoretical knowledge, requiring them to memorize it.

Taifu didn’t lecture endlessly all morning, but rather paused after a while to let her students digest the information, allowing herself to rest as well.

The position of Taifu could only be held by someone of high moral standing and reputation. Better to have no one than the wrong person, as they bore the responsibility of educating future rulers. Although Da Yue believed in female supremacy, the imperial family maintained strict requirements for their children. As imperial princes, they couldn’t be unlearned; they must possess talent and couldn’t just learn needlework – that would be too provincial.

Princes only attended morning classes, which generally focused on ritual education, how to be a refined gentleman, a talented person, and magnanimous. Afternoon classes covering official duties, military strategy, law, literature, and history were only for princesses to study.

During mealtime, Su Xin spoke with these younger siblings, or more precisely, they came to speak with her.

Er Huangnu Yue Xinlan [越星岚 | Yuè Xīnglán] was the daughter of the Xianfei [賢妃 | Xiánfēi | Worthy Consort] of First Rank. Her imperial father was quite capable, and she was born earlier. If Yue Xingyao hadn’t been born, the throne might have fallen to her.

But the Emperor Consort had an heir, so Xianfei could only gnash her teeth.

The Emperor’s imperial harem was quite lively, otherwise there wouldn’t be over ten children, not counting those lost before birth.

Among the four First Rank consorts, one position was vacant, and many pinfei [嫔妃 | Pínfēi | Imperial Concubines] were eager to climb up.

“Da Huangjie, I heard you were unwell these past days. I’m sorry I didn’t visit promptly. It’s wonderful that you’ve recovered now.”

Yue Xinlan apologized, having perfectly learned adult mannerisms at such a young age.

“Thank you for your concern, Huangmei.”

Su Xin responded briefly without saying more. She didn’t have a good impression of this imperial sister, who looked down on her from the bottom of her heart. Su Xin knew clearly who had taught her that.

Yue Xinlan was somewhat spoiled, frequently punishing servants. Though young, her temper was certainly not small. She took after her father’s nature, both being mercurial [陰晴不定 | Yīn qíng bù dìng | Unpredictable moods], but like her father, she was very good at pretending.

Xianfei typically presented herself as a weak figure, practically a stunning white lotus flower [白蓮花 | Bái lián huā | Metaphor for false innocence]. Combined with her skill in dressing up and acting coy, she often had the Emperor completely besotted [五迷三道 | Wǔ mí sān dào | Completely infatuated].

Though Yue Xinlan had a bad temper, she disguised it well, packaging herself as someone humble, courteous, and caring towards elders and sisters.

“Da Huangjie, this is a hebao [荷包 | Hébāo | Embroidered pouch] Yin’er newly embroidered for you. It’s to help dispel illness qi and keep you healthy. I hope Da Huangjie won’t mind my poor craftsmanship.”

The little boy, with big eyes and delicate features like a porcelain doll, blinked his eyelashes and presented a pouch.

The embroidery wasn’t good; one could see it was rough and inexperienced, but the pattern was barely discernible. It had likely been touched up by someone later. For a six-year-old boy, this was quite good already.

“Thank you, Yin’er, I like it very much.”

Su Xin accepted the pouch, earning a happy smile from the little boy.

“Aiya, then haven’t I made a mistake? I didn’t bring a gift for Da Huangjie this time. How inappropriate.”

Yue Xinlan frowned, speaking very apologetically.

Yue Jiuyin [越玖音 | Yuè Jiǔyīn] suddenly trembled for some reason, not daring to look at Yue Xinlan, keeping his head down in an apparently introverted manner.

“It’s fine. The thought is what matters most. Er Huangmei, your thoughtfulness is enough.”

Yue Xinlan nodded in agreement. The palace servants brought lunch, and she went to eat quietly on one side.

Yue Jiuyin didn’t dine there. Since he didn’t have afternoon classes, he directly returned to his residence with the palace servants.

