Yue Ning's heart was heavy with melancholy, yet she had no one to confide in. Though the residence had been freshly decorated for the wedding, she felt no joy about her impending marriage.
After observing Yue Ning for two days, the Grand Princess could no longer hold back and summoned her. "Ning'er, what troubles you? Why have you been so joyless these past two days?"
Yue Ning hadn't expected her grandmother to notice. She forced a bitter smile. "It's nothing... I'm just worried about Qin Guan."
They had received Qin Guan's letter days earlier. The Grand Princess raised an eyebrow. "Your concern was understandable earlier, but why now? She and Yan Chi have already settled in the Northwest Frontier—this should be the time when you worry least. Ning'er, how can you expect me to believe such an excuse?"
Yue Ning's heart grew heavier still, but she didn't know how to explain herself to the Grand Princess. She lowered her head. "Grandmother, please don't worry..."
"Ah, your wedding is approaching. Why do you wander about in a daze all day without ever smiling? I can see you're truly troubled. Since you're unwilling to speak of it, I won't press you. But Ning'er, if you've truly been wronged, you must tell me. You're my only true granddaughter. If I couldn't protect Wan Yatou, how could I fail to protect you from harm?"
Yue Ning's heart ached at these words, yet she remained silent. "Grandmother, I haven't been wronged."
The Grand Princess sighed. "Very well. Remember that while I still draw breath, I have the power to protect you. If anyone has said or done anything to make you so unhappy, don't hide it from me. Your father is fighting in the north—if he knew you were unhappy before your wedding, it would break his heart."
Mention of Yue Qiong made Yue Ning ask quickly, "When will Father return?"
The Grand Princess shook her head. "That remains uncertain. He likely won't be able to attend your wedding. But with me here, your ceremony will be splendidly arranged. Set your heart at ease."
The Grand Princess patted Yue Ning's hand, but Yue Ning couldn't muster a smile.
Seeing her like this, the Grand Princess grew thoughtful. Yue Ning kept her company distractedly for a while longer before taking her leave. Not far from the door, she encountered Yue Jia, who had returned from the Northwest Frontier days earlier. Though uninvolved in Yan Chi's rebellion, he was keeping a low profile at home due to his connection with the region. Noting Yue Ning's despondent appearance, Yue Jia approached. "What's wrong?"
Yue Ning looked up at her elder brother and suddenly said, "Brother, let's go somewhere to talk."
Less observant than the Grand Princess, Yue Jia merely sensed his sister's low spirits and led her to a nearby pavilion.
Once seated inside, Yue Ning asked abruptly, "Brother, what is the Northwest Frontier like?"
Yue Jia instinctively glanced around before sitting beside her and lowering his voice. "The wilderness there is vast, with many ridges. When you climb those ridges, the stars seem right above your head. By October, heavy snow falls continuously. Though bitterly cold, the Northwest Frontier Army never ceases training—no one slacks off because of the harsh weather. It took me time to adjust when I first arrived, but eventually I understood how they've held White Wolf Pass. Their military discipline is exceptional, even after Prince Rui's incident..."Yue Jia spoke intermittently, saying whatever came to mind, while Yue Ning listened, gradually falling into a daze.
"If Eldest Brother had to choose again, would you still go to Shuoxi?"
Yue Jia smiled, "Why wouldn't I? That place is the best for tempering oneself, and the officers and soldiers there are united in purpose."
Having returned for several days, he hadn't anticipated such great changes. Since coming back, he had remained quietly at home without resentment. Given the current uncertain situation and his own strategic mind, he naturally wouldn't act rashly. Thinking this, he sighed, "It's just a pity that I'm afraid I'll never be able to go there again."
Yue Ning straightened up and blurted out, "Why can't you go..."
As the words left her mouth, both of them were startled. Yue Jia sighed, "Don't talk nonsense. I am, after all, the heir apparent of Anyang Marquis."
Yue Ning hesitated, wanting to say more but holding back. Yue Jia glanced around and then whispered, "If you're worried about Qin Guan, you could go."
A glimmer of light appeared in Yue Ning's eyes, "Eldest Brother, are you serious?!"
Yue Jia laughed, "Why wouldn't I be? You're a girl, what hindrance is there? But your wedding is approaching soon. Once you become someone's daughter-in-law, you won't be able to act so freely. Wait, there will be a day when you see your sworn sister Qin Guan again."
Yue Ning pressed her lips together, suppressing the words in her heart. The siblings sat together and chatted about other matters before Yue Ning rose to return to her own courtyard.
