Coroner's Diary

"Your Highness, Ninth Miss, this lowly one knows his wrongs—"

Just as they reached the entrance to Yan Chi's courtyard, a portly man in official robes knelt before Qin Guan and Qin Yan. The two were momentarily startled before recognizing him—none other than Song Li!

"Your Highness, Ninth Miss, this lowly one dares not repeat his mistakes. I beg for Your Highness's mercy..."

Qin Yan frowned slightly and exchanged a glance with Qin Guan. When Song Li had first arrived at the manor, he had been utterly arrogant. It was only Qin Yan's presence that had subdued him somewhat. Even so, his conduct remained haughty and lazy. Later, when the murderer who harmed Xiao Songzi and Da Cheng appeared, Song Li had left the manor without staying longer. Qin Guan hadn't expected to see him again, let alone witness him begging for forgiveness the moment they met.

Song Li kowtowed repeatedly with loud thuds. Before Qin Yan could speak, another figure emerged from the courtyard gate, likely having heard Song Li's pleas. The man immediately knelt and bowed upon seeing Qin Yan. "This humble official Jiang Yuanzhou pays his respects to the Crown Prince and Ninth Miss..."

Qin Yan raised an eyebrow, a flicker of realization in his eyes. "Magistrate Jiang has arrived."

Jiang Yuanzhou was Song Li's superior, the county magistrate of Ji County. His appearance was more refined than Song Li's, and though dressed in official robes, he exuded a dissipated air of indulgence. His narrow eyes gleamed with cunning, and Qin Guan could tell at a glance that this man's character was somewhat unscrupulous.

"This humble official only learned later that Your Highness was residing in the Herb Garden. Had I known sooner, I would have come at once. It is entirely my fault that Your Highness and the young ladies suffered any inconvenience."

Qin Yan listened with detached amusement. Seeing no reaction from him, Jiang Yuanzhou added, "Having been away from the capital for many years, I wonder if the Marquis and his lady are in good health?"

Qin Yan smirked coldly. "Magistrate Jiang has flourished as the magistrate of Ji County, truly bringing honor to the Marquis. And your judgment in employing talent is impeccable—Constable Song here is the very picture of diligence and deference..."

A thin layer of sweat formed on Jiang Yuanzhou's brow. "Your Highness, please calm your anger. Constable Song has indeed been remiss. This humble official will deal with him upon our return."

Song Li, still kneeling nearby, immediately scrambled toward Qin Yan, attempting to clutch his leg. "Your Highness, Your Highness, this lowly one knows—"

Before he could finish the word "knows," a guard from Qin Manor stepped forward and kicked him away. Qin Yan cast a cold glance at Jiang Yuanzhou and Song Li, deciding not to engage further. He glanced at Qin Guan and turned to enter the courtyard, with Qin Guan following closely behind.

Once inside, the faint sounds of Jiang Yuanzhou's scolding and Song Li's tearful pleas could still be heard. Qin Yan remarked, "This Jiang Yuanzhou was once one of Father's protégés. In earlier years, he seemed quite promising, but now he's become utterly disgraceful. No doubt, after arriving in Ji County, he discovered the perks of being a petty local tyrant and lost all ambition."

Qin Guan nodded silently to herself. These were matters she couldn't casually interject into.

"Your Highness, Ninth Miss—"

After walking a few more steps inward, Bai Feng, who had been standing outside the main door, hurried forward to greet them. As he approached, he added, "Prefect He is still inside speaking with His Highness. Your Highness and Ninth Miss may proceed directly inside."

"Prefect He Zhixing of Yuanzhou," Qin Yan murmured with a nod, clearly addressing Qin Guan. She nodded in response but remained silent.

"Master, the Marquis's heir and Ninth Miss have arrived."Bai Feng walked to the door and announced their arrival. Qin Guan immediately heard a middle-aged man's hearty laughter from inside. "Since the Crown Prince of the Marquis's household has arrived, this humble official should take his leave, lest I disturb Your Highness's reception of guests."

