The next morning when Yan Chi awoke, Bai Ying told him that Qin Wan and her companion had stayed up very late the previous night. Yan Chi couldn’t help but smile, instructing that Qin Wan should not be disturbed, before heading to the military camp.
After their previous victory and seven to eight days of rest, the entire Wu Prefecture had regained its vitality.
However, the two envoys from Feng Prefecture were quite anxious. As soon as Yan Chi entered the camp, they came seeking another audience.
Yan Chi ordered Gu Ling to bring the two envoys over. Upon meeting them, he said, “I summoned you not to agree to the Marquis’s proposal. Return immediately and inform the Marquis that Princess Yongning is here in Wu Prefecture, so he need not worry. As for joining forces, I still need to consider it further.”
Upon hearing this, the two envoys were shocked, having no idea how Yue Ning had arrived in Wu Prefecture.
Yue Ning was Yue Qiong’s precious daughter, and the two envoys dared not delay. They hurried to deliver the message while Yan Chi gathered his commanders for a meeting.
Meanwhile, Qin Wan and Yue Ning didn’t wake up until the sun was high in the sky. Qin Wan couldn’t help but laugh as she quickly got up and called for breakfast to be prepared. After a good night’s rest, Yue Ning had recovered well. After rising, Wei Qizhi also came over. Once they had finished their meal, Yue Ning expressed interest in visiting the camp.
Although Yue Ning had spent many years with Yue Qiong in Jin Prefecture, she had never seen a real battlefield. Qin Wan took Yue Ning and Wei Qizhi to the Western Camp. Upon arrival, Yue Ning observed the camp’s strict discipline. Even during rest periods, training continued without pause, helping her understand that the Northwestern Army’s reputation was well-earned. This stirred some excitement in her heart.
Learning of their arrival, Yan Chi invited them to his tent and informed Yue Ning that he had sent word of her presence to Feng Prefecture. Yue Ning thanked him sheepishly.
When she had left home, she hadn’t dared explain to her family the true nature of Yan Ze’s crimes, fearing they wouldn’t understand. Moreover, she had previously agreed to the marriage herself, which had been bestowed by the Empress Dowager. Running away like this must have caused them great worry. Now that she was in Wu Prefecture, she would have to inform Yue Qiong.
When Yue Ning left, her heart was heavy and she didn’t know how to explain herself. The thought of Qin Wan being in the West had given her hope, but now that she had met Qin Wan, she was uncertain about her future. She particularly feared Yue Qiong ordering her return to the capital, so she refused to see him for the time being. After seeing the military camp’s conditions, she briefly entertained thoughts of joining the army, but in this era, women were not allowed on the battlefield…
Wei Qizhi had indeed brought gifts, and upon mentioning this to Yan Chi, Yan Chi called for Xiao Cheng, who was in charge of military supplies. The three went to discuss matters, while Qin Wan took Yue Ning on a tour of the camp. Yue Ning’s expression gradually grew serious. “Before seeing you, I thought everything would be fine once I met you. Now that I have, I seem to be at a loss about what to do.”
Qin Wan looked at Yue Ning and sighed, “This isn’t like you. Is it because you can’t get past the matter with Yan Ze?”
Yue Ning shook her head, “Not exactly. I feel tremendous guilt toward Third Brother. This thought has been buried in my heart for many years. Before, I thought marrying him would be a way to atone for my sins, but I never expected him to be that kind of person.”
Qin Wan frowned, “There’s something I’ve always felt was connected to his blindness.”
Yue Ning quickly turned to look at Qin Wan, “What do you mean?”
“You mentioned that his letters with the Empress spoke of revenge. This revenge refers to avenging the Princess Consort of Prince Yi. The Princess Consort died from poison, and that particular poison would cause deafness and blindness before leading to death. The Princess Consort died from this poison, and I’m not certain about the true cause of Yan Ze’s eye condition.”
Yue Ning stopped abruptly, “Are you saying… Third Brother’s blindness might be due to poisoning rather than saving me?”
Qin Wan nodded, “Yes, though I’m not certain.”
Yue Ning stood still with furrowed brows, her mood growing even more somber.
If this were true, then Yan Ze must have known all these years that she carried this guilt. How could he bear to do this?!
Seeing Yue Ning’s expression, Qin Wan took her hand, “I’m telling you this so you understand that Yan Ze is unfathomable and capable of anything. If you still feel guilty now, you really shouldn’t. His eyesight has been restored anyway.”
Seeing Yue Ning still frowning, Qin Wan said, “Come with me somewhere.”
Not knowing where Qin Wan intended to go, Yue Ning listened as Qin Wan spoke while walking, “You were right to come find me. As long as you don’t deeply love Yan Ze and are hurt by his deception, you should now put aside the troubles of the capital. After all, we’re in Wu Prefecture now.”
Speaking thus, the two mounted horses and headed directly for the wounded soldiers’ camp.
Upon reaching the wounded soldiers’ camp, Qin Wan immediately became busy with her duties. Following behind her, Yue Ning felt somewhat dazed.
