Coroner's Diary

Early the next morning, the Northern Wei delegation had already assembled for their premature return to the capital.

Yan Huai assigned Zhao Yu to lead two hundred soldiers as escorts. Combined with the Northern Wei's own guards, this was more than sufficient to protect Tuoba Hong and his two companions. As dawn broke, Tuoba Wu and Tuoba Rui bid farewell from Yan Huai's command tent, preparing to depart with the main contingent. Qin Guan, Yan Chi, and Crown Prince Yan Che saw them off at the camp entrance.

After exchanging a few words about staying safe, Tuoba Wu boarded the carriage back to the capital. Watching the procession fade into the distance, Yan Chi abruptly turned and headed toward Yan Huai's command tent. Surprised by this move, Yan Che quickly followed, while Qin Guan trailed behind at a leisurely pace, already aware of Yan Chi's intentions.

Yan Huai hadn't expected Yan Chi to return. After Yan Chi paid his respects, he asked, "Why have you come back? Is there something the matter?"

Since Yan Chi hadn't been assigned any duties related to the hunt, and the Northern Wei case was concluded, there was no need for him to report to the command tent. With a grave expression, Yan Chi stated, "Your Majesty, the Northern Wei case is not yet closed."

Setting down his imperial brush, Yan Huai leaned back in his chair. "Explain."

Yan Chi solemnly recounted Qin Guan's discoveries and his own deductions. After hearing him out, Yan Huai's brow furrowed deeply. "So what do you propose?"

Yan Chi replied, "I've already instructed Zhao Yu. Now we only need to follow them with a small team. Without concrete evidence, we can only prove Tuoba Rui is the culprit by catching him in the act."

Yan Huai pondered for a moment. "What if nothing happens along the way?"

Yan Chi wasn't surprised by this question, having considered it himself. "If nothing happens, that would be for the best. But if something does occur and Tuoba Hong loses his life in Great Zhou, it would be highly disadvantageous for us."

Leaning back in his chair, Yan Huai narrowed his eyes, seemingly lost in thought.

Yan Chi had expected immediate approval from Yan Huai, but instead, the Emperor hesitated.

A flicker of understanding crossed Yan Chi's eyes as he considered the perspective of a ruler.

Sure enough, after a moment, Yan Huai said gravely, "If Northern Wei falls into internal strife, it wouldn't harm Great Zhou. In fact, it might even benefit us—"

Tuoba Hong's first incident had been resolved by Qin Guan's rescue, and Tuoba Wu wouldn't dare hold a grudge against Great Zhou. If something were to happen to Tuoba Hong again, what would it have to do with Great Zhou?

If Tuoba Hong died, and the remaining Fourth and Fifth Princes—both troublesome figures—were left, one could imagine the chaos that would engulf Northern Wei.

With a restless neighbor at their borders, wouldn't Great Zhou find it more comfortable to watch from the sidelines while Northern Wei destabilized?

Yan Chi fell silent for a moment. As a citizen of Great Zhou, ultimately, whether Northern Wei remained stable or not wasn't particularly important to him. Nor did he find Yan Huai's reasoning particularly unjust—power struggles between nations had little to do with morality. Even if Northern Wei were plunged into suffering, it wouldn't stir his heart. Yet, thinking of Qin Guan, his brow furrowed slightly.

Tuoba Hong was someone she had fought desperately to save. She had even suspected Tuoba Rui. If Tuoba Hong were to die and Tuoba Rui returned to Northern Wei as the beneficiary, she would undoubtedly find it hard to accept.

After brief consideration, Yan Chi said, "Your Majesty, Northern Wei currently intends to form an alliance with Great Zhou. To completely resolve the Rongdi threat, we must ally with Northern Wei. Even if Northern Wei's turmoil doesn't concern us directly, we would lose a valuable ally."Yan Huai narrowed his eyes slightly. "You mean to protect Tuoba Hong?"

Yan Chi nodded. "Tuoba Hong is upright and righteous, unlike the likes of Liu Yun. He never forgets kindness shown to him. Rather than standing by as a spectator, it's better to lend him a hand so that Northern Wei can serve our purposes in the future."

