The plateau region of Shuo Xi welcomed spring late, with warmth finally arriving at the end of March and becoming noticeably pleasant by April.
As the weather warmed up, Qin Wan planted new flowers and trees in the garden and stored away winter clothes. She invited the wife of Xi Lin City’s magistrate, Madam Yuan, and other noble ladies to a spring banquet at the Rui Wang residence. Although bringing the capital’s banquet customs to Shuo Xi wasn’t particularly remarkable, everyone found it quite novel.
Through word of mouth, the entire Xi Lin City came to know that Rui Wang’s wife possessed both grace and talent, displaying elegance and dignity. Combined with her reputation for medical skills, she gained additional fame for her healing touch and compassionate heart.
In just a few months, Qin Wan had grown accustomed to her role as the Princess Consort and particularly to managing the affairs of the prince’s residence inside and out. Besides maintaining her habit of morning walks, she has also taken up horseback riding and other activities. While she appeared to be focusing on physical fitness, she had plans in mind.
Yan Chi led the Shuo Xi army and now had his small court, which would certainly draw attention. The imperial court could deploy troops at any time, and the Shuo Xi army would inevitably face a tough battle sooner or later. Although Qin Wan didn’t plan to accompany every military campaign, she didn’t want to remain at home every time Yan Chi went to war. Therefore, she secretly resolved that if the day came when she needed to accompany the army, her physical condition must be able to withstand even long night marches.
By the tenth day of April, the main camp at Chi Feng Plain was essentially complete. Yan Chi spent four days there, during which Zhou You, Chu Fei Sheng, Xiao Cheng, and others brought thirty thousand troops to the station at Chi Feng Plain. After several busy days, when Yan Chi returned, the eastern sentinel camps were also properly established. Thus, all defensive arrangements on the Shuo Xi plateau were securely in place. Additionally, the grain and fodder that Yan Chi had arranged from Jian Prefecture and Qian Prefecture entered Shuo Xi through the southern Yan Xing Mountains, resolving the supply issue for the Shuo Xi army in advance.
When Yan Chi returned, his schedule finally cleared up. Early that day, he rose with Qin Wan and said, “The weather is pleasant today. Let me take you out of the city for a while, so you won’t feel cooped up in the residence.”
Since arriving in Xi Lin City, Qin Wan had been busy managing the prince’s residence and attending to social obligations, rarely venturing outside the residence, let alone for leisure. Hearing Yan Chi’s suggestion, she felt excited. After breakfast, once the carriages were ready, they left the residence together.
The prince’s carriage bore special markings, and as soon as it appeared on the main street, the common people recognized it. They immediately cleared to both sides of the road and knelt in respect, calling out “Long live the Rui Wang!” Everyone showed deep reverence for His Highness the Rui Wang. Inside the carriage, Qin Wan smiled deeply at this.
With royal lineage and exceptional ability, it wasn’t difficult for Yan Chi to receive such respect. What was truly remarkable was that the people knelt willingly and with genuine gratitude.
The Shuo Xi region had limited farmland and poor harvests, yet its taxes were the same as the southern regions. Having spent many years in Shuo Xi, Yan Chi deeply understood the people’s hardships. When Shuo Xi declared independence, his first order was to reduce taxes. As a result, people both inside and outside Xi Lin City were deeply grateful.
The carriage slowly proceeded along the city’s main road toward the gate. At the city gate, they saw long queues of people waiting to enter the city. Upon seeing the Rui Wang’s carriage, another wave of respectful kneeling and cheering ensued. Yan Chi glanced outside the carriage and said, “Many people have come to Xi Lin City these days, hoping to settle here. It’s a good thing. With the many tribes in Shuo Xi, people used to be afraid to come to Xi Lin and felt excluded, but now things are very different.”
Qin Wan leaned against Yan Chi’s embrace and said, “This is all thanks to you.”
Yan Chi smiled, and after the carriage had traveled some distance from the city gate, he lifted the curtain. When the curtain opened, Qin Wan exclaimed, “When I first came to Xi Lin, this wilderness was completely barren, but now it’s so different!”
Although Shuo Xi had many mountains, its peaks weren’t as lush as the south. Especially in winter, the leafless trees looked particularly desolate. When she arrived, the fields were covered in layers of snow, and she hadn’t ventured outside the city in the months since.
Now the snow had long melted, and fresh green leaves adorned the previously bare branches. The wilderness was filled with flourishing vegetation, and wildflowers bloomed everywhere, creating an even more vibrant spring scene than what Qin Wan had seen outside the capital. Xi Lin City’s terrain was expansive, and the boundless plains stretched to meet the sky, presenting an entirely different kind of beauty. Qin Wan gazed out the window excitedly, “Winter in Shuo Xi is like a snow country, but now that spring has arrived, it’s full of vitality. The vast terrain here truly makes one’s heart feel equally expansive.”
Hearing Qin Wan’s words, Yan Chi’s face showed only a tender smile. The last time he had brought Qin Wan to see the battlefield’s cruelty, he had been quite worried, but Qin Wan had seemed unaffected. He had kept an eye on her for several days before finally feeling relieved. Now, as Qin Wan saw only signs of life, he didn’t wish to tell her about the bandits and brutality in Shuo Xi.
