Unyielding Spring Mountains - Chapter 10: Blushing

On the night of Empress Dowager Chu’s birthday banquet, the case of the Qi family’s treason surfaced. King Chu ordered the capture of the rebel Qi Yan, and bloodshed spread throughout the palace, staining everything a glaring red.

Wei Zhen awoke, opening her eyes. Leaning against a soft pillow, she took several long breaths before gradually calming down.

How could Qi Yan be accused of treason in her dream?

Unlike the other six noble clans of Chu, the Qi family had its generals stationed outside the capital. They were a military family, with countless members who had sacrificed themselves on the battlefield for the great cause of Chu. Generation after generation, they were loyal ministers and outstanding generals, their war achievements filling the annals of military merit.

This matter was too absurd, too suspicious for Wei Zhen to believe, yet she could not ignore it.

When the current King of Chu first ascended the throne, he sought to expand his power and suppress the aristocratic clans. His first target was the Qi family, whom he exiled to the northern lands. Later, Qi Yan’s father traveled to the Jin Kingdom, marrying Princess Ji Qin and using Jin’s influence to restore their family’s status.

In recent years, King Chu, wary of King Jin and surrounded by smaller states eyeing him with hostility, had been forced to tolerate the Qi family because he needed capable military commanders.

But in truth, King Chu had always feared the Qi family. For this reason, their position in the court was extremely delicate.

Back then, many members of the Qi clan perished during their exile. Though years had passed, how could a family forget the blood-stained petition written by hundreds of their kin?

The rift between the monarch and his subjects had already formed, making reconciliation nearly impossible.

If the Qi family had been lying low for over a decade, waiting for the right moment to rise in rebellion and avenge their past grievances, it was entirely possible.

But… no matter how Wei Zhen thought about it, she could not believe that Qi Yan and his father would do such a thing.

To King Chu, as long as the Qi family existed, they were like a thorn lodged deep in his throat—an unbearable nuisance.

What if the situation were reversed?

What if, just like twenty years ago when he turned against the Qi family, King Chu was now framing them as traitors in order to eradicate them completely, ensuring they would never rise again?

Wei Zhen found this more plausible.

For years, King Chu had been suppressing the noble clans. Even a family as outwardly prominent as the Wei family had been at risk—if not for Madam Wei’s past kindness to the king, they too might have followed the fate of the fallen aristocracies.

The Qi family’s continued survival was akin to a towering tree attracting the fiercest winds—it was bound to be cut down.

Wei Zhen’s dream ended there.

She only knew that on that night, the old Qi general had rushed from the northern border to celebrate the Empress Dowager’s birthday. But what should have been a joyous occasion turned into a deadly trap—he lost his life within the palace.

Although Qi Yan managed to escape, he was gravely wounded. Fleeing from pursuing soldiers, he accidentally stumbled into Wei Zhen’s chambers.

Did she save him, or did she betray him?

The morning light had already brightened the sky outside the window. Wei Zhen got out of bed, determined to visit her younger brother.

Her brother had always been close to Qi Yan—perhaps she could subtly probe him for some information.

She pinned a magnolia pearl hairpin into her hair, finished dressing, and stepped out of her quarters.

The early spring sunlight was gentle, like a thin veil draping over her, warming her skin.

Her brother’s residence was separate from hers. At this hour, he should already be in the garden, practicing martial arts.

In truth, Wei Zhen had never been to that small garden in the Wei estate before, so she was unfamiliar with the way. She wound through flower walls, brushed past blooming branches, and soon arrived at the spot—just in time to overhear a conversation.

She looked up—

In the center of the courtyard, two young men were speaking beneath a flowering tree, both stripped to the waist.

Wei Ling had his back to her, while Qi Yan had his robes draped down to his waist, his muscles taut and glistening with sweat—clearly, he had just finished training.

Qi Yan was already tall and well-built, but without his robes, he appeared even more striking—broad-shouldered, lean-waisted, his abdominal muscles sculpted like finely hewn stone. His form was sleek yet brimming with strength, bathed in sunlight as if edged with a golden halo.

Wei Zhen’s mind buzzed, and instinctively, she turned her gaze away. But in her flustered state, she failed to watch her step and tripped.

The noise drew the attention of the two young men, who stopped their conversation and walked toward her.

Wei Ling halted before her and asked, “Sister, what’s wrong? Why is your face so red?”

His words only deepened Wei Zhen’s blush. Her eyelashes trembled, and she didn’t know where to direct her gaze. Softly, she said, “Put on your clothes before we talk.”

Wei Ling replied, “You’ve seen me practice martial arts at home before—why are you acting differently today?”

Already embarrassed, Wei Zhen now felt as if her thoughts had been laid bare before Qi Yan.

She was usually composed about most things, but at this moment, her fingers curled tightly within her sleeves, her entire body tense.

Fortunately, Qi Yan moved, stepping aside to take the garments handed to him by a guard.

Wei Zhen barely spoke to Wei Ling before hastily bidding farewell and walking away.

Watching her retreating figure, Wei Ling frowned. “Sister never used to be like this. Did something possess her today?”

Qi Yan finished fastening his robe and remained silent.

When Wei Zhen exited through the doorway, her heart was still pounding violently.

A moment ago, Qi Yan had gone to dress—perhaps he had noticed her discomfort.

Pressing her cold hands against her burning cheeks, she stopped beside the flower bushes and turned to ask her attendant, “Amu, is my face really that red?”

Madam Tian glanced at her and saw how the young lady’s bright eyes shimmered, her cheeks flushed like a petal’s bloom against porcelain skin. Even blushing, she was breathtakingly lovely. Nodding slightly, she said, “Yes, Miss.”

