Chapter Six: Rumors

Before Xue Fanzhi could ask, the carriage curtain was slowly drawn aside, revealing the face of a spirited young woman.

She wore a deep green skirt with intricate, entwined embroidery, exuding luxury and elegance. Her hair was styled in twin buns adorned with a green jeweled hairpiece, and her features were sharp and refined—a person of obvious nobility and decisiveness.

Xue Fanzhi was momentarily stunned; she recognized her—Minglan!

The Emperor Hongde had thirteen sons and six daughters, and with so many princes and princesses, not to mention lords and ladies, the royal family was vast. Yet among all the princes and royal grandchildren, the one closest to Xiao Yi was Lady Minglan.

Minglan’s father was the Emperor’s youngest brother, who died in battle reclaiming lost northern lands, leaving Minglan as his sole heir. Though she carried the title of Lady, her status surpassed that of most princesses.

Her standing was unique not only within the royal family but also among the military and the common folk; she was an exceptional lady. Minglan herself was no idle aristocrat. In Xue Fanzhi’s previous life, Minglan supported the army in the south, and when Xiao Yi prepared his southern campaign, she donated a vast fortune to aid him.

She was a true heroine among women.

Yet in Xue Fanzhi’s previous life, though Minglan and Xiao Yi were close, Minglan barely interacted with Xue Fanzhi as empress, only visiting during festivals as a formality, without exchanging words. Of course, Minglan rarely stayed in the capital, for she was always "guarding the borders!"

They belonged to a group with neither deep ties nor grievances. Never did Xue Fanzhi expect to meet Minglan so soon in this life.

Clearly, Xiao Yi intended for Minglan to help her return home!

This was something that never happened before. In her previous life, Xue Fanzhi did not encounter refugees, and Wenxian had not shown such eagerness toward Xiao Yi, so Xiao Yi didn’t escort Wenxian; instead, the three of them reached the main road together, met her eldest brother and Cheng Ye, and Xue Fanzhi returned home with her brother.

Naturally, Xiao Yi escorted Wenxian home.

Fate was already shifting.

Xue Fanzhi sensed things were turning for the better, and she wanted to thank Xiao Yi, but he gave no sign of wanting to converse, only calling to Minglan, “Help her. She deserves it!”

Then he turned and left.

Minglan didn’t try to stop him. She looked at Xue Fanzhi in surprise and then smiled, “So it’s a child! Little one, how old are you?”

Xue Fanzhi thought, “…” In a few days, she wouldn’t be a child anymore! Minglan herself was only fifteen; who was she calling a child?!

“I’ll be of age in a month!”

“That’s still a child. Xiao Yi, what a character!” Minglan laughed brightly. “Come, get in the carriage!”

Anyway, the favor was Xiao Yi’s to repay—he owed her a life!

Xue Fanzhi climbed into the carriage without hesitation.

Minglan remarked, “So obedient, so docile—does whatever she’s told!”

Xue Fanzhi thought, “…”

Never mind, the Lady Minglan was always this forthright!

Xue Fanzhi rode with Minglan, so she didn’t see that after they left, Wenxian and Yu Jiao met up with the Wen family guards at the crossroads.

Wenxian kept staring in the direction Xue Fanzhi had gone, prompting Yu Jiao to ask, “Wasn’t that Lady Zhaoyang?”

Indeed, Minglan—she and Xiao Yi were inseparable.

In her previous life, Xue Fanzhi returned alone, her appearance disheveled, giving rise to rumors she had been violated. Even after she became empress, the censors used that incident to call for her removal. Had Xiao Yi not intervened, Xue Fanzhi wouldn’t know how many times she would have died.

This time, did Xiao Yi hand Xue Fanzhi over to Minglan because propriety forbade a man escorting a woman? Perhaps Xue Fanzhi’s reputation would be preserved.

Wenxian’s eyes narrowed dangerously. She returned to compete with Xue Fanzhi, to trample her underfoot. She should have had the advantage—how could she let this happen?

“Damn it!”

Yu Jiao mused, “Yes, the Ninth Prince seems very fond of Miss Xue!”

Indeed, in the previous life, Xiao Yi escorted her back, but he still favored Xue Fanzhi. It must have been because he met her first. This time, Wenxian thought she could gain the upper hand, but again she failed.

“Damn it!” What use is rebirth?!

After boarding, Minglan had her maid find Xue Fanzhi a change of clothes—a cherry blossom pink short jacket and a white skirt embroidered with branches. Xue Fanzhi’s fair skin and youthful charm suited the outfit perfectly, like cherry blossoms in full bloom, matching her and the season.

Minglan, accustomed to familiarity, admired Xue Fanzhi as if she were a prized possession, nodding repeatedly, “Someday I want to have a daughter just like you!”

Xue Fanzhi thought, “…”

Could she really give birth to a daughter this grown?

Minglan then declared she was hungry and took out a packet of pastries from beneath the carriage’s small table. “Do you dare to eat?”

It wasn’t poison, merely mare’s milk cakes popular among the nomads. Han people disliked nomadic goods, claiming they were poisonous, so few would eat them.

Xue Fanzhi had tasted them before—Xiao Yi had found them for her—and they were quite good.

She happened to be hungry, so she unceremoniously took one, then another, then another… soon half the plate was gone!

After finishing, Xue Fanzhi wiped her mouth and gratefully looked at Minglan. “Thank you for your hospitality!”

Minglan’s eyes sparkled as she nodded in approval, “You’re different from those others—not coy or pretentious. You’re a good kid. From now on, I’ll look after you!”

That was indeed a boon!

Xue Fanzhi could only offer thanks, uncertain what else to say.

Minglan was quite talkative, asking about Xue Fanzhi’s background and whether she knew the current situation up north. When it came to military matters, Xue Fanzhi was no mere child—Xiao Yi had told her much in her past life. She shared her knowledge and predictions with Minglan, who was most interested in these topics, nodding continually as she listened.

As the carriage moved, their conversation grew deeper and more familiar.

Suddenly, a commotion sounded outside.

Minglan glanced at Xue Fanzhi, lifted the curtain, and called out, “What’s happening?!”

A guard immediately came to report, “Lady, Xue family’s eldest son is punishing a servant from the Xie family. The Xie servant resisted and was injured by Xue’s eldest. The Xie family demands an explanation, and they are arguing!”

Xue Fanzhi poked her head out and asked, “Is that my brother?!”

Minglan questioned the guard, “Explain—why did the dispute arise?”

The guard replied, “As you instructed, Lady, we investigated. Xue’s eldest is organizing people to find the missing Xue daughters. Meanwhile, the Xie servants are spreading rumors that Xue’s daughter was dishonored, saying her return would disgrace the family. They refuse to help and insult her, so Xue’s eldest was angered by their slander!”

Minglan sneered, “So someone really is spreading rumors. Luckily I know the truth, or I, too, might be deceived by these gossipmongers!”

She looked at Xue Fanzhi, “What do you think? Have you offended anyone? These rumors are clearly aimed at you!”