Qin Wan hadn’t seen Yan Chi for five consecutive days.
The Rui Prince’s mansion was now occupied by many people from the Internal Affairs Office and Ministry of Rites. With so many watchful eyes, it was no longer appropriate for Qin Wan to visit openly. As for Fan Xin, Yan Chi had only sent Bai Feng once and hadn’t appeared himself otherwise.
Qin Wan worried for two days before realizing that during this sensitive period, Yan Chi probably couldn’t meet with anyone.
Qin Wan still needed to perform acupuncture for Yan Ze, so early that day, she arrived at the Yi Prince’s mansion.
The Yi Prince had left the capital with his troops, making his mansion somewhat quiet, though fortunately, Yue Ning was still there taking care of everything. When Qin Wan arrived at the Yi Prince’s mansion, she also saw Sun Muqing.
The renovation of the Shen family’s old residence was almost complete—it only needed some furniture before people could move in. Sun Muqing was very happy about this and naturally wanted to tell Qin Wan and thank her.
“Princess! Thanks to you having Master Han’s help, everything went smoothly. Master Han has been helping oversee things these days, and I’m incredibly grateful. The residence will be finished soon—I think we can move in by the end of the month. I don’t know many people in the capital, so I’d like to invite you, Master Han, Princess Yongning, and the Young Lord for a simple meal then. Would you be willing to come?”
It was a new residence after all, and Sun Muqing presumably wanted to celebrate a bit and express his gratitude.
Qin Wan naturally nodded, though thinking about returning to the old residence brought a painful ache to her heart.
When she saw Yan Ze, he said, “I haven’t congratulated you and Yan Chi yet. With Uncle Rui Prince’s incident, is Yan Chi doing alright?”
Qin Wan had many worries these past few days and hadn’t visited the Yi Prince’s mansion often. Since the betrothal, this was her first time coming, making Yan Ze’s words fill her with complexity and guilt.
“Thank you, Your Highness. He’s been at the Prince’s mansion preparing the funeral arrangements these past few days. He should be fine.”
Hearing this, Yan Ze said, “After so many years in the Northwest, his temperament is probably the most resilient among us.”
Yan Ze sighed and didn’t say more, so Qin Wan began the acupuncture treatment.
Sun Muqing had also heard about Qin Wan’s betrothal and felt somewhat complex emotions. Thinking of what happened at Cloud Mist Mountain, yet also feeling it was somewhat natural and expected, he sighed and thought of his little martial sister.
This wasn’t the first time given Yan Ze acupuncture, so Qin Wan’s hands were very steady. After half an hour, Qin Wan asked, “How does Your Highness feel?”
Yan Ze said, “The pain around my eyes is getting stronger. After the last treatment, sometimes I feel like there’s a grey cloth over my eyes—much better than the complete darkness before.”
When Yue Ning heard this, she was overjoyed. “Could this be a sign of recovery?”
Qin Wan and Sun Muqing exchanged glances, both showing joy on their faces. Sun Muqing said, “This is indeed a good sign. It seems the combination of acupuncture and medicine is working!”
Qin Wan also felt relieved. Her mood had been too heavy lately, but Yan Ze’s eyes showed improvement, and Fan Xin’s wounds stabilizing were good things. Most importantly, her marriage to Yan Chi was now certain.
Yue Ning happily looked at Yan Ze. “Third Brother, your eyes might be better by year’s end!”
Yan Ze smiled slightly. Perhaps because he had been blind for so many years, his attitude was now remarkably calm. Whether doctors told him his eyes could be saved or that he would be blind for life, he wouldn’t be too disappointed or excited. Over these many years, he had grown accustomed to the cycle of disappointment and joy—unless his eyes regained sight.
“Thank you all for your hard work these past months.”
Yan Ze spoke in a gentle voice, and Sun Muqing quickly said he didn’t dare accept such thanks.
Yue Ning saw Yan Ze’s calmness with some helplessness and pulled Qin Wan aside to ask detailed questions about his condition.
Qin Wan knew how concerned Yue Ning was about Yan Ze’s eye condition and naturally explained everything carefully. As they talked, the conversation inevitably turned to the Rui Prince’s mansion affairs, as this was the biggest news in the capital lately.
Speaking of this matter, Qin Wan felt uncomfortable. Yue Ning and Yan Ze understood, and soon after, Qin Wan rose to take her leave. Yue Ning accompanied her to the door, saying as they walked, “After this incident, your marriage to him will have to be postponed. We don’t know how things will go—it’s different from before. Grandmother is somewhat worried about you.”
Qin Wan laughed lightly. “What’s there to worry about? I’m not desperate to get married.”
Yue Ning looked at Qin Wan, seeming to want to say something but holding back. Qin Wan patted her shoulder. “Don’t worry, I understand everything.”
Yue Ning sighed. “You’re always so clear-headed.”
