Sixty-three. Perfectly Seamless

The Yu family of the capital was the most prominent clan of the age, second only to the imperial family of Zhaoning in the hearts of the people.

Stepping down from the carriage, Su Zhiqiu walked through the vast Yu residence, greeted at every turn by rare flowers and exotic trees. The number of servants and maids within the estate was beyond counting, and she even glimpsed patrolling guards.

Throughout the journey, every person she encountered in the Yu household regarded her not only with sincerity but also with the reverence a younger generation would show to an elder. This sensation felt surreal to Su Zhiqiu, making her all the more uneasy, as if she were walking into a trap.

Cautiously, she entered the grand reception hall, where she saw the venerable Lord Changle, his hair frosted with age, seated at the head. He was the hereditary Duke of the First Rank, a title passed down without interruption.

Before Su Zhiqiu could speak, the old duke rose, trembling, his eyes filled with disbelief as he turned to his grandson and asked, “Is this... is this truly…”

He must have already received Yu Liancheng’s message.

Lord Changle personally rose, prompting all the prominent clan members in the hall to stand as well, and a solemn hush fell over the room.

Yu Liancheng hurried to introduce her: “Grandfather, I have personally seen the Jade Medallion of Mount Tu. This is indeed Her Highness the Imperial Princess.”

Hearing this, Lord Changle’s hands, resting on the table, trembled uncontrollably. Though tears streamed down his aged cheeks, he laughed heartily. “Good... good! At last, before the blood of Qingqiu runs dry, I have lived to see the Imperial Princess herself. To know that Her Majesty the Demon Queen has not abandoned our Yu family—now I can die without regret…”

Everyone in the hall wore expressions mirroring Lord Changle’s, and as one, they declared, “We welcome Your Highness, the Imperial Princess!”

That such a noble family would align themselves with demons so completely was almost beyond belief. Even as the Imperial Princess of Qingqiu, Su Zhiqiu found it difficult to comprehend.

Though they claimed to share the blood of Qingqiu, it ought to bear little relation to the royal lineage of Mount Tu. The foxes of Tu Mountain were not born of mortal wombs, but rather fruit ripened on the immortal veins of the mountain. As they aged, they lost even the ability to bear descendants…

Thus, at best, the Yu family were the offspring of other demon clans, perhaps mixed with human blood—a lineage never recognized by Qingqiu. Yet if this were revealed to the world, the human race would only scorn them further.

Their fervor likely stemmed from a promise by her mother, the Demon Queen, to allow them to return to the ancestral fold… But after so many generations, whatever bloodline remained was surely too diluted to matter.

Su Zhiqiu chose not to dwell on it. Since this was a stratagem her mother had prepared for her, it could not be a trap. She composed herself and sat calmly upon the ornate chair presented to her.

Only then did Lord Changle and the others dare to resume their seats. The old duke, still trembling, respectfully inquired, “May I ask, Your Highness, what brings you to Zhaoning? We will answer all your questions without reservation…”

Su Zhiqiu decided to be direct.

“I wish to know everything concerning the Third Prince of Zhaoning.”

At Lord Changle’s signal, the duke’s eldest legitimate son rose and bowed. “Your Highness, the Third Prince’s name is Li Xiunian. It is now confirmed that the person abducted that day was not the prince himself, but a decoy.”

He added in a cautious tone, “If Your Highness wishes to act against him, it must be planned carefully. Do not act rashly. At present, the Third Prince is favored by fortune and stands beneath the Empress Dowager’s protection. In the court’s struggle for succession, he is the dark horse… However, just days ago, he supported the Divine Mechanism Battalion at the pill workshop incident, which gives us leverage. With court soon in session, perhaps we can use this as a pretext…”

Yet another suggestion to wait and see… Su Zhiqiu waved for silence, uncertain of how she wished to handle Pei Xiunian for now.

Besides, given the Yu family’s current tension with him, she could not use their hand to impeach Pei Xiunian directly. Thus, making an issue of the matter seemed petty, like a personal vendetta.

