“What?! The Rui Prince…”
Madam Hu’s eyes widened as she suddenly recalled the Crown Prince’s earlier words!
She immediately understood—the Crown Prince’s warning wasn’t about the Northwestern military supplies case. His opposition to Qin Wan and Yan Chi’s marriage was likely because he already knew about this incident.
Madam Hu’s lips trembled as she struggled to recover from the shock. “How did this happen? How could the Rui Prince be assassinated by enemy killers?”
Qin Shu sighed, “With the Rui Prince commanding the Northwest Army, the barbarians couldn’t step one foot into Great Zhou. They’ve always wanted to eliminate him. Over the years, their small attempts never ceased. I heard the Rui Prince met with trouble on his way to Liang Prefecture. The Northwestern military supplies case investigation kept growing larger, even implicating several Northwest Army commanders. The Rui Prince had no choice but to leave the military camp for Liang Prefecture. During the journey, disaster struck. Not only did the Rui Prince perish, but none of his guards survived either.”
“Local civilians discovered them and reported it to the Liang Prefecture authorities. By the time they found the Rui Prince, his body was already stiff.” Qin Shu’s eyes darkened as he glanced at Qin Wan. “The Rui Prince’s death will certainly bring great changes to the Northwest Army. His Majesty has already ordered the transport of his remains back to the capital, though even by fast horse it will take over half a month.”
Qin Shu sighed heavily, “It’s unfortunate that the Empress Dowager has already issued the marriage decree.”
Not only had she issued the decree, but she had also been enthusiastically arranging Yan Chi and Qin Wan’s marriage. Though news of the Rui Prince’s death had emerged, as long as the Empress Dowager didn’t withdraw her support, the marriage could only be delayed. When delays were no longer possible, no one could stop it.
Qin Wan pressed her lips tightly together. “How is His Highness the Prince?”
Qin Shu sighed at this. “When the Prince heard the news, his face changed. He immediately requested permission to go to the Northwest to receive his father’s remains, but His Majesty considered it and didn’t agree.”
Before Qin Shu could finish, Butler Wu Rang hurried in from outside. “My Lord, My Lady, County Princess, someone has come from the palace.”
Their expressions changed slightly. The Rui Prince’s matter had nothing to do with the Marquis’s household—why would the palace send someone now?
Wu Rang said, “It’s someone from Shoukang Palace. The Empress Dowager is unwell.”
Qin Wan’s brow immediately jumped. As they spoke, they saw Matron Chen enter with an urgent expression. “County Princess! Please hurry to the palace. The Empress Dowager learned of the Rui Prince’s matter and has taken ill.”
Qin Wan suddenly felt uneasy and quickly nodded. “Alright, I’ll go right away!”
Though Qin Wan had been worried about Fan Xin’s injuries, with the Empress Dowager falling ill, she naturally couldn’t refuse.
Hearing this, Qin Shu and Madam Hu also felt tense and hurried to see Qin Wan off.
Upon entering the palace, Qin Wan went straight to Shoukang Palace. As soon as she reached its gates, she saw the entire palace shrouded in gloom. Qin Wan strode in, and upon reaching the main hall, she saw Imperial Physicians waiting anxiously. Seeing Qin Wan arrive, they looked as if they’d seen a lifeline. The side curtain lifted, and Crown Prince Yan Che walked out from the inner hall.
Seeing Qin Wan arrive, Yan Che paused briefly. Anxious, Qin Wan quickly curtsied and asked, “Your Highness, how is the Empress Dowager?”
Yan Che looked her up and down for two beats. “Not well. Everyone’s been waiting for you. Go in.”
Qin Wan passed by Yan Che without responding and hurried inside.
Many Shoukang Palace maids had gathered in the room. Yan Sui also stood at the doorway. Further inside, Empress Zhao Shuhua and Crown Princess Qin Chaoyu attended the Empress Dowager’s bedside. Seeing Qin Wan arrive, Zhao Shuhua quickly said, “Hurry, Qin Wan, the Empress Dowager is in your hands.”
