The Northern Wei convoy preparing for their early return to the capital had already assembled early the next morning. Yan Huai assigned Zhao Yu to lead two hundred troops as escorts. Combined with Northern Wei’s guards, this force protected Tuoba Hong and his companions. As dawn broke, Tuoba Wu and Tuoba Rui left Yan Huai’s main tent after bidding farewell, ready to depart with the main force. Qin Wan, Yan Chi, and Crown Prince Yan Che went to the camp entrance to see them off.
After exchanging a few words about traveling safely, Tuoba Wu boarded the carriage bound for the capital. As the procession grew distant, Yan Chi suddenly turned and walked toward Yan Huai’s tent. Surprised by this move, Yan Che hurriedly followed. Qin Wan strolled behind them, knowing what Yan Chi intended to do.
Yan Huai hadn’t expected Yan Chi to return. After Yan Chi paid his respects, he asked, “Why have you returned? What’s the matter?”
Since Yan Chi hadn’t been assigned any hunting-related duties and the Northern Wei case was closed, he shouldn’t have needed to report anything. Yan Chi’s expression grew serious as he said, “Your Majesty, the Northern Wei case isn’t over.”
Yan Huai set down his imperial brush and leaned back in his chair. “Explain.”
Yan Chi relayed Qin Wan’s discovery and his deductions with a solemn expression. After he finished, Yan Huai’s brows furrowed deeply. “So what do you propose?”
Yan Chi replied, “I’ve already instructed Zhao Yu. For now, we only need to follow up with a small team. Without clear evidence, we can only catch Tuoba Rui in the act to prove he’s the culprit.”
After a moment, Yan Huai asked, “What if nothing happens during the journey?”
Yan Chi wasn’t surprised by this question, having considered it himself. “If nothing happens, that would be best. However, if something does occur and Tuoba Hong loses his life in Great Zhou, it would be extremely unfavorable for us.”
Yan Huai leaned back in his chair, eyes narrowed, seemingly lost in thought.
Yan Chi had expected Yan Huai to immediately approve his orders, but surprisingly, Yan Huai appeared hesitant.
A flash of understanding crossed his eyes as Yan Chi realized what a ruler might consider in this situation.
Sure enough, after a moment, Yan Huai said gravely, “If Northern Wei falls into internal chaos, it wouldn’t harm Great Zhou. It might even benefit us—”
When Tuoba Hong was first injured, Qin Wan saved him, and now Tuoba Wu dared not be angry with Great Zhou. If something happened to Tuoba Hong again, how would it relate to Great Zhou?
If Tuoba Hong died, the remaining Fourth and Fifth Princes were both troublemakers. One could imagine how chaotic Northern Wei would become.
One couldn’t sleep soundly with others too close to one’s bed—wouldn’t it be better for Great Zhou to watch from the sidelines while Northern Wei descended into chaos?
Yan Chi remained silent for a moment. As a Zhou citizen, Northern Wei’s stability ultimately didn’t matter much to him, nor did he find Yan Huai’s thinking particularly unethical. Great power politics had nothing to do with morality. Even if Northern Wei descended into devastation, his heart would remain unmoved. However, thinking of Qin Wan made his brow furrow.
She had fought desperately to save Tuoba Hong, and she suspected Tuoba Rui. If Tuoba Hong died and Tuoba Rui returned to Northern Wei as the beneficiary, she would surely find it difficult to accept.
After some contemplation, Yan Chi said, “Your Majesty, Northern Wei currently wishes to ally with Great Zhou to thoroughly resolve the Rong threat. We can only achieve this through an alliance with Northern Wei. Although Northern Wei’s internal chaos wouldn’t directly affect Great Zhou, we would lose a potentially helpful ally.”
Yan Huai’s eyes narrowed, “You mean we should protect Tuoba Hong?”
Yan Chi nodded, “Tuoba Hong is upright and righteous, unlike Liu Yun. If we show him kindness, he won’t forget it. Rather than watching from across the river, we’d do better to help him and have Northern Wei serve our interests in the future.”
Political maneuvering was all about balancing interests. After Yan Chi’s explanation, Yan Huai’s phoenix eyes narrowed slightly.
He looked at Yan Chi for a moment before nodding, “Very well, we’ll do as you suggest. Will you lead the troops personally?”
Yan Chi nodded, “Yes, I’ll take my secret guards. Zhao Yu has received my instructions and will watch carefully along the way, though he’ll pretend to notice nothing. We still need someone watching secretly to ensure nothing goes wrong!”
Since Yan Huai had been convinced by Yan Chi, he naturally sought the most effective solution. After looking at Yan Chi for a moment, he suddenly said, “I hear the Northern Wei Princess has taken an interest in you?”
Yan Chi lowered his gaze, the bright gleam in his dark eyes instantly extinguished.