After a moment’s thought, she asked, “What are the Third Prince’s cultivation levels? Does he have any close bodyguards? Has he made any recent moves?”

After a brief pause, someone reported, “According to palace sources, the Third Prince broke through to the Second Realm before returning to the capital. As for personal guards, he has only a single maid at the peak of the Fourth Realm—not noteworthy.”

“As for recent news… It is said the Empress Dowager is personally selecting a maid for him, but none have met with her satisfaction so far.”

“Second Realm…” Su Zhiqiu murmured. For her, such cultivation was meaningless—Second Realm was no different from a commoner before her.

Yet last she met Pei Xiunian, he had been naturally blocked in his meridians, unable to cultivate. For an ordinary cultivator, reaching the Second Realm required a foundation laid from childhood and years of effort, let alone for someone with his constitution, who had already missed the ideal age to begin.

It seemed impossible, and yet he had done it.

The Imperial Princess of Qingqiu had not expected her prediction to come true so swiftly. What unsettled her was the man’s extraordinary talent; if left unchecked, what might he become?

A chill of unease crept into her heart, but Su Zhiqiu recalled something else mentioned earlier and asked, “Just now, I heard the young lord refer to me as Yu Hongdou. Who is Yu Hongdou?”

The Yu family elders exchanged glances before Yu Liancheng knelt and explained, “Hongdou is a kinswoman who lived her life in seclusion and never left the inner chambers. When I addressed Your Highness as her, it was not out of disrespect, but only to protect your identity. I beg your forgiveness.”

Su Zhiqiu bit her lip, considering.

“What if Hongdou were to become the Third Prince’s concubine? Would that be possible?”

Yu Liancheng blanched and prostrated himself in alarm. “My kinswoman passed away young, Your Highness. I meant no offense. Please punish me if you must.”

“That’s not what I meant…” Su Zhiqiu waved dismissively. “In the capital, aside from the Yu family, has anyone seen Yu Hongdou?”

The Duchess replied at the right moment, “Your Highness, Hongdou was frail from birth and never left the estate. Outside, people know only her name as one of our family, nothing more.”

Su Zhiqiu nodded, her mind made up. “Then from this day forth, I am Yu Hongdou. With court soon to convene, if the matter of the pill workshop arises and the Third Prince wishes to protect the Divine Mechanism Battalion, we can offer the hand of Yu Hongdou as a bargaining chip for an alliance…”

“Your Highness, this must not be!” Lord Changle rose again, speaking earnestly. “Your Highness’s noble person cannot be given to a mere prince. Even for the great cause of Qingqiu, you must reconsider.”

Su Zhiqiu had considered this. But Pei Xiunian was no fool; he would never allow the clans to bind him with marriage. Naturally, he would reject the proposal, and that would open the way for a compromise—Su Zhiqiu stated plainly:

“The Third Prince will surely refuse. At that point, we can suggest Hongdou become his concubine instead. Since he is seeking a maid, this is hardly a restriction. The clans cannot extend their influence deeply into the Forbidden City; it would not even count as surveillance. I expect the Third Prince will not reject this show of goodwill from the great families…”

She paused, lifted the tea that had been prepared for her, sipped, and continued, “Then, I can remain close to him. Using the mind-influencing arts of the royal line of Tu Mountain, I can subtly gain control over him, and when the time is right, help him seize the throne from within. Would that not place the court of Zhaoning firmly in our hands?”

“Once Zhaoning’s throne is won, Qingqiu’s fortunes will flourish all the more. In time, we shall ride into the capital and unify the realm—victory will be within our grasp!”

At these words, the hall was struck silent, the tension palpable. Then the applause began, wave after wave, as all present praised the Imperial Princess’s inspired strategy.

While others pondered how to confront Zhaoning’s growing power, Her Highness had already decided to strike at the roots with a bold infiltration—truly worthy of her title.

Yet, this plan was still only a rough outline, not flawless; it would require refinement. And the Forbidden City was sure to be fraught with peril—utmost caution would be needed.

Su Zhiqiu laced her fingers together and said, “We will discuss the details further. For now, I await good news, and the coming court session.”