TFSRITA Chapter 181

“Seems like you’re getting stronger?”

“Yeah, look at your whole demeanor! The Prime Minister knows how to teach kids. His daughter has taught her husband well.”

Yan Qing listened and couldn’t help but laugh. It seemed that the Fourth Prince hadn’t lied to her—times were changing quickly.

Ji Jiaxun leaned closer to her and whispered, “Qingqing, look, everyone’s praising you.”

“You mean praising you,” Yan Qing smiled and held his hand.

This silly boy was truly an anomaly in this male-dominated era. Despite being constantly overshadowed by his wife, he had grown so accustomed to it, without the slightest complaint. Yan Qing genuinely felt they were praising him. Without his cooperation, no matter how many methods she had, he would have resented her, and they wouldn’t have this scene now.

“Everyone’s praising you!” Ji Jiaxun chuckled and squeezed her hand tighter.

In public, they couldn’t do much, so Ji Jiaxun could only hold her hand and feed her a little.

Marrying his wife was truly a blessing.

At that moment, Shi Yibin and the others happened to walk by. Seeing them, they hesitated for a moment, unsure whether to approach, but Qi Haolin pulled them back. “Let’s not interrupt.”

The other two understood and silently took a detour, muttering, “Jiaxun fell so low. Didn’t he say he didn’t want to marry that woman, that he couldn’t bear to stay with her for even a moment?”

“Tsk tsk…”

Yan Qing and Ji Jiaxun didn’t notice the three of them. After strolling for a while, they happened to pass by the Zui Xian Pavilion, and Yan Qing said, “Shall we go in for a bit?”

“Sure,” Ji Jiaxun obediently nodded.

The two of them, along with their servants, went upstairs and chose a private room.

As soon as they entered, they saw the Fourth Prince drinking tea. Upon seeing them, he stood up. “Please, take a seat.”

Chapter 49

Inside the private room, Yan Qing and the Fourth Prince talked for quite a while.

When they returned to the Grand Princess’s residence, she had another long conversation with the Duke of Pingwu, and Ji Jiaxun stayed with her the entire time.

After the talks, Yan Qing received a group of secret soldiers.

These soldiers had been specifically trained by the Duke of Pingwu for his son, anticipating this day might come.

The higher-ups weren’t as cautious about civil officials, because civil servants could only argue, but military generals were a different matter. They held control over vast armies, and with a single misstep, they could overthrow the dynasty.

Historically, emperors were usually military-oriented, and this was the reason why emperors feared military officials.

Though the Duke of Pingwu wasn’t born into a noble family, his position with the Grand Princess and the lessons of history had prompted him to prepare.

He gave these soldiers to Yan Qing to ensure that, should the time come, she would have a way out, at least to protect Ji Jiaxun’s life.

However, the Duke of Pingwu didn’t share further details about his thoughts or the current state of the court.

Yan Qing didn’t know his true intentions or the situation at the palace.

Although she had a general sense of the plot from the novel, it was a typical Mary Sue romance novel written from the female protagonist’s perspective. It didn’t delve much into the court’s schemes, only occasionally mentioning the political situation when the male and female protagonists interacted.

Even the situation with the Ji family was something Yan Qing had inferred from what she read.

Having done all she could, Yan Qing set the matter aside and focused on training Ji Jiaxun and herself. With the secret soldiers in hand, even if the situation unfolded as in the original story, she could survive with Ji Jiaxun.

If only she were a little stronger, she would just kill the damn emperor and the Third Prince—then the task would be completed.

But… the damn emperor?

A sour feeling struck Yan Qing’s heart, but it felt like floating weeds with no clear origin.

“Qingqing, I’ve been hit again by Master Wang!” Ji Jiaxun complained, lifting his arm to show her, distracting her from her thoughts.

Yan Qing snapped out of her daze, looking at his arm, which was bruised after rolling up his sleeve. His wrist was covered in purple-blue marks, and the side of his arm had gotten an extra injury.

She immediately took out some ointment for treating bruises and applied it, pressing firmly. Ji Jiaxun winced in pain, his teeth gritted and his eyes watering.

“It hurts! It hurts!” Ji Jiaxun cried out in pain.

“Endure it.” Yan Qing gave him a reproachful look but subconsciously loosened her grip.

Noticing this, Ji Jiaxun leaned his face toward hers, grinning. “Qingqing, you’re the best~”

Yan Qing snorted with a smile, finishing rubbing his wrist. She stood up and clapped her hands. “You know I’m the best, so get up and practice. Today you’ll spar with me.”

Ji Jiaxun immediately made a miserable face. “I don’t want to.”

He couldn’t bear to hurt his beautiful wife. Though he might not win, he still hesitated to strike.

Yan Qing gave him a cold look, and Ji Jiaxun shivered, immediately standing up and walking out into the yard.

The yard, once covered in grass, had now turned into bare soil from all the practice. After every session, the water used for baths was black from the dirt.

The two were sparring back and forth when suddenly, Xiao Liuzi ran in. “Young master, young madam, an imperial decree has arrived. It seems the Duke of Pingwu is about to go to war.”

The two of them froze. Yan Qing quickly adjusted her clothes and said, “Lead the way.”

“Yes,” Xiao Liuzi nodded and turned to leave.

Yan Qing, with a grim expression, grabbed Ji Jiaxun’s hand and followed.

By the time they arrived, the imperial decree had already been received by the Duke of Pingwu, and the messenger had left. There were no outsiders left, only the Grand Princess and her husband in the main hall.

When they entered, the couple didn’t say much but led them to their courtyard to ensure no eavesdroppers. The Grand Princess then spoke in a heavy tone, “You were right.”

Previously, Yan Qing had said that if the emperor truly intended to target the Duke of Pingwu, they could simply send him to the battlefield. On the battlefield, swords had no eyes, and death was common. If the Third Prince wanted enough military power, after the Duke’s death, he would take command, and it would be a natural step for him to seize the Duke’s forces.