Chapter 34: Updates from Friends in the Group

“Qingqing, how do you have time to show up today? Isn’t the Emperor looking for you?” Bing Ying asked curiously.

Yan Qingqing fanned herself with a round fan, a look of leisure on her face. “He’s summoned Lady Rong today. Besides, I only see him three days a month, so most of the time I’m quite free.”

Yan Qingqing was rather content with her current situation: favored, but not excessively so, nor out of favor. She now had the time to quietly bide her time and develop her position.

She was not the sort to act rashly, believing that time-traveling made her the heroine automatically. Those stories written about transmigrators were nothing like real history. In the harem, especially with so many reckless women around, it was better to be careful.

“Practice your charms more; as your body becomes more flexible, your aura will change too,” Hu Xiaomei said with a seductive smile. “Then, the true era of the leading lady will begin.”

Yan Qingqing waved her hand dismissively, her expression showing she didn’t care for such things. “I’ve already given the prescription for smallpox prevention and the potatoes to my stepmother, and she delivered them to my father. Let them test it first. If it works, they can present the results to the Emperor. After all, in ancient times, a family’s honor rises and falls together. If I, a consort in the harem, handed these things directly to the Emperor, my family would gain little benefit. But if my father and brother present them after successful trials, they’ll be credited, and I’ll benefit as well. I won’t attract too much attention, and most importantly, the Emperor will remember me for my natal family’s sake. My family, in turn, will support me even more for my contributions. Only then will I have real leverage for the future.”

Yan Qingqing saw things clearly. In this era, it was impossible not to compete, but blind competition only led to disaster. She preferred a slow and steady approach.

She knew her priority now was to develop securely. If she gave the discoveries directly to the Emperor, his suspicious nature might bring her trouble. But if they came from her family, she would still benefit. Both the smallpox prescription and the potatoes would be remembered in history, so she wouldn’t lose out.

Of course, she was also preparing for the next step. Lately, she’d been reading various travelogues, waiting for the right opportunity to use their content to offer the Emperor advice or suggestions.

Yan Qingqing had her own plans and understood well that in the harem, patience was key. After all, this was a story where the main heroine was Fan Luoxue. Her original self was just cannon fodder.

Liu Xianger appeared, all coquettish charm, causing the other six to twitch their mouths in unison.

Hu Xiaomei’s foxy eyes sparkled. “Xiang’er, did you go see someone?” She emphasized the word “someone.”

Liu Xianger sighed. “I lost out. Yesterday, I was tricked, drank something laced with drugs, and ended up sleeping with someone.”

“Was he good-looking?” everyone asked in unison.

“He was. The most handsome man in Jiangcheng,” Liu Xianger replied directly. She had to admit, everyone in this group was a sucker for looks. “But he’s a notorious playboy, with plenty of women outside. I really feel like I lost out. I even went to the hospital for a checkup today, worried I might have caught something.”

“Come on! Did you forget you have the Marrow-Cleansing Pill? Did you forget the Detoxification Pill?” Xie Yihuang reminded her.

“Oh right, I almost forgot. But I checked anyway, and I’m fine. As soon as the results came out, he found me. He actually wants me to take responsibility, said it was his first time. Can you believe it? A playboy claiming it’s his first time—who would buy that?” Liu Xianger clearly didn’t.

“I believe it,” the six said in chorus again.

“Hey, are you really my friends? I’m upset about this, and you’re fanning the flames!” Liu Xianger protested.

“You said it yourself—he’s a playboy,” Bing Ying said bluntly. “If he really were as rumored, he wouldn’t care after sleeping with you. But judging by what you said, he’s clearly not ordinary. Would someone like that lack women? If he tells you it was his first time, then obviously the rumors aren’t true. If I were you, I’d go straight to him and ask about those rumors, and demand he pay for your checkup. He’ll realize how ridiculous those rumors are. Not everything people say is true.”

Liu Xianger, still muddled by her own emotions, said, “You mean his image as a playboy is deliberate?”

“Whether it is or not, go ask him yourself. You’ve already slept together—what are you afraid of?” Hu Xiaomei advised.

Liu Xianger thought about it and realized they were right. “You’re right. It’s settled. I’ll go ask him now. I’m logging off.” With that, she left.

Xie Yihuang watched her go and said slowly, “Judging by her manner, do you believe she’s not interested in that playboy?”

“No,” everyone shook their heads. One look at Liu Xianger and it was clear she had feelings for the so-called playboy.

With that, the topic ended. They all shared a knowing smile, and in their hearts was a warm blessing for Liu Xianger.

Xie Yihuang had a good night’s sleep. The next morning, as usual, she did her morning exercises and then went to breakfast with Grandpa Qi.

Naturally, they went to Old Liu’s breakfast stall.

“Old Liu, I’ll have pickled vegetable and shredded pork noodles today, and my Ah Yi will have soy milk and fried dough sticks.” Grandpa Qi brought Xie Yihuang to sit down.

Old Liu quickly brought over their orders and wiped his hands. Grandpa Qi said, “We’ll come to your house this afternoon.” His tone was as casual as could be.

Old Liu looked at Grandpa Qi, then at Xie Yihuang, and finally turned back to Grandpa Qi. “You’ve decided?”

Grandpa Qi nodded with a smile. “It’s not as if we’re doing anything illegal. It’s just learning martial arts. My Ah Yi can stick with it.”

Old Liu grunted. “Alright then, come by this afternoon.” He then turned his gaze to Xie Yihuang. “But learning martial arts from me will be tough.”

Xie Yihuang glanced at Old Liu. “At most, I’ll just have to do more horse stance. I can handle that.”

“As long as you know what you’re in for.” Old Liu laughed, quite curious to see what Xie Yihuang would think after seeing his family’s martial arts grounds.

That afternoon, Grandpa Qi brought Xie Yihuang to Old Liu’s house.

Now, Old Liu was a far cry from the patched-shirted, apron-clad man of the morning. He wore a traditional Tang suit, two iron walnuts in his hand, his face stern and dignified. The kindly breakfast vendor had disappeared, replaced by the imposing Master Liu.

It was only before coming that Xie Yihuang learned that Old Liu was actually a legitimate inheritor of Wing Chun, who had chosen to live in seclusion here years ago and hadn’t taken disciples since. If titles were to be given, Old Liu would certainly be called a grandmaster of his generation.