Leaving the Yi Prince Manor, Yan Chi mounted his horse and headed toward the palace gates. Bai Feng followed behind Yan Chi, saying, “Master, should we investigate the Buddha statue matter at the Prince’s Manor?”
Yan Chi lifted his chin slightly. “No need.”
Bai Feng then asked, “Master trusts Prince Yan Ze’s words?”
Yan Chi narrowed his eyes and shook his head. “Third Brother seeks revenge for his mother’s death, which should make us allies, but something feels wrong.”
Years of warfare in Shuo Xi had given Yan Chi an instinctive sense of danger. In facing Yan Ze, firstly, his years of hidden scheming were chilling, and secondly, Yan Ze was unfathomable to him. These two points alone made true cooperation with Yan Ze impossible.
Whether Yan Ze and the Empress were aligned remained unknown, but for Yan Chi, Yan Ze had become an indirect accomplice in the Shen family’s destruction. For this alone, he could never truly cooperate with Yan Ze. Their current arrangement was merely a temporary alignment of interests, as they shared a common enemy for now.
“Tell Fan Xin’s side to prepare well. There must be no mishaps the day after tomorrow.”
Bai Feng quickly replied, “Rest assured, Master. Everything is prepared. Xun Niang and Master Yuan have already left the city.”
Yan Chi nodded and spurred his horse toward the palace.
The entire route from Yi Prince Manor to the palace gates was lined with patrol guards. Even with another grand wedding in the city in two days, it couldn’t dispel the dark clouds looming over the capital’s citizens. Moreover, Yan Chi noticed the Imperial Guards seemed to be increasing in number. His expression turned grave as he rode through the palace gates.
Yan Chi entered the palace for two reasons: to have an audience with the Emperor and to visit Princess Tai Zhang.
When he arrived at Chong Zheng Hall, Cheng Yun Du and Tao Yong Cheng hadn’t left yet. Hearing of Yan Chi’s arrival, the Emperor summoned him to the imperial study.
After paying his respects, the Emperor said, “You’ve worked hard these past days leading the search. The day after tomorrow is your wedding—this matter will be handed over to Lin Zhang. The wedding is your top priority. I’ll have Zhao Yu lead the Imperial Guards to clear the way for you.”
Yan Chi hurriedly replied, “The Imperial Guards are Your Majesty’s guard. I wouldn’t dare…”
The Emperor waved his hand. “If I say it’s fine, then it’s fine. Say no more. It’s decided.”
Yan Chi hesitated briefly before quickly expressing his gratitude. The Emperor then handed a memorial to Yuan Qing beside him. “Show it to Prince Rui.”
Yuan Qing nodded and passed the memorial to Yan Chi. Opening it, Yan Chi saw it was from Shuo Xi, reporting Chu Fei Sheng’s unauthorized escape from the Shuo Xi military camp. The Emperor watched Yan Chi with narrowed eyes. “What do you make of this? Chu Fei Sheng was your father’s officer—you should know him well. What do you think he’s planning?”
Yan Chi closed the memorial and said solemnly, “Such a thing has happened in Shuo Xi?!”
After this exclamation, he continued, “Chu Fei Sheng is a man of fierce temperament. He previously considered himself second-in-command in the Shuo Xi army, sometimes even showing disrespect to my father. Father tolerated him many times, considering his years of service. I never expected that after Father’s passing, he would truly commit such a treasonous act.”
Yan Chi’s words flowed smoothly. The Emperor raised his eyebrows slightly. “Not only that, but all the sentinel camps around Shuo Xi have fallen into Chu Fei Sheng’s hands. What do you think he’s trying to do?”
Yan Chi narrowed his eyes in thought. “He likely wants to carve out his kingdom.”
Carving out a kingdom was an act of rebellion, yet Yan Chi condemned Chu Fei Sheng without hesitation.
The Emperor slowly straightened his posture. “In your opinion, how should this be handled? And how many troops does Chu Fei Sheng command?”
Yan Chi quickly responded solemnly, “Naturally, he should be dealt with according to national law. As for Chu Fei Sheng’s troops, I estimate at least twenty thousand. Chu Fei Sheng has been in the army for many years and commands respect in both the main camp and sentinel camps. With my father gone, the Shuo Xi army’s morale must be unstable. Chu Fei Sheng’s escape from the main camp at this time likely means he can gather many officers to follow him. The sentinel camps also have over ten thousand scattered troops—these are probably all under his control now.”
“Over twenty thousand… not too many. In your opinion, if we use the Shuo Xi main camp’s officers as vanguard to eliminate Chu Fei Sheng, would that work?”
Yan Chi nodded. “Certainly. The Shuo Xi main camp has numerous troops, all well-trained elites. As long as they have a capable commander, they can surely cut down Chu Fei Sheng.”
The Emperor’s furrowed brows relaxed somewhat, seemingly approving of Yan Chi’s words. He nodded slightly. “Good. Shuo Xi matters indeed require your counsel. I will arrange for Chu Fei Sheng’s elimination. You can rest tomorrow and the day after. After the wedding, you’ll need to lead the search in the capital again.”
Yan Chi clasped his hands and bowed. “Your subject accepts the command.”
Hearing this, the Emperor’s expression softened. “The Empress Dowager has been unwell these past days but is concerned about your wedding. Since you’re in the palace, go see her.”
“That was my intention. I shall take my leave now.”
The Emperor nodded, and Yan Chi turned and left.