Statecraft was merely a matter of weighing interests. Hearing Yan Chi's words, Yan Huai's phoenix eyes narrowed slightly further.

He studied Yan Chi for a moment before nodding. "Very well, we'll proceed as you suggest. Will you lead the troops personally?"

Yan Chi inclined his head. "Yes, I'll take my personal shadow guards. Zhao Yu has received my instructions and will maintain strict vigilance along the route. However, since he's pretending to be completely unaware on the surface, we still need covert surveillance to ensure absolute safety."

Once persuaded by Yan Chi, Yan Huai naturally sought the most effective solution. After observing Yan Chi for another moment, he suddenly remarked, "I've heard the Northern Wei princess has taken a liking to you?"

Yan Chi lowered his gaze, the shimmering depths of his dark pupils instantly extinguishing all light.

His eyes turned cold, though his tone remained unchanged. "I wasn't aware of that. Though the princess mentioned having seen me at the Northern Wei border before, I have no memory of it..."

A faint smile touched Yan Huai's lips. "If she truly favors you, this could be a favorable match."

Yan Chi's brow immediately furrowed. Noticing this, Yan Huai chuckled. "What? I've seen that girl—she's not uncomely. Are you dissatisfied?"

Yan Chi responded, "She's from Northern Wei..."

Yan Huai laughed dismissively. "So you mind that she's not of Zhou heritage? Very well, perhaps she has no intention of marrying into Great Zhou anyway. Proceed with your arrangements. Everything in camp remains as usual. Send word immediately when you have news."

Yan Chi acknowledged the order and turned to leave the command tent.

Outside, he encountered Yan Che waiting. Yan Che approached him. "What happened? Another incident?"

Yan Chi pressed his lips together. "I need to leave camp temporarily. The Northern Wei matter remains unresolved."

As Yan Che began to question further, Yan Chi said, "I'll explain to the Crown Prince when there's news to report."

Without waiting for Yan Che's response, Yan Chi strode away, prompting Yan Che to raise his eyebrows sharply.

As the Crown Prince of Great Zhou, even Prince Cheng wouldn't disregard him so blatantly.

The morning sunlight fell upon Yan Chi's shoulders as he walked. Recalling Yan Huai's earlier words, a cold smile touched his lips.

Returning to his tent to prepare for departure, Yan Chi found Qin Guan waiting at the entrance. After glancing around, he took her hand and led her inside. The moment they entered, Qin Guan asked, "How did it go?"

"I'm leaving now. I've already given instructions to Zhao Yu, but relying solely on his overt surveillance isn't secure enough. I'll take some men with me to ensure nothing goes wrong, no matter what happens."

Qin Guan looked concerned. "You're going personally?"

Yan Chi turned from retrieving his sword from the weapon rack, smiling at her. "This isn't a military campaign. There's no need to worry."

Qin Guan pressed her lips together. Indeed, Yan Chi's mission was primarily for reconnaissance and surveillance. Besides, with Zhao Yu commanding Great Zhou's troops, Yan Chi would be safe regardless.Qin Guan tried to convince herself inwardly, yet a trace of worry remained on her face. Yan Chi’s smile deepened slightly as he stepped forward and pulled her into his embrace. “Don’t worry. Tuoba Rui is unlikely to make a move on the first day—if he acts at all, it will likely be tomorrow night. I will send word back within three days. In these final days, stay close to the Empress Dowager. Once we return to the capital, you won’t see these green mountains and clear waters anymore. While I’m away from camp, be cautious in all matters.”

Since she would remain in the camp, she would certainly be safe.

“I understand, but following them like this will surely be arduous for you.”

In Qin Guan’s mind, the entire journey passed through desolate wilderness and mountains. Zhao Yu’s main force had carts and horses, allowing them to set up camp at night. But Yan Chi, leading only a few dozen men, could hardly afford to make such a commotion!

Yan Chi laughed, holding Qin Guan, his chest vibrating with mirth so intensely that she could feel its rise and fall.

Was it really that amusing?

