“Empress Dowager, my Sixth Sister invited me to chat in her tent tonight. I’ll be out for a while.”

Qin Wan said while massaging the Empress Dowager, who immediately smiled upon hearing this. “Go, go! I’ve been wanting you to get out and play more. What good is it to always be confined by my side?”

Qin Wan nodded in agreement. Meanwhile, Yan Sui kept watching her intently.

Though Yan Sui didn’t speak, his clear gaze made Qin Wan somewhat uneasy. However, Yan Sui was just a child after all – what could he possibly know?

“Does Little Nine want to go too? That won’t do. Nine girls haven’t been with their sisters for several days. You should stay with Grandmother, alright?” The Empress Dowager looked at Yan Sui lovingly. Yan Sui nodded, obediently lowering his gaze and remaining still.

Qin Wan sighed in relief. After finishing Empress Dowager’s massage and seeing it was getting late outside, she packed some medicine pills and left the main tent with Bai Ying, leaving Fu Ling outside the main tent. Both Bai Ying and Fu Ling were obedient and sensible. Though they weren’t used to the palace servants’ strict rules, they learned quickly. Additionally, with Qin Wan’s favor and Chen Mama’s gratitude toward Qin Wan, they were treated like first-class palace maids. While Bai Ying was quiet, Fu Ling was lively and diligent, speaking innocently with a mix of rough and delicate nature. Being always outside, she could often share things others didn’t know. Eventually, she got along well with everyone, making it perfectly safe to leave her alone in the main tent.

When Qin Wan brought the medicine pills to the Loyal and Brave Marquis’s tent, she saw their family quarters consisted of one large tent connected to two smaller ones. Qin Xiang and Qin Shuang happened to share one of the small tents. Both were delighted to see Qin Wan arrive.

Qin Wan first paid her respects to Madam Hu and learned that Qin Shu had gone with the imperial entourage. She left several medicine pills behind.

“Though summer hasn’t arrived, there are still insects in the wilderness. These pills are for protection against them. There are also two kinds of medicinal ointments for treating bruises and scrapes. If Uncle gets minor injuries during the hunt, applying these ointments will help.”

Hearing Qin Wan’s words, Madam Hu was deeply moved. Though Qin Wan knew medicine, such proactive thoughtfulness was quite remarkable. Madam Hu held Qin Wan’s hand and said, “It’s good that Wan’er thinks of us. How have these days been by the Empress Dowager’s side?”

Qin Wan smiled and nodded, “Good. There isn’t much to do on the Empress Dowager’s side. I just keep her company in conversation and games.”

Madam Hu smiled, “That’s wonderful. Even so, you should still be careful daily. Don’t displease the Empress Dowager or other masters. Those in high positions often have deep thoughts.”

Madam Hu’s words were sincere. Qin Wan nodded in agreement, then took her leave. Once outside, Qin Shuang and Qin Xiang immediately pulled Qin Wan into their small tent. Upon entering, Qin Wan realized how much hardship she had avoided by staying with the Empress Dowager.

Though the small tent was independent, it was very cramped. Moreover, because the carpet was too thin, there was a slight feeling of dampness. Qin Wan sighed inwardly and instructed, “The tent is damp, making it easier for insects to breed. It’s best to scatter these medicine pills in the corners now.” As she spoke, she had already started doing it herself. After using up the pills, she continued, “Though there isn’t much to do by the Empress Dowager’s side, I shouldn’t leave too often. If you feel unwell anywhere, come find me early.”

Qin Shuang smiled, “Don’t worry. We were just a bit tired from coming here. Yesterday we hardly went out at all. Everything else is fine. Don’t worry about us – besides, we’re carrying the medicine pouches you prepared for us before coming.”

Qin Wan nodded, finally feeling relieved. Then Qin Shuang asked, “Did you see the hunting scene today?”

“Of course…”

Upon hearing this, Qin Shuang’s face showed infatuation, “That’s good! I must say, Prince Chi was truly the most eye-catching among everyone. How did I never notice before?”

When they first saw Yan Chi, Qin Xiang, and Qin Shuang only felt afraid, not daring to openly look at him. But this morning was different – Yan Chi stood at the very front, impossible not to see.

Qin Wan smiled – unlike Qin Shuang, she had known this all along.

However, she only smiled and said, “Is that so? I thought he was quite ordinary.”

Qin Xiang clicked her tongue a few times, “Could it be because Prince Chi is good to you?”

Qin Wan’s eyes widened slightly, feigning ignorance, “Good to me?”

Qin Xiang looked at Qin Shuang, who said, “Isn’t he? I see Prince Chi takes quite good care of you.”

