Chapter 35: Princess Pingling

Chapter 35: Princess Pingling

The Cining Palace became quiet.

Fang Yun, upon realizing what had happened, looked at Shi Yuanxi in surprise.

Countless women had made contributions, but she was the first to make such a specific request.

However, there was no precedent for women to hold official positions then. Even if she had successfully modified the new firearm, it wouldn't warrant such a grand reward!

Especially since she was dealing with Empress Dowager Wei.

Empress Dowager Wei was the only woman among the powerful figures in the capital, but her power was derived from her husband and son. In reality, it was Wei Changhong who was primarily in control of the court.

Empress Dowager Wei was hard to persuade. How could she think that Empress Dowager Wei would agree to such a thing?

After serving in the Jingji Camp for many years, Fang Yun was particularly familiar with the top members of the Wei family.

Even Wei Changhong's own daughter had to marry according to tradition.

As for Shi Yuanxi... it was even less likely.

Indeed.

He saw Empress Dowager Wei's expression turn cold, her gaze towards Shi Yuanxi carrying a hint of coldness: "...I am entrusted by the ministers to safeguard the Liang dynasty on behalf of the emperor."

"Even in everyday life, I must adhere to ancestral rules." Empress Dowager Wei paused, her previous kindness completely gone, leaving only the cold arrogance of a ruler: "Now, with just this blueprint, you want me to set a precedent for you."

"You have read a few books, how can you be so confused?" Empress Dowager Wei sneered: "Surely your mother has taught you what is expected of a lady."

"Did she not tell you that such behavior is real overstepping?!"

The entire hall suddenly went silent.

The palace servants nearby, seeing this, all lowered their heads, not daring to speak.

Shi Yuanxi lowered her eyes, not at all surprised by Empress Dowager Wei's reaction.

If the path were so simple, why would she have gone through such great lengths to take the imperial examinations and seek refuge with Imperial Concubine Zhou? She could have just approached the Wei family with the double-barreled assault rifle she currently possessed.

Before she spoke, she knew Empress Dowager Wei would not agree.

But no matter what her attitude was, Shi Yuanxi would say what she had to say.

This was just a sign of her intent to enter the court.

What they thought was unimportant; all she needed was to clearly express her needs.

Shi Yuanxi bowed slightly towards Empress Dowager Wei and said, "This student knows that this is an abrupt request."

"But all the students of the top class in the Imperial Academy can become officials, except for this student." She paused, then spoke clearly: "This student has read the books of sages, and submitted the blueprint for the firearm modification, all with the intention of serving the nation."

"There is indeed no precedent for women to hold official positions in the court, but women are not without capabilities."

Her words were directed at Empress Dowager Wei.

If women's ambitions and power were of no use, why would Empress Dowager Wei take care of someone else's son and involve herself in the court?

Shi Yuanxi did not express this too explicitly, but everyone present could understand her meaning.

Empress Dowager Wei sneered at these words.

How could Shi Yuanxi compare to someone backed by the entire Wei family?

But Empress Dowager Wei wouldn't come out and say it directly.

She only said, "A single uncertain blueprint isn't enough to make you famous in history."

There was no need to say more.

There was no way she'd open that door for her.

"Forget I ever said it," Empress Dowager Wei looked at her, her eyes carrying a hidden warning.

Fang Yun glanced at Shi Yuanxi.

If she were thinking clearly, she'd back down right away.

If she really angered the Wei family, she'd lose everything, and Empress Dowager Wei could slap any charge on her.

And she had nothing else to offer except this blueprint.

Shi Yuanxi lowered her gaze, thinking for a while.

Empress Dowager Wei played with the flowers in front of her, not rushing her.

After a long silence, she finally said, "This student has another request."

Fang Yun finally breathed a sigh of relief.

The modification plan wasn't finalized yet, and he didn't want Shi Yuanxi to offend Empress Dowager Wei right now.

It was best that she was reasonable.

By the time Shi Yuanxi left the palace, the sky had completely darkened.

