On New Year’s Eve, as the Grand Princess and the sole child of the Emperor and Empress, Yu Jiuzhou had to go to the imperial palace early in the morning to accompany her parents.
Chi Wan, as the Fuma, was expected to attend as well. This was the first year of their marriage, so she would certainly be spending the New Year in the palace with Yu Jiuzhou.
Meanwhile, the Marquis of Huai’an’s Residence was in a state of anxiety. They had discovered that Chi Wan had not gone to see the Emperor, which brought them a moment of relief. But then they remembered that Chi Wan would definitely see the Emperor on New Year’s Eve. If she said anything to him during that time, the Marquis of Huai’an’s Residence would be doomed.
Thus, they sent someone to summon her early in the morning.
When Chi Wan received the news, she sneered inwardly. She didn’t know whether to call the Marquis of Huai’an’s Residence audaciously ignorant or to say they held the Emperor in contempt.
In the first year of the Princess and Fuma’s marriage, with the Fuma having married into the imperial family, they actually dared to summon the Fuma home for the New Year. Did they truly think her marriage into the imperial house was a joke?
Yue Luo stood to the side, awaiting her decision. After all, she also felt that the Marquis of Huai’an’s Residence was being rather tactless.
Chi Wan suspected they were likely trying to probe her, to find out what kind of evidence Lu Zhen had given her.
Even though Lu Zhen had managed to bluff his way through it at first, they would surely question the accompanying constables later. Someone was bound to reveal something.
Chen Yuan had said that she and Lu Zhen had handled the evidence gathering personally. The constables were just there for intimidation and were not allowed much contact with the details. Even if questioned, they wouldn’t be able to say anything of substance.
Hearing that someone from the Marquis of Huai’an’s Residence had come to summon her, Chi Wan said directly to Yue Luo, “Tell them that I am now a member of the Grand Princess of Qin’s Residence. Today, it is my duty to accompany the Grand Princess to the palace.”
“Yes.” Yue Luo bowed and left.
Chi Wan wore a pale blue robe with wide sleeves that gave her a refined air, paired with a matching fleece-lined cloak. She was already fair-skinned, a young woman with red lips and white teeth. She had to admit, she was born with good looks.
She looked exactly the same in this life as she had in her last. Since transmigration was possible, this wasn’t too surprising.
When Chi Wan arrived at Yongning Courtyard, Chun Gui, standing nearby, raised an eyebrow in appreciation. She had to admit, the Fuma was delicate, with red lips and white teeth, looking truly easy to bully.
Xia Qu snorted coldly. “A dignified Qian Yuan, so frail. A pretty boy!”
Chun Gui nudged her. “Hush, don’t say too much.”
Everyone in the Princess’s Residence was displeased with Chi Wan. When you dislike someone, you find fault in everything they do.
However, based on Chi Wan’s performance over the past few days—setting aside who had administered the aphrodisiac—she had at least cured the Grand Princess and hadn’t done anything outrageous. Her actions in Qingyuan County had also been witnessed by Chun Gui and the others, making them think that perhaps the Fuma had truly changed.
Those who were more lenient toward Qian Yuan already felt she was a prodigal daughter who had returned to the fold.
But if Chi Wan had been the one to use the aphrodisiac, could all of this be a self-directed play?
Regardless, as followers of Her Highness the Grand Princess, they could never allow any harm to come to her.
Chi Wan knew in her heart that her predecessor’s terrible image was deeply ingrained and would be difficult to change in a short time. She still had time.
She walked forward and asked, “How is Her Highness?”
It was Chun Gui who answered her. “Her Highness is attending to official business. She asked us to wait outside.”
When Yu Jiuzhou handled official matters, she didn’t like having people around. She didn’t like having people watch over her while she slept, either. Otherwise, her predecessor wouldn’t have succeeded so easily.
Chi Wan acknowledged this and stood to the side, waiting with them.
Chun Gui took the initiative to speak. “A location for the Fuma’s pharmacy has been found. It’s in the East Market. There’s an independent courtyard in the back, suitable for making pills and such.”
Chi Wan hadn’t expected Yu Jiuzhou to be so efficient. A shop in the East Market, a place where every inch of land was worth its weight in gold, was just given to her like that?