Qin Wan’s eyes shifted slightly, “Probably because the Crown Princess asked him to.” Then she added, “By the way, have you found Xue Qingshan?”

As she spoke, her gaze fell teasingly on Qin Xiang, who blushed and showed signs of annoyance in her eyes. Qin Shuang smiled helplessly and said, “Don’t mention it. Last time I teased her and almost angered her. I dare not speak of it again.”

Qin Xiang snorted, “What’s there to find? If it gets too big, what about my reputation?”

Hearing this, Qin Wan burst out laughing, “Reputation is important, of course, but last time’s viewing was from too far away. Don’t you want to look again up close?”

Hearing this, Qin Xiang stomped her foot in embarrassment and turned away. Qin Wan then said, “Don’t worry, any viewing should be done discreetly. I’ll see if I can run into Third Brother and Fourth Brother these days. If there’s a chance, I’ll let you know.”

“Yes, yes, exactly like that. You must have more opportunities over there. Here, with Aunt watching, it’s not convenient to go to the front. If you get any news, come tell us. She might not dare go, but I’ll go look for her.”

Speaking thus, Qin Xiang pushed them both away with a red face, while Qin Xiang and Qin Shuang played and laughed together. After chatting and laughing for a while, Qin Wan saw the sky had completely darkened and bid farewell.

Qin Xiang and Qin Shuang knew she couldn’t stay away from the main tent for too long, so they let her go.

Leaving the main tent, Qin Wan first walked a few steps toward the main tent, then turned onto a path between small tents storing military equipment and other items, heading southwest of the main camp. By now the sky was completely dark, with a crescent moon hanging like jade at the edge of the sky. Its clear light fell, faintly outlining Qin Wan’s shadowy figure. She wore a cloak with the hood up, making her way forward in the night without encountering anyone. After walking several dozen Zhang, Yan Chi’s figure appeared before Qin Wan’s eyes. She hurriedly stepped forward, “What’s happened?”

This sudden meeting made Qin Wan think Yan Chi had something to say, but in the darkness, Yan Chi wore a faint smile. He stepped forward and took Qin Wan’s hand, “I just wanted to see you.”

Qin Wan’s heart warmed slightly. She meant to say it was too late for this, but seeing the smile on Yan Chi’s lips, she couldn’t bring herself to speak. Then seeing Yan Chi pulling her hand forward, she realized he had planned this and asked, “Where are we going?”

Yan Chi’s laughing voice hit her ears, “To see the scenery.”

“Scenery?” Qin Wan raised her eyes to look, faintly seeing the steep peaks across the Wei River. Her lips curved slightly, and she fell silent for a moment. Yan Chi turned to look at her, “Are you willing to go?”

Qin Wan nodded, “Of course… I am!”

Yan Chi’s eyebrows raised slightly, seeming somewhat surprised. He knew Qin Wan’s personality and had thought she might not want to go out so late, since staying out too long at this hour would surely make the Empress Dowager ask questions. Wouldn’t that risk exposure?

However, Qin Wan said she was willing. Yan Chi’s smile deepened as he led her by the hand out of the main camp through the Imperial Guard’s area. It was time for the Imperial Guard’s shift change, and large sections of tents were empty. Yan Chi led Qin Wan through as if entering uninhabited territory. After leaving the main camp, Bai Feng was waiting outside with several horses.

Yan Chi lifted Qin Wan onto horseback in one motion, then mounted behind her. Before Qin Wan could say anything, he snapped the reins and galloped with her upstream along the Wei River.

Bai Feng and Bai Ying each mounted a horse, following the pair at a moderate distance.

On horseback, Qin Wan was completely embraced in Yan Chi’s arms. Though she wore a cloak, now Yan Chi wrapped around her like a cloak himself. The spring night wind still carried some sharp coolness, but held in Yan Chi’s embrace, Qin Wan was completely enveloped in his body heat. Not only did she not feel cold, she removed her hood, letting the cool breeze carrying fresh grass fragrance brush across her cheeks.

The sound of hoofbeats and flowing water filled the air as moonlight poured down from the vault of heaven, seeming to cast a silver-grey filter over the world. Compared to the daytime clamor, this flat plain in the deep night felt especially quiet – quiet enough to hear Yan Chi’s heartbeat, quiet enough that each of Yan Chi’s breaths stirred the strings of Qin Wan’s heart.

She was usually very rule-abiding by nature, but tonight, she didn’t want to follow those rules. Even if the Empress Dowager found out, she didn’t want to care. In the past, she could endure not seeing him all day, but now with daily distant gazing, the threads of emotion in her heart had become increasingly entangled. Additionally, with Yan Chi having a new admirer now, even her typically calm nature was somewhat unsettled – and she didn’t want to stay settled!