…
…
As soon as Qin Wan reached Shou Kang Palace’s gate, she knew Yan Chi had arrived and felt delighted.
Although she knew Zhang Dongxuan must have delivered her message to Yan Chi, hearing it directly from Yan Chi would be very different.
When she reached the warm chamber, Qin Wan entered to find the Empress Dowager holding Yan Chi’s hand and speaking. Hearing movement, both turned around, their faces brightening at seeing Qin Wan. She quickly stepped forward and paid her respects.
The Empress Dowager’s condition had worsened in the past two days. She held Qin Wan’s hand, saying, “I was just telling Yan Chi that I won’t be able to attend your wedding at the manor the day after tomorrow. I told him everything I needed to say. In the future, if Yan Chi doesn’t treat you well, just come to me.”
Qin Wan nodded, but the Empress Dowager sighed. “That is, if I haven’t breathed my last by then, I’ll certainly teach him a lesson.”
Hearing this, Qin Wan quickly said, “Empress Dowager, please don’t speak like that. Once we get through this winter, I’ll surely cure your illness.”
“After this winter… but ah, this winter is so long… I don’t know if I can make it through…”
Yan Chi sighed. “Imperial Grandmother will surely make it through. You still need to see the younger generation establish their families.”
The Empress Dowager smiled at this, holding Qin Wan’s hand tightly. “Did you come to the palace today to check my pulse?”
Qin Wan nodded. “To check Empress Dowager’s pulse and keep you company for a while.”
The Empress Dowager smiled. “Good, good, good. After you check my pulse today, I won’t see you until two days after your wedding. According to custom, you must enter the palace to give thanks on the second day of your marriage. Don’t come tomorrow—stay home and prepare well. Everything must be ready to prevent any chaos during the ceremony.”
Qin Wan felt warmth in her heart. “Yes, don’t worry. Both the Marquis Manor and Prince Manor are fully prepared.”
The Empress Dowager looked at the pair before her, her eyes full of contentment, though her smile turned bitter as she thought of something. “I had wanted to go to the Prince Manor to oversee things myself, but this body of mine is truly useless. After your wedding, I’ll wait for Ning’er and Yan Li. I won’t be able to wait for little Yan Sui and the others.”
Qin Wan and Yan Chi exchanged glances, both their eyes clouding with concern.
After speaking a few more words with the Empress Dowager, she showed signs of fatigue and didn’t want Qin Wan and Yan Chi to stay longer. She retired to her inner chamber to rest. As Chen Mama attended to the Empress Dowager’s rest, she emerged with a worried expression to speak with Qin Wan and Yan Chi. “Your Highness, Princess, the Empress Dowager these past days… has been very unwell…”
Qin Wan frowned. “What happened?”
Chen Mama looked around before quickly relating the incident at Chang Xin Palace. Upon hearing this, both Yan Chi and Qin Wan were shocked.
They had already guessed the Noble Consort’s illness wasn’t simple, and for the Empress Dowager to change so dramatically after one visit to Chang Xin Palace—didn’t this suggest she had discovered something?
“What did Noble Consort say in her delirium?”
Chen Mama sighed. “She told Prince Cheng not to compete for the succession, and said something about the Emperor being the Emperor…”
If they had only suspected before, Chen Mama’s words sent chills down Qin Wan and Yan Chi’s spines!
Those unaware of the situation might be confused, but Qin Wan and Yan Chi immediately understood—Noble Consort Feng truly knew the Emperor’s secret!
Then did the Empress Dowager know too? Is that why she had been so listless these past days?!
As they looked at each other in concern, suddenly, a forceful wind rushed toward Yan Chi’s back. He swiftly turned sideways, his wrist moving to grab behind him. The next moment, a young cry of pain rang out—
Qin Wan was startled and quickly looked back to see Yan Sui had somehow appeared behind Yan Chi. He held an unsharpened short dagger and had tried to ambush Yan Chi, only to be detected and have his wrist caught. Given Yan Chi’s strength, Yan Sui’s wrist immediately turned blue!
Seeing it was Yan Sui, Yan Chi was also surprised and quickly released his grip. Yan Sui, eyes red, shrank to Qin Wan’s side, clearly frightened!
Chen Mama said with a mixture of amusement and exasperation, “Ninth Prince, how could you ambush Prince Rui! He’s not someone you can defeat!”
Seeing Qin Wan and Yan Chi’s confused expressions, Chen Mama explained, “Your Highness, please forgive him. These past days, the Ninth Prince has been practicing martial arts diligently but can’t find an opponent. He tries to test everyone who comes to Shou Kang Palace. This morning, he even ambushed Prince Gong, though Prince Gong’s skills aren’t comparable to yours, Your Highness, so he got hit.”
Hearing this, Qin Wan couldn’t help but smile wryly. “Your Highness, ambushing from behind is not what a gentleman would do.”
Yan Sui’s wrist was black and blue. He weakly lowered his head and said, “I… I can’t beat him…”
Qin Wan laughed, and Yan Chi was also amused, but he noticed the small blood blisters fading from Yan Sui’s palm. He pondered for a moment. “That move just now had no power and the angle was wrong. If you want to learn, I’ll teach you.”
Yan Sui was stunned, looking up at Yan Chi with delight. Seeing his expression, Yan Chi strode to the middle courtyard, and Yan Sui, no longer afraid, picked up the fallen dagger and bounced after him.