She glanced back at the palace in the deep night, then got into the carriage after Fang Yun.

Fang Yun's attitude toward her, on the other hand, was unusually warm. He led the way to the Shi residence entrance before mounting his horse and leaving.

Shi Yuanxi returned home late, but the entire Shi residence was still brightly lit.

Zhang Mama was just waiting for her at the door. As soon as she saw her, she softly said, "Miss, the master and mistress would like you in the main hall."

Zhang Mama glanced at Shi Yuanxi's face before adding, "The heir of the Prince of Zhenbei is here too."

Shi Yuanxi raised an eyebrow.

Pei Jixi hadn't shown up since the last teacher's banquet.

On New Year's Eve, she heard officials congratulating him, saying they would toast his wedding next year.

His wedding to Jiang Jingwan was already being planned. He must be here for the firearm modification.

The weather was still bitterly cold. In the Shi residence courtyard, everything was withered, and everyone shrank back as a gust of cold wind blew.

Shi Yuanxi braced against the biting cold wind and stepped into the main hall.

As soon as she entered the main hall, she made eye contact with Pei Jixi, who was seated in the central position.

Pei Jixi was holding a cup of hot tea, and after seeing her enter, he placed the cup on the table beside him.

Shi Zhiyuan wanted to ask Shi Yuanxi about the matters in the palace as soon as he saw her, but before he could speak, he heard the man beside him say calmly, "Pour some tea."

There was a cup of tea beside Pei Jixi's hand, and by asking for tea to be poured now, it could only be for Shi Yuanxi, who had just entered.

The maid from the Shi family quickly reacted and prepared a hot cup of tea for Shi Yuanxi.

After taking a few sips, Shi Yuanxi slowly felt warm.

She naturally took a seat at the lower end of the hall, put down her tea cup, and asked directly, "It's already late at night, why is the heir still at the Shi residence at this hour?"

She glanced around the main hall and noticed that apart from the maid who had just served tea, there were only her, Pei Jixi, and Shi Zhiyuan present.

Jiang Jingwan, who usually accompanied Pei Jixi, was absent, nor was Lady Xiao.

Pei Jixi's gaze fell on her, and he said bluntly, "The reform of firearms is a significant matter. After the news of your visit to the palace spread, many people have been keeping an eye on you."

Pei Jixi was particularly surprised when he heard this news several days ago.

But since it was she who used the firearm to kill someone, it seemed somewhat reasonable.

After all, when they first met, she had the audacity to kick the person she was supposed to meet into the lake.

However, the reform method also originated from her, which was something Pei Jixi had not anticipated.

What surprised him even more was that she turned it over to the Wei family.

Given the previous events, it was understandable for her not to turn it over to him.

But turning it over to the Wei family was like making a pact with the devil.

Even if she had turned it over to Xie Yuwei, it would have been more appropriate than giving it to the Wei family.

His expression grew serious as he spoke again, "The Wei family is ambitious. After this, you have come into the sight of the court. The Wei family needs your assistance in the reform, but they won't stand up for you."

"Yuanxi, you are putting yourself in danger."

Shi Zhiyuan, who was beside her, also looked grim, and he wasn't the only one; the entire Shi family was affected by Shi Yuanxi's actions.

There were already many people making indirect inquiries today, and who knows what they might encounter in the future.

In his opinion, Shi Yuanxi's actions were utterly reckless.

Shi Yuanxi, however, stayed calm and only said, "Thank you for your concern, heir."

"But that's too late," she lowered her head to drink tea, "I have already handed the blueprint for the firearm reform to Empress Dowager Wei."

The entire main hall suddenly fell silent.

Shi Zhiyuan's face became especially grim in an instant.

"You are truly audacious!" Shi Zhiyuan couldn't restrain himself and finally spoke up.

He stood up and paced back and forth in the main hall, his face dark as he said, "Such a significant matter, why didn't you consult the family before handling it? Do you know that your actions will affect the entire Shi family!?"