The voice was warm and pleasant, exuding a kind of shrewd openness honed in official circles, much like Huo Huaixin's. Qin Guan and Qin Yan paused briefly at the door before seeing a middle-aged man in official robes emerge. Yan Chi followed two steps behind to see him off before stopping. His gaze fell on Qin Guan.

"Magistrate He—"

Qin Yan was the first to cup his hands in greeting. He Zhixing hurriedly lifted his robe to return the courtesy. "Crown Prince, it has been a long time."

"Indeed, two years. I didn’t expect our reunion to be under such circumstances."

He Zhixing laughed heartily, his eyes shifting to Qin Guan. "And this must be… the Ninth Miss of your household?"

Qin Guan curtsied. "Magistrate He."

He Zhixing also cupped his hands toward her. "Ninth Miss, you honor me too much. This incident has caused you distress, and it has also alarmed the Crown Prince. For such a matter to occur within my jurisdiction is due to my inadequate governance."

Qin Yan smiled gently. "Yuanzhou is vast. Even if Magistrate He had three heads and six arms, he couldn’t guarantee nothing would go wrong. It’s merely our misfortune to have encountered this. There’s no need for self-reproach. The case will still require your careful handling."

"Please rest assured, Crown Prince. I will ensure everything is properly settled."

With that, He Zhixing cupped his hands again. "Since the Crown Prince and Ninth Miss are here to visit His Highness, I won’t intrude further. I take my leave."

Qin Yan nodded and stepped aside, Qin Guan doing the same. He Zhixing turned to bow once more to Yan Chi before striding out. Once he was gone, Qin Yan smiled and saluted Yan Chi with clasped hands. "Your Highness—"

Qin Guan also curtsied beside him. Yan Chi looked at them both and raised a hand. "No need for formalities. Come inside."

Qin Yan straightened and stepped forward. "Your Highness saved my Ninth Sister yesterday. As her elder brother, I haven’t yet expressed my gratitude. I had intended to visit last night, but Magistrate He and his party arrived, so I thought it best not to disturb."

A faint smile lingered on Yan Chi’s lips as he gestured to the chairs nearby. "No thanks are necessary. I promised the Grand Princess in Jinzhou that I would look after Ninth Miss. If I failed in that duty, the Grand Princess would surely hold me accountable."

Yan Chi took his seat in the host’s position, Qin Yan sat to his left, and Qin Guan took the chair beside Qin Yan.

"The Grand Princess’s affection for Ninth Sister is truly her good fortune—"

Bai Feng entered to serve tea before standing behind Yan Chi. Yan Chi nodded. "Ninth Miss has a gentle nature. It’s only natural she is well-loved. The Marquis and his wife treat her as their own daughter."

Qin Guan kept her eyes slightly lowered, remaining silent. Qin Yan glanced at her and chuckled. "I’ve heard of this. The Marquis and his wife have already adopted Ninth Sister as their daughter. With my second uncle and aunt having passed away years ago, it’s wonderful for her to receive their care. It’s a pity I wasn’t in Jinzhou these past years, or I could have spared her some hardship."

Yan Chi listened without comment. "From now on, Ninth Miss will return to the capital. The Crown Prince will have every opportunity to show his devotion.""Of course," Qin Yan agreed, then smoothly shifted the topic. "Had we known the Crown Prince was also coming to Yuanzhou, we could have traveled together and avoided the heavy snowfall these past two days."

Upon hearing this, Qin Guan sensed something unusual.

Qin Yan would never willingly suggest traveling with Yan Chi. His words were clearly a probe into Yan Chi's purpose for this trip.

Yan Chi, who had just picked up a teacup from the side table, curved his lips slightly. "Originally, I wasn’t planning to come. The Crown Prince likely doesn’t know, but His Majesty has bestowed upon me the title of Judicial Commissioner. I was delayed in Jinzhou and initially intended to return to the capital as soon as possible. However, upon reaching Yuanzhou, I heard Han Kaiyang was here..."

He paused briefly before continuing in a casual tone, "Han Kaiyang is an old subordinate of my father’s, and we share some camaraderie. If I didn’t see him this time, who knows when we’d meet again? So, I made a trip to the Yuanzhou military camp."