His eyes grew cold, though his tone remained unchanged, “I wouldn’t know about that, though the Princess said she saw me at the Northern Wei border, but I don’t remember…”
Yan Huai’s lips curved slightly, “If she truly has feelings for you, it would be a good match.”
Yan Chi’s brow immediately furrowed. Seeing this, Yan Huai smiled, “What’s wrong? The girl isn’t bad-looking. Are you unsatisfied?”
Yan Chi replied, “She’s from Northern Wei…”
Yan Huai laughed, “Now you’re concerned that she’s not from Zhou? Well, perhaps she has no intention of marrying into Great Zhou anyway. Alright, go make your arrangements. Everything in camp will continue as usual. Send word immediately if you have news.”
Yan Chi acknowledged and left the tent.
Outside, he saw Yan Che waiting. Yan Che approached, “What’s happening? What’s occurred?”
Yan Chi pressed his lips together, “I need to leave camp. The Northern Wei case isn’t finished.”
Seeing Yan Che about to question further, Yan Chi said, “I’ll explain to the Crown Prince once we have news.”
Without waiting for Yan Che’s response, Yan Chi strode away. Yan Che raised his eyebrows high.
As Crown Prince of Great Zhou, even a king wouldn’t dismiss him so casually.
The morning light fell on Yan Chi’s shoulders. Recalling Yan Huai’s words, his lips curved in a cold smile.
When Yan Chi returned to camp to prepare for departure, Qin Wan was waiting at his tent entrance. After checking their surroundings, Yan Chi took her hand and led her inside. As soon as they entered, Qin Wan asked, “How did it go?”
“I’m leaving now. I’ve already instructed Zhao Yu, but having him watch openly isn’t enough. I’ll take men to follow, and whatever happens, we can ensure nothing goes wrong.”
Qin Wan worried, “You’re going personally?”
Yan Chi was selecting a sword from the weapons rack. Hearing this, he turned and smiled at her, “It’s not a military campaign, don’t worry.”
Qin Wan pressed her lips together. True, Yan Chi was mostly going to observe and monitor, and with Zhao Yu leading Zhou troops, Yan Chi wouldn’t be in danger.
Though Qin Wan tried to convince herself of this, concern still showed on her face. Yan Chi’s smile deepened as he stepped forward and pulled her into his embrace. “Don’t worry. Tuoba Rui probably won’t act on the first day—if he does act, it will likely be tomorrow night. Within three days, I’ll send word back. These last few days, stay close to the Empress Dowager. Once we return to the capital, you won’t see these mountains and waters anymore. With me away from camp, take care of yourself.”
She would be safe staying in the camp.
“I understand, but following like this will be hard on you.”
Qin Wan thought about how the route would be through wilderness and forests. Zhao Yu’s main force had carriages and could make camp at night, but how could Yan Chi’s few dozen men make such a commotion?
Yan Chi held Qin Wan and laughed, his chest rumbling so much that she could feel the vibrations.
What was so funny?
Qin Wan silently complained but then heard Yan Chi say, “You’ve forgotten what I told you about our life in Shuo Xi. Now that we’re back in the capital, nothing could be considered hardship.”
He released Qin Wan and, despite his joy, needed to prepare for departure.
Qin Wan felt a pang of sympathy—it wasn’t that it wouldn’t be difficult, but rather that he had experienced even greater hardships and thus didn’t consider this challenging. This thought only increased her concern.
Though their hearts were heavy, neither Qin Wan nor Yan Chi were ones to dawdle. Soon, Yan Chi had left the main camp.
He departed so quietly that even Yan Li didn’t know why he had left camp.
Yan Li found Qin Wan in the Empress Dowager’s tent and asked in a low voice, “Did Seventh Brother leave camp because of the Northern Wei case?”
Being clever, Yan Li had guessed that Yan Chi’s departure right after the Northern Wei group left must be related to their case. What else could he be secretly leaving the hunting grounds for?
Seeing that he had already guessed, Qin Wan nodded. Unexpectedly, Yan Li’s eyes lit up, and he immediately went out, mounted his horse with an attendant, and followed after Yan Chi.
Qin Wan couldn’t stop him and could only shake her head with a wry smile.
With the Northern Wei contingent gone, all the gloom in the camp dispersed. Under Yan Che and Lin Zhang’s arrangements, banners soon flew over the square—another hunt was beginning!
With matters weighing on her mind, Qin Wan had no interest in these activities. The Empress Dowager had been in camp for many days and was also tired, rarely going out. Qin Wan spent half the day accompanying the Empress Dowager, and in the evening, went to talk with Qin Shuang.
When Qin Wan arrived, Qin Chaoyu surprisingly spoke to her, saying, “Do you have any warming tea? These past two days, I’ve felt the tent is very damp, and my hands and feet are ice-cold morning and evening.”