Chun Gui continued, “Her Highness’s meaning is that you cannot make many pills by yourself, so you will need to hire people. However, the formulas must be kept secret. If the Fuma has any ideas, you must let Her Highness know first.”
“I understand.” Of course, Chi Wan had ideas.
She would discuss them with Yu Jiuzhou when she came out.
After waiting for a while, Chun Gui glanced at the ninety-six-ke clock dial in the courtyard. One shichen was eight ke, and twelve shichen made ninety-six ke. It was like a large version of a clock.
In the early days of Great Zhou’s founding, diplomatic relations were established with foreign countries. Emperor Taizong’s literary and martial prowess awed the world, and overseas vassal states brought knowledge of astronomy, which led to the creation of the ninety-six-ke clock dial.
Unfortunately, as Great Zhou’s national strength gradually declined, it had to cease foreign relations. After so long, they still hadn’t managed to create a mechanical watch. Otherwise, it would be so much more convenient to tell time when out and about.
It was already the end of the Chen hour. There was no morning court today due to the holiday, but they should head to the palace early. Word had reached the Princess’s Residence that the Emperor’s health was not good.
After the New Year, it would be the twenty-eighth year of the Shengyuan era. Too many things had happened this year. It was precisely because the Shengyuan Emperor’s health was frequently failing that the struggles at court had become even more vicious.
If Yu Jiuzhou was reborn, she would surely have made many preparations. Chi Wan lowered her eyes, hiding the thoughtful look within them.
Seeing that it was getting late, Chun Gui entered the room and said softly to Yu Jiuzhou, who was still handling her affairs, “Your Highness, it will soon be the Si hour.”
Yu Jiuzhou’s brush-wielding hand paused, and she set the brush down. “Let’s go.”
Her body had mostly recovered, and her Rain and Dew Period had passed. She still had an inhibitor patch on her gland, so not a trace of her scent leaked out.
The inhibitor patch Chi Wan had developed was very effective. Having used it herself, she knew how beneficial this item would be for all the Kun Ze in the world. And not just Kun Ze; Qian Yuan could use it as well.
According to the laws of Great Zhou, Qian Yuan were not allowed to go out during their susceptible period. Offending public decency was also a jailable offense.
One could imagine how popular the inhibitor patch would be once it was released.
Especially with the business philosophy Chi Wan had later described: first, release a batch for the wealthy to buy. Once they’ve made money and the pharmacies have spread throughout Great Zhou, they would then create a standard version. Besides the packaging, the medicinal effect would be the same.
She would take a ninety percent share of the profits. She could already imagine how considerable her future earnings would be. Moreover, the Lin family’s investment of ten thousand taels of silver would only get them a one percent stake. This meant Chi Wan was confident she could earn a million taels from this business, or even more.
Chi Wan’s medical skills and business acumen were truly impressive.
Yu Jiuzhou was genuinely starting to wonder if Chi Wan was still that scoundrel. As long as that thought existed, all of Chi Wan’s efforts had not been in vain.
The moment she saw Yu Jiuzhou, Chi Wan noticed her probing gaze and knew that her actions had made Yu Jiuzhou start to seriously consider her words.
“Your Highness,” Chi Wan called out.
Perhaps her voice startled Yu Jiuzhou, for her gaze turned cold again. The heavy atmosphere made those around them lower their heads in silence.
Chi Wan sighed helplessly in her heart. Redemption not yet successful; the Fuma must continue to strive.
Yu Jiuzhou ignored her and strode outside.
The Grand Princess’s luxurious carriage awaited outside the residence. The Son of Heaven had a six-horse carriage, princes and marquises had four… There were also strict standards for colors and other features based on rank, which could absolutely not be overstepped.
Yu Jiuzhou’s status was special. She had been granted a five-horse carriage, not belonging to the rank of princes and marquises, but a step above them.
The carriage was also very large. Compared to Lin Zhiyi’s two-horse carriage, the Grand Princess’s carriage was understated on the outside but incredibly luxurious on the inside. It was so large it was like a small room had been mounted on wheels.
Yu Jiuzhou boarded the carriage first, and Chi Wan followed closely behind.