It was true that Han Kaiyang had come from the Northwest Frontier Army and was an old subordinate of Prince Rui. Qin Yan was aware of this, but what he didn’t know was Yan Chi’s true motive for coming. He had expected Yan Chi to offer a plausible excuse, but instead, Yan Chi was straightforward about visiting an old comrade. This left Qin Yan with little room to probe further.

"I see. No wonder the Crown Prince brought General Han along."

Qin Yan’s smile was perfectly measured, his bright eyes fixed on Yan Chi.

Yan Chi had joined the military at a young age and rarely returned to the capital, so he wasn’t familiar with the likes of Qin Yan, who thrived in the capital’s aristocratic circles. Now, sitting face-to-face with Yan Chi, Qin Yan found the situation unexpectedly challenging.

Though he was one of the capital’s elite young men, Qin Yan was no frivolous fool. He prided himself on his ability to read people, yet Yan Chi remained inscrutable, revealing nothing.

"When I received the news, General Han was quite enthusiastic. Since there was nothing urgent, he decided to accompany me. We arrived even faster than the officials from Jixian County. With it being deep winter, General Han was concerned about the troops growing lax."

Qin Yan’s lips curved slightly. "That’s good. It would be unfortunate if this delayed any military matters. What are your plans next, Your Highness? Will you return to the capital immediately or stay in Yuanzhou for a while?"

Yan Chi took a sip of tea. "That remains undecided for now. What about your party?"

Qin Yan glanced at Qin Guan. "We plan to depart early tomorrow morning. We’ve already delayed too long here. Originally, our family expected us back by the start of the twelfth month, but now that seems unlikely."

Yan Chi gave a noncommittal hum. "In that case, it’s best to set off soon."

Hearing this, Qin Guan’s heart sank slightly. Did Yan Chi mean he wouldn’t be traveling with them?

Qin Yan smiled. "Do you have other matters, Your Highness? With the year-end approaching, there are many affairs both in and out of the palace. His Majesty is likely awaiting your return to the capital. By my count, you’ve been away for over three months now."

Yan Chi’s lips curved. "With the Crown Prince newly appointed this year, there are naturally more matters than usual. However, since I rarely return to the capital, His Majesty probably won’t assign me any duties. As for the Crown Prince, I imagine the Marquis is eagerly awaiting his return."Qin Guan looked at Yan Chi, sensing a deeper meaning behind his words. Qin Yan also smiled and said, "Father isn't in any particular hurry, but Mother can't wait to meet the three younger sisters. She dotes on daughters, yet our manor only has one girl—my sister. Now that three more are coming, she's been counting the days."

Qin Guan inwardly shook her head. If that were truly the case, why had they sent Ninth Miss to Jinzhou in the first place?

"No wonder all three young ladies of Qin Manor are being brought to the capital. The Grand Princess was worried Ninth Miss might find it hard to adjust upon returning to the capital, but it seems Madam will surely cherish her just as the Grand Princess does."

Yan Chi steered the conversation back to Qin Guan, though for some reason, she felt his tone carried a certain weight.

Qin Yan immediately responded, "Naturally. Mother speaks of Ninth Sister most often. These past years with her in Jinzhou, Mother has practically been lovesick..."

Yan Chi smirked faintly. "With so many young ladies suddenly joining the household, Madam will certainly have her hands full."

"Busy or not, it's only right. Not only is this the duty of the main branch, but given how delightful the sisters are, Mother will naturally make proper arrangements for them."

Yan Chi's smile deepened. "Has Madam already begun planning for Ninth Miss's future, then?"

Qin Yan shook his head. "That I don't know, but Mother surely has her plans."

Yan Chi leaned back, lightly tapping the armrest of his chair. "That would ease another of the Grand Princess's concerns. She entrusted me with many instructions before her departure, but given my position, there are limits to what I can do. With Madam and the heir overseeing matters, I can rest assured."

