Looking at Qin Wan’s slightly mischievous eyes, Yan Chi raised his eyebrow. He had brought Qin Wan out dressed as a woman, fearing she might be recognized, and also worried her beauty might draw attention. Yet now that she had changed into men’s clothing, someone directly came to ask about marriage!

“I don’t have any young ladies here, but I do have a husband. Would you like him instead?”

Yan Chi’s phoenix eyes narrowed, the street lanterns reflecting in his eyes were particularly alluring. Qin Wan blushed at his words. While she could handle some light teasing, she couldn’t manage such direct flirtation. She gave a light snort and turned to leave, but Yan Chi quickly grabbed her wrist. “Walk slowly. Tonight, you’re not allowed to be half a step away from me, lest someone else tries to propose again.”

Qin Wan turned back with a smile, “I never imagined that while out with the noble Crown Prince, I would be the one getting marriage proposals.”

Mischief returned to Qin Wan’s eyes, her smile growing wider as the brilliant lantern light filled her eyes like stars. Looking at her small face, Yan Chi felt a warmth in his heart. He no longer cared about whether anyone else might ask about her marriage prospects, only held her hand as they walked slowly – after all, the night had just begun, and they had plenty of time.

“Oh, look, there’s another mask seller, just like the one we saw in Jin Zhou…”

After walking for a while, they came across another mask vendor. The stall was crowded with people, and Qin Wan immediately spotted masks identical to those they’d seen in Jin Zhou. Seeing this, Yan Chi went forward and bought two with silver. When he squeezed back out of the crowd, Qin Wan took her mask and said, “The last time I bought masks was with Yue Ning. I wonder how they’re doing now.”

The festival masks mostly featured fierce beast patterns, looking quite intimidating. Yan Chi helped Qin Wan put on her mask, then donned his own. This way, their faces were completely concealed, eliminating any worry about being recognized.

Yan Chi openly held Qin Wan’s hand. “If you miss them, write a letter. I’ll have someone deliver it.”

Qin Wan immediately thought this was a good idea. “Then I’ll write the letter when I return tonight.”

Though Yan Chi couldn’t see Qin Wan’s face, he could see her eyes shining brightly, which filled him with satisfaction. The two walked along West Market Street for a long while before finally catching sight of the Jade Belt River. The river was packed with people releasing prayer lanterns. Seeing the vendors selling prayer lanterns along both sides, Qin Wan felt moved. “I want to buy some lanterns.”

Lanterns could be used both to commemorate the deceased and pray for the living. Seeing how crowded it was, Yan Chi didn’t dare leave Qin Wan’s side, so he instructed Bai Feng to buy them. Qin Wan quickly said, “Buy three—”

Yan Chi asked, “Why three?”

Qin Wan thought for a moment and said, “One for Father, one for Mother.”

“And the third?”

Yan Chi looked at Qin Wan. She blinked, suddenly showing a hint of cleverness in her eyes. “For my young lady—”

Yan Chi’s eyebrows immediately shot up as he feigned anger. “What young lady do you have!”

Seeing his reaction, Qin Wan quickly backed away. However, the crowd was surging, and when someone bumped into her, she lost her balance. Yan Chi pulled her forcefully into his embrace. As Qin Wan tried to struggle, Yan Chi suddenly held her tight, his large hand gently stroking her waist. “Where is this young lady of yours?”

Qin Wan was typically dignified, but no one knew she was ticklish. Yan Chi’s actions were impossible for her to resist, and she immediately went weak. She didn’t know that although their intimate moments were few, Yan Chi had long discovered this weakness of hers.

“There’s no… no young lady…”

Qin Wan quickly changed her answer, noticing they were surrounded by people and that their behavior was quite improper. However, now that they wore masks, Yan Chi no longer cared about propriety, holding her close and refusing to let go. “Really none? Then who was the lantern for!”

“No one, no one… of course it was for you…”

Qin Wan’s waist was her most sensitive spot, and she truly couldn’t handle it. Not wanting to make too much of a scene, she changed her tune remarkably quickly. Yan Chi’s hand stopped. “Truly for me?”