"Consult?" Shi Yuanxi looked up at him upon hearing this, "Listen to Uncle's words, when you were arranging those disgraceful marriages for me, agreeing to make me a concubine, you didn't consult me either."

"You are completely unreasonable!" Shi Zhiyuan pointed at her, trembling with anger. "How can such a thing be compared to matters of marriage? Besides, in the entire capital, parents make the decisions for their daughters. Now you, with your increasingly stubborn resolve, completely disregard the wishes of your family!"

"And you dare to talk about having a title! I ask you, since you value this title so much, how can you not see the power struggles in the court!? You gave the blueprint to the Wei family, do you think the other two will let it pass? Even if you were once engaged to Xie Yuwei, do you think he'll spare you over a trivial former engagement!?"

"The day the firearm reform is truly implemented will be the day you die!"

Shi Zhiyuan's anger boiled over. What angered him was not only Shi Yuanxi's disregard for her own safety, but also that her actions would implicate him and bring disaster to the entire Shi family.

"Lord Shi." Pei Jixi promptly called out to Shi Zhiyuan, but he did not contradict Shi Zhiyuan's words. Instead, he looked at Shi Yuanxi and said, "Xie and Xu are not easy to deal with."

"No matter what you say, you are already entangled in the power struggles of the court." Pei Jixi's gaze was fixed on her. "In the capital, few people can protect you."

"No." Shi Zhiyuan interrupted. "Since she insists on acting so recklessly, neither the Shi residence nor the capital has a place for her anymore."

"Therefore, you should have your people pack your things early tomorrow morning and leave the capital directly, return to your Yuezhou!"

Shi Zhiyuan sneered, "The Shi residence is too small to house a great figure like you."

Zhang Mama, who had been waiting outside, felt her heart race upon hearing Shi Zhiyuan's words.

When Pei Jixi came today, she had a bad feeling, but Shi Yuanxi went to the palace instead of the Imperial College, so the message couldn't be delivered.

Zhang Mama had no choice but to wait for Shi Yuanxi to return.

But she didn't expect that Shi Zhiyuan, in an attempt to avoid disaster, would override Shi Yuanxi's wishes and send her away.

Shi Yuanxi had already given the blueprint to the Wei family, and the Wei family might not oppose Shi Zhiyuan's decision to send her away now.

Thus, not only would she be unable to continue her studies at the Imperial College, but she might not even be allowed to stay in the capital.

Zhang Mama was extremely worried and couldn't resist glancing back into the main hall.

Through the door and the screen, she couldn't see clearly, but she caught a glimpse of Pei Jixi sitting at the head, his eyes fixed on Shi Yuanxi.

What Zhang Mama could feel outside, Shi Yuanxi naturally could feel inside.

She sat quietly below, lightly tugging at the corner of her mouth.

She didn't expect that even after she had spoken so plainly last time, Pei Jixi still hadn't given up.

No, perhaps Pei Jixi had already given up.

But after she produced the firearm reform blueprint, he became interested again.

What he could get from her before was only beauty, but now it's different—she has the firearm reform blueprint.

And Pei Jixi has a strong army. If he could get the blueprint from Shi Yuanxi, it would be like adding wings to a tiger.

The Zhenbei army led by the Zhenbei Marquis's household, before the previous emperor ascended the throne, was already despised by Huai Kang Di due to their involvement in Prince Yu's rebellion.

Although they still command tens of thousands of troops, they are far from their former glory.

During this time, Shi Yuanxi has learned much from various sources, including the treatment of the Zhenbei army in recent years.

It's not much different from what she thought. After the previous emperor ascended the throne, he did not value the Zhenbei army.

Before the previous emperor passed away, the Zhenbei army had already shown significant decline.

Pei Jixi does not have much competitiveness in the vast court.

A lean camel is still bigger than a horse, and the Zhenbei army that returned with him after suppressing the rebellion still stands by him.

Various powerful factions in the capital have also tried to win him over.

Currently, it seems Pei Jixi has been slow to make a decision not because he was troubled by the Xie and Wei families, but rather, he is waiting for the right opportunity.

