Yan Hui’s brows furrowed tightly, her expression carrying a faint solemnity. The Crown Prince was born of the first consort, though raised under Empress Chu’s care. Yet Empress Chu also had a son. And now the Wang family had arranged for Yan Shi to study at the Duke of Ying’s residence alongside the Crown Prince?
This…
“Don’t worry. Yan Shi’s mind is as clear as a mirror. If anything major happens, he’ll find a way to let you know,” Suiyue whispered at Yan Hui’s side.
But Yan Hui turned her gaze toward Li Suyu, standing not far behind.
Li Suyu raised a brow; he had not missed the complexity in her eyes.
Yan Hui withdrew her gaze. The Wang family’s ambition was truly blatant—sending Yan Shi to bond with the Crown Prince, while Yan Shi’s nominal brother-in-law was none other than Li Suyu, commander of the northern frontier. It was as if they were tying the Li family to the Crown Prince’s faction. Yet at present, the one close to Li Suyu was the Empress Chu’s own younger brother.
Though the Emperor deliberately suppressed the Li family, the powerful army they commanded was still a coveted prize in the eyes of the old foxes in Bianjing.
Yan Hui paused in her steps, turned to the man in black robes, and said: “General, why not sit here awhile? I have private matters to discuss with Ah Yue.”
Li Suyu’s face remained cold and indifferent. He neither agreed nor refused.
Seeing this, Yan Hui said: “Suiqiu, serve the General some tea.”
Suiqiu stepped forward respectfully. “General, this way please.”
Li Suyu’s gaze stayed locked on Yan Hui before he strode in the direction Suiqiu indicated.
Yan Hui exchanged a glance with Suiyue and walked toward the side hall.
Li Suyu cast a faint glance at Suiqiu, then began examining the “shop” Yan Hui had mentioned.
A medicinal business?
No matter how he thought about it, something seemed off. Yet Yan Hui had brought him here openly, without concealment. Still, he sensed there was more beneath the surface.
“Madam and this Miss Ah Yue are very close friends?”
Suiqiu was startled, not expecting him to ask. After a brief pause, she replied: “Ah Yue is an orphan. When she was young, the master and mistress saved her. She grew up alongside the young madam. Later, when the young madam left Yunzhou for Bianjing, Ah Yue also went to Bianjing and ran a small business. When the young madam came to Yuncheng, Ah Yue thought to move her business here, to be closer to her.”
Li Suyu’s brows shifted slightly, his long peach-blossom eyes narrowing. A weak woman, able to do business in a place like Bianjing?
Seeing that he did not speak further, Suiqiu wisely fell silent. Better not to say more—too many words could mean mistakes.
In the side hall.
Suiyue glanced toward the main hall before sitting beside Yan Hui. “Miss, are you well in the Li residence? How does the General treat you?”
Yan Hui answered calmly: “Acceptably.”
Suiyue smiled faintly. “Miss, what are your plans next? Do you truly intend to focus on the northern frontier? When I came to Yuncheng, I passed through Yuzhou. The north doesn’t seem as promising as the south.”
Yan Hui’s gaze lingered on Suiyue’s face for a moment before she said: “Indeed, it’s not as prosperous as the south. But my plan for the first three years is not to seek profit.”
“To take root in the northern frontier, the fastest way is to earn the trust of the people. You know that when entering a new place, one must compete with the established shops for customers.”
“This time I brought the account books from various regions, along with the year’s profits. I glanced over them—profits are up thirty percent compared to last year.” Suiyue’s eyes gleamed. “With this year’s profits alone, medicinal herbs and grain should be able to take hold in the northern frontier.”
“You say we’ve traveled to so many places over the years—why did we never think to come to the north?” Yan Hui’s tone carried a trace of impatience. Across the empire, she had shops everywhere except the northern frontier, her reach vast. And now, she truly had nothing but the stench of coin and gold.
“At that time, Miss, you had considered it too, but Master did not allow you to go to the northern frontier.”
Yan Hui’s eyes flickered. Yes, her father indulged her in everything—even in business, though she was a woman—but the one place he forbade her to go was the northern frontier. He said the wars there never ceased, the people lived in misery, and a young lady should not wander such a place.
“It’s not too late now,” Yan Hui said with a faint smile.
Suiyue covered her mouth and laughed softly. “I thought it would be some time before I could see you again. I know your current identity must not arouse suspicion in the Li family, so this shop was purchased under my name.”
“You did well. From now on, all the shops in Yuncheng will be managed under your name.” Yan Hui truly did not know what the Li family would do if they discovered she was in business—especially since she had to consider Yan Shi’s future.
