Early the next morning, Madam Hu entered the palace and headed straight for Shou Kang Palace. The Empress Dowager had just risen when she received word of the visit. She ordered her servants to invite Madam Hu in. Upon entering the hall, Madam Hu’s face showed clear signs of worry. After paying her respects, the Empress Dowager asked, “What has happened? Why have you come so early today?”
Madam Hu replied, “Your Grace, when we received your edict the night before, both the Marquis and I were overjoyed. After hearing your words yesterday, we became even more certain about this marriage. When you mentioned wanting to arrange the marriage between Wan’er and the Young Lord before the New Year, I became anxious. After leaving the palace yesterday, I went to Hua Yan Temple outside the city to seek an oracle.”
“To be honest with you, I deeply believe in such divinations. I sought oracles for Yu’er’s marriage as well. Since we haven’t begun arranging Wan’er and the Young Lord’s marriage yet, and haven’t reached the point of matching their birth charts, I dared not do anything else but seek an oracle. However, to my dismay, I received the worst possible reading.”
As she spoke, Madam Hu pulled out a paper with the oracle’s interpretation from her sleeve. “Please take a look, Your Grace.”
The Empress Dowager wasn’t surprised that Madam Hu had sought an oracle. For children’s marriages, most elders would seek divinations and match birth charts. Since Madam Hu didn’t know Yan Chi’s birth details, and the Rui Prince Manor hadn’t yet sent an official matchmaker, they naturally couldn’t match birth charts. Her seeking an oracle was perfectly normal, but why would she receive such an ill omen?
Though the Empress Dowager wasn’t particularly superstitious, she still preferred auspicious signs for all matters. Upon hearing it was the worst possible reading, she quickly took the paper and opened it. At the top were several verses that read: “Because of fame, virtue is lost in misfortune; Beware good fortune turning to catastrophe; Autumn winds go who knows where; In pine shadows, regret lies dim.” Reading these lines, the Empress Dowager’s heart skipped a beat.
Below the verses was an explanation. As the Empress Dowager’s eyes scanned over it, her heart sank further. Even from just the oracle, one could see it suggested that Yan Chi and Qin Wan’s marriage would turn from fortune to catastrophe. She had only just issued the edict – how could this be? Qin Wan and Yan Chi already had feelings for each other; surely they couldn’t be separated?
The Empress Dowager’s expression darkened. Madam Hu said, “I told the Marquis about this, and he too became very worried. I thought about telling Wan’er but feared it would frighten her. After consideration, I decided to come see Your Grace instead.”
The Empress Dowager sighed, “Yesterday after you left, Princess Tai also came to the palace. I told her about this marriage, and she was very pleased. Now you suddenly receive such an oracle, this is truly…”
The Empress Dowager clutched the oracle paper and asked, “Only you and the Marquis know about this oracle?”
Madam Hu nodded. The Empress Dowager contemplated briefly before saying, “I’ve already issued the edict – there’s no reason to change it easily. Keep this to yourself for now. There’s no need to tell Wan’er either. I need to think about this further.”
Madam Hu quickly agreed and, not wanting to disturb the Empress Dowager further, soon took her leave.
After leaving Shou Kang Palace, Madam Hu considered for a moment before heading to the Eastern Palace. When she arrived, Qin Zhao Yu was slightly surprised by her mother’s second palace visit. Though Madam Hu had permission to visit Qin Zhao Yu in the palace, it wasn’t appropriate to come daily.
Qin Zhao Yu wanted to question her mother, but Madam Hu wished to keep the matter private. However, Qin Zhao Yu was extremely perceptive and immediately noticed her mother was hiding something. She took her mother’s arm and asked, “Mother, why did you come to the palace? Is there something you can’t tell your daughter? If something’s troubling you, tell me so I can help ease your worries.”
While Madam Hu typically wouldn’t keep secrets from Qin Zhao Yu, this matter was different…
“Mother, if you’re like this, I won’t be at peace in the palace. If you won’t tell me, I’ll have to ask Big Brother.”
Not wanting Qin Zhao Yu to make a fuss, Madam Hu had her dismiss the attendants before speaking softly, “You don’t know, but the Crown Prince told your father that something might happen to the Rui Prince Manor, and this marriage with Qin Wan cannot proceed.”
Qin Zhao Yu’s expression changed slightly. “Something’s going to happen to the Rui Prince Manor?”
Madam Hu sighed, “Please don’t let His Highness know I told you. Since he hasn’t told you himself, pretend you don’t know. His Highness wasn’t very clear with your father either, only saying that Qin Wan cannot marry Yan Chi, and making some vague, ominous remarks. Your father suspects it might be related to the Western Military Grain case involving the Rui Prince Manor.”
Madam Hu spoke in hushed, urgent tones. Hearing this, Qin Zhao Yu could only nod. After exchanging a few more words, Madam Hu couldn’t stay longer and left the palace. Once she departed, Qin Zhao Yu called Mo Yun in and ordered, “Go find out who His Highness has met these past few days, and what movements there have been at court.”
