When Yue Qiong left the Shuoxi Army camp, she also took Yue Ning with her. Yue Ning was initially unwilling, but Yan Chi’s intentions were already clear. While Yue Qiong could let Yan Chi proceed with his plans, she dared not risk the lives of those in the capital, so Yue Ning had no choice in the matter.
Yan Chi received Qi Cen and others brought by Yue Qiong. After interrogating them one by one, he learned that Qi Cen had led troops to set fires under Yan Qi’s name. He immediately sentenced Qi Cen to death by hanging.
After Qi Cen was taken away, Lu Xiao was kept behind. In the Shuoxi Army’s central tent, Lu Xiao had barely been kneeling when a puddle appeared on the ground beneath him. He crawled on the ground and pleaded, “Prince Rui, this insignificant one was merely a Vice General and Administrative Officer under Prince Cheng. Back in the capital, I never committed murder or theft. Even in the army, I only followed Prince Cheng’s orders. That night, when I heard Your Highness’s instructions, I immediately felt it was inappropriate, but Your Highness must understand, what could someone like me do…”
Yan Chi frowned deeply. “Has Yan Qi been in constant communication with the capital these days?”
Fighting for his life, Lu Xiao held nothing back. “Yes… His Highness has been in contact with the Emperor. His Highness has his messenger birds. As soon as he learned that Marquis An Yang intended to ally with you, he sent word to the capital. The Emperor’s orders stated that while the barbarians must be fought, you and the Empress could not be allowed to live. That’s when our Prince thought of this plan – to first use the Shuoxi Army and Northern Manor Army, and once they had served their purpose, to find a dangerous opportunity to place you in a desperate situation. This way, he could use others to eliminate you. Although the Crown Prince was deposed, the Emperor showed no intention of establishing our Prince as heir, so… our Prince has been constantly seeking opportunities to earn merit…”
Lu Xiao spoke while crying, showing no trace of masculinity. After hearing him out, Yan Chi asked, “Did he also know about Ge Yangxi’s departure?”
Lu Xiao was startled, not expecting Yan Chi to know even this. He continued, “His Highness didn’t know, but he guessed it because His Highness was certain the Emperor wouldn’t give up such an opportunity. His Highness remained silent precisely because he was waiting for the final opportunity…”
Listening to this, Yan Chi raised his chin, and someone dragged Lu Xiao out.
Lu Xiao was not a major offender, so his crimes didn’t warrant death. Following military law, the Shuoxi Army officers gave him a severe beating before throwing him out of the camp.
Others weren’t as fortunate. These men who had followed Qi Cen to set fires all dreamed of promotion and wealth, but their hands were stained with the blood of Shuoxi Army soldiers. Yan Chi showed no mercy, sentencing them all to death by hanging. As for He Lin and Xu Huai, Yan Chi handed them over to Zhao You.
After dealing with these people, Xiao Cheng returned. So many had died that Xiao Cheng couldn’t even distinguish Gu Ling and Yu Qi’s remains. He dug a burial pit southwest of the camp near the Green Grass Plains and interred all their brothers’ remains in the same grave.
One day was only enough for burial. Yan Chi approved this approach and ordered a monument erected. Although they couldn’t identify individual remains, all names were recorded in the military register. Yan Chi wanted all the deceased’s names inscribed on it. This was an enormous undertaking, for which Yan Chi specifically assigned dozens of people.
By the time these matters were settled, it was deep into the night. In the central command tent, Chu Fei Sheng asked, “Your Highness! Are we going south to contest Lin’an?”
Yan Chi looked at the remaining officers, feeling as if an iron block was lodged in his throat.
Previously, when everyone gathered for meetings, the central tent had felt crowded. Now, it seemed empty. Moreover, Yu Qi and Gu Ling, who had followed him for many years, had perished overnight. Yan Chi could still remember Yu Qi’s spirited expression when they set out last night.
“Whether to contest Lin’an – Master Qi asked me this question when we first arrived in Xi Lin. With my father’s blood debt unavenged, Master Qi believed I shouldn’t confine myself to Xi Lin City. At that time, seeing Shuoxi peaceful and Xi Lin newly established, I couldn’t bear to suddenly raise armies just for my vendetta.”
Yan Chi spoke steadily, though everyone present wore grim expressions, still not having recovered from Yu Qi and Gu Ling’s deaths in battle.
