Coroner's Diary

Qin Guan gazed into the pair of dazzling, profound eyes before her, feeling as if she were caught in a dreamlike illusion.

Was this a dream? At the brink of life and death, she had somehow dreamed of Yan Chi again.

She remembered what Qin Shuang had once said—when people are about to die, their thoughts naturally turn to the one they cherish most.

Qin Guan had been recalling the night of blood and fire, the final glimpse of her father and mother. Yet she never imagined that in her dream, she would see Yan Chi...

Her mind was a haze, her chest tight with pain and her vision darkening. But the warmth and softness on her lips sharpened her senses, as if she had grasped the last lifeline or harbored a faint nostalgia for this bizarre rebirth. Instinctively, her hands reached for the waist of the person before her, her lips parting slightly. In an instant, a refreshing warmth flowed unceasingly into her mouth.

Her eyes fluttered open, and those same eyes still met hers. But when she looked up, the faint light above seemed to dim further, and she was swept away by a cold undercurrent, plummeting into some abyss.

Instinctively, she clung tightly to the person who offered her a sliver of warmth. She felt the softness on her lips shift, carrying a soothing tenderness. Just as she tried to discern it more clearly, the last glimmer of light above vanished completely. Her mind wavered, and her final shred of consciousness dissipated like that fading light.

She didn’t know how much time had passed before a sliver of awareness returned to her.

The bone-chilling cold was gone. Though she still felt a lingering coolness, it was nothing like the hopelessness of being trapped in an icy cavern earlier. When she opened her eyes and looked around, she was astonished to find herself in Sun Haoyue’s underground Hidden Residence.

Her temples throbbed with pain, but she distinctly remembered—Sun Haoyue’s secret had been exposed, outsiders had arrived, and in the end, he had activated the Mechanisms in the residence, intending to take everyone down with him. And then she...

At this thought, Qin Guan froze momentarily.

She had fallen into a well-like place, and then she dreamed of Yan Chi.

As she stood there dazed, the sound of faint footsteps suddenly reached her ears. Her heart instinctively tensed, but when she looked up, she saw Yan Chi striding through the doorway not far away.

Qin Guan stared blankly at Yan Chi, momentarily unable to process whether this was real or another dream.

Seeing her awake, a spark of brightness flashed in Yan Chi’s eyes. He quickly closed the distance between them. "You're awake?"

Qin Guan continued to stare at him, still unable to tell if this was reality or illusion.

Noticing her dazed expression, Yan Chi placed his rough yet warm palm against her forehead. At the touch, his brows furrowed slightly, a trace of concern flickering in his eyes. His hand then drifted to her cheek, as if caressing it, before sliding downward—toward the collar of her robe. The moment his fingers brushed against it, Qin Guan snapped out of her stupor.

She abruptly raised her hand, gripping his wrist tightly.

Her strong reaction made Yan Chi meet her gaze.

Their eyes locked. Qin Guan’s were filled with confusion and bewilderment, the clarity in her gaze like a pristine stream, even more captivating than usual. Her damp hair clung to her skin, adding a touch of vulnerability to her usually composed and resilient demeanor. Yan Chi’s throat moved slightly as he glanced at her hand restraining his. With a gentle tug—With that struggle, Qin Guan seemed to regain more of her senses. She had just begun to feel embarrassed by their close proximity when Yan Chi suddenly leaned in, lifting her into his arms with such force that she nearly collided with his chest.

Qin Guan's eyes widened abruptly. Her petite face nestled into the crook of Yan Chi's neck as she blinked, still somewhat bewildered. "Is... is this a dream...?"

"You've dreamed of me before?"

Yan Chi's sharpness startled Qin Guan. She suddenly realized that the Yan Chi in her dreams never spoke, while the one before her not only spoke but also reacted with a speed that left her astonished.

A flush of heat rose to Qin Guan's cheeks—this was no dream.

If it wasn't a dream, then what was the meaning of this embrace?

Qin Guan struggled, her hands instinctively pushing against Yan Chi's chest.

The room seemed to be a Warm Chamber within the underground Hidden Residence. She lay on a long couch that reeked of dampness and mildew, unused for who knows how long. Beneath her was Yan Chi's brocade robe, while her own outer garment covered her. Not far away, a small porcelain basin held a flickering fire.