Qin Wan looked up breathlessly and saw Yan Chi’s eyes full of amusement. She nodded and somewhat guiltily glanced to the side. This glance revealed that people were indeed watching them, and not just watching – their expressions showed clear disdain as if they were witnessing something scandalous. Qin Wan suddenly realized why: she was dressed in men’s clothing, and Yan Chi was a man – wouldn’t this appear to be two men embracing in the street?!

The Great Zhou Dynasty’s social customs weren’t quite that progressive! These people probably thought she and Yan Chi were male lovers…

Thinking of this, Qin Wan felt both amused and exasperated. She had always been the most rule-abiding person, but now, her heart stirred with a bit of mischief. Since everyone assumed she and Yan Chi were male lovers, what harm was there in playing along?

She stopped struggling, allowing Yan Chi to hold her in his embrace. Noticing her compliance, Yan Chi almost lifted her off her feet. Soon, Bai Feng returned with the lanterns, and Qin Wan and Yan Chi squeezed into the riverside. Qin Wan personally placed the three lanterns in the river. Her intention in buying three lanterns wasn’t just for her parents – she had also bought one for the Ninth Miss’s parents. Whenever there was a memorial, she never forgot the Ninth Miss’s parents. Now that she had completely taken on the Ninth Miss’s identity, she was still herself, but also the Qin family’s Ninth Miss.

“Young Madam, now that you’ve released the lanterns, the Young Master will surely return safely, don’t worry. The prayer lanterns of Jade Belt River are the most efficacious. Not only will the Young Master return safely, but you’ll also bear him little young masters…”

After releasing the lanterns, Qin Wan was about to leave when she heard a maid say these words.

Yan Chi heard too and pulled her up, his gaze filled with amusement.

They had walked from West Market Street to reach the Jade Belt River, and to return they would need to walk back. Qin Wan looked at the various lanterns not far away and said, “Since we came to see the lantern festival, we should buy a lantern.”

Qin Wan’s enthusiasm remained high as if she wanted to show Yan Chi everything interesting and beautiful in the lantern market. She pulled Yan Chi along to buy lanterns, and along the way, they saw magicians, lantern riddle games, poetry competitions, and shadow puppet shows. They stopped here and there, and Qin Wan had Bai Ying buy many candies and snacks. Before long, Bai Feng and Bai Ying’s hands were full of food packages. Finally, they bought a rabbit lantern, and Qin Wan was at last satisfied.

Though they were enjoying themselves, Qin Wan hadn’t forgotten she was staying at the Marquis’s mansion and shouldn’t return too late. Thinking they had seen everything worth seeing, she started heading back with Yan Chi toward West Market Street. However, they had walked quite far tonight, and the snow on the path had been trampled into slush by the crowds, making the return journey quite difficult for Qin Wan.

Seeing this, Yan Chi suddenly stopped her and bent down in front of her. “Get on—”

Qin Wan hesitated for a moment, unable to move. Hugging and embracing were one thing with masks on, but Yan Chi’s offering to carry her on his back made her heart tremble. In her life, only one man had ever carried her on his back – her father and that was several years ago. Qin Wan pressed her lips together and gently lay against Yan Chi’s back.

Yan Chi supported her legs and stood up in one motion.

Being tall and sturdy, when Yan Chi stood up, Qin Wan’s view suddenly broadened. His back was extremely wide, even broader than her father’s. Her father’s health had been poor, and his back had been somewhat hunched when carrying her. Though Yan Chi’s steps were also very slow while carrying her, there was a sense that he could hold up the sky. Yet both her father’s back and Yan Chi’s gave her a sense of security.

Qin Wan let out a breath and completely relaxed against Yan Chi’s back. She rested her head in the crook of his neck, her ear pressed against his. Qin Wan softened her body, this unprecedented closeness making her willing to completely entrust herself to him. She slowly closed her eyes, not wanting to use even a bit of strength at this moment.

In the cold wind and light snow, Yan Chi carried Qin Wan step by step back down the long street toward where they had come from. Qin Wan, holding onto Yan Chi’s neck, turned to look and saw that fine snow had settled on his hair, making it appear as white as an elderly man’s.