“I understand your concern, Miss. From now on, I will only deliver the account books to you. I won’t trouble you with small matters,” Suiyue said solemnly.
“Tomorrow I’ll have Suiqiu find an opportunity to come out. Give her the account books for the whole year from all regions,” Yan Hui said as she rose.
“Yes.” Suiyue agreed, then seemed to recall something. “Miss, do you truly intend to go to Yuzhou to cooperate with the Fu family?”
Yan Hui frowned. “Only with the third young master of the Fu family. As for the others, forget it.”
Suiyue answered and followed Yan Hui back toward the main hall.
When Li Suyu saw Yan Hui emerge from the side hall, the deep furrow in his brow instantly eased. His patience had nearly worn thin.
“Let’s go, General,” Yan Hui said evenly.
Li Suyu rose, glanced once at Suiyue behind her, then fixed his gaze on Yan Hui’s face. “Finished your talk?”
Yan Hui gave a soft “Mm” and walked toward the outer hall.
Dark currents stirred in Li Suyu’s eyes as he strode after her.
Once in the carriage, Yan Hui immediately took the seat Li Suyu had occupied earlier. When he followed, he saw she had no intention of moving aside. His thin lips curved faintly. He sat where she had been before. “Madam, why didn’t you chat longer with your friend?”
Yan Hui’s gaze fell on his face. “Is the General very interested in my friend?”
She emphasized the word *friend*.
“A little.” His eyes reflected frankness.
Yan Hui smiled. “That won’t do. If the General is interested in other women, I would arrange for them to enter the household. But Ah Yue is not allowed.”
“Nonsense.” Li Suyu could not bear her words. His expression cooled, and he turned his gaze away, refusing to look at her.
Yan Hui raised her brows. Who started speaking nonsense first?
All the way back to the Li residence, neither spoke.
Just as they passed the front hall, they saw Song Zheng from the army, who seemed to have been waiting.
“General.” Song Zheng, seeing Yan Hui at his side, respectfully added: “Young Madam.”
Yan Hui knew that only urgent military matters would bring someone to seek Li Suyu. She bowed. “I will return to my courtyard first.”
Li Suyu gave a slight nod.
Only after Yan Hui had walked away did he ask: “What is it?”
“This morning, spies from Western Xia were discovered at the checkpoint east of the desert,” Song Zheng reported, his thick brows shadowed with killing intent. They had only just ceased hostilities with the Turkic tribes, and now Western Xia wanted to stir up trouble?
Li Suyu’s brows drew together, his face instantly darkening. Western Xia?
“The eastern checkpoint is already manned with three times the usual soldiers. But if Western Xia intends to move against the northern frontier, then…” Song Zheng frowned. What he truly wanted to say was that the small states bordering the frontier must be fought—fought until they submitted to the northern frontier, only then would there be true peace.
A cold light flickered in Li Suyu’s eyes. The situation was becoming more troublesome.
“Keep watch on that checkpoint. No—on all checkpoints. It’s already winter. They’ll all want to enter the frontier to seize grain.”
Li Suyu knew the Turkic tribes had fought for food and land, forced into war with the frontier. But Western Xia—they truly sought battle. What he hated most were those who deliberately provoked war.
“Yes, General,” Song Zheng said, but did not leave.
Li Suyu noticed and looked at him with scrutiny.
“Second Master ordered me to stay with the General for now, in case you are inconvenienced,” Song Zheng explained.
Li Suyu’s expression was unreadable. He turned and headed toward Yi Garden.
Back at Yi Garden, he went straight to the study.
Song Zheng rarely came to the General’s courtyard. Now that the General was married, he felt even more uneasy. He hesitated over whether to enter the study to discuss Western Xia when a voice pulled him from his thoughts.
“Brother Song?” Suiqiu called.
Song Zheng turned to see her carrying a thick stack of ledgers. “Miss Aqiu.”
“Has something happened?” Suiqiu asked again.
Song Zheng gave a simple smile. “There are some matters.”
“What matters?” Suiqiu’s voice grew softer, her eyes glancing toward the study.
Song Zheng hesitated. “Such things aren’t for you to hear.”
“Not for me—for the Young Madam,” Suiqiu said, stepping closer, raising her brows. “Even if she cannot help, speaking with the General is good. Brother Song, you want to see their relationship improve, don’t you?”
Song Zheng looked at her earnest face. What military matters could be said? Yet if he said nothing, he felt he would disappoint the hopeful look in her eyes. He thought of how the Young Madam had been forced upon the General by the Emperor. The court’s latest message—surely she knew of it too.
