Coroner's Diary

The night was as dark as ink, the clear moon obscured by thick clouds, plunging the entire encampment into darkness.

Tuoba Rui sat quietly in his tent for a moment, waiting until not a single sound could be heard before slipping out. Outside his tent, it was empty, and the areas outside Tuoba Wu and Tuoba Hong's tents were similarly deserted.

The previous night, under the pretext of unease, he had ordered all Northern Wei warriors to stand guard through the night. Naturally, no disturbances occurred, but the warriors were exhausted. After another day of travel, by this evening, before he could even speak, Tuoba Wu had already dismissed everyone to rest, reasoning that if they did not sleep tonight, they would be unable to continue the journey tomorrow.

At the outermost perimeter of the encampment, Zhao Yu led the guards in vigilant defense. While the outer defenses were cautious, the interior was left unguarded.

Tuoba Rui stood in the darkness for a moment, his gaze fixed intently on a large tent not far away. He seemed to struggle with a decision—to act or not to act—resting entirely on a single thought, yet the outcome would be vastly different.

Xu Chang was Tuoba Qi's man. Once they returned to Northern Wei, Tuoba Qi would surely meet a grim fate. With Tuoba Qi defeated, only Tuoba Hong and he remained. Now was the best opportunity to eliminate Tuoba Hong!

Though it was only early spring, the mountain forest was dry with little rain. A single spark could ignite the accumulated dead leaves from the past winter, making a fire a perfectly plausible accident.

With this thought, Tuoba Rui stepped forward. Though his martial skills were ordinary, he was still a trained practitioner. His footsteps were light, and in the profound silence of the night, he approached Tuoba Hong's tent without a sound.

Standing outside the tent, Tuoba Rui felt as if he could hear the breathing inside.

He paused for a moment, glanced around, and poured pine oil along the edges of the tent. To ensure nothing went wrong, he circled the entire tent, pouring the oil, then tossed the empty waterskin aside. Pulling out a firestarter, he threw it onto the oil-soaked ground.

Once the fire caught, it would destroy everything!

With a whoosh, flames instantly encircled the tent. Tuoba Rui thought to himself how effective the pine oil was. As the fire began to spread, he turned to leave, but the moment he did, he froze.

Dozens of black-clad figures stood behind him. They were like ghouls, having arrived at some unknown time. Clearly, they had been there for a while and had witnessed him setting the fire...

In an instant, Tuoba Rui stood rooted to the spot, as if struck by lightning.

Before he could utter a word, two figures flashed into the burning tent. Soon, Tuoba Hong, who had just been awakened by the flames, was brought out by the two.

Simultaneously, the rising fire was quickly noticed by the Great Zhou imperial guards nearby. Shouts erupted one after another:

"Fire—!"

"Fire! Put it out quickly!"

The clamor exploded throughout the camp. Zhao Yu led the imperial guards rushing to the scene. Upon arrival, he saw Tuoba Rui surrounded by over a dozen black-clad figures. Glancing at them and then at the rescued Tuoba Hong, Zhao Yu immediately understood. He raised his hand and commanded, "Put out the fire first—"

The imperial guards surged forward. Though they could not extinguish the flames immediately, they managed to contain the spread. Soon, with a loud crash, the burning tent collapsed. The surrounding imperial guards broke out in a cold sweat.At that moment, Tuoba Wu and the other Northern Wei warriors emerged, staring at the scene in confusion. Tuoba Hong had also regained consciousness, coughing lightly as several Northern Wei warriors supported him.

"Deputy Commander Zhao! What is happening?!"

Tuoba Wu demanded sharply, then turned to Tuoba Rui, "Fifth Brother?! What is going on?!"

No one answered her. Tuoba Hong coughed several times, barely managing to stand steady with the support of the Northern Wei warriors before hesitantly looking toward Tuoba Rui and the dozen or so black-clad figures.

Tuoba Rui stood near the raging fire, while these unfamiliar figures clearly weren't part of the camp. Who were they, and why was Tuoba Rui locked in a tense standoff with them?

"Brother Crown Prince, are you alright?"

Tuoba Wu asked with concern. Tuoba Hong shook his head, "I'm fine. Deputy Commander Zhao arrived very quickly."

