“Master, the doorkeeper reports a visitor is requesting an audience—”
Night had fallen deep, and Yan Chi had just returned from outside. The Rui Prince Manor, which had been desolate and lonely before, was now transformed. With Yan Chi and Qin Wan’s wedding approaching, the manor had been decorated accordingly. The wedding hall was prepared, and the main courtyard was adorned with striking red decorations. However, before Qin Wan’s arrival as a bride, Yan Chi still preferred to stay alone in the waterside pavilion.
Hearing Bai Feng’s words, Yan Chi was somewhat surprised. It was already past midnight—who would visit at this hour?
Though the timing was peculiar, Yan Chi didn’t believe an ordinary person would dare visit him at this hour. Whoever came must have had some backing.
“Let them in. I’ll receive them in the front courtyard.”
Despite saying this, Yan Chi wasn’t particularly hurried. For someone the doorkeeper couldn’t recognize, their status must not be high. He washed up and changed his clothes before heading to the front courtyard.
Upon arriving, Yan Chi saw a silhouette. The visitor hadn’t entered the building but chose to wait under the corridor eaves.
Tonight was a rare clear night, with a serene full moon hanging in the sky, its ethereal light spreading across the entire courtyard like water.
Yan Chi narrowed his eyes, recognizing the visitor…
Zhang Dongxuan turned at the sound of footsteps and immediately saw Yan Chi in his black robe. He looked Yan Chi up and down, his lips curving slightly as he stepped forward and bowed. “This humble Daoist Zhang Dongxuan pays respects to His Highness Prince Rui—”
Though puzzled by Zhang Dongxuan’s appearance, Yan Chi’s expression relaxed slightly. “When the doorkeeper reported, I wondered who it might be. So it’s the Daoist who has returned. Please rise, Daoist. You left the capital in midsummer, and you’ve returned today?”
Zhang Dongxuan smiled as he stood up. Yan Chi gestured an invitation, and the two entered the room.
Zhang Dongxuan noticed the faint dismissiveness in Yan Chi’s manner and saw his slightly furrowed brow. His Highness was troubled by certain matters. Without further words, Zhang Dongxuan took out Qin Wan’s letter from his sleeve. “Please review this, Your Highness…”
Yan Chi raised an eyebrow, and upon seeing the letter, his brow immediately tightened. He recognized Qin Wan’s handwriting at a glance.
After reading the entire letter, Yan Chi’s face remained unruffled, though his eyes darkened somewhat. He looked at Zhang Dongxuan, waiting for him to continue.
Zhang Dongxuan smiled and said, “This humble one left the capital in summer and indeed traveled to various places. Half a month ago, I cast a divination for the Princess, but the hexagram was not favorable. Worried, I hurried back to the capital day and night. Several days ago, while en route, I observed the stars several times. I saw the Star of War in the west and the Star of the Wolf in the north, while the Imperial Star wavered as if unstable. My heart grew even more anxious. Upon returning to the capital, I indeed found matters amiss. During the day, I visited the Marquis’s mansion and discussed this with the Princess. She indicated there were indeed some changes in the capital, confirming my suspicions…”
After a pause, Zhang Dongxuan continued, “My return this time is firstly to protect the Princess, and secondly, to assist Your Highness. Thus, I expressed my intentions to the Princess and asked her to write this letter of introduction. I know Your Highness has many capable people by your side, but I am not entirely without skill. Would Your Highness be willing to give me this opportunity?”
Looking at the letter in Yan Chi’s hand, Zhang Dongxuan continued, “Your Highness mentioned not having seen you for several days, and there was one matter she hadn’t had the chance to inform you about, so the letter likely contains more than one matter. Your Highness may first attend to what the Princess has written. As for my matter, Your Highness can answer at any time.”
Yan Chi tucked Qin Wan’s letter into his sleeve and looked at Zhang Dongxuan leisurely. “Daoist, with your exceptional skills, you could serve anyone. Why choose me?”
Zhang Dongxuan smiled, “This humble one knows little else but fortune-telling and divination. When I first met Your Highness, I sensed the air of supreme authority about you, and I’ve learned much about Your Highness’s life story. Since I cannot truly retreat to the mountains, I naturally choose the person I trust most. Moreover, Your Highness is about to marry the Princess—rather than helping two people separately, why not help both at once? Of course, if Your Highness is unwilling, I harbor no resentment.”
Zhang Dongxuan’s words were direct and frank. Hearing this, Yan Chi quickly smiled, “Daoist’s arrival today aligns perfectly with my wishes.”
