Xiling's First Female Chancellor

The General's Manor.

"Juxuan, did His Majesty speak to you about conferring the title of grand princess?"

Having received the news, Zhu Juxuan was taking a leisurely stroll through the courtyard with his wife.

A thoughtful look on his imposing face, Zhu Juxuan shook his head without a word.

"...He did not."

Madam Zhu looked surprised. "In just one year, Di Qingyu has gone from the Cold Palace to being a grand princess. It's truly unbelievable. Could His Majesty really dote on this daughter so much?"

But Zhu Juxuan knew Di Yunqian well enough to know that His Majesty was not a man to act on emotion. "The title of grand princess isn't one that can be granted on a whim. Besides, Di Qingyu is meticulous. I'm afraid there's a secret behind this that no one knows."

Madam Zhu remembered something. "That's right, hasn't Wuyang gone back on duty in the palace? He won't run into the grand princess, will he? What if His Majesty still wants to bring them together..."

"Don't worry. Wuyang isn't a man who lusts after beauty. He has his own judgment. If His Majesty is determined to arrange a marriage between them, we can't stop it. We can only let nature take its course," Zhu Juxuan reassured her.

Madam Zhu sighed. "You know, I'm rather fond of the grand princess myself. It's just a pity..."

Zhu Juxuan understood what she meant. The pity, of course, was that Di Qingyu was a princess born into the imperial family. Had she been from an ordinary family, Madam Zhu would have hoped for her and Zhu Wuyang to form a bond.

"My lady, don't dwell on it. You should think about Jiuning's marriage instead. Didn't you say you'd been considering quite a few young men from noble families lately? Has Jiuning taken a liking to any of them?"

"Oh, I think they're all quite good, but Jiuning doesn't fancy a single one. She always feels they're still lacking something..."

In the imperial palace.

As soon as news of Di Qingyu's new title got out, the consorts promptly and alertly came to Yaohua Hall bearing gifts.

Of course, Di Qingyu would not refuse money delivered to her door. She received them all, one by one.

The more those consorts had previously avoided Di Qingyu and wanted nothing to do with her, the more eager they were now to court her favor and win her over. After all, the weight of a grand princess's position was plain to see.

Di Qingyu treated them well too, responding smoothly to each in turn. Gao Miling had also come, but not to curry favor. She was worried about what Di Qingyu had done to receive such a reward from Di Yunqian. Di Qingyu fobbed her off without mentioning that she had helped Di Yunqian produce explosives.

By the end of the day, Di Qingyu was somewhat tired, and things only quieted down in the evening.

The empress had not come, but Wei Xin had, bringing the palace maid who watched her, just as she had last time.

This time, Di Qingyu did not even bother with the act. She dismissed everyone outright and spoke with Wei Xin alone.

"Is Your Highness tired? I have learned a little about massage. I could help ease Your Highness's fatigue."

Di Qingyu did not refuse. She gave a slight nod. "Give it a try."

Wei Xin stepped behind Di Qingyu and raised her hands to massage her shoulders. "The empress sent me to find out what you did to gain the title of grand princess."

Di Qingyu, who had closed her eyes to rest, had expected as much. "Tell me. I don't believe you said nothing."

"Yes." Wei Xin nodded.

"Do you know martial arts?" Di Qingyu suddenly asked.

Wei Xin shook her head. "No. I only practice some exercises to strengthen my body."

Di Qingyu said no more. Then, all at once, she remembered something. "The eldest young lady of the General's Manor has been discussing marriage lately. Have you heard anything?"

Wei Xin thought for a moment. "I heard that both the empress and Consort Rong have been doing their utmost to recommend young men from their maternal families, but Zhu Jiuning has yet to give a definite answer."

After all, General Zhu was a favorite of the emperor, and everyone wanted to win him over and make his acquaintance. How could his daughter's marriage be anything but a web of competing interests?

Silence settled over them. Di Qingyu, enjoying the massage with her eyes closed, suddenly spoke.

"You have something you want to ask me."

"...Yes."

Wei Xin, who had never taken the initiative to speak, felt her lashes tremble. She lowered her gaze as she continued the massage, sweat seeping from her palms. She had not expected Di Qingyu to know her thoughts so well.

"Go ahead," Di Qingyu said with utter calm.

After some hesitation, Wei Xin finally asked, "I don't understand. Your Highness has laid out such a vast game of chess, trading a weapon never before seen in the world to His Majesty as a bargaining chip. Weren't you afraid that His Majesty would grow suspicious of you... and all your previous disguise would come to nothing?"

Swish!

Di Qingyu opened her eyes. Wei Xin's words made it clear that she had seen the whole of Di Qingyu's game. The warning of a natural disaster, the confiscation of the Du Family's property-all of it had merely been a move by which Di Qingyu rode the current to save the Wei Family while gaining herself entry into the imperial court.

Her ultimate goal had been to bring out the explosives as bait and have Di Yunqian confer the title of grand princess on her.

Wei Ning's promotion to minister of punishments and his placement within the Zhang Family were merely bargaining chips offered up along the way.

This play was both the beginning and the end. The true killing piece in the game was not Du Yutao, but the explosives that could stir the emperor's covetous desire!

"Wei Xin, leave the palace in a few days."

Di Qingyu raised a hand to stop Wei Xin's massaging hands, her tone neither cold nor warm.

Wei Xin thought Di Qingyu meant to cast her aside. She hurriedly let go and knelt on the floor.

"I spoke out of turn again. I only ask Your Highness to punish me. Please don't send me away."

Seeing how frightened she was, Di Qingyu turned in her seat and patted her shoulder. "When did I say I was sending you away? Get up."

"...Yes."

Wei Xin looked at her, half doubtful. Seeing that nothing was amiss with her expression, she obediently stood up again without a word.

"An emperor is suspicious of everyone. It's only a question of whether they have value and whether he wants to kill them. Even if Imperial Father suspects I was involved in the Du Family affair, my value now far outweighs the rift between us caused by my scheming against the Du Family. When your merits far outweigh your faults, that tiny mistake isn't even worth mentioning to someone in power. That's the room you have to profit for yourself."

It was not easy to come across someone clever, so Di Qingyu was happy to offer a few pointers. She pulled a hairpin from her head, took Wei Xin's hand, and placed it in her palm, ambition in her long, narrow eyes.

"Wei Xin, remember this. You are indeed clever, but that cleverness must be founded on loyalty to me. I can support you in doing anything, even becoming..."

"Xiling's first female chancellor."