The Daily Life of Influencing the Empress [Transmigration into a Book GL] - Chapter 2

“No?” Xiao Yunlan finally felt utterly confused. “She’s only nine years old now, and it’s years away from when she becomes Empress! Why is her Life Value so low?”

[Value is too low. Unable to answer.] the System replied.

“Fine,” Xiao Yunlan was about to analyze the situation when she saw the palace servant she had sent away walking toward her in the distance.

“Miss,” Bi Mo was somewhat surprised to see her holding a bunch of pear blossoms and glanced toward the pear tree.

Just when Xiao Yunlan thought he would ask where the pear blossoms came from, Bi Mo acted as if he didn’t care at all, simply saying, “It’s inconvenient for Miss to carry this. Why not let this servant hold them for you?”

Xiao Yunlan thanked him, handed him the pear blossoms, walked down one path, turned two corners, and a magnificent palace appeared before her.

Without waiting for a closer look, she followed the palace servant inside.

As soon as she entered the bedchamber, she saw a man seated at the head of the room. He was wearing a purple robe, with his hair secured by a jade hairpin, which was his only head ornament. A jade pendant was fastened to his waist.

Xiao Yunlan had a matching jade pendant. Her mother said they came from the same piece of jade.

This was her older brother, Xiao Yuntan. Seeing him, Xiao Yunlan understood why others said the two of them looked alike.

Only their eyes were slightly different; Xiao Yuntan had phoenix eyes. Although his mouth was currently curved in a smile, he did not exude a feeling of warmth or amiability.

“Greetings to the Gentleman (Langjun),” Xiao Yunlan quickly performed the proper courtesy.

“After a few years apart,” Xiao Yuntan stepped down from his seat, “My sister has truly changed greatly.”

Xiao Yunlan was startled, momentarily fearing that a single action had exposed her secret. But that was impossible. They hadn’t seen each other in six years. Even if Xiao Yuntan remembered what his sister looked like six years ago, a simple phrase like she’s all grown up could easily cover for any difference.

However, Xiao Yuntan carefully scrutinized her, sat back down, and only said, “Sister has grown taller. You used to be much shorter than me, but now you’re almost as tall as your brother.”

That’s not it, Xiao Yunlan thought. Hearing this, she smiled and replied, “I’m still not as tall as my brother!”

“Of course. I’m the older brother,” he said with great pride. He then turned and said to Bi Mo, “Go check on the kitchen and see how lunch preparations are coming along.”

“Don’t worry, Gentleman. This servant gave instructions this morning.”

“Mhm.” Xiao Yuntan turned back to her and asked, “I wonder what dishes my sister likes to eat now?”

“Whatever my brother eats is fine for me,” Xiao Yunlan replied.

“That saves trouble then,” Xiao Yuntan joked. As they spoke, the extraneous palace servants quietly withdrew one by one.

“Was the journey peaceful?” Xiao Yuntan asked again.

This seemed somewhat like asking the obvious. Xiao Yunlan said gravely, “I finally arrived safely in the capital.”

“You don’t know how much Mother cried,” Xiao Yuntan said.

Mentioning this, Xiao Yunlan still felt a bit guilty. When she faked her death on the journey from Lanxi to the capital, she had considered telling her parents in advance.

However, she decided against it. Firstly, they would definitely probe the matter to the very end. Secondly, their reaction would surely be different if they knew versus if they didn’t. If the truth was revealed, the entire plan would be meaningless.

“Have you found the killer?” Xiao Yuntan asked.

“No,” Xiao Yunlan shook her head. This was the most frustrating part. She had set the stage for a drama, yet no one had appeared. To this day, she had no clue who tried to kill the original owner. This was not a good sign. What if the person who acted against the original owner tried again?

“Any leads?”

“None.”

Xiao Yuntan could not ask further, his expression showing disappointment. “You don’t even know who tried to harm you! How will you survive in officialdom?”

