She Holds the World After Being Reborn
Chapter 106: Meet No One, Remain Neutral

Chapter 106: Chapter 106: Meet No One, Remain Neutral

The flood disaster in the South of the River was severe, and many refugees began appearing in the Capital City.

Yan Wanqing had already been providing porridge and distributing food for over half a month in the name of the Empress, earning an excellent reputation among the populace.

Her mother, Sun Qinglian, was even more hands-on, commanding the posthouses under the Township Manor to shelter those poor souls without homes to return to. More than this, her image—clad in unassuming clothes that endeared her to the common folk—had already won hearts. In the eyes of the refugees and the populace, they revered her as a living Bodhisattva.

This time, the Township Manor had made a significant statement of its presence.

Plenty of ministers had already submitted memorials to the Emperor, praising the selfless and patriotic spirit of the Township Manor. Some had even called for the Emperor to bestow a decree of nobility upon the lady of the Township Manor.

For this reason, the Empress had specially obtained the Emperor’s directive and summoned Sun Qinglian and Yan Wanqing to the palace, wishing to gauge their sentiment on the matter.

"Receiving a decree of nobility would be an excessive favor. As a subject of Dawei, I should naturally serve the country and the Emperor. It is simply my duty, how could I dare expect any reward?" Sun Qinglian said, neither servile nor overbearing.

Zhang Lanyi looked at her with admiration and nodded, "The lady of the Township Manor holds great righteousness in her heart, truly admirable."

"The Empress flatters me."

Since they were unwilling to accept the decree, there was no need for Zhang Lanyi to go to the Emperor with flattering words, and she let the two leave.

Thinking it rare to come to the palace, Sun Qinglian expressed her wish to visit the Noble Consort.

Sun Lianyi was close to giving birth at that time, and her belly was already quite large.

As her elder, Sun Qinglian naturally wanted to check on her.

Yan Wanqing intended to accompany her, but just after walking a few steps, an intimate confidante of the Empress approached with a summons, saying her Highness had matters to discuss with her.

Seeing this, Sun Qinglian said, "Since the Empress has matters for you, you should go. I can go by myself."

"Mother could stay a while longer. Once I have finished here, I must also visit my cousin and have a heart-to-heart talk with her," Yan Wanqing contemplated before speaking.

Upon returning to Zhang Lanyi’s sleeping hall, she saw her already dressed in a new outfit, gracefully dancing in the courtyard with a bamboo sword in hand.

When Yan Wanqing arrived, Zhang Lanyi flourished her bamboo sword to form a series of patterns, and laughingly said, "It is widely known that Princess Anping wields an excellent sword dance. I wonder if I could have the honor of receiving some guidance today."

Yan Wanqing responded with two unmistakable coughs.

"I am weak and ill; I cannot wield a long sword."

Hiding the fact that her martial techniques were recovering was Yan Wanqing’s last trump card, and she did not wish to reveal it lightly except in special circumstances.

Moreover, she had been playing the part of an invalid for such a long time that she had perfected her demeanor and movements, able to easily deceive others’ eyes.

Noticing this, Zhang Lanyi sighed with regret and handed her bamboo sword to the palace maid by her side.

"Do you know that a new able assistant has recently appeared beside the seventh Prince?"

Yan Wanqing’s gaze flickered, silent as she waited for the Empress to continue.

Zhang Lanyi gestured for her to sit down.

"His name is Chai You. He did not stand out during the Imperial Examination, but it seems he was already a trusted confidant of the seventh Prince. Lately, he has achieved quite a bit while working with the Prince, and the Emperor has taken notice, full of praise. Recently, he came to me."

"Is he trying to win over the Empress for the seventh Prince?" Yan Wanqing slowly asked.

A smile flashed across Zhang Lanyi’s eyes, "Ah, it’s so comfortable to speak with you. I haven’t even finished, and you’ve already understood everything, saving so much trouble." She picked up the hot tea on the table, brought it to her lips, and blew on it before taking a light sip.

"Good tea." The taste was initially bitter but had a sweet aftertaste.

"Your recent activity has been quite noticeable, doing many good deeds in my name. Now, those ministers are singing my praises to the heavens." Today, Zhang Lanyi’s chambers were still full of items gifted by the Emperor.

