The Tyrant’s Drama Queen Empress

CHAPTER 41: Are We Going to End Up on the Streets?

　　Shen Xi saw Madam Jiang and called out, “Mother.”

　　Madam Jiang ignored her. There were no outsiders here—if there had been, she might have bothered to speak to Shen Xi for appearances’ sake, to save face.

　　She said to Nanny Zheng, who was pressing her head, “It’s such a relief that Jinxiu is safe. I’ve been worried sick. Only now that he’s back unharmed can I finally let my mind rest. But if no one had slowed him down, he would have come back much earlier. People these days just don’t know their limits.”

　　Shen Xi listened, feeling the mockery in Madam Jiang’s words. She bit her lip softly, almost swaying on her feet. Seeing this, a sharp glint flashed in Madam Jiang’s eyes. Just a few passive-aggressive words, and she’s breaking down?

　　Lowering her voice, Madam Jiang continued, “Madam Zhang and that maid have been running wild in the capital. I know it’s because of your instigation. I never realized before—you actually have this kind of influence.”

　　Shen Xi tightened her hands, looking up with a puzzled frown. “You mean my aunt? Did she do something again to make you angry?”

　　Madam Jiang let out a cold laugh. “When you go back today, copy some Buddhist scriptures to calm your mind. Of course, you can have Jinxiu help you again. If you’re not afraid of him finding out, let him see what you’ve been doing in secret. Then he can realize what kind of person he’s so determined to marry.”

　　Shen Xi lowered her head, her expression dark and unreadable.

　　Madam Jiang snorted. Even if she didn't let Shen Ling marry Shen Xi off far away, she could still use her status to keep Shen Xi in check. This was something she realized after waking up from being blindsided by Shen Xi’s betrayal. Before, she had lost ground to Shen Xi because Shen Xi and Shen Jinxiu had caught her completely off guard.

　　To be honest, after seeing Shen Ling kill the maid who had tried to assassinate someone, Madam Jiang had developed a hint of fear and caution around her. In all their confrontations, she had never gained the upper hand. Before, Madam Jiang had been fearless, thinking she was Shen Ling’s birth mother. Even if she went too far, Shen Ling wouldn’t dare retaliate with deadly force. But after witnessing Shen Ling’s ruthless methods that day, Madam Jiang truly feared she might be struck down.

　　Out of fear, Madam Jiang regained her composure, and her attitude toward Shen Xi became far more restrained. Like now, when she ordered Shen Xi to copy Buddhist scriptures to calm her mind, Shen Xi did not dare refuse, nor did she dare tell Shen Jinxiu.

　　After Shen Kangzheng and Minister Qu, along with other high-ranking officials, were rescued, they found themselves helpless to follow the soldiers into the forest to search for those who had gotten lost. All they could do was comfort the colleagues who had been saved. Prime Minister Yang hadn’t come along this time; he had been left in the capital to manage state affairs. That was why Shen Kangzheng, Minister Qu, and the others had to step forward. Most of their colleagues had survived, at worst shaken and nursing minor injuries from the scramble to escape, but some hadn’t made it. Among the dead were those who were aligned with Shen Kangzheng.

　　“Ah, master! How could you just leave us behind…”

　　“Father! Get up! You haven’t even seen your daughter married off yet, boohoo…”

　　Outside the tent, Shen Kangzheng and Minister Qu paused.

　　Shen Kangzheng said, “Looks like we don’t need to go in.”

　　Minister Qu nodded, “Yeah.”

　　Compared to Shen Kangzheng, Minister Qu looked a bit disheveled. He and his wife weren’t fond of hunting and had only followed the group into the forest to make up the numbers. They were both fine, but his legitimate second son had gone with the young lords from military families. When the pack of frenzied beasts attacked, they had been at the very front line. His second son still hadn’t been found, and Minister Qu knew the odds were grim.

　　Even facing the pain of possibly losing a child, Minister Qu still stood firm to comfort the others. That in itself showed he was dutiful.

　　His gaze toward the forest was heavy with sorrow. Shen Kangzheng understood why and sighed. “Minister Qu, your son will be fine.” He offered words of comfort, hoping to ease the grief.

　　Minister Qu gave a bitter smile. “It’s already come to this. Even if I want to believe he’s fine, he… sigh, never mind.” He waved his hand. Then, noticing Shen Jinxiu walking not far off alongside Xue Yunshi, he said, “Minister Shen, you're so kind. At least your family is safe. All of them are unharmed.”

　　Shen Kangzheng followed his gaze and saw Shen Jinxiu. He couldn’t help but feel puzzled; Shen Jinxiu and Xue Yunshi seemed to be moving rather hurriedly.

　　Shen Kangzheng said, “It’s all thanks to His Majesty and Her Grace.”

　　After finding Xue Yunshi, Shen Jinxiu told him about the black-clothed man he had discovered in the cave. Xue Yunshi actually knew more of the inside story than Shen Jinxiu. Xue Yunshi was close with Song Qiaochu, whose father, the Duke of Fuguo, was in charge of guarding the hunting grounds. He knew that assassins had attacked Xie Yuanxun and Senior Eunuch Feng, and since Xie Yuanxun was unharmed, he had seen Senior Eunuch Feng moving in and out of the Imperial Hunting Palace.

