Cold Encounter with a Madman - Chapter 3

The Empress’s worries were something Yan Zhi’an had never considered. She had given up her own bedroom to Xun Qi, moving herself into the adjacent side room.

This side room had originally been a small study, furnished with a painting desk and bookshelves. It contained only a daybed for temporary rest. While suitable for a short nap, sleeping there for an entire night left her entire body aching the following morning.

Due to the heavy snow yesterday, the Empress had excused the morning court session today, so there was no need to rush out early. Yan Zhi’an only needed to head to the government office. After getting up, she could not help but fret over the Empress’s situation. When she stepped out, she found Xun Qi awake, standing at the doorway.

“It is cold outside. Go back in,” Yan Zhi’an said, clutching a hand warmer and instructing Xun Qi as an elder would a younger relative.

Xun Qi had changed into thick clothing today, topped with a fur coat provided that morning. It was a bit too large and did not fit well. It was an outfit intended for a maid, meant to serve for a few days while her new clothes were being made.

Xun Qi gazed at the woman standing before her in the snow. Dressed in her official robes, Yan Zhi’an blended almost perfectly with the wintry backdrop, save for her jet-black hair, which shone with a soft luster.

As Xun Qi regained her focus, a growing intensity appeared in her eyes, but Yan Zhi’an simply asked, “Do you not know how to pay your respects?”

“?” Xun Qi did not understand what she meant.

Yan Zhi’an turned, gazing into the snow, her tone turning cold. “When a junior meets an elder, they must offer the proper greeting. Staring at me so directly makes it look as if I owe you a great deal.”

Xun Qi’s expression shifted as she recalled the madwoman’s words. The madwoman had once said: “In this world, there are too many rules and a hierarchy that makes it hard to breathe. But there is no choice. You must assimilate because we are far too weak. When you cannot change your environment, you can only strive to fit in.”

Looking at Yan Zhi’an, Xun Qi’s limbs stiffened. She said, “No one taught me how to pay respects.”

Her voice was not soft; it sounded slightly hoarse, likely due to her injured throat.

Yan Zhi’an replied, “Wait until I return; I will teach you. For now, go back to your room and lie down. The physician will come to treat your throat.”

With that, she stepped into the snow and strode away.

In the frozen, snow-covered landscape, her figure in official robes appeared resolute, her physical form blending into the wind and snow like a winter plum standing firm against the cold.

Xun Qi watched her, mesmerized. A maid came over to pull her back inside, saying, “Young Mistress, Young Mistress, it is too cold outside. Please return to your room, or the Head of the Household will be displeased.”

Head of the Household? Young Mistress?

Xun Qi listened to these unfamiliar titles and turned back into the room. It was biting cold outside.

After lying down for a while, the old physician arrived, carrying his medical bag through the bitter chill. Xun Qi lay still as the physician approached. With a long beard that suggested immense medical skill, he began his work, while she watched him with slow, blinking eyes. He paid no mind to her gaze, pulse-taking, writing a prescription, and then left with his bag in hand.

Xun Qi sat up, just about to speak, when sounds echoed from outside: “The Madam is here! The Madam is here!” She quickly laid back down and closed her eyes.

A maid led Chen Qingrong into the room. Chen Qingrong removed her heavy cloak and held a hand warmer to warm herself for a moment before walking into the inner chamber.

Once inside, she saw the young girl lying there with her eyes closed. Her features were delicate, though her expression was pale, making her look like a fragile porcelain doll. Chen Qingrong’s old habit of appreciating beauty surfaced. She nodded, an irrepressible joy shining in her eyes. She leaned over and sat down, saying, “Stop pretending. Your mother has left, so I have come to see you.”

Xun Qi opened her eyes. Chen Qingrong said impatiently, “I truly do not understand why she was so bent on this.” Bringing her back here would only invite endless criticism and attacks from the old foxes of the Yan family.

