After breakfast, Yan Chi and his party braved the crisp cold to leave Luozhou City.
Traveling separately from the main force allowed them to disguise themselves as wealthy nobles journeying south to visit relatives at year's end. Yan Chi finally boarded the carriage.
With the addition of Xun Niang and her husband, three more large carriages were arranged. Baiying and Fuling moved to the second carriage while Bai Feng took the reins. Qin Guan and Yan Chi were left alone in the lead carriage. Though the snowstorm had ceased, the road remained treacherous. Surprisingly unhurried, Yan Chi insisted on prioritizing steady progress over speed.
The carriage was lined with thick, soft cushions. Qin Guan leaned lazily against Yan Chi's chest with her eyes closed, conserving her energy. "Lin Xie must have learned of General Zhou's whereabouts by now. He's surely pursuing them and might even alert the Liangzhou Garrison to block their path."
"Zhou You has always excelled at long-distance rapid marches. Traveling separately, he'll maintain full speed and won't lag far behind Lin Xie. As for the Liangzhou Garrison..." Yan Chi's hands gently kneaded the sides of her thighs as he spoke. Having military training and martial arts practice since childhood, his massage techniques were naturally skilled. After last night's exertions, Qin Guan's legs had been unsteady all day, so he took it upon himself to massage them during the journey. Feeling pleasantly lethargic, she indulged him.
"I thought we'd head directly to the Northwest Frontier, but I never expected you'd choose Jianzhou instead."
Mention of Jianzhou naturally made Qin Guan think of Yao Xinlan. This time last year, she had been traveling north, yet here she was heading south again after barely a year.
Their recent frantic travel had left little time for proper conversation. Now that Yan Chi had deliberately slowed their pace, they could finally talk at length.
"We will go to the Northwest Frontier," Yan Chi explained, "but with this rebellion accusation hanging over me, relying solely on that region isn't enough."
Qin Guan opened her eyes and sat up straight, her expression turning serious. "What are you planning?"
Though on the road, Yan Chi continuously received updates and remained fully informed about the capital's turmoil. The emperor's decree branding him a traitor had been publicly announced, meaning Yan Chi would now be hunted as a primary rebel wherever he went.
Taking her hand, Yan Chi said, "Though never my intention, since he accuses me of rebellion, I shall truly rebel. To rebel successfully, one must first secure military strength. While the Northwest Frontier Army's hundred thousand soldiers are elite forces, recent conflicts have depleted their numbers. Moreover, the northwestern borderlands are barren. Though I secured six months of supplies for them, prolonged confrontation with Lin'an would be unwinnable with only the Northwest Frontier at our disposal."
Yan Chi spoke each word deliberately. By the time he finished, understanding dawned in Qin Guan's heart.
Though she had never studied military strategy, she possessed innate wisdom. She realized Yan Chi's journey to Jianzhou aimed to secure support from that region and surrounding areas.
The southern provinces were all fertile and prosperous. Jianzhou, located in the southwest, was relatively close to the Northwest Frontier. Gaining Jianzhou's support would eliminate worries about their rear flank. Yet, how many would dare openly oppose the imperial court?
"Set your mind at ease," Yan Chi reassured her. "Preparations in Jianzhou will take time, so we can travel leisurely. The New Year approaches soon—we'll celebrate it in Jianzhou. There's no urgency regarding the Northwest Frontier either; I've made all necessary arrangements."Leaving Lin'an and being branded as rebels by the emperor—these events felt utterly unfamiliar to Qin Guan. At this point, she naturally placed her complete trust in Yan Chi.
"That's good then. You've always been decisive, so I'll follow your lead. But in the capital..." Qin Guan frowned slightly, worried about the Loyal Marquis Manor.
A faint smile touched Yan Chi's lips. "Don't worry. Grand Aunt will protect Marquis Anyang Manor. Your eighth sister has already passed away, so she isn't implicated in the Empress and Crown Prince's rebellion. Besides, you aren't the biological daughter of the Marquis and his wife. As long as it's confirmed they had no involvement, they won't be severely punished. At most, they'll lose their wealth and status—but they backed the wrong side from the start. Hoping for boundless prosperity was never realistic anyway."