Qin Wan was surprised but didn’t think much of it, quickly instructing Fu Ling to go fetch some medicinal tea.
When the medicinal tea was delivered to Qin Chaoyu, she took a gentle sniff. It was identical to the tea she had smelled at Yan Che’s quarters. She laughed coldly inside but said, “I’ve seen this tea before at Her Majesty the Empress’s quarters.”
Qin Wan thought nothing of it. “This tea was originally prepared for the Empress Dowager. We sent a few packets to Her Majesty as well.”
“Did you give it to anyone else?”
Qin Wan found this question strange and shook her head. “No, we haven’t.”
Qin Chaoyu looked at Qin Wan, lips curving slightly. “Well, thank you then.”
She left after saying this.
Qin Wan felt something was amiss but didn’t want to question Qin Chaoyu further. Besides, someone like Qin Chaoyu would speak or remain silent as she chose, regardless of others’ wishes. Qin Wan shook her head and continued talking with Qin Shuang.
After chatting for a while longer, Madam Yu, sent by Lady Hu, came to Qin Shuang’s small tent. “Young ladies, His Majesty is hosting a grand banquet tonight. The Lady sent me to invite you all.”
Qin Wan knew about the banquet and hurriedly left with Qin Shuang and Qin Xiang.
While Lady Hu took Qin Chaoyu and others to the banquet, Qin Wan had to return to the Empress Dowager’s side. At the banquet, the Empress Dowager only then noticed Yan Chi and Yan Li’s absence. She sent Madam Chen to inquire with Yan Huai, but he gave no clear answer, only saying they had business outside. The Empress Dowager felt somewhat worried until the banquet began and the entertainment distracted her.
The camp had been suppressed for many days due to the Northern Wei incident. At today’s banquet, everyone indulged in drinking. Bonfires blazed in the square, the scent of wine wafted through the air, and accompanied by the central music and dance, everyone released their pent-up frustrations. Yan Huai and Yan Che also had a few cups, and seeing the young nobles getting rowdy, they didn’t interfere. The Empress Dowager was pleased to see the young people enjoying themselves but couldn’t sit long in the cold night, so she left early. Seeing this, Yan Huai accompanied her. After their departure, the others, freed from restraint, grew even more boisterous.
Back in the Empress Dowager’s tent, Qin Wan could still hear the commotion outside.
It would indeed be difficult for Tuoba Hong to recuperate in such conditions.
After the Emperor and Empress Dowager left, the Empress led others away, leaving Crown Prince Yan Che in charge.
Yan Qi played with a short knife nearby—a reward from Yan Huai after his victory in the previous hunt. When he took it out, Yan Che immediately noticed.
Yan Qi smiled, “The Crown Prince must take responsibility for interrupting this hunt.”
Yan Che replied coolly, “It’s not King Cheng’s place to speak of responsibility.”
Yan Qi twirled the knife skillfully, glancing at the Qin family’s seats where Qin Chaoyu sat gracefully in red attire, indeed more dignified than Feng Chenbi.
The fact that Feng Chenbi had become his primary consort remained a thorn in Yan Qi’s side. Thinking of that day, he was certain the Empress and Yan Che had schemed against him. His narrow phoenix eyes narrowed as he looked toward Qin Xiang beside Qin Chaoyu.
“Why must the Crown Prince speak so sharply? I’m not the only one saying this—I merely wanted to give the Crown Prince a friendly reminder…”
Yan Qi spoke with a smile, as if truly well-intentioned.
But how could Yan Che believe him? “Many thanks for King Cheng’s kind intentions. Everyone knows the cause of this incident. Of course, if someone deliberately stirs up trouble, that’s different.”
As they traded verbal barbs, Qin Xiang felt Yan Qi’s burning gaze.
This wasn’t the first time he had looked at her this way. Though Great Zhou wasn’t strict about gender separation, their positions were vastly different. Yan Qi’s constant staring was extremely discourteous, unless…
The bonfire was distant, but Qin Xiang felt its light on her skin, her cheeks growing hot.
Yan Qi put away his knife and began playing with the jade pendant at his waist, his gaze still lingering on Qin Xiang.
After the banquet, Qin Xiang followed Lady Hu’s group back. Her heart was pounding so much that she unconsciously walked very slowly, eventually falling behind the others.
Suddenly, a young guard walked by and bumped into her. Qin Xiang stumbled and was about to get angry when she felt something in her palm. Looking down, she saw it was a jade pendant—the very one Yan Qi had been playing with!
Qin Xiang quickly turned to look at the guard, but he walked away swiftly and soon disappeared.
Qin Xiang became very anxious—what did this mean?!
Qin Shuang noticed something wrong and turned back. “What’s wrong?”