Zhao Yu snorted coldly. Having received Yan Chi's instructions, he hadn't dared let his guard down these past few days - of course he had come quickly!

Tuoba Wu grew increasingly impatient. Anyone could see the fire had been targeting Tuoba Hong.

"Deputy Commander Zhao, what exactly is happening?! How could a fire break out for no reason?!"

Zhao Yu snorted again and replied casually, "You'll have to ask the Fifth Prince about that!"

Tuoba Rui stood rigidly, drenched in cold sweat with a pale face. Hearing Zhao Yu's words, he offered no rebuttal, as if tacitly admitting the accusation. He only stared at the dozen figures, "Who are you people?"

As his words fell, the figures suddenly turned and bowed toward the darkness not far away, as if welcoming someone. Everyone's gaze followed.

There, in the ink-black night, a figure darker than the darkness itself slowly emerged.

Tuoba Wu gasped in surprise, "Heir Apparent Yan?!"

Tuoba Hong frowned deeper, "Why would Heir Apparent Yan come here so late at night?"

Yan Chi should have been at the Mount Wei Hunting Grounds camp, yet he appeared here?!

This meant these black-clad figures were his people. Combined with the fire, Tuoba Wu couldn't help but frown. Could it be... Yan Chi had known someone would set fire here?

The moment he saw Yan Chi, Tuoba Rui lost all hope.

He stared wide-eyed at Yan Chi, watching him approach step by step. When he clearly saw the stern expression on Yan Chi's face, Tuoba Rui understood exactly why Yan Chi had come.

Yan Chi looked at Tuoba Rui with composed ease, "Fifth Prince, your plan has failed."

Yan Chi's voice remained calm and measured, as if discussing some ordinary matter. The distant flames reflected in his eyes like sparkling rivers of stars. Tuoba Rui's forehead continued to drip with sweat like rain.

"If the Fifth Prince could have restrained himself from continuing to harm the Crown Prince, we might truly have had no way to deal with you."

Continue to harm the Crown Prince? Had he harmed him before?

Tuoba Wu quickly asked, "Heir Apparent Yan, what do you mean?! Did you follow us knowing something would happen? This fire... was set by Fifth Brother?"

Though she already understood in her heart, Tuoba Wu still found it hard to believe. Tuoba Hong watched Tuoba Rui with profound intensity. He had been injured by an arrow on the mountain ridge, yet woke up again in the mountain valley. He didn't know what had happened in between, but Xu Chang's attempt to kill him was clear enough. Had Tuoba Rui done something else? Or was Xu Chang one of his men?Tuoba Rui's lips trembled uncontrollably. "How... how did you know..."

Yan Chi smiled, yet not a trace of warmth reached his eyes. "Xu Chang first shot and killed Crown Prince Tuoba with an arrow. You found Crown Prince Tuoba two hours later. Discovering he was still alive, you not only refused to save him but pushed him into the mountain ravine. The bait left behind was also your doing. You wanted Crown Prince Tuoba to die silently—not just die, but vanish without a trace, leaving no remains!"

As Yan Chi coldly spoke these words, Tuoba Wu, standing nearby, widened her eyes in shock!

The culprit behind Tuoba Hong's misfortune wasn't just Xu Chang—it was also Tuoba Rui?!

Tuoba Hong had gone missing, and Tuoba Rui had clearly found him. Yet he not only didn't rescue him but harmed him further. If he had saved Tuoba Hong then, none of the subsequent events would have occurred: Fu Desheng of Western Liang wouldn't have died, and Tuoba Hong wouldn't have suffered so much. Tuoba Wu glared at Tuoba Rui with fury. "Tuoba Rui! Speak up! Is what Heir Apparent Yan said true?! Did you stand by and watch him die, then harm our eldest brother?!"

Since Tuoba Hong's incident, Tuoba Wu's temperament had changed considerably. Previously, she had disliked Tuoba Rui, but after this, she began to see him as a younger brother. Yet she never imagined Tuoba Rui could be so wicked!

Shouted at by Tuoba Wu, Tuoba Rui clenched his fists tightly. "The one who harmed him was Xu Chang! Not me! When I found him, he was already dead!"

