A few days later, preparations for finding craftsmen for Xiao Mu had been completed.
Lingnan was a large city, with officials at every level organized systematically. When Lu Zhao arrived, he swiftly took decisive actions, carried out a purge with thunderous methods. Now, everything was on track, relieving him of daily worries.
Gu Ziyan led a dozen or so craftsmen disguised as attendants back to the Northern Frontier in haste. Lu Zhao also found himself at ease, enjoying plenty of leisure time.
Time flew by, and another three months passed. Lingnan had transitioned from the humid summer into autumn. The autumn here was quite warm, lacking the summer’s dampness and instead being refreshing and pleasant. However, Shen Qingyao had poor health. Even with a slight decrease in temperature, she fell mildly ill several times. She didn’t feel much discomfort herself, but it worried Lu Zhao greatly.
So, in Lingnan where everyone still wore light clothing, Lu Zhao ordered Shen Qingyao to don slightly thicker outerwear early on. The ice in the house had also been completely removed. After staying inside for a while, Shen Qingyao felt sweaty all over, finding it even hotter than summer.
She propped her chin boredly on the window sill, looking at the window opposite. That was Lu Zhao’s study. It was originally not located in her courtyard. However, a few months ago when Lu Zhao was busy and spent all day in the study, Shen Qingyao felt lonely and would often go find him. It was hot during the day in summer, and she nearly suffered from heatstroke in the afternoon sun. After Lu Zhao found out, he ordered the study moved closer to her, just a few steps away.
At this moment, the window opposite was closed, but tall figure projected inside was faintly visible through the window paper. The person was not sitting but standing upright at the table, leaning forward with a pen in hand. The posture was as elegant and sturdy as a straight bamboo, contrasting vividly against the paper window like a scroll painting.
Shen Qingyao couldn’t help but curl her lips. She remembered how late Lu Zhao had been dealing with matters last night. The night was too hot for her to sleep, so she snuck over to find him.
At first, she just wanted to get some fresh air, but he coaxed her into doing something in the study. Shen Qingyao blushed at the memory. In the past, when she flirted with him, she would recklessly rush up to tease him, but now she dared not.
Since the two became intimate, Lu Zhao had developed a taste for it. Though he was very restrained out of concern for her health, he would tease her back, igniting her interest and then stopping. Each time, it was her who couldn’t bear it and begged him to continue.
The day after such incidents, he would always smile like a fox, teasing her with a face of faux grievance, blaming it all on her lack of self-control.
Shen Qingyao secretly cursed him, thinking what a sly fox he was! Back then, giving him a fox drawing was indeed spot on!
There was no wind outside, and leaning against the window, Shen Qingyao couldn’t feel a trace of coolness. Seeing Cui Qiao still wearing thin gauze clothes beside her, while she herself was already layered inside and out, she wanted to go to the courtyard for some fresh air but didn’t dare. She was afraid that approaching the study would remind her of the absurdity of last night, so she could only sulk alone.
As she was lost in thought, the window opposite suddenly opened, revealing Lu Zhao’s face. He held a scroll in his hand, leaning against the window with arms crossed, looking over at her. Seeing Shen Qingyao staring at him, Lu Zhao was not surprised at all. In fact, he looked rather pleased, giving her a faint smile and raising his eyebrows as if to say, “Why doesn’t Yaoyao come over?”
Shen Qingyao was stunned for a moment, then quickly averted her eyes. She silently repeated to herself several times, “It’s still daytime! I can’t be swayed by this sly fox!! No, I mustn’t!”
Then, she made up her mind and slammed her own window shut with a loud noise. The sudden sound startled Hong Yun, who was drowsily fanning her nearby. Thinking something had happened, Hong Yun quickly stood up.
Seeing this, Cui Qiao came over and pulled Hong Yun away. Cui Qiao winked, and Hong Yun immediately understood. Oh, it’s the Young Master and Madam playing around again.
In these past few months, their intimacy had grown stronger than ever before, and since the two were serving Shen Qingyao closely, they naturally understood. Hong Yun stuck out her tongue and gave a bitter smile, feeling like she had eaten too much dog food, and followed Cui Qiao out. Just as they left, Lu Zhao came from his study opposite.
He smiled warmly, three degrees less cold compared to their first meeting. His warm temperament was as rich as jade. Shen Qingyao initially just glanced casually, but upon seeing him, she was momentarily stunned.
He was clearly past his growth years, but how could he keep getting more handsome? Shen Qingyao pouted. It had been almost a year, yet she still had no resistance to Lu Zhao’s face.
