The thought flashed through her mind, startling even Qin Guan herself.
It was a secret buried deep in her heart, one that would cause an uproar if spoken aloud—how could such an idea even occur to her?!
Qin Guan swiftly averted her gaze, her breathing growing unsteady.
Yan Chi soon noticed her unusual behavior. "What's wrong with you?"
Qin Guan shook her head. "It's nothing. I was just thinking that if we hand over Wang Han, his life will be in Prince Cheng's hands. Though he isn't utterly wicked and has some sense of righteousness, if he can betray the Empress today, he might betray us tomorrow. Rashly surrendering him seems unwise."
Yan Chi smiled. "Don't worry, I'll handle these matters."
His voice remained deep yet gentle. Qin Guan looked up at him, finding it hard to imagine this man was the undefeated Demon King of Shuoxi. But when he said he would handle it, she truly felt at ease. Back in Jinzhou, she had been highly guarded against him, yet now, without realizing it, she was growing increasingly trusting—even reliant—on him.
This was utterly rare for her.
Qin Guan pressed her lips together. "Do you find me strange for being like this?"
She recalled how, before this, she had been the one to heal the sick and save lives, the one to conduct corpse examinations and solve cases. She had a compassionate heart and believed in justice and truth. Yet now, she was scheming to hand over Wang Han and falsify evidence in the Prince Jin Manor corpse case—actions entirely unlike her.
A faint glimmer flickered deep in Yan Chi's eyes, though his expression remained unchanged. "I think I understand what you mean by your 'long-cherished wish.' You want to investigate Prince Jin's case thoroughly, determine whether Shen Yi was wrongly accused, and if possible, clear his name."
He had considered this possibility ever since Zhao Xun appeared.
Yet the deeper reasons remained unspoken by Qin Guan, and Yan Chi could find no clues.
She had left for Jinzhou three years ago, and Shen Yi only began serving in the capital after her departure. They couldn't even claim to have met incidentally in the capital—Shen Yi had never traveled south during those three years.
Before that, Shen Yi had visited the capital a handful of times, but back then, Qin Guan was merely a young girl.
What connection could there be?
A connection so profound that she would risk her life for it!
Yan Chi gazed into Qin Guan's eyes. "I just don't understand why you're going to such lengths."
Qin Guan parted her lips as if to speak, then hesitated. "Yes, I want to know if Lord Shen was wronged. If so, I wish to clear his name. As for the reason... perhaps one day I'll tell you, but not now..."
Yan Chi studied her seriously. "Will you tell anyone else?"
Qin Guan was taken aback. "Of course not! Even if I someday tell you, I would never tell another soul." After a moment's thought, she added, "If there's anyone in this world who could learn the reason, it would only be one person—and that person would undoubtedly be you."
At this, Yan Chi's lips curved into a smile. He shrugged. "Then I'm relieved."
Qin Guan didn't know whether to laugh or cry. Did he really think she would confide in others?!
Yan Chi wasn't one to press for answers. Having grown up far from a sheltered life—in Shuoxi, where survival was akin to licking blood off a blade—he knew some things in life need not be questioned. Why did the Rong people feud with the Great Zhou for generations? And why did non-Rong tribes harbor innate hatred for the Great Zhou?!If he questioned the reason behind every matter, his spear would slow considerably—how then could he hold off the enemy's thousands of troops and horses?!
Yet he wanted to ascertain his position in Qin Guan's heart—this was most important.
Whatever secrets Qin Guan held in her heart, it was acceptable if she didn't tell him, but she mustn't tell others either... Intimate relationships between two people sometimes indeed required demonstrating through actions that others couldn't perform but you could—especially with such mysterious and hard-to-voice secrets.
Yan Chi felt satisfied. "Good, I also want to investigate what secrets last year's case of Prince Jin holds. Whether it involves the Crown Prince, Prince Cheng, or others—it might also relate to the changes concerning my father and Shuoxi."
Qin Guan's heart sank. "You mean..."
"In the imperial court, pulling one hair affects the whole body. I'm still uncertain whose hand was behind my father's matter—perhaps it involves both the Crown Prince and Prince Cheng."
After speaking, Yan Chi suddenly said in a deep voice, "This case has already made the Empress anxious—you must be careful."
Qin Guan's eyes softened. "I know. That's why I want Prince Cheng to step forward."
Thinking of Prince Cheng, Yan Chi's eyes darkened. If Song Xiwen's death was related to the Empress, then the Eastern Palace was likely corrupt. Prince Cheng was someone who would seize the opportunity to fatally strike the Eastern Palace. If the Eastern Palace fell, would Prince Cheng ascend to that position?