Pausing briefly, Yan Chi shifted the topic. "With the Marquis now overseeing the Ministry of Personnel, might Jiang Yuanzhou be promoted this year?"

At the mention of Jiang Yuanzhou, Qin Yan scoffed. "Certainly not. Though he was once Father's student, he was never among the most favored. These past years, he's been utterly disgraceful. If his governance had been exemplary, perhaps, but as things stand, he should count himself lucky not to be charged with dereliction of duty."

Yan Chi nodded. "The heir truly embodies the Marquis's teachings. The Marquis has always been upright and just. With him at the helm, the court will surely see three years of prosperous governance. If he can recognize and elevate capable officials from humble backgrounds, it would be a great service to the realm."

This praise brought a broader smile to Qin Yan's face. Feeling a stir within, he glanced at the Go board placed on the table by the window. "Your Highness has such a set here. Would you care for a game?"

After sitting and chatting over tea for so long, the conversation had grown somewhat dull. Seeing the board already half-covered with black and white stones, Qin Yan decided to invite Yan Chi to a match. Yan Chi smiled. "Why not? After you—"

The two had spoken at length, touching on topics ranging from the Grand Princess to court affairs—subjects Qin Guan found difficult to interject upon. She had remained silent the entire time. Now, as they prepared to play Go, though the surface was amiable, Qin Guan couldn't shake the feeling that something peculiar lingered between them.

"The heir shall make the first move—"

"In that case, I won't stand on ceremony."

Qin Yan took black and made the opening move, his strategy as steady and well-rounded as his personality. Yan Chi, playing white, responded unhurriedly, yet Qin Yan remained wary, cautious of any sudden, hidden maneuvers."Once Your Highness returns to the capital, it will be the New Year. What are your plans for the coming year? Will you return to the Northwest Frontier Army or remain in the capital for an official post? From His Majesty's recent hints, it seems he wishes for you to stay."

Indeed, political discussions often arose during their chess games, and the black and white pieces in their hands soon transformed into the undercurrents of court affairs. Gradually, their moves slowed, and the interwoven black and white on the board mirrored the unpredictable and complex situation within the imperial capital of the Great Zhou Empire.

"After so many years of war, I’ve grown somewhat weary. Upon returning to the capital, I’ll follow His Majesty’s will. If he orders me back, I’ll naturally go. If he wishes me to stay in the capital, that would be acceptable as well."

Qin Yan placed a piece on the board. "And what of Prince Rui’s opinion? After all, Your Highness is the one destined to take command of the Northwest Frontier Army."

Yan Chi smiled faintly. "My father has never interfered with my decisions. Now that he’s grown older, his views increasingly differ from mine. In this regard, I’d prefer to stay in the capital for stability."

Qin Yan’s gaze flickered slightly. Prince Rui, Yan Lin, had also joined the military in his youth and later achieved great military exploits. Among the various princes of Qin, he wielded the most power. Yan Chi had followed in his father’s footsteps, and the 100,000-strong Northwest Frontier Army was firmly under the control of the father and son. Yet, both inside and outside the palace, it was well known that their relationship seemed strained.

"Staying in the capital may be for the best. With the Crown Prince recently appointed and the earlier incident still fresh, the court is in need of capable individuals. His Majesty’s decision to grant Your Highness the position of Judicial Commissioner likely hints at his intentions."

Since Qin Guan was present, Qin Yan first spoke a few words about her to establish rapport with Yan Chi. By now, his tone carried a note of trust. Court politics were not to be discussed lightly, and Qin Yan’s manner of speaking as though he were advising Yan Chi for his own good might have moved an ordinary person.

Yan Chi placed another piece. "Does the Marquis truly mean what he says?"

Qin Yan nodded earnestly. "Of course. The rivalries among the princes are no secret, but now that the Crown Prince has been appointed, the situation is settled. From what my father has said, though His Highness has taken residence in the Eastern Palace, he remains somewhat cautious. Moreover, the Crown Prince has a genuine desire to stabilize the nation, so naturally, he hopes for as many capable officials in court as possible."