While the Western Camp had no wounded soldiers, reminiscent of the familiar Jin Prefecture’s main camp, this wounded soldiers’ camp was filled with casualties. Some were critically wounded and barely clinging to life, while others needed daily bandage changes for injuries to their limbs or torso. In the sweltering weather, many wounds were festering and draining, healing very slowly. Seeing this scene, Yue Ning instantly felt the heavy weight of facing death.
And compared to death, what did other emotions matter?!
Qin Wan didn’t stand at the ceremony, directly asking Yue Ning to help. From that day forward, the two became busy working together.
It wasn’t until the afternoon that Qin Wan and Yue Ning found time to rest. Yue Ning was covered in sweat, while Qin Wan’s back and waist ached.
“I know there was already a victorious battle fought…”
Qin Wan sipped some cold tea and sighed, “Although it was a victory, over a thousand were killed or wounded. What you see now are just those who survived. Some died on the battlefield and couldn’t be brought back, while others were brought back but couldn’t be saved. We watched helplessly as hundreds lost their lives.”
Hearing this, Yue Ning felt a chill run down her neck, and her mind cleared from its previous confusion and bewilderment.
Qin Wan said, “Since you’re here, I won’t let you stay idle. I’m not skilled in warfare, but I come here to help every day. Will you join me?”
Yue Ning’s lips twitched slightly, “Of course.”
Although Yue Ning had previously entertained thoughts of joining the battlefield, by now she dared not rashly speak of joining the military campaign. Having never seen a real battlefield, seeing the wounded soldiers’ camp had given her more reverence for war, and she didn’t want to cause trouble for Qin Wan.
Yue Qiong’s second personal letter arrived early the next morning in Wu Prefecture.
After reading the letter, Yan Chi told Gu Ling and others, “The Marquis of An Yang says he has also sent word to Chong Prefecture, though there’s no response yet. He also mentions that the Rong barbarians are now focusing their main attack on Feng Prefecture, making this an excellent opportunity for us to join forces. He states he will wait for us at Five Zhang Plain in four days, whether we come or not.”
Yu Qi smiled, “The Marquis shows great sincerity.”
Yan Chi pondered briefly, “If that’s the case, we’ll keep the appointment in four days. Gu Ling, and Xiao Cheng, spend these few days making preparations and discussing matters with Yang Jia. When the time comes, we’ll have to withdraw all our troops, leaving Wu Prefecture to them, but supplies must not be cut off.”
Gu Ling quickly responded, “Your subordinate understands and will explain everything clearly to General Yang.”
When Qin Wan learned of Yue Qiong’s appointed meeting, she knew Yan Chi would keep it. That evening, while dining with Wei Qizhi, Yue Ning, and others, she asked, “Since the meeting is in four days, will we make it if we depart that day?”
Yan Chi replied, “We’ll leave the day after tomorrow, so we can arrive by noon on the fourth day.”
“I want to go along, and Yue Ning should come too. Since she’s here, she should see her adoptive father.”
Yue Ning, having lost her previous defiance, quietly agreed when she heard this.
After dinner, Yue Ning tactfully retired to her wing of the residence, allowing Yan Chi to finally rest contentedly with Qin Wan.
With the meeting arranged, the envoys from Feng Prefecture departed Wu Prefecture. Gu Ling and others spent two days preparing the troops. On the morning of the third day, Yan Chi led a thousand elite troops toward Five Zhang Plain. Though not far, it would take more than a day to reach. The group traveled quickly, finally arriving at the appointed place by noon on the fourth day.
The advance scouts reported from ten li away that Yue Qiong had also brought only a thousand troops and was waiting ahead.
Five Zhang Plain was very close to Feng Prefecture. Yue Qiong had arrived first, and when Yan Chi arrived, he saw that Yue Qiong had already set up a command tent. Yue Qiong had brought Yan Qi and seven or eight other officers with him today. When the two sides met, both felt a sense that things had changed.
Especially when Yue Qiong saw Yue Ning and Qin Wan, he was quite moved. After exchanging pleasantries, Yue Qiong, focused on official business, invited Yan Chi and Yu Qi into the command tent.
Inside the tent, Yue Qiong was very warm toward Yan Chi, while Yan Qi’s expression remained neutral. Yue Qiong, remembering that Yan Qi had initially opposed this, didn’t say much about it.
“I didn’t expect you would send troops. If not for that, Wu Prefecture would have fallen into the Rong barbarians’ hands long ago.”
Yan Chi and Yue Qiong sat in the main seats while their officers sat facing each other. Hearing this, Yan Chi spoke seriously, “The Marquis’s sincerity is moving, which is why I came. Since that’s the case, let’s speak directly about the main matter. Currently, I bear the name of a rebel and the troops the Marquis leads were originally meant to suppress the Empress. Now that the Marquis wants to join forces, I wonder what everyone’s intentions are toward the Northwestern Army, and whether you are worthy of the Northwestern Army’s assistance.”