Tuoba Wu's expression shifted, and she stepped forward. "So you admit it, don't you?! How dare you?! Tuoba Qi is audacious enough, but you actually dared to lay hands on our eldest brother?! Have you no conscience at all?! He is our eldest brother!"

"He is the Crown Prince of Northern Wei!"

Tuoba Rui roared back, his eyes red with rage. "He's not my eldest brother—he's the Crown Prince of Northern Wei. He was born to be the Crown Prince! Why?! Why should he be the one to sit on that throne?!"

Tuoba Wu stared at him with resentment, thinking he was truly evil!

Tuoba Hong, meanwhile, felt profound sorrow. In the end, it all came down to a struggle for power!

Tuoba Qi wanted the Crown Prince's position! Tuoba Hong also wanted the Crown Prince's position!

Tuoba Rui sneered coldly. "So what if you, Heir Apparent, went to such great lengths? Do you think you can kill me?!"

Yan Chi no longer looked at Tuoba Rui and turned to Tuoba Hong instead. "Crown Prince Tuoba, Great Zhou has done all it can for your safety. What follows is Northern Wei's own affair—we will not interfere. Of course, if you suffer any further mishaps due to the Fifth Prince, Great Zhou will not be held responsible."

Tuoba Hong coughed lightly and nodded. "Thank you, Heir Apparent."

Tuoba Hong glanced at Tuoba Rui for a moment and said slowly, "Tie up the Fifth Prince for me."

His injuries were still healing, and his voice remained weak, but as the Crown Prince of Northern Wei, the Northern Wei warriors dared not disobey. Soon, over a dozen Northern Wei warriors surrounded him. Tuoba Rui took a step back and drew the short blade from his waist. "How dare you?! Do you know who I am?! Do you know who my mother is?!"

As Tuoba Rui made his final struggle, Yan Chi's gaze fell upon the short blade in his hand.Tuoba Rui drew his blade, one hand gripping the scabbard carved with blue sparrow patterns. Yan Chi faintly discerned designs similar to those Qin Guan had sketched. Frowning slightly, he momentarily set aside further investigation.

The matter had reached this point—however it would be handled, it should be left to Northern Wei!

Yan Chi said no more, gesturing for Zhao Yu to follow him aside. Meanwhile, over a dozen black-clad shadow guards swiftly emerged and vanished from sight in moments.

"Will Your Highness the heir apparent be staying in camp tonight?"

Zhao Yu inquired. Yan Chi shook his head, "No, we depart now. We can return to the main camp before dawn."

Zhao Yu nodded, "Then may Your Highness report the camp affairs to the Emperor." He added, "Speaking of which, we owe much to Your Highness today. Had it not been for you, Crown Prince Tuoba might have been injured."

Yan Chi had followed precisely to ensure nothing went amiss; naturally, he wouldn’t allow Tuoba Hong to come to harm.

"With this matter resolved, it’s Northern Wei’s own affair now. Your duty is to escort them safely back to the capital. You’ve performed commendably—I will inform the Emperor..."

Zhao Yu already held Yan Chi in high esteem; hearing these words deepened his gratitude. Though he felt he’d contributed little, since Yan Chi was willing to grant him this favor, he gladly accepted.

"Your Highness, do you think Crown Prince Tuoba can handle the Fifth Prince?"

Yan Chi smiled faintly, "He is, after all, the Crown Prince of Northern Wei. This was an ambush—he’s no fool."

Zhao Yu nodded, and Yan Chi said no more. Leaving the camp, he soon spotted the shadow guards and Yan Li waiting with horses. Mounting his steed, he met Yan Li’s questioning gaze and affirmed, "All settled."

With a crack of his whip, he galloped back the way they’d come!

...

...

When Qin Guan rose at dawn, the camp was still quiet. Morning light filtered through the tent window, the sky outside tinged with deep blue. Having slept poorly for two days worrying over Yan Chi, she cautiously slipped out upon seeing the Empress Dowager still asleep. Intending to stroll, she instead spotted a familiar figure just outside.

Looking closer—wasn’t that Yan Chi waiting near the tent?!

Her eyes brightened—Yan Chi had returned so early?!

"Your Highness—" she called, hurrying over.

Yan Chi turned, "Why are you up so early?"

