Zhao Yan’s face was squished into a mess from being kneaded. The words “How improper” circled in his mouth once, but he ultimately did not say them.
After she withdrew her hands, he rubbed his face seriously.
“I need a Mother Empress.”
The Emperor once told him: a ruler must understand what ministers say, and also what they do not say out loud.
Teacher Fu’s lessons were understandable word by word. But when Chief Eunuch reviewed memorials, when ministers argued… the meanings beneath their words, he could not understand.
Yu Qijian folded her arms, thoughtful. “And what do you need me to do?”
Zhao Yan’s clear eyes reflected her figure.
“Chief Eunuch is very capable. He understands everything hidden in people’s words. But he will not tell me whether others are deceiving me.”
“He also will not tell me when I should be angry, or when I should smile. He teaches me to hide emotions, but when facing those ministers… I feel empty inside. I have nowhere to stand. That feeling is unpleasant.”
Yu Qijian listened quietly. The teasing in her heart faded away.
“I also need a mother,” Zhao Yan continued, a little shyly turning his gaze away, his ears slowly turning red. “A mother who guides me in daily matters… and cares about me.”
Yu Qijian looked at the fluffy top of his head and softened.
“How do you know I can do any of that?”
“Since Father Emperor made you Empress, there must have been a reason.”
Not really. Your father was just superstitious.
Yu Qijian chuckled lightly. “Then why not the Imperial Noble Consort? She was once the most favored consort of the Late Emperor. Why didn’t you try to build a relationship with her back then?”
Zhao Yan frowned, a trace of grievance in his voice. “So you are unwilling?”
“Did Chief Eunuch not tell you not to easily trust others? Not to open your heart before you know whether the other party is sincere?”
“I hope you are one of my people,” Zhao Yan said softly, “so I am willing to offer my sincerity in exchange for yours.”
“Good child.” Yu Qijian sighed and patted his head. “Fine. This Mother Empress will try.”
Once she agreed, her peaceful retirement life truly became unreachable.
Under Zhao Yan’s slightly brightened gaze, Yu Qijian accepted her fate. “But before that, I need to talk to Chief Eunuch.”
“Mm.” Zhao Yan seemed satisfied.
Evening fell. The sky was heavy with dark clouds, as if a storm was about to break.
Yu Qijian steeled herself. In her past life, she had smiled and endured three days of catering to difficult clients just to close a deal. Now, for real power and freedom, lowering her head was nothing.
Face was worthless. Still, as Empress Dowager, she carried more dignity—so she chose a night of black wind to go to the Office of the Directorate of Ceremonial.
The courtyard was dark. Only the pavilion lights were on. No palace servants were in sight; the place felt unusually quiet.
Shuanglan stayed close behind her, uneasy. “Your Highness… why are there no night guards in the Imperial Secretariat?”
“Don’t be afraid…”
Just then, rustling came from the bushes on both sides.
“Ah—!”
Both of them jumped in shock.
Then came a lazy chuckle. “Do not be frightened, Your Highness. It is Black Wind on duty tonight.”
Under the corridor stood Fang Jinxian, relaxed and unbothered. At his feet sat a large wolf-like hound. Its black fur was smooth, its posture dignified, sitting as calmly as its master.
Yu Qijian forced a smile. “Good dog.”
Fang Jinxian was displeased. He kicked the dog lightly. “Howl. Let Her Highness hear what kind of creature you are.”
Black Wind lifted its head and let out a loud howl: “Awooo—”
Yu Qijian said flatly, “Good dog.”
Fang Jinxian turned and walked back into the study.
Yu Qijian followed. Shuanglan was stopped outside the courtyard by Mo Fang and not allowed near the study door.
When she entered, Fang Jinxian was leaning back in his chair, fingers tapping the armrest.
“Close the door.”
Yu Qijian closed it without resistance. When she turned back, she wore a perfectly polite smile.
“Chief Eunuch, this dowager has come to apologize.”
“I am unworthy,” Fang Jinxian replied lightly.
“Earlier today, I was possessed. Do you believe that, Chief Eunuch?”
Half-lit by candlelight, his dark eyes were calm and unreadable.
“And who are you?”
Those simple words struck Yu Qijian like a blow. She froze briefly, then frowned.
“This dowager is already clear-minded. The ghost has been driven out and will not return.”
Fang Jinxian stared at her for a long moment.
“Yu Qijian is dead.”
Each word was soft, yet precise—like stones dropped into still water.
Yu Qijian’s forced smile cracked slightly. “Chief Eunuch, words should not be spoken so carelessly.”
A faint smile appeared at the corner of his eye.
“Her body has already been cremated.”
Yu Qijian: “……”
The candlelight flickered. She saw a trace of almost cruel amusement in his gaze.
“Chief Eunuch is joking,” she said quickly, almost instinctively. “I am standing right here, how could—”
“The corpse was five chi and one cun long. A pale brown birthmark under the left scapula shaped like a petal. She was dressed in the embroidered silk inner robe gifted by the Late Emperor on the day of coronation.”
“The Imperial Noble Consort caused me quite a lot of trouble. I had no choice but to suppress it. If the Yu Clan had acted out, I would have had to use her as a contingency. I did not expect… that she would return the next day.”
Yu Qijian understood.
The Imperial Noble Consort had killed the original Yu Qijian. Fang Jinxian, to stabilize the court, had concealed it. And the “Yu Qijian” that was cremated had somehow appeared again in the Palace of Eternal Peace the next day.
Cold sweat soaked her back, sticking her clothes to her skin.
Her mind went blank. All her schemes, pretenses, and prepared words shattered instantly.
So he had known from the very beginning.
Those tests, provocations, and cold observations were never about evaluating “Yu Qijian.”
He had been observing the intruder inside this Empress Dowager’s body.
After a brief moment of panic, she exhaled and stared at him. “Aren’t you afraid?”
Fang Jinxian glanced at the fine sweat on her forehead.
“Whether it is true or false, human or ghost—it makes no difference to this minister.”
He stood, walked around the desk, and approached her. His shadow completely enveloped her, the faint scent of dark wood pressing closer.
His gaze slowly examined her.
“What matters is whether the one sitting in the position of Empress Dowager is worth my effort.”
Yu Qijian exhaled deeply. She walked past him and sat down in his chair.
Still pale, still shaken, she lifted her chin defiantly.
“I can do as you wish. I can be a proper Mother Empress. I will not support the Yu Clan’s ambitions. You can rest assured.”
Fang Jinxian turned slowly, looking at the woman sitting in his seat as if she were absurd.
After a pause:
“…I am not at ease.”