Qin Wan stepped forward, steadied herself, and leaned in to check her pulse. With a composed expression, she quickly said after the examination, “I’ll write a prescription to be brewed immediately. The Empress Dowager’s old ailment has flared up from excessive shock—it’s quite dangerous. I’ll perform acupuncture first.”
Being very familiar with Shoukang Palace’s inner hall, Qin Wan found paper and brushed herself. After writing the prescription, she took out the Basic Questions Nine Needles that Yan Chi had made for her. Zhao Shuhua ordered the servants to withdraw and personally watched Qin Wan perform acupuncture. Seeing Qin Wan’s furrowed brow but steady, precise hands, she couldn’t help but admire her skill.
Beside her, Qin Chaoyu also showed some appreciation for Qin Wan’s abilities, but thinking of Yan Che who had just left, her eyes darkened slightly.
“Cough, cough, cough, cough…”
Halfway through the acupuncture, the Empress Dowager coughed a few times and slowly regained consciousness.
Upon opening her eyes, the Empress Dowager’s eye sockets were red. Seeing Qin Wan, she immediately grabbed her hand.
Qin Wan quickly pressed down on the Empress Dowager’s shoulder—there were still needles in her neck and shoulder. “Empress Dowager, please don’t move. You fainted earlier, and I’m performing acupuncture.”
The Empress and Crown Princess walked to the window. The Empress Dowager took two ragged breaths before saying, “Yan Lin… he…”
Zhao Shuhua’s face showed pain. “Mother, please don’t be too grieved. We must bear it. His Majesty has already ordered that this revenge must be taken against the barbarians. You must take care of your health first.”
The Empress Dowager closed her eyes, only opening them after a long while. “Yan Chi… where is Yan Chi?”
Zhao Shuhua quickly replied, “Yan Chi is with His Majesty. He was also quite distraught earlier and insisted on going to the Northwest, but His Majesty has calmed him now.”
The Empress Dowager stared at Zhao Shuhua for a moment. “Tell the Emperor not to let Yan Chi go to the Northwest for revenge. Don’t let him go!”
Zhao Shuhua quickly nodded, and the Empress Dowager continued, “Go now, go right now.”
Zhao Shuhua immediately looked at Qin Chaoyu, who nodded. “This subject will go give the order right away.”
After Qin Chaoyu left, the Empress Dowager turned to look at Qin Wan. Meeting the Empress Dowager’s eyes, Qin Wan said, “Empress Dowager, please don’t worry. Your health is most important. The Prince’s matter will be handled by the court.”
Regret seemed to flash in the Empress Dowager’s eyes before she sighed and closed them.
She shouldn’t have been speaking in her condition—these few sentences had already exhausted her considerably.
After Qin Wan finished the acupuncture, the Empress Dowager opened her eyes again. By then the medicine had been prepared. Matron Chen and others helped the Empress Dowager prop up against some soft cushions before giving her the medicine. After taking it, the Empress Dowager’s face remained deathly pale, showing no color for a long time.
The Empress Dowager held Qin Wan’s hand, her eyes slightly closed as she rested. Zhao Shuhua and Qin Chaoyu attended nearby, wanting to speak words of comfort but not daring to disturb. Finally, the Empress Dowager spoke in a drawn-out voice, “Alright, you may all go now. See what Yan Chi is doing. After the court finishes its deliberations, have Yan Chi come to this old one.”
Zhao Shuhua nodded and withdrew with Qin Chaoyu.
Once they left, the inner chamber became empty. Matron Chen led the other serving maids out as well.
Only then did the Empress Dowager open her eyes to look at Qin Wan. “Wan’er, do you regret it?”
Qin Wan’s lips curved slightly as she shook her head. “Of course not.”
Seeing no pretense in Qin Wan’s expression, the Empress Dowager’s lips lifted slightly. “I knew you were good.”