Yan Chi didn't consider this a good outcome. Yet looking at all the princes, was there anyone he respected and found satisfactory?
Shaking his head inwardly, Yan Chi even snorted disdainfully.
No, there was no one who made him willing to submit.
If he had to name someone, only the former Prince Jin, with his scholarly elegance and loyal integrity, earned some appreciation from him. But when it came to submission, even Prince Jin couldn't achieve that.
Yan Chi suddenly felt a sense of suffocation and sorrow—such was the imperial majesty.
Even if the one sitting on that throne was a useless glutton, you still had to kneel before him.
If that were all, he might have accepted it—after all, some people were born fools, and incompetence wasn't entirely their fault. But if that throne was stained with his father's blood, then even if it were the Jade Emperor himself, he wouldn't know how to write the character for "acceptance."
Thinking this, Yan Chi said gravely, "Regarding Wang Han's matter, I'll approach Prince Cheng tomorrow. Just pretend you know nothing. If Prince Cheng truly pins everything on the Eastern Palace, Qin Shu might blame you."
Qin Guan nodded. "Don't worry, I'm mentally prepared."
Yan Chi looked at Qin Guan and suddenly said, "I suddenly feel our wedding date is somewhat delayed."
Qin Guan looked puzzled. Yan Chi continued, "I'm somewhat uneasy leaving you at the Marquis residence."
Qin Guan's eyes widened, then she chuckled. "My uncle did speak with me a couple of days ago..."
Yan Chi frowned. "What did he want you to do?"
"He wanted me to overturn the previous Corpse Examination conclusion and claim the body wasn't Song Xiwen's. At the time, I didn't understand why he gave such instructions. Now I know—Song Xiwen was indeed killed by the Empress, and his name should never appear again... I refused at the time. My uncle didn't look pleased, but he didn't say much more."
Yan Chi's frown deepened. "He, a dignified Marquis of Loyalty and Courage, actually ordered you around like that?!"Seeing his anger intensify, Qin Guan quickly pressed her hand over his. "Think about it, Eighth Sister is already the Crown Princess. Regardless of how much power the Crown Prince can bring to the Marquis household, for Eighth Sister's happiness alone, they have no choice but to fully support the Crown Prince."
Yan Chi gazed into Qin Guan's clear, stream-like eyes and was instantly reminded of Yan Che's intentions, which made him gnash his teeth at the mere thought. He abruptly pulled Qin Guan into his embrace. Though Qin Guan couldn't discern Yan Che's thoughts, he, as a man, saw them clearly!
Yan Chi suddenly felt that his earlier decision to personally seek out Prince Cheng was absolutely right.
The sudden embrace took Qin Guan by surprise. She sensed Yan Chi's emotions surging violently, his expression turning cold and severe, but she couldn't quite grasp the reason. She continued, "Don't worry, I am still a member of the Qin family after all. No matter how angry he gets, he can only seethe in private. Nothing else will come of it. When I said he wanted to kill me earlier, that was just a joke—he wouldn't dare act against me recklessly."
She was joking, of course. Qin Guan now held the title of Yongci County Princess, a rank nearly equivalent to a marquis. Though it carried no real power, she enjoyed the favor of the Grand Princess and the Empress Dowager. Qin Shu wouldn't dare do anything to her.
Yan Chi held her hand, studying her intently for a moment.
No matter how cold and ruthless Qin Guan appeared during corpse examinations, her waist was slender enough to be encircled by a single hand, and her hands were soft and delicate as if boneless. The thought of anyone harming her with force—or even Qin Shu glaring at her—pained him. Moreover, the more he looked at her, the more he found every part of her captivating. It suddenly struck him that Yan Che's intentions likely wouldn't cease just because he had married Qin Chaoyu, and a dark fury surged within him.
Before returning to the capital, Prince Rui Yan Lin had repeatedly cautioned him. Yan Chi understood his father's meaning. Though he had killed without blinking in Shuoxi, he was well aware that the political winds in the court had turned against Prince Rui's faction. He knew the importance of lying low and had been exceptionally restrained since coming back to the capital, aside from beating Feng Zhang severely.
But the truth proved that his father had still underestimated the treachery of human hearts.
His restraint and self-control had evaporated the moment he learned of his father's death.
The heavy shackles that Prince Rui Yan Lin had layered upon him, one by one, were now being shattered and cast aside. He realized the fierce, unyielding nature within him had returned, just as it had been in Shuoxi.
"Yan Chi?! I'm telling the truth..."
Yan Chi's gaze was dark and unsettled, making Qin Guan uneasy. She couldn't help but call out to him.
Snapping back to reality, Yan Chi suppressed the fire in his heart without a trace, his tone calm yet tinged with a sinister edge. "The wedding date was truly set too late—"
Qin Guan: "..."
