When Yan Chi suddenly spoke like this, Qin Wan’s face grew warm, “Don’t you think I’m sharp-tongued, lacking the grace of a noble lady?”
Yan Chi smiled, “Having spent so long in the Northwest, to be honest, I’m not used to seeing these delicate noble ladies in the capital who’d fall over in a breeze.”
Hearing this, Qin Wan’s smile reached her eyes. Seeing her mention Yue Ning earlier, Yan Chi asked, “Do you miss Aunt and the others?”
At this, Qin Wan’s brows furrowed slightly, “My letter should have arrived by now, but there’s been no reply.”
Yan Chi’s lips curved upward, “The New Year just passed, and Yue Jia needs to train with the Northwest Army. The An Yang Marquis’s household must be busy.”
How busy could they be that they couldn’t find time to reply? Qin Wan sighed, “I’m just worried about the Grand Princess’s health. Though I left many prescriptions, they were prepared so early, they might not be suitable now.”
“Don’t worry. If anything serious happened, they would send word to the capital.”
Qin Wan thought differently—if something went wrong at the An Yang Marquis’s household, they probably wouldn’t let anyone know. However, facing Yan Chi, she didn’t want him to comfort her further, so she concealed her worry, “All right, I’ll wait a bit longer. If there’s still no word, I’ll truly become concerned.”
Yan Chi nodded, but Qin Wan seemed to remember something, “The Empress Dowager sent me here. How should I respond to her?”
Yan Chi’s smile deepened, “Just tell her that I already have someone in my heart, that I don’t know that princess, and that Her Majesty needn’t worry…”
“Tell her you have someone in your heart?!” Qin Wan was startled, “What if the Empress Dowager asks who it is?”
Yan Chi smiled, “Can’t you just say you don’t know?”
Qin Wan looked somewhat anxious, “Is that appropriate? Wouldn’t it be better to simply say you don’t know the princess, to avoid complications…”
Yan Chi gently pinched her waist, “Are you that afraid of the Empress Dowager finding out?”
At this question, Qin Wan felt guilty, her smile weakening, “It’s not that. The Empress Dowager treats me very well, and even if she knew, she wouldn’t make things difficult for me. It’s just rather inconvenient…”
Yan Chi said, “Trust me, I understand the Empress Dowager. If you say this, she’ll be more certain I have nothing to do with the Northern Wei Princess. If you don’t say it this way, what if she suddenly takes a fancy to matchmaking with that Northern Wei Princess?”
Qin Wan’s heart skipped a beat. After all, Tuoba Wu was a Northern Wei Princess. If she caused trouble under the guise of diplomatic relations, even the Empress Dowager might be powerless. Yan Chi’s preventive measure indeed seemed wise.
“But what if the Empress Dowager finds out later…”
Yan Chi smiled, “Even if she finds out, it won’t matter. Right now, the Empress Dowager only needs to know my intentions. If that princess causes trouble, the Empress Dowager can cut off her hopes, and we’ll have fewer problems. Otherwise, if this matter comes to me directly, I might just tell the Empress Dowager who my intended is—”
This sounded almost like a threat. Qin Wan heard it and snorted softly, “Go ahead and tell her then.”
Yan Chi smiled, his eyes narrowing slightly. Qin Wan glanced outside and said, “Eunuch Hu came with me. I need to return to the palace and report to the Empress Dowager. You should get back to your work.”
As she spoke, Qin Wan tried to get up to leave, but Yan Chi’s long arm blocked her way. He wouldn’t let her go, insisting on holding her in his embrace for a moment before finally relenting.
After the time it takes to burn an incense stick, Qin Wan emerged from the room. Bai Ying kept his eyes respectfully lowered, while Hu Quan smiled and said, “Is Ninth Young Lady leaving now?”
Qin Wan nodded, “Yes, let’s return to the palace to report to the Empress Dowager.”
Hu Quan smiled in acknowledgment, bid farewell to Yan Chi who had followed them out, and then left with Qin Wan for the palace.
