After traveling south for another ten days, they reached the Yan River banks. In the depths of winter, ice floes drifted across the Yan River, and a heavy snowfall two days prior had halted many vessels at Jia Ling crossing from heading south. When Yan Chi’s group arrived at the crossing, the nearby ice had just broken, and Bai Feng hired a private boat for the river crossing.
Bitter winds swept across the river’s surface. Seeing the dark clouds on the horizon, Yan Chi knew more snow would fall soon. However, after crossing the Yan River, the weather in Jiangnan grew notably warmer, with the snow turning into cold rain. Without delay, Yan Chi led Qin Wan toward Yan Zhou.
Taking the northern route through Yan Zhou was the shortest path to Jian Zhou. As Yan Chi and Qin Wan traveled south, the atmosphere changed by Yuan Zhou, and after crossing the Yan River, the discussion of the rebellion grew even scarcer. Thus, Yan Chi’s group faced fewer constraints in their journey. It was now the twelfth month, with the New Year approaching, and every village and market town they passed had families replacing their old door charms with new peach wood ones. Unwilling to let Qin Wan suffer hardship, Yan Chi made meticulous arrangements throughout their journey. On the fifth day of the twelfth month, the group entered Yan Zhou City.
Throughout their half-month journey south, Yan Chi received daily messages like falling paper leaves. Watching this, Qin Wan realized that Yan Chi’s power extended far beyond what was visible on the surface. They were both labeled traitors by the Emperor’s proclamation and to arrange everything so perfectly along their route required more than just money and manpower. Though Qin Wan and Yan Chi were deeply in love, she hadn’t truly known his depths. This journey gave her a new measure of his capabilities.
The carriages entered Yan Zhou City gates at dusk. After following the main street for a while, they turned into a small alley, soon arriving at a prepared residence.
Their group was too distinguished in appearance to stay at conspicuous inns. Qin Wan had assumed this residence would be like the previous civilian homes, prepared in advance by Yan Chi’s secret guards. However, to her surprise, the door was opened by two elegantly dressed elderly maids.
“Your servants have long awaited Your Highness here. We pay our respects to Your Highness and the Princess…”
As Qin Wan descended from the carriage, the two women came out and knelt, their tone respectful yet carrying natural authority. Qin Wan’s brow furrowed slightly as she noticed their Hu Zhou silk garments. Though they wore the plainest variety of this precious fabric, it was still beyond ordinary households’ means. Though both women were over forty with graying temples, their manners and bearing were refined. Even kneeling, they maintained a dignified presence.
Qin Wan turned to look at Yan Chi – had he arranged for these people to be here?
Holding Qin Wan’s hand, Yan Chi gave her a reassuring glance before saying, “Please rise, honored ladies. You’ve waited long.”
The kneeling women stood but kept their eyes lowered, saying, “The Second Young Lady meant to come personally, but knowing Your Highness was heading to Jian Zhou, she went ahead to wait there. With recent troubles at the Prince’s manor, the Second Young Lady had intended to go to the capital, but clan matters arose, causing delay. She went to Jian Zhou both to await Your Highness and handle some affairs. Knowing Your Highness brought few attendants, she ordered us servants to wait here.”
Yan Chi looked at the two women, his expression without a smile. Though his tone seemed gentle, it carried an intimidating quality that made his mood hard to read.
“I already wrote to Aunt telling her not to trouble herself, yet she still worries.”
The two elderly maids exchanged glances while keeping their heads lowered. One stepped forward and said, “Second Young Lady said Your Highness is accustomed to hardship and would be fine, but the Princess is a new bride. This southern journey has been constant travel and fatigue, surely exhausting her greatly. In such a bitter winter, illness would be most unfortunate. We servants came to care for the Princess.”
Qin Wan’s puzzled eyes brightened slightly. At the word “Aunt,” she instantly understood these women’s identity.
All of Yan Chi’s royal relatives in the capital were of the Yan clan. The only one he would call “Aunt” must be from his mother’s Lu family of Lan Zhou. Yan Chi had told her that his mother was the eldest legitimate daughter of the Lu family of Lan Zhou and had a younger sister. No one from the Lu family had come to their wedding, and Yan Chi had explained that after his mother married the Prince of Rui, she was expelled from the Lu clan. After her death from illness, the Prince of Rui’s manor cut off relations with the Lu family. Over the years, only his aunt occasionally maintained contact with him.
The “Second Young Lady” these two mentioned must be the Prince of Rui’s Princess Consort’s younger sister. Yet while she was in Jian Zhou, she had sent people ahead to Yan Zhou and ordered them to care for her daily needs – what was the meaning of this? Qin Wan narrowed her eyes slightly, discreetly observing the two women…
Their attire was elegant yet simple, immaculate from head to toe. In the time they had stood there, not only did their hands folded in front maintain the same position, but even the curve of their lowered heads was identical. When speaking, they didn’t move even an eyebrow, each word precise and formal yet rigid and serious.
Inexplicably, Qin Wan felt these women had not come with good intentions.
Yan Chi pondered for a moment beside her. “Since it’s Aunt’s kind intention, you may stay. However, the Princess has her experienced attendants and needs no care from you. Let’s go inside to talk—”
Though Yan Chi appeared gentle, he decisively rejected the two women’s offer. They hadn’t expected such a direct response from Yan Chi and hesitated. The one who had spoken earlier reacted more quickly, immediately making way to invite Yan Chi and Qin Wan inside. However, as she turned, her gaze swept quickly over Qin Wan, those clouded eyes carrying sharp assessment.