Lowering his voice slightly, Qin Yan added, "The Crown Prince is eager for talent. He personally sent envoys to Yizhou, and the Bai family has already agreed. After the New Year, they will send an elder to the capital to instruct His Highness."

"Such humility—no wonder His Majesty appointed him Crown Prince." Yan Chi chuckled. "Though we grew up together in childhood, my years away from the capital have distanced me from my royal cousins. After returning, I should make an effort to reconnect with them."

Yan Chi spoke as if it were the most natural thing, and Qin Yan seemed to agree. "Your Highness and the Crown Prince, along with the other princes, are cousins. No matter how distant you’ve grown, the bond of kinship remains. I cannot speak for the other princes, but the Crown Prince often speaks fondly of the various princes’ heirs. In these turbulent times within and outside the palace, childhood cousins are the most reliable."The two of them played chess while Qin Guan took over Bai Feng's task of occasionally refilling their tea. Seeing Yan Chi's eloquent yet unassuming demeanor, Qin Guan had initially thought he was merely humoring Qin Yan. But as the conversation progressed, she was inwardly startled.

Qin Yan possessed a temperament beyond ordinary men. At first, both spoke in veiled terms, their meanings unclear. Yet now, it was Qin Yan alone who laid bare his thoughts. Every word seemed spoken for Yan Chi's benefit, yet they unmistakably favored the Crown Prince. Yan Chi, meanwhile, remained unhurried, as if discussing trivial household matters.

Qin Guan's hand grew heavy as she poured tea. So the Loyal Marquis Manor had already sided with the Crown Prince.

Qin Yan's intention in bringing her along was likely to probe Yan Chi's future plans. Whether Yan Chi remained at court or departed for the Northwest Frontier Army, securing his allegiance would grant the Crown Prince an absolute advantage.

Yan Chi had returned to the capital earlier but left immediately for Jinzhou, likely leaving the Crown Prince no opportunity to extend goodwill. Now, Qin Yan was probably acting as the vanguard under the Marquis Manor's directive—yet in his carelessness, he had been led by the nose by Yan Chi.

"Your words have set my mind at ease, Young Master. I feared the Crown Prince, now in his lofty position, might disdain dealings with a rough military man like myself." Yan Chi placed another piece, his tone genuinely relieved.

Qin Yan exhaled as he observed Yan Chi's moves. The world called Yan Chi the Demon King, and his conduct in the Northwest Frontier Army was notorious. Yet today, judging by his chess strategy, Yan Chi seemed devoid of sharp edges. Did this mean he had taken Qin Yan's words to heart? The thought brightened Qin Yan's smile. "Naturally. When Your Highness meets the Crown Prince upon his return to the capital, you'll understand."

Having said this, Qin Yan felt his task complete and ceased probing, focusing instead on the game. Raised meticulously by Qin Shu, he excelled in manipulation and strategy—his chess skills were no exception. As he concentrated, Yan Chi fell silent. The match lasted another twenty or thirty moves before concluding.

"A narrow victory by a single piece. Young Master's skill is truly remarkable. Had I faltered slightly, I would have lost."

Yan Chi tossed down his final white piece, his tone tinged with regret. Qin Yan froze, his face warming as a faint sweat broke out. After a long pause, he exhaled slowly. "Your Highness has won. Your skill is extraordinary!"

Qin Yan usually played against Zhou Huai and other young nobles—even Zhou Huai rarely defeated him. Yet Yan Chi had won, albeit by a single piece. The shock unsettled Qin Yan's recently calmed mind. Though Yan Chi showed no trace of his infamous sharpness, his composed demeanor left Qin Yan unnerved and uneasy.The world knew that Yan Chi had joined the army and fought on the battlefield since childhood. Some called him the Demon King, others hailed him as the invincible God of War, while there were those who dismissed him as a reckless brute who knew only battle. Qin Yan, on the other hand, had been meticulously groomed in the marquis's household since youth. But who in the Northwest Frontier Army could have taught Yan Chi such refinement? While Qin Yan had no doubt about Yan Chi's divine prowess in conquering cities and seizing territories, in other aspects—whether compared to Qin Yan, raised in the marquis's household, or to the crown prince and several imperial princes nurtured in the depths of the palace—he had assumed that Yan Chi, having spent so long on the battlefield, would be rougher and more bloodstained, unable to surpass them in the subtle art of chess. Yet now, it seemed this was not the case...

