Princess Tuoba Wu took a deep breath and retreated into the shadows.

Her back pressed tightly against the tent behind her, her body rigid with tension.

The two maids beside her, startled by her sudden movement, quickly hid with her.

One of them whispered, “Princess, what’s wrong? Young Master didn’t return alone—who was with him?”

Tuoba Wu seemed to be fighting an internal battle. Soon, she peered out again toward Yan Chi’s direction.

This glance revealed something familiar about the person accompanying Yan Chi. Looking closer, Tuoba Wu’s beautiful eyes widened further—she saw clearly that the person with Yan Chi was none other than Qin Wan, who always attended the Empress Dowager!

This wasn’t Tuoba Wu’s first time seeing Qin Wan. At the Double Third Festival palace banquet, she had noticed Qin Wan immediately upon entering, struck by her unique temperament. Later, she saw her again while performing a sword dance in the inner palace, encountering the Empress Dowager and Qin Wan. She had even questioned Yan Chi in their presence, but what had the Empress Dowager said then?

Tuoba Wu’s brow furrowed tightly, her heart filled with extreme irritation!

So late at night, Yan Chi had taken Qin Wan out! Why?!

Qin Wan was the daughter of the Loyalist Marquis, not some princess or noble lady. Her relationship with Yan Chi should maintain propriety—surely Qin Wan hadn’t accompanied Yan Chi on the Empress Dowager’s orders?!

Tuoba Wu drew a deep breath. Now she couldn’t even find an excuse for Yan Chi and Qin Wan!

In the dead of night, an unmarried man and woman, sneaking away from camp so secretively!

Where had they gone?! What had they done?!

Tuoba Wu gritted her teeth, watching as Qin Wan and Yan Chi drew closer. She held her breath and signaled to her maids behind her. Given Yan Chi’s martial prowess and his unusual escorts, the three of them could easily be detected in their current position.

The two maids covered their mouths, peering over Tuoba Wu’s shoulders to watch Yan Chi and Qin Wan walk along the path. They exchanged glances, their surprise matching Tuoba Wu’s!

The Young Master of Prince Rui and the noble lady most trusted by the Empress Dowager—one seemingly indifferent to women, even suspected by Tuoba Wu of preferring men, the other the Empress Dowager’s most trusted physician, outwardly ethereal and dignified. Yet in private, they had a secret relationship?!

The two maids caught their breath, their eyes brightening! This was very exciting!

Thinking thus, they both looked at Tuoba Wu, seeing their princess’s anger at its peak. What would she do?! Looking ahead, Yan Chi and Qin Wan, accompanied by two servants, walked quickly, clearly trying to avoid detection. Would their princess confront them? If their secret relationship was exposed, what would happen to the Young Master and the Qin family’s daughter?

The maids grew increasingly excited, but as Yan Chi’s group approached, Tuoba Wu suddenly stepped back. She carefully avoided them, seemingly unwilling to confront Yan Chi directly.

Just then, Yan Chi, holding Qin Wan’s hand, reached the intersection less than five zhang from Tuoba Wu.

The flush hadn’t yet faded from Qin Wan’s face when Yan Chi stopped, raising his hand to brush her cheek, saying softly, “Everything’s arranged. You can return to Grandmother. If anything seems amiss, just say I sought you out for treating an injury.”

Qin Wan gave a soft “mm” but didn’t move. Meanwhile, Yan Chi still held her hand, their eyes meeting. Even the cold wind seemed to grow warm. Yan Chi sighed, adjusting her cloak before steeling himself, “Go back now. It’s late—any later and Grandmother will surely be disturbed.”

Qin Wan, ever composed and self-controlled, nodded and turned to leave with Bai Ying.

Watching Qin Wan and Bai Ying disappear, Yan Chi stood motionless for a long while. Only when Qin Wan’s silhouette vanished did the tenderness leave his eyes. Standing there, his gaze suddenly swept toward the left front direction, but he said nothing except “Follow and watch over her.” Bai Feng accepted the order and left. Yan Chi stood a moment longer before heading to his tent.

When Qin Wan returned to the Empress Dowager’s tent, Her Majesty had already retired. Matron Chen waited outside and, seeing Qin Wan return, smiled, “The Empress Dowager said you haven’t spoken with your sister-friends for days, so it’s fine to be late. She couldn’t stay awake and went to sleep first. Ninth Miss can retire now.”