As the carriage traveled further, they soon arrived at the foot of a mountain ridge. Yan Chi pointed to the top of the ridge and said, “There aren’t many places for entertainment in Shuo Xi, and the only sacred lake is quite far away. There’s a temple on this mountain that’s fairly popular, making it a good spot for spring outings.”
Qin Wan wasn’t particularly interested in scenic spots, but upon hearing Yan Chi’s words, she quickly said, “I’ve been wanting to get a safety charm! Why didn’t you tell me earlier?”
Yan Chi smiled, “It was too cold before. I wanted you to stay comfortably in the residence where the floor heating kept you warm, rather than suffering outside.”
While Yan Chi didn’t want Qin Wan to go out, he had been traveling back and forth. Qin Wan felt heartache for him. As they talked, they ascended the ridge. Before long, Qin Wan heard the sound of temple bells. Since it wasn’t a Buddhist festival day, there weren’t many people at the temple. Following Yan Chi’s arrangements, the carriage stopped at the temple’s side entrance, where a dark-skinned monk was waiting. Upon seeing Qin Wan and Yan Chi alight from the carriage, he gave them a ceremonial greeting.
Qin Wan looked at the entrance tablet, which read “Ling Yan Temple.” Upon entering, she found that while the courtyard wasn’t particularly large, the Buddha halls were complete. After looking around, Qin Wan first went to worship the Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva, saying, “I didn’t know there was a temple here. Since we’re here, shall we dedicate eternal lamps for Father King and my parents?”
Yan Chi could only agree, “Whatever you say.”
Qin Wan wanted to dedicate lamps not only to her birth parents but also to the Qin Yi couple. Since no one here knew about the affairs in the capital, they could openly establish memorial tablets. Having made up her mind, Qin Wan visited each Bodhisattva in turn. When they reached the Guanyin statue, Yan Chi suddenly said softly, “Women from Xi Lin City come here to pray to Guanyin, as it’s said that worshiping the Guanyin statue can help with conceiving children…”
Qin Wan paused briefly, her smile deepening. Though her face showed a hint of shyness, she still properly performed three bows, closed her eyes to make a silent prayer, and then rose. She waited for Bai Ying to hand her the incense, which she respectfully offered before finishing. After making a round, they arrived at the temple’s abbot’s quarters. The abbot, already aware of Qin Wan and Yan Chi’s identities, understood her intention when she asked for a safety charm. He solemnly wrote a charm and chanted sutras to bless it before giving it to Qin Wan.
Satisfied, Qin Wan came out and hung it on Yan Chi.
Originally, Qin Wan hadn’t believed in such things, but after witnessing the bloodshed on the battlefield, she had become someone who prayed for protection. If it proved useless, so be it, but if it worked, that would be invaluable. Yan Chi had never worn such things before, but something from Qin Wan had to be treasured.
“This temple is known for its excellent Five-Colored Vegetarian Feast. Let’s have the vegetarian meal before returning.”
Yan Chi had planned this, and Qin Wan naturally agreed. When they reached the side hall, the vegetarian feast was already prepared. The Five-Colored Vegetarian Feast was made with wild vegetables gathered by the temple monks, and its taste was delightfully fresh and fragrant. Qin Wan enjoyed it very much. After lunch, they leisurely left the temple. On the way back to the city, Qin Wan wanted to ride horseback, so Yan Chi had no choice but to let her ride with him. By now the sun was setting, and its warm rays fell on the couple. Yan Chi deliberately slowed their pace, creating a moment of perfect contentment.
As they talked and headed back to Xi Lin City, what had been a short half-hour journey out turned into a full hour’s return trip. However, as they approached the city gate, two fast horses suddenly burst out from within. Yan Chi abruptly reined in his horse, his brow furrowing, because the lead rider was Gu Ling!
Gu Ling also spotted Yan Chi immediately and dismounted to bow, “Greetings to Your Highness and Princess Consort!”
Yan Chi frowned, “Rise. What has happened?”
Gu Ling wouldn’t casually leave the northern camp outside the city without good reason.
Gu Ling stood up and said, “Your Highness, there seems to be unusual activity from the direction of Meng Prefecture. While the imperial court hasn’t openly launched a western campaign, our brothers at the northern sentinel camp discovered two people who died from falling off their horses during patrol. If they were ordinary civilians, it wouldn’t matter, but these two carried swords of extremely fine quality. Your servant suspects they might be scouts, and they met with accidents due to getting lost in the numerous northern mountain ridges.”
Hearing this, Yan Chi’s gaze quickly turned serious. He dismounted and helped Qin Wan down, saying, “Let Bai Feng escort you back. I need to go to the northern camp to check this out.”
Qin Wan had initially thought to return by herself, but suddenly remembering what Gu Ling had just said, she suggested, “Why don’t I come along?”
Since the suspicions arose from discovering dead bodies, it naturally piqued Qin Wan’s curiosity, and no one was better at examining corpses than she was.
How could Yan Chi not understand Qin Wan’s thoughts? He sighed helplessly, “Alright, but the journey is long and might tire you.”
Qin Wan’s eyes brightened, “Don’t worry, I’ll take the carriage! Let’s hurry…”
After saying this, Qin Wan quickly got into the carriage. Gu Ling looked bewilderedly at Yan Chi, who had lost his smile, and said, “I’ll go take a look, and if necessary, we’ll need to rely on the Princess Consort’s help…”