“Though the war has just ended, the court has reduced supplies to the frontier soldiers by twenty percent compared to previous years. They claim that since the war is over, no medicinal supplies will be provided. But things are never so simple. In winter, the climate is harsh. How can the army avoid illness? And the lingering wounds from war—all must be sustained with medicine.”
Such matters were known only to Li Suyu’s closest brothers.
“I see…” Suiqiu sighed softly.
Song Zheng nodded with a faint smile. “The General worries about what may happen this winter. You don’t know—every northern winter is the hardest to endure.”
Suiqiu’s expression shifted. “And the annual commercial taxes from merchants in the frontier?”
“Though taxes are collected, they are but a drop in the bucket. Besides, the General would never exploit the people’s livelihood.” Song Zheng spoke bluntly.
Suiqiu knew he made it sound simple, but the burden on the General’s shoulders was as heavy as a mountain.
“I’ll go inside now. Brother Song, will you be staying in the residence for a few days?” Suiqiu asked.
“These next two days, I will,” Song Zheng said.
Suiqiu gave a faint smile, then turned and walked back toward the main hall.
Song Zheng scratched his head, thinking it should be fine to tell someone close to the young madam about this matter. He certainly couldn’t go around saying that Western Xia spies had appeared at the desert checkpoint.
Once inside the main hall, Suiqiu repeated Song Zheng’s words to Yan Hui without leaving out a single detail.
Yan Hui only furrowed her brows slightly, then said nothing further.
“Miss, what does the Emperor mean? Why treat the Li family this way?” Suiqiu asked softly as she knelt beside Yan Hui, grinding ink.
Yan Hui brushed her wide sleeve with one hand, pen in the other, marking the account book, her expression solemn. “Clearly, he thinks the Li family were the late emperor’s confidants, not his own. That’s why he wants the northern frontier to change hands, deliberately suppressing the Lis.”
Suiqiu was startled. “But…the Li family has guarded the frontier for generations, loyal ministers of the empire!”
Yan Hui gave a mocking smile. “In the Emperor’s eyes, the Li family are not the only ones who count as the empire’s loyal servants.”
Suiqiu felt a chill in her heart. She looked at Yan Hui’s casual manner and whispered: “Since his intentions are so obvious, why not simply replace the Li family directly?”
Yan Hui’s lips curved as she lifted her gaze to Suiqiu. “What ruler does not wish to be seen as a wise sovereign? If he acted so bluntly, how would he differ from a tyrant? Besides, if he directly replaced the Li family’s position in the frontier, how could he silence the voices of the people across the realm?”
Suiqiu’s pupils shrank slightly.
Yan Hui laughed softly. “If the frontier erupts in large-scale unrest without war, the court will send troops to suppress it. Suppressing the unrest would also mean suppressing the Li family. Perhaps that suppression would become long-term, until the Lis collapse and the frontier changes hands.”
“T-then…” Suiqiu could hardly imagine the interests behind it. She drew in a sharp breath. “Miss, doesn’t that mean you’re in the same boat as the Li family? If they fall, wouldn’t you also…”
Yan Hui set down her pen, her voice low and firm. “That’s why I’m confused. My uncle knows full well how the Li family stands in the Emperor’s eyes, yet he insists on having Yan Shi draw close to the Crown Prince.”
“The young master is close to the Crown Prince?” Suiqiu was stunned.
Yan Hui’s expression darkened. “My uncle has truly made us siblings into stepping stones for the Wang family.”
Suiqiu’s heart ached. “Miss…”
Yan Hui’s lips curved, but her clear eyes were filled with icy resolve. “Since my uncle enjoys playing power games, then I want to see—whether his schemes are higher by an inch, or mine by a foot.”
Suiqiu, shocked, quickly set down the ink stick. “Miss, lower your voice. If the General hears, what then?”
Yan Hui gave a cold smile, her brows sharp. “Go out at once and find Suiyue. Tell her to use this year’s profits to purchase large quantities of grain and medicinal supplies around Yunzhou. They must arrive in Yuncheng before the New Year—at any cost!”
Suiqiu knew her mistress was serious this time. She rose immediately. “Yes.”
She hurried out. Moments later, Yan Hui finished marking the account book, closed it, and was about to rise when a dark figure appeared at the doorway.
Yan Hui lifted her gaze.
Li Suyu stepped inside.
“General, finished with your duties?” Yan Hui asked, covering the account book with her sleeve, her expression shadowed.
Li Suyu fixed his eyes on her clear gaze and said: “Come with me to see Grandmother.”