The sky had just begun to brighten; there was no reason for Qin Guan to rise this early. He’d been awaiting an audience with Yan Huai, who hadn’t yet stirred. Standing with his back to the Empress Dowager’s tent, he hadn’t noticed Qin Guan emerge.

Qin Guan approached swiftly, offering a slight curtsey, "When did you return? Where is His Highness Yan Li?"

A faint smile touched Yan Chi’s lips. Qin Guan usually avoided public proximity with him, yet despite patrolling guards nearby, she disregarded propriety—she must have been terribly worried.

"Just half an hour ago. He’s exhausted and has gone to rest."

Qin Guan pressed, "Was everything resolved satisfactorily?"

Yan Chi nodded, "Last night, Tuoba Rui attempted to set the camp ablaze. We caught him red-handed. Both Tuoba Wu and Tuoba Hong are aware of his intentions. Let Northern Wei deal with him themselves."

Qin Guan’s smile deepened, "That’s for the best."The deep blue at the horizon was gradually fading, with dawn light piercing through the clouds, turning the sky into a brilliant azure. Qin Guan remained silent for a moment, simply raising her gaze to watch the skyline, keeping him company as they waited.

Yan Chi said, "It's chilly outside. Let's wait inside."

But Qin Guan shook her head. Seeing this, Yan Chi's smile deepened, and he acquiesced to her wish.

The two stood side by side on the steps until the sky brightened completely. Only then did Yuan Qing emerge from the tent. "Crown Prince—"

Noticing Qin Guan was also there, Yuan Qing smiled, "Why is the County Princess here as well?"

Qin Guan replied with a smile, "I came to ask the Crown Prince about the Northern Wei case."

A flicker of understanding passed through Yuan Qing's eyes before he addressed Yan Chi again, "Crown Prince, His Majesty has risen. Please—"

"You should go find the Empress Dowager now."

After instructing her, Yan Chi turned and entered Yan Huai's grand tent.

Seeing this, Qin Guan naturally returned to the Empress Dowager's tent. The Empress Dowager had already risen, so Qin Guan informed her of Yan Chi and the others' return. Upon hearing this, the Empress Dowager felt relieved. Soon after, she sent Mammy Chen to invite Yan Chi and Yan Li for a midday meal in her tent. When noon arrived, Yan Li entered the Empress Dowager's tent looking rather listless.

While Yan Chi could easily endure rough conditions, Yan Li ultimately couldn't withstand them. Two days and nights away had thoroughly exhausted her. The Empress Dowager couldn't help but laugh at the sight. "You simply can't handle hardship, yet you still want to emulate your seventh brother! The hunt is clearly ending the day after tomorrow. Today is the final day—whether you wish to ride or hunt anything, go out and enjoy yourselves. The next time will be two years from now, and who knows if I'll even be able to join you then!"

Her words cast a shadow over Yan Chi and the others' hearts. Yan Li said with a smile, "You will live a hundred years, Grandmother. In two years, your grandson will accompany you here again, and I'll hunt a bear for you then!"

The Empress Dowager laughed heartily, "Good, good! I'd like to see how your slight frame will manage to hunt a bear for me."

The hunt was indeed counting down to its conclusion. That afternoon, all restrictions in the camp were lifted. Even the Empress and others led the noblewomen out of the main camp for a spring outing. Following the Wei River upstream, the flat riverbanks were carpeted with lush grass and blooming wildflowers—a scenery unseen beyond the capital. Qin Guan was among those invited by the Empress, and both Qin Shuang and Qin Xiang joined as well.

With Qin Shuang and Qin Xiang present, all the noble young ladies who had come were included in the Empress's invitation. Along with guards and the ladies' maids, nearly a hundred people gathered along the riverbank. Though the other young noblemen were also free from restrictions, they kept a respectful distance. Thus, while the others galloped on horseback, some shooting arrows and others racing not far from the ladies, the two groups remained within sight of each other. Both the young ladies and the noble youths felt a mix of shyness and excitement.

Qin Shuang tugged Qin Guan's hand and pointed toward the distance. "Look, isn't that the heir apparent of Wuan Marquis over there?"

