Uncle Han chuckled, “The guest has been waiting for an hour.”

Qin Wan stared at Yan Chi for a long moment before regaining her composure. She nodded and walked in slowly. Bai Ying stood guard outside, closing the door behind them. Inside, Qin Wan slowly approached Yan Chi. “Why did you come here?”

Yan Chi stood by the window, seemingly lost in thought moments ago. Hearing her words, the corner of his lips curved slightly upward.

“I knew you would come here.”

Qin Wan’s eyes widened slightly. “Why?”

Qin Wan walked to Yan Chi’s side, her eyes clear and bright. Yan Chi raised his hand and brushed it against her cheek, feeling the coldness of her skin. “You seemed unhappy at the banquet, so I guessed you would come here.”

The room wasn’t particularly warm. The charcoal fire in the corner brazier flickered, needing more fuel. Yan Chi took Qin Wan’s hands and pulled her a step closer. Qin Wan gazed at him.

This man before her commanded thousands of troops with authority, yet he had noticed her discomfort at the banquet and waited here for an hour without a word.

Qin Wan studied Yan Chi’s features carefully, thinking of that silently settled conflict. Her heart softened, and she suddenly leaned forward to embrace him. Yan Chi was slightly startled, then smiled. “What’s wrong?”

Qin Wan was naturally cool and resilient, no less than any man. She rarely showed such initiative in embracing others. Though Yan Chi’s words were light, he knew something must be weighing on her mind.

Qin Wan buried her face in Yan Chi’s embrace and silently shook her head.

Yan Chi didn’t press further, only raising his hand to gently stroke her back.

This gentle touch made Qin Wan’s heart stir even more, but when words reached her lips, she couldn’t speak them, not knowing how to express herself. Yan Chi seemed to understand her state of mind and didn’t rush her. After a while, Qin Wan softly said, “I once told you I had an unfulfilled wish…”

Yan Chi nodded, “I remember, you mentioned it on Cloud Mist Mountain.”

This was something she had told him when first expressing her feelings. At the time, he wanted to inquire further, but clearly, Qin Wan’s wish was no ordinary matter, not something she could speak of lightly. Qin Wan paused for a moment before continuing, “Back then, I said you probably had already guessed, but you don’t know what my wish is.”

Yan Chi indeed didn’t know, but since returning to the capital, he had gradually sensed that Qin Wan’s wish was far more unspeakable than he had imagined. Yet what exactly it was, he had no clue.

Was it something within the Marquis Manor? Or was it related to her parents’ death?

“If you don’t wish to speak of it, I won’t force you.”

Yan Chi’s words were reassuring. Qin Wan shook her head again and stepped back from his embrace. The clarity in her eyes was replaced by profound darkness. Yan Chi saw the grief, anger, and even hatred in her eyes—

Yan Chi’s heart jolted. Qin Wan spoke with a slightly hoarse voice, “This wish indeed cannot be spoken of, but I want to tell you now that what I must do is something that will shake heaven and earth.”

Qin Wan spoke each word slowly but with absolute determination. Yan Chi saw the forcefully controlled sharp light in her eyes. Those eyes, once clear as springs, had become a dark pool, dark and cold. Tears glimmered at the corners of her eyes as if she were suppressing something extremely painful. Yan Chi was deeply shaken. “What exactly is it?”

Shake heaven and earth! Qin Wan had used these four words!

She certainly wasn’t joking. Her meaning was clear—this matter might challenge the imperial family’s authority!

What could rise to the level of challenging imperial authority?!

Qin Wan still shook her head, “I’m only telling you that what I must do is as difficult as ascending to heaven, and might lead to my complete downfall. Though our relationship isn’t public now, it will be eventually. If anything happens to me, it will inevitably implicate you—”

Yan Chi tried to speak, but Qin Wan stopped him. She continued, “It’s not simple implication. It might affect the entire Prince’s Manor, might bring mortal danger to you and the Wise Prince’s Manor.”

As Qin Wan spoke, the weight of this matter grew heavier. Besides plotting rebellion, Yan Chi couldn’t think of what could be so serious. But how could Qin Wan be involved in such matters?!

Thinking this, Yan Chi began to understand somewhat. No wonder Qin Wan didn’t want their relationship to become public, no wonder she had been so clear from the beginning. Her wish wasn’t some small matter of a young lady’s chamber, nor was it related to domestic affairs. What she wanted to do was extremely dangerous, something that would oppose the imperial family. Yan Chi remembered that day in the carriage when Qin Wan had asked what to do if something was as difficult as ascending to heaven. At the time, he hadn’t realized her wish concerned life and death.

“Wan Wan, you won’t tell me what it is because you don’t want my help, you only speak of its danger because you fear implicating me?” Yan Chi gripped Qin Wan’s arms so tightly it caused her slight pain.

Qin Wan’s lips were tightly pressed together, unable to speak for a moment. If her father’s case had only involved court officials, she would have been fearless. But it involved an imperial consort and the current Prince—one could imagine how much royal family strife and secrets were involved. Being so, how could she peacefully drag Yan Chi into this? She had countless ways to use Yan Chi’s power, but how would that be different from exploitation?