……

……

When Qin Wan returned to the Marquis’s mansion, it was already quite late. In the main courtyard, Qin Shu, Madam Hu, Qin Chaoyu, and others were waiting for her. Qin Wan entered Renshou Hall with her usual composure and calmly greeted Qin Shu and Madam Hu.

“Wan’er, why have you returned so late?”

Qin Wan replied, “I was delayed at Shoukang Palace, and after leaving the palace, I suddenly remembered Korean Uncle and Er Bao. Since it’s also a festival day, I wondered how they were doing, so I went to check on them in the western courtyard.”

Hearing this explanation, Qin Shu understood and asked, “Was there any trouble at the palace today?”

Qin Wan looked at Qin Shu’s concerned eyes and shook her head. “None at all.”

At this point, Qin Chaoyu sighed, “Father, I told you earlier, that everything was normal at today’s palace banquet. Nothing you worried about happened. Both the Empress Dowager and Ninth Sister are fine.”

Qin Wan understood in her heart that since Qin Shu hadn’t entered the palace that day, he didn’t know what had happened there. While everything appeared normal to Qin Chaoyu and Madam Hu, that was because Yan Chi had already resolved the situation.

But did Qin Chaoyu truly believe nothing had happened, or was she playing along with the Empress’s act?

When the Crown Prince and Feng Chenbi were discovered together, Qin Wan hadn’t been present and didn’t know these people’s expressions. But during the drink offering at Zhaolu Palace, when the Empress was surprised to see Feng Chenbi’s name on the note, Qin Chaoyu hadn’t seemed particularly shocked. However, Qin Wan knew that even if Qin Chaoyu hadn’t been directly involved, she was on the Empress’s side.

“Yes, Great Uncle, nothing happened today.”

Qin Shu nodded, somewhat suspicious. The information he had received earlier couldn’t have been false, so how had things turned out this way?

At this point, Qin Chaoyu smiled and said, “Father must not believe that the Crown Prince would be interested in Feng Chenbi. Miss Feng has grown up with the Crown Prince since childhood and is quite favored. If the Crown Prince had any intentions, it would have been settled long ago, not just showing some movement now. Besides, from what I know, Noble Consort Su plans to marry Feng Chenbi to one of the Dingguo General’s sons.”

This was something both Qin Chaoyu and Qin Shu knew, as did Qin Yan. Hearing Qin Chaoyu’s explanation, Qin Yan said, “This matter is indeed strange. Could it be… the Empress’s doing?”

Qin Shu looked at Qin Chaoyu, who shook her head. “The Empress didn’t say much about this. I only know she said Noble Consort Su wanted to frame Ninth Sister, but I don’t know anything else. Perhaps the Empress thought Noble Consort Su wanted to harm the Crown Prince, so she used this method to counterattack?”

Madam Hu sighed, “The palace masters have too many schemes…”

Qin Shu shook his head. “We shouldn’t discuss this matter.” He looked at Qin Chaoyu, “Chaoyu, wait for tomorrow’s imperial edict. Without unexpected circumstances, the position of Crown Princess will certainly fall to you. Once it’s settled, we’ll have more things to consider. As for the various masters, if the Empress has spoken to you, respond accordingly. If she hasn’t spoken, don’t make easy assumptions, and especially don’t let the Empress know you’re making assumptions.”

Qin Chaoyu nodded, her expression composed. She had long been preparing to become Crown Princess and naturally knew what to do.

Qin Wan stood to the side listening to this conversation, feeling as if she were an outsider watching.

Suddenly, Madam Hu turned to look at Qin Wan. “With Yu’er becoming Crown Princess and Wan’er gaining the Empress Dowager’s favor, our Marquis’s house’s position won’t be unstable. Seeing how Empress Dowager values Wan’er today, I’m sure everyone in the capital knows that Wan’er’s future marriage will only be to someone of high status.”

Qin Xiang and Qin Shuang, who were listening nearby, both showed slight envy upon hearing these words.

