"Master, the gatekeeper reports a guest seeking an audience outside the residence—"
The night had deepened. Yan Chi had just returned from outside. Today's Prince Rui's royal residence had swept away its previous desolation and bleakness. As Yan Chi and Qin Guan's wedding approached, the royal residence had been decorated accordingly. The wedding hall was already prepared, with the main courtyard blazing in dazzling red. But before Qin Guan moved in, Yan Chi still preferred to remain alone in the waterside pavilion.
Hearing Bai Feng's words, Yan Chi was somewhat surprised. It was already the latter half of the night—who would visit at such an hour?
Though the timing was peculiar, Yan Chi didn't believe just anyone would dare seek him out at this hour. Since someone had come, they must have some backing.
"Let them in. I'll receive the guest in the front courtyard."
Despite saying this, Yan Chi wasn't in any particular hurry. If the gatekeeper couldn't recognize the visitor, their status couldn't be high. He washed up and changed his clothes before heading to the front courtyard.
Upon arriving, Yan Chi saw a silhouette. The guest hadn't entered the room but chose to wait under the corridor eaves.
Tonight was a rare clear night. A serene full moon hung in the sky, its watery radiance softly blanketing the entire courtyard.
Yan Chi narrowed his eyes—he recognized who the visitor was...
Hearing footsteps, Zhang Dongxuan turned and immediately spotted Yan Chi in his black robes. He glanced Yan Chi up and down, a slight curve forming at the corner of his mouth as he stepped forward and bowed. "This humble follower of the Path, Zhang Dongxuan, pays respects to Your Highness Prince Rui—"
Though puzzled by Zhang Dongxuan's appearance here, Yan Chi's expression relaxed slightly. "The gatekeeper reported a visitor—I wondered who it might be. So it's the return of the Path master. Please rise. You left the capital in midsummer—have you returned today?"
Zhang Dongxuan rose with a smile. Yan Chi gestured an invitation, and the two entered the room.
Zhang Dongxuan noticed Yan Chi's faint indifference and the slight furrow between his brows. Clearly, Prince Rui was troubled by some matter. Without preamble, Zhang Dongxuan produced Qin Guan's letter from his sleeve. "Your Highness, please read this..."
Yan Chi raised an eyebrow. The moment he took the letter, his brow tightened—he recognized Qin Guan's handwriting instantly.
After reading the entire letter, Yan Chi's face remained impassive, but his eyes darkened. He looked at Zhang Dongxuan, waiting for him to continue.
Zhang Dongxuan smiled. "This humble follower left the capital in summer and indeed traveled to various places thereafter. Half a month ago, I cast a divination for the noble lady, and the result was unfavorable. Concerned, I hurried back to the capital day and night. Several days ago, while still en route, I observed the celestial signs repeatedly. I saw the Breakout Army Star emerge in the west and the Greedy Wolf Star in the north, while the Purple Forbidden Emperor Star wavered precariously as if unstable. My anxiety grew further. Upon returning to the capital, I indeed found the situation troubling. Today, I visited the marquis residence and discussed this with the princess. She confirmed there have indeed been some changes in the capital, thus verifying my suspicions..."He paused before continuing, 'My return serves two purposes: first, to protect the princess, and second, to assist Your Highness.'" Therefore, I expressed my intentions to the princess and specially requested her to write this letter of introduction. I know Your Highness is surrounded by numerous capable individuals, but I am not without skills myself. I wonder if Your Highness would grant me this opportunity?"After glancing at the letter in Yan Chi's hand, Zhang Dongxuan continued, "Her Highness mentioned she hasn't seen you for several days and had something she hadn't had the chance to tell you. So the letter likely contains more than one matter. Your Highness may prioritize what the Princess said first. As for my humble self, Your Highness may respond whenever convenient."
Yan Chi tucked Qin Guan's letter into his sleeve and regarded Zhang Dongxuan leisurely. "With your exceptional skills, Master Zhang, you could serve anyone. Why choose me?"
Zhang Dongxuan smiled. "This humble Daoist knows nothing but fortune-telling and reading faces. When I first saw Your Highness, I sensed the aura of imperial destiny. Having learned much about Your Highness's life, and since I cannot truly retreat to the mountains, I naturally choose the one I trust most. Moreover, Your Highness is soon to marry the Princess - helping two people at once seems more efficient. Of course, should Your Highness decline, I would bear no resentment."