The Ministry of Justice wasn’t far from the palace gates, and soon Qin Wan had entered the palace again.
When they reached Shou Kang Palace, the Empress Dowager was talking with Yan Sui. Seeing Qin Wan arrive, the Empress Dowager smiled, “Why are you back so quickly?”
Qin Wan curved her lips, “His Highness was busy at the Ministry. After asking him, I left.”
The Empress Dowager had Qin Wan take a seat before smiling brightly, “What did you find out?”
Qin Wan maintained a calm expression, “His Highness said he doesn’t know the Northern Wei Princess and doesn’t understand why she would say such things. Moreover, His Highness said he already has someone in his heart, and asks you not to worry.”
The Empress Dowager was surprised for a moment, “Yan Chi said he has someone in his heart?”
Qin Wan nodded, “Yes.”
The Empress Dowager thought for a moment, her smile deepening, “That clever boy, already has someone in his heart. He surely didn’t say who this person is, did he?”
Qin Wan nodded, feeling somewhat guilty and unable to discern what lay behind the Empress Dowager’s smile.
The Empress Dowager looked at Qin Wan a moment longer before finally curving her lips, “Very well, I understand now. He wants me to shield him. However, that Northern Wei Princess is still a princess after all. Until I clarify this matter, I won’t give him a definitive answer.” Then she asked Qin Wan, “What do you think of this?”
Qin Wan lowered her eyes briefly, “The Northern Wei Princess wouldn’t speak such words carelessly. Perhaps there’s some misunderstanding?”
The Empress Dowager, for some reason seeming in an excellent mood, smiled again and asked, “A young woman explicitly says she’s lovesick for him—what other misunderstanding could there be?”
Qin Wan thought for a moment, “His Highness said he’s never even met the Northern Wei Princess…”
“You believe him just because he said so? Child, you’re still too young. You should know that in this world, you can’t trust a man’s words. At this rate, you’re bound to be deceived by your future husband.”
Qin Wan hurriedly said, “I went as your representative, Your Majesty. His Highness might deceive others, but he certainly wouldn’t deceive you. Besides, the Northern Wei Princess is beautiful and of noble birth. If His Highness truly had any involvement with her, there would be no need for secrecy. Moreover, His Highness acts with integrity—if he had private dealings with the Northern Wei Princess but wouldn’t admit it, that wouldn’t be his style.”
“You trust him so completely? He’s been in the Northwest for so many years, I don’t even know what he’s become, yet you’ve known him for how long? You don’t yet understand how complex human hearts can be. Some people can lie so smoothly you can’t detect any trace of deception.”
Earlier, Qin Wan had her doubts, but after hearing Yan Chi’s words, her suspicions had dissipated. Yet today, the Empress Dowager was strange, seeming to think she was too trusting, speaking contrary to Qin Wan’s thoughts. Moreover, she was lecturing her this way. Qin Wan found it very peculiar, but stranger still, she felt the Empress Dowager’s words were quite right, yet she simply trusted Yan Chi.
Qin Wan understood deeply the complexity of human nature, but she and Yan Chi had faced life and death together. Moreover, Yan Chi said she was special to him, and wasn’t he special himself? He was different from Prince Cheng and the Crown Prince, different from all the noble sons in Lin’an City. In her heart, he was someone who could be the backbone of Great Zhou, someone who bore the responsibility for the peace of Great Zhou’s common people. Such a towering figure of a man would not stoop to lying.
“Your Majesty speaks wisely, but perhaps because His Highness is a warrior who has faced years of battles, I think that after so many years of life and death in the Northwest, victory on the battlefield isn’t won through lies. Someone like His Highness might simply disdain lying. Or perhaps, even if he were to be unfaithful, he would do so openly and honestly—he would never deceive Your Majesty for the sake of his reputation.”
The Empress Dowager looked at Qin Wan with deep eyes, and after a moment, burst into hearty laughter, “Good, good, good! Well said—even if he were to be unfaithful, he would do so openly. Speaking this way, I believe Yan Chi’s words. That child indeed disdains such things. But did he say how he plans to resolve the matter with the Northern Wei Princess?”