Neither of them even qualified to enter the palace, which was quite normal. Meanwhile, Qin Yan sat below Qin Yan, also appearing as an outsider. He was just like Qin Shuang and Qin Xiang, and even Qin Wan was similar to them. However, Qin Wan used her medical skills to set herself apart. A trace of amusement appeared on Qin Yan’s face.

Qin Wan lowered her eyes. “The Empress Dowager summoned me to Shoukang Palace today and said she would arrange my marriage.”

The Empress Dowager hadn’t stated this directly, but Qin Wan had to mention it first because she wasn’t sure if Qin Shu and Madam Hu would privately arrange a marriage for her to consolidate the Marquis household’s position. From the Marquis household’s perspective, any method to strengthen their position was acceptable. Even Qin Wan was willing to consider things from the household’s standpoint and make some efforts and compromises. She understood the principle that when the nest overturns, no egg remains intact. However, she wasn’t the real Ninth Miss – she wouldn’t become the Empress’s pawn, nor would she become the Marquis household’s pawn.

Madam Hu smiled broadly. “That’s wonderful! Any match the Empress Dowager finds for you will only be of high status.”

Qin Wan thought of Yan Chi – the Prince Rui household’s reputation was indeed of the highest status. However, before the wedding, she had to make progress with her father’s case! Qin Wan secretly clenched her fists. This was what she should and must do!

Qin Shu also let out a breath. “It would be best if each of you could marry according to your heart’s desires, including Yan’er and Yan’er. Now that things are going smoothly, I won’t have to worry too much about you all.”

Qin Yan quickly said, “Father, rest assured, I will be careful in the Imperial Guard, and Second Brother has joined the Patrol Division. From this year on, our Marquis household will surely rise to greater heights!”

Qin Shu nodded, his smile relaxed. “After years of patience, we’ve waited for this day. None of you have disappointed me.”

He continued, “The biggest matter at court recently is deciding on the Crown Prince’s and Prince Cheng’s royal consorts. After that, envoys from Northern Wei and Western Liang will visit. These past few days, the Emperor has ordered the Ministry of Works to repair the imperial city and guest houses in preparation for the envoys. Although I’m in the Ministry of Personnel, the annual visits of foreign envoys are no small matter. We’ll be busy in the coming days.”

Thus, the conversation turned to state affairs, with only Qin Yan and Qin Shu discussing, while Qin Chaoyu occasionally asked a question or two. As the future Crown Princess, she naturally needed to understand some court dynamics.

However, with so many women present, Qin Shu kept the discussion very superficial. Soon after, he let Qin Wan and the others retire to rest. Qin Wan, Qin Shuang, and Qin Xiang rose to leave, but Qin Chaoyu stayed behind, presumably for some private discussion.

Walking out, Qin Shuang was the first to notice the snacks in Bai Ying’s hands. “Oh! Where did you buy these?”

Qin Wan smiled and had Bai Ying share some with Qin Shuang. “Today is the Lantern Festival, and Korean Uncle’s residence isn’t far from the West Market.”

Then Qin Wan looked at Qin Xiang. “Would Fifth Sister like some?”

Qin Xiang quickly waved her hand in refusal – these things Qin Wan bought were mostly from street vendors, and she wouldn’t eat such food. Qin Wan didn’t mind, while Qin Shuang ate with relish. “These candies are so sweet! The flavors in the capital are even richer than those in our Jin Zhou. When I saw you return so late, I thought you had been kept at the palace.”

Qin Wan laughed. “Today’s palace banquet ended very early.”

Qin Shuang said matter-of-factly, “But you’ve gained the Empress Dowager’s favor. She might have kept you overnight!”

Qin Wan shook her head. “That would have been improper.”

Having said this, Qin Shuang seemed to remember something and turned to look at Qin Xiang. “Did you know? This afternoon, they sent a matchmaker to formally propose marriage. In a few days, there will be a small engagement, then they’ll send the betrothal gifts and set the wedding date. By summer, Fifth Sister will be married.”

Qin Wan turned to look. Qin Xiang lowered her eyes, showing signs of shyness.