Until Lu Zhao approached, stretching out his slender fingers to poke her puffed-up cheek, asking gently, “Who made our Yaoyao unhappy?”
Shen Qingyao swatted away his mischievous finger, hummed softly, and then turned her head away. Lu Zhao chuckled, somewhat amused, and sat beside her, pulling her into his embrace from behind. He teased, “You’re getting more and more temperamental, relying on me to pamper you?” Seeing Shen Qingyao about to glare at him, he quickly coaxed, “Alright, alright, not temperamental. After all, how could a little fairy like you have a bad temper?”
This was something Shen Qingyao had casually said to him a few days ago while acting cute, but she hadn’t expected him to remember and use it to tease her. Shen Qingyao blushed, lightly elbowing him in response, unable to hold back her laughter.
As she already felt scorching hot, being close to someone usually made her feel sticky and uncomfortable. However, she wondered if Lu Zhao’s celestial aura made him always feel fresh and cool. Shen Qingyao leaned back against him in this position, and the two quietly snuggled for quite some time, gradually calming the heat in their hearts and bodies.
She turned over, facing him as she nestled into his arms. Her small hand unconsciously stroked his fingers as she suddenly asked in a muffled voice, “It’s been two months since I received a message from my Eldest Sister. Last time she said the craftsmen had arrived, but I wonder if they’ve made anything yet? And why hasn’t my Eldest Brother in the capital written any letters?”
Normally, she exchanged letters with Shen Qingli and Shen Yushu every half month, or at the longest, once a month. But since Gu Ziyan left last time, neither Shen Qingli nor Shen Yushu had sent any letters.
Shen Qingyao didn’t interfere much with Lu Zhao’s official duties, but he never avoided her when doing things. So now she roughly understood the situation in Great Liang. Now, since it concerned her closest siblings, Lu Zhao didn’t find it strange that she suddenly asked.
“The situation in the capital is complicated now. It’s indeed a bit difficult to send letters casually, but the Shen family is safe, Yaoyao, you don’t need to worry. As for the north…” Lu Zhao comforted her gently, patting her back, and paused when he mentioned the Northern Territory where Shen Qingli was stationed, “No matter what, with military power in the Northern Territory, nothing major will happen.”
Shen Qingyao nodded, knowing that apart from waiting, there was really no better way.
Just then, a system notification sound that hadn’t been heard for a long time rang in her mind. It wasn’t the chatty teenage voice but the mechanical voice that only issued tasks and warnings.
[System prompt: Key plotline triggered! Please be aware! Key plotline triggered! Please be aware! Current plot progress: 80%]
Shen Qingyao sat up straight suddenly. Not mission progress, but plot progress. 80%? How could that be? Her eyes widened. According to the original novel’s plot, even after half a year since her Eldest Sister went to the Northern Territory, the progress shouldn’t exceed 50% at most. After all, it would still be two years before Xiao Mu truly intervened in the court’s affairs. So why was it suddenly at 80%?
After the beep of the system had passed, Shen Qingyao suddenly turned pale. A sharp pain struck her heart, and she groaned, curling up in agony. Lu Zhao quickly supported her, anxiously asking, “Yaoyao, what’s wrong?”
Shen Qingyao grabbed his arm, thinking it must be the system playing tricks again. She wanted to say she was fine, but the pain was so intense she couldn’t speak. Lu Zhao’s face darkened; he knew her heart condition must have flared up again. He immediately called out, “Go fetch Kong Lin!”
Kong Lin had been staying at the Lu Mansion these past few months and had formulated several prescriptions, although they only alleviated rather than cured her heart condition. Nevertheless, they were somewhat effective, and Shen Qingyao’s attacks were no longer as frequent as before. Now, with her suddenly in pain again, it was no wonder Lu Zhao was so anxious.
Outside, it immediately became noisy. Cui Qiao was anxious to find Kong Lin, while Hong Yun instructed the servants to light the stove and prepare medicinal herbs. Amidst the clamor, a figure hurriedly flew in from outside the courtyard, panting heavily with sweat when he landed in front of them.
Shen Qingyao glanced up in difficulty—it was one of the covert guards beside Lu Zhao, whom she had seen a few times.
Before the covert guard could catch his breath, he hastily pulled out two sealed letters from his bosom and presented them, saying sharply, “Master, urgent news from the Northern Frontier and the capital! The Emperor has passed away! Ninth Prince Xiao Jing has taken control of the Imperial Guards, joined forces with the East Sea Garrison, seized control of the capital, and detained the imperial princes and ministers in their residences. He plans to ascend the throne soon!”