"A narrow victory, that's all. If there's a next time, the outcome may not be the same."

Yan Chi's words carried not a hint of arrogance, yet neither did they hold any joy, as if this "narrow victory" had cost him no effort at all.

Qin Yan's heart was a tangle of emotions. Just as he was about to speak, Bai Feng entered from outside. "Your Highness, a letter has arrived."

"Oh?" Yan Chi was slightly surprised. "Why was it delivered here?"

Bai Feng's expression turned grave. "It's an imperial decree from His Majesty. After several relays, our people delivered it urgently."

An imperial decree from His Majesty... Upon hearing this, Qin Yan's face also changed. He stood up, his expression serious.

Yan Chi remained seated, taking the letter and opening it in front of Qin Yan. His eyes quickly scanned the contents, and soon, a bitter smile appeared on his face. "His Majesty truly... treats me like an errand boy."

Qin Guan looked at Yan Chi, as did Qin Yan. Yan Chi folded the letter and said, "The first day of the twelfth month marks the fiftieth birthday of Uncle Prince Yu. Knowing I'm still on the road, His Majesty has ordered me to make a trip to Yuzhou."

Qin Yan was momentarily surprised. "Yuzhou... That means Your Highness will have to detour northwest from here."

Yan Chi nodded. "Indeed. His Majesty always enjoys sending someone like me, burdened with bloodshed, to congratulate others on their joyous occasions. He certainly has a unique way of thinking. But it's been years since I last saw Uncle Prince Yu, and this is a milestone birthday. The trip is worth making."

After a pause, Yan Chi glanced at Qin Guan and Qin Yan. "In that case, we'll part ways tomorrow."

Qin Guan clenched her delicate fists slightly, though her expression remained composed. Qin Yan said, "Your Highness attending Prince Yu's birthday celebration is a good thing. We'll catch up again in the capital. As for Ninth Miss, there's no need to worry—the road ahead will be much smoother."

Yan Chi nodded and instructed Bai Feng, "Go and make the necessary preparations. We'll set off for Yuzhou first thing tomorrow morning."

Bai Feng promptly acknowledged the order. Seeing this, Qin Yan didn't linger and, after a few more words, took his leave with Qin Guan.

As they left Yan Chi's courtyard, Qin Yan remarked, "Prince Yu is the eldest son of the late emperor, born while His Majesty was still a prince. However, his mother was of low status, so he was enfeoffed early and sent to his territory in Yuzhou. From here, heading northwest without passing through Yuanzhou City, it would take three to five days. It's strange—His Majesty seems to enjoy having His Highness deliver congratulations on his behalf."

Qin Guan, of course, knew where Yuzhou was. Not only that, her father had once served as an official there when she was just seven or eight years old—a time she remembered as one of the most peaceful periods of her life. The mention of Yuzhou brought back those memories.

Now that Yan Chi was going to Yuzhou, their paths would truly diverge, leaving Qin Guan with an inexplicable sense of disappointment.

"Ninth Miss—Ninth Miss, please wait—"

As the siblings walked, Bai Feng's voice suddenly called out from behind.

Qin Guan and Qin Yan stopped and turned to see Bai Feng hurrying toward them. "Ninth Miss, a letter has arrived from the Marquis's residence—one addressed to you. His Highness requests your presence to retrieve it. There's also something Grand Princess wishes to give you."

Qin Yan raised an eyebrow, slightly surprised by Grand Princess's concern for Qin Guan. "Go ahead," he said. "I'll return first to oversee the packing. We still need to head to Changfu Inn tomorrow."

Qin Guan nodded and turned back toward Yan Chi's courtyard.