Qin Guan felt as though she had fully awakened, yet no matter how hard she pushed against Yan Chi, his embrace remained as immovable as a towering mountain. Though she was earnestly trying to free herself, he not only ignored her efforts but also placed one hand on her back and the other in her hair, resting his cheek atop her head with a deep, lingering sigh.

Qin Guan's hands gradually lost their strength. The reflection of the distant fire danced in her clear eyes, her face growing even hotter. The pressure of Yan Chi's arms around her made her back ache, and for a moment, her mind wavered again.

But soon, her rationality cooled her emotions.

Closing her eyes briefly, when she opened them again, the fire still burned in her gaze, but her mind was now calm and composed.

"Your Highness, why are you here?"

"I was stationed with the troops in Yuanzhou. I thought you had already passed through to Tongzhou, but then you used the token I gave you." Yan Chi spoke while still holding her firmly against his chest.

Qin Guan shifted slightly, to no avail, so she simply leaned against him.

She still didn’t quite understand why Yan Chi had come here.

"You refused it when I first gave it to you. Since you used it now, it must have been an emergency. I rushed here overnight and happened to encounter the owner of this residence activating a Mechanism—"

Qin Guan fell silent for a moment before suddenly asking, "How is Wan Xing?"

Yan Chi's hand on her back seemed to pause briefly before he replied calmly, "She’ll live."

A brief silence filled the room, broken only by the crackling of the fire. "Your Highness must have gone to great lengths."

"With a temperament like yours, I couldn’t rest easy knowing no one was protecting you."

"Why protect me?" Though Qin Guan had stopped struggling and now rested against Yan Chi, her tone remained composed.

Yan Chi gently stroked her hair twice. "Because my heart is set on you."

He seemed to have mustered considerable resolve to say those words. Hearing them, Qin Guan’s mind wavered slightly again. But after a pause, she asked softly, "How exactly is your heart set on me?"

At this, Yan Chi released her, pulling back slightly to gaze at her with eyes that were both brilliant and faintly assertive. "Naturally, in a way that is clear and unmistakable—my heart is set on you."Qin Guan gazed into Yan Chi's eyes, and a surge of warmth spread through her chest, mingled with a bittersweet yet fragrant emotion. Her throat tightened slightly, rendering her momentarily speechless. How utterly clear and transparent he was!

Her father had always upheld integrity and righteousness in all his dealings, and she, following in his footsteps, had learned to seek truth and facts above all else, whether in cases or worldly affairs. She was adept at piercing through layers of mist to uncover the truth, yet she knew the veils over human hearts were far more complex than mere fog. The more she witnessed, the more she understood the intricate depths of human nature. But when someone laid themselves bare before her with such clarity, even her heart—steadfast as stone—could soften a little...

Looking at Yan Chi, Qin Guan marveled once more at his keen insight. He knew exactly what she needed.

Seeing that Qin Guan seemed lost in thought and had yet to speak, Yan Chi took her hand. "Don’t believe me? Or do you not dare to?"

At his words, Qin Guan’s gaze sharpened instantly. "What is there to fear?"

Her tone carried three parts pride, three parts composure, and four parts certainty, prompting Yan Chi to burst into laughter. His rich, resonant voice reverberated against her eardrums, his eyes alight with brilliance—three parts tenderness, three parts contentment, and four parts defiance. His entire being radiated an irrepressible joy from within.

After laughing for a moment, Yan Chi suddenly grew serious. He tightened his grip on her hand. "Good, then I’ll take that as your belief. Since you believe me, you must also give me clarity in return."

Qin Guan arched a brow, her gaze deliberately drifting aside. "What clarity?"

Her features were exquisite, her cheeks faintly flushed. Though she feigned reluctance, her demeanor betrayed a newfound boldness born from Yan Chi’s confession—a stark contrast to her usual composed self. Her attitude was as good as an open admission. Yan Chi’s lips curved again, and he pulled her into his arms.

This time, his embrace was gentler than before, though his hands unconsciously traced the nape of her neck and her spine, as if he wished to meld her into his very heart. Qin Guan arched her back slightly, her hands resting at his waist.

Yan Chi’s breath hitched for a moment before he lowered his head to murmur against her hair, "Earlier, when you first saw me, you held me just like this..."

"I thought it was a dream."

Qin Guan’s outer robe slipped to the ground, leaving her skin chilled. Pressed against Yan Chi, she drew warmth from him. Hearing her words, Yan Chi chuckled. "So you dreamed of me?"

After a brief pause, Qin Guan gave a soft "Mm."