“Yes, I’m afraid.” Qin Wan looked at Yan Chi as if she had made some decision. “Because I never imagined I would meet you in Jin Prefecture, nor did I imagine I would develop feelings for you. Originally, I was supposed to focus solely on other matters—”

She was meant to seek justice and revenge for her father. That was her most important purpose since returning from death. She had been determined, but unexpectedly met Yan Chi, feeling an attraction she had never experienced before. More remarkably, Yan Chi returned her feelings.

“That matter is something I must do. Today’s events showed me we both have times when we’re not free to choose. I originally thought to wait until my wish was fulfilled before considering our relationship, but I feared changes might occur. So I wanted to tell you, that what I must do will at least offend the imperial family and, at worst bring mortal danger. If you have any reservations—”

“Why should I have reservations!” Yan Chi cut off Qin Wan’s words. “Do you take me for someone who fears death?”

Qin Wan shook her head, “Of course not—”

Yan Chi smiled decisively, “Then what are you worried about?”

Yan Chi raised his hand to gently wipe the corner of Qin Wan’s eye. Though tears filled her eyes, she hadn’t cried, making him feel immense tenderness. “What you must do must be something that should be done, something right. Since it’s right, you should do it. Even if there are difficulties and dangers, I am by your side—what is there to worry about?”

Hearing this, Qin Wan’s eyes grew more moist. “But—”

“There are no buts.” Yan Chi cut off Qin Wan’s words again. “What of mortal danger? Let alone that it might not come to that, even if that day arrives, I will never let the imperial family’s blade fall upon us!”

Yan Chi leaned forward, his voice low and carrying the air of dust and blood. He had fought his way from the northwestern battlefields—how could he fear the palace’s plots and schemes? Though he didn’t know exactly what Qin Wan meant, it would certainly challenge imperial authority. Although he was also of the Yan imperial clan, imperial authority had long meant nothing in his eyes. Those things buried deep in his heart, those experiences from his childhood that he found too dark and filthy to mention to Qin Wan, didn’t mean that being of royal blood would make him follow the crowd, nor that he feared that palace.

Qin Wan’s throat tightened slightly. Yan Chi caressed her cheek and smiled. “Do you trust me?”

Qin Wan’s eyes were full of moisture as she looked at Yan Chi and nodded. Yan Chi’s smile deepened. “Good. Then remember my words today. You won’t tell me what you must do—that’s fine. You don’t want our relationship public—also fine. But one thing: you must trust me, and must not fear implicating me. You are the one I love, also my closest person in the world. How can we not be completely open with each other, not share both fortune and misfortune?!” Speaking thus, Yan Chi urgently asked, “If someday I am condemned for court factions, would you end our relationship and leave me? If someday I must do something I believe is right but extremely dangerous, would you fear implication and seek another marriage?”

“Of course not!” Qin Wan quickly replied, her voice urgent and decisive!

Yan Chi stared intently into Qin Wan’s eyes. When she spoke those four words, her eyes shone with clear brilliance, resilient and determined. The darkness in her eyes dissolved, as if she had come to some realization that lifted a weight from her entire being.

Yan Chi suddenly leaned forward and kissed Qin Wan deeply.

Qin Wan closed her eyes slightly and raised her hands to encircle Yan Chi’s waist, tilting her head up gently and responsively.

Yan Chi’s breathing tightened as he wrapped his arms around her waist and lifted her. With a turn, he set her down on the low cabinet by the window. His kiss deepened, advancing like a conquering army. Soon, Qin Wan’s heart softened, unable to resist. Just then, Yan Chi’s hand suddenly fell on her calf, sliding upward beneath her skirt. Qin Wan’s heart jumped violently, and she caught his hand on her thigh, also breaking off the kiss, breathlessly.

Yan Chi’s throat bobbed several times, wanting to continue, but Qin Wan said hoarsely, “I… I want to go see the Lantern Festival…”

Yan Chi paused, then suddenly smiled and embraced her. He spoke somewhat reluctantly, “I came looking for you today intending to take you to the Lantern Festival—” Looking down at Qin Wan’s disheveled collar, he smiled, “However, these clothes won’t do.”

When Yan Chi and Qin Wan emerged, dusk was falling. The snow hadn’t stopped, but the lanterns in the courtyard were already lit. During the Lantern Festival, Uncle Han and Er Bao bought two lanterns to hang under the eaves, adding warmth to the small courtyard. Seeing Qin Wan had changed into men’s clothing, both Uncle Han and Er Bao’s eyes showed their amazement.

Knowing Qin Wan was going out with Yan Chi, they accompanied them to the courtyard gate.

The Qin family’s carriage driver had been dismissed by Bai Ying. Now Bai Feng drove the carriage, with his sister outside, while Yan Chi and Qin Wan rode together inside. Soon, the carriage headed toward the Jade Belt River in the southwest of Lin’an City.