Bai Feng escorted her to the main gate but did not enter. Qin Guan stepped inside alone, only to find the outer chamber empty—Yan Chi was nowhere in sight. Her gaze drifted toward the inner chamber's entrance, and she walked over. As she glanced around, her eyes fell upon the Go board by the window. The black and white pieces had already been set, but now it seemed an extra piece had been placed. Qin Guan approached and looked closely—her heart skipped a beat.

Yan Chi had made another move. And with just that one move, Qin Yan's defeat had become overwhelming...

She fell silent for a moment, then turned and entered the inner chamber."Did you see it?" Yan Chi's voice rang out as soon as she entered the door. He stood by the window, gazing at the somewhat gloomy sky outside, then turned around. "The letter from the Grand Princess..."

Qin Guan was taken aback, then immediately stepped forward in delight. When Bai Feng had mentioned it earlier, she had thought it was just an excuse Yan Chi had made up, but to her surprise, there really was a letter. Qin Guan eagerly took it and opened it right in front of Yan Chi.

The letter bore Yue Ning's handwriting. It began with greetings, followed by a few amusing anecdotes about the marquis's household. Toward the end, Yue Ning also mentioned Qin Manor, briefly noting that Yao Xinlan had already left Jinzhou and returned to Jianzhou. Qin Guan read carefully, unable to suppress a smile.

"What does it say?" Yan Chi asked leisurely.

"It says the Grand Princess is in good health, and that Eldest Brother's Wife has left Qin Manor and returned to Jianzhou."

Qin Guan looked up, her eyes clear and bright. Yan Chi felt a stir in his heart. He stepped closer, one hand wrapping around her waist while the other cupped her face. "Feeling reassured now?"

Qin Guan nodded. "Reassured."

Yan Chi pinched her cheek lightly. "You heard everything earlier, didn't you?"

Qin Guan fell silent for a moment. She knew what he was referring to. "I heard it."

Yan Chi gazed at her and sighed softly. "And you understand your third brother's intentions now?"

She nodded again, meeting his gaze directly. "I understand."

Yan Chi frowned slightly, as if he didn’t quite know what to do with her. "I’ll be leaving early tomorrow morning."

Qin Guan blinked, then slowly raised her hand to rest on his waist. "Yuzhou isn’t far. After the birthday celebrations, it’ll only take ten more days to return to the capital. We’ll definitely make it back before the New Year."

Yan Chi tightened his grip on her waist. "The words you said to Bai Feng earlier were probably just empty talk!"

Qin Guan almost laughed at this. "How could they be? They came from the heart. It’s just a pity Your Highness is so busy with official matters..."

"Your Highness, Your Highness—still calling me that?!"

Suddenly, Yan Chi lifted Qin Guan into his arms. Her slender frame seemed as light as a willow branch to him, requiring no effort at all. He carried her over and set her down on the long table by the window.

Now seated higher, her gaze was level with his. The sudden movement had also brought a faint blush to her cheeks.

Though her face warmed, her words remained unchanged. "If not Your Highness, then what should I call you? Wouldn’t it be disrespectful to address you by name?"

Yan Chi leaned even closer, his voice dropping to a murmur. "I permit you to be disrespectful—"

His warm breath brushed against her face, and his voice, low and enticing, sent shivers down her spine. Qin Guan’s heart softened. Staring into his eyes, so close now, she finally whispered, "Yan Chi..."

Yan Chi immediately closed the distance between them, capturing her lips in a kiss. He held her tightly, pressing her close. Qin Guan’s knees bumped against his waist, and instinctively, she parted her legs slightly. Seizing the opportunity, Yan Chi pulled her even closer, stepping between her thighs. Qin Guan’s arms around him trembled weakly, her breath growing uneven.

Behind her, the bright daylight streamed in, making Yan Chi’s eyes—filled with cold stars—shine even more brilliantly. In contrast, her face was cast in shadow, the flush of emotion hidden in the dim light, lending an air of ambiguity. Yan Chi’s hands roamed over her, leaving her limbs weak and pliant. After a long while, Qin Guan finally pushed him away, panting.

"From now on, always call me by my name."Yan Chi spoke with a fire burning in his eyes that seemed to scorch Qin Guan's heart, making it tremble uncontrollably.