Back when Qin Shu married Qin Chaoyu into the palace, his ambition was for her to become the next Empress. He never could have imagined the secret the emperor was hiding. Now, with the Crown Prince and Empress confirmed as rebels, the Marquis Manor couldn't escape unscathed.
Qin Guan sighed. "I'm afraid Uncle may not see it that way. With Grandmother and the Empress Dowager's protection, the manor likely won't face complete ruin. But Her Majesty was already unwell when we left—now she must be suffering even more."
Yan Chi tightened his grip on her hand. "Don't fret. The imperial physicians will surely do their utmost."
A heaviness settled in Qin Guan's heart, yet with hundreds of miles separating them from the capital, she could only harbor her worries silently.
Suddenly, she clasped Yan Chi's hand firmly. "That secret—can it still be kept hidden?"
Yan Chi's brow furrowed. "I don't know. The Great Zhou is already fractured. If that secret were exposed... who knows what turmoil would follow? If I weren't surnamed Yan, perhaps I wouldn't care."
He paused, then added, "But not every member of the Yan clan shares my perspective."
...
The New Year approached, yet Lin'an showed no festive spirit.
Five days earlier, the emperor's decree had struck like thunder, instantly unsettling all the city's residents.
The Crown Prince and Empress were rebels; Prince Rui too was plotting rebellion. One commanded a hundred thousand Northern Garrison troops, the other was the young general of the Northwest Frontier Army. War seemed imminent. Though the flames might not reach Lin'an immediately, everyone agreed: the Great Zhou was descending into chaos.
In the Longevity and Health Palace, the Empress Dowager, who had been bedridden for days, finally received a visit from the emperor.
All attendants were dismissed from the inner chamber, leaving only mother and son.
The Empress Dowager lay with eyes shut, breathing labored, her face pale as paper. The emperor watched her, fearing she might draw her last breath at any moment. Though he had worn a mask for years, he still felt compassion for his birth mother.
"I was occupied with court affairs today and failed to visit you sooner, Mother. I beg your forgiveness."
The Empress Dowager didn't even open her eyes. With a soft cough, she whispered hoarsely, "Be lenient with the Loyal Marquis Manor."
The emperor frowned. "Mother, the Crown Prince and Empress's rebellion is confirmed. And there's also Qin Guan—"
"Their daughter was burned alive. The Empress and Crown Prince's treason has nothing to do with her, so it shouldn't implicate them. As for Qin Guan... she isn't their trueborn daughter, and she saved my life. Do you want me to die with regrets?"The Empress Dowager spoke each word with excruciating slowness, expending great effort to utter so much.
The Emperor listened in silence but offered no reply. After the Empress Dowager coughed twice, she continued, "My days are numbered. This is my final wish. After this, you may do as you please."
The Emperor's furrowed brow relaxed, and after a moment, he nodded. "Very well. Since Mother has spoken, I shall comply."
The Empress Dowager seemed to exhale in relief, her breathing finally easing. The Emperor watched as her expression grew serene yet gradually detached—indeed, she had no further words for him. After waiting a while longer, the Emperor turned and left the inner chamber. Upon stepping out, he encountered Yan Sui holding a medicine bowl. It was time for the Empress Dowager's medicine, and Yan Sui had been waiting with the bowl for some time. Seeing the Emperor emerge, Yan Sui trembled as he bowed.
"Greetings, Father—"
The Emperor scrutinized Yan Sui briefly. "Take good care of your grandmother in the coming days."
Yan Sui dared not lift his head, hunching his shoulders as he murmured assent.
The Emperor's brow furrowed several times before he strode out of the Longevity and Health Palace.
Yan Sui's fingertips trembled slightly. Only when the footsteps faded completely did he stiffly straighten up and glance back. The Emperor had vanished from sight, yet his intimidating gaze seemed to linger overhead. Though young and not fully comprehending, Yan Sui panted heavily, as if trying to exhale his fear breath by breath. Once composed, he toddled into the inner chamber on short legs.
