Chapter 10

Chapter 10

Like every dynasty nearing its end, the current Great Qi is facing a multitude of problems: factional conflicts between the elite families and the civil servants of modest origins, eunuchs involved in politics and wielding military power, indirectly manipulating the emperor, border generals gathering troops and ignoring central orders, neighboring countries watching greedily, ready to attack when vulnerable, occasional peasant revolts, and the financial deficit resulting from these interconnected issues.

Su Yu knows full well that the powerful view her current actions as minor disturbances, unpleasant but not threatening their core interests.

The smooth negotiation with Lu Zhenghan is only because he believes that the three thousand men under Yu Chiyi are essentially his own, and the title of General of the Yuan Cong Guard is merely a hollow title.

As for Yu Chiyi, though not favored by Su Yan, he is comparatively compliant among the border generals. Moreover, the Yu Chi army suffered heavy losses eight years ago, and even now, with a recovery to eighty thousand troops, the number of guards in the capital far exceeds this, rendering it insignificant next to the hundreds of thousands of northern border troops.

The current outcome is less about Lu Zhenghan compromising with her and more about his desire to maintain equilibrium. The elite families also do not want the imperial power to be too weak, completely controlled by the eunuchs—

This presents an opportunity.

Su Yu's eyes sparkled as she met Xie Yiguan's suspicious gaze, her smile radiant. Having already achieved her goals, she couldn't afford to let outsiders perceive her as too "clever" and difficult to manage. She needed them to know that just a little sweetness would satisfy her.

"Xie Yiguan, where in the capital has the best wine? I want to congratulate General Yu on becoming the General of the Yuan Cong Guard and treat you all to a round of drinks."

The doubt in Xie Yiguan's eyes grew.

That evening, Su Yu hosted a lavish banquet in the garden, not only bringing Yu Chiyi but also Xie Yiguan.

Yu Chiyou and Su Chengying also joined the festivities, with Yu Chiyou following Yu Chiyi in the military camp, already used to drinking and eating with gusto.

As for Su Chengying, Su Yu pulled him aside, patted his head, and smiled, "You're still a child, no drinking allowed."

She requested milk, fruits, and tea-making utensils—

Having previously worked part-time at a milk tea shop, she was skilled at making milk tea. Though the tools were limited, she could froth the milk using the tea whisk.

Thus, they watched as Princess Pingshan poured milk into a bowl, whisked it with the tea brush, and soon produced foam. She diced the fruits, added them to the milk, sprinkled sugar, and poured in the foam.

Is this... edible? They were rather doubtful.

"You drink this," Su Yu said with a smile, placing it in front of Su Chengying.

Su Chengying cautiously took a sip, and his heterochromatic eyes immediately lit up. He held the bowl and drank it down in one go.

Yu Chiyou, feeling jealous, asked, "Your Highness, is this only for him?"

Seeing Yu Chiyi glance at him, Yu Chiyou reluctantly added, "I have wine, after all, I'm no longer a child."

Unfortunately, Su Chengying didn't catch the provocation in his words. His black and blue eyes hid a smile as he looked down; this was his alone, his unique...

Drinking late into the night, Xie Yiguan tried several times to leave but was pulled back by Yu Chiyi, forced to stay and drink cup after cup.

Xie Yiguan: "..."

Clutching his wine cup, he glanced around beneath the swaying lanterns suspended from the branches, at the singing generals and the ever-smiling Princess Pingshan.

In the hazy moonlight, Princess Pingshan seemed to shed her daytime pretense of gentleness, her eyes cunning, almost bewitching. Could such beauty truly belong to a man?

Xie Yiguan shook his cup, startled back to reality, and met Su Yu's caring gaze.

Su Yu's eyes were clear, devoid of any seductive charm. He must have been mistaken earlier, Xie Yiguan thought.

Good news doesn't travel far, but bad news spreads quickly. Perhaps due to the loud voices of Yu Chiyi and the other military men, the whole capital knew about Princess Pingshan's all-night revelry in the garden.

The next day, the ladies from the Imperial Wardrobe Bureau, who came to take measurements, had already heard rumors. Smelling the lingering alcohol on Princess Pingshan, they confirmed the story.

However, Su Yu was the soon-to-be-enthroned new monarch, so even if the officials had some reservations in their hearts, they remained respectful on the surface. It was just that their unfavorable impression made Su Yu's stunning face seem rather ordinary.

When Xie Yiguan arrived, he carried a faint scent of lingering alcohol, which shocked the officials present.

They had thought that someone as upright and proper as Xie Yiguan would not indulge with Princess Pingshan. Was it truly a case of "bad company corrupts good character"?

Xie Yiguan, still nursing a headache, didn't notice the officials' glances. He rubbed his throbbing forehead and, leveraging his vast knowledge and photographic memory, finalized the twelve imperial insignias on the ceremonial robe with the officials.

In no time, the officials' gazes shifted again. Truly, he was the number one gentleman of the capital! Knowledgeable, graceful, and his words as gentle as a warm breeze! In contrast, Princess Pingshan, who knew nothing, made the comparison rather stark.

After giving his instructions, Xie Yiguan turned to Su Yu and asked, "Your Highness, does this look acceptable?"

He gave Su Yu ample respect.

"I don't know any of this. I'll leave it all to Xie Yiguan," Su Yu said, looking at Xie Yiguan with admiration.

It must be said that when her affectionate peach-blossom eyes gazed at someone with admiration, even Xie Yiguan found it quite flattering.

But was Princess Pingshan's waist a bit too slender?

Xie Yiguan glanced at Su Yu, who was being measured by the officials. They used a thin cord to outline her waist, which was so slender that Xie Yiguan felt he could wrap his hand around it.

