Qiu Che exchanged a few pleasantries with him, noting how his gaze barely brushed over her lapel before remaining straight ahead, his expression unchanged. She raised an eyebrow slightly.
No matter what schemes they harbored in their hearts, at least on the surface, their interaction appeared amicable.
Once they were seated, and after Qiu Che had mentioned for the third time how deeply in love she and her new wife were, how inseparable they had become, Yang Qiu finally showed a hint of discomfort and interrupted her.
"Lord Qiu."
Though he was the son of Prince Zhao, a first-rank noble of a different surname, Yang Qiu himself was merely a minor seventh-rank official. Addressing Qiu Che, a fifth-rank official, as 'Lord' was perfectly appropriate.
He hesitated for a moment before saying, "There's no need to keep changing the subject, you should already know why I came here today, shouldn't you?"
"Huh?" Qiu Che blinked, feigning innocence. "Young Master Yang, what are you talking about? I don't quite understand... Should I know what you're planning to do?"
Yang Qiu held his cup with both hands, sitting with composed dignity, his poise perfectly matching his unruffled, gentle demeanor.
His voice was calm as well. "If Lord Qiu truly didn't understand, you wouldn't have kept me waiting this long."
As he spoke, his gaze briefly flickered toward the maids and attendants standing silently at the side.
Qiu Che casually raised her hand, signaling for them to withdraw.
"A scholar who has the ear of the emperor, who once debated and bested an entire assembly of scholars, surely such a man wouldn't be one to lose himself in beauty."
Only after the servants had left and the hall doors were shut by Yu Ming did Yang Qiu continue.
He bowed respectfully and said, "I have come to apologize for my absence at yesterday's wedding. But, my lord, you should know, it wasn't that I refused to attend, but rather… there are too many eyes in the capital watching you. I did not dare to openly associate myself with you."
Qiu Che rested her chin on her hand and smiled lazily. "Oh? And what exactly are you trying to tell me by saying all this, Young Master Yang?"
Yang Qiu was silent for a moment before taking out a scroll from his sleeve and handing it over.
"And this is?"
"You can think of it as…" Yang Qiu spoke slowly, "a pledge of allegiance."
Qiu Che raised an eyebrow but said nothing, her interest piqued as she unrolled the scroll.
It was the exact same intelligence Yao Tai had just reported to her.
Twelve Southern spies had entered the capital.
Without any change in expression, she skimmed through the list of clearly fake names before rolling the scroll back up.
"Young Master Yang," she said, "is this your way of surrendering to me?"
Yang Qiu seemed slightly caught off guard by her directness, but he still nodded.
Qiu Che, unhurried, asked, "Where were you when I proposed the legal reforms? And where were you when I was relentlessly attacked by the court ministers?"
She tossed the scroll back to him, her tone indifferent, revealing neither joy nor anger. "You disappeared for all those days, yet now that the reform bill has passed, you think I'll accept your belated allegiance?"
Yang Qiu lowered his eyes, his voice apologetic. "Forgive my inaction during that time. But seeking allies requires careful observation, I needed to know whether you were truly someone I could entrust my cause to."
Qiu Che arched a brow at his choice of words. "And? What did your observations tell you?"
"You already know the answer to that."
"But what should I do?" Qiu Che leaned back leisurely, her tone laced with amusement. "You may be satisfied, but I'm not."
"I don't make deals that put me at a loss. If this is all you have to offer, something I already know, then your so-called sincerity is far too cheap."
Yang Qiu's eyelid twitched. He hadn't expected her to already possess the information.
However, he quickly regained his composure and said, "If that is not enough, there is one more thing. I wonder if Lord Qiu would be interested?"
"Let's hear it."
"Before entering the capital, the Southern spies had contact with Minister Wu."
Qiu Che's hand paused mid-motion, her eyes flickering with interest. Her voice remained calm. "Where did this information come from?"
Yang Qiu was forthright. "From the Red Hell Birds."
The Red Hell Birds were the largest intelligence organization in the underworld, frequently dealing with Nightbright City. Many people sought their services in exchange for gold.
For someone like Yang Qiu, a court official, to not only have access to the Red Hell Birds but also obtain information of this magnitude, his connections were clearly far from simple.
Qiu Che studied him for a long moment before standing up. "Alright."
"Does this mean Lord Qiu accepts my sincerity?"
"Of course," Qiu Che smiled but added, "but let's be clear on one thing."
As she spoke, she stepped down from her seat, pausing briefly as she passed by Yang Qiu.
"I am no ruler, nor do I intend to be one. I am merely your ally."
"Just remember, our goals align. That is all that matters."
Yang Qiu was momentarily stunned.
He had wanted to say something, but in the end, he swallowed his words.
Did this mean… Qiu Che already knew what his true ambitions were?