Qin Wan breathed a long sigh of relief and quickly nodded in thanks. Fu Ling, who had waited a long time, was also pleased to see Qin Wan return. While helping Qin Wan prepare for bed, she suddenly exclaimed, “Miss, why is there a red mark on your neck?”

Qin Wan startled, quickly pulling up her collar, “Get me some ointment—it’s an insect bite.”

Fu Ling went to comply, muttering as she walked, “Are there mosquitoes at this time of year?”

Bai Ying smiled silently but received a glare from Qin Wan. Qin Wan dared not let Fu Ling attend to her further, simply washing up briefly before lying down. Fu Ling noticed nothing unusual, only asking Bai Ying as she left, “What did Miss discuss with Fifth Miss and the others? Why did it take so long…”

Bai Ying considered, “They talked about the gentleman Fifth Miss is about to marry.”

Fu Ling’s eyes brightened, “Ah, did Miss go with them to see this gentleman?”

Bai Ying nodded vaguely, offering some explanations to satisfy Fu Ling.

In the tent, Qin Wan lay in bed unable to sleep. She raised her hand, first touching her shoulder, then trailing downward. Though she couldn’t see in the darkness, she could feel the tender spots on her skin. Thinking of this, Qin Wan turned over restlessly—Yan Chi had been too unrestrained tonight. The lake, the peach trees, and the misty atmosphere had been too beautiful. Even she had been swept up in uncontrollable emotions. Fortunately, he had restrained himself.

Qin Wan hid under the brocade quilt, her cheeks unconsciously reddening. Inexperienced in matters of love, she had never known the nature of desire, but tonight she seemed to have tasted it. Though not consuming, it left her heart inexplicably restless.

Qin Wan felt both bashful and unable to control herself, unconsciously touching the tender spots. After a while, realizing this only stirred her emotions further, she finally lay flat on her back, not daring to move as she waited for her heart to calm.

When Yan Chi returned to his tent, he first took a somewhat resigned cold bath and then waited for Bai Feng’s return.

Bai Feng reported, “Master after Ninth Miss returned to the tent, she didn’t come out. Everything seems fine. The Empress Dowager appears to have retired as well, likely without suspicion.”

Yan Chi relaxed, “Who was watching us earlier?”

Bai Feng’s expression grew complex at the question, “The Northern Wei Princess.”

Yan Chi’s hand, drying his hair, paused slightly as his brow furrowed. After a moment, he threw down the towel, “Watch her. See what she plans to do…”

Bai Feng repeatedly agreed, while Yan Chi felt somewhat annoyed.

Of all the people to discover them, it had to be Tuoba Wu. The Northern Wei Princess acted without restraint, relying on her status. Even he couldn’t predict her moves. Was she waiting there for him?! Though she had discovered them, she hadn’t confronted them—why?! Had she recognized Wan’er? Would she harm her?!

Yan Chi’s phoenix eyes narrowed. He could read enemies perfectly, but women—he truly couldn’t fathom them.

However, one principle applied whether dealing with women or enemies:

Anyone he wanted to protect, no one could harm—regardless of whether they were a princess or prince. At the foot of Wei Mountain, there were countless ways to make someone vanish without a trace—

Tuoba Wu didn’t know how she made it back to her tent.

When she sat down, she saw her two maids looking at her seriously.

Tuoba Wu frowned slightly, “What is it?”

The maids exchanged glances before one stepped forward, “Princess, why didn’t you confront Young Master? Taking out the Qin family’s daughter so late, they must have a relationship. They’re hiding it for some reason. If Young Master learns you know, perhaps he might…”

The maid couldn’t continue. Tuoba Wu laughed coldly, “Perhaps he might be coerced by me?! You’re too naive! He’s not some incompetent royal clan member—he’s the Young Commander of the Northwest Army. He won’t be coerced by anyone!”

Speaking thus, a cold light broke through Tuoba Wu’s somewhat rigid expression, “Besides, you want me to expose this? Make it public? Wouldn’t that just… help them receive an imperial marriage decree?!”

One was Prince Rui’s heir, the other the Loyalist Marquis’s daughter and future Crown Princess’s sister—on the surface, they seemed a perfect match. Tuoba Wu knew the Empress Dowager deeply loved Yan Chi and valued Qin Wan. Regardless of why Yan Chi and Qin Wan were sneaking around, once this matter came to light, Tuoba Wu knew the Empress Dowager would certainly approve of this marriage!