Xiao Yunlan smiled without speaking. Now that she was back in the capital, she would naturally be vigilant everywhere, and she would find the killer eventually.

As for becoming an official, Xiao Yunlan said, “Sister does not wish to participate in the imperial examinations.”

Since the state of Wen was founded by its first Empress, Wen Yao, matters great and small in the household—from the Emperor down to the common people—were treated equally regardless of gender. Unlike the neighboring Great Zhou, which prioritized men, and the state of Chen, which prioritized women, this state did not place importance on gender. This was true for becoming an official, engaging in business, or farming. A wealthy man could marry multiple women, and a wealthy woman could also marry multiple men.

It must be noted that none of the Xiao family’s children, except for Xiao Yuntan who entered the palace, had married outside the clan. This was naturally related to the Xiao family’s traditions.

“You’re only fourteen,” Xiao Yuntan was not at all worried about her taking the exams. “You can take the exams whenever you decide you want to become an official. There’s no rush.”

This statement suggested that he believed she would pass the exam as soon as she took it. Xiao Yunlan laughed, “Is Brother so confident that his sister can pass?”

“You’ve studied under Father for so many years and kept Great-Aunt company for six years. Even a block of wood would have been enlightened.”

Xiao Yunlan smiled, “Sister has no intention of becoming an official.”

Xiao Yuntan gave her a sidelong glance. “Just say that in front of me. If Mother and Father hear it…”

That was why Xiao Yunlan hadn’t said it. In this generation of the Xiao family’s main lineage, besides Xiao Yuntan who entered the palace, she was the only one left. It could be said that high expectations had been placed upon her since birth.

“Sister is just saying this to Brother,” Xiao Yunlan said, smiling, taking the opportunity to gauge their attitude.

“Gentleman, Gentleman Xu has sent someone.”

“Let them in,” Xiao Yuntan said.

“This servant pays respects to Gentleman Xiao and greets Miss Xiao.” After performing the ritual, he gestured to the items and said, “My master just acquired some fabrics and thought to send some to the Gentleman, even though the Gentleman certainly isn’t lacking.”

His voice was soft and drawn out. Although his words were respectful, his expression was not, which made Xiao Yunlan feel slightly uncomfortable.

“Bi Mo,” Xiao Yuntan, who was long accustomed to this, said, “Put it away.”

“Then this servant will take his leave.” As soon as he was out the door, his posture straightened immediately.

“Where were we?” Xiao Yuntan shook out his robe, entirely unbothered.

Xiao Yunlan continued their conversation but was thinking about this Gentleman Xu.

Speaking of Gentleman Xu, he was quite the tale. He was brought back by Her Majesty during an incognito visit when she was the Crown Princess. Her Majesty seemed to be very fond of him and insisted on formally marrying him with the highest rites.

The matter caused an uproar at the time. The one who lost the most face was Xiao Yuntan because he had been betrothed by the late Emperor to be the Crown Princess’s future husband. After Her Majesty ascended the throne, she did not establish an Emperor Consort, instead granting Xiao Yuntan the title of Gentleman Xiao and Xu Changqing the title of Gentleman Xu. For many years, the two have held equal status in the palace and coexisted peacefully.

“We’ve talked for so long,” Xiao Yuntan smiled. “Let’s eat first.” Bi Mo waved a hand, and palace servants carrying food boxes entered in single file.

“The Emperor has arrived.” Hearing this, Xiao Yunlan quickly rose, and immediately saw the person dressed in a bright yellow robe enter.

“You may all rise.” The Empress sat down. Seeing the table covered with dishes, she picked up her chopsticks and waved away the female official who wanted to taste the food first. “Yuntan’s private kitchen truly is the best in the palace.”

“Your Majesty jests,” Xiao Yuntan said. “Your Majesty, why have you come at this hour?”

“Why?” Hearing this, the Empress put down her chopsticks, a hint of displeasure showing on her face. “Do you not welcome Me?”

