Coroner's Diary

Han Bo chuckled, "The guest has been waiting for an hour."

Qin Guan stared at Yan Chi for a long moment before finally collecting herself. She nodded and walked in slowly. Baiying remained outside, closing the door behind them. Inside, Qin Guan gradually approached Yan Chi. "Why have you come here?"

Yan Chi stood by the window, seemingly lost in thought moments before. At her words, the corners of his lips lifted slightly. "I knew you would surely come here."

Qin Guan's eyes widened a fraction. "Why?"

She moved to Yan Chi's side, her gaze clear and bright. Yan Chi raised his hand to brush against her cheek, his fingers grazing her skin and feeling its icy coldness. "You seemed displeased at the banquet, so I guessed you would come here."

The room wasn't particularly warm. The embers in the brazier in the corner flickered dimly—it was time to add more charcoal. Yan Chi took Qin Guan's hands and pulled her a step closer, but she kept her eyes fixed on him.

This man before her was undoubtedly a pillar of strength, one who commanded thousands of troops, yet he could perceive her unhappiness at the banquet and had come here without a word, waiting for a full hour.

Qin Guan studied Yan Chi's features intently, then thought of the quietly quelled turmoil. Her heart softened, and she suddenly leaned forward to embrace him. Yan Chi was momentarily taken aback before smiling. "What's wrong?"

Qin Guan's nature was inherently aloof and resilient, no less so than any man's, and she rarely initiated such intimate gestures. Though his tone was light, Yan Chi knew something must be weighing on her mind.

Burying her face in his chest, Qin Guan shook her head silently.

Yan Chi didn't press further, only gently stroking her back.

The tender gesture stirred her emotions even more, yet the words stuck in her throat—she couldn't utter them, nor did she know how. Yan Chi seemed to sense her turmoil and didn't rush her. After a long pause, Qin Guan whispered, "I once told you... I have an unfulfilled wish..."

Yan Chi nodded. "I remember. You mentioned it back at Cloud Mist Mountain."

She had spoken those words when she first confessed her feelings to him. At the time, he had wanted to inquire further, but it was clear Qin Guan's wish was no ordinary matter—not something she could lightly share. After a moment of silence, she continued, "Back then, I said you must have already formed some judgment in your heart. Yet, you truly don't know what my wish is."

Naturally, Yan Chi didn't know. But after returning to the capital for some time, he had gradually sensed that Qin Guan's wish was far more unspeakable than he had imagined. Still, he had no clue what it might be.

Was it some hidden truth within the Marquis' household? Or was it related to her parents' deaths?

"If you're unwilling to speak of it, I would never force you," Yan Chi reassured her.

Qin Guan shook her head again. She withdrew from his embrace, the clarity in her eyes replaced by a profound darkness. Yan Chi saw it clearly—within her gaze lay sorrow, anger, and even hatred.

A flicker of surprise stirred in Yan Chi's heart. Qin Guan's voice was slightly hoarse as she said, "This wish truly cannot be spoken of. But now I must tell you—what I intend to do... is something that will shake the heavens and earth."Qin Guan spoke each word with excruciating slowness, yet with unwavering determination. Yan Chi saw the sharp glint in her eyes, forcibly restrained—those once clear spring-like orbs had now transformed into pools of icy darkness, cold and profound. A faint shimmer of tears glistened at the corners of her eyes, as though she were suppressing immense anguish. Yan Chi felt his very soul tremble. "What exactly is the matter?"

Earth-shattering! Qin Guan had used the words "earth-shattering"!

She couldn’t possibly be joking. Her meaning was clear—this matter might challenge the authority of the imperial family!

What could possibly escalate to the point of challenging the imperial family’s dignity?!

Qin Guan still shook her head. "I only wish to tell you that what I must do is as difficult as scaling the heavens and may lead me to eternal ruin. Though our relationship remains hidden for now, it will inevitably come to light someday. If I make any misstep, it will surely implicate you—"

Yan Chi opened his mouth to speak, but Qin Guan stopped him, continuing, "Not just simple implication. It might endanger the entire royal residence, perhaps even bring fatal disaster upon you and Prince Rui’s household."