In this world, once married, a woman’s life was essentially set. Thinking that Xue Qingshan seemed steady and reliable, Qin Wan was happy for Qin Xiang. After all, Qin Xiang had been raised as a proper young lady. As long as she settled down to married life, and with Xue Qingshan being stable and ambitious, it wasn’t bad at all.

“Congratulations, Fifth Sister. When the small engagement comes, I’ll prepare gifts.”

Qin Xiang’s lips curved slightly. “Thank you both. I plan to prepare some food tomorrow and invite you both over. Who knows how many more days we’ll have to gather like this? This might be our last New Year together.”

Qin Shuang and Qin Wan naturally agreed readily. After marriage, they would have to manage New Year’s celebrations in their husbands’ homes, without such leisure and freedom.

Thus, the three agreed on a time and returned to their respective courtyards.

Early the next morning, the imperial edict announcing the selection of the Crown Princess arrived at the Marquis’s mansion. Qin Shu led all household members to hear the edict. Yuan Qing, with a joyful expression, repeatedly offered congratulations and said, “These rewards are separately bestowed by the Empress Dowager, Emperor, and Empress, all for Eighth Miss. These don’t count as betrothal gifts. Today is the public announcement; only after the Imperial Astronomical Bureau sets an auspicious date will they come with the betrothal gifts. As for the wedding date, that will depend on the Emperor and Empress’s wishes.”

Qin Shu knew all this and first ordered people to send substantial rewards, seeing Yuan Qing off before having the bestowed gifts carried away. While Qin Wan had received many rewards that day, this time the gifts were even more numerous. Only then did Qin Xiang and Qin Shuang realize what position the Crown Princess held – it was clearly in the ninth heaven, completely different from their status!

Because of this good fortune in the Marquis’s household, Qin Shu also ordered rewards for all the servants. The servants knew best the hierarchy of power in the capital – Qin Chaoyu becoming Crown Princess meant the entire Marquis household would rise with her. Combined with the generous rewards from their masters, the mansion became as lively and festive as New Year’s.

Although it was a momentous occasion, Qin Chaoyu remained composed. Moreover, she and Madam Hu had to enter the palace that afternoon to express their gratitude. Because of this, Qin Wan and the others stayed in Renshou Hall briefly before returning to their courtyards. After noon, at the appointed time Qin Xiang, Qin Shuang, and Qin Wan went together to Qin Xiang’s courtyard, where they found she had also prepared a hot pot.

This time there were no servants at the table. The three sisters took off their shoes and curled up on the couch, very casual and comfortable.

Qin Shuang was overjoyed. “Eighth Sister became Crown Princess! When we first came to Great Uncle’s place, we heard people say it, but it didn’t seem real then. Now it’s right before our eyes! Did you see those jade items in the rewards? Each one is finer than the last! And those jewels and ornaments – the rubies were as big as pigeon eggs!”

Qin Shuang ate and talked simultaneously, gesturing animatedly, genuinely happy for Qin Chaoyu. Qin Xiang smiled more reservedly. “I’ve never seen so many jewels either. Last night I sent someone to invite Eighth Sister, but she said she was busy today and couldn’t come. I hadn’t realized then that she would need to enter the palace today to express gratitude.”

Qin Shuang laughed. “You silly! Great Uncle said there would be an imperial edict today, so of course she had to enter the palace.”

Qin Xiang helplessly said, “I don’t know these rules…”

Qin Shuang took a sip of hot soup. “Never mind, it’s a small matter. Honestly, if Eighth Sister were here, I wouldn’t be this comfortable. Those rules and such, I don’t want to know them – knowing wouldn’t help anyway.”

Qin Wan’s appetite was aroused by Qin Shuang’s hearty eating and drinking, and she too picked up her chopsticks. When she first met Qin Chaoyu, she found her stunning, and somehow, she always felt Qin Chaoyu was very similar to the Empress. If Qin Chaoyu spent a few years training in the palace, the two would probably become identical in bearing. Not just among the four sisters, but in the entire capital, Qin Chaoyu was the noble lady most capable of handling palace life. Such a place required constant battle readiness, and Qin Chaoyu was someone who had made being fully armed her second nature.