And now, he seems to believe that Shi Yuanxi may bring him this opportunity.

Once Shi Yuanxi had thought it through, she found it increasingly ridiculous.

Because of what happened before, Pei Jixi has become more cautious and is not as overbearing as he used to be, directly pressuring her with his words.

Instead, he and Shi Zhiyuan are taking on the roles of good cop and bad cop together.

Shi Zhiyuan's words were hardly meant to drive her away but clearly intended to block her every way out.

"Yuanxi," the main hall was eerily quiet, Pei Jixi locked eyes with her, his eyes burned with determination, and without a moment's hesitation, he spoke directly: "What I told you before still holds true."

"As long as you are willing, the 70,000-strong Zhenbei army will be your fallback." Before she could speak, Pei Jixi continued, "I am willing to take you in as my official wife."

"From then on, the Zhenbei army will advance and retreat with you, and no one will overtake you."

That day, Xu Jinghe's words had always bothered Pei Jixi, and after much consideration, he felt that Shi Yuanxi would not settle for second best, and all he could offer was a concubine position.

This was an insult to Shi Yuanxi.

However, Jiang Jingwan and he were no longer in an ordinary engagement, and he couldn't just abandon Jiang Jingwan completely.

In such a situation, with someone like Xu Jinghe blocking the way, Pei Jixi had thought he would have to let go of Shi Yuanxi.

He never expected that she would modify firearms.

Pei Jixi had traveled to many places in recent years and had secretly met many talented individuals.

To revitalize the Zhenbei army, he needed powerful weapons.

But throughout the entire Liang dynasty, there were only a handful of people who could make firearms.

The craftsmen he managed to find produced items that were vastly inferior to the court's firearms and were completely unusable.

This had troubled him for a long time, and he never expected her to bring him such a big surprise.

With the method to modify firearms, she was the most suitable and perfect candidate to be the Lady of the Zhenbei Marquis.

Any previous obstacles would no longer be an issue.

The importance of firearms to the entire Zhenbei army was above everything else.

As for Jiang Jingwan, before he came, he had met her and said that he had a villa in Yanzhou, and if she was willing, he would give her the estate along with a sum of money, enough for her and her brother to live comfortably for half their lives.

Before he left, Jiang Jingwan cried uncontrollably.

But Pei Jixi still did not stay.

This was the best arrangement he could make at the moment.

In the midst of complete silence, Pei Jixi's voice was hoarse but firm: "The entire Zhenbei Marquis's household will have only one mistress."

This was his solemn promise.

After hearing these words, Shi Yuanxi could no longer hold back and lifted her head to look at him.

She said, "This world's affairs are truly intriguing."

Upon hearing this, both Shi Zhiyuan and Pei Jixi couldn't help but look up at her.

They saw that Shi Yuanxi's expression remained calm. Despite Pei Jixi's heavy promise, she displayed neither sadness nor happiness. Her dark eyes, for no discernible reason, sent a chill down their spines: "Pei Jixi, what do you suppose Jiang Jingwan is feeling right now?"

"Back then, she was in love with you, and you needed her. Even though we were engaged, you still severed ties with me and chose her." Shi Yuanxi chuckled, her beautiful face alive with mockery.

"Who would have thought that years later, the tables would turn, and you ended up needing me instead of her. Even the way you handled it was no different from before—you simply abandoned her and turned to me."

Shi Yuanxi straightened her dress and casually glanced at him: "So, to you, Pei Jixi, women are nothing more than tools for gaining power. It could be me, it could be her, it could be anyone, as long as they bring you enough benefits and advantages."

Pei Jixi's expression darkened: "I've already told you, what happened back then was unavoidable. And all these years, Jiang Jingwan and I have remained above board, never crossing the line. In my heart, I've always seen her as a sister."

Shi Yuanxi laughed: "When you needed her, she was the deputy general's sister, someone you were responsible for your whole life. Once you no longer needed her, she was just your innocent sister."