Yue Jiuyin was actually somewhat afraid of Yue Xinlan. His imperial father was a Jieyu [婕妤 | Jiéyú | Consort] of Third Rank, far inferior compared to the Emperor Consort and Xianfei. His imperial father couldn’t rely on his daughter’s status, and could only live cautiously in the palace, fearing one misstep would make her cannon fodder. Thus, he often taught his son to be careful, avoid offending others, and best not to antagonize anyone – after all, as a prince, he would be fine once married off.

Yue Jiuyin’s personality was like a frightened little rabbit, silent and unwilling to speak more than necessary. Sometimes he stood there like a piece of air, wishing he could burrow into a corner to reduce his presence.

However, this was only before other princesses or consorts of higher rank than his mother. He wasn’t timid before palace servants.

From the original host’s memories, Su Xin knew this third brother became quite fierce after marriage, even killing men who tried to climb into his fuma’s [駙馬 | Fùmǎ | Imperial son-in-law] bed. He wasn’t some delicate white flower, but rather a man-eating tiger flower that could strike at any time.

But these were just minor palace dramas, having nothing to do with Su Xin. She didn’t pay much attention to this brother, handing the pouch to Jinxiu who came with the meal, telling her to keep it safe.

The lunch was very sumptuous, with portions for two, including both meat and vegetable dishes, well-balanced.

Mushroom braised chicken, stir-fried lamb, and green vegetables, each in small portions but with many varieties.

Xiao Mingyi was already starving. After cleaning her hands, she waited for Su Xin to start picking dishes.

Only after Su Xin took her first bite did she eagerly pick up her own bowl and chopsticks to eat, eating very quickly but still maintaining elegance, neither getting food on her face nor making a mess, maintaining proper etiquette.

Su Xin’s appetite wasn’t as big as Xiao Mingyi’s, but when she put down her chopsticks, Xiao Mingyi had to stop too. Perhaps this rule had trained the little study companion to eat quickly, otherwise she wouldn’t have the chance to eat her fill after Su Xin set down her chopsticks.

“Eat slower. Eating too fast isn’t good for your body. Chew thoroughly and swallow slowly. This time, This Palace [本殿 | Běn diàn | self-refence] will eat slowly. Tell me when you’re full, and then I’ll stop.”

To win people over, one must start with details, mainly catering to their preferences, not just giving gifts. Moreover, Xiao Mingyi was only a nine-year-old child who might not yet appreciate precious gifts.

Small favors sometimes work very well because they can change a person’s attitude.

Xiao Mingyi looked as if she’d heard something incredible, her cheeks bulging with food, unconsciously chewing while staring at Su Xin.

“What’s wrong? Unwilling?”

Xiao Mingyi vigorously shook her head while struggling to chew her food, then seemed to think of something and started nodding repeatedly.

“Willing.”

Finally swallowing a big mouthful of rice, Xiao Mingyi hurriedly said.

“Eat slowly. Mingyi, with that look on your face, others might think I’m bullying you.”

“How could that be? Da Dianxia is the kindest.”

There was no one else around; Er Huangnu had already taken her palace servants to eat elsewhere.

Xiao Mingyi thought happily that nothing in the world was more joyful than eating; it was simply supreme enjoyment, provided the food was delicious and the portion filling.

After lunch and a short rest, Taifu came to continue the lessons.

Su Xin listened attentively; this knowledge was still quite lacking, and some of these principles would certainly be useful later.

Su Xin had specifically studied military courses, but hadn’t particularly touched on these political aspects. Her profession might involve firearms, artillery, troop distribution, and resource maximization, but she didn’t need to learn how to manage a country or a company. She was a good assassin, but whether she was a good administrator remained unknown.

Su Xin was working towards this direction. Taifu taught very well, transforming dry theoretical knowledge into vivid instruction in her mind, but for real smokeless power struggles, it still wasn’t enough.

At this point, the protagonist’s golden finger needed to show its worth.

【Host, this humble one has another gift for you – the collected thoughts of thirteen previous hosts, for your reference. These 13 individuals were previously emperors, wang ye [王爺 | Wáng yé | Princes], xiaoxiong [枭雄 | Xiāoxióng | Ambitious warlords] in chaotic times, guoshi [國師 | Guóshī | Imperial advisors], and outstanding politicians.】

Very well, accepted.