Xun Qi’s eyes were bright and rebellious. Chen Qingrong continued, “Yan Zhi’an comes from the fourth branch of the Jinling Yan family. Her grandfather was a high-ranking official, and her father passed the imperial examinations twice. She knew how to read at five and compose poetry at six, but those things are trivial. She explored the mountains and found mines for the Yan family; had she not, this position of Head of the Household would never have gone to her.”

“I just do not understand…” She suddenly trailed off, her eyes filled with either mockery or sorrow. She looked down at Xun Qi and said, “Forget it. You are her daughter, and I will not interfere. But I tell you this: she has risked her reputation of a lifetime to acknowledge you, so do not let her down.”

Xun Qi understood; she was pleading on behalf of Yan Zhi’an.

“I am Yan Zhi’an’s mother, Chen Qingrong. You may consider me your grandmother. From now on, just call me ‘Madam’.” Chen Qingrong was worried sick.

Xun Qi showed no emotion in her eyes. Chen Qingrong felt her dignity wounded. How was this child just like her daughter had been when young? Cold and icy. They did not look alike, but their personalities were exactly the same. Heavens, she did not want another cold child in the family.

She tried asking, “Where did you live before?”

“In the mountains,” Xun Qi said.

Chen Qingrong was displeased. “Speak like a person; give me a longer answer.”

Xun Qi glanced at her, and Chen Qingrong immediately pinched her cheek. “If you cannot speak properly, I will have your mother discipline you.”

Xun Qi swatted her hand away, staring blankly at this unreasonable woman, and reflected, “Since I was small, I lived in the mountains with a madwoman. I rarely came out. Some time ago, the madwoman fell ill, so I went down the mountain to fetch medicine. I met a quack doctor who killed the madwoman with his treatment. I hit the man, but who knew he was so weak? He died after two punches. I was arrested, and then, in a haze, I ended up here.”

“A madwoman?” Chen Qingrong asked, puzzled. “What was her name?”

Xun Qi replied, “She said her name was ‘Madwoman’.”

She was not lying. The madwoman claimed she was just a sober madwoman in a chaotic world. Ever since she could remember, she had lived in the mountains. The madwoman loved to drink and compose poems, but she often rambled incoherently, speaking strange words Xun Qi could not understand. The madwoman did not know her own age; when she drank too much, she would curse the heavens and ask when she could finally go home.

“What a strange person,” Chen Qingrong muttered in confusion. But, respecting the dead, she added, “Has the body been taken care of? If not, I will buy you a coffin so she can be buried properly. We will set up a memorial tablet in the temple and have rituals performed for her soul.”

Upon hearing this, Xun Qi’s gaze softened. She could not help but sit up and stare blankly at Chen Qingrong.

Chen Qingrong reached out and touched her cheek. “Live a good life here. Just remember one thing: do not let her down.”

Xun Qi took a deep breath, and tears, which she could no longer suppress, began to stream down her face. Like a lost cub, she cried bitterly. She was only thirteen years old.

At that moment, all of Chen Qingrong’s resentment vanished. If it were truly her own daughter’s child who had ended up in such a state, she would never have let that man off the hook. She reached out and hugged the thin child, saying, “The bad days are all in the past. From now on, you are a child of the Yan family. Do not worry; she will protect you. She is someone who is very protective of her own.”

If Yan Zhi’an chose not to acknowledge someone, that was one thing. But since she had acknowledged Xun Qi, she would not allow anyone else to interfere in her life, not even the Empress, Sima Shenrong.

The Empress had summoned Yan Zhi’an and prepared fine tea, not expecting the nine-year-old Crown Prince to come to pay his respects.

Yan Zhi’an met the Crown Prince in the corridor. He looked up at her and asked, “Left Chancellor, the snow is heavy, and my mother said the morning court was excused today. Why have you come?”

Five years ago, the four-year-old Crown Prince had been established, and as he approached his education, the imperial clan wanted Yan Zhi’an to be his tutor. After all, she had the backing of the Jinling Yan family and was immensely capable herself. But Yan Zhi’an had refused. The Crown Prince was older now and understood her capabilities; he wanted to recruit her, but she remained cold toward him.

