Chapter 4: Such a Person, She Wanted…

**Chapter 4: This Is the Kind of Person She Wants...**

The cold wind howled through the courtyard, which was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. Only the dull thuds of punishment from outside broke the silence, accompanied by pleading cries that gradually grew weaker until all was still.

Only the guards’ calm and indifferent counting remained: “Twenty-two, twenty-three…”

The maids throughout the courtyard trembled at the sound, as if it were a sound of doom—shivering even while kneeling on the ground.

Xie Lingyu stood quietly, listening for a long moment before suddenly speaking: “Nanny Hua.”

Her tone was still soft and even, but this time, to Nanny Hua’s ears, it struck like thunder, leaving no room for hesitation or delay.

Nanny Hua, already on her knees, crawled forward a bit and replied respectfully, “Your servant is here.”

“Earlier, I heard Xue Gui call you ‘sister’?”

Nanny Hua pressed her forehead to the ground. “Your Highness, please see the truth—your servant has no connection to that wretched Xue Gui! He was trying to drag me down with him. Your Highness has treated your servant so kindly—how could I ever commit such heartless acts?”

Xie Lingyu looked down at her, watching her desperate pleas without a trace of sympathy.

But now wasn’t the time to deal with her.

She turned her gaze to the maids kneeling across the courtyard. “Xue Gui, as steward of Shangyang Palace, abused his power, preying on the weak with cruelty beyond measure. Once his punishment ends, whether he lives or dies, he is to be banished for good from Shangyang Palace. As for his theft and embezzlement of palace property—the proof is undeniable. I know he wasn’t acting alone, but as the ringleader, he must bear the greatest blame. Anyone who comes forward voluntarily, returning stolen goods or money, will be forgiven for their past misdeeds.”

Though none dared lift their heads, many let out a quiet sigh of relief.

“But anyone who dares to break the rules again will suffer the same fate as Xue Gui.”

A sharp edge of coldness crept into Xie Lingyu’s voice, sending chills through the crowd, their backs clammy with sweat.

By dinnertime, Ting He had returned from being sent to re-inventory the items in Shangyang Palace.

She couldn’t help but remark, “Your Highness, you’re truly formidable. You made just one move and yet exposed so many thieves.”

Perhaps it was the sight of Xue Gui’s grim fate that shattered any illusions of escape.

Though he survived the thirty lashes, it was said he barely made it home before he died.

And with Xie Lingyu holding Xue Gui’s ledger, who’d dare risk it?

Luckily, she had declared only the ringleader would be punished.

So everyone involved hurriedly brought back what they had stolen or repaid the value of the goods.

“Your Highness, you should’ve seen the stuff they stole—everything under the sun! When they returned them, the storeroom entrance was piled high. Registrar Qiu was scribbling all afternoon—his hand nearly gave out!”

“It seems we hit the jackpot,” Xie Lingyu mused.

Ting He, seeing her lighthearted tone, teased gently, “Your Highness, how are you not even mad?”

Mad?

After facing life and death, something this small hardly warranted anger.

Xie Lingyu replied calmly, “If one person makes a mistake, it’s their fault. But when so many do, it shows I’ve been too lenient. Their mistakes are mine too.”

“Your Highness mustn’t blame yourself! Your kindness was mercy to us servants—it’s those ungrateful wretches who are at fault!”

Chun Xi protested immediately.

Ting He nodded in agreement: "Exactly. Your Highness has always been kind to us servants, never severely punishing even those who made mistakes. That’s what gave them the nerve—how could it be Your Highness’s fault?"

After speaking, Ting He lowered her voice:

"Your Highness, I heard Nanny Hua came down with a high fever after returning the stolen items."

"Has a physician been called?" Xie Lingyu asked.

Ting He shook her head: "No one dares to call a doctor for her."

Though Xie Lingyu hadn’t pursued the matter to the end, everyone could see Nanny Hua was deeply involved. Who knows when she might be exposed? No one wanted to be associated with her now, let alone summon a physician.

Xie Lingyu said coolly, "Have a physician see her."

The two servants behind her exchanged looks, and Chun Xi said softly, "Your Highness is truly merciful."

Xie Lingyu rested her chin on her hand. "After all, Mother gave her to me. I can’t just let her die."

It wasn’t out of kindness—Nanny Hua might still be useful.

*

The next morning, Imperial Physician Cao came again to check Xie Lingyu’s pulse. Even he was baffled at how she'd recovered so quickly in just a few days.

Upon further inquiry, she had only taken the decoctions he prescribed.

Imperial Physician Cao lowered his gaze, wondering to himself—had his medical skills improved to such a miraculous level?

It was practically miraculous.