Qin Guan silently grumbled to herself, but then Yan Chi said, “Have you forgotten what I told you about the days we spent in Shuoxi? Now that we’re back in the capital, nothing feels arduous by comparison.”

With that, he released her. Though his heart was full of joy, it was time to prepare for departure.

Qin Guan felt a pang of heartache—not because there was no hardship, but because he had endured far worse and thus regarded this as nothing. The thought only deepened her sympathy.

Though her mood was somewhat somber, neither Qin Guan nor Yan Chi were ones to linger over farewells. Soon, Yan Chi had left the camp.

His departure was silent and stealthy; even Yan Li did not know the true reason for his absence.

Yan Li sought out the Empress Dowager’s tent and pulled Qin Guan aside to ask quietly, “Did Seventh Brother leave camp because of the Northern Wei case?”

Yan Li was clever; with the Northern Wei party having just departed and Yan Chi following suit, it could only be for that case. What else would compel him to sneak out of the hunting grounds?

Seeing that he had already guessed, Qin Guan nodded. To her surprise, Yan Li’s eyes sparkled with a sudden idea, and he immediately called for his attendants, mounted his horse, and rode off in pursuit of Yan Chi.

Qin Guan could not stop him and could only shake her head with a wry smile.

With the Northern Wei delegation gone, the gloom that had hung over the camp lifted entirely. Under Yan Che and Lin Zhang’s arrangements, banners soon fluttered across the square—the grand hunt was about to resume!

Though preoccupied with worries, Qin Guan had no interest in the festivities. The Empress Dowager, weary after days in camp, seldom ventured out. Qin Guan spent half the day at her side before seeking out Qin Shuang in the evening.

When Qin Guan arrived, Qin Chaoyu, surprisingly, initiated conversation: “Do you still have any warming tea? I’ve been feeling the dampness in my tent these past couple of days, and my hands and feet are cold morning and night.”

Qin Guan was taken aback but did not dwell on it, promptly instructing Fuling to fetch the medicated tea.

When the tea was delivered to Qin Chaoyu, she took a light sniff—it was indeed identical to the medicated tea she had smelled at Yan Che’s place that day. Concealing a cold laugh, she remarked, “I’ve seen this tea before at the Empress’s quarters.”

Qin Guan, unsuspecting, replied, “This tea was originally prepared for the Empress Dowager, but a few packets were sent to the Empress as well.”

“Was it given to anyone else?”

Qin Guan found the question odd but shook her head. “No, it wasn’t.”

Qin Chaoyu looked at Qin Guan, a slight smile curling her lips. “Thank you, then.”

With that, she turned and left.Qin Guan felt something was amiss, yet she had no intention of pressing Qin Chaoyu for answers. Besides, with someone like Qin Chaoyu, whether she spoke or not was beyond anyone’s control. Shaking her head, Qin Guan simply took Qin Shuang’s hand and chatted with her.

After a while, Hu Shi sent her attendant Granny Yu to Qin Shuang’s small tent. "Young ladies, the Emperor is hosting a grand banquet tonight. Madam has sent me to invite you all to attend."

Qin Guan had already heard about the banquet and promptly left with Qin Shuang and Qin Xiang.

While Hu Shi led Qin Chaoyu and the others to the feast, Qin Guan had to return to the Empress Dowager’s side. At the banquet, the Empress Dowager noticed Yan Chi and Yan Li were missing and sent Mammy Chen to inquire with Yan Huai. However, Yan Huai gave no clear answer, only saying they had gone out on business. Worry gnawed at the Empress Dowager until the banquet began and the music and dances started, diverting her attention.

The camp had been tense and restricted for days due to the Northern Wei incident. Tonight’s grand feast allowed everyone to indulge freely. Bonfires blazed across the square, the aroma of wine filled the air, and with the central performances in full swing, the pent-up frustrations of recent days were swept away. Yan Huai, Yan Che, and others drank a few cups themselves and did not restrain the rowdy young nobles. The Empress Dowager was pleased to see the youngsters enjoying themselves, though she could not sit long in the chilly night and soon prepared to leave. Seeing this, Yan Huai accompanied her departure. Once they left, the remaining revelers felt even less restrained, and the festivities grew wilder.

