The Empress continued to press, "What about Yue Zonggang?"
The Duke of Anguo continued, "Her mother was named Yue Congrong, and her uncle was the once-legendary General of Guide, Yue Zonggang."
"Yue Zonggang? The same Yue Zonggang who later smashed through several major cities of the Beiyin Kingdom and was enfeoffed as the Marquis of Dingbei by His Majesty?" Shangguan Li asked.
The Duke nodded. "The very same. A ferocious warrior who could hold off ten thousand men single-handedly!"
There was no mistaking the admiration in the Duke's tone.
The Empress frowned, deep in thought. "I recall that the Yue family were convicted traitors, executed to the last man. Even if a daughter who married out wouldn't be implicated, Yan Weichi is still the descendant of a traitor. With such a background, what could possibly be special about her?"
The Duke shook his head. "Your Majesty, being a 'convicted traitor' is merely a status. Bloodline is what truly carries the legacy of a family. The Yues were all fierce, capable warriors. Back then, Yue Zonggang could charge into a sea of soldiers and take an enemy general's head. That kind of courage, that kind of intellect, and that kind of martial skill—they are beyond the reach of ordinary men. Yan Weichi possesses half the blood of the Yue family; naturally, she has a bit more spirit than those pampered young ladies. Otherwise, how would she dare to cross swords with me? She didn't even flinch when she saw the Crouching Tiger Saber!"
That was true enough.
The Empress let out a cold snort. "She is nothing but a lowly wench who lived in a pigsty; pay her no mind. For now, testing whether Shangguan Xi can still perform his duties as a man is what truly matters."
Having said this, the Empress looked at Shangguan Li and continued, "Jiarong, I leave this matter to you and your uncle to handle. I shall not interfere."
Shangguan Li immediately agreed.
***
Crown Prince's Mansion.
Shangguan Xi had just finished his third bowl of Yan Weichi’s pitch-black, bitter-as-death medicinal soup.
Three bowls down, and today, Shangguan Xi felt that his body had truly recovered by seven or eight parts.
He circulated his internal energy slightly, feeling both his physical strength and internal power returning.
Shangguan Xi muttered to himself, "With medical skills this extraordinary, how could she possibly be self-taught? Yan Weichi, there isn't a single word of truth in your mouth!"
"Eldest Senior Brother, Nurse Zhang said you were looking for me!" Yu Feiyan walked in from outside with a cheerful smile.
Shangguan Xi nodded. As he folded the letters on the desk and tucked them into a bamboo tube, he said, "Since our first plan has failed, we must go with the flow."
Yu Feiyan blinked. "Does Eldest Senior Brother mean to stay in the Capital City and serve as the Crown Prince?"
Shangguan Xi nodded slightly. "Indeed. But I cannot remain a figurehead. If I want to gain a foothold in the capital, I must find a way to enter the Six Ministries. Send this letter to the army; summon Qingzhou, Zhongshan, and Qin Xiangru to the capital."
Yu Feiyan took the bamboo tube but did not leave immediately. Instead, he said with some concern, "Eldest Senior Brother, Qingzhou and Zhongshan are easy enough—they are your personal shadows; they will certainly rush back without delay. But Qin Xiangru... he is just a wandering doctor of the jianghu!"
Shangguan Xi continued, "Years ago, he lost a bet against me and swore an oath to serve as a military surgeon in my army for three years. Only two years have passed; there is one year remaining. Since I have decided to stay in the capital and vie for power, my battlefield is now here. As a military surgeon, he should naturally follow."
Yu Feiyan nodded. "True, having a trusted doctor by your side is essential. I'll go send the letter now!"
"Have the people sent to the Marquis Pingyi's estate returned?" Shangguan Xi was also very concerned about Yan Weichi's affairs.
Yu Feiyan replied, "Not yet. That estate is not close."
***
Shangguan Xi nodded and was about to signal for Yu Feiyan to leave when Nurse Zhang suddenly entered. "Reporting to Your Highness the Crown Prince, the Second Prince has brought a group of servants to the mansion, claiming they are gifts from His Majesty."
Shangguan Xi frowned. "The spies have arrived."
Yu Feiyan curled his lip. "Perhaps even assassins. Senior Brother, let me turn them away for you."
Shangguan Xi shook his head. "It’s useless. Turn them away once, and they will come back a second time. If I forcibly refuse, the Duke of Anguo will surely pin the charge of 'defying an imperial decree' on me. Very well, let them in."
Nurse Zhang asked, "Then... shall I bring them in for Your Highness to see?"
Shangguan Xi thought for a moment and suddenly said, "No need. I have no time for them. Take them to the Crown Princess and let her see."
This Yan Weichi was so intent on being his Crown Princess, wasn't she? Since she was the Crown Princess, she should naturally know how to manage a household. Shangguan Xi wanted to see if Yan Weichi had the ability to deal with these birds and beasts.
Nurse Zhang hurried away to carry out the order, and Yu Feiyan followed along, filled with curiosity.
Seeing this, Shangguan Xi called out, "Wait, what are you doing?"
"Watching a show, Senior Brother! Yan Weichi’s shows never disappoint. I want to see how she handles these monsters and demons!"
Yu Feiyan’s eager, excited appearance made Shangguan Xi curious as well. What kind of ability did that girl have, anyway, to make both of his junior brothers regard her so differently? He decided he wanted to go see as well.
Yan Weichi woke up only to realize that Shangguan Xi had moved out of her courtyard. This place, called the Ruochu Courtyard, was left for her. The Crown Prince had moved deeper into the mansion to the Shuanghan Courtyard, adjacent to his study.
"The intention to shun me is truly beyond words!" Yan Weichi rolled her eyes and muttered with annoyance. "And here I was, cleaning up the master suite for him. Little ingrate!"
"Your Highness, you’re awake. That is wonderful," Nurse Zhang said, walking into the courtyard with a smile.
Yan Weichi stretched and asked, "Is lunch ready?"
Nurse Zhang’s smile froze for a moment before she quickly replied, "Answering Your Highness, the time for breakfast has passed, and lunch is still being prepared. If you are hungry, I shall go prepare some small snacks for you."
So, it was her own oversleeping that made her miss the meal.
Yan Weichi gave an embarrassed smile. "No matter, no matter, I'll just eat lunch then. I'll go see if that detestable Crown Prince is feeling any better."
*Detestable?* Nurse Zhang’s mouth twitched—she didn't dare respond to that. She hurriedly changed the subject. "Your Highness, rest assured, the Crown Prince is currently speaking with the Young Lord in his study. He instructed me to come find you so you could see the servants bestowed by the palace."
"Bestowed by the palace?" Yan Weichi was surprised.
Nurse Zhang nodded. "Yes, the Second Prince brought them personally. There are quite a lot of them. They are currently waiting in the outer courtyard."
"Why do I need to see them?" Yan Weichi had no idea how to handle such things.
Nurse Zhang managed a bitter smile. "You are the Crown Princess, the lady of this mansion."
"Ugh..." Yan Weichi was speechless. "Fine, I'll go take a look!"
...
When Yan Weichi arrived at the outer courtyard, she didn't see anyone. She looked at Nurse Zhang in confusion, who was equally bewildered.
"Perhaps the Second Prince grew impatient and left," Nurse Zhang guessed.
Yan Weichi curled her lip. "Good riddance. Anything he brings couldn't possibly be good. Which courtyard did the Crown Prince move to? I'll go check on his condition."
Nurse Zhang was about to answer when the voice of Yu Feiyan suddenly shouted from afar: "Shangguan Li! Do not go too far!"