Chapter 2: Named a Talented Lady, First Step into the Harem
The Emperor of Qi's question was a double trap. If Yan Ning admitted she hadn't informed her father, she'd deepen her own guilt. But if she said she had, it would imply her father ignored her advice—shifting the blame and worsening his crime.
After sending eighteen remonstrances and finally earning an audience with the Emperor, Yan Ning knew this was just the beginning. The road ahead would be treacherous. The Emperor wouldn't pardon her easily—here came the reckoning.
She dropped to her knees again, voice trembling with feigned fear. "Your Majesty sees all. Three years ago, I was in poor health. Half a year before the war, my father sent me away. I only learned of the battle later, but by then, I couldn't write."
"Why couldn't you write?"
Her gaze dimmed.
She murmured, "Back then, I was blind and couldn't move my hands—a paralysis from shock, they said. It lingered despite treatment. Then my clan fell, my parents were jailed, my elder brother died at Lanzhou Pass. The news jolted me awake, and the paralysis vanished."
Qi Hengyuan called softly, "Chen Dongyan."
"Here, Your Majesty!"
A figure stepped from behind the dragon throne. Kneeling, Yan Ning couldn't see his face, but his voice hinted at deep martial strength.
This Emperor, still new to the throne, surrounded himself with unfamiliar faces she didn't yet know.
Qi Hengyuan ordered calmly, "Investigate."
Chen Dongyan replied, "Yes," and strode off to verify her words.
Half an hour later, he returned.
In that time, Qi Hengyuan said nothing more. He sat on the dragon throne, eyes closed, while Yan Ning knelt, her knees numb, calves aching.
Chen Dongyan whispered something to the Emperor, who grunted, "I see."
Qi Hengyuan opened his eyes, his deep gaze settling on Yan Ning. "Your eighteen remonstrances—I had the martial marquises read them. They were stunned. Even I found it hard to believe. A mind that wields strategy like a god exists in this world. You've clearly inherited Yan Wuhou's brilliance. A talent like yours—exiling it would be a waste."
He didn't let her rise, only saying, "Wang Dethou, read the decree."
Eunuch Wang unfurled a prepared edict and recited, "Yan Ning, daughter of the disgraced Yan Bin, possesses great talent and intellect, rivaling a military strategist. Such ability should serve the nation; it'd be a pity to destroy it. Though bearing guilt, she may redeem herself through merit. She is granted the rank of Talented Lady and will reside in Dongli Pavilion."
In Qi's harem, ranks descended from Empress, to Noble Consort, then Lady-in-Waiting, Beauty, and Talented Lady.
A Talented Lady's quarters included a pavilion, two courtyards, three maids, and one eunuch.
This step forward, whatever it led to, Yan Ning had to accept and turn to her advantage—carving a path out.
She'd guessed the Emperor would keep her, seeing her usefulness. How, she couldn't be sure—perhaps confined to the harem or the palace, held until her next display of 'ingenious wisdom.'
Being named a Talented Lady was within her expectations.
Yan Ning raised her arms to accept the decree. "This humble woman thanks Your Majesty's great favor."
Qi Hengyuan said, "You may leave."