The more Qin Guan spoke, the heavier the weight of this matter became. Aside from rebellion, Yan Chi couldn’t fathom what could be so severe. Yet how could Qin Guan be involved in such affairs?!

As these thoughts crossed his mind, understanding dawned on Yan Chi. No wonder—no wonder Qin Guan didn’t want their relationship revealed to the world. No wonder she had been explicit from the very beginning. Her aspiration wasn’t some trivial matter of a boudoir maiden, nor was it related to backdoor intrigues. What she intended to do was extremely perilous—it was opposition to the imperial family. Yan Chi recalled her question in the carriage that day: if a task were as difficult as scaling the heavens, what should one do? At the time, he hadn’t realized her wish was a matter of life and death.

"Wanwan, if you refuse to speak of it, does that mean you don’t want my assistance? By only emphasizing the danger, are you afraid of implicating me?" Yan Chi gripped Qin Guan’s arm, holding it so tightly it caused her slight pain.

Qin Guan pressed her lips together, momentarily speechless. If her father’s case had only involved court officials, she wouldn’t have feared. But it implicated a favored consort of the Inner Palace and a reigning prince. One could imagine the royal strife and secrets involved. Given this, how could she calmly drag Yan Chi into this turmoil? She had countless ways to leverage Yan Chi’s influence, but how would that differ from mere exploitation?

"Yes, I am afraid." Qin Guan looked at Yan Chi as if she had resolved herself. "Because I never imagined I would meet you in Jinzhou, nor that I would develop feelings for you. Originally, I was determined to focus solely on another matter—"

She was determined to seek justice and avenge her father—the most crucial purpose of her return from death. She had already steeled her resolve, but then she encountered Yan Chi. This stirring of emotions was something she had never experienced before, and remarkably, Yan Chi had also grown fond of her.

"That matter is something I must accomplish. Today’s events made me realize that both of us have moments when we are constrained by circumstances. I had thought to consider our relationship only after fulfilling my wish, but I fear unforeseen changes. So I want to tell you: what I must do may, at best, provoke the imperial family’s wrath, and at worst, bring about fatal disaster. If you have any reservations—"

"Why should I have any reservations?!" Yan Chi cut her off. "Do you think me a coward who fears death?"

Qin Guan shook her head. "Of course not—"

Yan Chi smiled decisively. "In that case, what is there to worry about?"Yan Chi raised his hand to gently wipe the corner of Qin Guan’s eye. Though her eyes clearly brimmed with tears, she never truly let them fall. Yet the sight of her like this made his heart ache unbearably. "Whatever you intend to do must be the right and necessary path. Since it is right, you should pursue it. No matter the hardships or dangers, I am here with you. What is there to fear?"

Hearing this, Qin Guan’s eyes grew even more moist. "But—"

"There are no 'buts,'" Yan Chi cut her off firmly. "What if it means risking our lives? Even if it comes to that—and it may not—I will never let the imperial blade touch us!"

Leaning closer, his voice lowered, carrying the grit and intensity of one who had fought his way from the battlefields of Shuoxi. How could he, a man tempered in war, fear the conspiracies of the court or the palace? Though he did not know the specifics of what Qin Guan referred to, he was certain it would challenge the imperial authority. And though he was a descendant of the Yan royal line, the so-called dignity of the throne meant little to him. The dark, sordid truths he had witnessed in his youth—the very things he had kept from Qin Guan out of disgust—did not mean he would blindly follow the currents of power, nor did they mean he feared that palace.

Qin Guan’s throat tightened slightly. Yan Chi stroked her cheek and smiled. "Do you trust me?"

Her eyes glistening, Qin Guan looked at him and nodded. Yan Chi’s smile deepened. "Good. Then remember my words today. If you do not wish to speak of your plans, so be it. If you wish to keep our relationship hidden from others, that is also fine. But there is one thing: you must not distrust me, nor fear implicating me. You are my beloved, the closest person in this world to me. Should we not share our deepest loyalties and face fortune or calamity together?" He pressed on urgently, "If one day I were condemned due to court factionalism, would you abandon me? If one day I pursued a path I believed in, no matter how perilous, would you fear the consequences and seek another match?"