After seeing Imperial Physician Cao off, Xie Lingyu finished her breakfast when Ting He entered: "Your Highness, Advisor He Lanfang is back."

"He Lanfang?" Xie Lingyu looked startled.

No wonder it shocked her. In her past life, before her confinement, He Lanfang had become a legendary border warrior of Great Zhou. His feats—riding solo into enemy territory to behead their general, leading a thousand-mile raid straight into the Northern Rong court—were known throughout the land.

Yet no one knew this young general had once been part of the Prince of Yongning's household.

He was the Military Advisor of the princely estate.

When He Lanfang was at the peak of his fame, and everyone wanted to befriend him, Xie Lingyu had instead distanced herself from him.

She'd forbidden everyone in the estate from mentioning his ties to the Prince of Yongning, and refused to meet him.

All for fear of rumors about associating with a powerful military official.

Now, looking back, Xie Lingyu realized that had she not been so resolute, not even the new emperor would have dared to confine her so casually—if only out of respect for He Lanfang’s former allegiance.

"Let him in," Xie Lingyu said at once.

He Lanfang soon entered the hall, wearing a silver-gray robe with a round collar embroidered with floral patterns. He stood ramrod straight, and despite his youth, carried the imposing air of a soldier.

"General He Lanfang pays his respects to Your Highness. I failed to return before curfew last night—I beg Your Highness’s forgiveness."

Xie Lingyu took the opportunity to study him carefully. "You've been making that exhausting trip between Chang’an and the palace—you couldn’t help missing curfew."

A few days prior, when Xie Lingyu had fallen gravely ill, it was He Lanfang who rushed back to Chang’an to report.

It was thanks to him that Imperial Physician Cao had been summoned.

These past two days, he had been shuttling back and forth between Chang’an and the Shangyang Palace.

Upon hearing this, He Lanfang abruptly raised his head, his dark eyes fixed intently on Xie Lingyu, an unmistakable flicker of surprise flashing in their depths.

Xie Lingyu, rather than feeling uneasy under his gaze, met it with a faint smile. It had to be said—He Lanfang was indeed a shrewd tactician. Even the subtlest shift in phrasing had not escaped his notice.

The Xie Lingyu of the past would never have referred to herself as "this prince" [a title she now claimed as her rightful due].

But now, the rules had to change. She wanted everyone to know that she, the Prince of Yongning, was the rightful heir.

Fortunately, He Lanfang quickly suppressed his surprise and replied, "When Your Highness fell ill, the Dowager Consort was deeply concerned. She instructed this general to bring back the most precious medicines for you."

At this, Xie Lingyu gave an indifferent hum, making it impossible for anyone to guess her mood.

Standing where he was, He Lanfang hesitated for a long moment before taking a deep breath and lowering his voice. "Also, regarding the matter Your Highness previously asked this general to inquire about, the Dowager Consort has given a reply."

"Oh?" Xie Lingyu arched a brow slightly, her expression one of curiosity, as if genuinely interested in the answer.

Unbeknownst to all, she had completely forgotten what she had even asked him to inquire about.

After all—she had traveled back years in time, and in the midst of her recent illness, her mind had been clouded. Many past events had blurred in her memory—how could she possibly recall such trivial matters?

But He Lanfang showed no suspicion and answered solemnly, "The Dowager Consort advises Your Highness not to rush. Now is not the right time to return to Chang’an."

This finally stirred Xie Lingyu’s memory.

So, before falling ill, she had sent He Lanfang back to the manor to ask her mother when she could return to Chang’an.

Not the right time?

Xie Lingyu asked wryly, "When, then, does Her Ladyship consider the right time?"

He Lanfang’s expression shifted slightly, clearly picking up on the disapproval in her tone. In truth, many in Shangyang Palace shared the same sentiment—they, like Her Highness, felt trapped in this remote backwater.

After a pause, He Lanfang added, "Though this general did not ask further, I noticed the manor has been abuzz with activity as of late."

"Is there an important event at the manor?" This time, Xie Lingyu was genuinely surprised. He Lanfang wouldn’t bring this up without reason.

"The manor is preparing for the hair-pinning ceremony of Lady Zhang."

Lady Zhang?

Zhang Hanning.

Xie Lingyu had nearly forgotten about this person.

Technically speaking, Zhang Hanning was Xie Lingyu’s cousin. Her birth mother was the younger half-sister of the Dowager Consort Han of Yong’an. After being left parentless, she had thrown herself on the mercy of her mother’s family in Chang’an.

The Dowager Consort hailed from the Nanyang Han clan—though not among the most elite aristocratic families, they were still a family of considerable influence.

Naturally, the Han family would not neglect this young orphan.