“His Highness said he doesn’t know what’s happening, but he will have someone investigate.”
The Empress Dowager snorted softly, “So he wants us to stall the Northern Wei Princess… When that princess met us last time, her maid prevented her from speaking, which shows the Northern Wei Crown Prince doesn’t want her making such a public display about Yan Chi. There’s no rush—let’s wait and see. Though he can avoid her for now, once we reach Wei Mountain, he won’t be able to dodge anymore.”
Qin Wan understood the Empress Dowager’s meaning. Though her face remained neutral, she felt somewhat displeased in her heart. Even if there was no direct relationship with Yan Chi, he still brought back a trace of romantic entanglement. Hmph!
“Little Ninth, what’s wrong?” the Empress Dowager suddenly asked.
Qin Wan quickly shook her head, “Nothing, I was just thinking about the spring hunt.”
The Empress Dowager smiled lovingly, “It’s nothing special. You’ll understand when you get there. Take the opportunity to enjoy yourself…”
Qin Wan nodded obediently, but the Empress Dowager looked her up and down, her gaze full of approval, “Yan Chi hasn’t been back for many years, and his relationships with his brothers have grown distant. Only Yan Li remains close to him. I didn’t expect he would now have such a trusting new friend as you. If he knew, he would surely consider you a kindred spirit.”
Already more than just a kindred spirit…
Qin Wan thought to herself, then hurriedly said, “His Highness is different from others. Though born noble, he doesn’t rely on his birth. Instead, he’s guarded the frontier for years. Because of the Rui Prince and His Highness, the barbarians haven’t advanced a step into Great Zhou. The frontier is harsh, and on the battlefield, swords show no mercy. Those who defend the country with their flesh and blood naturally deserve respect and trust.”
Some of Qin Wan’s words showed her partiality toward Yan Chi, but these sentiments had existed in her heart since before she knew him. Not just for Yan Chi—she respected all frontier soldiers, though Yan Chi, as their commander, naturally stood out more prominently. As she spoke, her eyes shone bright like the morning light, her voice firm yet gentle. Seeing her like this, the Empress Dowager sighed and took Qin Wan’s hand, “If only everyone thought as you do.”
After talking a while longer, Qin Wan took her leave. Upon returning to the Marquis’s mansion, she informed Madam Hu of the Empress Dowager’s arrangements. Hearing this, Madam Hu realized they didn’t even need to prepare Qin Wan’s portion and was happy that Empress Dowager valued her so highly. When Qin Shu learned of this, he only instructed her to take good care of the Empress Dowager and Yan Sui’s health.
After four days of preparation, on the tenth day of the third month, a magnificent procession gathered outside Zheng Hua Gate. After the heaven-worship ceremony, they set out for the Wei Mountain hunting grounds, over seventy li away!
Wei Mountain was less than a hundred li from the capital, but this procession included over a hundred nobles, plus the Imperial Guard serving as vanguard, and the palace troops responsible for clearing the way and protection—over ten thousand people in total. These ten thousand didn’t march quickly like an army but moved very slowly, and on the first day, the entire procession only reached Feng Ming Slope, halfway to their destination.
Apart from Yan Huai and the Empress Dowager riding in massive imperial carriages, other officials and their families rode in ordinary carriages. The Empress Dowager’s carriage was especially spacious and comfortable, and Qin Wan, accompanying her, was spared much hardship.
This was Yan Sui’s first time leaving the palace in his life. Though excited and curious, he was also somewhat afraid. He leaned against the window watching, yet couldn’t understand much about the commoners’ lives in the fields. To pass the time, the Empress Dowager had Nanny Su prepare various small amusements in the carriage. Yan Sui alternated between looking out the window and playing with these trinkets, rarely speaking much.
Qin Wan kept the Empress Dowager company, “The last time I passed through these places was before New Year’s. Everything was covered in snow then. Now the willow branches have sprouted new buds, and the scenery is completely different. Time flies.”
