After breakfast, Yan Chi’s group departed from Luo Zhou City in the cold weather. By not traveling with the main army, Yan Chi’s group could pose as wealthy nobles heading south for family visits during the year’s end. Yan Chi finally boarded the carriage.
With the addition of Yin Niang and her husband, three more large carriages were added. Bai Ying and Fu Ling moved to the second carriage with Bai Feng driving, while Qin Wan and Yan Chi had the first carriage to themselves. Though the snow had stopped, the road conditions remained difficult. Yan Chi, however, showed no hurry, instructing that the carriages should prioritize stability.
The carriage was layered with thick cushions. Qin Wan was now lazily resting with closed eyes in Yan Chi’s embrace. “Lin Xie must have learned of General Zhou’s whereabouts by now. He’s surely pursuing General Zhou, and might even notify the Liang Zhou garrison in advance to intercept them.”
“Zhou You have always excelled at long-distance raids. By traveling separately, he will surely march at full speed and won’t be much slower than Lin Xie. As for the Liang Zhou garrison, they’re not so easily mobilized. You needn’t worry…”
While speaking, Yan Chi gently massaged Qin Wan’s legs. Having come from the military and trained in martial arts since childhood, he was naturally skilled at relieving muscle tension. After last night’s activities, Qin Wan’s legs were still weak when walking, so throughout the journey, he had been massaging her. Qin Wan, feeling lazy and comfortable, let him continue.
“I thought we would head to Shuo Xi immediately, but unexpectedly, you want to go to Jian Zhou.”
Mentioning Jian Zhou naturally reminded Qin Wan of Yao Xin Lan. Last year at this time, she was heading north, but after just one year, she was heading south again.
These past few days they had been busy traveling and hadn’t had a proper conversation. Now that Yan Chi had suddenly slowed their pace, they could finally talk at length.
Yan Chi said, “We’ll certainly go to Shuo Xi, but now that I bear the name of a traitor, Shuo Xi alone isn’t enough.”
Qin Wan opened her eyes and sat up, her expression turning serious. “What are your plans?”
Though they were on the road, news continued to reach Yan Chi, and he remained aware of the many changes in the capital. The Emperor’s decree charging Yan Chi with treason had been announced throughout the realm. As such, wherever Yan Chi went now, he would be viewed as a traitor.
Yan Chi held Qin Wan’s hand and said, “Though it wasn’t my wish, now that we’ve reached this point since he claims I’ve rebelled, I might as well truly rebel. To rebel, one must first have military strength. Though Shuo Xi’s hundred thousand troops are elite, they’ve suffered significant losses from recent events. Moreover, Shuo Xi is poor. Although I’ve secured six months of supplies for the Shuo Xi army, if we’re to maintain a long-term standoff with Lin An, relying on Shuo Xi alone would certainly lead to defeat.”
Yan Chi spoke each word slowly. By the time he finished, Qin Wan understood completely.
Though she hadn’t studied military texts, she possessed wisdom. She knew that Yan Chi’s journey south to Jian Zhou must be aimed at securing support from that region.
The southern provinces were all rich and fertile. Jian Zhou, being in the southwest, was also very close to Shuo Xi. If they could secure Jian Zhou, Shuo Xi would have no worries about its rear. But how many people in this world would dare openly oppose the court?
“Just rest assured. We need time to arrange matters in Jian Zhou, so we can travel there slowly. The New Year is approaching – we’ll spend it in Jian Zhou. There’s no need to rush to Shuo Xi; I’ve arranged everything properly.”
Leaving Lin An, being labeled a rebel by the Emperor – these were all too unfamiliar to Qin Wan. Having reached this point, she naturally trusted Yan Chi completely.
“That’s good then. You’ve always been decisive, and I’ll follow you. But in the capital…”
Qin Wan frowned slightly, worried about the Loyal and Brave Marquis’s Manor.
Yan Chi’s lips curved slightly. “Don’t worry, Grand Aunt will protect the An Yang Marquis’s Manor. Your Eighth Sister has already passed away, so they won’t be implicated in the Crown Prince and Empress’s treason. Since you’re not the Marquis couple’s biological child, as long as it’s proven they’re not involved in this matter, they won’t be affected. At most, the manor will lose its glory and wealth, but they backed the wrong side initially, so extraordinary riches were impossible anyway.”