Yan Chi’s chest rose and fell before he released a satisfied sigh.

"That’s enough to make me happy."

Feeling the coldness of her skin, Yan Chi quickly picked up her fallen robe and draped it over her shoulders. Then, in one swift motion, he scooped her into his arms. "We can’t stay here. We need to leave."

Being carried like this sent a tremor through Qin Guan’s heart. Back in Jinzhou, she hadn’t noticed it, but once they left, the longing that surfaced in moments of peril along the journey had made her aware of her own feelings—let alone those lingering, intimate dreams. She had never been a coward. She feared neither the dangers lurking behind the mist nor the malice in human hearts. How could she possibly fear Yan Chi’s clarity and transparency?She had other ambitions and was not one to prioritize love above all. She harbored hidden worries and reservations, yet she truly trusted Yan Chi.

Now that he was right before her, what did she have to fear?

Fearless she might be, but though her expression was bold and unhesitating, she had never experienced matters of the heart before. Nestled in Yan Chi's arms, Qin Guan gazed at his profile, a bittersweet and intoxicating haze rising in her chest.

This was an unexpected twist. Though skilled in medicine and the dissection of corpses and bones, romance was still unfamiliar to her. Staring blankly at Yan Chi, she wondered what role he would play on the uncertain path ahead.

"Why are you looking at me?" Yan Chi carried Qin Guan out of the Warm Chamber, only to notice her gaze lingering on him as they stepped through the door. When he glanced back, her cheeks were still faintly flushed like rosy clouds.

He knew Qin Guan’s aspirations far surpassed those of ordinary people—even many men. Yet, only those close to her would know that her tenderness and charm were no less than any other maiden’s.

"Did Your Highness truly come from the Yuanzhou garrison?" Qin Guan asked again, though the circumstances now were different from before.

Yan Chi curved his lips. "Indeed, the Yuanzhou garrison—but not from Yuanzhou City. There are two large camps north of Ji County. The moment your token was presented, I knew. Soon after, Baiying’s message arrived."

"Baiying? Wan Xing?" Qin Guan quickly connected the dots.

Yan Chi nodded. "She is Bai Feng’s younger sister, originally in charge of intelligence by my side."

Qin Guan’s lips twitched. "When she entered the manor… you had only just arrived in Jinzhou."

Yan Chi chuckled softly. "The night the Marquis Anyang Manor fell, I saw you."

Qin Guan blinked, unaware of this detail. There were countless questions she wanted to ask as she studied Yan Chi’s profile, but the present moment was not the time. Instead, she turned her attention to the Hidden Residence. The Warm Chamber they had just left was unfamiliar to her, and she had no idea how Yan Chi had brought her there.

Reading her expression, Yan Chi knew her thoughts. "The mechanisms beneath this Hidden Residence are all water-powered. Sun Haoyue activated the largest mechanism, opening the floodgates below. But a secret passage can’t have just one exit. I carried you down the passageway, and we emerged at the lowest level."

As he spoke, Yan Chi strode down a passageway with Qin Guan in his arms. On either side were what appeared to be living quarters, and at the end was a staircase. Without hesitation, he carried her up the steps.

"The lower level is equivalent to a two-courtyard main residence—the former owner’s resting place."

By then, Yan Chi had already ascended to the next level. Qin Guan was slender and not heavy, but she was no child either. Yet Yan Chi carried her effortlessly, as if she weighed nothing. At first, Qin Guan didn’t recognize their surroundings, but when Yan Chi stepped through the nearest door, her brows immediately furrowed.

This staircase wasn’t far from the one leading to the surface. To her left was the ice chamber, while to the right, where the earlier staircase had been, everything had collapsed into ruins. The storage room where they had been placed earlier was now a chaotic mess of broken bricks and rubble."This residence is truly destroyed..." Qin Guan's voice carried a hint of chill. "Sun Haoyue's main chamber should be in that direction."

Her eyes narrowed slightly as she looked toward the area beyond the storage room, now completely unrecognizable.

Yan Chi said, "Beneath this residence lies the Hidden Residence, and below that, another layer. When the mechanisms below are triggered, the Hidden Residence is destroyed first, causing the upper structures to collapse and eventually be buried."

"Has Your Highness learned of the situation here?"

Yan Chi nodded. "I've already encountered the guards from Qin Manor. On the way here, I also met the heir of Loyal Marquis Manor. I’ve grasped the general situation—it’s nothing more than Sun Haoyue sacrificing many lives to save his wife."