Qin Wan smiled, bid farewell to Yue Ning, and headed to the Marquis’s mansion.
As autumn began, everything took on a desolate and melancholic air. When Qin Wan entered the palace early the next day, the morning wind seemed to cut at one’s face. Qin Wan raised her eyes to look at the majestic palace buildings beyond Zhenghua Gate, feeling that the golden tiles and red walls of the imperial city had dimmed somewhat. After entering the palace gates, Qin Wan still went straight to Shoukang Palace. The weather was getting colder, and she worried about the Empress Dowager.
When she reached Shoukang Palace, Qin Wan learned that the Empress Dowager had gone to Princess Yongning’s palace early that morning. Qin Wan knew it must be because of issues with the Fifth Princess’s marriage, and she couldn’t help but sigh. Upon further inquiry, she learned that Yan Sui wasn’t in the palace either. Not wanting to wait alone in Shoukang Palace, and thinking of where Yan Sui might be, she headed toward the Imperial Garden.
In early autumn, the Imperial Garden was still lush. Knowing Yan Sui liked to go to quiet places, she went to look for him near the rockery where they’d been before. However, after searching all around until she was confused by the garden paths, she still couldn’t find Yan Sui. As she hesitated, Qin Wan heard voices coming from the pavilion atop the rockery.
The rockery was piled into a low hill, with dense dwarf pines on top. An octagonal pavilion stood at the summit, and from it, one could see all the connected palace buildings to the south, though the area below the rockery was a blind spot.
“The Prince of Cheng has been sending messages to the Northwest these past few days.”
At this voice, Qin Wan’s expression changed slightly—it was Qin Yan’s voice!
Soon, another voice responded, “He’s long had many people planted in the Northwestern Army, so This Prince isn’t surprised.”
Qin Wan’s brow jumped—it was the Crown Prince!
Her third brother and the Crown Prince—what private conversation were they having?
Qin Wan instinctively felt uneasy. Though she knew she should leave at this moment, when she heard them mention the Northwest, she immediately understood Yan Che’s intentions. Previously he had wanted Yan Chi to go to the Northwest, and now what was he planning?
Qin Wan’s heart rose high with tension, and she held her breath for a moment!
“Master Zhang will return soon, but if the Prince of Cheng beats us to it, it might be difficult to deal with.”
Yan Che hesitated for a moment before saying, “Recently the Prince of Cheng has been watching the Ministry of Works closely. For now, there’s no way to find fault with him.”
Qin Yan sighed and said, “The incident earlier this year only affected Duke Zhongguo’s household. Since then, the Prince of Cheng hasn’t been close to Feng Zhang, and now we have no other options.”
Yan Che then said, “It’s almost year-end. Zhao Xing will return. Leave these matters for him to plan.”
After a pause, Yan Che added, “This time, it’s best if there are no deaths.”
Qin Yan replied, “The aftermath of last time was handled very cleanly. Your Highness can rest assured.” Then he continued, “Speaking of which, last time Ninth Sister almost ruined things. Fortunately, the Young General’s men reacted quickly.”
Yan Che frowned and said, “Last time we were caught off guard. Now, the Prince of Cheng is watching us closely. If there are deaths that can be traced back to us, it wouldn’t be worth it. As for the Northwestern matters, wait until Zhao Xing and Zhang Kaide return to discuss them.”
As they were talking, they suddenly heard a slight sound. Qin Yan frowned and turned to look down the rockery, but only saw an autumn breeze making several bamboo plants rustle below. Qin Yan said, “The weather is getting cold. Your Highness should take care of your health.”
Yan Che withdrew his distant gaze and turned to walk down. After a few steps, Yan Che said, “About Princess Yongci and Yan Chi’s marriage…”
Hearing this, Qin Yan gave a bitter smile. “Father and Mother have mentioned it, but Ninth Sister is determined and doesn’t intend to break off the engagement. If she doesn’t speak up, Father and Mother have no way to intervene.”
With the Empress Dowager’s decree, even if the Marquis of Zhongyong wanted to object, he wouldn’t dare, especially at this sensitive time. Only Qin Wan herself could speak up, perhaps using the Empress Dowager’s favor to soften her heart, but this was impossible.
“Princess Yongci and Yan Chi, did they previously…”
Directly asking if there was a romantic relationship would damage Qin Wan’s reputation, so Yan Che couldn’t finish the question.
Hearing this, Qin Yan gave a bitter smile. “They’ve known each other since Jinzhou, and Lord Chi has taken very good care of Ninth Sister. Between them, there’s more affection than with others. Ninth Sister values relationships deeply—once she’s decided, she won’t change her mind. Not only can’t Father and Mother persuade her, but even if the Empress Dowager personally spoke up now, Ninth Sister probably wouldn’t agree.”
Yan Che narrowed his eyes and strode down the rockery.
…
…
When Qin Wan reached Shoukang Palace, she finally looked back.
