BXG - 80

◎ Compliance ◎

Qu You had repeatedly reflected on Zhou Tan’s life. His first turning point was the Candlelight Tower case, and the second was Emperor Ming’s ascension.

Though Su Chaoxi was two years older than him, he became chancellor five years later. Zhou Tan’s young age when he assumed the position was closely tied to his contributions during Emperor Ming’s rise.

In the final years of the Yongning era, Emperor De fell gravely ill and secretly issued an edict to strip the Crown Prince of his title. Somehow, the Crown Prince learned of this and decisively staged a coup. Chu Lin and the palace guards fiercely defended the imperial city for two days until Western Shao forces suddenly arrived outside Bian capital.

The Crown Prince, allied with the Western Shao, slaughtered Chu Lin and his loyal guards before the imperial gates. Song Chang died in shock, and those opposing the Crown Prince’s rise—some escaped, while most were killed in Xuande Hall. Their bodies were dragged to mass graves outside the capital.

After ruthlessly purging the court, the Crown Prince hastily ascended the throne. Half of the Ministry of Rites’ personnel had perished; even ceremonial preparations were incomplete. The imperial seal was lost in the chaos, leaving his reign name undetermined.

That same month, Prince Jingwang rallied regional lords in Lin’an to rebel. Song Shiyu ordered Li Wei and the Western Shao army to defend Bian capital’s gates. Li Wei’s men behaved relatively well, but the Western Shao troops, though not committing large-scale massacres, pillaged, burned, and looted below the rank of nobles. When questioned, they claimed it was “interest” to reward their troops.

At the time, Song Shiyu, overwhelmed by internal and external pressures, turned a blind eye. Only after a month did he send them to suppress Prince Jingwang’s rebellion. Later, these troops were annihilated by Yan Fu’s revitalized Lingxiao Army.

Historical records briefly note six months of usurpation. What lay behind those words?

In the west, she’d heard Yan Fu describe cities occupied by the Western Shao in his youth. Poorer towns fared better since few lived there. In wealthier ones, the Western Shao would massacre and loot. With generations of blood feud between the Western Shao and the Yin people, their brutality spared no one. Cities often flowed with blood, scenes of merciless carnage.

Yan Fu had once helped recapture a city occupied by the Western Shao. Three months of occupation left a place he’d recently visited eerily silent, streets littered with civilian corpses. Children fought over a piece of cake, and upon seeing the army, some nearly jumped into rivers in fear.

Xu Zhi sighed deeply beside him, recalling similar scenes from his youth with Xiao Yue. Even Song Chang was present during one such recapture, vowing through tear-filled eyes to drive the Western Shao out of the empire in his lifetime.

Though Song Chang grew senile in his later years, he remained resolute against the Western Shao, never suing for peace. During his reign, renowned generals safeguarded the borders, preserving stability.

Song Shiyu had never witnessed such hatred firsthand, nor experienced it personally. With a Western Shao mother, his resolve wavered, leading to a monumental mistake condemned throughout history.

Reflecting carefully, Qu You realized that before his usurpation, Zhou Tan and others must have already escorted Prince Jingwang out of Bian capital. Those remaining in the city were mostly civil officials, powerless to protect the populace.

With this realization, Qu You made a decision almost instantly.

She suddenly turned back and strode toward Song Shiyu. Believing her anger stemmed from being detained, he continued leisurely, “If you refuse, I’ll be heartbroken. After all, your father is merely a scholar, as is Zhou Tan… No one can protect you, nor can you protect them. Once I ascend, I’ll ensure your family is well cared for…”

Song Shiyu’s offer of empresshood was merely a ploy. He desperately needed information from Zhou Tan but couldn’t approach him directly. Thus, he promised heavily, hoping to lure her into extracting it.

If she refused, the soldiers surrounding the Qu residence became leverage. He likely intended to threaten her family’s lives from the start.

This probing stemmed partly from genuine interest.

Her lack of reaction to the title of empress now made retracing steps risky.

Qu You bypassed Song Shiyu, heading straight for the “Shang Yun Le” room. Surprised, he followed her inside. She swiftly closed the door, offering a smile unfamiliar even to herself.

This smile erased her previous aloofness. Thin eyelids lifted, revealing dark pupils intently focused on him, her expression playful and rare.