Qin Guan shook her head. "His wife is already dead. If I hadn’t seen her corpse undergoing transformation, I wouldn’t have believed it."

Yan Chi’s expression darkened. "Then he has truly fallen into madness."

Qin Guan didn’t refute this. Sun Haoyue had always seemed like an immortal figure—no one could have detected anything amiss. Yet she still remembered the sight of him cradling Bai Feiyan’s rotting arm with affection.

He wasn’t insane or foolish. He had indeed descended into madness.

"These rooms and stairs are all destroyed. How do we get out?"

Qin Guan suddenly posed this question. Only about thirty percent of the underground Hidden Residence remained intact, and the sole exit was blocked. They were effectively trapped in an underground prison—how could they escape?

"If we can’t get out, are you afraid?"

Yan Chi didn’t linger on the thought, simply carrying Qin Guan toward the ice chamber.

Qin Guan smiled at his words. "With Your Highness here to accompany me, it’s not a loss."

Yan Chi tightened his grip around her. Qin Guan suddenly remembered something and asked, "How long was I asleep?"

"Two hours," Yan Chi replied.

Two hours had already passed—daybreak must have arrived outside.

"To reiterate, this place is filled with mechanisms. There can’t be only one exit. Sun Haoyue destroyed the eastern part of the residence, which suggests the original builder left themselves an escape route."

There couldn’t be only one exit...

Qin Guan pondered this for a moment before her eyes lit up. "I know. I know where the exit is."

She pointed ahead. "Go straight, then turn left and keep walking. There’s a room where Sun Haoyue used to extract organs. Inside, there were cat corpses he used for practice. I once saw a black cat carry one away. Sun Haoyue must have kept this hidden, and since Benevolence Courtyard was where he and Bai Feiyu resided, he wouldn’t tolerate the comings and goings of such gruesome things there. So I suspect there must be another exit. The cat corpses were likely transported out—perhaps there were outsiders staying in the residence at the time, making it inconvenient to dispose of them, so they were temporarily stored somewhere until that black cat found them..."

As Qin Guan spoke, Yan Chi had already begun moving in the direction she indicated.

Before long, she murmured, "This is the place—"

Yan Chi halted, frowning. "There’s someone inside."

After a moment’s thought, Qin Guan remembered. "It’s one of Sun Haoyue’s men."As she spoke, Qin Guan pulled out a fire starter from her sleeve. Though the outer layer was soaked, the inside remained dry. She lit it, and the two stepped inside the house. Upon entering, they immediately saw Shang Lu lying motionless on the floor, exactly as before.

Yan Chi glanced at him but paid no further attention. His gaze then fell upon the porcelain jar and the crimson object that had rolled onto the floor. Frowning, he walked past the long table where the jar was placed and headed straight into the inner chamber.

On the table, the corpse still lay undisturbed.

"Possessing unparalleled medical skills, yet choosing the path of darkness," Yan Chi murmured, his eyes narrowing slightly, his voice low. "No matter how deep his love, it does not justify forgiveness."

Qin Guan sighed at his words, feeling as though an inexplicable weight had settled in her chest.

"What's wrong?" Yan Chi asked, looking down at her.

Qin Guan replied, "Perhaps this is the cruelty of fate. He could save countless lives, yet not the one he loved most."

After a pause, she met Yan Chi's gaze. "If it were you, Your Highness, what would you do?"

The question caught Yan Chi off guard, and he instinctively turned to her. For a moment, it seemed as though he imagined Qin Guan afflicted by an incurable illness, his expression darkening. "I would not fall into darkness—because I already am."

He held her gaze for a long moment before striding behind the long table.

His words reminded Qin Guan of his infamous title—the "Demon King." When she had first heard of it, she had been both curious and instinctively wary. Never had she imagined that one day, she would find herself in the arms of the Demon King herself.

Stepping into the secret chamber where the corpse was kept, Qin Guan hesitated, unsure where to go. She had only entered this place once before, with Qin Xiang.

Yan Chi glanced at her. "You've been here before?"

Qin Guan gave a soft hum of acknowledgment. "I told the steward that Fifth Sister might still be in the Herb Garden, but he came alone. As a result, Sun Haoyue learned of our purpose the moment we arrived. He intended to use knockout incense, but I had already anticipated it—I took an antidote beforehand. After they left, I found Fifth Sister in the ice chamber we just passed. Later, we encountered Shang Lu and ended up here. It was Wan—no, Baiying. Baiying saved us."

