While Beijing was in a state of high alert, the Marquis’s mansion began bustling with activity. With just two days until Ninth Young Lady Qin Wan’s wedding, even though Madam Hu was anxious inside, she had to attend to the wedding preparations. To Qin Wan’s surprise, both Qin Shu and Madam Hu finally shook off their previous dejection and became energetic. Though only a few days had passed, they seemed to have come to terms with things.
The wedding invitations had already been sent out, and Madam Hu began arranging the wedding banquet and decorating the ceremonial hall. Qin Shu led his sons Qin Yan and his brother in personally writing wedding couplets. Amid all this bustle, Qin Wan felt somewhat lighter, though Yan Ze’s matter still weighed heavily on her mind.
That day, Meng Yao and Yue Ning came to visit one after another, both bringing substantial gifts to add to Qin Wan’s dowry.
Qin Wan was naturally delighted to see them. Meng Yao smiled and said, “Both of you have set your wedding dates. My father has been making plans for me these days too. I’ll probably be married off next year as well.”
Meng Yao was a year older than Qin Wan, but due to the earlier scandal surrounding the Meng family case that had caused much criticism in the capital, her marriage had been delayed.
Hearing this, Yue Ning quickly asked, “Have you found a suitable family?”
Meng Yao laughed helplessly, “My father… keeps finding unreliable candidates…”
Seeing Qin Wan and Yue Ning’s curious looks at her amused yet hesitant expression, she smiled and said, “Qin Wan knows him best – the Duke Wei’s grandson. You all know him. My father wanted to arrange a marriage with him… He was so frightened he fled the capital.”
Qin Wan’s heart skipped a beat. “You mean Wei Qizhi?”
At this question, the smile on Yue Ning’s face slightly froze. “The eldest young master of the Wei family?”
Meng Yao nodded, “He was my father’s student before, and he helped during our family’s troubles. Father thought he was righteous and had this idea, but who knew he had no interest at all? Father just made a tentative suggestion and scared him right out of town.”
Meng Yao didn’t seem embarrassed at all, while Qin Wan glanced at Yue Ning.
Yue Ning sighed, “That man… someone of your beauty and character is among the finest in the capital, how could he not appreciate that?”
Indeed, Meng Yao was gentle and exceptionally talented, truly exemplifying the capital’s noble ladies. Though the Meng family had recently faced a murder case, they had been a scholarly family for generations. While Wei Qizhi’s mother was a Duke’s daughter, his father came from a merchant family. Meng Yao and Wei Qizhi were quite well-matched.
Meng Yao smiled, “It’s not like that. I’ve met him before, though we weren’t close. He’s righteous as a friend, but… I found him rather noisy and playful. Well, for living together, both parties should have some mutual affection…”
Hearing this, Qin Wan couldn’t help but smile – neither Wei Qizhi nor Meng Yao had taken to each other.
Meng Yao teased Yue Ning and Qin Wan, “You two are the fortunate ones, finding partners you’re compatible with. I wonder if I’ll have such luck.”
Qin Wan held Meng Yao’s hand and said, “You will, and with your temperament, whoever marries you will surely cherish you above all else.”
Meng Yao’s cheeks reddened, and they went on to discuss her brother’s illness. The three talked all morning. When Yue Ning and Meng Yao prepared to leave, Qin Wan planned to go out to find Yan Chi, but just as she got ready, the mansion’s doorkeeper announced a visitor for her.
Qin Wan was surprised, but when she reached the front courtyard, she saw Zhang Dongxuan in his gray Daoist robe!
Qin Wan was overjoyed. “Master Zhang?! Why have you returned?!”
When they first met, it had been midsummer, but now Beijing had seen several snowfalls. Zhang Dongxuan turned around, the dejection from his six years of imprisonment completely gone. Though still small and wrinkled, he now emanated a transcendent air of enlightenment.
“It’s been many days, Princess. I trust you’ve been well!”
Qin Wan smiled and stepped forward. Though their acquaintance wasn’t deep, she felt close to this Daoist who had experienced such extraordinary things. She invited him to the main hall and served him good tea. “Master Zhang said he would travel throughout Great Zhou’s mountains and waters. Where have you been these past six months?”
Zhang Dongxuan sipped his tea and smacked his lips, “I saw Yangzhou’s Slender West Lake, climbed the Five Sacred Mountains, and visited Weizhou Island in the East Sea. Though I haven’t seen all the mountains and waters, I’ve gained much experience. I had planned to go south to see Kunshan’s stone carvings, but half a month ago, this humble Daoist cast a divination for the Princess. The signs weren’t good, so I hurried back.”