The Empress Dowager coughed lightly twice, her eyes no longer as bright as before. She had been gravely ill at the beginning of the year, barely saved by Qin Wan. Though this sudden illness was dangerous, she felt she had already lived an extra year.
The Empress Dowager gazed out the window, her expression mournful. “Yan Lin didn’t listen to me. If he had listened… how could this have happened…”
Closing her eyes, the Empress Dowager didn’t want to say more. She just held Qin Wan’s hand and said, “Wan’er, things will be very difficult for Yan Chi. Now we can only trouble you. I can see that Yan Chi has given you his true heart. If you stand by his side, at least his heart will have some comfort.”
“Please don’t worry, Empress Dowager. I understand everything.”
The Empress Dowager’s face showed some consolation as she leaned back against the cushions and closed her eyes in silence.
The inner chamber became so quiet you could hear a pin drop, with only the Empress Dowager’s slightly labored breathing breaking the silence. The earlier medicine’s smell still permeated the room, filling Qin Wan’s heart with bitterness. She sighed inwardly, her gaze unconsciously falling toward the outer hall.
After an unknown time, she finally heard the sound of people paying respects outside. Soon, a figure flashed through the doorway as Yan Chi entered. In the first moment of his entrance, their eyes met.
Today, Yan Chi’s face was pale, his expression grief-stricken. The sorrow he had suppressed for days finally showed through. But when their eyes met, Qin Wan saw even more of the calmness and restraint in his gaze.
Within these deep palace walls, even grief was in others’ eyes.
The Empress Dowager opened her eyes and, seeing Yan Chi, quickly reached out her hand. “Yan Chi, come here…”
Yan Chi walked to the Empress Dowager’s bedside, lifted his robe, and knelt. “Imperial Grandmother, please allow this grandson to go to the Northwest to escort Father’s coffin back to the capital.”
Yan Chi’s eyes were bloodshot, looking particularly heart-piercing. The Empress Dowager raised her hand to grasp his. “Yan Chi, how did your father usually teach you? If you go to the Northwest, how could it just be to escort his coffin? You want to seek revenge, don’t you?”
Yan Chi pressed his lips together in silence. Though no tears were visible, his expression was stubborn and painful. The Empress Dowager’s eyes immediately reddened. She gripped Yan Chi’s hand tightly. “I have now received news of your father’s death—an elder sending off the younger. Must you also make me… Yan Chi, listen to your grandmother. Don’t go, don’t go… cough, cough, cough…”
The Empress Dowager spoke too urgently and began coughing violently. Qin Wan quickly rubbed her back gently.
Seeing the Empress Dowager like this, Yan Chi, full of inner struggle, lowered his head to rest on the back of her hand. His slightly bent back trembled. Though Qin Wan knew it was three parts true and seven parts false, her eyes still reddened instantly.
The Empress Dowager’s eyes moistened as she stroked Yan Chi’s hair. “Listen to me, Yan Chi. Your Imperial Grandmother is old and can’t bear such things anymore. Your Imperial Grandmother only wants to see you stay well in the capital. After your Imperial Grandmother dies, whatever you want to do then, your Imperial Grandmother won’t be able to stop you anymore. Cough, cough. The Emperor will certainly send reliable people to escort your father back. Stay by your Imperial Grandmother’s side and wait, alright?”
The Empress Dowager’s voice was hoarse, carrying hints of hope and pleading.
Yan Chi took a deep breath and looked up, nodding. “Yes… I… I will listen to Imperial Grandmother…”
The Empress Dowager let out a long breath of relief and pulled Yan Chi up. Looking at his appearance, she couldn’t speak a word. Soon, the Empress Dowager called out, “Someone, go to the front and ask how things are being arranged, so I can be at ease.”