Yan Chi studied her. "If you're used to calling her Wan Xing, then she is Wan Xing."

Qin Guan shook her head firmly. "Your Highness concealed this from me back then, likely because you believed I wouldn’t accept your kindness without reason. But now that I know, she should rightly be Baiying."

Yan Chi said nothing more on the matter, his voice turning stern. "You were bold indeed, bringing those young girls of yours here."

Qin Guan gave a bitter smile. "I admit it was reckless. I nearly endangered them. But if we hadn’t come, Fifth Sister might have ended up like that corpse over there. It was worth the risk."

Yan Chi frowned. "I heard the Qin family’s fifth daughter treated you poorly."

Qin Guan sighed inwardly. It seemed Baiying’s presence by her side served purposes beyond mere protection.

"Whether she treated me well or not doesn’t matter. She never sought to harm me. We share the same family name, and knowing she was truly in danger, how could I stand by and do nothing?"Yan Chi didn't seem to fully agree with her words, but chose not to continue the discussion at this moment. His gaze swept across the secret chamber, noticing two hidden doors in this section—one was where Shang Lu had appeared earlier, while the other's destination was unknown to Qin Guan. Qin Guan's eyes flickered as she suggested, "This way. Let's see where this unknown path leads."

Yan Chi willingly followed the direction Qin Guan pointed. Passing through the hidden door, they entered another secret chamber. Unlike the previous one, this space contained no ceramic jars. As Qin Guan's torch flickered, it illuminated a human skeleton—supported by a stand prepared by Sun Haoyue—standing eerily upright like a skeletal figure watching them.

Qin Guan's eyelashes trembled slightly as she looked, but when she raised her eyes to glance at Yan Chi, she noticed not even a flicker of movement in his brows.

Aside from the human skeletons, the room was filled with various diagrams and medical texts. Qin Guan observed them closely and saw that the drawings depicted not just simple meridians, joints, or acupuncture points of the human body, but intricate distributions of blood vessels surrounding each organ. Moreover, there were even illustrations of dissected human organs.

The artist's skill was above average, yet the depictions of human organs were rendered with stark, lifelike simplicity. Qin Guan felt a surge of astonishment as she studied these drawings, as if she had stumbled upon the esoteric treasures of medical knowledge rarely shared with outsiders. Yet the thought that these were obtained by Sun Haoyue at the cost of numerous lives left her feeling hollow.

Yan Chi's voice was heavy with regret. "What a waste."

Qin Guan shared his sentiment. Yan Chi didn’t linger here long and carried Qin Guan forward into another room. This one was arranged like a study, and to her surprise, there were several notebooks placed on the desk.

"What are those? Let’s take a look—" Qin Guan pointed.

Yan Chi carried her toward the desk. After a few steps, Qin Guan felt her strength returning somewhat and said, "Your Highness, you can put me down now. I’m not seriously hurt—just caught a chill."

Waves of cold still shuddered through her body, and from this sensation alone, she knew what was wrong with her.

Yet even after she spoke, Yan Chi frowned but still carried her to the desk. Seeing this, Qin Guan sighed and flipped open one of the notebooks. Inside, she found detailed records of the "patients'" symptoms. As she read through them, she couldn’t help but gasp. If these had been ordinary medical notes, it wouldn’t have been so shocking—but these documented the conditions of those harmed by Sun Haoyue, meticulously recording their reactions before and after their organs were removed. Most entries detailed the responses of those who underwent organ transplants, and as Qin Guan read on, she realized that very few survived the procedures. It seemed there was some stringent, unknown criterion at play, and Sun Haoyue had initially been unaware of it—those who died were part of his trial-and-error process.

There were many ways to master the art of medicine. If these notes hadn’t been stained with blood, Qin Guan might have thought them invaluable treasures, surpassing even the secret manuscripts passed down exclusively within Medicine King Valley.

"His talent likely surpassed even the past masters of Medicine King Valley. If only he had..."

If only Sun Haoyue had chosen to heal rather than harm—how different things might have been.

The thought crossed her mind, but voicing it felt futile. She set the notebook down and said, "These records are crucial evidence. If we can get out, we should have them all taken away."

Yan Chi understood her meaning. "We will get out. By now, those outside must be worried."