When Su Xin and Xiao Mingyi were parting in the evening, she called out to Xiao Mingyi who was preparing to leave.

“Mingyi, after you return, can you deliver something to your mother for This Palace?”

“Of course. Does Dianxia have business with my mother?”

“Does your family raise fish?”

Su Xin asked a question that seemed completely unrelated to their previous topic.

“Yes, we have several fish in our family’s small lake. Why does Dianxia suddenly ask about this? Are you interested in the fish in our lake?”

Xiao Mingyi couldn’t quite follow Su Xin’s train of thought. Being a foodie, her mind immediately went astray, thinking Su Xin had taken a fancy to their lake’s fish and wanted to catch them for eating.

“Take this and give it to your mother. I think she will understand This Palace’s meaning.”

Su Xin gave Xiao Mingyi a note, telling her to take it home to show her mother.

“Yes, Mingyi will definitely deliver it.”

After leaving the palace, Xiao Mingyi’s stomach was already growling with hunger. She took a carriage to the mansion, but instead of hurriedly calling for dinner, she endured her hunger and used her plump body to run towards her mother’s study.

“Muqin [母親 | Mǔqīn | Mother].”

Xiao Mingyi knocked on the door and, after receiving permission, pushed it open and entered.

“Yi’er, what’s the matter? Why such urgency to find me now? Shouldn’t you be rushing to call for dinner as usual?”

Xiao Wei [肖蔚 | Xiāo Wěi] unhurriedly put down her brush, looking at her most beloved eldest daughter. Though her figure was indeed worrisome, whenever she saw her daughter’s suffering expression while hungry, she would become soft-hearted again.

She had always particularly doted on this clever and articulate daughter, sometimes joking and teasing with her, no different from ordinary mother and daughter.

“Muqin, this is what Da Dianxia gave me today to deliver to you.”

“Oh?”

Xiao Wei took the small note and read its contents.

“Also, Da Dianxia asked if we have fish at home.”

Among fighting fish, one swims alone, seeking to venture beyond, yet perishes [衆魚鬥，一魚獨游，欲行方外，卒 | Zhòng yú dòu, yī yú dú yóu, yù xíng fāng wài, zú | Classical style metaphorical verse].

“Muqin, what do you think Da Dianxia means?”

Xiao Wei burned the note under the candlelight and fell into deep thought. Soon after, she revealed a meaningful smile and walked over to hold her daughter’s hand, speaking with profound significance.

“Da Dianxia wants my support, but her power is weak. If she wants to compete for that position, I must consider carefully. We can’t place our bets wrongly, can we?”

This was a grand gamble, possibly requiring staking everything they had, taking a very long time to determine winner and loser.

This year, two imperial consorts in the palace were about to give birth, gender unknown, but according to pulse diagnosis, both were likely to be girls.

This would be an inevitably fierce battle. Xiao Wei needed to think and plan carefully. In her view, the Da Huangnu’s only advantage was her age. If things went smoothly and she ascended to that position, her younger sisters would still be very young, posing no significant threat.

Xiao Wei smiled, deciding to postpone choosing sides for now. The Emperor was still very healthy, and the princesses were still young. This war hadn’t yet raised its curtain [拉開帷幕 | Lā kāi wéimù | Idiom: To begin] – it was still early, still early.

“Should we help Da Dianxia then? After all, I am her bandu [伴讀 | Bàndú | Study companion], Muqin…”

“Your little head doesn’t need to consider such complicated matters yet. Did you finish the book I asked you to read yesterday? Don’t worry about choosing sides; I will make the decision naturally. It’s still too early now – some haven’t yet shown their sharp edges [鋒芒 | Fēngmáng | Metaphor: true capabilities].”

Xiao Wei actually favored Wu Dianxia [五殿下 | Wǔ Diànxià | Fifth Imperial Princess] most, though she was only four years old, she held many advantages.

