“Why didn’t you bring any of your attendants?” the Empress asked, noticing for the first time that Fuyi had come alone and frowning slightly.
“His Majesty is kind, and Your Majesty is benevolent. This subject daughter was eager to pay my respects and didn’t want my attendants to disturb my first visit to you,” Fuyi explained.
The Empress’s summons was not something to take lightly. Unless explicitly permitted, she would never have dared bring others into the palace. She was a dandy, a player, not a fool. A true dandy always knew what lines not to cross.
Fuyi’s response reminded the Empress of a palace banquet several years ago. Back then, this girl had been about thirteen or fourteen, surrounded by two servant girls and a group of palace servants and eunuchs, full of youthful vibrancy and charm.
“This palace1 remembers you always had two trusted servant girls by your side. Next time you come to the palace, bring them along to take care of you properly,” the Empress said, patting Fuyi’s hand. “While the eunuchs are competent, no one knows your needs better than your own people.”
“Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty,” Fuyi said, touched. She hadn’t expected that her father’s favor in court was so high that she, a daughter, would also benefit from it.
The Empress continued chatting with Fuyi about various topics. Perhaps out of consideration of her feelings, the Empress carefully avoided any mention of her fall from the cliff three years ago. Instead, she asked about Fuyi’s time in Chongzhou Province, discussing local customs and stories.
Chongzhou was a rugged and remote place. Three years ago, the late emperor had been furious when Yun Wanggui opposed making Ning Wang the crown prince, so he exiled the entire Yun family to Chongzhou. Along the way, they encountered several assassination attempts, and even after reaching Chongzhou, the mastermind behind the scenes hadn’t given up. If Fuyi hadn’t risked her life to protect her family, all four of them might have been buried there long ago.
“Chongzhou is pretty remote, but life there wasn’t too difficult. The people were honest and simple, and they fully supported Father’s reforms. When we left, our carriage was overflowing with fruits and other local products gifted by the locals.” As Fuyi spoke of the time spent in Chongzhou, a smile appeared on her face. “The women there are especially strong and capable.”
Fuyi shared some amusing stories from Chongzhou, making the Empress laugh heartily. The Empress was so pleased that she insisted Fuyi stay for lunch, bestowing numerous treasures upon her before having a eunuch escort her home.
Less than an hour after Yun Fuyi returned home, news of her slapping Ning Wang’s eunuch and being invited by the Empress for lunch—along with receiving precious gifts—had spread throughout the capital.
The group of idler dandies, in particular, were in awe. As expected of their big boss! After three years away, Yun Fuyi returned and instantly added another legendary feat to her name.
Those who had been oppressed by Ning Wang’s faction felt vindicated, while those who once supported him now felt indignant. Yun Fuyi had once been very close to Ning Wang, so why was she now currying favor with the current empress?
“She’s a two-faced opportunist, swaying whichever way the wind blows. Yun Wanggui’s daughter has none of her family’s integrity,” the blue-robed young man grumbled, still limping from the beating his father had given him, as he visited Wang Yanhe at the Chengzhong Duke Manor. Wang Yanhe was in even worse shape, still bedridden from the thrashing he’d received from his grandfather.
“Shh! Shut up!” Wang Yanhe winced in pain. “You better watch your mouth. If she hears you, you’ll invite an even bigger catastrophe.”
He hadn’t expected that after being beaten up by Yun Fuyi, she would then turn around and report him to his grandfather, resulting in another brutal beating. No wonder she had let him off with just a few kicks! He did feel it odd at the time—given her usual style, she was far too lenient. Turns out she had another trap waiting for him back at home!
“Brother Wang, what kind of abilities does Yun Fuyi have that make you—” Seeing Wang Yanhe’s glare, Chen Yuanzhi quickly corrected himself, “—makes us all so wary of her?”
“You’ve never interacted with her, so you don’t know what kind of walking disaster she is. In private, you can call her by name, but in her presence, it’s best to be polite. Address her as Miss Yun or Young Lady Yun,” Wang Yanhe groaned, his buttocks still aching, but he couldn’t resist sharing some of Yun Fuyi’s past achievements.
