At dusk, Qin Wan’s party arrived at Luo Prefecture. Though she had passed through Luo Prefecture last year while traveling north from the south, this visit was different. Qin Wan had assumed that at such a critical moment, Yan Chi would avoid main roads and cities. To her surprise, not only did Yan Chi lead her along the main road into Luo Prefecture, but he also brought her to stay in a civilian residence within the city.
As night began to fall, their carriage stopped in a small alley in the western part of Luo Prefecture. Yan Chi held Qin Wan’s hand as they descended from the carriage. Bai Feng went forward to knock on the door, which opened shortly after.
A familiar face appeared in the doorway. Upon seeing the pair, Miss Xun exclaimed, “Your Highness! Princess Consort! We’ve been waiting for you!”
Qin Wan was shocked to see Miss Xun here. “How are you here, Miss Xun?”
Looking further inside, she saw another familiar figure behind Miss Xun – it was Master Yuan!
While inviting them in, Miss Xun explained, “His Highness made arrangements early on, so this servant came with Old Yuan to wait here.”
Qin Wan turned to look at Yan Chi, who wore a faint smile and showed no intention of explaining further. As they entered the courtyard, they found it was a two-courtyard civilian residence. Though the courtyard wasn’t large, it was fresh and elegant. This small alley contained only this one residence, making it very quiet and secluded. Miss Xun happily led them to the main room, and personally brought hot water and tea for them to wash away the dust of travel. After they rested briefly and had some hot tea, dinner was ready.
Master Yuan personally prepared the meal and all the dishes that Qin Wan enjoyed. Having been exhausted from the journey, she ate heartily. After dinner, about half of Qin Wan’s fatigue had truly dissipated. Soon after, footsteps sounded outside, and Bai Feng announced, “Your Highness, Fan Xin has returned!”
Qin Wan glanced at Yan Chi, who had already granted Fan Xin permission to enter. Yan Chi added, “He came with Miss Xun and the others.”
Fan Xin soon entered. After several days, his injuries had completely healed. Daily meals of Master Yuan’s excellent cooking had fully restored his vigor. He wore plain cotton robes with a navy blue gray-squirrel cape. Though dressed simply, his movements were sharp and his gaze keen, giving an impression of elite capability. Upon entering, Fan Xin immediately kowtowed, “Greetings to Your Highness and Princess Consort—”
Qin Wan nodded, and Yan Chi said, “Rise and speak. How are things?”
Fan Xin quickly reported, “Lin Xie has already reached Luo Prefecture but left at nightfall, heading toward Yu Prefecture. He likely assumes Your Highness will rush to Shuo Xi without stopping anywhere, so he’s trying to get ahead and intercept Your Highness.”
Yan Chi listened without changing expression. Fan Xin continued urgently, “All of Luo Prefecture is still unaware of General Zhou’s situation, but the Luo Prefecture garrison has begun to move. Additionally, the Jin Prefecture garrison led by Marquis An Yang has reached the west of Luo Prefecture and should arrive at the capital in two days. Though the capital knew the military report was false, the Emperor still sent Prince Cheng north to pursue the Crown Prince and Empress. Duke Wei Guo temporarily remained in the capital, presumably to determine battle strategy after Marquis An Yang arrived.”
Yan Chi nodded, “Good. Go eat and rest. We leave early tomorrow morning.”
Fan Xin excitedly responded, “May this humble servant accompany Your Highness to Jian Prefecture?”
Yan Chi fixed his gaze on Fan Xin for a moment before nodding. Fan Xin’s eyes brightened further as he smartly took his leave.
Though it was barely nightfall, the accompanying guards had already retired. The journey of the past few days was taxing enough, but these guards needed to maintain heightened alertness for any unexpected situations on the road, making it even more mentally draining. Shortly after, Bai Feng brought in two secret messages. Yan Chi read them and went to the side room to reply to two letters. When he returned to the main room, he found Qin Wan nearly asleep against the pillows, filling his heart with tenderness.
“Is the hot water ready?” Yan Chi asked Bai Ying and Fu Ling.
Fu Ling quickly nodded, “It’s ready, but isn’t it still early…”
Yan Chi instructed, “It’s not early. Bring in the hot water.”
As Bai Ying and Fu Ling hurried to prepare, Yan Chi walked over to check on Qin Wan. Though she was drowsy, she opened her eyes at his approach and asked, “Have you finished giving all instructions?”
Yan Chi nodded and bent down to lift her in his arms.
Just as the side room’s hot water was ready, he carried her toward it. Qin Wan suddenly awoke fully, “What are you doing?”
“Taking you to bathe. You should rest after bathing.”
Qin Wan glanced at the sky outside, “It’s still early.”
“You’re tired from traveling. Rest early – we still have to journey tomorrow.”
Hearing this, Qin Wan said no more. When they reached the side room and he set her down, he didn’t leave. Instead, his hands fell to her waist sash. Qin Wan froze, her face instantly turning red. She quickly grabbed his hands and said, “What are you doing?”
Yan Chi looked at her leisurely, “Helping you bathe…”
Qin Wan’s face burned as if on fire. She glanced at Fu Ling and Bai Ying standing nearby, both red-faced and looking down, not daring to speak. She firmly pushed Yan Chi’s hands away, “There’s no need. With them here, how could you?”
She pushed him toward the door, “You rest first, and you can bathe after I’m done…”
Yan Chi’s smile deepened as he allowed himself to be pushed out. After the room’s curtain fell, he stood at the door silently laughing.
Inside the side room, Fu Ling and Bai Ying also couldn’t help smiling at Qin Wan’s red face. Qin Wan felt her face might start steaming!
“Stop laughing! Quickly help me change…”
Fu Ling and Bai Ying suppressed their laughter as they came forward, wanting to say something but feeling too embarrassed. Fu Ling, being straightforward, blurted out, “Come to think of it… the Princess Consort hasn’t consummated the marriage with His Highness yet…”
Indeed, their wedding night had been a matter of life and death, followed by two days of travel – they truly hadn’t completed the ceremony…
Qin Wan had only been embarrassed before, but hearing these words made her heart pound wildly!
As husband and wife, this step was natural. As a physician, she generally knew what it entailed, but having it apply to herself was different. As Qin Wan watched her clothes being removed one by one, thinking of Yan Chi just beyond the wall and what might happen later, her entire body turned as red as if dyed with cinnabar…