“What?!” Shen Qingyao’s face grew even paler, and Lu Zhao’s expression darkened.
The covert guard continued, “That’s not all. Xiao Jing has also issued an edict summoning the regional princes to mourn the late Emperor, but… only allows them to enter the palace alone.”
Shen Qingyao was shaken by this series of revelations. She struggled to sit up straight and exclaimed in alarm, “How can this be! Entering the palace alone—it’s like walking into a trap, delivering oneself to the wolves!”
She hadn’t forgotten that her brother-in-law, Xiao Mu, was also one of the regional princes.
Seeing it was her speaking, the covert guard wasn’t surprised and continued solemnly, “Indeed. Therefore, all the regional princes have refused the edict. Xiao Jing accuses them of disloyalty and plans to march against them.”
Is Xiao Jing mad?
That was Shen Qingyao’s only thought. With just the Imperial Guards and possibly the East Sea Garrison, how dare he openly challenge the regional princes who control military power?
She anxiously looked at Lu Zhao, who remained silent with a grave expression, seemingly pondering Xiao Jing’s motives. Just then, Kong Lin arrived, and the covert guard discreetly withdrew to the side. Kong Lin began examining her pulse, and only after did Lu Zhao comfort her and then take the covert guard to the study.
Once they left, Lu Zhao didn’t return that night. It wasn’t until dawn broke that he returned to the room exhausted. Shen Qingyao, who had been unable to sleep well with the study’s light on all night, woke up when he entered. She sat up as he lay down beside her.
“Did I wake you?” Lu Zhao whispered.
“No, I was already awake,” she shook her head and replied softly.
The little girl always loved to sleep in, so how could she possibly wake up at this hour? Lu Zhao gently brushed the faint bags under her eyes, knowing she must not have slept well all night. He sighed, took off his outer garments and shoes, and lay down beside her.
Shen Qingyao turned to lean against his arm and looked up at him. “Luzhao, what should we do next?”
Lu Zhao closed his eyes and slowly opened them upon hearing her question. After a moment, he spoke in a subdued voice, “The regional princes have all rejected Xiao Jing’s edict; no one acknowledges him as Emperor. Everyone harbors thoughts of replacing him. Xiao Jing commands the Imperial Guards and the East Sea Garrison—not the strongest forces, but the East Sea is wealthy and naturally strong militarily. It’s closest to the capital, giving it advantages in both defense and offense. This cannot be underestimated. To the west, several regional princes hold sway; to the north, there’s Prince Ning, Xiao Mu; the south is barren, relatively calm. Xiao Mu wants me to stabilize the Southern Border to guard against potential attacks from Nanzhao.”
As Lu Zhao spoke, his brow furrowed slightly, suggesting some disagreement with Xiao Mu’s arrangement.
Listening, Shen Qingyao was stunned. Not only had the plot advanced prematurely, with the Emperor’s early passing, but even the East Sea Garrison, which was supposed to be under Lu Zhao’s joint command after his turning evil, was now prematurely in Xiao Jing’s hands. How could this happen? She couldn’t help asking, “Is stabilizing the Southern Border enough?”
Lu Zhao gently shook his head. “It’s safe, but not the best strategy.”
“Hmm?” Shen Qingyao tilted her head. Though not fully understanding, she still wanted to hear him explain.
“We’re separated—one in the north, one in the south. The distance is too great for effective cooperation. If we stabilize, in the long run, the realm will splinter into regional factions, inevitably causing widespread suffering. It’s not a sustainable solution.”
“Why does Xiao Jing want to create such a situation?” Shen Qingyao paused, finally asking the question.
Lu Zhao smirked coldly. “Because the East Sea is immensely wealthy, they lack neither funds nor provisions. Expanding from the capital, the most prosperous area in all of Great Liang with its large population, he can rapidly bolster his forces. Once the factions form, the regional princes won’t unite against him, making it easier for him to defeat them one by one…” Lu Zhao narrowed his eyes dangerously. “Isn’t this better than being surrounded and besieged by all?”
Shen Qingyao opened her mouth, unable to deny that it was indeed a cunning plan. If Xiao Jing’s intentions were as Lu Zhao described, then even if Xiao Mu wanted to raise troops for the Emperor, he would face resistance from all sides. After all, everyone with military power coveted the throne.