Reaching the Empress Dowager's bedside, Yan Sui called softly, "Grandmother, it's time for your medicine..."
The Empress Dowager opened her bloodshot eyes, gazing at Yan Sui with a mix of sorrow and pity. "Good child, I will protect you for as many days as I can."
Yan Sui watched her with vague understanding as she struggled to sit up and drink the medicine.
Leaning against the headboard, she stared at the unmelted snow outside the window, her face numb with despair. Only when her eyes fell upon Yan Sui did a trace of tender compassion surface. Seeing her thus, Yan Sui suddenly grew frightened and clutched her sleeve.
The Empress Dowager smiled gently. "Do not fear. I must endure... I must endure to see..."
...
At Marquis Anyang Manor, Yue Qiong and the Grand Princess sat facing each other with furrowed brows. "Mother, the Northern Garrison Army's rebellion is undeniable. But what of Shuoxi?"
The Grand Princess sighed. "Even if the Emperor sends you north to suppress the rebellion, act as you must. As for Shuoxi, wait for Yue Jia to return. First, plead for mercy, then confine yourself at home for a few days. We can no longer afford to wade into these troubled waters."
Yue Qiong sighed helplessly. "Yue Qing was originally in the Ministry of War. Given these upheavals, I think of transferring him to the Ministry of Personnel."
The Grand Princess smiled bitterly. "Since ancient times, what good end has befallen military generals? The Ministry of Personnel it is, then. The Empress Dowager's health is failing. I fear once she and I are gone, even our family will suffer. Plan an exit strategy early to avoid being caught unprepared."
Yue Qiong hastily agreed. As they spoke, Yue Ning strode in from outside. "Grandmother! Father! The Emperor has issued an edict!"
The Grand Princess immediately frowned. "What does it say?"Yue Ning approached the two and said, "The Emperor has revoked the title of the Loyal Marquis Manor, reducing the Marquis to a commoner. The positions of the heir apparent and the fourth young master of the Marquis Manor have also been stripped. Both of them had attained their positions through hereditary privilege, and unless they re-enter the military examinations, their futures are effectively ruined."
The Grand Princess listened in a daze, but Yue Qiong quickly responded, "As long as their lives are spared, everything else can be reconsidered."
Yue Ning asked, "The Marquis Manor has been sealed. Fortunately, the Qin family still has some modest assets. Father, should we offer assistance?"
The Grand Princess snapped back to reality. "It must have been the Empress Dowager who intervened. Ah, let your fourth brother take some people to help. In the entire capital, I’m afraid only our family would dare associate with them now."
Upon hearing this, Yue Ning nodded promptly and turned to find Yue Qing. Yue Qiong sighed, "This outcome is still acceptable."
Twenty years ago, during Prince Gong’s rebellion, his princess consort, the Fu Clan, and his subordinate generals were all executed with their nine clans exterminated. Now, the Loyal Marquis Manor has only lost its noble title. The Grand Princess nodded, "This is the Emperor’s final act of mercy. Who knows how things will unfold from here? We won’t be celebrating the New Year this year. Now that you’ve returned to the capital, you must tread carefully. If necessary, relinquish your military authority over the Jinzhou garrison to someone else."
The Grand Princess was filled with foreboding, sensing an impending disaster. Yue Qiong, who had always respected his mother and was unclear about the current situation, naturally deferred to her entirely.
After a pause, Yue Qiong remarked, "I wonder where Yan Chi and the others have gone. Poor Wan Yatou..."
Qin Guan was Yue Qiong’s adopted daughter. Although the Grand Princess had originally arranged the adoption, Yue Qiong admired Qin Guan and genuinely cared for her.
The Grand Princess sighed, "They are deeply devoted to each other, and Yan Chi is someone worthy of trust. It’s not a bad match. Enduring some hardship won’t harm them—they will surely recover in time. For now, it’s best we don’t intervene openly. I will send someone to contact her later."