The Emperor Consort’s daughter, zhichu [嫡出 | Zhíchū | Legitimate birth], and though the Emperor Consort’s maternal family wasn’t particularly powerful at court, having gradually weakened compared to before their suppression, yet a lean camel is still larger than a horse [瘦死駱駝比馬大 | Shòu sǐ luótuó bǐ mǎ dà | Idiom: declining power still holds influence], their remaining prestige persisted.

The main consideration was still Tianwei [天威 | Tiānwēi | Imperial authority] and the Shengshang’s [聖上 | Shèngshàng | Her Majesty] decree. One couldn’t randomly speculate. Although Xiao Wei favored Wu Dianxia most, the Emperor seemed to dislike this legitimate daughter of her Emperor Consort.

Xiao Wei stopped considering these matters and took her daughter to have dinner.

“I haven’t finished reading yet, just a bit more. I’ll definitely finish tomorrow, and Muqin can check then.”

Xiao Mingyi showed a naive sweet smile, but in the turning of her eyes, only she knew the thoughts in her little head.

Su Xin was busy, unprecedentedly busy.

It seemed every day, every minute, every second had tasks to complete, wishing she could split one minute into two.

From opening her eyes in the morning, washing up, eating breakfast, attending classes, having lunch, continuing classes, returning to the palace for dinner after all daily lessons, completing homework after dinner, finishing Taifu’s assignments, then beginning to digest what Fourteen had given her. Those things weren’t as simple to absorb as performance techniques, and were highly visual, like watching a movie. Though bloodless, one could almost smell that thick stench emanating from within – fierce competition, traps, conspiracies, cunning, and human nature.

Processing such things was extremely mentally draining, creating an unconscious sense of suffocation while viewing.

Yue Xingyao would usually come find her after she returned from classes, not chatting much, just quietly watching her do homework.

Su Xin read books and wrote diligently. Yue Xingyao didn’t make the slightest sound to disturb the focused Su Xin, dedicatedly watching Su Xin perform all these activities, everything seeming so vivid.

Yue Xingyao didn’t need Su Xin to talk much; she just needed someone by her side, even if they were each doing their own things. Yue Xingyao would occasionally bring two books, reading while Su Xin read.

After digesting a certain amount of memories, Su Xin needed to tend to all the flowers and plants in the small courtyard and play with her two birds, as the original host would definitely do these things. Su Xin didn’t want to break character, so she very carefully tended to everything the original host had cultivated.

After caring for all the flora, Su Xin bathed with Jinxiu’s attendance. After washing, she lay in bed, having Jinxiu trim the lamp, but not sleeping early. She sat cross-legged on the bed, beginning to practice her gongfa [功法 | Gōngfǎ | Cultivation technique], first cultivating her neili [內力 | Nèilì | Internal energy], expanding her meridians, and tempering her body. Though external skills were very important, she had no time to train now.

But there would be time later, as her schedule would soon be adjusted. She needed to request the Emperor’s permission to learn martial arts, but before that, she had to connect with that little zhuangyuan [狀元 | Zhuàngyuán | Top imperial scholar].

Each day was busy and fulfilling. Su Xin could sleep well every night because she was truly exhausted, having no energy to dream. Learning, doing homework, and digesting those things was far more tiring than training at the training grounds. One only tortured her body, and after adaptation, it couldn’t even be called torture, just stretching her muscles and bones, but the other made her spirit extremely weary.

Soon, the opportunity to connect with the little zhuangyuan would come.

The thirteenth day of the third month, an auspicious day, suitable for spring appreciation.

This day was the Spring Appreciation Festival. The Emperor would host a grand banquet in the Imperial Garden. Talented ladies from prominent families in the capital would receive invitations and come beautifully dressed.

Though not explicitly a matchmaking banquet, it was indeed a good time for forming alliances. The Emperor was simply following tradition for enjoyment, after all, she had no princes urgently needing to marry out, nor princesses needing to take husbands.

The third month was when two imperial consorts were due to give birth.

Exactly as in the original host’s memories, on the first of the third month, one consort bore a girl.

The Emperor was still rejoicing when, not long after, news came of another consort going into labor. She hurriedly rushed to the next location – ah, another girl.

Su Xin clicked her tongue in the palace – these days, giving birth was like waging war, fearing to be later than others.

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