“Fuma…” Chun Gui noticed and quickly called out.
By this time, Chi Wan was already on the carriage. Hearing Chun Gui call her, she turned back in confusion. “What is it?”
Chun Gui glanced at the horses beside them. How could the Fuma ride in the same carriage as the Princess? She was about to speak, but Yu Jiuzhou stopped her. “Chun Gui.”
Chun Gui also realized they were outside the Princess’s Residence, and some things should not be said. She could only say, “Fuma, please be seated.”
Chi Wan: “?” 【Weren’t you the one who called me?】
Baffled, she entered the carriage and looked at Yu Jiuzhou, who was sitting in the main seat with an unapproachable air.
Chi Wan ignored the icy chill surrounding her, walked over, and sat down beside her. She then picked up the teapot on the small table and poured two cups of tea, handing one to Yu Jiuzhou. “Your Highness, have some tea.”
There were oranges and pastries on the table, and… chestnuts?
A smile touched Chi Wan’s lips. She reached out, took a few chestnuts, and placed them to the side, feigning nonchalance as she said, “Chun Gui mentioned that a location for the pharmacy has been found.”
Yu Jiuzhou looked up but showed no intention of speaking.
Chi Wan didn’t mind and continued, “I wish to build a factory.”
“Hm?” Hearing the unfamiliar word, Yu Jiuzhou frowned.
Chi Wan paused for a moment, then found another word. “A workshop. Inside the workshop, there will be separate spaces. Each step of the pill-making process will be segregated.”
This way, even if the people inside couldn’t be trusted, there would be no need to worry about the formula leaking.
Yu Jiuzhou’s eyes lit up. She understood the purpose of doing this, but her expression remained impassive. “En.”
Seeing her agree, a trace of happiness appeared on Chi Wan’s face, and she immediately voiced her other ideas. “Your Highness, I would like several workshops.”
“I have some other formulas that can be produced and sold at the same time. And the packaging production… we will handle the entire industrial chain ourselves.”
Yu Jiuzhou could understand her words. “En.”
Chi Wan placed the peeled chestnuts in front of Yu Jiuzhou, then peeled a couple for herself before asking, “Does Your Highness agree?”
Yu Jiuzhou was a woman of few words, but Chi Wan couldn’t be. She had to get things settled as quickly as possible.
“En.”
Two consecutive “en”s. Yu Jiuzhou was very cold, but Chi Wan felt it was not bad. At least she was willing to acknowledge her. A half-hearted response was better than no response at all.
Chi Wan had no issue with Yu Jiuzhou’s attitude. She had more to say. “When we were in Qingyuan County, Lin Zhiyi found me. He wants to give me ten thousand taels of silver to invest in our business. I feel that our business can make a lot of money, and the decision of who to partner with should be made by you, Your Highness.”
“What if the Lin family belongs to someone else, or has other motives? I’ve put Lin Zhiyi off for now. If Your Highness agrees, the next time the Lin family approaches me, I will discuss the business with them properly.”
Ten thousand taels of silver was no small sum. It would be a lie to say Chi Wan wasn’t tempted. With that money, she could definitely open the pharmacy in the capital, not to mention she had her eye on someone from the Lin family.
But she couldn’t agree directly before getting Yu Jiuzhou’s approval, so she could only stall.
Yu Jiuzhou raised an eyebrow. She had thought Chi Wan didn’t immediately accept the Lin family’s partnership simply because their offer wasn’t good enough.
“We can cooperate.”
Yu Jiuzhou finally said more than one word.
“I understand.” Hearing her cool voice, the corners of Chi Wan’s lips lifted slightly. “There is one more thing.”
She handed all the evidence she had obtained from Qingyuan County to Yu Jiuzhou. “Your Highness, please take a look at this.”
Yu Jiuzhou naturally knew what these things were. She had related evidence in her possession as well, which she had investigated long ago. Whether Chi Wan gave her these items or not wasn’t that important.
But if Chi Wan hadn’t given them to her, she would have had to suspect her of having ulterior motives.
Chi Wan’s main strategy was sincerity. She hid nothing. Even if Yu Jiuzhou didn’t want to listen, she had to make things clear early on to avoid future misunderstandings.