After Qin Guan put down the notes, Yan Chi led her further ahead. At the same time, the flame in her fire starter was dwindling. Without it, how would they find the exit? And what if they encountered another mechanism?

Just as Qin Guan was silently worrying, they arrived at another secret chamber.

But this one had no doors or windows—it seemed they had reached the final room of the Hidden Residence.Qin Guan quickly said, "There's no way forward. Let's go back through the door we came from. The fire starter is about to go out."

She wanted to retreat, but Yan Chi remained motionless. With a grave expression, he scanned the room before walking to its center. Seeing this, Qin Guan immediately realized there was something unusual about this chamber. "Could the exit be here?"

"Do you hear that? The sound of wind," Yan Chi suddenly spoke. Qin Guan focused intently but heard nothing after listening for a while. Yan Chi then looked at the fire starter and said, "Watch the flame."

Understanding dawned on Qin Guan. It was a detail she would normally notice immediately, yet for some reason, it had slipped her mind. Looking closely, she saw the flame on the fire starter was indeed tilting slightly.

Relief washed over her. "The exit must be right here!"

No sooner had she spoken than the fire starter in her hand silently extinguished.

Darkness enveloped them, so profound that even the sound of a dropped needle would have been audible. Only their breathing remained distinct in the silence. Qin Guan grew anxious. "What do we do now? This was my only fire starter."

"No matter. Opening this won't be difficult."

Qin Guan had been about to ask if Yan Chi had another fire starter, but his words reassured her.

Yan Chi carried Qin Guan a few steps toward a corner before gently setting her down. "Stand still."

It was a corner of the room. As soon as her feet touched the ground, Qin Guan steadied herself against the wall with a soft "Mm." In the darkness, she felt Yan Chi adjust her outer robe before hearing him walk away. Soon, the sound of him lightly tapping the stone walls echoed through the chamber. Qin Guan knew he was checking for mechanisms within the walls and held her breath.

After completing a circuit of taps, Yan Chi returned nearby. When he suddenly fell silent, Qin Guan couldn't help but ask, "What's wrong? Is the mechanism not here? Or is it too difficult to solve?"

Even after her question, Yan Chi remained quiet.

Surrounded by impenetrable darkness, Qin Guan's unease grew. "Your Highness?"

As she groped toward where she thought Yan Chi was, just before reaching him, his arm suddenly wrapped around her waist, pulling her into his embrace. The unexpected motion drew a startled gasp from Qin Guan. Before she could react, she found herself pressed against the stone wall by Yan Chi.

"You still call me 'Your Highness'?"

His breath was warm against her skin, his rich, deep voice and breathing carrying an intimate warmth in the silent darkness. The faint blush that had barely faded from Qin Guan's cheeks returned in full force. She pushed against Yan Chi, but in response, his arm tightened around her waist, drawing her closer until their bodies were flush against each other.

"Guan Guan..."

Just as Qin Guan hesitated over Yan Chi's first question, he murmured her name in a low voice. That single utterance sent a shiver through her, leaving her momentarily stunned.

Enveloped in Yan Chi's embrace, Qin Guan—though slender and not short by any means—seemed to fit perfectly against him, as if molded to his form. A moment of hesitation passed before a sudden pang of emotion brought a sting to her nose.It had been a long time since anyone called her that. It seemed as though fate itself had intervened—Ninth Miss shared the same name as her. In the past, her father and mother had always addressed her this way, and gradually, it became the term of endearment used only by those closest to her. Qin Guan had thought no one would ever call her that again.

Yan Chi seemed to sense the sorrow emanating from her in an instant and held her even tighter.

Darkness surrounded them, just like every nightmare-filled night before. But this time, Yan Chi’s broad, warm embrace gave her strength. The grief that had threatened to overwhelm her was barely held at bay.

Her hand moved, wrapping around Yan Chi’s waist.

The gesture made his breath hitch. He lowered his head, and she felt his lips brush against her hair before she heard him say, “Once we return to the capital, I’ll send someone to Loyal Marquis Manor—”

“No—”

Before Yan Chi could finish, Qin Guan cut him off.

Yan Chi clearly hadn’t expected this. Qin Guan had tacitly accepted his feelings—an attitude he treasured deeply. Given his decisive nature, how could he bear to see her in such a state by the time they reached the capital?

The capital was a den of wolves and tigers, and he was well aware of the schemes brewing in Loyal Marquis Manor. Knowing this, he naturally wanted everything under his control. Yet Qin Guan refused?