“Your Highness misunderstood me. As you said, I refuse to be just a stepping stone for men. Thus, I have no interest in the empresshood coveted by all women. However…”

Qu You pointed at his throat, asking softly, “What about becoming a female chancellor?”

Song Shiyu paused, then burst into laughter, admiration and excitement flashing in his narrow eyes. “I knew I hadn’t misjudged you.”

He reached to grasp her hand at his throat, but she quickly withdrew, avoiding his gaze. “Since I’ve decided to serve Your Highness, there’s more I can do. Don’t let romantic notions hinder your cause. Otherwise, both our reputations will suffer.”

Unperturbed, Song Shiyu leaned against the doorframe, scrutinizing her. “Oh? Why the sudden change of heart, Lady Qu? It makes me wary.”

Ever pragmatic, upon her concession, he immediately ceased overstepping, reverting to the formal “Lady Qu.”

Qu You proactively sat at the table, pouring herself a cup of wine. It was aged, rich and fragrant. “It’s not a sudden change. Though you claimed to understand me, you still sought to confine me to the palace. This false identity… If I accepted, I’d live in hiding forever. Despite boundless wealth, what’s the point?”

Intrigued, Song Shiyu murmured, sitting opposite her. “Then…”

Qu You swirled her wine glass, half-serious. “I want to serve as your trusted aide under my own name, a woman remembered in history. Great Zhou’s Empress Wu had a female chancellor; why can’t this dynasty? Since childhood, I’ve studied poetry, prose, classics, and historical strategies. I uncovered the tower case myself. To protect my family, I negotiated with Zhou Tan to strike the Drum of Petition twice. My journey to Ruozhou wasn’t for him but to understand the border situation… These are my credentials. This position, fit for any man, suits me too.”

Since Song Shiyu viewed her thus, she played along.

“If Your Highness grants me a chance, I’ll prove my worth. But I have two conditions.” Qu You stated, “Upon your ascension, I’ll personally behead Zhou Tan as your coronation gift—eliminating a villain, slaying my husband. With such infamy, my entry into politics will be smoother, and you’ll have reason to promote me. A win-win.”

Song Shiyu chuckled. “Sounds good. What are your conditions, Lady Qu?”

“First, though you trust me, I won’t risk my family’s safety. They’ll leave Bian capital soon for Lin’an. I hope Your Highness won’t interfere.”

Seeing his hesitation, Qu You smiled. “With me in Bian capital, you’ll witness my loyalty. I value life but won’t endure coercion. If you’re truly uneasy, kill me now.”

True to her character, Song Shiyu mused. Worst case, he could send men to Lin’an. He readily agreed. “Fine, I accept. And the second?”

“The second…” Qu You spoke slowly, “Your Highness knows I’ve been married to Zhou Tan for years without issue. The reason is a severe illness rendering me repulsed by men’s filth… Your noble bearing inspires respect, yet I cannot love you. I apologize for rejecting your affection and pledge to repay you fully. Upon success, I ask to remain unmarried, dedicating my life solely to the empire.”

Song Shiyu was slightly surprised.

The Crown Princess’s childlessness stemmed from his disdain, secretly giving her contraception to prevent her—a general’s daughter—from bearing heirs. Her marriage to Zhou Tan without issue puzzled him. Even if estranged, having such beauty nearby should have tempted Zhou Tan…

Reflecting, it made sense. She advocated for fallen women, treated maids like sisters, beloved by all around her—not just Gao Yunyue, but even the Crown Princess admired her after one meeting.

Women couldn’t realistically vow lifelong celibacy. Moreover, her earlier candor showed no sway from sweet talk, convincing him somewhat. He shook his head, sighing. “Lady Qu’s honesty disarms me. Let’s maintain a respectful lord-retainer relationship.”

Qu You promptly raised her gilded wine cup, clinking it against his. “Understanding me, this ‘Cloud Ascension’ moment today isn’t wasted—’When the North Star falls and Southern Mountain crumbles, may the Son of Heaven live eighty-one million years, forever raising celebratory cups.’”

Song Shiyu laughed heartily, downing his wine.

When Qu You exited Fanlou, the sun hung high.

Passing through Chu Lin’s troops, she returned to her sedan. Only after lowering the curtains did she exhale deeply.

After prolonged compliance, her face felt stiff from smiling. Here, she finally felt the chill on her spine.

Reaching out, she found herself drenched in cold sweat.