Yan Chi chuckled at his straightforward words. "Your visit today aligns perfectly with my intentions."
Zhang Dongxuan's tense nerves immediately relaxed, while the gravity on Yan Chi's face lightened slightly. "When you left the capital this summer, I felt some regret, thinking our next meeting would depend on fate. Yet you returned so soon. Now that you've entered my residence, I shall treat you as a national advisor."
Zhang Dongxuan promptly rose and bowed deeply with clasped hands. Yan Chi stood to assist him up, his expression already showing familiarity. "Please rise, Master. You mentioned earlier that through night sky observation, killing stars have descended in the northwest?"
Straightening up, Zhang Dongxuan's expression turned solemn. "Not yet descended - currently it merely indicates impending war."
Pausing briefly, he added, "Before Your Highness journeys west, the Polaris Star remains hidden behind layered clouds, poised to emerge."
These words made Yan Chi's phoenix eyes narrow. Zhang Dongxuan wasn't questioning but affirming - confirming Yan Chi must go to Shuoxi, and that the so-called Polaris Star referred to Yan Chi himself. "Since you speak so plainly," Yan Chi said, "I'll be equally frank. The Emperor can no tolerate Prince Rui's residence. Whether due to past grievances or for the hundred thousand soldiers and civilians in Shuoxi, I won't wait helplessly. Given your urgent offer to join me, do you already have strategies?"
Zhang Dongxuan's gaze intensified. "Your Highness seems quite busy today, but your current situation is already precarious. A dragon trapped in shallow waters may sink into mud - you must guard carefully against those around you. Moreover, going west alone would leave you isolated. If you can use others' strength against them, the effect would be remarkable. The current Emperor faces numerous troubles himself - you do have options. As for timing, I believe your wedding day presents the best opportunity."
Yan Chi frowned at this. He considered the wedding extremely important - no disruptions could be allowed regardless of subsequent events.
Seemingly understanding his expression, Zhang Dongxuan said, "The tenth is indeed an auspicious date, but... the Ning Buyi case this summer, though only five people died, still altered the Heavenly Path somewhat. The current chaos comes swiftly and fiercely - I believe this is partly why. Thus on the tenth, blessings will likely give way to unexpected changes..."
Yan Chi's frown deepened. "I've considered this too, Master... but I don't wish to disrupt the wedding ceremonies."Yan Chi's swift acceptance of Zhang Dongxuan clearly demonstrated his high regard for him. Yet Zhang Dongxuan hadn't expected Yan Chi to remain unmoved even when he'd spoken to such an extent. Though he knew Yan Chi and Qin Guan had long held mutual affection, and their imperial marriage decree had followed naturally, he never imagined a hardened commander like Yan Chi of the Northwest Frontier Army would place such importance on wedding rituals. Sighing inwardly, Zhang Dongxuan could only say, "If Your Highness wishes to proceed this way, it can be done. But to account for unforeseen changes, preparations must be made early. Your Highness desires a complete wedding ceremony, yet others may not share this intention..."
Yan Chi's lips curved. Zhang Dongxuan's warning wasn't without merit, but he had already made arrangements.
...
With one day remaining until the wedding, Yan Chi went to Marquis Anyang Manor early the next morning.
The Grand Princess hadn't expected Yan Chi's visit at this hour. Upon hearing his purpose, her heart swelled with compassion.
Yan Chi said, "My mother passed away early, and my father has now departed as well. With no alternative, I must trouble Grand Aunt to serve as our witness. Qin Guan and I first met in Jinzhou—in fact, it was through your blessings. Since neither of us has living parents, the rites would be incomplete without a witness. I implore Grand Aunt to accept our bows on behalf of my father and mother."
The Grand Princess's eyes reddened. Having lost his mother young and now his father, Yan Chi would have no elder to receive respects during the ceremony—they couldn't very well bow to empty seats. She quickly responded, "This old one has been neglectful. This is only proper. Good child, Ning'er is my adopted granddaughter, and you are my grandnephew. Since this is so, I shall presumptuously accept your respects! I'll bring Ning'er a day early to your residence. If anything is amiss in your preparations, I shall oversee it personally."
Having spent half his life on battlefields, Yan Chi finally stood at the threshold of marriage yet lacked anyone to arrange his wedding. These past days, rough soldiers had merely decorated according to protocol, but the Grand Princess's involvement would transform everything—at last an elder could manage the proceedings.