Back then, Qin Shu had married Qin Zhao Yu into the palace hoping she would become the next Empress, but he surely couldn’t have imagined the Emperor harbored such a secret. Now that the Crown Prince and Empress were genuine traitors, the Marquis’s Manor couldn’t expect a good outcome.
Qin Wan sighed. “I fear Uncle didn’t anticipate this. With Grandmother and the Empress Dowager there, the manor shouldn’t face complete disaster, but when we left, the Empress Dowager’s health was already poor. I fear she’s suffering even more now.”
Yan Chi squeezed Qin Wan’s hand. “Don’t worry, the palace physicians will surely do their utmost.”
Qin Wan felt her heart grow heavy, but now hundreds of li from the capital, she could only worry silently.
Lost in thought, Qin Wan suddenly gripped Yan Chi’s hand and asked, “That secret – can it still be kept hidden?”
Hearing this, Yan Chi frowned. “I don’t know either. Great Zhou is already fractured. If that secret is exposed, who knows what waves it will create in Great Zhou? If I weren’t a Yan, perhaps I wouldn’t care about this point.”
After a pause, Yan Chi added, “However, not every member of the Yan family would act as I do.”
…
Though the New Year approached, Lin An City showed no festive atmosphere.
Five days ago, the Emperor’s decree had struck like thunder, instantly causing all of Lin An’s citizens to panic.
The Crown Prince and Empress plotted a rebellion, and the Prince of Rui also rebelled – one commanding a hundred thousand Northern Garrison troops, one being the young general of the Shuo Xi army. War seemed imminent. Though it wouldn’t immediately reach Lin An City, everyone agreed that Great Zhou was heading toward chaos.
In Shou Kang Palace, the Empress Dowager had been bedridden for several days before finally receiving the Emperor’s visit.
All servants were dismissed from the inner chamber, leaving only mother and son.
The Empress Dowager kept her eyes tightly shut, breathing heavily, her face as white as paper. Looking at her condition, the Emperor felt she might breathe her last at any moment. Though he had worn a mask for many years, he still couldn’t bear to see his birth mother like this.
“Today I was busy with court affairs and couldn’t visit Mother. I hope Mother will forgive me.”
The Empress Dowager didn’t open her eyes at his words. She coughed lightly and said slowly, “Be lenient with the Loyal and Brave Marquis’s Manor.”
The Emperor frowned slightly. “Mother, the Crown Prince, and Empress’s treason is a fact, and there’s Qin Wan—”
“Their daughter was already burned alive, and the Empress and Crown Prince’s treason has nothing to do with their daughter, so naturally it won’t affect them. As for Qin Wan… she’s not the manor’s biological daughter, and she saved my life. Do you want me to die with regrets?”
The Empress Dowager spoke each word extremely slowly, using all her strength to say this much.
The Emperor listened silently without responding. The Empress Dowager coughed twice more and continued, “I don’t have many days left. This is my last wish. After this, do as you will.”
The Emperor’s furrowed brow smoothed out, and after a moment he nodded. “Very well. Since Mother asks, I shall do as you say.”
The Empress Dowager seemed to relax, her breathing finally easing. The Emperor watched as her expression gradually became peaceful, then cold, indeed having no other words for him. After waiting a while longer, the Emperor left the inner chamber. As soon as he exited, he saw Yan Sui holding a medicine bowl – it was time for the Empress Dowager’s medicine. Yan Sui had been waiting with the bowl for a long time, and upon seeing the Emperor emerge, he tremblingly bowed.
“Greeting Father Emperor—”
The Emperor looked Yan Sui up and down. “Take good care of your Imperial Grandmother these days.”
Yan Sui didn’t dare raise his head, hunching his shoulders and responding meekly.
The Emperor’s brow furrowed slightly before he strode out of Shou Kang Palace.
