"Your Highness, Marquis Xiao has arrived."
The announcement had barely finished when a tall, imposing man with a commanding presence strode briskly into the room.
His beard was stiff like steel bristles, his facial features sharply defined. Upon closer inspection, one could see that his brows and eyes bore some resemblance to Jinyang's. His back was straight, but there was an unmistakable urgency in his steps.
"Grandfather." Jinyang had just lifted the bedcovers to rise when he crossed the distance in two long strides and raised his hand to stop her.
"Don't move. Lie still."
Though Marquis Xiao's temples were already streaked with gray, his spirit remained vigorous. He moved with the momentum of a seasoned warrior.
He sat on the low stool by the bed and studied her carefully with furrowed brows. Seeing that she appeared in reasonably good condition, he finally let out a quiet breath and asked, "What exactly happened? The moment I returned to the capital, I heard you were injured on the battlefield, then ambushed again on the way back. Some said your life was in danger, others claimed your martial arts were completely ruined. Your body—are you really…?"
His tone was cautious, as though afraid of reopening her wounds.
Seeing the dust still clinging to him, Jinyang knew he must have rushed straight to the Princess's residence without even returning to his own estate.
She curved her lips slightly and smiled to reassure him. "Grandfather, look at me—aren't I perfectly fine? There's nothing serious. I just need proper rest."
"Have you identified who tried to assassinate you? Who could be so bold—do they think I'm too old to wield a blade anymore?" Marquis Xiao grew increasingly furious as he spoke, even rising to pace back and forth in front of the bed. "Was it the Crown Prince? Or the Seventh?"
"Perhaps it was my good imperial father," Jinyang replied calmly.
Marquis Xiao froze for a moment before turning back. The rage on his face gave way to deep sorrow. "He can't even tolerate you anymore?"
"When he laid hands on my mother, he already couldn't tolerate me," Jinyang said quietly. She had long since come to terms with such cruelty from those closest to her.
To her, he was no longer a blood relative—but an emperor, high above all, wielding absolute power over life and death.
And an emperor feared her. Suspected her.
Marquis Xiao sank back onto the stool, his spirit visibly dimmed. He hadn't been unaware—his withdrawal from court and relinquishing of military power had been for the sake of preserving the Xiao family's safety.
He had simply underestimated the emperor's ruthlessness—so ruthless that he would not even spare his own daughter.
"The war was at a stalemate, yet the rear supplies never arrived. Other than him, who would dare do such a thing?" Jinyang's hatred deepened as she recalled the soldiers who had died needlessly on the battlefield.
An emperor who, out of mere suspicion, would disregard the survival of the nation itself.
Did such a court truly still have a future?
"You carry Xiao blood. He fears you becoming the next Xiao army," Marquis Xiao said softly, looking at her with concern. "What are your plans going forward? I heard, even before reaching the capital, that the people praise you as a benevolent ruler who loves her people like her own children. If that reaches His Majesty's ears, he'll tolerate you even less."
"While recovering, I happened upon a remarkable individual. That object came from him. I lend it to common farmers for free, but sell it at high prices to noble families and wealthy merchants, then use the proceeds to provide relief to the people."
"Why do this?" Marquis Xiao didn't immediately grasp her intent. He knew Jinyang was meticulous and deliberate—she would never act without purpose.
Jinyang smiled faintly. "Those rumors were spread at my own instruction. His Majesty must have heard them by now. The greater my reputation among the people, the less he can tolerate me. By now, he's surely considering how to drive me to my fief."
That was why he had sent imperial physicians to probe her condition—to determine whether she truly could no longer fight. Once confirmed, an edict ordering her to her fief would likely be issued after the new year.
Marquis Xiao studied her expression, then suddenly understood. "You want to go to your fief?"
When she nodded, he sprang to his feet. "Absolutely not! Liangzhou is barren land, poor in resources—tax revenue alone would be hard to collect. When he first assigned you that fief, you stopped me from submitting a memorial. A princess with outstanding military achievements, defending the borders—yet he wouldn't even grant you a decent territory. It's outrageous! Utterly outrageous!"
Jinyang tugged gently at his sleeve and said softly, "Grandfather, don't be upset. Staying in the capital now means constant danger. The Crown Prince, the Fifth, the Seventh—they all see me as a thorn in their side. Even Father grows increasingly wary of me. Rather than remain here surrounded by endless open and hidden threats, it's better to go early, develop my territory, and wait for the capital's situation to stabilize. Whoever takes that throne in the future will think twice before trying to control me—if they even have the strength."
Her tone turned cold by the end.
Marquis Xiao caught the deeper meaning in her words. After a brief pause, ensuring no one else was present, he asked in a low voice, "Do you already have something in mind?"
Jinyang lifted her gaze slightly. Her eyes—dark as stars—were resolute and fearless, radiating an unshakable determination.
No words were needed.
Marquis Xiao understood. He sat back down and said, "Though I've stepped away from court these past years, I can still move these old limbs. If you need anything, just say the word."
"There is indeed one matter I'd like to trouble you with," Jinyang replied. "I recall that the Prefect of Jinzhou, Cao Jingzhong, has visited our residence before."
"That's right," Marquis Xiao nodded.
"With the provincial examination approaching, I hope Grandfather can write to the Jinzhou Prefect," Jinyang smiled gently. "Naturally, I don't ask him to bend the rules—only to ensure that those who deserve fairness are given it."
…
"Her Highness has instructed that Miss Lu may fully demonstrate her abilities in the Jinzhou examination. She will be guaranteed a fair outcome."
Zhuifeng didn't understand why Her Highness had sent him personally to deliver this message.
In his view, a rural woman who had merely passed the county exam hardly seemed worthy of such effort.
What he didn't understand was Jinyang's method of ruling through both grace and authority. When she acted, those actions had to be known—only then would others feel gratitude and offer unwavering loyalty.
Lu Youqing represented not only herself, but countless women trapped within inner chambers, their talents left unrealized.
Someone who had endured the hardships of the world possessed a resolve beyond ordinary people. And with no ties to powerful clans, she could one day become Jinyang's sharpest blade.
For now, all that remained was to see how far she could go.
Sure enough, surprise flickered across Lu Youqing's face before she respectfully bowed and said, "This commoner thanks the Eldest Princess."
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Currently at chapter 228 for advance chapters
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