Chapter 8: Play-acting, the Empress Dowager’s Favor

When Qiu Shuzhi returned home, Qiu Qiushuang was sitting in the main hall waiting for her.

Seeing the blood on her body, he paled with fright and ran to her side, anxiously checking her up and down.

He couldn’t speak, unable to utter words of concern, but the urgency and worry were impossible to conceal.

Qiu Shuzhi grabbed his hand, “Cousin, don’t worry, this isn’t my blood.”

Qiu Qiushuang gestured, “Not your blood, then whose is it?”

“It’s the Crown Prince’s. His wound reopened and I bandaged it for him. Some blood just dripped on me, that’s all,” she answered truthfully.

Qiu Qiushuang paused, a flash of inexplicable hatred passing through his eyes before everything returned to normal.

“Take off your outer robe, I’ll wash it for you,” he gestured.

“No need, it’s just a bit of blood. I can wash it myself,” Qiu Shuzhi said as she undressed.

But Qiu Qiushuang was forceful. He absolutely wouldn’t let her touch any rough work, let alone cold water and the like. In his eyes, Qiu Shuzhi’s task was to study, become an official, and revive the Qiu family. All the dirty and tiring work was what he should do. It made her feel grateful yet guilty. She just wanted to quickly earn money to buy him a big house in the capital to repay his kindness.

He took her dirty clothes and went to the back courtyard to fetch water and clean them. Seeing that Qiu Shuzhi didn’t follow, he lightly sniffed the collar of her robe. In the faint, cool fragrance was mixed a hint of rich sandalwood scent. It wasn’t Qiu Shuzhi’s usual body scent.

He tightly clenched the clothes in his hand.

Crown Prince, Yue Guanyi, you really are a persistent ghost!

—

Third year of Zhengde, April 1st

By imperial decree, the top scholar Qin Shu was demoted to Baiyue, marking the end of this earth-shattering case.

On the day of Qin Shu’s departure from the city, the Qin family’s formidable matriarch Qin Zheng personally saw her off.

Qin Zheng had gained a daughter in her old age and doted on Qin Shu to the extreme. If it weren’t for the fact that Qin Shu’s actions this time had caused a stir throughout the city, she would never have agreed to send Qin Shu to a remote and bitterly cold place.

“Shu’er, don’t worry. This trip to Baiyue is just to cleanse you of this crime. When you return, the position in the cabinet will still be yours,” Qin Zheng said.

“Mother, that wretched place is too far,” Qin Shu said with a bitter face. She had told her mother that she didn’t kill the person, but Qin Zheng simply wouldn’t listen. It couldn’t be helped. Who told her to be so unrestrained before, frequently abusing and toying with young male attendants? This time, Qin Zheng also just assumed she was trying to evade responsibility.

“It is indeed far, but only by going to Baiyue to receive the surrender ceremony can you return to the capital with justification. By then, not to mention the cabinet, even the position of prime minister will be yours.”

Qin Shu was startled, “Mother!”

Qin Zheng smiled, the wrinkles at the corners of her eyes creasing, white hair at her temples, “I’m getting old. The affairs of the court are beyond my strength. When you return from tempering, I’ll let you officially take over.”

Even though Qin Shu had been spoiled rotten, she at least had some self-awareness, “Mother, I’m afraid I’m not up to the task.”

Qin Zheng shook her head, “If you were to fight alone in the court, I naturally wouldn’t be at ease. But with your uncle in control of the palace and my disciples in the front court to strategize for you, they will all help you soar. You don’t need to worry.”

Qin Shu instantly put her mind at ease. With her mother as her backer and Qin Qing and the Qin family disciples guarding her left and right, what was there to fear? The next time she returned, the entire Great Qi nation would be in the palm of her hand.

Qin Shu set off. Although nominally exiled, she traveled by carriage, with no shortage of servants and guards. She even carried countless gold and silver with her. It didn’t look like an exile but more like a noble lady from a great family going out to play.

The spies monitoring their every move reported back to the palace. Yue Shen sneered inwardly.

This mother-daughter pair of the Qin family, barely just exiled, were already plotting how to seize her throne.

Did they really think she was still that young, ignorant, helpless orphan girl?

A hint of ruthlessness flashed in her eyes. She was the emperor of Great Qi. They treated her like a soft persimmon they could easily squeeze. Then she would make sure Qin Shu went on a one-way trip, completely severing the Qin family’s roots.

In Qingning Palace, Qin Qing held a copy of the “Book of Documents”, picking up a red cherry and putting it in his mouth. The plump juice burst in his mouth, filling it with sweetness.

“Has Qin Shu set off?” Qin Qing asked lazily.

Yu Ye said, “Reporting to the Empress Dowager, she has already departed.”

“Were guards dispatched to accompany her?”