Great Qi was not strict about gender boundaries. Unmarried men and women could exchange invitations through their siblings and arrange to go on outings together. Although men and women would often keep to their own groups, they could still see each other from a distance. If someone caught their eye, they would inform their families, who would then seek a matchmaker if they deemed it suitable.

Xie Yiguan occasionally accompanied his sister, Xie Yixin, on such outings. But as he recalled, Princess Pingshan's waist was exceptionally slender even among women, let alone among men.

He couldn't help but glance a few more times, only to have his view blocked.

Yu Chiyou, carrying twin swords, stepped between him and Su Yu. The tall, broad-shouldered youth with a narrow waist made Su Yu appear even more delicate by comparison.

Xie Yiguan frowned, suddenly recalling the unique Princess Pingshan from that night. Had he really been mistaken?

"Xie Yiguan, are you trying to figure something out by staring at me?" Su Yu met Xie Yiguan's gaze with ease, her hand resting on Yu Chiyou's shoulder as she gestured a few times. She then instructed the officials to make an official robe for Yu Chiyou and told him to fetch Su Chengying.

Yu Chiyou muttered under his breath, "Your Highness, aren't you being a bit too good to that kid?"

Despite his grumbling, he obediently went to fetch Su Chengying.

Su Chengying was stunned when he heard he was to be given a set of fine clothes. He pointed at himself in disbelief, "For me?"

"We're short on time, so we'll make you one set for now. When we have more time later, we'll make you a couple more," Su Yu said with a smile.

Su Chengying glanced at her secretly. Her eyes were truly beautiful, light and clear, like the most exquisite glass beads he had ever seen. Unconsciously, he mimicked her, curling the corners of his lips slightly.

Since Su Chengying was getting new clothes, Yu Chiyi should also get a set.

Xie Yiguan: "..." Is the Imperial Wardrobe Bureau your personal tailor?

He thought about it and realized that, indeed, the Imperial Wardrobe Bureau was essentially Su Yu's family's. He could only rub his still-throbbing forehead and gently remind Su Yu that the ceremonial robe was already a rush job, and they shouldn't add more work to the bureau.

"Since everyone's here, let's measure them all. Xie Yiguan, do you want a set too? We'll embroider this pattern for each of you," Su Yu said with the air of a nouveau riche, making Xie Yiguan feel embarrassed to even look, not to mention the visibly distressed officials.

With Su Yu's antics, Xie Yiguan forgot his earlier suspicions about her. He could only remind her with a headache that the twelve imperial insignias were reserved for the emperor, and even the nine insignias were only for the crown prince and first-rank officials. Yu Chiyi, Yu Chiyou, and Su Chengying were not eligible.

Su Yu stroked her smooth chin and suddenly thought of a question, "Then what rank is the General of the Imperial Guard that I personally appointed?"

She had been careless! She had forgotten to negotiate the rank with Lu Zhenghan.

"..." Xie Yiguan coughed lightly, "According to convention, it should be the third rank."

"Then let's make the official robes according to the third-rank specifications," Su Yu immediately decided.

Before the officials from the Imperial Wardrobe Bureau could leave, soldiers came to report that a eunuch had arrived, bringing seven beautiful women with him.

The eunuch was named Yang Jiudong.

Yang Jiudong said, "I heard that Your Highness had no attendants while drinking last night. General Liu specifically instructed me to bring these seven women to Your Highness."

Liu Sanen had many titles but preferred "General Liu."

Su Yu glanced at the seven beauties, each with their own unique charm, and even she, a woman, was impressed.

She said to Yang Jiudong, "Please convey my thanks to General Liu, but seven seems a bit insufficient. I’ve heard there are dedicated dancers in the palace. Could you arrange for a few more to be sent over?"

Yang Jiudong cleared his throat loudly. This Princess Pingshan was even more bold than he had imagined. He could only respond tactfully, "I will report this to General Liu. I must take my leave now."

Leaving the seven beauties behind, Yang Jiudong hurried away, afraid Su Yu might try to keep him.

Su Yu smiled as she saw him off, then turned around to find four pairs of eyes fixed on her.

Su Yu: "..."

Why are they looking at me like that? Even if she wanted to, she didn’t have the means to do anything, of course, she couldn't say that out loud.

She could only blink innocently, feigning ignorance, "Since they were sent over, I’ll just take them in."

Xie Yiguan knew Su Yu couldn’t afford to clash with Liu Sanen now, but accepting these seven was one thing, asking for dancers was another...

He studied Su Yu carefully, speaking in a soft tone, "So, how does Your Highness plan to arrange for these seven ladies?"

Yu Chiyi’s piercing, eagle-like gaze bore into Su Yu, as if trying to see through her.

Su Yu turned back to face the seven beauties, smiling warmly, "What are you skilled at?"

The seven beauties exchanged glances, and one of them bravely replied, "Your Highness, I am skilled in dancing."

Su Yu nodded, "Since there's a dancer, is there anyone who plays an instrument?"

A round-faced girl quickly said, "I can play the pipa."

Su Yu smiled, "Perfect, you two can play the pipa and dance to liven things up. The other five can join me for some games."

Yu Chiyi’s face darkened, and he moved to pull Yu Chiyou away, but Su Yu stopped him, "Wait, Ayou stays to play with me. Oh, and Chengying can stay too. The more the merrier, it'll be more fun."

Xie Yiguan and Yu Chiyi: "..." They never expected that Su Yu, who hadn't even become emperor yet, would be more extravagant than Su Yan!

Yu Chiyi lost his usual composure for the first time, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword, clearly intending to forcibly take Yu Chiyou away.

Yu Chiyou sensed the tension and cautiously asked, "What game does Your Highness want to play? If it's more fun with more people, can my uncle stay too?"

Yu Chiyi: "..." You really are my own flesh and blood!