Seeing no one following, she let out a breath, but her heart had already sunk to the bottom.
It had been more than half a year since returning to the capital, and the scene of Qin Yan taking her to dine at the Drunk Immortal Restaurant when she first returned was still fresh in her mind. Feng Zhang and Zhao Xing’s men had fought, and because Feng Zhang had killed someone, he was confined to his residence, implicating the Prince of Cheng who was also reprimanded by the Emperor. At the time, Qin Wan had tried to save the injured person, believing she could surely preserve his life, but in the end, he still died. Back then she had felt quite regretful, but she never expected…
Never expected that in Qin Yan’s words, she was the one who had almost ruined things.
When Yan Che said not to cause any more deaths, it wasn’t because he valued human life, but because he feared the consequences to himself.
Yan Che was plotting to take over the entire Great Zhou empire. As a member of the Marquis’s household and a firm supporter of the Crown Prince, Qin Yan’s scheming was naturally understandable. Qin Wan didn’t want to judge Yan Che and Qin Yan by the oath she took when studying medicine. She saw through everything clearly, but emotionally, she felt waves of coldness in her heart.
This was the imperial family, this was the succession struggle, where human lives were as worthless as weeds.
Entering Shoukang Palace, Qin Wan inexplicably felt the courtyard seemed more cramped today. The Empress Dowager hadn’t returned yet, and Yan Sui was still nowhere to be seen. Qin Wan suddenly felt the palace was desolate and declining. The hearts of people here were cold and hard—what use was all this magnificent splendor? The principles her father had taught her had no place here.
Perhaps by now, she should learn to think like the people here.
Qin Wan waited alone for a while until the Empress Dowager finally returned, dragging her sick body. When she returned, her face was deathly pale. Only upon learning that Qin Wan was waiting did she manage a slight smile. However, after getting down from her sedan chair, she was unsteady on her feet. Alarmed, Qin Wan and Chen Mama quickly supported the Empress Dowager inside.
After checking her pulse and prescribing medicine, Qin Wan waited until the Empress Dowager had taken her medicine and fallen asleep. By then, Qin Wan was covered in cold sweat. At this time, she didn’t want anything else to happen to the Empress Dowager.
Qin Wan pulled Chen Mama aside and asked, “What happened today? The Empress Dowager is seriously ill—how could she go out?”
Chen Mama sighed, “It’s about the Fifth Princess. The wedding date has been set and the Northern Wei’s diplomatic letter has arrived, scheduled for the twentieth of the tenth month. But when she learned today that the Northern Wei’s letter had arrived, the Fifth Princess became upset again and started causing trouble. Early this morning, she said she had taken poison to kill herself…”
Chen Mama lowered her voice, “The Empress Dowager rushed over as soon as she heard.”
Qin Wan was startled. “Then what happened? Is the Fifth Princess alright?”
Chen Mama sighed and nodded. “Nothing serious—it wasn’t poison, just some tonic medicine. The Imperial Physician prescribed a neutralizing remedy. The Empress is now at odds with the Fifth Princess, and when the Empress Dowager went over, the Fifth Princess just cried. Ah, everything used to be fine, but these past few months… Now with the Rui Prince’s incident too. Though the Rui Prince wasn’t born to the Empress Dowager, at this point she can’t bear to see any of the younger generation suffer misfortune, especially since the Rui Prince was raised under her care for a while in his youth.”
In their twilight years, some people come to understand life and view death calmly, while others become particularly sentimental. The Empress Dowager had been decisive and powerful in her youth, but perhaps after suffering serious illness, she now couldn’t bear to see the young die before the old. When Qin Wan rushed to the palace that day, she could see that news of the Rui Prince’s death had dealt the Empress Dowager a heavy blow.
“These days, we absolutely cannot let the Empress Dowager become upset again. Last year she was seriously ill, and though she recovered through spring and summer and was getting better, now she’s regressing. Once winter comes, it will be even harder for her.”
Chen Mama naturally didn’t dare take this lightly. “Don’t worry, Princess. From today on, this servant will have to be more careful about what news reaches Her Majesty.”
Qin Wan knew Chen Mama wasn’t just saying this, so she felt somewhat relieved. After giving some more instructions, she left the palace. Getting into her carriage, it slowly headed toward the Marquis’s mansion. When they reached a busy area, Qin Wan couldn’t help looking outside. The Mid-Autumn Festival was approaching, and she suddenly remembered that during last year’s festival, she had still been in Jinzhou. The festival lantern show there had been brilliant and colorful, but she had gotten separated from everyone and nearly encountered danger, only to be saved by Yan Chi.
Qin Wan’s thoughts darkened, and she found all this bustle somewhat meaningless.
Just as she was about to lower the carriage curtain, Qin Wan’s eye caught a familiar figure walking out of a shop by the street and getting into a carriage. Her spirits lifted—it was Li Muyun!