Qin Shuang had visited the Wuan Marquis residence while considering a match for Qin Xiang, and it was the only noble family they had visited, so she remembered it particularly well. Qin Guan followed Qin Shuang's pointing finger and saw over a dozen splendidly dressed young men racing horses. Among them, the heir apparent of Wuan Marquis stood out prominently.

"Yes, it's indeed the heir apparent."

Qin Shuang added, "The people around him must all be from noble families, right?"Qin Guan nodded. This was only natural. Those who had come this time were either from noble families or pillars of the court. These people had frequent interactions in both official and private matters, so it was natural for them to gather together.

Qin Shuang then pulled Qin Guan aside to ask her various questions, while Qin Xiang, standing nearby, seemed listless and dispirited. Qin Shuang tugged at Qin Xiang’s sleeve and asked, “What’s wrong with you? We’re returning the day after tomorrow. There won’t be another chance to come here next time.”

After this return, Qin Xiang’s wedding date would be set. Once married, she would no longer be able to attend such events under the Marquis estate’s name.

Only Qin Guan and Qin Chaoyu would still be able to participate in the hunting excursions.

Qin Xiang’s face suddenly turned pale. She forced a smile and said, “I just feel a bit cold by the river.”

Qin Shuang raised an eyebrow. “Cold?”

They were all wearing capes, and since they hadn’t walked much earlier but were now traveling on foot, they had even broken a light sweat. How could it be cold? Qin Shuang actually felt a little warm.

“Are you feeling unwell?”

Qin Guan also felt something was amiss and reached out to touch Qin Xiang’s forehead, but she dodged the gesture. With a bitter smile, Qin Xiang said, “I really don’t feel well. Perhaps I should head back. You two enjoy yourselves.”

Without waiting for Qin Shuang or Qin Guan to respond, Qin Xiang turned to leave with Wan He.

Qin Shuang sighed helplessly. “Hey, should I go back with you?”

Qin Xiang waved her off repeatedly, quickening her pace. Qin Shuang frowned deeply, and Qin Guan remarked, “I think she seems preoccupied.”

At this, Qin Shuang said, “Now that you mention it, last night she was rustling around and didn’t seem to sleep at all.”

Though both found it strange, they couldn’t figure out the reason. Qin Shuang sighed and said, “Never mind. I’ll ask her properly when we get back later.”

Qin Guan nodded and let the matter drop. Just then, Zhao Shuhua called out from ahead, “Why has Yongci County Princess fallen to the back? And who is the young lady from the Qin family beside her?”

Qin Shuang’s eyes lit up. Was the Empress referring to her?

Qin Guan glanced at her and smilingly pulled her forward.

Qin Xiang returned to the camp with a troubled heart. The jade pendant given by Yan Qi was tucked in her sleeve. She had pondered over it all night but still couldn’t decipher Yan Qi’s intentions!

Although the rules governing interactions between men and women in Great Zhou weren’t overly strict, privately accepting gifts could still damage a young woman’s reputation!

Moreover, why would Prince Cheng, so high and mighty, give her something?

Qin Xiang felt both confused and somewhat hopeful. From last night until now, she had been restless and distracted. And with their departure from Mount Wei Hunting Grounds the day after tomorrow, how would she ever get to see Yan Qi again?

Even though she knew Yan Qi was right there in the camp, she had no way to approach him.

Their statuses were worlds apart…

As these thoughts swirled in her mind, a surge of resentment rose in Qin Xiang’s heart. Why? Why could Qin Guan become a county princess? Why could Qin Chaoyu become the Crown Princess? And why was she destined to marry a lowly flag-bearing soldier and live out her life in obscurity?!

Qin Xiang lowered her head, her face ashen. Her hand clenched tightly around the jade pendant in her sleeve, and her footsteps quickened. She was almost at the Qin family’s sleeping quarters when—thump—she collided headlong with someone’s chest. She had been walking so fast that she stumbled, but a pair of hands steadied her firmly.Qin Xiang was already seething with resentment and frustration, and now being bumped into only fueled her anger and wounded pride. She jerked her head up, ready to unleash her fury, but as her gaze lifted, she met a pair of eyes tilted upward at the corners—mischievous and smiling.

Yan Qi looked at her with amusement. "Who has offended Miss Qin?"