Chapter 113

New Year’s Eve is a lively day. Fireworks lit up the sky above the palace for half the night, dazzling and brilliant as if witnessing a prosperous era. However, beneath this lively surface, turbulent waves were hidden.

Yan Donghuang knew she had many enemies. Not only Yan Ming, whose desire to ascend the throne had been thwarted, and Sheng Jing’an, who was used as a pawn by Yan Ming, but also several other princes eyeing the throne, and Prince An Yan Ling, who always appeared gentle and harmless but was actually the most deeply hidden.

For many people, this festival was destined to be spent in fear.

On the first day of the new year, the chef at the Grand Princess residence got up early to make dumplings. The guards on duty changed their shifts from three to two hours so everyone could rest for half a day.

Yan Donghuang brought the cooked dumplings into the palace and quietly ate them with Emperor Wu Lie. The father and daughter chatted while eating, and the scene was quite warm. But both of them knew that this was likely the last time they would eat dumplings together during the festival. Next year on the first day of the new year, many people might disappear from the imperial city.

Regarding the recent events in the palace, Emperor Wu Lie did not ask much, as if he had completely let go since appointing her as regent, without suspicion, doubt, inquiry, or concern, leaving everything for her to handle.

Yan Donghuang had no intention of explaining either. There was a tacit understanding and trust between father and daughter.

Yan Ming, however, had a terrible new year. After returning last night, he tossed and turned, feeling something was wrong. He had indeed instructed Sheng Jing’an to poison Yan Donghuang. In a moment of impulse, his anger towards Yan Donghuang had reached its peak, and he hadn’t considered the consequences. When the plan failed, he later realized he had been impulsive.

If Yan Donghuang caught him, she would surely push him to his death. But it was too late for regrets. When Sheng Jing’an was taken to the Grand Princess’s residence, Yan Ming thought Yan Donghuang was dealing with Sheng Jing’an and would force him to confess.

Unexpectedly, Yan Donghuang did not use Sheng Jing’an against him. Instead, the Marquis of Pingyang failed to poison her and insisted it was his doing. Yan Ming thought this was Yan Donghuang’s deliberate attempt to harm him. But if Yan Donghuang really wanted to frame him, using Sheng Jing’an alone would be enough to condemn him. Why use the Marquis of Pingyang?

After calming down, Yan Ming had to accept a fact—someone had impersonated him to poison Yan Donghuang, intending to frame him.
Realizing this belatedly, Yan Ming lay on his bed, feeling cold all over.

Someone wanted to use Yan Donghuang’s hand to kill him.

Who was this person?

In shock, Yan Ming couldn’t care about his injuries and got up: “Call Steward Zhou.”

“Yes.”

Steward Zhou quickly arrived at the main courtyard and saluted Yan Ming: “Your Highness.”

“Gather all the servants in the residence. I have something to ask.”

“Yes.” Steward Zhou left to carry out the order.

“Wait.”

Steward Zhou turned back: “Your Highness, any other instructions?”

Yan Ming closed his eyes lightly, suddenly realizing the servant might not be a servant. Moreover, with his face covered at night, how could he be sure it was a servant?

There weren’t many servants in the residence, so identifying them wouldn’t be hard. But what if it was a guard?

What if this person wasn’t from King Jing’s residence at all? Or what if this person was a spy planted in Prince Jing’s residence? It might alert the enemy if he made a big fuss about investigating.

“…Forget it.” Yan Ming waved his hand tiredly. “You may leave. I’ll think it over.”

“Yes.”

Yan Ming hadn’t figured out the poisoning incident involving the Marquis of Pingyang when, on the third day of the new year, rumors began to spread in the imperial city, saying that the Crown Princess would stop at nothing for the throne, not only suppressing her royal brothers but also breaking Prince Jing’s engagement, openly recruiting Qi Fangfei, and advocating for women to enter the court as officials.

This news immediately put the Grand Tutor’s granddaughter, Qi Fangfei, in the spotlight. While several senior officials in the court had yet to express their opinions, some young nobles who had not yet entered officialdom or were about to enter officialdom expressed their dissatisfaction, saying that having a female emperor already violated the natural order and allowing female officials into the court would completely overturn the ancestral system and rules.

Would a female emperor suppress men and promote women?
Would she overturn the age-old system of male superiority and female inferiority, making women superior and men inferior?
Would she break the rule of men working outside and women managing the household, allowing women to study, enter officialdom, and lead troops while men stayed home to manage the household and educate children?

For a time, rumors and debates about male superiority versus female superiority were rampant in the imperial city.

Chapter 114

On the evening of the third day of the new year, an inconspicuous carriage arrived outside the gate of the Grand Princess’s residence. A young man, wrapped in thick clothing like a dumpling, jumped from the carriage. His face was covered tightly, revealing only a pair of large, bright eyes that looked clean and clear. Occasionally, a cunning gleam would flash in his eyes. He did not present a card but politely said when asked by the gatekeeper, “Is General Xie Yunjian on duty at the Grand Princess’s residence? I am his younger brother.”

Upon hearing this identity, the gatekeeper naturally did not dare to neglect him, as they all knew Xie Yunjian was one of the seven generals under the Grand Princess. Regardless of whether the claim was true, the guard had to report to Commander Mo according to protocol.

After learning this, Mo Lin directly entered the residence to report to the Grand Princess.

