She Holds the World After Being Reborn-Chapter 583 - 582: Previously Relied on Strength, Now Relies on Connections
"I need a local identity in Jinyang with an ancestral home, and a background that’s absolutely clean. I believe these should be very simple for Your Majesty," Yan Wanqing said, word by word.
"This can be arranged as soon as I return to the palace," Qin Wu felt it was a bit of overkill.
Yan Wanqing shook her head directly, "It’s not just that. Since it’s a sudden drop-in, I need absolute authority. I may encounter some people’s vested interests, and at that time..."
"At this critical moment of survival, I can clearly differentiate what is more important. For the sake of the people of Qin State, I also believe that Yan Wanqing, you will stand firmly on my side," the Emperor said.
"Of course, after all, the family of a commoner like myself is included among the people of Qin State. Since Yan Wanqing has promised, I will do my utmost, not just for Your Majesty, but for myself as well," Yan Wanqing affirmed.
With these words, Qin Wu’s heart was very much at ease.
She saw a hint of blazing ambition in Yan Wanqing’s eyes, which was not a bad thing for her.
"With your talent and ability, you were unable to fully unleash your potential in Dawei and Chu Kingdom. Only in Qin State can you truly settle down and make a difference. I believe this is also why you sent your family to Qin State at this critical juncture. Yan Wanqing, we are destined to reach the pinnacle together. When the time comes, half of my empire will be yours!"
Qin Wu made a promise.
She was always generous with her meritorious subjects, provided they were meritorious.
Yan Wanqing, however, shook her head, "I only hope that when the time comes, Your Majesty agrees to one condition of mine. As for the empire, it’s better if Your Majesty holds it alone."
Qin Wu frowned slightly, thought for a moment, and then nodded, "I promise you that."
The two reached an agreement quickly. As Qin Wu was about to leave, she handed over the jade pendant that symbolized imperial authority directly to Yan Wanqing, "I’ll be waiting for you at tomorrow’s morning court."
Qin Wu’s efficiency was indeed fast. By evening, Aman had already arranged the residence and Yan Wanqing’s new identity.
"This is the deed for the Qin Residence’s family home, as well as some shops and fields. From now on, the Prime Minister is to be Qin Zhen, a local from Jinyang, residing in the Qin Residence at the entrance of Huai Tree Lane in the east of the city. Your parents passed away early, leaving you bright and well-versed in poetry and literature, currently waiting to be married," Aman summarized Qin Zhen’s identity and the arrangements made.
Aman conveyed Qin Zhen’s identity information and the arrangements made in the aftermath.
Yan Wanqing nodded her head, "Where is the real Qin Zhen now?" Since she had taken someone else’s identity, she naturally had to ask clearly.
"The Prime Minister need not worry, the real Qin Zhen is already serving the Emperor and will not reveal any flaws," Aman reassured.
Yan Wanqing breathed a sigh of relief and took out a letter from her bosom to give to Aman, "Take this back to His Majesty. Here lies the leverage and foundation of my—no, Qin Zhen’s capability to be appointed as Prime Minister."
Aman accepted the letter solemnly and placed it in her bosom.
With hands joined in salute, she said, "In that case, Aman will wait for the Prime Minister in the palace for the morning court."
After speaking, she swiftly flew out of the courtyard, disappearing without a trace.
Aman was indeed very efficient, just as Qin Wu had trusted her for many years.
Yan Wanqing placed Qin Zhen’s portrait in the room and practiced her disguise. In the future, she would have to use this face every day, and only practice would make perfect.
In the meantime, Yan Congze came running over crazily again, clinging to Yan Wanqing to play. She couldn’t refuse the little guy, and the mother and son played around for a while until Xiao Cong Ze finally became sleepy and was coaxed to sleep by the nanny. By the time Yan Wanqing finished practicing, the moon was hanging over the willows, and dawn was upon her. She hurriedly got into bed and closed her eyes.
When Li Chengxiang came to call her, Yan Wanqing felt as though she had just closed her eyes.
"Miss, the carriage from the palace is waiting at the back door."
As soon as the words were out, most of Yan Wanqing’s sleepiness was gone.
Fortunately, she hadn’t bothered to remove it last night. Now, she just needed to wash up simply, get dressed, and she could head out.
"Let’s go, let’s go, let’s go." Yan Wanqing put on her clothes, stepped into her embroidered shoes, and in a daze, it was as if she was back in her school days. On the road, she saw her older brother leisurely enjoying morning tea, and she stopped.
"Big Brother, why are you not attending the morning court?" Could Qin Wu afford to miss the sight of Yan Li’an’s handsome features first thing in the morning?