Yan Zhi’an bowed and stood before him. “The Empress summoned me, Your Highness. Why have you come?”

“I came to pay my respects to my mother,” the Crown Prince said with a lonely smile. For some reason, his mother did not like him; she never had much of a smile for him.

Yan Zhi’an said, “After you, Your Highness.”

The Crown Prince entered the palace, and Yan Zhi’an waited outside. A moment later, he emerged with his face tense; it was clear he had not received a warm welcome from the Empress.

“Left Chancellor, I am taking my leave,” he said, bowing his head and hunching his back.

Yan Zhi’an nodded and watched him go. After the heavy snow, the world was freezing, and he had come through the ice and snow only to receive no affection from his mother. The Imperial family was ruthless indeed.

She could not help but think of Xun Qi. If Xun Qi proved unable to handle the duties of a Crown Prince, would the Empress despise her just the same? Perhaps not; the Empress loved the Ming Emperor, so how could she despise Xun Qi?

The Empress disliked the Crown Prince simply because his father was the Hui Emperor.

Yan Zhi’an cast these messy thoughts aside and entered the palace.

“You have come,” the Empress said, descending from the dragon throne to take Yan Zhi’an’s hand warmly. “Have you seen her? What is she like?”

“Your Majesty, you did not go?” Yan Zhi’an asked, startled. “If you did not go, how did you verify her identity?” Could there be a mistake?

They sat opposite each other. Yan Zhi’an sat comfortably, while the Empress stared intently at her. “There is no mistake. She has a red mole behind her ear and possesses a jade pendant, a ‘mother-and-child’ set. It matches the one I have here.”

Yan Zhi’an replied, “Since that is the case, I have acknowledged her as my daughter. From now on, you should act as if you do not know her. Do not go out of your way to inquire about her.”

“You jest, Chancellor,” the Empress said, her smile fading. “I need to know what she is doing at all times. Before, it was impossible, but now that she is close, I naturally must see her. Furthermore, find a time to bring her in; I wish to see her myself.”

Yan Zhi’an lowered her head, playing with the jade pendant at her waist. She glanced at the Empress and said, “You remind me; give that jade pendant to me. If you do not, I cannot complete this lie.”

The Empress fell silent. “Impossible. If I give it to you, how will I recognize her in the future?” she refused immediately.

Yan Zhi’an changed to a lazy posture and joked, “Then if she asks me later, I will not be able to cover it up.”

“Enough. You are dismissed,” the Empress said, eager for her to leave.

Yan Zhi’an managed to give a brief update on Xun Qi. She noted that Xun Qi was not a coward; on the contrary, she had her own ideas, likely due to the madwoman’s upbringing. “I shall observe her for a few more days before reporting back to Your Majesty.”

She left then, but instead of returning to the government office, she went straight home.

In the bedroom, Xun Qi was sitting cross-legged on the bed, wrapped in a quilt, listening to Chen Qingrong recount the achievements her “mother” had made over the years. The Yan family ranked first among the Jinling noble families, thanks to their ancestors’ talent for finding mines. As generations passed, fewer descendants inherited this ability; for decades, only Yan Zhi’an had been uniquely gifted. Among all the children of the Yan family, none possessed her genius and spirit. Thus, Yan Zhi’an had been breaking tradition to be named the Young Mistress.

After hearing this, Xun Qi tilted her head, her eyes filled with admiration. This person was even more amazing than the madwoman. She had once thought the madwoman was the most incredible person, filled with poetry and knowledge, but it seemed there were people even greater beyond the mountains.

Yan Zhi’an walked in slowly, gazing at the old woman and the young girl. The older one shot her a glance, while the younger one looked at her with glistening eyes, completely devoid of the rebellion she had shown twice before.

Hm? Yan Zhi’an thought. Why has she suddenly changed?