After Madam Hu left, the Empress Dowager called Chen Mama to her side and showed her the oracle. Chen Mama’s expression also changed. “Your Grace, do you believe this oracle?”
The Empress Dowager narrowed her eyes, “Of course, I won’t prevent Wan’er and Yan Chi from being together because of this, but… at this crucial moment, suddenly receiving such an oracle is truly both dispiriting and ill-omened.”
Hearing this, Chen Mama felt somewhat helpless. “Then what do you plan to do?”
The Empress Dowager quickly said, “Go to the Imperial Observatory right away. I don’t trust outsiders – find the Observatory’s Director and have him divine whether this marriage will be fortunate or unfortunate.”
Chen Mama dared not take this lightly. Knowing how much Qin Wan meant to the Empress Dowager, she immediately went to the Imperial Observatory.
After Chen Mama left, the Empress Dowager became quite restless. She waited anxiously for over two hours before Chen Mama returned from the Observatory. Upon entering, Chen Mama’s face was pale as she clutched another oracle paper. “Your Grace, the divination is ready.”
The Empress Dowager sat up straight. “Well?”
Chen Mama said nothing, just walked forward, and presented the paper. The Empress Dowager quickly took it, and upon reading it, her expression changed dramatically. The new oracle paper contained the same words as the one Madam Hu had brought. If the first oracle had merely disturbed the Empress Dowager, this one truly set her heart racing. “How… how can they be identical!”
Chen Mama explained, “I was shocked when I saw it too. The Director specially burned incense while divining and chanting for quite some time. I had expected his oracle would be different from Lady Hu’s, but… Your Grace, what should we do now?”
The Empress Dowager had hoped the Observatory might provide a different oracle. If it had been favorable, they could have dismissed Madam Hu’s reading. But now both were the same – could she possibly find someone else to divine a different result? She had heard that seeking too many divinations for the same matter would render them ineffective. Even if they received a favorable oracle now, these two previous ones would always weigh on her mind.
“Ah yes, the birth charts!” The Empress Dowager’s eyes suddenly brightened. “Quickly, have Yan Chi and Wan’er come to the palace. Take their birth details to the Observatory for matching. Now, we’ll see if their charts are compatible.”
In just moments, the Empress Dowager’s forehead had broken out in a light sweat.
Chen Mama dared not delay and immediately sent people to deliver the summons.
When the palace messenger arrived at the Marquis’s mansion, Yue Ning was there talking with Qin Wan.
Yue Ning had learned of the marriage edict yesterday. The edict had come suddenly, but Princess Tai was very pleased. Though she had spoken briefly with Qin Wan when entering the palace in the afternoon, they were in front of their elders, so Yue Ning had come to see Qin Wan again today.
Learning that the Empress Dowager had summoned them, Qin Wan went to the palace together with Yue Ning.
In the carriage, Yue Ning asked, “Tell me honestly, since you and he knew each other before, what did you think when the Empress Dowager asked you?”
Qin Wan’s lips curved slightly. “What else could I think? When the Empress Dowager bestows, one dares not refuse. Besides, I greatly admire the Young Lord.”
Yue Ning looked Qin Wan up and down before asking after a moment, “Could it be that you two had a secret relationship before?”
Qin Wan’s eyes darted playfully. “Of course not!”
Yue Ning snorted, “I think you’re deceiving me. With your personality, even if the Empress Dowager suggested it, you wouldn’t have agreed so easily unless you already had feelings for Yan Chi. Am I right?!”
Qin Wan blinked. “Why couldn’t it be that he had feelings for me?”
Yue Ning’s eyes widened. “Ah! So he was the one who…” She clenched her fist and said indignantly, “I knew he had ulterior motives. I noticed it back in Jin Zhou…”
Qin Wan was slightly surprised. “What do you mean?”
Yue Ning then recounted many details of how Yan Chi had paid special attention to Qin Wan in Jin Zhou. As Qin Wan listened, the tips of her ears turned red, while her heart filled with a sweet fragrance. Seeing this, Yue Ning became even more certain that Qin Wan had feelings for Yan Chi. She grabbed Qin Wan’s hand, “Well well, you’ve kept this hidden so well! How much more don’t I know?!”
While Qin Wan couldn’t be completely honest with Yue Ning, she did tell her about being rescued by Yan Chi at Cloud Mist Mountain, how he had escorted her afterward, and how grateful she felt. They had continued to cross paths in the capital, making the arranged marriage seem natural.
Yue Ning assumed Qin Wan and Yan Chi merely had mutual unstated feelings without any impropriety, so she let the matter drop. Soon after, they entered the palace together. Upon reaching Shou Kang Palace, Qin Wan was startled to find Yan Chi in the main hall.
