Today, Yan Chi had half of his ink-black hair tied up and was dressed in casual attire, wearing an Ink cloak embroidered with golden patterns. It accentuated his broad shoulders and long arms, making his imposing presence even more striking.
This was the first time Qin Guan had seen Yan Chi up close. She found him extraordinarily handsome, his eyes like a cold night scattered with stars—radiant and noble, yet chillingly intimidating, much like the short blade in his hand.
It was a blade not meant to be a weapon.
About three inches long, with an extremely short hilt carved with dragon motifs, its tip curved gracefully, as if a sliver of the crescent moon had been cut away. The scabbard was inlaid with multicolored gemstones, exuding opulence and nobility.
Though it appeared delicate, almost like a plaything, even through the scabbard, Qin Guan could sense a sharp, lethal aura.
Qin Guan met Yan Chi’s gaze and took the blade.
The scabbard still carried the warmth from Yan Chi’s palm. Facing his upright posture, Qin Guan felt her own spine soften slightly under that lingering heat.
The blade was slightly heavier than she had imagined. Drawing it in one swift motion, she narrowed her eyes.
The blade was forged from rare, refined steel, gleaming like a mirror, its edge cold and sharp. Most importantly, its design was exquisite and easy to wield, while the entire blade was as thin as a cicada’s wing, concealable in a sleeve or hairpin. Qin Guan was thoroughly satisfied.
“This is Cold Moon. Does it suit you?”
Qin Guan lifted her gaze to meet Yan Chi’s eyes once more. Her own eyes held a calmness like mist veiling a cold river.
“This blade will serve well. My thanks, Your Highness.”
Yan Chi looked past Qin Guan’s shoulder at the Grand Princess. His eyes narrowed slightly, realizing she was critically ill. His lips pressed into a firm line as he fixed his gaze on Qin Guan. “Are you confident?”
Qin Guan tightened her grip on Cold Moon and met Yan Chi’s deep, shadowed eyes.
His usually radiant, star-like eyes now resembled an abyss capable of swallowing one whole—stars fallen, darkness unending. Qin Guan felt her scalp prickle; even with her steely resolve, she nearly faltered under his gaze.
She hadn’t forgotten that the man before her was born of royalty, a Demon King who had achieved illustrious military feats from a young age.
He was no mere warrior skilled in tactics and conquest, nor was he the bright, smiling youth who stood before the Grand Princess. He moved between court and battlefield, wielding unparalleled power with his military achievements, toying with authority others could only dream of.
Beneath that noble, striking exterior, beneath that imposing and formidable frame, lay a mind of unfathomable cunning and peerless political acumen. This was Yan Chi.
Qin Guan’s grip on Cold Moon tightened. “As long as one person believes in me, I will not let them down.”
Yan Chi’s eyes narrowed further. The shadows in his gaze receded, and the brilliant stars rose once more from the depths of the abyss. He curved his lips. “Save my aunt, and this Cold Moon is yours.”
Qin Guan was taken aback, but Yan Chi turned away with a smile. “Marquis Yue, Brother Jia, let us wait outside.”
Yan Chi’s sudden arrival had caught everyone off guard. Only now did Yue Qiong and the others react. His offering of Cold Moon had resolved their urgent need. Hearing Qin Guan’s earlier words, Yue Qiong said, “We leave it to you,” before turning to leave.
Qin Guan quickly regained her composure. She glanced at Cold Moon, her expression as unyielding as stone.
The moment they stepped outside, Yue Qiong’s brow furrowed. Scanning the surroundings, he growled, “Where is Qing’er?! He drove Mother to this state—where has he run off to now?!”
Yue Jia’s eyes were bloodshot. “Father, don’t worry. We’ve already sent people to look for him.”Yue Qiong clenched his fists tightly. The critical illness of the Grand Princess weighed on his heart like a massive stone. His once robust and towering figure now seemed diminished, with strands of gray at his temples, aging him overnight.
"Governor Huo will surely arrive soon. Qing'er... bring him back. No matter what, if he truly committed the crime, he must admit it." Yue Qiong shook his head as he spoke. "First, your marriage was ruined, and now Qing'er—how can Mother bear this?"
Yue Jia nodded. Just yesterday, he had been the spirited groom, but today, he too looked haggard and defeated.
Yan Chi, standing nearby, raised an eyebrow upon hearing this. "When I returned through the side gate earlier, there was a crowd of commoners making a fuss outside. I vaguely heard them say the second young master killed someone? Did the Grand Aunt fall ill because of this?"
Yan Chi had left early in the morning to settle his accompanying troops at the Jinzhou camp. Upon returning, he learned of the Grand Princess's critical condition and rushed over, though he didn’t know the exact cause.
Yue Qiong nodded. "Exactly. Last night’s matter hasn’t been resolved, and now today..."
Before he could finish, Jiang Shi emerged from inside, wiping her tears. "Two murder cases in a row—perhaps our household has offended some villain. I won’t even speak of Jia'er’s situation, but Qing'er, though he enjoys martial arts, would never kill anyone."
Seeing this, Yue Qiong walked over and gently placed a hand on Jiang Shi’s shoulder.
Yue Qiong and Jiang Shi had been childhood sweethearts. After marriage, they remained harmonious, and Yue Qiong never took a concubine—rumor had it this was a family tradition. In his early years, Yue Qiong served in the military, often away from home, leaving the household entirely to Jiang Shi’s management. Thus, Yue Qiong cherished and was deeply grateful to her. Now, his affection for her had only grown.
"Right now, Mother’s illness is the priority. I’ve already sent someone to Governor Huo. Don’t worry—if Qing'er is innocent, the governor will surely clear his name."
He then turned to Yue Ning. "Ning'er, you and your mother prepare what Ninth Miss needs and take care of your mother."
Yue Ning quickly nodded. Though she had trained in martial arts since childhood and possessed a boldness akin to a man’s, she was also deeply filial to her mother. Hearing this, she immediately supported Jiang Shi and headed toward the storeroom.
The shadow of the Yue household’s second young master killing someone loomed over everyone, but the Grand Princess’s illness was the most pressing concern. Yue Qiong and the others went to the side hall, watching servants rush in and out with medicinal herbs and decoctions. After half an hour with no sign of Qin Guan emerging, Jiang Shi and Yue Ning soon arrived at the side hall.
"Ninth Miss is performing needle therapy on Mother. She hasn’t woken yet."
Jiang Shi sighed, and Yue Qiong quickly reassured her, "Mother is gravely ill—it’s natural she wouldn’t wake so easily."
The entire household waited anxiously. Another half hour later, Lu Xiu hurried into the side hall, her face pale with fear. "Master, Madam—"
Yue Qiong and the others stood at once. "How is Mother?"
Lu Xiu looked on the verge of tears. "Master, Madam... Ninth Miss... she wants to use a knife to cut open the Grand Princess’s stomach—"
"What?!"
Jiang Shi gasped, her legs giving way as she nearly fainted.
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