CCWAD – Chapter 42

Chapter 42

Volume 5: A Long Song of History

Foreword:

“When the historian asked me what I was most proud of in my life, I pointed to the women buried in their studies at the Imperial Academy and said: ‘Look, this is the best gift we’ve left for this world.’ And Li Shishi gently held my hand in her sleeve, and at that moment, the imperial court and private affection could finally be placed in the sunlight.”

—

Chapter 42: Red Attire, Bare Hands, Ruling the Nation

Epigraph:

“That night, she pressed me onto the pile of memorials, the vermilion brush sliding from my collarbone to my waist: ‘Your Majesty always thinks of the world first, and only then of me.’ I looked up at her eyes, illuminated by the candlelight, and for the first time outside the imperial court, I let down all my defenses.”

—

In the fifth year of the new dynasty’s establishment, the late autumn in Bianliang City was exceptionally peaceful. The imperial study was brightly lit, with Yan Qing reviewing memorials reporting the progress of the establishment of women’s schools across the land. Suddenly, a pair of warm hands covered her eyes from behind.

“Guess who I am?” a voice filled with laughter sounded by her ear.

Yan Qing’s brush tip paused, and the vermilion ink spread a small red stain on the memorial: “The Grand Tutor is trespassing in the imperial study late at night, what is the crime?”

Li Shishi moved in front of her, her fair hand gently lifted and took the vermilion brush from her hand: “Your Majesty has been staying in the imperial study for seven consecutive days. Your subject is here to demand an explanation.”

Under the candlelight, Li Shishi was only wearing a moon-white inner robe, covered by a crimson gauze robe, her black hair cascading like a waterfall to her waist. This was a lazy appearance Yan Qing had never seen before, completely different from the sharp and wise Grand Tutor she knew from the court.

“These memorials can wait until tomorrow,” Li Shishi’s fingertips gently stroked the dark circles under Yan Qing’s eyes, “Your Majesty always thinks of the world first, and only then of yourself.”

Yan Qing wanted to get up, but Li Shishi gently pressed her back into the chair. The handle of the vermilion brush slowly slid down her collarbone, leaving a faint red mark on her court attire.

“You…” Yan Qing’s voice tightened slightly.

Li Shishi leaned in, the candlelight dancing in her eyes: “Three years ago, by Jinming Pool, what did Your Majesty promise? Do you still remember?”

Yan Qing certainly remembered. On that snowy night, they had made a vow by the frozen pond to jointly create a new era. At that time, Li Shishi had said: “When the world is stable, I want you to belong to me completely.”

“Now that the four seas are at peace,” Li Shishi’s breath brushed past her ear, “How much longer does Your Majesty expect me to wait?”

The vermilion brush fell to the ground with a “clatter.” Yan Qing looked up at the person above her and finally let down all her defenses. At this moment, she was not the empress ruling the world, but just a woman flustered in front of her lover.

“Shishi…” she whispered the name, with a dependence she hadn’t even noticed herself.

Li Shishi’s kiss landed on her forehead, gentle yet unyielding: “We will not discuss state affairs tonight.”

Layers of curtains descended, obscuring the spring scenery within the room. Memorials scattered on the floor, mixed with intertwined clothes. On this autumn night, both the empire and the beauty were no longer a burden.

The next morning, as the first ray of sunlight shone into the imperial study, Yan Qing woke up in Li Shishi’s arms. They were still embracing on the long couch where they had been reviewing memorials the night before, covered by Li Shishi’s crimson gauze robe.

“Morning court…” Yan Qing tried to get up, but Li Shishi held her tighter.

“It has already been canceled,” Li Shishi played with a strand of her dark hair, “Just say Your Majesty has caught a cold.”

Yan Qing smiled helplessly: “Is this not considered harming the country and its people?”

“Even if it is,” Li Shishi pecked her lips, “it is because Your Majesty indulges me.”

Just then, a cautious voice from a eunuch outside the door sounded: “Your Majesty, Lin Wanqing, the top scholar of the Women’s Examination, requests an audience. She has an urgent memorial regarding the Southern Women’s Medical College.”

Yan Qing immediately sat up: “Bring her in…”

“Let her wait,” Li Shishi interrupted her, her voice carrying an undeniable authority, “Your Majesty has not yet washed.”

Silence fell outside the door. Yan Qing looked at Li Shishi in surprise, only then realizing that her expression at this moment was even more imposing than on the imperial court.

“What are you looking at?” Li Shishi raised an eyebrow, “Does Your Majesty think your subject only knows how to speak in gentle words?”

She stood up, retrieved her court attire, and personally helped Yan Qing dress. Her movements were still gentle, but carried an irresistible force of control. As her fingertips brushed over Yan Qing’s neck, Yan Qing couldn’t help but tremble slightly.

“Here,” Li Shishi smoothed the red mark on her collarbone, “use some makeup to cover it.”

With her court attire neatly put on, Li Shishi stepped back, returning to the respectful Grand Tutor: “Your Majesty, it is time to meet your officials.”

Yan Qing looked at her sudden change and suddenly understood something. In court, she was the emperor, and Li Shishi was the minister; but within the deep palace, Li Shishi had always been in control of everything.

When Lin Wanqing entered the hall, she keenly sensed something. The atmosphere between the empress and the Grand Tutor seemed different from usual. But she was clever enough not to ask further questions, respectfully presenting the memorial.

“The Southern Women’s Medical College has been completed,” Lin Wanqing reported, “but some local medical clinics are jointly boycotting it, refusing to teach medical skills to women.”

As Yan Qing was about to speak, Li Shishi stepped forward: “This matter is easily resolved. Issue an order that anyone who teaches at the Women’s Medical College will have their descendants prioritized for entry into the Imperial Academy. Those who boycott will have their medical licenses revoked.”

Her decision was swift and decisive, a stark contrast to Yan Qing’s usual gentle approach. Lin Wanqing looked up in surprise, only to see the empress nod slightly, fully accepting her proposal.

After the morning court, Yan Qing couldn’t help but ask: “You seem particularly… today.”

“Assertive?” Li Shishi finished her sentence, “Because after last night, some things should change.”

She took Yan Qing’s hand: “On the imperial court, you are still the emperor. But in this deep palace, I want you to learn to rely on me.”

Yan Qing gazed into her determined eyes and suddenly felt the tension in her nerves loosen. This was what it felt like to finally set down her burden.

That evening, Li Shishi moved into the emperor’s sleeping quarters. This caused quite a stir in the court, but no one dared to openly question it. After all, the relationship between the empress and the Grand Tutor was already an open secret in court circles.

Late at night, Yan Qing leaned into Li Shishi’s embrace, playing with a strand of her long hair: “How do you think history will record us?”

“Let them record whatever they want,” Li Shishi kissed the top of her head, “The important thing is, we changed this world.”

She turned and loomed over Yan Qing: “Now, let me change you…”

Moonlight streamed through the window lattices, casting intertwined shadows on the screen. On this night destined to be remembered by history, two women confirmed their feelings for each other in the most intimate way.

And for Yan Qing, this was the first time she had completely shed her identity as emperor and was simply a person being loved.

—

(End of Chapter 42)