A group of people were joyfully watching the opera, but Su Yu was feeling lancholic.
She wasn’t just lancholic; she was also filled with anxiety.
She never expected Princess Fengyang would openly expose her in front of so many people.
None of the scholars in Suzhou City had ever accused her of plagiarism, yet Princess Fengyang...
It must be because Princess Fengyang held a grudge against her for wanting to seduce Your Majesty, which made her embarrass Su Yu.
In fact, Su Yu wasn’t aware that so scholars in Suzhou City also found it strange, thinking it impossible for a young girl like Su Yu to write so many diverse poems. They always suspected she hired a ghostwriter or plagiarized them.
But since Su Yu resided at the i Family, considered a daughter of the house, and i Boqing was a great scholar highly respected by both Anning and Xiao Yuan, those scholars dared not expose Su Yu.
Mainly because they lacked evidence, they were afraid of offending the i Family by speaking out.
But Princess Fengyang had no such worries, which is why she openly spoke about it.
On the day of the flower appreciation banquet, everyone was deeply engrossed in the opera, thinking the performance was great, appreciating Qi Nanxue’s appearance, singing, and deanor, with no flaws at all; many Madams were moved to tears during the emotional parts.
After the banquet ended, Su Yu’s reputation was ruined.
Because Princess Fengyang claid her poems were plagiarized, those scholars dared to speak up.
They began picking out all her poems, finding traces of plagiarism everywhere; soon, Su Yu’s reputation for plagiarism spread throughout Suzhou City.
Aside from Su Yu’s tarnished reputation, Qi Nanxue’s fa also grew.
Everyone knew Qi Nanxue was excellent at performing operas; even the Empress had praised him and specially wrote a script for him.
After a few days of preparation, the grand theater opened, and Qi Nanxue perford in the first show.
The grand theater brimd with famous perforrs, offering not only opera performances but also various acrobatics and entertainnt activities. Visitors could dine, drink, and enjoy themselves for several days, relaxing in both play and stay.
In any case, after the theater opened, Princess Fengyang moved from the imperial manor to the grand theater, staying over half a month before returning to the Imperial Palace.
While the Dajing Dynasty was bustling with activity, a major event occurred in the Da Qi Dynasty.
Emperor Jingqing passed away.
Upon receiving this news, Anning and Xiao Yuan paid particular attention, sending spies to continuously report on the situation in Da Qi.
With Emperor Jingqing’s passing, the court dynamics underwent a drastic change.
The Li family’s influence waned, while Consort Zhang colluded with Chief Eunuch An Qingtai to support the six-year-old Prince’s ascension and declared Consort Zhang as Empress Dowager.
Because the new Emperor was young, Consort Zhang held regency.
With the situation altered, Anning and Xiao Yuan naturally needed to reconsider their strategy.
While they were discussing how to influence the situation in Da Qi, Yinya ca looking for them.
Anning didn’t expect Yinya and Lansheng to travel to Suzhou.
They clearly had moved to the countryside for a peaceful life; why co here at this ti?
Yinya went to the Duke Dingbei Mansion seeking connections to find Princess Le Yang, requesting her to relay a ssage to Anning saying she wished to et.
Anning didn’t understand why Yinya ca but t her anyway.
More than two years had passed, Yinya gained so weight, but her overall spirit was excellent.
Her complexion was rosy, eyes bright, with a smile on her face, indicating her recent days had been quite good.
Upon entering the room, she kneeled and kowtowed before Anning.
Anning hurriedly helped her up: "Rise, quickly sit down."
Yinya smiled and sat.
Anning asked, "How have you been? How’s this year’s harvest? Any difficulties?"
Yinya smiled and replied, "Replying to the Empress, our days have been well. When we left, Your Majesty gave us silver, we settled in the countryside, acquired so land, purchased a ho, used the new grain varieties Your Majesty promoted. The rice was planted as double-season rice, yielding nearly 2,000 catties per acre annually. On dry land, we planted potatoes and sweet potatoes; their yield was even higher. Overall, our annual production far exceeds our needs, combined with Lansheng’s craftsmanship. He learned so carpentry early on, his handiwork is fine, and he earns by making furniture in the countryside. Our ho no longer worries about food and drink."
Anning listened and smiled: "Hearing this makes happy. If your life is good, it shows most people’s lives are also improving. When everyone is well-fed and warmly dressed, Your Majesty and I can relax."
"Everyone’s days are good."
Yinya nodded eagerly: "In our village, all who ntion Your Majesty and the Empress are profoundly grateful, claiming our current life is like dropping into a honey pot, much better than previous years. Many even bow down and express their gratitude during festivals and occasions."
"That’s good, that’s good."
Anning insisted Yinya have so refreshnts.
Yinya didn’t eat, she spoke directly: "I’ve co to tell Your Majesty sothing. The current Empress Dowager of Da Qi hails from the Zhang Family; she was raised by them as their goddaughter. Back when I was first sold to the Zhang Family, we lived in the sa courtyard. She helped greatly during those tis. Then, I called her sister, she called sister, saying that when we eventually leave, we should try to live close to each other..."
"I see."
Anning listened intently: "What is the Empress Dowager’s character like?"
Yinya whispered: "She’s a kind person. When she was sent to the Capital, she secretly wept heavily. Over the years... I ca hoping the Empress would send to Da Qi, so I might talk her into surrendering sooner. She once ntioned that when her family struggled, her parents nearly starved, leaving them no choice but to sell her. She doesn’t wish to witness many girls being sold; she hopes for a world where everyone lives well, reducing or eliminating such sales, which would be wonderful."
Emotional, Yinya’s eyes reddened: "Seeing Da Qi’s current state, I can discern that it seems beyond salvation. Rather than stubbornly resisting, it would be better to surrender sooner, allowing people to live peacefully sooner."
Anning didn’t expect Yinya to co wanting to do such a thing.
She ntioned her good relationship with Empress Dowager Zhang, yet these events are all from many years ago.
People change over ti; how can she be certain Empress Dowager Zhang will still recognize her?
Moreover, now that Empress Dowager Zhang holds such power, why would she abandon the Empress Dowager’s throne and surrender?
Yinya understood Anning’s concerns: "Both Lansheng and I are grateful to the Empress, for allowing us to beco a couple, living peacefully all this ti. We both feel our lives have been worth it. We lack material belongings and can’t offer much aid to the Empress; now... this is the only thing we can do."
When Yinya spoke to this extent, Anning knew she was determined. If Anning’s side doesn’t arrange it, Yinya and Lansheng might venture to Da Qi on their own, making it even more dangerous.
"Alright, I’ll arrange for soone to accompany you and give it a try."
In the end, Anning agreed.
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