At these words, the Northwestern Army officers all wore cold expressions, while Yue Qiong hurriedly said, “You can rest assured about this point. Now that we face external enemies, we are all our people before the Rong barbarians. Moreover, I know your character well, which is why I immediately thought of joining forces with you. If we join forces now, we’ll first drive back the Rong barbarians, after which you can return to your Northwestern territory. We won’t stop you. Once the Rong barbarians suffer a major defeat, they will surely withdraw their troops. We only need to join forces until the Rong barbarians retreat, and we’ll leave the matter of reclaiming Chang Prefecture to us. At that time, you’ll be free to come and go as you please. Not just you—I’ve also sent word to Chong Prefecture. The Rong barbarians are truly fierce this time and could become a national crisis for Great Zhou.”
Yan Chi’s gaze shot like cold arrows toward the other officers, seeing that they all maintained steady, calm expressions. His heart eased somewhat. When he looked at Yan Qi, Yan Qi quickly said, “Yan Chi, we brothers haven’t seen each other for many days. That we can meet again now because of the Rong barbarians and fight side by side is indeed fate. I fully support the Marquis’s plan. At the very least, we can’t let outsiders take advantage, can we? Chang Prefecture has already fallen; we must guard Feng Prefecture well.”
Though Yan Qi spoke thus, his gaze flickered somewhat. Yan Chi knew that Yan Qi had likely opposed this initially, which was not unexpected.
Rather, Yue Qiong and the others could be trusted to some extent, and Yue Qiong’s statement that they only needed to join forces until the Rong barbarians retreated suited him perfectly.
If they together drove the Rong barbarians completely back to Canglong Mountain, without the Rong barbarians’ constraint, it was hard to say how the Jin Prefecture army might change. But as long as the Rong barbarians posed even the slightest threat, Yue Qiong’s most pressing concern would be the Rong barbarians, not them.
“Very well. If that’s the case, we’ll join forces to repel the enemy. However, the Northwestern Army and Jin Prefecture Army won’t truly merge. How to deploy troops and what battle strategies to use, we can discuss together, but the final decisions rest with me and the Marquis. Otherwise, the Northwestern Army needs no one’s interference.”
Yan Chi’s words carried a warning. Hearing this, Yue Qiong was overjoyed, “Good, good, good! This is naturally how it should be! In that case, the Rong barbarians won’t last much longer! Yan Chi, Five Zhang Plain is the best place to station troops. Today, I brought five hundred tents, and I’ll have them set up for you shortly. When your people arrive, they’ll have a place to stay. Once you’re ready, we can repel the enemy together. Today I also ordered some wine and food prepared—”
“With a great enemy before us, the Marquis need not do such things. Yue Ning likely doesn’t wish to go to Feng Prefecture with the Marquis. The Marquis should speak with Yue Ning first. Afterward, the Marquis should leave, as the fighting in the city is intense. We don’t need the Marquis to worry about our encampment.”
Yan Chi kept things strictly business, showing no regard for sentiment. This made Yue Qiong and the other Jin Prefecture army officers grow cautious and dare not take things lightly.
Seeing Yan Chi’s insistence, Yue Qiong naturally agreed. The arrangement for wine and food had been Yan Qi’s doing. He had originally felt it unnecessary but feared Yan Chi would harbor too much resentment toward them. Now it seemed indeed superfluous. Thus, Yue Qiong added, “Very well. We’ll give you two days to set up camp. Three days later, we’ll meet in your main camp. Then we’ll decide on battle strategy and give the Rong barbarians a good thrashing!”
Yan Chi agreed, and Yue Qiong went to speak with Yue Ning.
In the adjacent small tent, Yue Qiong sat in the main seat, looking somewhat sternly at Yue Ning. “Why did you run away from the marriage?”
Yue Ning somewhat stubbornly avoided looking at Yue Qiong, only saying, “Father knows my personality. There must be a reason. Father need not ask further.” After a pause, Yue Ning said, “I just want to warn Father that Third Brother is not as simple as he appears on the surface. Father must not let him join the Jin Prefecture army.”
Before leaving, Yue Ning had heard that Yan Ze wanted to join the Jin Prefecture army. She didn’t know why Yan Ze wanted this, but she couldn’t let him succeed.
Yue Qiong narrowed his eyes, “What exactly happened? You won’t tell your mother or your brothers, so you can’t tell your father either?”
Yue Ning clenched her fists tightly, and after a long while said, “Back when the Empress and Crown Prince secretly fled the capital, everyone thought Prince Rui helped them, but in reality, it was the Third Brother who aided them. I saw Third Brother’s correspondence with the Empress in Prince Yi’s mansion—”
Yue Qiong’s eyes widened in disbelief. Yue Ning looked at him and continued, “Just for this one matter alone, the entire household of Prince Yi could be executed. And Third Brother is not as calm and uninvolved as he appears on the surface. His thoughts, I’m afraid, are even more unfathomable than Father’s. How could your daughter marry such a person?”