She hadn't been in her courtyard for long when a maid came to report that Yan Ze had arrived.
Yue Ning was startled and immediately darkened her expression. Since that day, she hadn't visited Prince Yi's residence or entered the palace for two days, thus hadn't seen Yan Ze. She never expected he would come. Collecting herself, she went to the Grand Princess's courtyard. There, she indeed found Yan Ze chatting and laughing with the Grand Princess. When Yan Ze saw Yue Ning, his gaze softened. In the past, such a look would have warmed Yue Ning's heart, but now it only brought bitterness and doubt—she couldn't fully trust it anymore!
The Grand Princess smiled and said, "Why are you only coming now? Ze'er has brought you food—the newest pastries from Xiangfulou, which you love."
Sure enough, beside Yan Ze was a food box from which a faint osmanthus fragrance wafted.
Yue Ning forced a smile, "I nearly fell asleep just now. I didn't expect Third Brother to come."
Yan Ze looked at Yue Ning affectionately, "If you sleep now, you might not rest well tonight. Besides, I have no other business—I just came to see Grandaunt and you. You can heat the pastries later before eating them—"
Yue Ning nodded but didn't speak with her usual intimacy. Yan Ze gave her a deeper look but didn't press, instead saying, "I came just to deliver the pastries. I have no other matters. Father is waiting for me at the residence, so I'll take my leave now."
Normally, Yue Ning would insist Yan Ze stay for dinner, but today she merely nodded and said, "Then I'll see you out."
Yan Ze nodded, stood up, bowed to the Grand Princess, and then left. Yue Ning accompanied him to the residence gate. Both remained silent along the way. Only when they reached the gate did Yan Ze turn to look at Yue Ning, "Ning'er, are you unwell? You seem a bit off."
Yue Ning quickly smiled, "No, no, it's just that I haven't been feeling well these past few days and am very tired."Yan Ze initially thought it might be that time of the month for a young woman, but hearing Yue Ning say so, he naturally refrained from asking further and simply nodded before returning to Prince Yi's residence.
Yue Ning lingered at the estate gate for a moment. When she returned to the Grand Princess, her expression had grown even graver. The Grand Princess glanced at Yue Ning a few times but ultimately did not press for details.
Early the next morning, the Grand Princess instructed the kitchen to prepare pastries and had Yue Ning pack them in a box to deliver to Prince Yi's residence. This was a perfectly ordinary task, so Yue Ning took the pastries and went. Upon arriving at the royal residence, she found Yan Ze was not there—only Tan Xiang remained. Upon inquiry, Yue Ning learned that Yan Ze had gone to the palace.
Tan Xiang smiled and said, "He should be back soon. Why not wait here for a while, my lady?"
Since Yue Ning and Yan Ze's wedding was scheduled for the end of the month, Tan Xiang already treated Yue Ning as the mistress of the residence and attended to her with utmost care.
Yan Ze had initially not planned to stay long, but a restless curiosity stirred within her. She smiled in agreement and added, "Now that I think of it, Third Brother has a few storybooks in his study. I'll go read them while I wait for him."
Yan Ze was not one for storybooks—those had been procured by Yue Ning for him in the past. Tan Xiang hesitated briefly upon hearing this but did not dare to refuse. She respectfully escorted Yue Ning inside. Though Yue Ning often visited Yan Ze's study, she had never rummaged through his belongings. Seeing Tan Xiang waiting by the door, Yue Ning said, "Is there any Junshan Silver needle tea left from last month? I'd like to drink that. Please brew some for me."
Tan Xiang smiled and replied, "Whatever my lady wishes to drink, we shall provide!"
With that, Tan Xiang departed, leaving the study empty. Yue Ning took a deep breath and immediately began searching through Yan Ze's desk drawers. Opening them, she found only ordinary items. Puzzled, she refused to believe that such an important place held nothing of significance.
Yan Ze had only recently taken office, yet he had formed a deep friendship with Zhao Yu, the deputy commander of the imperial guards, and even met him in such a place—there must be some secret between them!
With this thought, Yue Ning turned to the bookshelves. Yan Ze's shelves were packed with books. After searching around, she suddenly noticed that the edges of the books on the bottom row were dusty, except for the spot where a historical chronicle was placed. Positioned at the very bottom, the difference was not usually noticeable, and no one would typically reach for that volume. But from her angle, the morning light streaming through the window perfectly revealed the dust pattern...