Back in the Empress Dowager’s grand tent, Qin Guan could still faintly hear the clamor outside.

Tuoba Hong must have found it difficult to recuperate under such circumstances.

After the Emperor and Empress Dowager departed, the Empress led the rest away, leaving Yan Che to oversee the event.

Yan Qi sat nearby, toying with a short blade. The blade could slice through iron as if it were mud—a reward from Yan Huai after his victory in the last great hunt. As he drew it out, Yan Che noticed immediately.

Yan Qi said with a laugh, "With this hunt being disrupted, the Crown Prince really must take responsibility."

Yan Chi’s voice was cold. "Whether responsibility is warranted is not for Prince Cheng to decide."

Yan Qi spun the short blade skillfully in his hand, his gaze drifting toward the Qin family’s seats. There, Qin Chaoyu sat in a crimson gown, dignified and noble—truly more graceful and imposing than Feng Chenbi.

The fact that Feng Chenbi had ended up as his principal consort still rankled Yan Qi. Recalling that day, he was convinced it had been a scheme by the Empress and Yan Che. His narrow phoenix eyes narrowed further as he looked toward Qin Xiang beside Qin Chaoyu.

"Why must the Crown Prince speak so sharply? These aren’t just my words. I’m telling you first as a friendly warning…"

Yan Qi’s tone was light, as if genuinely well-intentioned.

But Yan Che was not fooled. "Then I thank Prince Cheng for his kindness. The cause of this incident is well-known among the ministers. Of course, if someone deliberately stirs trouble, that’s another matter."

As the two exchanged barbs, Qin Xiang felt the heat of Yan Qi’s gaze.

It wasn’t the first time Yan Qi had looked at her like this. Although the Great Zhou dynasty did not enforce strict segregation between men and women, their statuses were worlds apart. For Yan Qi to stare at her so persistently was truly improper—unless…

The bonfire was distant, yet Qin Xiang felt as if its glow fell upon her, her cheeks flushing with warmth.

Yan Qi sheathed the short blade and began fiddling with the jade pendant at his waist, though his gaze still lingered faintly on Qin Xiang.After the banquet concluded, Qin Xiang followed Hu Shi's group back. Her heart was pounding uncontrollably, so she instinctively walked very slowly and unconsciously fell to the rear of the group.

As she walked, a young guard suddenly bumped into her. Qin Xiang staggered from the impact and was about to get angry when she felt something placed in her palm. Looking down, she saw it was actually a jade pendant—and she clearly recognized it as the very one Prince Cheng had been toying with earlier!

Qin Xiang abruptly turned to look at the guard, but he had already quickened his pace and soon disappeared from sight.

Qin Xiang grew frantic with confusion—what could this mean?!

Qin Shuang, noticing something amiss, turned back and asked, "What's wrong?"

Qin Xiang clenched the jade pendant in her hand and shook her head, "It's nothing, I just got bumped into."

Qin Shuang stepped forward to link arms with her, glanced around but saw no one, and said, "Perhaps we were walking too fast. Are you alright?"

Qin Xiang shook her head again, and Qin Shuang said no more, simply leading her back.

Returning to the tent, after a quick wash, Qin Xiang lay down on the couch. Covered by the brocade quilt, her face flushed and heart racing, she rubbed the jade pendant. What could Prince Cheng mean by this?!

...

...

The next day was another grand hunt. Yan Huai promised even greater rewards, and the young men led by Crown Prince Yan Che prepared for another full day of exhilarating hunting. Meanwhile, Yan Chi had caught up with Tuoba Hong's convoy by noon the previous day. Not long after, Yan Li caught up as well. Upon inquiry, it turned out Qin Guan had told him he was unwilling to stay bored in the camp, so he had followed.

Yan Chi felt somewhat helpless but couldn't send Yan Li back, so he brought him along.