Yan Chi fell silent for a moment, his voice turning low and somber. “Why?”

Qin Guan nestled against his chest. “If I weren’t here, what would you have done?”

Yan Chi frowned slightly. “Naturally, I would prioritize the Northwest Frontier Army. The sudden change in the succession has caused upheaval in both the court and the military. My journey south was partly to deal with this matter.”

Qin Guan nodded. “Then prioritize the Northwest Frontier Army.”

Hearing this, Yan Chi hesitated, as if wanting to say more. “But what about us? How can I give you clarity and certainty?”

Qin Guan knew he had misunderstood. She continued, “The clarity I seek isn’t about securing a place by your side. You have grand ambitions, and I too have a wish of my own. Until that wish is fulfilled, I have no intention of marrying. If it weren’t you, I might have resigned myself to it—unable to decide, resist, or change anything. But since it is you, I shouldn’t hide anything from you.”

“What wish?” Yan Chi asked immediately.

Qin Guan pressed her lips together. “This wish has existed for a long time. Please don’t ask me about it.”

She hadn’t expected Yan Chi to want to make their relationship public so soon. Doing so would disrupt her plans. A bitter taste rose in her heart—the unease she had suppressed when she accepted his feelings now surfaced swiftly. Still, no matter what, she wouldn’t let Yan Chi delay her quest for vengeance and justice. Speaking this much was already the greatest honesty she could offer him at this moment.

Yan Chi’s breathing seemed uneven. He was someone who commanded absolute authority in the Northwest Frontier Army. He had intended to proceed with restraint, but since Qin Guan wanted clarity, he would give it to her. He had thought he understood her, yet he had been wrong—she could even refuse the position of Prince Rui’s Heir’s consort.

Countless noblewomen in the capital coveted that very title, yet she had rejected it so decisively, not even letting him finish his words. A storm of emotions churned in Yan Chi’s heart. Suddenly, he released her.

“Let me ask you this—do you think my confession today was too hasty or presumptuous?”Qin Guan's heart was in turmoil, and upon hearing these words, she felt a sudden pang of astonishment. Even if she didn’t know he had traveled such a long distance for her, even if she dismissed his previous care and protection in Jinzhou as ordinary, even if she forgot about the token he had given her—once she learned of Wan Xing’s identity, how could she not understand?

Shaking her head, Qin Guan’s voice softened slightly. "Of course not."

Yan Chi chuckled in the darkness. "Then do you feel that our acquaintance has been too brief, and my character leaves you with insufficient trust?"

Qin Guan gave a bitter smile. "Of course not..."

Yan Chi’s tone deepened, domineering yet laced with a tender probing. "Then do you think my decision was too hasty, that my feelings for you lack depth?"

Qin Guan responded swiftly. "Well... perhaps a little."

Yan Chi’s breath hitched, and the hand gripping her waist tightened instantly.

Yet Qin Guan didn’t regret her answer. She didn’t believe Yan Chi treated her lightly, nor did she feel she misunderstood his nature. But matters of the heart were still obscure to her. Accepting Yan Chi’s affection didn’t frighten her, yet the step toward marriage still felt distant. Moreover, she was determined to fulfill her earlier wish first.

"So, you still don’t trust me enough..."

After a long pause, Yan Chi finally forced out these words. Just as Qin Guan was about to explain, he let out a low laugh—resigned yet doting, with a hint of relentless determination. "Fine. There’s time ahead. Whether it’s your unfulfilled wish or the depth between us, we’ll see in due course."

Pausing, Yan Chi fixed her with an intense gaze. "You never fail to surprise me."

Qin Guan’s tense heart eased slightly. "Thank you, Your—"

Before she could finish, her lips were sealed. Yan Chi pressed her firmly against the stone wall behind her, his advance as fierce as fire meeting water. His kiss was deep and relentless, as if he sought to wear down her defenses bit by bit, imprinting his essence upon her. Qin Guan tilted her head back instinctively, her hands rising to push him away—but sensing the storm of emotions within him, she hesitated, then finally closed her eyes, her wrists softening to rest loosely at his waist.

Her response seemed to soothe him perfectly. Yan Chi pulled her tightly into his embrace, his earlier intensity melting into a slow, tender exploration of her lips. The tension he had held for so long finally eased in that moment. Though he hadn’t gotten his way in the end, how could he complain when the one in his arms was no ordinary woman?

With that thought, his grip unconsciously tightened again.