After traveling south for another ten days, they reached the banks of the Wild Goose River. In the depths of winter, ice spikes covered the river's surface, and a heavy snowfall two days prior had stranded many vessels at Jialing Ferry, halting southbound travel. By the time Yan Chi's party arrived at the ferry, the nearby ice had just broken. Bai Feng hired a private boat to cross the river.
A bleak wind swept across the river. Gazing at the dark clouds on the horizon, Yan Chi knew another snowstorm was approaching. Yet once they crossed the Wild Goose River, the weather south of the river grew noticeably warmer, with the snow turning into a chilly drizzle. Without delay, Yan Chi pressed onward, taking Qin Guan directly to Yanzhou.
To reach Jianzhou, the northern route through Yanzhou was the shortcut. As Yan Chi and Qin Guan journeyed south, the atmosphere shifted noticeably by the time they reached Yuanzhou. After crossing the Wild Goose River, discussions of rebellion grew even scarcer, allowing their travels to proceed with fewer constraints. It was already the twelfth lunar month, with the New Year imminent. Every village and town they passed had households replacing old door charms with new ones. Unwilling to let Qin Guan endure hardship, Yan Chi meticulously arranged every detail of their journey. On the fifth day of the twelfth month, the party entered Yanzhou City.
Throughout these weeks of southern travel, Yan Chi received a flurry of messages daily. Observing this, Qin Guan realized his influence extended far beyond surface appearances. Though both were publicly denounced as traitors by the emperor, orchestrating such seamless arrangements required more than just wealth and manpower. Despite their mutual affection, Qin Guan had never fully grasped the depths of Yan Chi's capabilities—until this journey gave her new perspective.
Their carriage passed through Yanzhou's city gates at dusk, proceeding briefly along the main street before turning into a narrow alley. Soon, they arrived at a prepared residence.
With everyone in their party possessing striking presence, staying at conspicuous inns was impractical. Qin Guan assumed this residence, like previous ones, had been arranged in advance by Yan Chi's covert guards. But when they reached the estate gates, it was two elegantly dressed Mommas who opened them.
"We have long awaited Your Highness's arrival. We pay respects to Your Highness and the Princess Consort..."
As Qin Guan stepped down from the carriage, the two women emerged and knelt in reverence. Their tone was respectful yet carried innate authority. Noticing their plain Huzhou silk gowns, Qin Guan frowned slightly. Huzhou silk was luxurious—even this lowest-grade plain variant wasn't something ordinary households could afford. Though the women were in their forties with graying temples, their bearing and etiquette were impeccable. Even kneeling in submission, they maintained an air of dignified composure.
Qin Guan glanced at Yan Chi. Were these his arrangements?
Squeezing her hand reassuringly, Yan Chi said, "Rise, both of you. You've waited long."
The two women stood but kept their eyes modestly lowered. "The Second Lady intended to come personally, but upon learning Your Highness was heading to Jianzhou, she went ahead to await you there. After the upheaval at the royal residence, she considered going to the capital earlier, but clan matters delayed her. Now in Jianzhou, she handles affairs while awaiting Your Highness. Knowing you traveled with minimal retinue, she sent us two old servants to receive you."
Yan Chi observed them without a trace of smile. His tone, though seemingly gentle, held an unreadable intensity. "I wrote to my aunt urging her not to trouble herself. It seems she remains unconvinced."The two Mommas exchanged a glance with lowered heads, and one of them stepped forward to say, "The Second Young Lady mentioned that while His Highness is accustomed to hardships and may not mind, the Princess Consort is newly wed. The entire journey south has been exhausting, and she must be utterly fatigued by now. In such bitter winter, falling ill would be most undesirable. We two old servants have come specifically to care for the Princess Consort."
A glimmer of understanding brightened Qin Guan's puzzled eyes. At the mention of "aunt," she instantly recognized the identity of the two women before her.
Yan Chi's royal relatives were all in the capital, belonging to the Yan lineage. Those he referred to as "aunt" could only be from his mother's side, the Lu family. Yan Chi had once told her that his mother was the eldest daughter of the Lu Family of Lanzhou, with a younger sister. No one from the Lu Family of Lanzhou had attended their wedding, and Yan Chi had explained that after his mother married Prince Rui, she was expelled from the clan. She later fell ill and passed away, severing all ties between Prince Rui's royal residence and the Lu Family of Lanzhou. Over the years, only his aunt had occasionally maintained contact with him.
The "Second Young Lady" these two referred to was undoubtedly the younger sister of the Princess Consort. But why would she, residing in Jianzhou, send people ahead to Yanzhou to care for her? And what was the intention behind this? Qin Guan narrowed her eyes slightly, discreetly observing the two women.
Their attire was elegant yet simple, meticulously arranged from head to toe. Even after standing for some time, their hands remained clasped in the same position in front of them, and the curve of their bowed backs was identical. When they spoke, not even their eyebrows twitched—each word was enunciated precisely, rigid and solemn.
For some reason, Qin Guan sensed ill intentions from them.
Yan Chi pondered for a moment beside her. "Since it's my aunt's kind gesture, you may stay now that you're here. However, the Princess Consort already has attendants she is accustomed to, so your care is unnecessary. Let's go inside to talk—"
Though his tone seemed gentle, Yan Chi's refusal was unequivocal. The two women, clearly taken aback by his decisiveness, hesitated briefly. The one who had spoken earlier reacted more quickly, immediately stepping aside to invite Yan Chi and Qin Guan inside. Yet, as she turned, her gaze swept swiftly over Qin Guan—a sharp, assessing look in her clouded eyes.
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