Profoundly grateful, Yan Chi kept the Grand Princess company for a long while before proceeding to Prince Yi's residence.
Arriving at the royal residence, he found numerous servants carrying assorted gold foil and lotus flower lanterns outward.
The servants knelt in succession upon seeing Yan Chi. When the gatekeeper announced him, Prince Yi personally came to greet him.
Yan Xiang welcomed Yan Chi warmly, escorting him toward the main courtyard. Yan Chi glanced back and asked, "Uncle... what is all this?"
Yan Xiang smiled. "It's like this—Yan Ze's mother has been gone for years. Her memorial tablet and eternal lamp have been maintained at Fahua Temple outside the city. Though we've seldom attended to it, the abbot has always been diligent. Since our return, Yan Ze added more lamps for her mother, but felt it insufficient. She then decided to donate a golden Buddha statue to Fahua Temple. We've been occupied with crafting the statue these days. What you saw earlier are ritual items for welcoming the Buddha into the temple. Additionally, Yan Ze wishes to distribute porridge to refugees outside the city that day. Recent heavy snow in the northwest has driven many displaced people toward the capital..."
After Yan Xiang's explanation, Yan Chi understood. Yet watching the continuous stream of colorful lanterns and gold foil being carried out, he narrowed his eyes slightly.
Upon entering the main courtyard, Yan Xiang asked, "What brings you here today? Are the wedding preparations at your residence complete?"Yan Chi smiled, "Naturally, I personally delivered the invitations to Uncle and Third Brother..."
Having said this, Yan Xiang ordered someone to summon Yan Ze. Before long, Yan Ze arrived with medicated gauze applied over his eyes, leaning on a walking stick.
After discussing the wedding ceremony, Yan Xiang jokingly claimed he needed to supervise the work, knowingly leaving Yan Chi and Yan Ze, the two brothers, to converse alone.
Yan Ze said impassively, "Have you been busy with the tasks assigned by the Emperor these past few days?"
Yan Chi looked at Yan Ze. He still remembered how clear and bright Yan Ze's eyes were beneath the medicated gauze, but when his gaze fell vaguely into the distance, he truly appeared no different from a blind person.
Yan Chi replied, "Yes."
Yan Chi spoke sparingly, but Yan Ze smiled and asked, "Any leads?"
"Not for now." After a pause, Yan Chi added, "The capital isn't particularly large, nor is it small. I've investigated many places before, but one place was overlooked."
Yan Chi looked at Yan Ze, "Because I heard the Empress doesn't believe in Buddhism, so the matter of sculpting Buddha statues couldn't possibly be connected to her."
The smile at the corner of Yan Ze's lips slowly faded, and half of his usual composure and ease dissipated, replaced by a tension as rigid as bamboo. "It seems Qin Guan has told you everything."
Yan Chi smiled, "Third Brother asked for her help precisely to relay the message to me, didn't you?"
Yan Ze pressed his lips together and remained silent for a moment. Then, he suddenly reached up and removed the medicated gauze from his eyes.
With the gauze removed, Yan Ze's handsome, jade-like face was fully exposed. He took a moment to adjust, then fixed a piercing gaze on Yan Chi. "You're very calm."
What Qin Guan had conveyed to Yan Chi was not limited to the death of Princess Consort Yi.
Yan Chi neither confirmed nor denied it. "Third Brother seems disappointed."
Yan Ze let out a soft, derisive laugh. "No, on the contrary, I admire it. It seems my decision wasn't wrong. So? Since you've come to me, and since we've spoken this far, it means you intend to cooperate with me, correct?"
Yan Chi leaned back in his chair, his chin slightly raised. There was not a trace of anger in his demeanor, yet his eyes were unfathomably deep. After a moment, he slowly shook his head. "I know the Empress and the Crown Prince's motives, but I still don't know Third Brother's. Under such circumstances, cooperation is impossible."
Yan Ze smiled faintly. "What motives could a man who has been blind for ten years possibly have?"
Yan Chi remained unshaken, his gaze fixed intently on Yan Ze. It was rare to encounter someone whose eyes conveyed emotions entirely at odds with their overall demeanor, and Yan Ze was precisely such a person.
Yan Chi suddenly said, "Last year, it was you who had Li Muyun submit a memorial exposing the Shen family, wasn't it?"
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