The first night passed without incident. By the afternoon of the second day, Zhao Yu's group encountered no post stations or villages and had to set up camp in a sheltered valley. Yan Chi and his men stationed themselves on the ridge above the valley.

The spring night was cold, and the mountain forest was eerily silent. Due to the large number of people, Tuoba Hong's tent was positioned at the very center, surrounded by the Great Zhou imperial guards stationed at the outermost perimeter.

After 9 PM, the entire camp fell into deep silence. Though their progress had been slow, the journey had been exhausting. Coupled with Tuoba Hong's poor health, an early rest was necessary. The lights in the center of the camp were extinguished, leaving only a few lamps lit in the soldiers' tents at the periphery. On the ridge, the night wind howled, and Yan Li shivered uncontrollably from the cold.

Yan Chi glanced at him, unfastened his own cloak, and tossed it over.

Yan Li pursed his lips, noticing Yan Chi standing tall and unwavering beside him, completely unaffected by the cold. He put on the cloak, still warm from Yan Chi's body heat, and glanced downward, saying, "Will there still be no movement tonight..."

Yan Chi replied coldly, "Tonight and tomorrow night are the only opportunities. The night after, we'll reach the capital."

Yan Li thought it over and agreed, asking no further questions. Yan Chi looked at him again and said, "Go rest at the back."

All of them were accustomed to roughing it outdoors; only Yan Li had never endured such hardship. The previous night, sleeping on the ground, Yan Li had barely slept a wink. "Seventh Brother, when you were in Shuoxi, was it always like this?"

Yan Chi remained impassive. "Yes."

Nearby, Bai Feng listened and thought to himself, Shuoxi was far worse than this—this night chill is nothing!Yan Li let out a long sigh. "Seventh Brother, you've truly suffered these years."

Yan Chi neither acknowledged nor denied this remark. After standing beside Yan Chi for a while, Yan Li found it unbearable. Though still unaccustomed to resting in wilderness mountains, exhaustion overwhelmed him, and sleep came despite the discomfort.

Wrapped in Yan Chi's cape, Yan Li moved behind a large wind-blocking rock. A felt blanket was spread on the ground with dry rations laid atop it. He took two bites of the provisions with some water, but the food felt like stone in his throat, almost tearing his esophagus. Unable to continue eating, he bundled himself in Yan Chi's cloak and dozed off leaning against the rock.

He couldn't tell how long he'd been drifting in and out of sleep when sudden rustling sounds startled him awake. He saw all the guards had gathered on the ridge, where one was reporting in a low voice, "Someone is carrying pine oil toward the central tent. I didn't mistake the scent - it's definitely pine oil."

"Pine oil?" Yan Chi's voice remained steady and powerful, without any trace of fatigue.

Yan Li quickly shook off his drowsiness and stood up. As he approached Yan Chi, the latter glanced back at him but said nothing.

The guard continued, "Yes. With many accompanying carriages this time, pine oil is used to grease the axles."

Yan Chi narrowed his eyes. "It appears they intend to set a fire."

His tone then turned stern as he commanded, "Prepare to descend the mountain."

At this order, everyone's expressions turned grave. Yan Li wiped his face. "Seventh Brother, are you saying the Fifth Prince plans to start a fire?"

"Pine oil ignites instantly upon contact with flame and burns with intense ferocity. With Tuoba Hong injured, he wouldn't be able to escape even if he tried."

Having witnessed pine oil fires before, Yan Li felt a chill run through him, momentarily speechless. Just then, Bai Feng exclaimed softly, "Master, fire has broken out..."

In the windless dark valley, a cluster of sparks emerged from the camp. Seeing this, the prepared guards swiftly descended from the ridge, rushing toward the blazing site. The initial sparks quickly grew into raging flames that leaped high, yet no one in the camp seemed to notice - it was already past midnight, with even the outermost imperial guards mostly dozing off!

Had Yan Chi's shadow guards not reached the camp instantly, this fire might have claimed more than just Tuoba Hong's life!

Yan Chi remained standing on the ridge unmoved, but his heart eased with relief. He had genuinely feared Tuoba Rui would wait until tomorrow night or until their return to the capital to make his move.