This gathering of the three sisters was rare. Seeing Qin Xiang’s change in personality and Qin Shuang’s constant cheerfulness, finding various ways to keep the three together, after several days, Qin Wan and Qin Xiang were no longer as distant as before.

Soon, the news of this imperial consort selection spread throughout the realm. The Crown Prince had chosen Qin Chaoyu as his primary consort and the Minister of Revenue’s daughter as his secondary consort. Prince Cheng had chosen his cousin Feng Chenbi and the Vice Minister of War’s daughter as his secondary consort. The daughter of the Duke of Wei’s household, who was originally to be contested by Prince Cheng, had escaped this fate.

Due to Qin Chaoyu, the Marquis’s mansion was filled with guests for days. Apart from entering the palace twice more to treat the Empress Dowager, Qin Wan spent the rest of her time in the inner courtyard, practically never leaving. After that day’s incident was settled, Qin Wan encountered no further obstacles or complications when entering the palace. This was understandable – with the Crown Prince’s and Prince Cheng’s primary and secondary consorts decided, who would seek trouble with a divine doctor favored by the Empress Dowager?

After five days passed this way, Zhan Yang suddenly came to the Marquis’s mansion, specifically requesting Qin Wan to visit the Lin’an Prefecture office.

Qin Shu, Qin Yan, and even Madam Hu were all accustomed to this and naturally allowed Qin Wan to go without any hindrance. Only after leaving the mansion did Qin Wan have the chance to ask Zhan Yang, “Captain Zhan, is there a new case?”

Zhan Yang shook his head. “The Meng family’s case has been decided.”

Qin Wan was startled and quickly asked, “What is the sentence?!”

Zhan Yang’s usually stern expression softened slightly. “Both husband and wife received exile sentences.”

Qin Wan’s eyes brightened slightly. This was the best possible outcome for Meng Ziyi, considering he was responsible for two deaths. Although Madam Xu wasn’t the murderer, she was an accomplice. For her, accompanying Meng Ziyi was naturally the best option. Zhan Yang continued, “Thanks to Ninth Miss’s words, the Emperor agreed to reduce the punishment.”

Qin Wan raised an eyebrow, and Zhan Yang explained, “Minister Zheng reported all of Ninth Miss’s statements to the Emperor. Thus, the Emperor understood that Young Master Meng wasn’t pretending, but was ill. Although he didn’t fully believe it, we had tested it – Young Master Meng indeed becomes a different person when triggered. Therefore, he wasn’t sentenced to death.”

After a pause, Zhan Yang added, “To prevent any changes, they will leave the capital today. The couple wants to thank Ninth Miss in person, so Minister Zheng asked me to see if Ninth Miss could make this trip.”

As the Meng couple were now criminals, naturally only Qin Wan could visit them. Understanding the reason, Qin Wan hurriedly boarded the carriage and headed to the prefecture office. After half an hour’s journey, upon reaching the office, she found Meng Zhou and everyone else waiting in the compound.

Upon seeing Qin Wan, Meng Yao’s eyes immediately reddened. “Minister Zheng told us everything. We’re so grateful for your help this time.”

Meng Zhou also personally thanked Qin Wan. In the side hall, Meng Ziyi and Madam Xu, wearing prisoner’s clothing, knelt upon seeing Qin Wan. Qin Wan could hardly accept this, and after repeatedly asking about their place of exile, Meng Yao said, “They’re being exiled to Cang Zhou in the north.”

Qin Wan sighed upon hearing this. Being able to live was the best outcome; Cang Zhou was far away, and they couldn’t ask for more.

Meng Yao seemed to know what she was thinking and said, “Father knows someone in Cang Zhou and has already arranged for them to take good care of Third Brother and Sister-in-law, at least to ensure they arrive safely.”

Only then did Qin Wan feel relieved. It was still winter, and heading north meant even colder weather. Both Meng Ziyi and Madam Xu were delicate people, and she had been worried they might fall ill or encounter problems on the journey.

Meng Yao continued, “Speaking of which, the person who helped us this time – you should know them.”