Zhang Dongxuan’s tense heartstrings immediately relaxed. The gravity in Yan Chi’s expression also lightened somewhat. “When Daoist left the capital in summer, I felt some regret. I thought meeting Daoist again would depend on fate, yet I didn’t expect you to return so quickly. With Daoist entering my household, I shall treat you as a man of great worth.”
Hearing this, Zhang Dongxuan hurriedly rose and deeply bowed to Yan Chi with clasped hands. Yan Chi stood to help him up, his manner already showing signs of close friendship. “Please rise, Daoist. You mentioned earlier that you observed war stars descending in the west and north?”
Zhang Dongxuan straightened up, his expression slightly solemn. “Not yet—for now, war is only brewing.”
After a slight pause, Zhang Dongxuan said, “Before Your Highness goes west, the Star of War still lurks behind layers of clouds, about to emerge but not yet visible.”
At these words, Yan Chi’s eyes intensified. Zhang Dongxuan’s statement wasn’t a question but a certainty—certain that Yan Chi must go west to Shuo Xi. Yan Chi’s phoenix eyes narrowed, “Since Daoist speaks thus, I won’t deceive you. The current Emperor can no longer tolerate the Rui Prince Manor. Whether for past grievances or the hundred thousand soldiers and civilians in Shuo Xi, I won’t sit idle awaiting death. Daoist’s urgent decision to join my household—do you already have a strategy in mind?”
Zhang Dongxuan’s eyes focused slightly as he said, “Your Highness seems very busy today, but your current situation has become somewhat precarious. A dragon trapped in shallow waters may sink into the mud. Your Highness must be extremely cautious of those who work closely with you. Currently, Your Highness going west alone would be too weak in force. If you could use others’ strengths to your advantage, the results would be remarkable. The current Emperor is also beset by numerous difficulties—Your Highness is not without options. As for timing, I believe Your Highness’s wedding day would be the best opportunity.”
At Zhang Dongxuan’s words, Yan Chi’s brows furrowed slightly. He considered the wedding extremely important—regardless of what came after, there could be no disruption on the wedding day.
Zhang Dongxuan seemed to understand Yan Chi’s expression and said, “The tenth is indeed an auspicious day, however… the case of Ning’s death in summer, though only five people died, still altered the way of heaven somewhat. I believe this chaos coming so quickly and violently is partly due to this reason. Therefore, on the tenth, good fortune will likely give way to chaos…”
Yan Chi’s brows furrowed even more. “I’ve considered what Daoist says, but… I don’t want to ruin the wedding ceremony.”
Yan Chi’s quick acceptance of Zhang Dongxuan clearly showed his high regard for him, but Zhang Dongxuan hadn’t expected that even at this point, Yan Chi would remain unmoved by his words. Though he knew Yan Chi and Qin Wan had long harbored feelings for each other, and their imperial-decreed marriage was natural, he hadn’t expected that this demon king of the Shuo Xi army would place such importance on the wedding ceremony. Zhang Dongxuan felt somewhat moved and could only say, “If Your Highness wishes it so, that’s fine too. However, to prevent changes, preparations must be made early. Your Highness wants to complete the wedding ceremony perfectly, but others may not think the same way…”
Yan Chi raised his lips in a smile. Zhang Dongxuan’s warning wasn’t without reason, but he already had arrangements in place.
…
One day before the wedding, early the next morning, Yan Chi went to the An Yang Marquis Manor.
Princess Tai Zhang hadn’t expected Yan Chi to come at this time. When Yan Chi explained his purpose, Princess Tai Zhang felt compassion in her heart.
Yan Chi said, “My mother passed early, and my father has also departed. With no choice, I must ask Great-Aunt to witness the marriage. I met Wan’er in Jin Zhou, and it was thanks to Great-Aunt’s blessing. We both have no parents and without someone to witness our marriage, the ceremony would be incomplete. I ask Great-Aunt to receive our respects in place of my father and mother.”
Princess Tai Zhang listened until her eyes reddened. Yan Chi had lost his mother early, and recently his father as well. Now at his wedding, there were no elders to receive the ceremony—they couldn’t possibly bow to empty seats. She hurriedly said, “I’ve been negligent. This is as it should be. Good child, Wan’er is my adopted daughter, and you are my nephew’s son. Since it’s so, I’ll presume to receive your ceremonies! When the time comes, I’ll bring Ning’er over a day early. If anything is lacking in your manor, I should oversee it as well.”