"But Chai You wasn’t the only one seeking an audience with me," continued Zhang Lanyi.

Without batting an eye, Yan Wanqing watched Zhang Lanyi pour more tea, "Wa Chengnan also sought an audience with the Empress."

"Wa Chengnan is indeed a man by the Crown Prince’s side," Zhang Lanyi clicked her tongue. "All of a sudden, both outstanding competitors for the throne have turned to my side, hoping to win me over, tsk tsk... truly, it’s an honor that astonishes and flatters me."

"This must be Wa Chengnan’s own idea, the Crown Prince isn’t someone who would engage in factionalism," Yan Wanqing picked up her teacup and took a sip, indeed it was excellent tea.

Zhang Lanyi looked at her with a cold expression and a resolute gaze, her lips curling slightly, "You never skimp on praising the Crown Prince."

"It’s something witnessed by everyone under heaven, one more commendation from a humble official doesn’t make a difference."

"Now, whom should I choose?" Zhang Lanyi asked in a hushed voice.

Yan Wanqing lowered her gaze, neither humble nor arrogant, "The Empress does not choose anyone."

She did not do all this just for the Empress to stand behind someone and support him.

"Meeting no one, maintaining neutrality, continue to build a reputation in the court. Imperial Consort Sun’s child will be born soon," the light in Yan Wanqing’s eyes was dim and indistinct.

Zhang Lanyi raised an eyebrow, stopping just short with her words, everyone understanding the implication.

There wasn’t much time left.

As the two Princes vied for the throne, she would watch from the sidelines. With the Emperor’s health deteriorating day by day, the court’s old ministers, who had already received her favors, could allow her to interfere with the court’s affairs when the time came. It wasn’t impossible.

Only one uncertainty remained.

"What if the child in the Imperial Consort’s womb is a Princess..."

Yan Wanqing’s gaze was resolute, "The Empress need not worry, for the child in Noble Consort’s womb can only be a Prince."

"Your mother was present just now, making it inconvenient for me to discuss these matters with you, and you seemed confused. But now, you seem to have come to a realization," Zhang Lanyi felt reassured and let out a sigh of relief.

It was then that Yan Wanqing suddenly said,

"During this special period, it’s better for the Empress to go out of the palace to worship less frequently. There are many eyes and ears around, and it’s best to be cautious," she said, staring at Zhang Lanyi. Although it sounded like advice, it was more a warning, "Patience in small matters disturbs great plans. My lady holds a high position. Right now, both the Crown Prince and the Seventh Prince have their spies watching you. You must not risk the big picture for small gains and expose others to danger."

Yan Wanqing was uninterested in the matters between Xun Wu and the Empress.

Ever since she had people investigate Xun Wu and lost interest completely.

He was just another one pretending to be weak while being strong. Since Empress Zhang Lanyi was keeping him in check, Yan Wanqing didn’t want to waste too much effort on a monk, especially since her memories from a previous life of this monk were missing right until the moment of her death.

It seemed he wasn’t anyone important.

"Moving forward, I hope the Empress can take control of the overall situation, to turn the tide," said Yan Wanqing.

Zhang Lanyi, of course, understood the seriousness of the situation. They were all on the same rope, and she had a clear understanding of what weighed more. But facing this young girl who seemed to have everything under control, she felt a bit rebellious.

All of a sudden, she didn’t feel like relaying the message someone had entrusted her with.

"I have a clear understanding of the situation. Success or failure hinges on this one action, and I am quite fond of my own life," she said.

She was still so young and certainly didn’t want to die for these matters.

"In that case, I shall take my leave today," Yan Wanqing suggested leaving.

Zhang Lanyi watched her leave and suddenly sighed, "This girl’s temperament is really not endearing."

"Bear with it, you’re the elder. Why lower yourself to her level?" A soft female voice spoke up beside Zhang Lanyi and handed over a bamboo sword, "You too, you didn’t remind her about what I told you. I’m really afraid it’ll be hard to manage later on."

Zhang Lanyi glanced disapprovingly at the pretty palace maid, taking the bamboo sword with a cold huff.

"She thinks she has everything planned perfectly, but I want to see how she handles this matter!"

The palace maid had no answer for her, her eyes full of indulgence as she watched Zhang Lanyi brandish the sword.