“Your Highness, the evidence proves that the annexation of civilian land was done by the Marquis of Huai’an’s Residence and has nothing to do with you. For them to commit such a wicked act and then pin it on you, Your Highness, is simply…”
Before Chi Wan could find the right word, Yu Jiuzhou finished her sentence, “Their intentions are punishable by death.”
Ah?
Chi Wan was stunned. Did she mean to kill them?
As a modern person, she didn’t even know how to kill a chicken or a fish, let alone a person. Even the murder videos she watched online were censored.
Bloody and brutal scenes were not allowed in movies or TV shows, and even novels couldn’t describe them in detail.
Chi Wan had studied Chinese medicine surgery, but that was on inanimate objects. She had never actually done it herself. How could she have expected Yu Jiuzhou to talk about killing someone so casually?
“Um… Your Highness, are you saying we should… do away with the Marquis of Huai’an’s Residence?”
She made a slicing motion across her neck with her hand, her expression a little bit… innocent?
It could be said that among the nobles of Great Zhou today, how many didn’t have blood on their hands? Why was Chi Wan so surprised?
“You wish to plead for the Marquis of Huai’an’s Residence?”
Chi Wan was a daughter of the Marquis of Huai’an’s Residence. Yu Jiuzhou wouldn’t be surprised if she pleaded for them. But what Chi Wan said next did surprise her.
Chi Wan couldn’t wait to cut ties with the Marquis of Huai’an’s Residence. How could she speak up for them? “Your Highness, I just feel that His Majesty has just placed the Marquis of Huai’an’s Residence in an important position. If we target them now, won’t it make His Majesty think we are slapping him in the face?”
Slapping him in the face? The phrasing was rather apt.
Hearing her say “we” over and over, Yu Jiuzhou’s eyes flickered. “What do you suggest?”
“This evidence must be brought out at a suitable time.”
It was hard for Chi Wan to say. She remembered the novel’s plot, but this was a complete world. The novel revolved around the protagonist. Besides the protagonist, the one with the most page time was Yu Jiuzhou. Characters like the Emperor were not written about much, so she had no way of knowing.
Yu Jiuzhou was different. She was reborn and knew the details of many things that had happened in her past life. She immediately knew what a “suitable time” would be.
She had a plan, but she didn’t intend to share it with Chi Wan.
Chi Wan didn’t forget to remind Yu Jiuzhou, “At the New Year’s Eve banquet today, Prince Zhongshan is very likely to use this matter to attack you, Your Highness. Do you think we should present this evidence?”
She had originally thought that if Prince Zhongshan attacked Yu Jiuzhou with the Qingyuan County land annexation case tonight, just as he did in the novel, she would present the evidence.
But then she considered that if it slapped the Emperor in the face, it would do neither her nor Yu Jiuzhou any good.
In the novel, when Prince Zhongshan presented this evidence and caused such a stir, the Emperor felt that Prince Zhongshan was slapping him in the face. He began to distance himself from the prince and, when the opportunity arose, had his residence annihilated and his assets confiscated.
The current Emperor was a bit petty and cared a lot about his image. The so-called “imperial dignity” was really just his own dignity. If they presented the evidence, would the Emperor feel they were slapping him in the face?
Chi Wan’s words were not without reason. Yu Jiuzhou fell into deep thought, unconsciously picking up a chestnut and putting it in her mouth. The sweet flavor of the chestnut spread between her lips and teeth, and only then did she realize she had eaten a chestnut peeled by Chi Wan’s own hands.
For a moment, she didn’t know whether to eat it or not. She felt an inexplicable awkwardness, and some embarrassment.
Chi Wan noticed this as well. She picked up her teacup and took a sip, pretending not to have seen anything.
After finishing her tea, she placed her hands on the charcoal stove. The stove’s walls were wrapped in thick animal fur, which warmed her hands without burning them.
“Your Highness, what if I were to privately submit the evidence to His Majesty?”
Chi Wan thought of how her memorial had vanished like a stone in the sea, without any response. The evidence would probably meet the same fate if given to the Emperor. But that didn’t matter, as long as the Emperor saw it and was aware of the situation.
However, there was bound to be a conflict tonight. She didn’t feel at ease without the evidence in her own hands.