“No,” Xiao Yuntan offered a shallow smile, which even Xiao Yunlan noticed did not reach his eyes. “I was only thinking that if Your Majesty had given notice, your consort could have made preparations in advance.”

“No need for any preparations,” the Empress said. “This is perfect.”

“The beloved daughter of Prime Minister Xiao,” the Empress’s words suddenly turned to Xiao Yunlan. She quickly bowed again. “Commoner Xiao Yunlan pays respects to Your Majesty.”

“How is Elder Xiao?”

She was asking about Xiao Qingjin. Xiao Yunlan replied, “Reporting to Your Majesty, Great-Aunt is doing well.”

“Sit,” the Empress then said. “There’s no need to be so restrained in your brother’s palace.”

“Your Majesty jests,” Xiao Yuntan spoke first. “Under the vast heavens, every inch of land is the King’s. Within the imperial inner court…”

“Do you have to emphasize all this to your sister when she has just arrived?” the Empress laughed. “In Lanxi, there wouldn’t be so many rules binding her. My permission is enough.”

“Even with Your Majesty’s grace,” Xiao Yuntan said solemnly, “I fear Father would not permit it.”

The Xiao clan was known for its strict governance of the family, a fact known even in the other two states. However, the Empress was right about one thing: the six years Xiao Yunlan spent in Lanxi were indeed much more relaxed than here.

“Never mind,” the Empress, who seemed accustomed to his remarks, easily brushed it aside and asked again, “Are you preparing for the imperial exams?”

The exams were held every three years, and next year would be the annual examination. Xiao Yunlan replied, “Reporting to Your Majesty, this commoner’s knowledge is insufficient. I plan to study more in the capital and temporarily have no intention of participating in the imperial exams.”

“I recall you are about ten years younger than Yuntan, so you must be nearly of age for the hairpin ceremony (Jījí)?” the Empress asked again.

“This commoner will have her ceremony next autumn,” Xiao Yunlan said. She was eleven years younger than her brother.

Women could marry after the jījí ceremony at fifteen. The Xiao family upheld the principle of “establish a career before starting a family.” Therefore, Xiao Yunlan’s refusal to take the exams and become an official was also a way to avoid having to find reasons to decline betrothal offers.

“Since you are not preparing for the imperial exams for now,” the Empress mused slightly and then said, “Are you perhaps willing to take on a little task and help Me teach the princes and princesses?”

Princes and princesses?

Xiao Yunlan’s heart stirred. Before she could speak, Xiao Yuntan said, “Is Your Majesty not worried that my sister might lead Your Majesty’s children astray?”

“Are you joking?” the Empress said. “Slandering your own sister in front of Me? Are you not afraid of hurting her feelings?”

“This commoner…”

“It is settled then,” the Empress said decisively, allowing no room for doubt. “You will go to the Imperial Study tomorrow.”

Xiao Yunlan accepted the task.

After lunch, the Empress left to attend to state affairs. Xiao Yunlan wanted to ask about the Imperial Study, but before she could speak, Xiao Yuntan said, “Since you aren’t planning on taking the exams, teaching is a good option.”

“I’ll have Bi Mo clear out a room for you tomorrow, so you have a place to stay.”

“Thank you, Brother, for arranging it,” Xiao Yunlan said.

“I won’t keep you any longer,” Xiao Yuntan instructed Bi Mo to bring the items he had prepared. “Go back to the manor first. Mother might worry if you are late.”

“Then I will visit Brother again tomorrow.”

Outside the palace gate, her maidservant Zhiyan was already waiting. After taking the items Xiao Yuntan sent,

and putting them away, Zhiyan saw Xiao Yunlan still holding a bunch of pear blossoms and laughed, “Was Miss’s flower viewing in the Imperial Garden not enough? Did you have to pick a bunch of flowers from the palace when you left?”

Thinking of the person who gave her the pear blossoms, Xiao Yunlan remained silent.