Yan Chi had spent half his life in military campaigns, and now finally at his wedding, he didn’t even have someone to arrange the ceremony. These days of preparations were just rough men decorating according to customs. But with Princess Tai Zhang going over, it would be different—at least there would be an elder to manage things for him.
Yan Chi felt grateful in his heart and accompanied Princess Tai Zhang for quite a while before heading to the Yi Prince Manor.
Upon arriving at the Yi Prince Manor, he noticed many servants carrying out various completed gold foil decorations and lotus lanterns.
Seeing Yan Chi arrive, the servants knelt in a flurry. While the doorkeeper went to announce him, Prince Yi personally came out to welcome him.
Yan Xiang was very cordial upon seeing Yan Chi, inviting him to the main hall. Yan Chi looked back and asked, “Uncle… what is all this for…”
Yan Xiang smiled and explained, “It’s like this—Yan Ze’s mother passed away many years ago, and all these years, the Law Hua Temple outside the city has been enshrining her tablet and keeping an eternal lamp. We haven’t managed much over the years, but the temple abbot has been very attentive. This time upon returning, Yan Ze went to add some lamps for his mother. Later, feeling that adding lamps wasn’t enough, Yan Ze thought of sending a golden Buddha statue to Law Hua Temple. These days, we’ve been busy with the Buddha statue’s creation. What you saw just now are things for the ceremony to welcome the Buddha into Law Hua Temple. Additionally, Yan Ze wants to distribute porridge to disaster victims outside the city that day. There was heavy snow in the northwest a few days ago, and many refugees are heading toward the capital…”
After Yan Xiang’s explanation, Yan Chi understood, but looking at the colorful lanterns and gold foil being carried out continuously, he slightly narrowed his eyes.
Entering the main hall, Yan Xiang asked, “What brings you here today? Are the wedding preparations at your manor complete?”
Yan Chi smiled, “Naturally, I came to personally deliver invitations to Uncle and Third Brother…”
At this, Yan Xiang ordered someone to call Yan Ze. Soon after, Yan Ze walked over with a medicinal cloth over his eyes and a cane in his hand.
After discussing the wedding arrangements, Yan Xiang mentioned he needed to supervise the work, leaving Yan Chi and Yan Ze, the two brothers, to talk.
Yan Ze casually asked, “Have you been busy these days with the tasks the Emperor assigned?”
Yan Chi looked at Yan Ze, remembering how Yan Ze’s eyes under the medicinal cloth were extremely bright, but when his gaze fell blankly in the distance, he truly looked no different from a blind person.
Yan Chi said, “Yes.”
Yan Chi was brief, but Yan Ze smiled and asked, “Have you found any clues?”
“Not yet for now.” After a pause, Yan Chi continued, “The capital is neither large nor small, but after investigating many places, we somehow missed one spot.”
Yan Chi looked at Yan Ze. “Because we heard the Empress doesn’t believe in Buddhism, the matter of creating Buddha statues couldn’t possibly be connected to her.”
The smile at the corners of Yan Ze’s lips slowly faded, and the ease and leisure about him diminished by five parts, replaced by a bamboo-like straightness and tension. “It seems Qin Wan told you everything.”
Yan Chi smiled, “Didn’t Third Brother ask for her help just to pass a message to me?”
Yan Ze pressed his lips together, not speaking for a moment. After a while, he suddenly raised his hand and removed the medicinal cloth from his eyes.
With the cloth removed, Yan Ze’s handsome jade-like face was completely unconcealed. After adjusting for a moment, he looked at Yan Chi with piercing eyes. “You’re very calm.”
The message Qin Wan brought to Yan Chi wasn’t just about the Yi Princess Consort’s death.
Yan Chi made no comment, “Third Brother seems disappointed.”
Yan Ze laughed derisively, “No, rather, I’m quite impressed. It seems my decision wasn’t wrong. How about it? Since you’ve come to my place, since we’ve already spoken to this point, it shows you’re planning to cooperate with me, right?”
Yan Chi leaned back in his chair, his chin slightly raised, showing not the slightest anger anywhere in his bearing. Only his eyes were bottomless. After a moment, he slowly shook his head, “I now know the Empress and Crown Prince’s purpose, but I still don’t know Third Brother’s purpose. We can’t cooperate like this.”
Yan Ze smiled slightly, “What purpose could I, someone who’s been blind for ten years, have?”
Yan Chi stared at Yan Ze, unmoved by any influence. It was rare for someone’s eyes to show emotions completely different from their bodily demeanor, and Yan Ze was such a person.
Yan Chi suddenly said, “Last year, was it Third Brother who had Li Mu Yun submit a memorial exposing the Shen family?”