Qin Xiang clutched the jade pendant tightly and shook her head. “Nothing, someone just bumped into me.”
Qin Shuang came forward and took her arm. Looking around but seeing no one, she said, “Perhaps they were walking too fast. Are you alright?”
Qin Xiang shook her head again, and Qin Shuang said nothing more as she led Qin Xiang back.
Returning to the tent, Qin Xiang lay down after briefly washing up. Under her brocade covers, she fingered the jade pendant with flushed cheeks and a racing heart. What did King Cheng mean by this?!
The next day brought another hunt. Yan Huai offered even greater rewards, and the young nobles led by Crown Prince Yan Che were ready for another full day of hunting. Meanwhile, Yan Chi had caught up with Tuoba Hong’s group by noon the previous day. Shortly after, Yan Li had caught up as well. When asked, they learned that Qin Wan had told him, and finding the camp boring, he had followed.
Yan Chi felt somewhat helpless but couldn’t send Yan Li back, so he had to take him along.
The first night passed without incident. By the second afternoon, Zhao Yu’s group hadn’t encountered any post stations or villages, so they had to make camp in a windproof valley. Yan Chi and his men remained on the ridge above the valley.
The spring night was cold, and the forest was completely silent. Due to the large number of people, Tuoba Hong’s tent was placed in the center, with Zhou’s imperial guards surrounding the outer perimeter.
After the hour of Hai (9-11 PM), the entire camp fell into silence. Though they had traveled slowly, the journey was still tiring, and with Tuoba Hong being ill, he needed early rest. The lights in the center of the camp were extinguished, leaving only a few lamps lit in the outer soldiers’ tents. On the ridge, the night wind howled, and Yan Li shivered from the cold.
Yan Chi glanced at Yan Li and threw him his cloak.
Yan Li pressed his lips together. Seeing Yan Chi standing straight nearby, completely unbothered by the cold, he put on the still-warm cloak and looked down again, saying, “Surely there won’t be no movement tonight…”
Yan Chi said coldly, “Tonight and tomorrow night are the only chances. We’ll reach the capital the night after.”
Yan Li thought this made sense and asked no more questions. Yan Chi looked at him again, “Go rest in the back.”
All of them were used to rough living except Yan Li. He hadn’t slept well the previous night on the ground. “Seventh Brother, was it always like this for you in Shuo Xi?”
Yan Chi’s expression remained unmoved. “Yes.”
Nearby, Bai Feng thought to himself that Shuo Xi was far worse than this—what was this night chill compared to that?
Yan Li sighed deeply, “Seventh Brother, you’ve truly suffered these years.”
Yan Chi made no response to this. Yan Li stood beside him for a while but truly couldn’t bear it anymore. Though he still wasn’t used to resting in the wilderness, he was extremely tired and could sleep.
Yan Li, wearing Yan Chi’s cloak, went behind a large wind-blocking rock where felt blankets had been laid out and dry rations placed. He took a few sips of water but found the dry rations hard as stone, feeling like they would tear his throat. Unable to eat more, he wrapped himself in Yan Chi’s cloak and dozed off against the rock.
He didn’t know how long he had slept when suddenly he heard rustling sounds. Yan Li awoke to find all the guards had appeared on the ridge, with one reporting quietly, “Someone is taking pine oil to the central tent. I didn’t mistake the smell—it’s pine oil.”
“Pine oil?” Yan Chi’s voice remained steady and powerful, showing no sign of fatigue.
Yan Li quickly woke up and walked toward Yan Chi, who glanced back at him without saying anything.
The guard continued, “Yes, there are many carriages on this journey. Pine oil is used to lubricate the axles.”
Yan Chi narrowed his eyes, “Looks like they plan to start a fire.”
Then he said sternly, “Prepare to descend.”
At this command, everyone’s expression grew serious. Yan Li wiped his face, “Seventh Brother, you’re saying Fifth Prince wants to start a fire?”
“Pine oil ignites easily and burns intensely. Tuoba Hong is injured and couldn’t escape even if he wanted to.”
Yan Li had seen pine oil fires before and felt a chill in his heart, not knowing what to say. Just then, Bai Feng called out quietly, “Master, there’s fire…”
In the dark, silent valley, sparks rose from the camp. At this sight, the guards who had been prepared quickly descended from the ridge, all heading toward the fire. The sparks started small but quickly grew into flames rising high, yet no one in the camp had noticed. It was late at night, and even the outer imperial guards were mostly dozing!
If Yan Chi’s secret guards hadn’t reached the camp instantly, this fire might have claimed more than just Tuoba Hong’s life!
Yan Chi stood unmoved on the ridge, but his heart relaxed. He had truly feared Tuoba Rui might wait until tomorrow night or after returning to the capital to act.