“Xie Yunjian’s younger brother?” Yan Donghuang looked up at Mo Lin, already guessing who the visitor was. “Let him in, and notify Xie Yunjian to come over.”

“Yes.” Mo Lin took the order and left.

Yan Donghuang put down the book in her hand and turned to instruct, “Chang Lan, brew a pot of new tea.”

“Yes.”

“Chang Yue, bring the bottle of medicine that Princess Fengyang gave me.”

“Yes.”

Yan Donghuang guessed that this person should be the divine doctor Xie Yunjian mentioned and assumed the doctor was a reclusive hermit indifferent to fame and fortune or a highly skilled but temperamental person.

After all, Xie Yunjian’s obvious annoyance towards him suggested that the person’s character might not be very likable. However, upon meeting, the impression completely overturned Yan Donghuang’s previous assumptions.

The young man was led in, removed his face covering, and took off his cloak. What appeared before her was a petite and delicate young girl with fair skin and beautiful features. Her dark eyes sparkled like stars in the night sky. The girl’s rosy lips were slightly pursed, her smile as gentle as a spring breeze, and she respectfully knelt before Yan Donghuang, “This humble girl, Yuan Ziying, greets the Crown Princess. Long live the Crown Princess!”

Even her voice was unexpectedly pleasant.

Yan Donghuang looked at her for a while, momentarily doubting her guess.

This girl should not be the divine doctor Xie Yunjian mentioned, or perhaps she was the doctor’s daughter?

After a moment of silence, Yan Donghuang slowly asked, “Who are you?”

The girl replied sweetly, “This humble girl, Yuan Ziying, is Xie Yunjian’s fiancée.”

Yan Donghuang was surprised, “Xie Yunjian’s fiancée?”

“Yes.”

“Are you the divine doctor Xie Yunjian mentioned?”

“Yes.” Yuan Ziying nodded repeatedly, “This humble girl is willing to serve the Crown Princess and hopes the Crown Princess will accept me. I will loyally serve the Crown Princess, eliminate all treacherous servants around you, and ensure your long life and peace!”

Yan Donghuang remained silent, deep in thought.

Although she knew that one should not judge by appearance, the girl before her seemed to have a good temperament, no erratic emotions, clear eyes, and a lovely appearance. Why would she provoke such annoyance from Xie Yunjian?

Suppressing her confusion, Yan Donghuang said softly, “You may rise.”

“Thank you, Crown Princess.” Yuan Ziying stood up, looking at Yan Donghuang with admiration, “Although I live in seclusion in the mountains, I have long heard of the Crown Princess’s great reputation. You are a legend of the Yong Dynasty, the glory of the royal family, and a role model for women everywhere. I am honored to serve you; it is a blessing from three lifetimes.”

Yan Donghuang’s mouth twitched slightly, “Is it that exaggerated?”

“Not at all. Everything I said is sincere.” Yuan Ziying’s face was full of sincerity, without a trace of flattery. “For someone like Xie Yunjian to follow you wholeheartedly, you must be the best Crown Princess in the world.”

Chang Lan and Chang Yue exchanged a quiet glance, feeling that this girl spoke oddly, a bit different from ordinary people. Even her flattery was unique.

Yan Donghuang walked to the window and sat down, gesturing for Yuan Ziying to sit, “Miss Yuan, are you skilled in medicine and poisons?”

Yuan Ziying did not sit, maintaining a humble posture, “Yes.”

“When did you start learning?”

“Learning?” Yuan Ziying was puzzled, “No need to learn. I grew up in the deep mountains, dealing with poisonous snakes and insects since I can remember. There are many precious herbs and poisonous plants in the mountains, and I have known them since childhood.”

Yan Donghuang understood, “I see.”

Yuan Ziying said, “Crown Princess, has someone used poison against you?”

Yan Donghuang nodded, “Yes.”

“With me here, no treacherous person will escape.” Yuan Ziying patted her chest, “No poison in the world can escape my eyes.”

Yan Donghuang seemed to find her interesting, raising an eyebrow slightly, “Really?”

Yuan Ziying nodded repeatedly, “If the Crown Princess doesn’t believe me, feel free to test me.”

Yan Donghuang turned to look at Chang Yue, who handed over a small black porcelain bottle, “Miss Yuan.”

Yuan Ziying’s gaze fell on the bottle, and without even reaching for it, she said, “This contains Seven-Step Intestinal Poison.”

Yan Donghuang frowned, “Seven-Step Intestinal Poison?”

“Yes.”

“Not Seven-Day Intestinal Poison?”

Yuan Ziying frowned, “No. This is a Seven-Step Intestinal Poison, which causes death within seven steps unless the antidote is taken in advance. There is no chance to detoxify otherwise.”

As she finished speaking, Yan Donghuang’s face turned cold, her eyes filled with frost.

“Seven-Day Intestinal Poison doesn’t actually exist, but if someone skilled in medicine adds some neutralizing substances to it, the toxicity can be reduced, delaying the onset, creating Five-Day Intestinal Poison, Seven-Day Intestinal Poison, or even Ten-Day Intestinal poison.” Yuan Ziying explained seriously, “The original Intestinal Poison is highly toxic, acting almost immediately, leaving no time to prepare an antidote. Unless the poisoner wants the victim to die but not immediately, they wouldn’t go to such lengths.”

Hearing this, Yan Donghuang was about to speak.

Yuan Ziying suddenly turned her head outside, her face lighting up with joy, “Xie Yunjian is here!”