Yan Li’an propped his chin with one hand and yawned contentedly, "Took a leave."
He was just a Think Tank, what was the point of attending the morning court for no reason.
Moreover, with Yan Hongzhao around, there was no need for him to add to the crowd.
"The Emperor approved?"
Yan Li’an gestured to Wu Bie, who was approaching from a distance, inviting him to sit beside him, before answering Yan Wanqing, "Sick leave."
Yan Wanqing greeted Wu Bie and felt she had brought it on herself.
"Hurry up. The carriage has to go around the old locust tree in the east and to the Qin Residence. You don’t have much time left," said Yan Li’an, grabbing a piece of pastry from a plate and tossing it to Yan Wanqing, "Keep it for the road. Morning court is quite a trial."
Yan Wanqing stuffed food into her mouth and headed straight for the back door.
She hurried, knowing she could catch up on some sleep in the carriage.
Watching her departing figure, Yan Li’an said to Wu Bie with resignation, "Just like when she was little, slow and slovenly, not at all the picture of a mother’s steadiness."
Wu Bie, however, shook his head, "She’s only like this at home. Outside, Awan has a completely different face."
He meant no more by it, but Yan Li’an’s gaze darkened with thought, though he quickly concealed it.
He thought of the time when, having withdrawn in grief after his father’s death, someone else had stepped in to shoulder the burdens of the Yan Family.
On the way, Yan Wanqing had seen Yan Hongzhao just after her martial practice, barely managing to wave in response to her fifth sister’s greeting before darting out the back door and plunging into the carriage.
"Let’s go! Quick!" Yan Wanqing urged the coachman, still slightly inarticulate.
Aman didn’t hesitate and cracked his whip, "Giddy up!"
After a circuitous route, they finally arrived at the palace gate where Yan Wanqing had to alight from the carriage.
Her measurements had already been taken by Aman, but her official attire would take some time to complete, so for now she could only wear her own clothes—a set of ink-colored robes that radiated scholarly elegance. She wore a simple bun, but unlike a man, didn’t band it up, and her makeup was plain yet feminine.
She hadn’t gone out of her way to appear more masculine.
The Emperor here was a woman, and the court was not without some distinguished female officials, so there was no need for her to dress as a man as she had in Dawei and the Chu Kingdom.
This was something Yan Wanqing found quite comfortable and freeing.
But this sense of freedom didn’t last long.
As one official after another passed her by with looks of disdain, Yan Wanqing’s head swam with confusion.
"Ptooey!" At last, an undisguised spit sound.
Yan Wanqing grabbed the plump official by the sleeve, "Why do you spit at me?"
The official’s narrow eyes showed undisguised contempt, "This humble official dare not, my lady. You saw wrong."
This humble official?
What did he mean by that?
"This humble official has a court session to attend, excuse me." The plump official wriggled free and left without looking back.
Yan Wanqing felt something was amiss and followed at once. As soon as she entered the grand hall, people’s gazes became even more pronounced and they quickly distanced themselves from her.
In the vast hall, only Yan Wanqing stood awkwardly alone in the center. Seeing this, she raised an eyebrow.
Interesting.
It seemed these people already knew she was favored by connections.
Qin Wu moved quickly, spreading the news. Now everyone knew she had risen to power through the Empress’s favor.
Before, she relied on merit; now, on connections.
Yan Wanqing found this feeling... somewhat satisfying.
She couldn’t waste this opportunity and assumed an arrogant stance that befitted her status as a person of connections.
Listening to the whispers around her, Yan Wanqing even swayed a bit, just as someone seemed unable to resist approaching to scold her when Aman finally appeared, "Her Majesty arrives—"
Yan Wanqing straightened regretfully.
Aman’s timing was too perfect. It had been a long time since she had debated scholars; her tongue was growing unused to it.
Yan Wanqing found it rather regrettable.
Qin Wu, wearing the Dragon Robe, seated herself on the Dragon Throne and saw at a glance Yan Wanqing in her plain dress among the officials. She nodded in satisfaction, feeling exceedingly reassured.
"Present your matters if you have any, otherwise, court is dismissed." Qin Wu spoke, looking around, and the chamber fell silent.
She paused briefly, then continued, "Since my beloved subjects have nothing to raise, I shall speak. The most important matter this morning is the bestowal of the title of Prime Minister upon Lady Qin Zhen of the Qin family, to be vested with the first rank, the granting of the Prime Minister Residence, and the reward of ten thousand gold and a thousand acres of good farmland—"
At these words, the court instantly burst into uproar, as noisy and chaotic as a poultry market, and the commotion was overwhelming!