　　The Duke of Fuguo and Senior Eunuch Feng were together eliminating the remaining assassins. Xue Yunshi hadn’t expected Shen Jinxiu to encounter a surviving assassin. His thought process was similar to Shen Jinxiu’s: if these assassins dared target Xie Yuanxun, then their territory could be traced and claimed. The Princess’s household guards answered to both him and Princess Yuzhen, so he could quietly manage his own faction of guards entirely under his control.

　　Shen Jinxiu said, “Marquis, that person is barely hanging on. When I left, I made him hide in the cave and didn’t let the soldiers in. But if too much time passes, someone might discover him. You need to get him out quickly.”

　　Xue Yunshi nodded. “I understand. You don’t need to worry about this anymore. I’ll handle it.”

　　Shen Jinxiu replied, “Understood.”

　　When Xue Yunshi found Song Qiaochu, she was striking in her female-style armor, listening to reports from the officers. As the Duke of Fuguo’s daughter, she had also fought through and eliminated many of the assassins. After hearing the reports, her expression showed some exhaustion. Once the officers withdrew, Xue Yunshi approached her. “Qiaochu, why do you have to push yourself so hard?”

　　Song Qiaochu looked at him. “What, you think I shouldn’t step up and fight the enemy?” She had saved some family members and ladies. After being rescued, instead of thanking her, they lectured her, saying she shouldn’t be swinging swords and spears, that bloody work was for men, and that her actions were too wild and uncouth.

　　Hearing that, Song Qiaochu couldn’t help feeling a pang of hurt. They didn’t stop to think that if she didn't wield weapons, they might not even be alive.

　　Xue Yunshi said, “You’re carrying part of the Empire’s burden, fighting off enemies and defending the nation. That’s exactly what the Duke of Fuguo taught you. How could I oppose that? I’m just worried about you. Look at yourself—you’re exhausted. Why don’t you rest for a bit?” His words came out smoothly, polite on the surface, but inside he truly didn’t want her swinging swords and spears. Still, she was the Duke of Fuguo’s favorite daughter, so even if he disapproved, he could only bite his tongue.

　　Song Qiaochu frowned. “But I still need to search for the people scattered in the forest…”

　　Xue Yunshi interjected at the right moment. “I’ll help with the search. Don’t worry, I’ll make sure everyone is found.”

　　Song Qiaochu finally agreed. “Alright, then.”

　　Xue Yunshi took his trusted men, along with the soldiers the Duke of Fuguo had assigned to Song Qiaochu, to the area around the cave Shen Jinxiu had mentioned. He then sent his trusted men inside the cave to rescue the hidden person.

　　......

　　Yongning Town was a small town inside the Mulan Hunting Grounds. The streets had a rougher, more rugged feel compared to the capital, with shops and inns everywhere, and street vendors selling their goods along the roadside.

　　The moment Shen Ling stepped into the town, her ears were filled with the sounds of Northeastern dialects—“Where the hell is this?” “What’s this thing?” “What’re you staring at?” and so on…

　　Shen Ling thought about it for a while. Comparing it to a modern map, Yongning Town was indeed in the Northeast. Luckily, she could understand the dialect.

　　Northeastern accents were contagious too. If there was even one person in a college dorm speaking it, before long, everyone—no matter where they were from—would start picking up a bit of that accent when they talked.

　　Passing by a busy inn, Shen Ling glanced at Xie Yuanxun, whose face was as expressionless as ever. She wasn’t really hungry; she just wanted a soft, cozy bed to lie down on and a chance to wash her face and feet with hot water. But they didn’t have any silver. Just a moment ago, she had overheard the inn’s attendant say it cost thirty wen to stay a night, and they were completely broke.

　　So where were they supposed to sleep tonight? No silver at all! As Shen Ling thought this, her mouth couldn’t help blurting out the question.

　　Xie Yuanxun said, “If you sell the herbs you’re holding, you’ll have enough silver to find a place to stay.”

　　Shen Ling stomped her foot and said loudly, “No way!” Realizing she might’ve sounded too harsh, she softened her gaze at Xie Yuanxun, “These are for you to take, I can’t sell them.”

　　—I’m kidding. Didn’t I say I want you to take this Coptis chinensis for ten straight days? You think I’m lying?

　　—Everything I say is law, every word a nail!

　　Xie Yuanxun glanced at her, “If you won’t sell, then get ready to end up sleeping on the streets.”

　　Shen Ling blinked.

　　—Heh, as if I’m the only one who’ll be sleeping on the streets. You’re right there with me.  

　　Xie Yuanxun pulled out a jade pendant that should’ve been hanging from his waist, casually saying, “This alone is enough to trade for a house. You can keep your herbs—I’m not short on places to stay anyway.”

　　Shen Ling stared carefully at it. It really was a jade pendant in his hand.

　　—What the heck!

　　—Where did you even get this? Why didn’t I see it when I checked your body earlier?

　　—Did you dig it out from the bottom of your foot or what?!

　　Xie Yuanxun froze.

　　He almost let go and tossed the pendant like it was crawling with some horrifying germs.

 

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