"I wonder if it's still possible to go find Grandmother now."
Yan Chi was speaking entirely seriously!
Qin Guan pushed his arm, both amused and exasperated. "What's gotten into you? Uncle won't really drive me out. Besides, I've already made arrangements to ensure I won't end up homeless in the future."
Yan Chi narrowed his phoenix eyes. "What have you done? Why didn't I know about it?"
Qin Guan's eyes shifted, and she explained the instructions she had given to Han Dong. After hearing her out, Yan Chi looked at her strangely for a moment. "Why didn't you come to me? The businesses under Han Dong have been managed by Qin Shu for years. Do you think he wouldn't notice if you meddled with the underlying assets?"Qin Guan hesitated for a moment. She had thought of it, but she had no better alternative.
Qin Shu’s words that day had served as a warning to her. She was not the biological child of Qin Shu and his wife. Back then, Qin Xiang had been driven out with a single word from Qin Shu. In the future, the same could happen to her. She had originally not intended to touch the Second Branch’s assets, but after some thought, she realized she had nothing to her name. She needed some wealth to fall back on, which was why she decided to consolidate the Second Branch’s businesses properly, lest she truly end up a homeless wanderer.
“I… but the Prince Rui’s residence…”
Qin Guan truly had no idea what properties the Prince Rui’s residence owned. Prince Rui had spent his entire life in Shuoxi, and Yan Chi hadn’t stayed in the capital for long either!
Yan Chi could tell at a glance what Qin Guan was thinking. A complex expression flickered in his eyes, as if he found her thoughts too naive. After a moment, he sighed. “I’ll have Bai Feng make the arrangements. It’ll be handed over to Baiying later.”
Qin Guan opened her mouth, then after a long pause, nodded. “Then… alright.”
Yan Chi’s expression relaxed. Noticing the last rays of the setting sun fading outside and the sky growing dim, he rested his chin on Qin Guan’s shoulder and couldn’t resist pulling her closer. Qin Guan kept glancing nervously toward the door. Though it was closed, anyone could push it open at any moment. “You…”
“Don’t move. Let me lean on you for a while—”
Qin Guan pursed her lips but ultimately didn’t push him away. Yan Chi leaned in closer and tighter. Suddenly, Qin Guan felt a warm, wet sensation on the side of her neck, followed by something soft and hot gliding over her skin. Then came a sharp pain. Qin Guan gasped, her face instantly flushing crimson. Just as she raised her hand to push him away, Yan Chi lifted his head. Seeing her face as red as dripping blood, a broad smile spread across his lips. Qin Guan had been about to strike him, but at the sight of his smile, her embarrassment and annoyance faded, replaced by a quiet thought: it had been a long time since she had seen Yan Chi smile like this—
Lost in her daze, Yan Chi had already taken her hand. “Go on, hit me—”
Qin Guan snapped back to reality and snorted, her eyes wide and round. Instead, she pulled her hand from his and covered her neck. She couldn’t believe it—Yan Chi had actually “bitten” her. Besides the pain, there was a tingling numbness on her neck, especially where that warm, wet sensation had glided over…
Her gaze fell on Yan Chi’s teeth, and her face flushed even deeper.
“You… how improper!”
Her reprimand was soft and weak, not intimidating in the least but instead utterly captivating!
Yan Chi tugged open his collar. “Then do you want to pay me back?”
A teasing, expectant look played on his handsome face. Provoked to the core, Qin Guan refused to back down. Glaring at the exposed part of his neck, she gritted her teeth. Just as Yan Chi thought she might actually pounce and return the bite, she lowered her head and bit the back of his hand instead. With his tough skin and sturdy bones, Yan Chi felt no pain, only the warm, wet sensation on his hand. A heat surged within him, but before he could fully savor it, Qin Guan had already released him, leaving a faint row of teeth marks on his hand.
Yan Chi didn’t even flinch, worried only that he might have hurt her teeth. His eyes swept over her cherry lips, and he couldn’t help but swallow. “Satisfied? How about another one?”Qin Guan had intended to prove to Yan Chi that she wasn't incapable of doing it, but she never expected it would have no deterrent effect at all. On the contrary, she clearly saw the blazing intensity in Yan Chi's eyes—that aggressive, heart-pounding look...
Qin Guan immediately tried to stand up, but just as she moved away, Yan Chi pulled her back into his embrace. This time, she distinctly felt the change in his body. Her eyes widened in shock, "How did you..."
Yan Chi practically pressed Qin Guan against his chest, his voice hoarse to the point of madness.
While taking deep breaths, he whispered in her ear, "Guan Guan, you'd better bite me a few more times..."
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