“Where are we going?”

After following the Wei River upstream for a mile or two, Qin Wan finally couldn’t help asking.

Yan Chi tightened his arms around her, slowing the horse’s pace somewhat, “I don’t know where we’re going either. But this is the first time doing this with you – does it matter where we go?”

Qin Wan’s lips curved upward, “Didn’t you ride horses with others during the day?”

Yan Chi was stunned, speechless for two moments. However, after those two moments, he suddenly burst out laughing. He tightly embraced Qin Wan as he snapped the reins, making their horse break into a gallop!

The sudden increase in speed startled Qin Wan, who immediately grabbed Yan Chi’s arms. The rapid hoofbeats accompanied Yan Chi’s laughter. Qin Wan didn’t know why Yan Chi was so happy for a moment, but soon she was infected by his mood and began laughing too. She laughed silently until Yan Chi slowed the horse, then snorted lightly, “You think we don’t know? Even the Empress Dowager knows – everyone in the main camp watched the Northern Wei Princess ride out!”

As the horse slowed, Yan Chi held Qin Wan tight and planted a firm kiss on her cheek.

With a soft “pop,” Qin Wan turned to glare at Yan Chi, who became even more delighted, “Why didn’t this Northern Wei Princess come earlier?”

Qin Wan raised an eyebrow. Yan Chi explained, “If she had come earlier, I could have seen you get jealous sooner!”

Qin Wan raised her hand to hit Yan Chi, “How dare you say that?!”

Yan Chi caught Qin Wan’s small hand and let her hit him, “Come on, hit me a few more times. Seeing you so gentle and delicate usually – your strength is too small-“

Qin Wan didn’t know whether to laugh or cry, hurriedly stopping her hand. Whether from happiness or something else, Yan Chi was being quite direct and silly at this moment. Seeing Qin Wan stop hitting him, he hugged her tightly, “I knew you couldn’t bear to!”

Qin Wan gritted her teeth – she hadn’t known Yan Chi could be so glib! When she changed her mind and wanted to hit him again, Yan Chi brought her hand to his lips and kissed it firmly twice. Qin Wan’s face reddened and her heart pounded wildly. For a moment she truly didn’t know whether to scold or hit him…

In the deep night, Tuoba Wu frowned as she paced back and forth in her large tent.

The maid watching nearby felt anxious, “Princess, it’s quite normal for the Crown Prince to not be in camp. In such a large camp, he might be in another general’s tent!”

Tuoba Wu shook her head, “Impossible. Didn’t he just come out from that whatever general’s tent at nightfall?”

The maid smiled bitterly, “After visiting one general’s tent, he could go to another. Many Great Zhou military commanders came for this hunt, and the Crown Prince has a military background – it wouldn’t be strange for him to go elsewhere.”

Tuoba Wu sat down somewhat dejectedly, “Could he truly not be interested in women? These past few days, I haven’t seen him speak more than a sentence to any noble lady. When not in his carriage, he’s either with those Imperial Guard commanders or visiting other generals – going round and round, it’s all men-“

The maid didn’t know whether to laugh or cry hearing this, “Princess, you can’t say such things carelessly. It’s fine to just say it now, but if the Crown Prince found out, who knows what would happen? In any case, this… preferring men is a very bad thing. If the Great Zhou Emperor learned the Crown Prince was like this, then…”

Tuoba Wu laughed coldly, “But I can’t think of any other reason…”

Tuoba Wu’s obsession stemmed from how Yan Chi’s cold treatment had failed to meet her expectations. But among the countless people in the world, not every man would fall in love with a beautiful woman. The maid knew this truth but dared not say more.

Just then, suddenly another maid lifted the curtain and entered the large tent.

“Princess, this servant has discovered something unusual.”

Tuoba Wu abruptly stood up, “What did you discover?”

The maid stepped forward, “Princess, this servant discovered that the Crown Prince’s favorite horse is not in the stable.”

Tuoba Wu raised an eyebrow. The maid continued, “This servant went to the Imperial Stables under the pretense of selecting horses for the Princess, then asked about the Crown Prince’s horse. They said the Crown Prince has a horse called Chi Ying. When this servant expressed interest in seeing it, the Stable Master went to look but discovered the Crown Prince’s horse was gone from the stable at some point.”

Tuoba Wu frowned and looked at the previous maid, “If he were visiting other generals, why would he need to ride a horse?”

The previous maid became somewhat uncomfortable, “This… this servant doesn’t know anymore. Without his horse… has the Crown Prince left camp?”

Tuoba Wu laughed coldly, “Left camp – does that mean he won’t return?”