She absolutely wouldn’t be foolish enough to bring this before the Empress Dowager!

But what could she do?!

Tuoba Wu clenched her fists, only now truly coming to her senses!

Yan Chi wasn’t interested in men, nor was he emotionless. He did like women and could be gentle as water with another girl—just not with her!

Tuoba Wu felt both angry and wronged, suddenly hating Qin Wan intensely!

Why?! By what right?!

Tuoba Wu waved her hand, “Leave—”

The maids glanced at each other briefly but dared not disobey and withdrew. Once alone in the tent, Tuoba Wu’s eyes grew moist. Yan Chi! Well played, Yan Chi!

She had heard clearly—though Yan Chi appeared unapproachable, his voice speaking to Qin Wan had been even more gentle and refined than Tuoba Hong’s. As a woman, she understood—Yan Chi truly loved Qin Wan to act this way. But if Yan Chi loved Qin Wan, what about her? What about her two years of yearning?!

Tuoba Wu was the least fatalistic person. She absolutely wouldn’t resign herself to accepting this!

So what if Yan Chi loved Qin Wan now? Many men were fickle—who knew if Yan Chi might be too?! Perhaps he would eventually discover her good qualities. Before they married, anything was possible!

Tuoba Wu suddenly closed her eyes. When she opened them again, her gaze held a sharp, cold light!

This was the first time she had valued a man so much. Giving up without trying wasn’t her style!

Early the next morning, shortly after Qin Wan rose, Matron Chen came to report from outside, somewhat surprised, “Empress Dowager, Ninth Miss, Princess Tuoba Wu has come to pay her respects.”

Both the Empress Dowager and Qin Wan were slightly startled. They exchanged glances before the Empress Dowager smiled, “Let her in. We mustn’t be discourteous.”

Soon, Tuoba Wu strode in wearing a red dress. She suppressed her usual pride, first gracefully offering a deep bow to the Empress Dowager, then smiled, “Empress Dowager, hearing you were unwell, I’ve come specially to pay my respects.”

The Empress Dowager smiled warmly, “How could I deserve this? Princess, you are an honored guest, and besides, I’ve already recovered.”

She invited Tuoba Wu to sit. After sitting, Tuoba Wu turned to look at Qin Wan, “Did Ninth Miss cure the Empress Dowager? Last time, Empress Dowager said Ninth Miss was a divine physician with unmatched medical skills.”

The Empress Dowager held Qin Wan’s hand, “Indeed, Wan’er saved my life.”

Tuoba Wu looked Qin Wan up and down. Tuoba Wu was a proud and critical person, and her gaze toward the one Yan Chi loved was even sharper. However, even so, she couldn’t find anything to criticize about Qin Wan. So she smiled, “Ninth Miss isn’t just skilled in medicine, but also so beautiful. No wonder the Empress Dowager loves you so.”

Qin Wan felt uncomfortable under Tuoba Wu’s gaze today. While smiling and saying “Princess flatters me,” she also began observing Tuoba Wu. This observation revealed several clues—though her face showed a bright smile, her eyes held little joy. Moreover, she sat rigidly upright, her hands placed stiffly before her. When Qin Wan looked at her, she avoided eye contact, yet when Qin Wan looked away, she would study Qin Wan. Even while speaking to the Empress Dowager, her gaze frequently returned to Qin Wan.

Her rigid posture indicated nervousness and wariness while avoiding eye contact showed she wasn’t as friendly and joyful as she appeared, nor had she come merely to visit the Empress Dowager. With her gaze frequently on Qin Wan, clearly Qin Wan was her true target.

Qin Wan lowered her eyes. Many knew the Northern Wei Princess had feelings for Yan Chi, but no one knew of Qin Wan’s private relationship with him. This princess had never shown interest in her before—why make this visit now?

Thinking of last night’s outing with Yan Chi, Qin Wan’s heart skipped a beat.

Though their journey had been uneventful, the camp was full of watching eyes. Could it be…

Just as she pondered this, Tuoba Wu spoke, “When the Empress Dowager previously praised Ninth Miss’s medical skills, I didn’t take it to heart. However, these past days, the entire camp speaks of it. So, I’d like to ask Ninth Miss for help—would that be possible?”