She pressed her lips together, feeling them moist and slightly numb. It took a long while for her breathing to steady even slightly. "I know," she managed.

Yan Chi's hand began to drift lower, as if he wanted her to lean into him completely. But just as his fingers brushed a place they shouldn't, Qin Guan firmly caught his wrist. Her lips glistened, and her eyes were damp, as if washed with water. She held Yan Chi's hand firmly, glaring at him with a mix of reproach and anger.

Yan Chi stared into her eyes. "You don't know how you make me..."

Qin Guan didn’t know what he was about to say, but she didn’t want his hands to misbehave, nor did she want their posture to become any more intimate. The fire in Yan Chi's eyes burned fiercer, and after glaring at her for a long moment, he finally buried his face in the crook of her neck.

"...make me suffer so much holding back!"

His words, hot and urgent, brushed against her ear. Just that one sentence made Qin Guan feel as if her entire body had burst into flames. As a physician, she naturally understood the matters between men and women. What Yan Chi meant was that he... Qin Guan didn’t dare move a muscle as he held her, feeling his ragged breaths gradually calm.

Her spine stiffened slightly, yet her body also grew warm. Yan Chi gently stroked her back, his voice softening. "Did I scare you?"

Qin Guan instinctively shook her head, though in her heart, she nodded.

To her, confessing their feelings was simply about love and affection. But Yan Chi's words seemed to touch upon something else—something that made young women blush and men hesitate to speak of openly. It was the most intimate, the most tantalizing of matters. She hadn’t expected Yan Chi to say such things to her so plainly...

Sensing her tension and daze, Yan Chi sighed. "Desire born from love—what’s wrong with that?"

Qin Guan felt as if steam might rise from her head. Instinctively, she tried to push him away. "No—"

Even in her flustered embarrassment, her words were firm and resolute.

Yan Chi quickly pulled her back into his arms, chuckling wryly. "I know, I know. What are you thinking? Did you really think I would...? I just wanted you to know how much I’m suffering. If one day you permit me to send someone to the Marquis’s residence, I’d be overjoyed."

Qin Guan was both annoyed and helpless, but her tone remained serious, refusing to give him any promises. "Your Highness has extraordinary self-control. Such... trivial matters surely mean nothing to you."

Yan Chi gritted his teeth. "You’re truly heartless. You’re a physician—don’t you know this could lead to health problems?"

Qin Guan huffed. "If there are problems, I can treat them..."

Yan Chi was both exasperated and unable to argue. Seeing that it was getting late outside, he held her close again, nuzzling against her. Yet this only made the restless fire in his heart burn even hotter.

When Qin Guan finally stepped out of the room, her composure regained, Yan Chi’s frustration only intensified.

Qin Guan hurried through the courtyard gate, her face flushed. Fuling, who had been waiting, studied her expression for a long moment before asking, "Miss, why is your face so red? Are you feeling unwell?"

Qin Guan coughed lightly. "It must be the chill I caught yesterday."

"Then you must take medicine right away. We’ll be setting off soon—we can’t have you falling seriously ill on the road."

Fuling was full of concern. Qin Guan clenched her teeth and agreed. If it weren’t for the fact that they would soon be parting ways, she would never have indulged Yan Chi like this...Fuming inwardly, Qin Guan hadn't even reached her courtyard gate when she spotted Qin Shuang coming to meet her. "Ninth Sister, why are you so slow? Third Brother just received a letter from the capital and summoned us to his quarters."

Suppressing her thoughts, Qin Guan followed Qin Shuang to Qin Yan's courtyard.

Upon entering the main hall, she saw Qin Yan wearing a complicated, bitter smile. The moment he noticed Qin Guan's arrival, he said, "Ninth Sister, it seems we'll have to travel with the Crown Prince after all..."

Qin Guan was startled. "Travel together?"

Qin Yan tapped the envelope on the table. "Father wrote that Prince Yu's birthday celebration will have many attendees, and our Qin family is among the invited. Since it's not far from our route anyway, he instructed me to bring you both along."