“Dozens of guards, all trusted confidants of the Qin family. Rest assured, they can protect the young miss,” Yu Ye said, detecting the concern in his words.

Qin Qing shook his head, long hair falling, “The journey to Baiyue is long. Last year, the common people suffered a great drought, breeding many vagrants. There must be no shortage of bandits and ruffians along the way. Qin Shu is the legitimate daughter of the Qin family. Her safety must be protected well. Not the slightest mistake can be made.”

His current position of ruling from behind the curtain was closely tied to the power of the Qin family. He and the Qin family shared glory and loss. Even though he looked down on that incompetent Qin Shu, he still had to ensure her safety.

After pondering for a moment, he said, “Go instruct the Crown Prince to send a few highly skilled Imperial Guards to secretly protect her.”

“Yes.” Yu Ye sent a palace servant to notify Yue Guanyi.

Only then did Qin Qing put his mind at ease and continue reading. His fingertips lightly flipped the pages. When he reached the mandate of Cai Zhong, his eyes paused, and a faint, involuntary smile spilled out. Even his voice couldn’t help but soften, “Is Officer Qiu well today?”

Yu Ye sighed softly, “Don’t even mention it. Officer Qiu has been summoned by Her Majesty daily recently to be reprimanded. She often calls her to the imperial study to punish her by copying scriptures. According to Yu Zhi, Officer Qiu’s hands are all worn out. Not only that, Her Majesty also frequently belittles her in front of Supervisor Wang. Supervisor Wang is her subordinate! Being tormented like this by Her Majesty, her entire being has become desolate and haggard. What a pity for such a divine figure.”

“Her hands are worn out?” Qin Qing thought of the day he saw Qiu Shuzhi in the imperial study, those slender, flawless fingers, clean and pure like snow-white plum blossom bones, not daring to injure them in the slightest.

“Give Officer Qiu the soft jade ointment from my room,” he said.

Yu Ye was slightly surprised, “Empress Dowager, that is your cherished item. Used on wounds, it can regenerate flesh and nourish the skin. Even you only have one bottle. Are you really going to send it to Officer Qiu?”

Qin Qing raised his delicate eyebrows, the light in his eyes speaking volumes.

He had placed Qiu Shuzhi by Yue Shen’s side, waiting for this result. Waiting for her to exhaust all her loyalty to this empress. At that time, with just a slight show of favor from him, Qiu Shuzhi could be used for his own purposes.

But what Qin Shu never expected was that his perfect plan had no effect on Yue Shen.

On the surface, Qiu Shuzhi was having a hard time, but in reality, who knew how much she was enjoying herself?

Every day, the young empress summoned her to the imperial study, dismissing the little spy Yu Zhi. The two of them would then act as ordinary teacher and student in the study. Qiu Shuzhi explained the Four Books, Five Classics, and the general history of Great Qi to her. When the young empress grew tired of listening, she would tell her interesting stories and folk customs from among the people.

Occasionally, to avoid Yu Zhi’s suspicion, the young empress would suddenly shout and scold her a few times, then continue their secret activities quietly.

In front of her, the young empress was just an obedient and well-behaved student, reminding her of her days as a tutor in her previous life.

How should one put it? Qiu Shuzhi felt that she was doing quite well with her superior.

“Is Your Majesty tired?” Qiu Shuzhi put down the book and asked, seeing Yue Shen’s eyelids drooping.

Yue Shen covered her mouth and yawned, looking a bit exhausted.

Qiu Shuzhi closed the book, “If Your Majesty is tired, this subject will take my leave first.”

“Don’t go!” Yue Shen grabbed her hand, “Qiu Qing, stay with me a bit longer.”

In this deep, secluded palace, she had no one to rely on, no one to trust. Only by staying at Qiu Shuzhi’s side did she feel a bit of solace, making her feel utterly at ease.

Qiu Shuzhi nodded, thinking that this young empress, constantly maneuvering against the Empress Dowager and ministers in the palace, was quite lonely indeed.

“Qiu Qing, I heard that you are not only peerless in poetry and prose but also in painting?”

Qiu Shuzhi smiled faintly, “That’s just people’s exaggerated praise.”

Yue Shen rested her head on the table, her round eyes looking at her from the side, “You literary folks are always so humble. I know you must paint very well. Won’t you paint a piece for me?”

Her tone contained a rare hint of childlike pleading. The young empress was only fifteen years old this year, still a middle school student by modern standards, yet had to face such a complex situation. At an age that should have been bright and simple, she had become prematurely experienced. She probably hadn’t enjoyed even half a bit of childhood fun.

Qiu Shuzhi didn’t want to upset her and nodded in agreement.

But now she had no paints for drawing, only a brush, an ink stone, and a sheet of rough paper.

A landscape painting wouldn’t work. The ink would easily smudge into a mess on the thin paper.

Qiu Shuzhi had a sudden thought and an idea.