Seeing Yan Chi made Qin Wan’s heart clench. His demeanor was casual and composed; apart from his slightly stern phoenix eyes, he showed no signs of sorrow or pain. He appeared to be the same taciturn and dignified Young Lord of the Rui Prince Manor as always. Looking at him, who could guess he already knew about Prince Rui’s troubles?!
The Empress Dowager was naturally delighted to see Qin Wan arrive with Yue Ning. However, weighed down by concerns about Qin Wan and Yan Chi’s marriage, she wasn’t as cheerful and pleased as usual. Yan Chi, who had arrived first, spoke briefly before taking his leave. After he left, the Empress Dowager inquired about Qin Wan’s birth details. Though Qin Wan knew birth charts needed to be matched before marriage, the wedding preparations hadn’t even begun, so she was puzzled by the Empress Dowager’s request.
Nevertheless, Qin Wan provided the information and stayed to chat with the Empress Dowager for a while. Seeing it was getting late, she and Yue Ning finally took their leave.
While Qin Wan harbored doubts, so did Yan Chi.
As a royal prince, his marriage to Qin Wan was bestowed by the Empress Dowager. The wedding preparations would require both the Ministry of Rites and the Imperial Household Department’s involvement. The Empress Dowager’s request for his birth details didn’t seem like she was ready to begin wedding preparations.
The Empress Dowager wouldn’t have issued the edict only to check their birth chart compatibility afterward.
After Yan Chi left the main hall, Bai Feng was waiting outside. Once they had walked some distance, Yan Chi ordered, “Find out who the Empress Dowager has met these past few days, especially today.”
Bai Feng nodded. As Yan Chi was leaving Shou Kang Palace, Bai Feng caught up and reported, “Yesterday, the Loyal and Brave Marquis’s family came with the Princess. In the afternoon, Princess Tai brought Lady An Yang and Princess Yong Ning. This morning, someone from the Loyal and Brave Marquis’s household came alone. That’s all.”
Upon hearing this, Yan Chi’s brows immediately furrowed.
Princess Tai wouldn’t obstruct his marriage to Qin Wan. Both Princess Tai and Empress Dowager were very perceptive people; he and Qin Wan couldn’t escape their notice. If so, it must be the Loyal and Brave Marquis’s family.
“What did Lady Hu do when she came this morning?”
Bai Feng replied, “The palace maids outside don’t know, but one thing was strange.”
Yan Chi remained silent, and Bai Feng continued, “Right after Lady Hu left, Chen Mama went to the Imperial Observatory with a grave expression. She returned after an hour, and soon after, the Empress Dowager summoned you and the Princess.”
Yan Chi stopped in his tracks, his brows furrowing deeply. He slowly turned to look toward the Eastern Palace. “I want to know exactly what Lady Hu gave to the Empress Dowager, and every detail about Chen Mama’s visit to the Imperial Observatory.”
Bai Feng’s expression turned serious as he acknowledged the order.
Yan Chi turned away, his previously casual and composed demeanor suddenly turning cold and severe. As he strode toward the palace gates, he encountered Prince Cheng Yan Qi and his entourage approaching.
A servant boy beside Prince Cheng was carrying two official documents.
“Greetings to Prince Cheng—”
Yan Chi bowed with clasped hands. Yan Qi looked him up and down for a moment. “I haven’t congratulated you yet on winning such a beauty as Princess Yong Ci.”
Yan Chi’s lips curved slightly. “Thank you, Prince Cheng. Grandmother suddenly arranged this marriage and, concerned about my years of hardship in Shuo Xi, decided I shouldn’t return to the Northwest. So I can’t help share your burdens anymore.”
Yan Qi’s brow twitched. “Seventh Brother, what do you mean by that…”
Yan Chi smiled. “Minister Yang submitted a memorial yesterday afternoon hoping to send me to Shuo Xi to investigate the military grain case. I had planned to go, but Grandmother wanted me to marry soon, so she declined this assignment before the Emperor. Therefore, I can’t go.”
Yan Qi’s expression instantly darkened. While he oversaw the Ministry of Works in court, the Ministry of Revenue wasn’t under his influence. Yet the person before him somehow knew that Yang Han was his man!
Even the Crown Prince might not know this!
Yan Qi stared at Yan Chi for a moment, then smiled. “Seventh Brother seems confined to the Ministry of Justice, but it appears you’ve been quite busy behind the scenes. The Northwest military grain case has remained unsolved. Minister Yang complained to me, so I recommended you. You’re familiar with the Northwest and have prestige among the Shuo Xi military. Your involvement would have been twice as effective.”
Yan Chi wore a faint smile. “Unfortunately, I can’t go. However, Minister Yang’s troubles should be resolved soon.”
Yan Qi raised an eyebrow questioningly. Yan Chi explained, “I hear the Crown Prince intends to recall Zhang Qi De, the Military Commissioner of Ding Xi, to the capital. He has a thorough understanding of the Northwest situation. Once he returns, he’ll be the ideal choice for stabilizing the Northwest.”
Yan Qi’s eyes widened, and Yan Chi bowed once more before walking past him with measured steps.