Wei Zhen’s face grew even hotter.

Having witnessed such an awkward scene today, she had no idea how she would face Qi Yan in the future.

But she had come here for an important reason—

After a moment of contemplation, she said, “Amu, could you deliver a message to the young general for me? Tell him I have something to discuss with him.”

She had originally planned to subtly probe her brother, but since Qi Yan was here, she could cut straight to the point.

Madam Tian was slightly surprised by the request but asked no questions. She bowed slightly and left.

Not long after, she returned with Qi Yan in tow, then withdrew, leaving the two alone.

The rising heat of summer was beginning to take hold, and the sunlight had grown slightly searing.

Wei Zhen sensed a shadow falling beside her.

Then, his voice rang out.

“Miss Wei, what do you wish to speak about?”

Wei Zhen lifted her gaze slightly, meeting his eyes before quickly looking away. A sense of awkwardness crept over her, and her hands, hanging before her, absentmindedly plucked a branch of crabapple blossoms from the flowerbed. The petals crumbled in her hands and scattered onto the soil.

She turned her face slightly, letting the side adorned with the magnolia hairpin remain in his view.

Wei Zhen deliberated before starting the conversation. “Previously, the Young General mentioned that my mother and the Old General were first cousins. Speaking of which, I have never had the fortune to meet the Old General. I wonder, will he return to the capital for the Empress Dowager’s birthday celebration?”

Qi Yan replied, “He will come. If you and A-Ling wish to see him, I can take you both there.”

Wei Zhen’s fingers tightened slightly. As she had seen in her dream, the Old General would indeed come for the celebration.

The Qi family had spent years stationed at the border. Even if the King of Chu wanted to act against them, they were beyond his immediate reach. But now, with both father and son present in the capital, the Empress Dowager’s birthday feast would be the perfect opportunity to strike—trapping and killing them both in one move, leaving no survivors. With the Qi family completely eradicated, they would never again have the power to rally an army for a resurgence. The northern troops, leaderless and scattered, would then fall back under the King of Chu’s control.

Facing him, Wei Zhen said, “Young General, I have something to ask you. Does the Qi family use a secret seal for correspondence?”

Qi Yan shook his head. “No.”

But Wei Zhen had clearly seen it. He was lying to her.

This was a matter of great importance—one that no outsider should overhear.

Wei Zhen leaned in slightly. “A falcon emblem, correct? I once saw it on a secret letter you sent to A-Ling. He told me that this seal is a symbol of the Qi family, used only by you and the Old General. But yesterday, in the Crown Prince’s study, I saw the same seal on a letter scattered among the documents on his desk.”

Qi Yan’s lips pressed into a straight line. “At the Crown Prince’s?”

Wei Zhen had always been adept at reading people and discerning their thoughts. The slight shift in his gaze confirmed her suspicion—the letter was certainly not his doing.

She continued, “The Young General is right here in the palace. Why would you need to exchange secret letters with the Crown Prince? And the Old General has no reason to go through such trouble either. So I kept an eye out and examined the letter closely—it was undoubtedly the Qi family’s secret seal. But aside from you and the Old General, who else could use it?”

Wei Zhen suspected that someone within the Qi family was communicating with the Crown Prince.

If she could think of it, Qi Yan surely could as well.

But he merely studied her with dark, unreadable eyes. At once, Wei Zhen realized that as an outsider bringing this up, she might be seen as someone sowing discord within the Qi family.

She explained, “The Young General once saved my life. I would never harm you…”

“I do not doubt you,” Qi Yan interrupted softly. “This seal, aside from my father and me, can also be used by one other person.”

“Who?” Wei Zhen asked.

Qi Yan did not answer her question. Instead, he said, “Tell me—what was written in the letter?”

That meant he believed her.

Wei Zhen answered, “The contents of the letter were encrypted, so I couldn’t understand it, but I memorized the text. If the General needs it, I can write it down when I return and have A-Ling deliver it to you. Perhaps you can decipher its meaning.”

“Good. Thank you.”

Qi Yan nodded. Only three people could use the Qi family seal—himself, his father, and his paternal uncle. His uncle had been by his father’s side for decades, witnessing the family’s fall into ruin and their eventual resurgence. He had always treated Qi Yan like his own son. Qi Yan would not suspect him easily. But since she had brought it up, he would make sure to investigate.

Wei Zhen met his gaze. “General, be cautious of those around you.”

The Empress Dowager’s birthday was approaching. With only five days left, whether the situation could still be reversed remained uncertain.

Wei Zhen couldn’t help but caution him again. “That letter was likely meant to harm you.”

Qi Yan replied, “Don’t worry. I will uncover the truth behind that letter.”

“I’m worried about you, Young General. If there are any developments, could you send someone to inform me as well?” The girl’s voice was soft.

A shaft of sunlight illuminated her eyes, revealing their clear, luminous color. The flowerbeds around them were lush, with butterflies flitting about.

Qi Yan met her gaze and, lowering his head slightly, said, “Alright.”

Wei Zhen slowly released her grip on his sleeve.

Sunlight filtered through the gaps in the trees, casting dappled shadows. The young man and woman stood close together, their robes lightly stirred by the breeze. Amidst the vibrant hues of the blossoming spring garden, they appeared perfectly matched.

This scene did not go unnoticed by certain observant eyes.

Just as Wei Zhen was about to take her leave, a voice called from behind.

“Ah-jie(sis)—”

Wei Zhen paused slightly, turning to see Wei Yao emerging from the arched doorway at the end of the path.

Wei Yao’s gaze flickered between the two before she stopped and smiled. “Ah-jie, so this is where you and the Young General are.”