Yu Jiuzhou shook her head, not quite agreeing with giving the evidence to the Emperor either.
Therefore, Chi Wan spoke again. “Your Highness, do you think my memorial went unanswered because His Majesty didn’t see it, or because it went through the Secretariat?”
Going through the Secretariat meant that people would know the contents of her memorial. It was also possible they thought a scoundrel Fuma like her couldn’t write anything of substance and might have just thrown it away.
The Secretariat was where the eunuchs were. The men were castrated, and the female Qian Yuan had their glands destroyed. These people could only rely on the Emperor, but it wasn’t out of the question for them to collude with officials for personal gain.
However, since Chi Wan had sent the memorial to the Secretariat, she didn’t care if its contents were seen. It was intended to intimidate the Marquis of Huai’an’s Residence anyway.
Thinking about it now, she had underestimated imperial power.
She had also been cautious. The memorial stated that she was a witness, but did not mention that she had already found evidence. Nor did it mention the matter of the Marquis of Huai’an’s Residence slandering the Grand Princess.
At the time, Chi Wan only wanted to accuse the Marquis of Huai’an’s Residence. Everything else could wait until she saw the Emperor. She couldn’t write too much in the memorial, lest it lead to future complications.
Now, it seemed her caution had been correct.
Everyone knew that her predecessor was one of Prince Zhongshan’s people. No matter how suspicious the Emperor was, he would never suspect Yu Jiuzhou. Her memorial was an act of righteousness, of seeking justice against her own family.
In any case, as long as the Emperor read the memorial and events unfolded as expected, that would be enough.
Yu Jiuzhou picked up her teacup. In the cold weather, the scalding tea quickly lost its heat. “Just assume His Majesty has not seen it.”
Chi Wan understood her meaning. Yu Jiuzhou was telling her that the Emperor had seen it, but on the surface, he knew nothing of this memorial.
She was still too weak now. There were many things she couldn’t do in opposition to the Emperor. Instead, she had to protect the Emperor’s image, so that he would see her as one of his own.
Wait, that wasn’t right. Why would Yu Jiuzhou watch her become one of the Emperor’s people? Wasn’t she afraid that Chi Wan would hold her back, or do something terrible that would put the Princess’s Residence in jeopardy?
“Your Highness, you want me to gain His Majesty’s trust, don’t you?”
Yu Jiuzhou didn’t answer, seemingly letting her figure it out for herself. Only when she figured it out would their yet-to-begin partnership be more solid.
Fine. It was already quite an achievement for them to be able to sit together and discuss so much.
Perhaps Yu Jiuzhou hadn’t even realized that she was now able to peacefully coexist and discuss matters in the same space as Chi Wan.
Chi Wan smiled. “Then tonight?” At the New Year’s Eve banquet, when Prince Zhongshan made his accusation, should they watch the show or do something?
“Handle it yourself.”
Yu Jiuzhou didn’t wish to speak with her further, so she began to rest with her eyes closed.
The Grand Princess’s Residence was very close to the imperial palace. In a quarter of an hour, the carriage arrived outside the palace gates.
The Grand Princess’s procession was surrounded by several hundred people, with guards in the front, back, and on both sides. But these guards could not enter the palace and could only wait outside.
They couldn’t ride the carriage into the palace either, but the palace’s ceremonial transport was already waiting for Yu Jiuzhou.
The Emperor rode in a dragon palanquin, the Empress in a ceremonial carriage, and high-ranking consorts in ceremonial litters… Yu Jiuzhou, as the Grand Princess, rode in a palanquin. Its rank was higher than that of a high-ranking consort, but slightly lower than that of the Emperor and Empress.
It was carried by eight men, accompanied by yellow dragon-and-phoenix fans, with fans depicting court ladies held up behind, and twin phoenix plumes, all symbols of power.
Chi Wan and Yu Jiuzhou disembarked from the carriage, and Chun Gui helped Yu Jiuzhou onto the palanquin.
As the Fuma, she walked alongside it. This gave her a close-up view of the exquisite beauty of the twin phoenix plumes. They were truly handmade. The peacocks’ tails must have been plucked bald. How could a bald peacock display its tail feathers?