“But now, another heavy blood debt weighs on my shoulders. With the Emperor so foolish, resorting to any means to eliminate opposition, why should I still show restraint? When common people are deceived by such a ruthless and disloyal person, they will inevitably face days of profound suffering.”
Chu Fei Sheng slapped his thigh forcefully. “Well said! Your Highness! Even if just for the Old Prince, I would willingly follow you south. Moreover, we now have this additional blood debt! Our Shuoxi Army only had one hundred thousand men total, and this time, over ten thousand were killed by Yan Qi and that dog Emperor! Even the Old Prince’s spirit in heaven would support us!”
Others voiced their agreement. Seeing everyone still united in purpose, Yan Chi finally felt truly reassured. “Now that Ge Yang and Lin Zhang have led troops west, north of the Yan River, only the capital’s ten thousand-plus Imperial Guards remain as the sole defense force. This is our opportunity!”
Xiao Cheng, having spent the day viewing his brothers’ remains, had been harboring deep resentment. Upon hearing this, he raised his fist and declared, “Good! Your Highness! Let’s march south and inform the world of the Emperor’s crimes! Your Highness, the Zhou Dynasty’s throne should belong to a wise ruler who has bled for Great Zhou. No one in this world surpasses you, Your Highness!”
Chu Fei Sheng cursed the dog Emperor, then continued, “Back then, the Old Prince was also one of the former Emperor’s favored sons, but because he wasn’t born of the principal wife, he lost his chance. If the Old Prince had ascended the throne, none of this would have happened. Your Highness is of the royal bloodline, and now you’ve saved Great Zhou from crisis – you are most worthy to be Emperor!”
While Chu Fei Sheng and Xiao Cheng spoke with rising passion, Yan Chi remained composed in his seat. How many people in this world could maintain such composure when receiving such devoted support?
Only Yan Chi! Seeing him like this, everyone became even more convinced of their beliefs, all looking at Yan Chi with bright eyes.
Yan Chi spoke steadily, “You trust in me, and I shall not fail you! Since we’re launching a campaign, we need complete preparations of provisions and weapons. We’ll spend two days organizing the troops, and after two days, we march straight for Lin’an!”
Everyone responded in agreement and busily began carrying out their troop organization duties. Yan Chi also ordered Bai Feng to send a message back to Shuoxi. After arranging all matters, Yan Chi finally turned his attention to Qin Wan beside him. She had stayed by his side the entire day, rarely speaking but serving as a sort of reassuring presence that kept his heart steady and comforted.
Now, having settled the army’s morale and buried Yu Qi and the others, Yan Chi’s tightly wound spirit, maintained for nearly twelve hours, finally relaxed slightly.
He took Qin Wan into the inner tent, and as soon as they entered, he embraced her. “I’ve changed my plans, and don’t know when we can return to Shuoxi.”
Qin Wan rested against Yan Chi’s chest, her heart full of tenderness. “Shuoxi is our second home, and now you’re taking me back to our original home. How could I not be happy?”
Hearing this, Yan Chi felt another wave of bitterness in his heart. “I must finally change Great Zhou’s ruler, though I fear this will cause many common people to suffer.”
Qin Wan let out a light snort. “Without you, the barbarians’ iron hooves would have already swallowed thousands of miles of the north, and the south likely wouldn’t have been spared either. You’ve already saved so many people – what does it matter if they endure some small hardships? Besides, with the Emperor on that throne, Great Zhou would eventually fall into complete chaos anyway!”
Hearing this, Yan Chi nuzzled the top of her head with his chin. Outside, he was an unfearing pillar of strength, but before her, he could express his hidden worries. And Qin Wan, like a gentle spring breeze and rain, gave him her most steadfast support. Whatever guilt Yan Chi had in his heart now completely disappeared!
After two nights and a day of chaos, the couple needed to pay respects to the fallen soldiers tomorrow, so they didn’t dare to be unrestrained. They retired to bed shortly after, and early the next morning, before dawn broke, Bai Ying’s voice sounded from outside, “My Lady, General Zhao, the Crown Prince and Crown Princess seek an audience—”
Qin Wan and Yan Chi immediately rose upon hearing this. As they finished dressing and emerged, Bai Ying said, “It seems the Empress is failing.”