She picked up the brush and lightly outlined a few strokes on the rough paper with the finest brush tip. A simple pattern leaped onto the paper.

The young empress widened her eyes in amazement, “What is this? I’ve never seen it before.”

She looked at the drawing on the paper with curiosity, even forgetting the imperial form of address for a moment.

“This is Aladdin’s magic lamp.”

Qiu Shuzhi had sketchily outlined the shape of a magic lamp and genie on the rough paper, similar in style to modern cartoons. She had originally wanted to draw the Gourd Babies, but then thought that the appearance of those seven bare-chested little boys might not be quite appropriate in a female-dominated country, so she changed it to this.

“Aladdin’s magic lamp?” the young empress asked with intrigue, “Is this another legendary tale?”

Qiu Shuzhi told her the legend of the magic lamp, both interesting and educational. She was truly treating herself as a real teacher imparting knowledge.

The young empress listened with absorption, murmuring, “If only I also had such a magic lamp. I’m not greedy. Three wishes would suffice. First, to rid Great Qi of treacherous officials and ensure its eternal prosperity. Second, for my subjects to live in peace and contentment. Third…”

At the third wish, she inadvertently glanced at Qiu Shuzhi, likely finding it too childish and not continuing.

The movements of Yu Zhi standing outside gradually grew louder. Qiu Shuzhi put away the paper and brush and silently knelt at Yue Shen’s feet, “Your Majesty, let’s end here for today.”

The young empress felt a bit regretful, glancing at the setting sun in the west. The time spent with Qiu Shuzhi always passed so quickly.

She carefully folded the paper with the magic lamp drawing and placed it in her bosom. She took out a large pile of neatly copied scriptures that Qiu Shuzhi had prepared earlier and scattered them on the ground.

Yu Zhi’s footsteps drew closer and closer. Yue Shen also composed herself and resumed her lofty imperial demeanor.

As soon as Yu Zhi pushed open the door and entered, he saw the copied scriptures scattered all over the ground like snowflakes. Qiu Shuzhi knelt at Her Majesty’s feet, her straight spine rising like a pine tree.

Yue Shen kept a stern face and used the tip of her foot to push against Qiu Shuzhi’s shoulder, giving it a hard shove, “I told you to copy the ‘Book of Documents’ a hundred times. In one afternoon, you only copied fifty times. Qiu Shuzhi, I see you don’t take me seriously at all.”

Yu Zhi watched Qiu Shuzhi fall to the ground like a fallen leaf, his heart aching immensely.

In fact, Yue Shen had skillfully controlled the force. Although it looked like a hard shove, it wasn’t actually very painful, just shocking to see. The two of them were both skilled actors, their superb acting successfully deceiving Yu Zhi’s eyes.

Qiu Shuzhi fell to the ground, “This humble official knows her mistake. Please forgive me, Your Majesty.”

Yue Shen snorted coldly, turned her back, and waved her hand dismissively, “Get out of my sight now. If you don’t deliver all 100 copies tomorrow, I’ll chop off your head.”

Yu Zhi hurriedly helped her up and supported her out of the imperial study.

“Officer Qiu, you have suffered,” Yu Zhi said gently, his soft voice tinged with heartache in her ear, “You are the esteemed third-place scholar. How can Her Majesty treat you like this? Even I, a mere servant, can’t bear to watch.”

Qiu Shuzhi knew Yu Zhi was Qin Qing’s person and understood that all his current words contained hidden probing.

She also recalled what Yue Guanyi had said to her that day in the villa.

She said with a sigh, “What can be done? Her Majesty is the ruler, and I am the subject. Apart from serving Her Majesty, I have nowhere else to go. But thank you for your kind intentions, Officer Yu Zhi. I will remember it in my heart.”

During this period of daily interaction with Qiu Shuzhi, even though Yu Zhi approached her with a purpose, he couldn’t help but develop a bit of fondness for her, given her beautiful appearance and good character. The greater his fondness for Qiu Shuzhi grew, the more he worried about her situation, hoping she could completely stand on the Empress Dowager’s side.

He took out the soft jade ointment the Empress Dowager had sent and discreetly placed it in her hand, “The Empress Dowager knows that Her Majesty is deliberately making things difficult for you and ordered this servant to deliver this to your hands. Apply this soft jade ointment on your hands, and they will heal.”

Qiu Shuzhi held the small porcelain bottle in her hand and said gratefully, “The Empress Dowager is benevolent. This humble official is endlessly grateful.”

Yu Zhi smiled faintly, “The Empress Dowager doesn’t need your gratitude. You only need to remember that even if Her Majesty doesn’t favor you, the Empress Dowager values you. Only by standing on the right side of the wind can a talented person like you ride the momentum and soar.”

Qiu Shuzhi slowly nodded, “Thank you for your guidance, Officer Yu Zhi. This subordinate understands.”