Yet no one could have predicted that shortly after Zhang Hanning took up residence in the Han household, she won the favor of the Dowager Consort Han of Yong’an.

At the time, Xie Lingyu, having inherited the princely title, was already facing mounting censure. Using poor health as an excuse, she had retreated to Shangyang Palace—a temporary retreat often used for political exile.

Thus, outsiders all claimed that the Dowager Consort, consumed by longing for her daughter, had brought Zhang Hanning to live in the manor permanently.

But only Xie Lingyu knew—her mother’s favor toward Zhang Hanning was not for her sake.

After all, in her past life, even she had wondered why her mother favored Zhang Hanning so much—more than anyone else, even her.

Zhang Hanning's marriage was personally arranged by her mother, to the eldest son of a prominent noble family.

When she married, her dowry was extravagantly lavish.

One must remember that when Zhang Hanning first arrived in Chang'an, all she had was a small bundle.

All that dowry came from the princely estate. If it had ended there, it might have been tolerable. But later, when Zhang Hanning’s husband’s family fell into trouble, her mother even pressured her to plead with the Emperor for leniency.

It was made clear that if she refused, her mother would disown her as a daughter.

But Xie Lingyu had always been cautious, never meddled in court politics, and naturally wouldn’t make an exception for Zhang Hanning.

From then on, mother and daughter were estranged; their relationship turned frosty. Pei Jing’an had even advised her, asking why she would let an outsider cause such discord between her and her own mother.

Later, when Zhang Hanning divorced, her mother brought her back to the princely estate.

Perhaps this was also why, when Xie Lingyu faced her own crisis, her mother didn’t think of saving her but instead sought to adopt an heir.

An obedient son would be far preferable to an uncontrollable daughter.

Now, looking back, the clues had been there all along.

She was so gravely ill that the Imperial Physicians' Office had to send physicians, yet her mother never came in person. Instead, the entire princely estate was busy preparing for Zhang Hanning’s coming-of-age ceremony.

How ironic.

As Xie Lingyu thought of this, her face was eerily blank, almost numb.

The hall was unnervingly quiet. The maids Chun Xi and Ting He exchanged glances, both fuming inwardly for their lady.

They had even whispered among themselves that their mistress’s illness was likely brought on by rage.

That same year, the Empress Dowager had intended to summon Xie Lingyu back to Chang’an for the New Year reunion. Yet, her mother had blocked it with a single letter, ordering her to stay put and keep a low profile.

But soon after, news came from Chang’an that not only had her mother attended the grand New Year’s palace feast, but she had also taken this very Zhang Hanning to the Lantern Festival festivities.

Though Xie Lingyu never spoke of it, her maids noticed it all.

A young lady of noble birth, left to languish in a remote backwater, while her own mother pampered another girl like a prized jewel. No matter how broad-minded Xie Lingyu was, such favoritism was too much to bear.

"Chun Xi, Ting He, you may both leave for now."

The two immediately replied, "Yes, Your Highness."

Once they had left, only He Lanfang remained in the hall.

Xie Lingyu had long since straightened her posture. Her slender fingers rested on the teacup, idly tracing its rim. After a long silence, she finally made up her mind. "He Lanfang, there is a matter I need you to handle."

Originally, she had considered entrusting this task to someone else, for Shangyang Palace was swarming with spies—anyone could be watching.

But Shangyang Palace was remote, and even if she wanted to hire skilled mercenaries, she had no reliable contacts.

Yet, she understood He Lanfang well enough.

Moreover, his earlier revelation about the affairs of the princely estate proved he wasn’t loyal to her mother.

"Your Highness need only command. This general would lay down his life for you," He Lanfang declared firmly, kneeling on one knee.

Xie Lingyu lifted her lips in a faint smile. "Death won't be necessary. I simply want you to find someone."

Helanfang had truly not expected it to be such a simple task.

Not until Xie Lingyu said, "Someone from Cang Commandery—Xiao Yanxing."

As expected, Helanfang showed a trace of bewilderment. He had assumed the person Her Highness wanted him to find would be a famous figure, yet this was a name he had never heard before.

Xie Lingyu was unsurprised by his confusion.

At this time, most people in the world had never heard this name before. But in the near future,

it would reverberate through Great Zhou.

Xiao Yanxing quickly rose to fame upon entering the officialdom, gaining significant power at an unusually young age.

Most importantly, during the next imperial succession, he acted first, helping Prince Xie Ling ascend the throne. He even personally led troops to crush rebellions, overwhelming the insurgents.

Even while Xie Lingyu was imprisoned, she had heard tales of his deeds.

After all, he had helped Prince Xie Ling seize power—he was partly responsible for her confinement.

One could say he was her enemy.

Yet sometimes, enemies could also become allies.

This was the man she wanted.