"Of course not!" Qin Guan replied swiftly, her voice resolute and unwavering.

Yan Chi stared intently into her eyes. As she spoke those four words, her gaze shone with clarity, steadfast and certain. The shadows in her eyes melted away, as though she had resolved something within herself, and her entire being seemed to brighten.

Suddenly, Yan Chi leaned in and captured her lips in a fierce kiss.

Qin Guan closed her eyes, her arms encircling his waist as she tilted her head up, responding with tender initiative.

Yan Chi’s breath grew ragged. He wrapped his arms around her waist and lifted her, turning to set her down on a low cabinet by the window. His kiss deepened, plundering and conquering until her heart softened and she could no longer resist. Just then, his hand slid down to her calf, slipping beneath her skirt and moving upward. Qin Guan’s heart leaped, and she caught his hand at her thigh, breaking the kiss breathlessly.

Yan Chi’s throat worked rapidly, his desire evident, but Qin Guan whispered hoarsely, "I... I want to see the Lantern Festival lights..."Yan Chi paused his movements, then suddenly laughed and pulled her into an embrace. With a tone of reluctant resignation, he said, "I came looking for you today specifically to take you to the Lantern Festival—" Glancing down at Qin Guan's disheveled collar, he chuckled, "But this outfit of yours won't do."

By the time Yan Chi and Qin Guan stepped outside, dusk had begun to settle. Snowflakes still drifted down, yet the lanterns in the courtyard were already lit. As it was the Lantern Festival, Han Bo and Erbao had bought two lanterns to hang under the eaves, instantly adding warmth to the small courtyard. When they saw Qin Guan emerge dressed in men's clothing, both Han Bo and Erbao's eyes lit up with admiration.

Knowing Qin Guan was going out with Yan Chi, the two escorted them to the gate.

The Qin Manor coachman had been dismissed by Baiying, so Bai Feng now drove the carriage. With the siblings outside, Yan Chi and Qin Guan boarded the carriage together, and soon they were heading toward the Jade Belt River in the southwest of Lin'an City.

The Jade Belt River connected to the West Market, serving as the location for Lin'an's festive lantern markets. Qin Guan had visited once before. On this Lantern Festival night, the entire Jade Belt River and West Market were brilliantly illuminated, a scene of endless revelry. When the carriage reached about halfway through the West Market street, it could go no further, forcing Qin Guan and Yan Chi to continue on foot.

Dressed in men's clothing and draped in Yan Chi's black cape, Qin Guan's delicate aura was somewhat subdued. Standing beside Yan Chi, she resembled a lively, handsome young gentleman of fifteen or sixteen. Yan Chi, though not wearing a cape, had wide sleeves that concealed their joined hands as they navigated the crowd, making their connection unnoticeable.

Though still within the first lunar month and with snow falling from the sky, Lin'an's Lantern Festival attracted no small number of visitors. The West Market street teemed with crowds—from perfumed nobles to commoners in plain attire. Yan Chi led Qin Guan along the street's edge toward the Jade Belt River, but their progress grew increasingly slow. Vendors on both sides of the long street called out their wares, while lantern after lantern hung high, shimmering brilliantly.

Qin Guan's last visit to the lantern market had been two years prior, when her parents brought her along to enjoy the capital's festivities. Remembering this, she didn't succumb to her usual melancholy nostalgia. Instead, she glanced at Yan Chi beside her. Since her return from death, her heart had been filled with grief and hatred—how could she have imagined someone would accompany her to the Lantern Festival?

Ninth Miss was also parentless. Qin Guan had thought they were both ill-fated, yet neither had ended up utterly alone. Gazing at the snow-filled sky, she felt that if her parents knew from beyond the grave, they would be comforted. Although since her return from death, the Grand Princess had valued her, the Anyang Marquis and his wife had taken her as their adopted daughter, and Qin Shu and his wife in the capital had treated her well, Yan Chi was different after all.

"I'd long heard the capital's lantern festivities were spectacular, but I never imagined such crowds."