The sky had barely shown its first light when Qin Wan came out to see Zhao You and the others indeed waiting. They rushed to surround her as soon as they saw her. Zhao You, his face ashen, pleaded, “Princess Rui, please, please go see Shu’er…”
Qin Wan frowned and looked toward Qin Zhao Yu, who explained, “Mother is burning with fever, and her breathing grows weaker. Just now… just now she seemed to stop breathing entirely!”
As Qin Zhao Yu spoke, her eyes reddened. Qin Wan hurried toward Empress Zhao Shu Hua’s tent.
Zhao You stumbled behind, only able to walk steadily with Yan Che’s support.
Seeing this, Yan Chi followed. Just as they reached the tent entrance, they saw Qin Wan’s expression darken.
Qin Wan sat by the bedside, examining Zhao Shu Hua’s opened wound. Since Zhao Shu Hua couldn’t be moved, Zhao You and the others had temporarily stayed in the Shuoxi Army camp yesterday. Though Yan Chi wasn’t particularly warm, he had set up several tents for them. In the evening, when Yue Qiong brought He Lin and the others, Yan Chi handed them over for their disposal. Zhao You, being soft-hearted toward Zhou people, didn’t take He Lin and Xu Huai’s lives. Following military law, he only sentenced them to one hundred military strokes. Though they survived, they would be somewhat disabled for the rest of their lives – advancement in military ranks and wealth was impossible. The remaining Northern Manor Army temporarily camped two li north of the Shuoxi Army camp.
Since Zhao You had come, he naturally brought his camp’s best physician, but even the best physician couldn’t compare to Qin Wan.
Qin Wan examined the wound. “The Empress’s wound has begun to fester. It’s not good. Right now, I don’t have any better medicine on hand…”
Qin Wan’s tone was very heavy, clearly feeling helpless despite her wishes.
Zhao You immediately went black before his eyes and continued, “Princess Rui, you are our only hope now. If even you don’t know how to save her, we can only watch her die.”
Yan Che couldn’t help but plead, “Qin Wan… please…”
Qin Zhao Yu also looked earnestly at Qin Wan, who could only smile bitterly. “It’s not that I won’t save her…”
Qin Wan naturally had a heart for healing people, but without medicinal herbs, even if she had them, it would be difficult to save the Empress. That’s why she hadn’t made grand promises. However, facing these three, especially the elderly Zhao You, she felt quite sympathetic. After careful thought, she said, “Right now, I lack two very rare medicinal herbs: Patrinia and Paris polyphylla. These two herbs can clear toxins, cool blood, reduce swelling, and drain pus. They are the most important sovereign medicines needed now. Without these two herbs, no amount of other medicine will help. Moreover, we need to cut away the rotting flesh and pus from the Empress’s wound – the pain will be unbearable, and there will be significant blood loss. Just this procedure alone, ordinary physicians would find difficult…”
As Qin Wan spoke, she glanced at the Northern Manor Army’s physician. The forty-something-year-old physician immediately waved his hands at Qin Wan, “This humble one doesn’t know these techniques. I can only prescribe medicine; I’m not skilled in treating external wounds. I fear I would only cause disaster…”
Yan Che said, “These two herbs can be found in Chongzhou City!”
Qin Zhao Yu added, “If not Chongzhou, then Fengzhou. We can find them in three to five days. Can you keep Mother alive for three to five days?”
Hearing this, Qin Wan smiled bitterly, but before she could speak, Yan Chi said from the tent entrance, “In two days, we march south. Wan’er has done her best; don’t pressure her.”
At these words, the three looked at Qin Wan, then at Yan Chi, momentarily speechless. Zhao You coughed violently and collapsed. Yan Che hurriedly helped him into the adjacent tent, with the Northern Manor Army’s physician following to check his pulse.
However, Qin Zhao Yu stepped back and knelt beside Qin Wan. “Ninth Sister, is there truly no way to save Mother? If you can save her, I’ll do anything you ask…”
Qin Zhao Yu’s face was covered in tears. Yan Chi frowned at the sight, but since Qin Zhao Yu was a woman, he couldn’t say much.
Seeing Qin Zhao Yu like this, Qin Wan’s bitter smile deepened. “Is this for the Crown Prince?”
Qin Zhao Yu nodded, then shook her head, saying, “On our journey north, Mother treated me extremely well.”
Qin Wan sighed, first helping Qin Zhao Yu up, then said, “Let me think. I’ll first use new medicine to rebandage the Empress.”
