Hearing that he intended to send her away, Yu Qijian quickly became serious. “No, no, let’s chat for a bit. I just heard my mother is going to enter the palace tomorrow.”
Compared to when they first met—when she had been cautious, careful, and pretending—Fang Jinxian noticed that in recent days she had truly taken off her mask.
Casual, content, expressive, occasionally gentle and interesting… at least she was like that when dealing with Zhao Yan.
He reflected on himself: how had he only seen the good side?
This woman was clearly also lazy, ill-mannered, glib, had ugly handwriting, and was stingy… for example, her “gift of thanks” had only been a few leftover pastries.
Just as he thought of this, Yu Qijian had already leaned onto the desk, knocking it in dissatisfaction. “Hey, why are you always spacing out? Is what I’m saying that uninteresting? You’re always daydreaming—can you at least show me some respect? We’re at least….”
“And then?” Fang Jinxian looked away and cut her off.
Yu Qijian propped herself up on the desk, staring straight at him. “I’ve been ‘ill’ for half a month. She will definitely ask all sorts of questions. The Yu Clan’s current aim is the power of imperial relatives. If tomorrow she makes any demands, or presses too hard, I’ll have no choice but to use you and the Imperial Secretariat as a shield. Remember to cooperate with me.”
It had originally been an unquestionable statement, but because of the final “me,” it softened—like she was negotiating, or even asking.
The ending tone brushed past his ear like a feather.
Ridiculous… and strangely itchy.
Fang Jinxian did not look into her eyes. He turned his head slightly, his gaze falling on the neatly stacked memorials on the desk.
His voice was colder and lighter than usual. “Your Majesty need not do this.”
“What do you mean I need not?” Yu Qijian tilted her head, puzzled.
“This is the Imperial Secretariat’s duty.” He returned to calm, official and businesslike.
“Oh, oh.” Yu Qijian sighed in relief, then frowned. “But aren’t you a little impatient?”
Fang Jinxian: “……”
When had he ever been impatient?
Yu Qijian: “Is this my own problem?”
Fang Jinxian: “……”
Seeing his faintly furrowed brows and the fact that he still would not look at her, she sighed. “Forget it. Next time if you don’t want to discuss, just say it directly. Since we’re cooperating, I won’t force you. After all, everything depends on human effort.”
She folded her arms, looking very magnanimous. “But Fang Jinxian, if you have opinions, you can raise them. We should discuss things properly. Only then can an alliance boat sail steadily and far, don’t you think?”
Fang Jinxian’s temples throbbed faintly. He clearly had said nothing at all.
“I did not say I would not… agree.” He squeezed the words out through his teeth.
“See?” Yu Qijian accused him. “You’re being fierce again.”
Fang Jinxian: “……”
Yu Qijian completely gave up on communication and also withdrew her earlier thought that he was becoming easier to talk to. This man was inexplicable far too often!
She grabbed another chestnut pastry and stormed out in frustration.
The office fell silent again.
Fang Jinxian sat alone amid the orderly room, silent for a long time.
In the end, he reached out and shifted the palace lamp on the desk—tilting half an inch off-center without him noticing—back into its proper place.
As soon as Yu Qijian stepped outside, she saw a young eunuch under a tree feeding a dog.
No—more like a wolf. It was completely black, its features and ears indeed resembling a wolf.
Was it called Black Wind?
She had not had the chance to see it before, but this Black Wind looked more like a dog in daylight, because it was sticking out its tongue and wagging its tail.
She walked over and asked, “Is this a wolf or a dog?”
The young eunuch quickly bowed. “Reporting to Your Majesty, Black Wind is a wolfhound brought back by the Chief Eunuch during autumn hunts with the Late Emperor.”
“So it’s still a dog? How long has it been raised? It’s already this big. Its fur is very beautiful.”
“Reporting to Your Majesty, Black Wind has been in the Imperial Secretariat for five years.”
