The one who arrived was none other than Yan Li.
Clad entirely in black, Yan Li wore a dark cape draped over his shoulders. Whether to conceal his identity or for some other purpose, he seemed to meld seamlessly into the ink-like night. Riding forth on horseback, the howling wind and snow lifted the cape behind him, resembling a fledgling eagle poised to take flight.
Yan Chi watched Yan Li’s approach, his gaze subtly sharpening.
“Seventh Brother—” Yan Li urged his horse closer, casting a glance at the carriage and the other black-clad riders. A flicker of unspoken worry crossed his eyes. Pressing his lips together, he finally spoke, “Are you heading to Shuoxi, Seventh Brother? Will you never return?”
Yan Chi guided his horse forward a step, his voice low as he replied, “Why have you come?”
Yan Li gave a bitter smile. “You visited only Mother Consort, and as soon as you left, she entered the palace. I knew something must have happened.”
Yan Chi studied Yan Li intently. Under that gaze, Yan Li instinctively averted his eyes. Frowning, a faint glimmer flashed in the depths of Yan Chi’s shadowed gaze before he spoke, “Something has indeed happened. The Emperor can no longer tolerate Prince Rui’s household. I had no choice but to take this step.”
Yan Li nodded, pain welling in his eyes. “I… I suspected as much. Since you’re leaving, I had to see you off. After we part today, who knows when we’ll meet again.”
Yan Chi sighed. “I’ve already spoken with the Princess Consort. From now on, you and she must take care. Our grandmother’s health is failing—do your best to honor her.”
A complex mix of emotions swirled in Yan Li’s eyes—reluctance tinged with regret. “I know, I know. I only worry that your journey may be fraught with hardship. Shuoxi is a bitter, cold land…” He glanced at the carriage. “You will surely face many trials.”
Inside the carriage, Qin Guan heard Yan Li’s voice and lifted the curtain. Seeing Qin Guan, Yan Li forced a faint smile and added, “I can’t offer much help, but I feared it might be years before we meet again, so I hurried here.”
Yan Chi pressed his lips together. “Though I leave the capital and am branded a rebel in the Emperor’s eyes, the bond between us brothers remains unchanged. We will meet again.”
Yan Li nodded emphatically, the corners of his eyes reddening. “Yes, we will surely meet again someday.”
Instinctively, Yan Li glanced back toward the city gates, as if fearing imperial guards might emerge in pursuit. Urgently, he said, “I just needed to see you, Seventh Brother. You should go now.”
Time was pressing for Yan Chi. With nothing left to say, he delayed no further. Yan Li turned his gaze to the carriage, looking at Qin Guan. “Take care.”
Qin Guan’s heart was also heavy with sorrow. At this point, even if Yan Li didn’t know the full story, he must have sensed something amiss. Yet, in such circumstances, what more could be said?
Qin Guan managed a smile. “Take care as well, Eighth Brother.”
The address “Eighth Brother” brought a brighter smile to Yan Li’s face. He clasped his hands in a salute. “Seventh Brother, Sister-in-law, may your journey be smooth.”
With a wave of his hand, Yan Chi signaled General Mu to lead the black-clad riders southward. Yan Li remained rooted in place. As Yan Chi and Qin Guan’s carriage began to move slowly, they had traveled only a few dozen feet when Yan Chi looked back. There stood Yan Li, motionless amidst the wind and snow. Having endured countless trials in Shuoxi and the pain of losing his father, Yan Chi’s heart had long grown resilient to turmoil. Yet, at the sight of Yan Li’s solitary figure, a lingering sorrow and suffocating ache tightened in his chest.Withdrawing his gaze, Yan Chi cracked his whip, and the horse beneath him immediately broke into a gallop. The snowstorm was fierce, quickly covering the hoofprints and carriage ruts on the official road as if no one had ever passed. Yan Li remained standing beneath the city gate, feeling as though his entire body had frozen stiff from the cold, before finally turning his horse back toward the city. The soldiers opening the gate were silent, and after a glance at the guards below the gate tower, Yan Li raised his whip and headed for the palace entrance.
The area outside the palace was still in chaos. Yan Li, alone on his horse, stood beyond the palace gates, his gaze lightly fixed on the entrance.
After waiting nearly two hours, Yan Li finally saw the old Momma holding an umbrella escorting Princess Consort Gong of the Fu Clan out.
Yan Li dismounted and hurried forward, only to meet the Princess Consort’s unusually vacant eyes. His heart trembled at the sight. "Mother…"
Princess Consort Gong halted, glanced back at the towering palace gate tower, then gave a wooden smile and asked, "Has he left?"
Yan Li nodded, gripping her hand tightly. Only then did he realize her hands were ice-cold and trembling slightly. Worried, he supported her as she leaned heavily against him. She walked unsteadily toward the carriage, her legs seeming to buckle. Yan Li’s lips moved several times, but each time he swallowed his words. "Mother, your visit to the palace…"
After helping Princess Consort Gong into the carriage, Yan Li could no longer hold back.
The Princess Consort paused at the carriage door for a long moment before replying, "Just some old grievances. Matters of the past generation have nothing to do with the younger one."
Yan Li’s expression shifted slightly. Princess Consort Gong bent down and entered the carriage, followed by the old Momma, who closed the door behind them.
After a silent pause, Yan Li remounted his horse. With a crack of the whip, he, his horse, and the carriage set off for the royal residence of Prince Gong.
The snowstorm was so heavy that a thick layer had already accumulated on the Imperial Road overnight, and the sky seemed even darker. Dawn was less than two hours away.
By the time the carriage stopped at the residence’s entrance, Princess Consort Gong had regained her usual composure. Upon entering the gates, she suddenly paused and instructed Yan Li behind her, "Close the doors and gates. Do not leave the residence until the New Year."
Yan Li stood rooted in place as Princess Consort Gong walked away without looking back, heading toward the Buddhist shrine courtyard.
OpenNovel