Yet she left immediately after, offering no explanation.
Side Room
Li Qingwu, who had been assigned to the side chamber, had listened to the entire conversation.
She didn't understand why Qiu Che had handled things this way, but she chose to follow along.
When Qiu Che knocked on the door, signaling that she could leave, she quietly fell in step behind her, still processing what she had just heard.
Then, she heard Qiu Che's voice.
"What did you pick up from that conversation?"
Li Qingwu hesitated. "...That Young Master Yang is offering his allegiance to you."
Qiu Che nodded, noting her uncertainty. She remained calm. "Speak your mind."
With that permission, Li Qingwu did not hold back. "Why did he come to you?"
And why did Qiu Che seem unsurprised?
"I don't know either," Qiu Che mused. "But if I had to guess, I'd say it has a lot to do with my legal reform proposal."
In her past life, she hadn't interacted with Yang Qiu much, but he had helped her several times.
Though they often disagreed on policy, she had recognized him as a genuine man of principle.
She had wanted to work with him because there were too few usable officials in court and she valued his integrity.
But Yang Qiu was a cautious man, one who preferred to observe from the sidelines before making a move. She had no interest in catering to that, so she hadn't made the first approach.
She knew he would come to her eventually.
In the imperial court, there were few who openly supported reform. On the surface, she was the only one.
Though her position was precarious, it also proved her strength. If Yang Qiu sought an ally, now was his best opportunity, if he missed it, she might not accept his allegiance in the future.
In the end, as she expected, he had made the first move.
Li Qingwu only half-understood and asked, "And the other reason?"
Qiu Che tilted her head. "Perhaps because of Prince Zhao?"
Li Qingwu hesitated before saying, "I don't quite understand."
Qiu Che smiled. "Then take your time to think it through."
And with that, she returned to her study to continue revising her legal reform bill, working late into the night.
Throughout the evening, Yu Ming and Yu Yan came in and out of the study, moving items and assisting quietly, making sure not to disturb her.
When it came to court affairs, Li Qingwu first needed to understand the background before Qiu Che could discuss the issues with her.
The memorial in her hands contained detailed records of the recent state of court officials, meticulously gathered from Yeming City by Yu Ming.
Li Qingwu hesitated for a moment before silently accepting it.
She actually wanted to ask, Qiu Che had so many allies, so many political confidants with keen insight into court matters.
Why did it seem like she paid special attention only to her? Why was she so insistent that Li Qingwu personally learn about these matters as well?
But she feared that this question was merely her own wishful thinking—
After all, as "spouses" now, if Li Qingwu couldn't keep up with Qiu Che's train of thought, she wouldn't be able to support some of her decisions and plans.
For politicians navigating the ever-changing court, that could be fatal.
Perhaps Qiu Che simply wanted her to keep pace.
Or maybe… she was preparing for their eventual separation.
After all, she had said it herself, sooner or later, they would divorce.
Li Qingwu could tell that Qiu Che was someone with a strong sense of responsibility. She had only agreed to marry her to take responsibility for her father and brother's schemes.
There was almost no benefit for her in this arrangement. Even the esteemed status of being the Princess Consort only placed her in an even more perilous position.
Li Qingwu knew that Qiu Che was not someone who would stop for a fleeting view.
She would never halt her steps.
If Li Qingwu wanted to stay by her side a little longer, she could only work hard to match her pace, to follow in her footsteps—
Until one day, she could stand beside her as an equal.
Just like those allies at her side.
As soon as Li Qingwu left, Qiu Che immediately forgot about the soup.
She remained seated until the Hour of the Boar (9–11 PM) before realizing that the lamps in the room were about to burn out.
She twisted her stiff neck slightly, closed the memorial, and prepared to leave.
When she picked up the bowl, she felt its cold surface and hesitated for a moment.
In the end, unwilling to waste Li Qingwu's kindness, she quickly downed the now-cold soup in a few gulps.
By the time she finished bathing and returned to the bedroom, it was already late. But to her surprise, Li Qingwu was still awake.
She was leaning against the headboard, her waist draped in the bedding, completely absorbed in an account book.
The sight of her like this inexplicably reminded Qiu Che of the day she had taken medicine—of that moment that had left her face flushed and heart racing.
She shook her head to clear her thoughts, then suddenly recalled something and stepped back before fully entering the room.
Turning around, she gave Yu Ming a few low-voiced instructions.
Li Qingwu, ever perceptive, heard the murmuring at the door. She looked up just in time to see Qiu Che stepping inside again.
Qiu Che asked, "Why are you still up? It's so late, and you're still looking at the account books?"
Li Qingwu replied, "There's no steward in the residence. I feel more at ease handling the shop's accounts myself."