Frowning, Yue Ning instinctively sensed something amiss. She crouched down and pulled out the historical chronicle. As she did, she immediately noticed something odd—the book was shorter than the shelf compartment was long. Her heart began to race wildly. Reaching into the gap where the book had been, her fingers brushed against a wooden latch. Her chest tightened, and she instinctively glanced back to ensure Tan Xiang had not returned. Quickly, she twisted the latch. As soon as she turned it, she heard the sound of a mechanism shifting behind the bookshelf. Soon, the shelf split open down the middle, revealing a hidden compartment the size of a small shrine!
Yue Ning's heart felt as though it would leap from her throat. She had always conducted herself with integrity—when had she ever done something like this?!Yue Ning’s hands trembled almost uncontrollably as she opened the hidden compartment. Inside lay several letters. Clenching her jaw, she snatched them all out. At the first glance, her gaze froze—the handwriting was unfamiliar, yet vaguely familiar, though she couldn’t recall whose it was. She glanced back nervously, then hastily tore open the envelope. With shaking hands, she unfolded the letter. Upon reading its contents, she stood rooted to the spot as if struck by lightning!
For a moment, Yue Ning stiffened, but she quickly snapped back to reality. Gritting her teeth, she tremblingly opened the second letter. After reading four or five in succession, she suddenly heard footsteps approaching from outside. Gasping, she hurriedly stuffed the letters back into the compartment and returned them to their hiding place. Panicking briefly over how to close the bookcase, she remembered the wooden latch and leaned over to twist it back into place. With two creaks, the bookcase shut firmly.
By the time Tan Xiang entered with tea, Yue Ning was already seated by the window, holding a storybook. Yet her face was pale, and she seemed deeply troubled. Tan Xiang was startled. "What’s wrong, my lady? Are you unwell? You look terrible…"
Yue Ning let out a long sigh and tossed the book aside. "This story is just too heartbreaking."
Tan Xiang was taken aback. She had never known Yue Ning to be sentimental—how could a mere storybook affect her so deeply?
Helplessly, Tan Xiang replied, "It’s all fiction. Storybooks always include unfaithful characters to tug at heartstrings and draw tears."
Yue Ning picked up the tea and took a few sips, the warmth gradually thawing her icy hands. She glanced outside. "Has Third Brother returned yet?"
Just as Tan Xiang was about to reassure her, Yue Ning stood up. "Never mind, I won’t wait. When Third Brother returns, remember to offer him the pastries."
Tan Xiang promptly agreed and escorted Yue Ning out of the royal residence before returning to her duties.
Once inside the carriage, Yue Ning began trembling uncontrollably. She slumped against the wall, taking a long while to collect herself. She never could have imagined that, amid the Empress and Crown Prince’s treason and flight, Yan Ze’s hidden compartment contained letters handwritten by the Empress. The letters revealed that the two had long been allies. Now, with the tense warfare in Fengzhou—where her own father was overseeing the battles—Yan Ze was actually aiding the Empress with strategies. The earliest letter even mentioned the reason for their alliance.
A grudge from years past… The Empress vowed to help Yan Ze avenge this old enmity. But what was this grudge?!
Yue Ning’s mind was in turmoil. She couldn’t fathom whom in the capital Yan Ze held a grudge against. Then, recalling the actions of the Empress and Crown Prince, a terrifying thought surfaced… Her palms grew clammy with cold sweat. If she had once thought Yan Ze was merely inscrutable and profound, now it felt as though she had never truly known him at all.
When the Empress and Crown Prince fled, Yan Ze’s eye ailment had not yet healed. Everyone in the capital knew him as the blind heir apparent of Prince Yi, yet no one could have guessed that even then, he was assisting the Empress and Crown Prince in rebellion. How much influence did he wield? And what was his ultimate goal?Yue Ning's heart was in utter turmoil. Not daring to return to the estate, she hastily ordered her attendant to drive elsewhere. A roaring sound filled her ears as the carriage traveled for what felt like an eternity. When she finally glanced outside, she realized they had unknowingly arrived at the southern part of the city. She urgently commanded the attendant to halt. Though the imperial street bustled with streams of carriages and horses, she felt as if all things between heaven and earth were dissolving within the cramped confines of the carriage. After an indeterminate length of time, two sudden knocks echoed from outside the carriage.
Startled by the sound, before she could even lift the window curtain, a voice called out from outside, "Zhan Yang pays respects to the princess." Could it be that the princess is inside this carriage?"
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