Hearing this, Qin Wan’s smile slightly faded. “Can Master Zhang explain?”
Since he had brought it up, Zhang Dongxuan’s smile also disappeared. He glanced around and lowered his voice, “The Princess’s life is in danger.”
Qin Wan frowned, and Zhang Dongxuan’s expression grew more serious. “Not only is the Princess’s life in danger, but the capital is also full of strange omens pointing to great changes. I didn’t know while outside, but upon entering the city today, I noticed Imperial Guards everywhere and the patrol forces on high alert. It seems something has already happened in the capital. This matter doesn’t concern the Princess for now, but… the Princess may not be able to stay uninvolved in these turbulent times.”
Qin Wan’s heart sank deeper and deeper. Zhang Dongxuan sighed and said, “Princess surely remembers the case at the Evil-Suppressing Altar. The captured culprit was poisoned. We all thought he committed such evil deeds for his fame, but after I left, I gradually realized this person’s goal wasn’t for himself but that he was hired by someone. The seven-person altar was greatly evil and malicious. Their goal might even have been to overthrow the current order. The current situation in the city confirms my suspicions. Am I correct?”
Qin Wan nodded solemnly, “Master Zhang speaks truly. Recently, there have indeed been major changes in the capital.”
Zhang Dongxuan narrowed his eyes, “This is just the beginning. These past few days, while traveling, I observed the night stars. The Star of War appears in the west, the Wolf Star in the north, while the Emperor’s Star wavers unstably. In my view… not only will the capital fall into chaos, but all of Great Zhou will be thrown into turmoil…”
Qin Wan’s face paled as she listened. The Star of War in the west and the Wolf Star in the north corresponded exactly to Great Zhou’s two troubled regions.
After pondering for a moment, Qin Wan asked, “Master Zhang… is there any way to prevent this?”
Zhang Dongxuan smiled bitterly and shook his head, “No one can prevent this great chaos. I rushed back only to lend the Princess what aid I could. Even if the great edifice is falling, the Princess saved my life, and no matter what, this humble Daoist must help the Princess protect herself. My power extends only this far.”
Qin Wan was moved by his words but felt an even greater sense of helplessness. “Master Zhang knows I’m to be married in two days?”
Zhang Dongxuan nodded, “Of course I know. I’ve returned not only to help the Princess but also to assist Prince Rui. Though the day after tomorrow is originally auspicious, with the changing heavenly signs, I fear misfortune may arise from fortune. Has Prince Rui made preparations?”
Qin Wan replied, “He has preparations, but with the situation deteriorating so rapidly, there may still be oversights. I haven’t had a chance to see him these past two days. If you hadn’t come, I would have gone out to see him… though he’s busy with official duties lately, and I might not have been able to meet him even if I went. He currently commands the Imperial Guards in the capital, though this is temporary.”
After contemplating for a moment, Zhang Dongxuan said, “If it’s inconvenient for the Princess, this humble Daoist can help. I came to see the Princess today but cannot stay at the Marquis’s mansion. I had planned to offer my services to Prince Rui, but I wonder if the Princess could introduce me?”
Qin Wan’s eyes brightened. Zhang Dongxuan was a capable person, and having someone like him by Yan Chi’s side would surely be advantageous. At this crucial time, they needed all the help they could get. She immediately nodded, “That would be excellent. The last time I went to his residence, he only returned late at night, and it’s probably the same these days. I’ll write a letter now, and Master Zhang can take it to him. I have something else to tell him in the letter as well, please make sure it reaches him.”
Zhang Dongxuan smiled, “The Princess trusts this humble Daoist quite readily—”
“Somehow, I feel we have a karmic connection.” Qin Wan smiled and stood up, going to the side hall to fetch writing materials. Within half an incense stick’s time, she had written a letter, sealed it in an envelope, and handed it to Zhang Dongxuan. “Please make sure to give this to him personally.”
Zhang Dongxuan accepted the letter and tucked it into his robe. “Please rest assured, Princess. When I find Prince Rui, I will certainly help him prepare. With Prince Rui there, the Princess can be at ease. These two days, the Princess should focus on preparing for the wedding. No matter what happens, the wedding is of utmost importance to both the Princess and His Highness. This humble Daoist offers early congratulations to the Princess.”
Having said this, Zhang Dongxuan prepared to leave, giving Qin Wan a few more words of advice before bidding farewell.
After Zhang Dongxuan left, though Qin Wan hadn’t seen Yan Chi personally, she felt somewhat more at ease.