Jade Belt River is connected to the Western Market, the location of Lin’an City’s festival lantern markets. Qin Wan had visited once before. On this Lantern Festival night, the entire Jade Belt River and Western Market were brilliantly lit, showing no sign of dimming. Halfway down the Western Market street, the carriage could go no further, so Qin Wan and Yan Chi had to continue on foot.

Today Qin Wan wore men’s clothing covered by Yan Chi’s black cloak, which somewhat masked her delicate nature. Standing beside Yan Chi, she looked like a beautiful young master of fifteen or sixteen. Yan Chi wore no cloak but had wide sleeves, and holding Qin Wan’s hand in the crowd, nothing seemed amiss.

Still in the first month of the year with snow falling, Lin’an City’s Lantern Festival drew many visitors. The Western Market street was full of revelers, from perfumed and adorned nobles to commoners in blue cloth. Yan Chi led Qin Wan along the street toward Jade Belt River, necessarily slowing their pace as they went. Along both sides of the street, vendors called out their wares, and lanterns hung high, shining brilliantly.

Qin Wan’s last visit to the Lantern Festival was two years ago when her parents had brought her to enjoy the capital’s festivities. Thinking of this now, she didn’t fall into her usual melancholy of remembering the past but instead glanced at Yan Chi beside her. Since her return to life, her heart had been full of grief and vengeance – how could she have imagined someone would accompany her to the Lantern Festival?

Ninth Miss was also parentless. Though she had thought both she and Ninth Miss were of thin fortune, neither had ended up completely alone and friendless. Qin Wan looked up at the snowy sky. If her parents knew from the underworld, they would surely be comforted. Though since her return to life, she had gained Princess Tai’s favor and been adopted by the Marquis of An Yang and his wife, and in the capital the Qin family had treated her well, Yan Chi was different.

“I’d heard the capital’s Lantern Festival was extraordinarily lively, but never imagined there would be so many people.”

Looking around, the Western Market Street seemed endless. Qin Wan glanced at Yan Chi, seeing genuine surprise on his face, and smiled faintly. “You’ve been away so long, naturally you wouldn’t know.” Then she asked, “You grew up in the capital too – did you never come here as a child?”

If it were Yan Li, he would surely know every detail of this bustle.

Yan Chi shook his head. “Never came. From my earliest memories, Father Prince had me practicing martial arts and training, not allowing a single day’s laziness. At most, I could rest for an hour or two on New Year’s Day. By the Lantern Festival on the fifteenth, how could I come out? Besides, Father wasn’t one to enjoy such things.”

Yan Chi had lost his mother young, and the Wise Prince, being a man’s man, likely had no interest in lantern festivals. If the Wise Princess were still alive, everything would have been different. Looking around, most festival-goers were young ladies and madams of wealthy families.

Qin Wan gripped Yan Chi’s hand tighter and moved closer. “Next year at this time, if you’re still in the capital, we can come again.” Remembering her previous visit, she pulled Yan Chi forward through the crowd. “I remember from before, there was a magician up ahead who was quite entertaining…”

Though Qin Wan had been downcast earlier, she was now energetic. Watching her small figure weaving through the crowd leading him, Yan Chi found himself both amused and touched. With his tall stature, it would have been inconvenient for him to push through directly. With Qin Wan leading, their progress was much smoother…

Though usually graceful, Qin Wan was far from frail. Now excited, she moved as quickly as a young master might, but soon accidentally collided with a middle-aged woman crossing their path.

The woman stumbled sideways. Qin Wan stopped abruptly, releasing Yan Chi’s hand to steady her while repeatedly apologizing, “I’m so sorry, are you alright? I was walking too fast, I’m truly sorry…”

The middle-aged woman’s clothes weren’t particularly fine, and she had a young girl with her, apparently mother and daughter out enjoying the festival. When she straightened up and saw Qin Wan, she was startled. Though she had meant to scold, the words wouldn’t come. Seeing Qin Wan’s embarrassed, constant apologies, she burst out laughing. “Which family’s young master is this, truly handsome!”

She glanced at her daughter, who appeared only twelve or thirteen. The girl looked at Qin Wan and suddenly blushed. The woman grabbed Qin Wan’s hand, “Young master, are you betrothed yet?”

Hearing this, Qin Wan’s guilt turned completely to embarrassment. Before she could answer, a mountain appeared before her. Yan Chi blocked Qin Wan, fixing the woman with a cold stare. “My younger brother is already engaged.”

The woman looked at Yan Chi. Though she also found him handsome, his imposing manner frightened her. How could she dare say more?! She immediately pulled her daughter away, muttering, “Why so fierce, if he’s engaged he’s engaged…”

Qin Wan peeked out from behind Yan Chi, and then couldn’t help but laugh. In the colorful lantern light, someone had mistaken her for a young master and asked about her betrothal. “They say the Lantern Festival and Mid-Autumn Festival are both occasions for young men and women to meet and fall in love – it seems that’s true…”

Qin Wan looked up after speaking with a smile, only to see Yan Chi frowning at her. Her eyes twinkled with increased amusement. “You scared away my young lady – what shall we do about that?”