Looking ahead, the West Market street seemed endless. Qin Guan studied Yan Chi momentarily, noticing genuine surprise on his face, and allowed a faint smile to touch her lips. "You're often away—naturally, you wouldn't know." She added, "You grew up in the capital too. Didn't you ever come here as a child?"

If it were Yan Li, he'd likely be recounting every detail of this bustling scene with familiarity.Yan Chi shook his head. "I've never been here before. Since I can remember, Father has made me practice martial arts and train every day without a moment's slack. At most, I could rest for an hour or two on New Year's Day. The Lantern Festival is already the fifteenth of the first month—how could I possibly come out then? Besides, Father isn't the type to enjoy such things."

Yan Chi had lost his mother at a young age, and Prince Rui, being a grown man, likely had no interest in lantern festivals. If the princess consort were still here, everything would be different. Looking around, most of the people enjoying the lanterns were young ladies and married women from wealthy families.

Qin Guan tightened her grip on Yan Chi's hand and leaned closer. "If you're still in the capital this time next year, we can come here again." After thinking back to her previous visit, she pulled Yan Chi forward through the crowd. "I remember from last time, there's a place up ahead with magic tricks that's really fun..."

Earlier, Qin Guan had been somewhat downcast, but now her spirits lifted. Watching her small figure weaving through the crowd while leading him, Yan Chi felt both amused and exasperated. Being tall and broad-shouldered, it would be quite inconvenient for him to push ahead recklessly. With Qin Guan leading the way, they moved much more smoothly...

Though Qin Guan usually carried herself with elegant grace, she was not the least bit delicate. Now, caught up in the excitement, she moved as swiftly as a young gentleman. But soon, in a moment of carelessness, she bumped into a middle-aged woman who had cut in from the side.

The woman staggered from the impact. Qin Guan halted abruptly, releasing Yan Chi's hand to steady her while apologizing profusely. "I'm so sorry, so sorry! Are you alright? I was walking too fast, I truly apologize..."

The middle-aged woman was dressed modestly and accompanied by a young girl, likely her daughter out for a stroll together. When she straightened up and saw Qin Guan, she looked surprised. Though she had intended to scold her, the words died in her throat. Seeing Qin Guan's embarrassed and repeated apologies, she suddenly chuckled. "Which family's young master is this? Truly handsome."

She glanced at her daughter, a girl of about twelve or thirteen, who blushed instantly upon looking at Qin Guan. The woman grabbed Qin Guan's arm. "Young master, has your family arranged a marriage for you yet?"

Hearing this, Qin Guan's guilt turned to sheer awkwardness. Just as she was about to respond, a mountain of a figure blocked her path. Yan Chi shielded Qin Guan, glaring coldly at the woman. "My younger brother is already betrothed."

The woman looked at Yan Chi. Though she also found him handsome, she was intimidated by his imposing presence and dared not say another word. She immediately pulled her daughter away. "No need to be so fierce! Betrothed is betrothed..."

Qin Guan peeked out from behind Yan Chi and couldn't help but laugh in disbelief. Under the shimmering glow of the street lanterns, someone had actually mistaken her for a young gentleman and asked about her marital status. "They say the Lantern Festival is just like the Mid-Autumn Festival lantern viewings—many men and women use it as an opportunity to meet and fall in love. It seems that's really true..."

After saying this with a laugh, Qin Guan looked up to see Yan Chi frowning at her. Her eyes sparkled mischievously, and her smile widened. "You scared away my potential bride! What are we going to do about that?"

－－－－－－Author's Note－－－－－－

Recommended novel: "Sweet Wife, Honeyed Marriage: The Heart-Stealing God Who Won't Stop Flirting" / by I Love Mumu

[Mind-reading Iceberg Male vs. Delicate yet Cunning Female]

"Want it?"In the private pool, Gu Yicheng was bare-chested, his physique alluringly defined.

"I don't want to," Mu Nuannuan shook her head seriously, yet her mind had already conjured up an embarrassing poolside roleplay scenario.

"Since you've even prepared the script, I'll reluctantly act it out for you," the man said with a straight face, though a sly glint hid in his gaze.

"Damn, this guy is toxic!"

Water splashed everywhere as the man pounced, devouring her completely.

...