Outside, Matron Chen acknowledged and hurried to inquire. Shortly after, she returned to report, “His Majesty has made arrangements. Prince Yi will lead a thousand Imperial Guards to receive the Rui Prince’s coffin. Upon return to the capital, he will be buried with princely honors. The Ministry of Rites is already discussing posthumous titles. His Majesty has also arranged for Minister of War Ge Yang to depart immediately for the Northwest to handle the aftermath. With the Northwest Army having lost its commander, the barbarians may invade. His Majesty cannot immediately find a suitable commander and is still consulting with his ministers.”
The Rui Prince’s death was a family matter for Yan Chi, but for the Emperor, it was a state affair.
The Empress Dowager felt slightly relieved hearing that Prince Yi would receive Yan Lin’s coffin. She gripped Yan Chi’s hand tightly again and said, “Did you hear? Set your mind at ease and wait properly in the capital. The funeral arrangements must also be prepared in advance.”
Yan Chi nodded. Looking at him like this, the Empress Dowager somehow felt his figure seemed rather thin.
After speaking a few more words, someone came to announce that the Grand Princess and Yue Ning had arrived!
The Grand Princess and Yue Ning came both for the Rui Prince’s death and the Empress Dowager’s illness. Entering the inner chamber, both elderly sisters had red-rimmed eyes. The Grand Princess said, “Ji’er is in the Northwest, and we don’t know how chaotic things have become there. I’ve already sent people to inquire, and I believe Ji’er’s letter in a few days will tell us. At least they were all trained by Yan Lin—nothing should go too wrong.”
Looking at Yan Chi, she continued, “Yan Chi, we’re all grieved by your father’s passing, but you’re a man. Your father stood tall and proud in life. Now that this has happened, you must also remain stable. Don’t go to the Northwest. Now you only need to wait and give your father a proper burial, letting him rest in peace.”
Yan Chi lowered his head. “Yes, I understand.”
The Grand Princess’s eyes were full of sympathy, and though she hesitated several times, she ultimately said nothing more.
The Empress Dowager’s marriage decree had been an excellent thing, but this incident had made Qin Wan’s position somewhat uncertain. The Grand Princess gave Qin Wan a few instructions. Knowing Qin Wan’s character, she didn’t say much more. As they spoke, Yan Li also arrived. Upon seeing Yan Chi, Yan Li’s eyes immediately reddened, but not knowing what to say, he simply came forward to embrace Yan Chi once before standing beside him.
The room was filled with a sorrowful atmosphere. Soon, people from the inner palace came looking for Yan Chi, saying the funeral preparations needed to begin immediately, and death notices needed to be sent throughout the realm. As a prince, many procedures were extremely complex.
The Empress Dowager, worried, had Matron Chen accompany Yan Chi to prepare these matters, and Yan Li went along as well.
Qin Wan stayed with the two elderly ladies for a while, leaving the palace only in the afternoon. Upon exiting, rather than going to the Rui Prince’s manor, she headed east to check on Fan Xin. He was the only survivor from the Rui Prince’s party, and having promised to save him, she would certainly not break her word. Along the way, though she couldn’t make out what the commotion outside was saying, Qin Wan knew that news of the Rui Prince’s death had spread throughout the capital. Sure enough, when she arrived and saw Xun Niang, her eyes were red from crying.
However, Xun Niang didn’t ask any questions and led Qin Wan to Fan Xin’s side.
“He woke at dawn with a slight fever. After taking the medicine, he fell asleep again. He’s maintained a low fever since then. I didn’t think it was serious enough to trouble His Highness. At noon… when we received the news, Brother Fan happened to be awake. I asked him about it, and he acknowledged it. After taking his medicine, he fell asleep again and has been sleeping until now.”
As Xun Niang spoke, Qin Wan said, “I meant to come early but was delayed by a visit to the palace.”
Feeling Fan Xin’s forehead, Qin Wan let out a relieved breath. It wasn’t hot to the touch—the medicine must be working.
Just then, Fan Xin, presumably hearing voices in his hazy state, opened his eyes.