Then she glanced at her and added, "And aren't you still awake too?"
Qiu Che chose to ignore the latter part of the remark and sat down on the bed.
Li Qingwu shifted slightly, making space for her.
As she flipped another page in the account book, she hesitated for a moment before speaking. Looking at Qiu Che's profile, she explained, "I read your memorial, but it's too long to remember everything in one go. I'll go over it again tomorrow."
"Alright," Qiu Che nodded, then said matter-of-factly, "Since you're in charge of the finances, my salary should be handed over to you as well."
Li Qingwu was momentarily stunned and wanted to protest, wasn't that Yu Ming's job?
But before she could say anything, Qiu Che preemptively cut her off, as if predicting her response. "It's inconvenient to have two separate accounts for the household. Besides, your father's people are in the residence."
If outsiders found out that the couple managed their money separately, wouldn't that imply a lack of harmony in their relationship?
Her voice dropped slightly on that last sentence, and she didn't elaborate further.
But Li Qingwu understood.
She pursed her lips, no longer refusing. "Alright."
They casually chatted a bit more about the accounts. To Qiu Che's surprise, though Li Qingwu was clueless about court politics, she had an unexpectedly sharp mind for business.
When discussing how to manage the emperor-granted shops and lands under her name, she spoke methodically and with confidence.
Her eyes sparkled with excitement, making her even more striking and captivating.
Qiu Che listened intently, occasionally asking questions, which only elicited even more enthusiastic responses.
When their conversation finally ended, Qiu Che chuckled. "Didn't you say you weren't good at anything? This doesn't seem bad at all."
Li Qingwu was momentarily stunned.
It was the first time someone had ever told her, "You're good at this."
"If you're interested, you might as well try learning more about business," Qiu Che suggested. "You're smart and clearly have a knack for it. If it were me, I wouldn't have half as many ideas about managing money."
"Yu Yan always says I spend too extravagantly and have no sense of restraint," she added jokingly. "Now, with you helping, I won't have to worry about the money disappearing mysteriously anymore."
"Who knows? Maybe this suits you more than politics."
Li Qingwu thought for a moment, fingers tightening around the account book. After a brief pause, she slowly relaxed her grip.
Then she smiled. "I'll give it a try."
That night, they both slept soundly.
The next morning, Qiu Che woke earlier than Li Qingwu.
She was roused by a stomachache.
After making two trips to the latrine, she returned with a noticeably paler face. When she entered the main courtyard, she saw Doctor Chen Huichun sitting outside, chatting with Yu Ming.
This time, he wasn't blindfolded.
As soon as he caught sight of her pale complexion, he immediately stood up. "Master Qiu, what happened?"
Qiu Che waved a hand dismissively. "Just ate something bad, that's all."
Chen Huichun: "…"
Seriously? She called him over just for an upset stomach?
Did these bandits think he was some common physician instead of a renowned miracle doctor?
One look at his expression, and Qiu Che knew exactly what the old man was thinking. She didn't bother explaining and instead turned to Yu Ming. "Has the lady—" She paused, then corrected herself, "Has my wife woken up yet?"
Yu Ming still wasn't used to the title "wife," but she respectfully bowed and answered, "She has. She asked where you were earlier. Right now, she should still be washing up."
Qiu Che nodded. "Take Doctor Chen to the side hall for now."
Chen Huichun was puzzled and wanted to ask why. But as soon as he heard Yu Ming mention the rare 'Jinlong Snow Lotus Tea,' he immediately shut his mouth.
Despite his grumbling, he eagerly followed along.
Jinlong Snow Lotus Tea was incredibly rare, its growing conditions harsh. It was a delicacy reserved exclusively for the imperial family.
Named for its sweet fragrance, snowy-white leaves, and origins in Jinlong Prefecture, it was a prized treasure among tea connoisseurs.
Many spent their entire lives never tasting a single cup.
That the princess's residence had it at all was thanks to Li Qingwu.
Even though the emperor didn't truly care about her, he still maintained appearances.
And as it so happened, according to Yu Ming's reports, Chen Huichun was an avid tea lover. Titles and wealth couldn't tempt him, nor did he care for gold or silver.
But a fine cup of tea?
That was something he couldn't resist.
As Qiu Che mused over this, she pushed open the bedroom door—
Only to see Li Qingwu already seated at the table, engrossed in the memorial she had given her last night.
When Li Qingwu looked up and saw her, she frowned. "Did you go out early because you weren't feeling well?"
Qiu Che rubbed her nose, feigning nonchalance. "Just a bit of a chill. A few trips to the latrine—nothing serious."
…Though in truth, it was probably that cold soup's fault.
But she couldn't bring herself to admit that. Otherwise, wouldn't Li Qingwu think she was foolish for drinking it anyway?