Yu Qijian crouched down. Black Wind immediately fixated on the chestnut pastry in her hand and came closer, licking her hand affectionately.
She curved her eyes and fed the remaining half piece of pastry to it. Black Wind carefully held it in its mouth, placing it on the ground before biting it.
“Good dog,” she praised.
She looked up and asked the eunuch, “Can I touch it?”
“Reporting to Your Majesty, Black Wind has never bitten or harmed anyone. However, the Chief Eunuch said it is still best not to touch it.”
“Why?”
“Mm… the Chief Eunuch said it is a wolf, and if it suddenly loses control, it could hurt someone.”
Yu Qijian let out a laugh. Looking at Black Wind—who had finished the pastry and was now sitting obediently waiting for more—she couldn’t resist reaching out and patting its head. “How does it look like a wolf at all?”
She thought of the Alaskan dog from the orphanage in her past life. Though large, they all had clean, friendly eyes, and a fluffy feel. Since childhood, it had loved sticking close to her. Unfortunately, not long after she left, the little angel fell ill and died.
Her eyes turned slightly wet for a moment. Her touch was gentle, but still tentative, carrying a trace of caution toward the unknown.
Perhaps rarely touched like this, Black Wind suddenly became excited, spinning around in circles before jumping onto Yu Qijian in enthusiasm.
“Your Majesty!”
Everyone nearby rushed forward in panic to pull the dog away. Even Shuanglan, who was outside the Imperial Secretariat gate, heard the commotion and ran in. The place descended into chaos.
Yu Qijian was knocked down. For a moment she panicked, but seeing that Black Wind was only licking her happily, she quickly calmed down and waved for everyone to stop.
Black Wind was too excited, barking happily while licking her face, causing Yu Qijian to laugh uncontrollably. “Alright, alright, I’ll come play with you next time…”
In the end, Black Wind was pulled away and lay on the ground, looking at Yu Qijian pitifully as she left.
From the second-floor office, Fang Jinxian watched the scene expressionlessly. After a long moment, he let out a low scoff.
“Improper behavior.”
Both the person and the beast were utterly improper.
Black Wind had messed up Yu Qijian’s hair. Although it was only slightly loosened, it would not be noticeable at a glance, she still remembered she was the Empress Dowager and needed to maintain dignity. She could not walk out looking like this and lose face all the way back.
So she returned to borrow a side hall of the Imperial Secretariat so Shuanglan could help her fix her appearance.
Black Wind was no longer there, probably taken to the back to eat.
“Your Majesty, you should not touch Black Wind in the future. After all, it is a wolfhound. If something goes wrong…”
Yu Qijian smiled at the nagging Shuanglan. “Got it.”
Sitting in front of the mirror, she curiously asked, “Where does the Chief Eunuch usually stay?”
A voice suddenly came from the doorway. “Usually on the third floor, occasionally outside the palace.”
Yu Qijian turned slightly and met Fang Jinxian’s faintly smiling gaze. She felt a bit embarrassed and coughed softly. “Your Black Wind is quite enthusiastic.”
“Has Your Majesty forgotten she is the Empress Dowager?”
Yu Qijian caught the faint sarcasm in his tone and pouted, no longer responding.
Fang Jinxian paused, then slowly walked closer, still speaking in that indifferent tone. “Were you injured anywhere?”
She shook her head. “Aren’t you busy?”
“The Empress Dowager’s body is of utmost importance.”
“Oh, I am fine.”
Yu Qijian’s hair was finally done by Shuanglan. She immediately stood up. “I shall return to the palace. Chief Eunuch, carry on as you wish.”
With that, she left with dignified restraint, leaning lightly on Shuanglan’s arm.
It seemed as if she were restoring her Empress Dowager dignity through sheer posture.
Yet in truth, all the palace servants kept their heads lowered and no one dared comment on what had just happened.
Fang Jinxian found it somewhat amusing.
How could she be so…
at ease, really.