Yan Sui’s fingertips trembled slightly. Only after the footsteps completely faded did he stiffly straighten up and look back. Though the Emperor had disappeared, his intimidating gaze seemed to still hang over Yan Sui’s head. Young as he was, Yan Sui’s thoughts weren’t entirely clear, but he kept taking deep breaths, trying to exhale his fear bit by bit. Once he had collected himself, he finally entered the inner chamber on his short legs.
Reaching the Empress Dowager’s window, Yan Sui called softly, “Imperial Grandmother, it’s time for your medicine…”
The Empress Dowager opened her reddened eyes, looking at Yan Sui with both sighing and pity. “Good child, I’ll protect you for as many days as I can.”
Yan Sui looked at the Empress Dowager with partial understanding. The Empress Dowager forced herself up to drink the medicine.
She leaned against the headboard, looking at the unmelted snow outside the window, her face showing the blank expression of one whose heart had died of grief. Only when looking at Yan Sui did she show a trace of tender pity? Seeing the Empress Dowager like this, Yan Sui suddenly felt afraid and grabbed her sleeve.
The Empress Dowager smiled gently. “Don’t be afraid. Your Imperial Grandmother still needs to hold on. Your Imperial Grandmother must hold on to see…”
…
In the An Yang Marquis’s Manor, Yue Qiong and the Grand Princess sat facing each other with furrowed brows. “Mother, the Northern Garrison’s rebellion is certain, but what about Shuo Xi?”
The Grand Princess sighed. “Even if the Emperor wants to suppress the rebellion, he’ll send you to the north. When the time comes, do what you must. As for Shuo Xi, wait for Yue Jia to return, first seeking forgiveness, then remaining confined at home for several days. We cannot afford to get involved in this turmoil.”
Yue Qiong couldn’t help but sigh. “Yue Qing was originally in the Ministry of War. With these changes, I want him to transfer to the Ministry of Personnel.”
The Grand Princess smiled bitterly. “When have military officials ever had good endings? The Ministry of Personnel will do. The Empress Dowager’s health is failing. I fear that after she passes, and after I pass, even our family won’t fare well. Plan your retreat early to avoid being caught unprepared.”
Yue Qiong quickly agreed. Just then, Yue Ning strode in from outside. “Grandmother, Father! The Emperor has issued an edict!”
The Grand Princess immediately frowned. “What did it say?”
Yue Ning approached them and said, “The Emperor has stripped the Loyal and Brave Marquis’s Manor of their title, reducing the Marquis to a commoner. The Manor’s heir and Fourth Young Master have also been stripped of their positions. They both held hereditary positions and unless they retake the military examinations, they’re finished.”
The Grand Princess listened in a daze, but Yue Qiong quickly said, “As long as their lives are spared, everything else can be worked out.”
Yue Ning asked, “The Manor has been sealed, but fortunately the Qin family still has some property. Father, should we help?”
The Grand Princess came to her senses. “This must be the Empress Dowager’s doing. Ah, let your Fourth Brother take some people to help. In the entire capital, probably only our family dares to associate with them now.”
Hearing this, Yue Ning quickly nodded and left to find Yue Qing. Yue Qiong sighed, “This outcome is still acceptable.”
Twenty years ago, when the Respectful Prince plotted rebellion, his wife Lady Fu, and all his subordinate generals’ families were executed to the ninth degree of kinship. Now the Loyal and Brave Marquis’s Manor had only lost their title. The Grand Princess nodded, “This is the Emperor’s final act of mercy. Who knows how things will develop from here? We won’t be able to celebrate the New Year properly. Now that you’ve returned to the capital, you must be cautious. If necessary, it would be better to give up the military command of Jin Zhou to others.”
The Grand Princess was deeply worried, feeling as if disaster was approaching. Yue Qiong had always respected his mother and couldn’t see clearly through the current situation, so naturally followed the Grand Princess’s guidance.
After a pause, Yue Qiong said, “Who knows where Yan Chi and they have gone? Poor Wan girl…”
Qin Wan was Yue Qiong’s adopted daughter. Though the Grand Princess had arranged the adoption, Yue Qiong admired Qin Wan and naturally felt genuine concern.
The Grand Princess sighed, “They’re well-matched, and Yan Chi is reliable. It’s not necessarily bad. Some hardships won’t hurt. Things will surely get better later. We can’t intervene now, but after some time, I’ll send someone to contact her.”
