In the cold winter month, north of Cloud Mist Mountain was blanketed in falling snow. By dusk, the military camp had fully assembled, and the entire force of five thousand troops began moving south. Cloud Ridge was very close to the capital, yet its location was quite remote.
Being under the jurisdiction of Luoyang’s garrison, many military commanders in the capital were unaware of its existence. After nightfall, the entire force’s marching speed slowed considerably, and the snow, which had briefly stopped, began falling again, making the advance even more difficult.
Qin Wan was still riding in the same large carriage she had come in. With a heating stove inside, it was quite warm. They traveled south through the night, and by dawn, the troops had only covered about fifty li. Despite marching all night, Yan Chi still had no intention of letting the troops rest that day. He allowed only half an hour for resupply before continuing the journey.
At the front of the formation, Zhou You and Yan Chi rode together. Zhou You said, “Now that the imperial edict has been issued, the speed of its transmission will be faster than our southward journey. What are Your Highness’s thoughts?”
The news had arrived the previous night. Yan Chi wasn’t surprised by the Emperor’s actions. When he left the capital with Qin Wan, the Emperor would have guessed his intentions. Rather than waiting for him to reach Shuo Xi and take control of the Shuo Xi army, it was better to first charge him with treason. With this accusation, their journey would face numerous hardships.
“Lin Xie is Lin Zhang’s nephew, deliberately groomed by the Emperor to be the next Commander of the Imperial Guard. With him as the commanding officer, he surely carries the Tiger Tally that can mobilize the southern garrisons. Our troops are moving somewhat slowly, and I still want to travel south to Jian Prefecture, so we’d better split up.”
Yan Chi spoke with calm authority. After he finished, Zhou You smiled and said, “Your humble servant had already guessed Your Highness would think this way. We can continue south at full speed to attract Lin Xie’s attention while Your Highness does what needs to be done. Shall we reunite in Shuo Xi?”
Yan Chi nodded, “Master Qi and Chu Fei Sheng have been waiting in Shuo Xi for some time. You should first go to Liang Prefecture, where someone will be there to assist you.”
Zhou You expressed concern, “That sounds good, but with fewer of us protecting Your Highness along the way, won’t it be…”
Yan Chi’s lips curved slightly upward, “Once we’re out of the capital, no one can stop me. Rather, it’s Lin Xie who, accustomed to throwing his weight around in the capital, might find himself at a loss outside it. Rest assured, I’ve made thorough arrangements.”
Zhou You nodded, and Yan Chi continued, “We should reach Luo Prefecture before dark today. We’ll discuss the details when we arrive. I’ll find two people familiar with Shuo Xi to accompany you, so you’ll have guides when you reach Liang Prefecture.”
Zhou You readily agreed, then looked back and softly asked, “Your Highness, can the Princess Consort endure this?”
After traveling all night and only taking a brief rest at daybreak before continuing, Zhou You, though a rough man, worried whether the Princess Consort could withstand such hardship.
Yan Chi also looked back, his eyes showing traces of tenderness, “She understands the bigger picture. Even if her body can’t take it, she’ll grit her teeth and say nothing.”
Zhou You’s face brightened at this, “The Prince was always most concerned about Your Highness’s marriage. I know the old Prince’s temperament well – though he rarely spoke of it, seeing Your Highness married to such a fine Princess Consort would surely bring peace to his spirit.”
As Zhou You was Yan Lin’s guard and had grown up with them, his concern for Yan Chi was natural, and these words from him weren’t overstepping.
Mentioning Yan Lin, Yan Chi’s gaze turned cold, “I had hoped Father would see my wedding.”
Zhou You, being from the Shuo Xi army and closely connected to the Prince’s manor, naturally knew that Yan Lin’s accident was no coincidence. He sighed, “Fortunately, Your Highness has taken this step. As long as Your Highness is here, we’ll surely avenge the Prince. To speak frankly, all of Shuo Xi is waiting for Your Highness to raise the banner!”
At these words, Yan Chi’s expression turned sharp, “This path wasn’t my desire.”
Zhou You sighed, “With a blade at our throats, what other choice does Your Highness have? Your Highness is also of the Yan bloodline. All these years, You and the Prince have guarded Da Zhou’s western gateway. If not for Your Highness and the Prince, the Shuo Xi plateau would have long since been devastated. Yet His Majesty doesn’t acknowledge your and the Prince’s contributions, instead forcing Your Highness to this point. Truly, I had thought that after the Prince’s lifetime of hard work, Your Highness would take over Shuo Xi, allowing the Prince to enjoy his elder years. And You, Your Highness, would marry a good Princess Consort, have sons and daughters, continuing the Prince’s Manor’s lineage. All that succession struggle would have nothing to do with our branch. But fate is unpredictable… I wonder how the court historians will write this…”
Court historians had always condemned treason harshly. Anyone seeking to go down in history feared the scholars’ brushes more than the soldiers’ swords. But clearly, Yan Chi wasn’t someone who sought historical recognition. Though this path wasn’t his choice, being forced to this point had awakened the wild ambition in his bones.
“Indeed, fate is unpredictable. I’m sorry you have to struggle with me at your age.”
Yan Chi sighed, and Zhou You immediately smiled, “Your Highness must not say such things. Your humble servant hoped for the Prince’s Manor to live in peace and prosperity, but I have many unfulfilled desires. Look at me these years, confined to that small valley garrison. My injuries healed long ago, and I’ve long wanted to return to Shuo Xi, but there was never a good opportunity. I thought the Prince would eventually return to the capital, so I stayed closer to the capital. Now that the Emperor pushes too far, it’s perfect – this old man can fight one last time! Whether we succeed or fail doesn’t matter; when I meet the Prince in the underworld, I’ll have no regrets…”
Yan Chi was naturally moved. His father had a talent for judging characters. Over the years, among those who followed him, whether guards or servants, all those with ability were freed from servitude and given official positions. Through years of war and fire, some died in battle, others abandoned Shuo Xi in pursuit of wealth and comfort, but those who remained were all loyal souls who could share life and death with his father.
Yan Chi and Zhou You planned their southward journey as they traveled. By evening, the troops reached Fragrant Leaf Ridge north of Luo Prefecture. Though very close to Luo Prefecture, the force of over five thousand was too large to take the main road. After discussion, Yan Chi and Zhou You decided the main force would take small roads south through Yu Prefecture to Liang Prefecture, while Yan Chi himself would take Qin Wan and his guards through Yuan Prefecture to Jian Prefecture.
Having marched for a day and night, they rested for half the night before setting out again.
At dawn, Yan Chi led his disguised small unit onto the main road to Luo Prefecture.