Hearing this, Qin Zhao Yu stood and helped Qin Wan change the cotton bandages and apply new medicine. After finishing the bandaging, Qin Wan finally left the tent.
Upon entering the central command tent, Qin Wan said, “Zhao Shu Hua’s breathing is indeed very weak. If this continues, she has at most three to five days.”
Qin Wan paused slightly, then said, “The army must depart in two days, but… I want to try to save her life.”
Yan Chi frowned, immediately refusing, “No, I won’t leave you here.”
Qin Wan gently shook Yan Chi’s hand, “What are you worried about? The barbarians have gone to Cangzhou, and Father has also headed north today. I am the Empress’s lifesaving benefactor – would the Northern Manor Army harm me? If you’re worried, leave Bai Feng to look after me. I’ll stay for at most three days, then head south to find you. By then, you’ll probably have just reached Yingzhou. Traveling light and fast, I can move faster than your army passing through city after city.”
Now that Yan Chi was heading south to contest the throne, things were naturally different from before. On the southern journey, they would inevitably encounter some obstacles.
Seeing the pleading in Qin Wan’s clear eyes as she stared at him unblinkingly, Yan Chi’s heart softened somewhat, though he still pressed, “Have you thought this through? Do you want to stay and treat the Empress?”
Qin Wan nodded, “I’ve thought it through. If I leave, she will certainly die. If I stay, she has a thirty percent chance of survival. Saving one more life is always good.”
Yan Chi looked at Qin Wan for a moment, then pulled her into his embrace, letting out a long sigh. “Others die because of me, yet people keep living because of you. The merit you accumulate will probably all be spent on me. Being able to marry you as my wife is several lifetimes’ worth of fortune.”
Hearing him speak thus, Qin Wan knew Yan Chi had agreed. She couldn’t help but kiss his face several times. Yan Chi smiled helplessly as Qin Wan informed Qin Zhao Yu of this decision. Soon, Zhao You sent people to Fengzhou and Chongzhou to seek medicines, and despite his illness, he came personally to express his gratitude.
Seeing his condition was somewhat serious, Qin Wan also prescribed a new medicine for Zhao You. He had been ill for some time, and after participating in the battle at Luofeng Slope days ago, and then seeing Zhao Shu Hua’s life hanging in the balance, his condition had naturally worsened. Receiving Qin Wan’s treatment, Zhao You felt even more respect for Princess Rui in his heart.
After returning to his camp, Zhao You recovered somewhat before asking Qin Zhao Yu, “Yu’er, is this Princess Rui your cousin?”
Qin Zhao Yu nodded, “Yes, Grandfather, she’s Second Uncle’s daughter.”
Zhao You clicked his tongue lightly, “She truly is a remarkable woman. At my age, I usually see young people as children, but this sister of yours carries herself with neither arrogance nor servility, possessing a bearing beyond her years. Despite this, her heart remains purely good, and with her medical skills… that such a lady could come from the capital! And looking at her strong will, she’s not far behind your mother.”
Hearing this, Yan Che couldn’t help but add, “She can also examine corpses, better than the capital’s best coroners!”
Zhao You’s eyes widened in surprise. As he was about to speak, he broke into another violent cough. Yan Che quickly patted his back, “Grandfather, you must take care of your health.”
This bout of coughing swallowed back Zhao You’s praise for Qin Wan. When he recovered, he saw spots of red on the handkerchief covering his mouth. Yan Che also noticed and her eyes immediately moistened, “Grandfather—”
Zhao You waved it off with a smile, “It’s nothing, not the first time. Princess Rui noticed during the examination earlier and prescribed stronger medicine than our people, probably hoping to help me live longer. She knew I understood, so she didn’t point it out. This young lady is truly admirable.”
Yan Che hadn’t noticed these details earlier and couldn’t help saying, “Grandfather will surely live to be a hundred…”
Zhao You just shook his head. After a moment, his expression suddenly turned solemn as he looked at Yan Che, “Che’er, now your mother’s life hangs in the balance, and I am like a lamp running out of oil, but your mother’s great cause remains unfinished. We still have the Northern Manor Army. Tell Grandfather, what are your thoughts?”
Yan Che seemed to have completely forgotten about heading south to contest the throne, and was momentarily stumped by Zhao You’s question, “I… how could I abandon you and Mother to head south? I…”
Seeing him like this, Zhao You let out a gentle sigh, “Good child, Grandfather understands.”