“You know Li Erlang from the Li family, right?”2
Chen Yuanzhi nodded. Li Erlang was the second young master of the Li family, whose grandfather was the Minister of Public Works. His maternal grandmother was a Junzhu3, which made him an imperial relative. Even Wang Yanhe, as the grandson of a duke, had to show him respect.
“A few years ago, Li Erlang had too much alcohol and ended up verbally harassing the daughter of a vice minister. Unfortunately for him, Yun Fuyi witnessed it. She spent half an hour publicly berating him. For the next month, she and her gang of friends camped outside the Li family manor, mocking him relentlessly. The entire capital laughed at Li Erlang for a solid month.” Remembering Li Erlang’s miserable situation, Wang Yanhe shivered. “Ever since then, Li Erlang avoids Yun Fuyi at all costs and is terrified of offending any woman when he speaks to them.”
“How could such a big incident happen without the Li family stepping in?” Chen Yuanzhi was shocked. He couldn’t fathom someone so bold and daring as to block the gate of someone else’s home and humiliate the grandson of a minister and imperial Junzhu.
“Who said they didn’t try?” Wang Yanhe sighed. “But do you think Yun Fuyi is the type to listen? In the end, not only was Li Erlang humiliated, but both Minister Li and the Junzhu lost face too. Ever since, Li Erlang’s Junzhu grandmother turns sour every time someone mentions Yun Fuyi.”
“Why does she act so recklessly? Is there really no one in the entire capital who can control her?” Chen Yuanzhi was in awe. This Miss Yun was truly… a walking disaster!
“Ahem.” Wang Yanhe waved for the servants in the room to leave, then leaned in and whispered mysteriously, “Three years ago, there was a rumor in the capital that Ning Wang fancied Yun Fuyi.”
“What?!” Chen Yuanzhi was utterly shocked. After a long pause, he finally said, “I would’ve never guessed that Ning Wang, who always seemed so refined, would have such unusual tastes.”
“You don’t understand,” Wang Yanhe snorted. “Yun Fuyi may be fierce, but she’s also beautiful.”
Chen Yuanzhi stared at his buddy in horror. Was Wang Yanhe’s brain damaged from being beaten so much?
“Unfortunately, Yun Wanggui did not support Ning Wang to become the crown prince, which displeased the late emperor and noble consort, and his entire family was banished to a remote place. Along the way, the Yun family encountered many pursuits. Who do you think sent the assassin?”
…
“So what if he is Ning Wang’s eunuch? I will hit him if I want. My father is a loyal minister to His Majesty. As a daughter of the Yun family, how can I allow others to speak ill of His Majesty?” Fuyi said, removing her hairpins and accessories as she recounted the day’s events to Liu Qiongzhi and Yun Zhaobai. “If it weren’t for Ning Wang’s status, I would’ve beaten him, too.”
“Well done, little sis, well done!” Yun Zhaobai laughed, clapping his hands. “But do you realize what your actions resemble today?”
“What?”
“Like the villain in those storybooks—when the protagonist falls from power, you turn on them and make their life miserable.”
“As if that scum Ning Wang is worthy of being the protagonist.” Yun Fuyi scoffed disdainfully. “If one must be patient, understanding, and forgiving to be considered a good person, then I would rather be a vengeful villain.”
Being called a villain might sound bad, but it sure is satisfying!
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Author’s Note:
The graceful and gentle Empress: “Well done! Excellent job! Hit him harder next time.”
Yun Fuyi: “Villain? What villain?”
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- This palace (本宫) how empress, high-ranking consorts, and imperial princesses address themselves.
- Erlang (二郎) isn’t a name, but a way of addressing that means ‘Second Son.’ See the glossary for a detailed explanation.
- Junzhu (郡主): Princess of the Third Rank. A title usually granted to the daughter of a Wang.
Why did Yun father oppose NW to become emperor??