Yue Qiong nodded. "Fortunately, Ning’er is betrothed to Yan Ze. Though Yan Ze has an eye ailment, he can provide her with a peaceful and content life in the future."
The Grand Princess had always been fond of Yan Ze, but this time she did not immediately agree. After a moment of silence, she said, "The Emperor’s decree claims Yan Chi helped the Empress and Crown Prince escape, but I find that hard to believe..."
Yue Qiong shook his head. "It’s just an imperial decree—fabricated charges..."
He left the last four words unspoken, as the capital was rife with tension, and even at home, he had to guard his words.
The Grand Princess frowned. "As for Ning’er’s marriage, let her decide for herself."
Yue Qiong relaxed his brow. "Ning’er naturally gets along well with Yan Ze. Since my return, Jing Shu has told me that Ning’er is quite attentive to him..."
The Grand Princess shook her head without elaborating. She had initially thought that recalling Yue Jia to the capital would allow them to withdraw unscathed, but now she faintly sensed an impending crisis.
At the same time, outside Yingzhou City, Yan Che stood on a low hill, gazing at the distant walls of Yingzhou.
To avoid drawing attention, they had bypassed the city on their journey north.Although the snow in the capital had ceased, the journey northward remained plagued by relentless wind and snow. Yan Che, draped in a black cape, had aged considerably in just a few short days. As he stood with a grave expression, footsteps suddenly echoed behind him. Turning, he saw Qin Chaoyu approaching, sheltered beneath a water-red satin cape and holding an oil-paper umbrella. She walked directly to his side, tilting the umbrella to shield him, instantly blocking the harsh elements.
"Your Highness has been out for some time. Her Majesty the Empress was concerned and sent me to escort you back."
The wind outside cut like knives. While Yan Che could endure it, Qin Chaoyu’s cheeks were flushed red from the cold, and her hand holding the umbrella was stiff and frozen.
Seeing this, Yan Che’s heart softened. He took the umbrella from her and clasped her hand in his palm, though his tone remained cool. "I am no longer the Crown Prince of Great Zhou. There is no need to address me as Your Highness."
Qin Chaoyu nestled closer to Yan Che and smiled. "In my eyes, Your Highness will always be the Crown Prince."
Yan Che gazed at her. "The Emperor has stripped me of my title. Now, I am merely a rebel accused of treason."
Qin Chaoyu blinked, her eyes fixed on him. "Does Your Highness know why Her Majesty the Empress chose this Path?"
Yan Che frowned. "She has never explained it clearly, so of course I do not know. Why? Did she tell you?"
Qin Chaoyu shook her head with a smile. "Of course not. If Her Majesty did not tell you, why would she tell me?" With that, she turned her gaze away from Yan Che and looked toward Yingzhou City in the distance. "But I trust Her Majesty the Empress, and I trust you. Her Majesty is broad-minded and righteous—she must have her reasons. Since we are already rebels in the Emperor’s eyes, and since we no longer abide by the principles of ruler and subject, what meaning does the Emperor’s edict of deposition hold?"
Yan Che looked at Qin Chaoyu with a complex expression. "You were the noble daughter of a marquis’s manor. After marrying me for only half a year, you’ve fallen into such a wretched state. Do you regret it?"
"Wretched?" Qin Chaoyu turned her gaze back to Yan Che, pressed her lips together, and spoke with resolve, as if having made up her mind. "I don’t think it’s wretched at all. The palace may be glorious, but Your Highness would not have held an umbrella for me or warmed my hands there. Now, Her Majesty and you are both here. In Cangzhou, a hundred thousand soldiers of the Northern Garrison Army await us. Your Highness still has grand ambitions to fulfill, and I am the one who will stand by your side to achieve them. How many women can claim such a fate? The eldest daughter of the Loyal Marquis Manor is dead, but one day, I will return to Lin’an, won’t I?"
Her voice was soft yet resolute, her eyes filled with tenderness and unwavering determination. For a moment, Yan Che was speechless, as if seeing Qin Chaoyu for the first time. Unable to hold back, he said, "Of course. You will return. We will return together!"
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