"Sadly," Shi Yuanxi shook her head, "I can't say how Jiang Jingwan feels today, but I, Shi Yuanxi, am not your sister."

"If Pei Jixi wants the blueprint for the firearms modification, he can go ask the Empress Dowager." Shi Yuanxi suddenly dropped all expression and said emotionlessly, "My blueprint is not up for grabs."

She saw through the thoughts of both men, understood their intentions completely, and laid them bare without hesitation.

Pei Jixi's expression darkened, while Shi Zhiyuan's face flushed red with embarrassment.

Not from the heat, but from sheer embarrassment.

They were all the same, calculating every detail meticulously, yet unable to face the fact that they depended on women for power.

They even felt that Shi Yuanxi's words were especially harsh, as if they had hurt Pei Jixi's genuine feelings.

Genuine?

Shi Yuanxi simply lowered her head and gave a cold laugh.

"Shi Yuanxi, what's gotten into you? Pei Jixi has been thinking only of you, and yet..."

She took a sip of tea and directly interrupted Shi Zhiyuan: "As for you, Uncle, I know you. You've been working tirelessly in the court for years but never got the chance to rise. You want to climb higher but see no way up."

"Fortunately, my aunt is from the Xiao family of Yanzhou—a fact many don't know, including that the late wife of the Northern Marquis was also from the Xiao family of Yanzhou."

"You're timid and overly cautious, believing only blood relations can secure lasting alliances."

"You, who've repeatedly used your niece's marriage as a stepping stone, are now afraid of being implicated by her." Shi Yuanxi looked at him leisurely: "When you wanted to marry me off to Pei Jixi, why weren't you afraid of me implicating you?"

Shi Zhiyuan was so angry that his face turned pale, and he shouted, "Fine! Since you're so arrogant and disregard everything, go pack your things and leave the capital now!"

With the matter of merit and the firearms modification, Shi Zhiyuan didn't know what Shi Yuanxi's true intentions were, but he saw her blatant ambition.

Her ambitions and ideas could only be realized in the capital, at the Imperial Academy.

These things, Shi Zhiyuan thought, could be easily crushed.

Whether it was sending her to Yuezhou or simply not letting her go to the Imperial Academy tomorrow, she would be helpless.

Shi Zhiyuan thought he had grasped Shi Yuanxi's weakness. As long as she had even the slightest reluctance, she wouldn't easily leave the capital.

Pei Jixi was silent because of her earlier words.

The situation in the court was too tense, leaving her with few options to remain in the capital.

With no one to support her, a bleak outcome was inevitable.

Seeing the two of them looking at her with such certainty, Shi Yuanxi couldn't help but laugh.

She immediately stood up, took something out of her sleeve, and handed it directly to Shi Zhiyuan.

"I originally planned to inform the household tomorrow, but I didn't expect Uncle to be in such a hurry. Since that's the case, Uncle might as well take a good look."

Shi Zhiyuan's expression changed as he stared at the item in her hand. "This..."

"It's an imperial edict, Uncle. Don't you recognize it?" Seeing that he didn't take it, Shi Yuanxi unfolded the edict in front of them and read aloud, "...Regarding the modification of firearms, this change is of great importance to the state and has far-reaching implications. Shi Yuanxi has voluntarily offered a valuable strategy and made a significant contribution. Henceforth, she is hereby granted the title of Princess Pingling."

"A princess's residence is granted to her, and she is awarded a thousand taels of gold. Princess Pingling is a person of merit in the Liang dynasty. From now on, no one is permitted to interfere with the affairs of Princess Pingling. So it is decreed—"

All decisions are now in her own hands.

This was the freedom Shi Yuanxi had obtained from Empress Dowager Wei.

Shi Yuanxi coldly watched the expression on Shi Zhiyuan's face and said slowly, "It is late today, so there's no need for Minister Shi to pay respects. Just remember in the future that the nameless niece of the Shi family can be dealt with as you please."

"But the Princess Pingling, personally enfeoffed by the Emperor, cannot be casually discussed by you." She looked at him coldly, "Does Minister Shi understand?"