In the blink of an eye, she had been back in the capital for over three months.
“Indeed it does. Three months ago, how could I have imagined I would have a day to leave the palace for hunting? I didn’t come to the spring hunt two years ago, as I was unwell then. I thought I would never have another chance to leave the palace.”
The Empress Dowager spoke while holding Qin Wan’s hand, full of emotion, “Little Ninth, this is all thanks to you.”
Qin Wan was used to such praise from the Empress Dowager by now. Seeing her only respond with a gentle smile, the Empress Dowager said, “Little Ninth, with such great merit, you must accept some tangible rewards.”
Qin Wan laughed softly, “Your Majesty has already made me promises earlier—those are the best rewards.”
The Empress Dowager sighed, seeing her complete indifference to material rewards made her feel increasingly indebted to Qin Wan, “Your character… I don’t know what to say about you… The Grand Princess must have liked you so much for this very reason.”
“Her Highness the Grand Princess feels grateful that I cured her illness, but she has already treated me extremely well.”
At this, the Empress Dowager had a sudden inspiration. If the Grand Princess had made Qin Wan her goddaughter then, perhaps she could also… Once this thought arose, the Empress Dowager didn’t voice it immediately. She needed to think it through carefully.
Unaware of Empress Dowager’s thoughts, Qin Wan only reassured her, “Perhaps someday, this humble one might truly have something to ask of Your Majesty. When that time comes, I hope Your Majesty will grant my request—that would be the greatest blessing.”
The Empress Dowager hardly believed Qin Wan’s words, “I doubt that. You say this now, but you won’t ask me for anything.”
Qin Wan’s face revealed nothing, but she sighed inwardly. It wasn’t that she wouldn’t ask the Empress Dowager—besides her marriage, her father’s case might also need the Empress Dowager’s help. But that case was still shrouded in mystery, which was why she hadn’t yet spoken up.
Yan Huai’s procession led the way, and advance guard units were already stationed along the route. Following the official road to Feng Ming Slope, they didn’t even see extra carriages. The occasional passersby kowtowed from afar, never daring to disturb the imperial procession. After the morning heaven-worship ceremony, by afternoon the Empress Dowager was exhausted. But Yan Sui, though young and never having left the palace before, remained energetic. While the Empress Dowager dozed in her seat, Yan Sui still leaned against the window, looking out.
Qin Wan leaned beside him and looking out, they could see commoners busy in many fields, already beginning spring planting. “Ninth Prince hasn’t seen this before, has he? What grows in these fields becomes grain.”
Yan Sui frowned deeply, “Grain grows in the ground? Wouldn’t that make it dirty?”
Qin Wan laughed softly, “Grain grows on small plants, Your Highness. The grain you eat must be planted in spring and harvested in autumn. The farming commoners must harvest each plant one by one, then hull the grain from its shells, dry it in the sun, clean it thoroughly, and then sell it to grain merchants. The best grain is collected by the imperial household for the palace, and servants must cook it before it reaches Your Highness’s table. The process is complex, but it all begins here in these fields…”
Yan Sui didn’t know what grain stalks looked like, but he could somewhat imagine the small plant’s Qin Wan described. After thinking a moment, his expression suddenly turned melancholic, “Mother used to tell me about things outside too.”
Qin Wan looked at Yan Sui, feeling sympathy. She had lost her parents at seventeen, but Yan Sui had lost his mother at just four. Though he still had his father, his father was first the emperor of the realm, then a father. Moreover, his father had many wives and children and could spare very little attention for him.
“What Consort Jin told Your Highness—you’ll be able to see more of it yourself. Don’t be sad, Your Highness. You still have the Empress Dowager. She treats you so kindly, Your Highness need not be afraid. Your future days will surely be peaceful and happy.”
Yan Sui gazed at the distant mountain silhouettes with partial understanding, “I became afraid after losing Mother, but why was Mother afraid…”