The thought made Chi Wan want to laugh. She couldn’t imagine what a plucked peacock would do if it met a peacock it liked.
Just as Yu Jiuzhou settled onto the palanquin, she lowered her eyes and saw the smile on Chi Wan’s face.
What was she smiling about?
Perhaps Chi Wan’s smile was too beautiful. Yu Jiuzhou turned her head away, not looking at her anymore.
As Chi Wan walked beside the palanquin, she suddenly felt a chill on her neck. She looked up and saw a snowflake drifting down in front of her.
“It’s snowing.”
Since the beginning of winter, it had snowed from time to time in the capital. Although it hadn’t caused a blizzard, it had made the roads difficult to travel.
Hearing Chi Wan exclaim that it was snowing, Yu Jiuzhou reached out her hand to catch a falling snowflake. Because she was seated high up, no one noticed her action.
Just then, Chi Wan looked up and saw Yu Jiuzhou reaching for the snowflake like a child. Something pricked her heart, a soft and tender feeling. She wanted to grasp that feeling, but before she could savor it, the tenderness vanished in a flash.
Yu Jiuzhou sensed her gaze and froze for a long moment, feeling only shame and anger. Such a childish little action, and it had been seen by that scoundrel Chi Wan. It was truly embarrassing.
She pulled her hand back inside her cloak, her eyes turning cold. She now had one more reason to kill Chi Wan!
Chun Gui and the others were also startled by Chi Wan’s words and were somewhat speechless at her reaction.
Xia Qu snorted softly. “It’s just snow. Is it necessary to be so surprised?”
Of course it was surprising. Chi Wan was from the south and rarely saw snow. Snow was a novelty to her. Every mature and composed southerner would probably choose to frolic in the snow upon encountering it.
Chun Gui tugged at Xia Qu’s sleeve. “You should talk less.”
No matter how much they disliked the Fuma, they shouldn’t confront her like this. If the palanquin-bearing eunuchs were to spread the word… The Fuma was a semi-member of the imperial family. Even the Lord Grand Secretary didn’t require a full bow from her. How could she be constantly confronted by others?
Normally, in the residence, Her Highness the Grand Princess didn’t intervene. But outside the Princess’s Residence, they had to abide by the rules.
Knowing she was in the wrong, Xia Qu silently closed her mouth.
Chi Wan pretended not to have heard Xia Qu’s words and continued to reach out her hand to catch the snow. Her movements were gentle and careful, treating the snow with a kind of reverence.
Yu Jiuzhou merely glanced at her, a flicker of doubt in her heart.
By the time they reached Daming Palace, Yu Jiuzhou descended from the palanquin. Only the two of them could enter Daming Palace; even Chun Gui and Xia Qu had to wait outside.
They were here for an audience with the Emperor. Unless the Emperor gave special permission, they could not bring attendants.
At this moment, Yu Jiuzhou suddenly spoke. “Never seen snow before?”
Chi Wan was taken aback, realizing she was speaking to her. “Very rarely.”
Only people from the south would rarely see snow. Was this lonely soul occupying the scoundrel’s body from the south?
At this thought, Yu Jiuzhou felt she was going mad. She was subconsciously starting to believe Chi Wan’s words. It was truly absurd.
Chi Wan didn’t understand why she asked that. She turned her head to look at Yu Jiuzhou and only then realized they were walking almost shoulder to shoulder. She was about half a head taller than her, and her gaze fell upon Yu Jiuzhou’s long eyelashes.
A snowflake landed on Yu Jiuzhou’s eyelashes. The cold made her instinctively close her eyes, only opening them again after the snow had melted.
The water from the melted snowflake fell into her eye, making it look as if she were shedding a tear. It created an indescribable sense of fragile beauty.
It was the first time Chi Wan had ever seen someone look so beautiful with tears in their eyes. “Your Highness, I have never seen a woman as beautiful as you.”
Yu Jiuzhou had also never heard such a direct compliment. It wasn’t a disgusting stare, but a heartfelt admiration.
“Shut up!”
Her tone carried a trace of flustered anger. Chi Wan lowered her eyes to hide the smile in them, feigning a serious expression. She couldn’t let Yu Jiuzhou, in her embarrassment, want to kill her even more.
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