Yue Qiong nodded. “Fortunately, Ning is engaged to Yan Ze. Though Yan Ze has eye problems, he can still provide Ning with a peaceful and happy life.”
The Grand Princess had always been very fond of Yan Ze, but today hearing these words, she didn’t immediately respond. After a moment, she said, “The Emperor’s edict says Yan Chi helped the Empress and Crown Prince escape, but it doesn’t seem quite right to me…”
Yue Qiong shook his head. “It’s just an edict. When one wants to condemn someone…”
He didn’t finish the last four words. The capital was now on a state of high alert, and he had to be careful with his words even at home.
The Grand Princess frowned. “As for Ning’s marriage, let her decide for herself.”
Yue Qiong’s brow relaxed. “Ning naturally gets along well with Yan Ze. When I returned, Jing Shu told me Ning is very attentive to Yan Ze…”
The Grand Princess shook her head without saying more. She had thought that having Yue Jia return to the capital would allow them to withdraw and avoid being implicated, but now she vaguely sensed a crisis.
At the same time, outside Ying Zhou City, Yan Che stood on a low hill looking at the distant city.
To avoid attention, they hadn’t entered Ying Zhou City on their way north.
Though the snow had stopped in the capital, their journey north had been constantly beset by wind and snow. Yan Che wore a black cloak, and in just a few days, he had aged considerably. As Yan Che stood deep in thought, suddenly footsteps sounded behind him. He turned to see Qin Zhao Yu wearing a water-red satin cloak and holding an oil-paper umbrella, walking towards him. She came directly to his side and tilted the umbrella towards him, immediately blocking the wind and snow.
“Your Highness has been out for a long time. Mother is worried and sent me to bring you back.”
The wind outside cut like a knife. Though Yan Che could withstand it, Qin Zhao Yu’s cheeks were red from the cold, and her hand holding the umbrella was stiff with cold.
Seeing this, Yan Che couldn’t bear it. He took the umbrella from her and held her hand in his, though his voice was cool. “I am no longer the Crown Prince of Great Zhou. You need not call me Your Highness.”
Qin Zhao Yu nestled against Yan Che and smiled. “In your subject’s eyes, Your Highness will always be the Crown Prince.”
Yan Che looked at Qin Zhao Yu. “Father Emperor has already deposed me as Crown Prince. Now, I am nothing but a rebellious traitor.”
Qin Zhao Yu blinked at Yan Che. “Does Your Highness know why the Empress chose this path?”
Yan Che frowned. “Mother has never said clearly, so naturally I don’t know. What, did she tell you?”
Qin Zhao Yu smiled and shook her head. “Of course not. If Mother wouldn’t tell Your Highness, how would she tell your subject?” She stopped looking at Yan Che and turned to gaze at Ying Zhou City. “But your subject believes in the Empress and Your Highness. The Empress is magnanimous and righteous; she must have her reasons. Since we are traitors in the Emperor’s eyes, since we no longer respect the hierarchical order between ruler and subject, what meaning does the Emperor’s decree of deposition have?”
Yan Che looked at Qin Zhao Yu with complex emotions. “You were a noble lady of the Marquis’s Manor. Marrying me for barely half a year has brought you to such a miserable state. Do you regret it?”
“Miserable?” Qin Zhao Yu looked back at Yan Che and pressed her lips together. As if having made up her mind, she said, “I don’t find it miserable at all. In the palace, one has unparalleled honor, but Your Highness wouldn’t hold an umbrella for me or warm my hands. Mother and Your Highness are here, and in Chang Zhou, a hundred thousand Northern Garrison troops await us. Your Highness still has great ambitions to fulfill, and your subject is the one who accompanies Your Highness in establishing merit and achieving greatness. How many women could be as fortunate as I am? The eldest daughter of the Loyal and Brave Marquis’s Manor is dead, but one day I will return to Lin An, won’t I?”
Qin Zhao Yu’s voice was soft yet resolute. Her eyes showed tenderness but also determination and resilience. Yan Che was momentarily speechless as if seeing Qin Zhao Yu for the first time. He couldn’t help but say, “Of course. You will return. We will return together!”