Unyielding Spring Mountains - Chapter 12: Adulterous Affair

What if Qi Yan were to marry her?

Wei Zhen tightened her grip on the horn comb in her hand.

Just as Maidservant Tian had said, Qi Yan held an esteemed status, capable of standing on equal footing with the Crown Prince. For her, this was undoubtedly the best choice.

However, the Qi family’s situation was precarious, a long-standing threat that King Chu had been eager to eradicate. Whether they could escape disaster this time was still uncertain.

Concerned by this, Wei Zhen let out a light sigh and placed the comb back onto the dressing table.

Maidservant Tian said, “The young master has always been on good terms with General Qi. If he were to mediate and arrange a match between you and the young general, it would hardly be difficult. Moreover, the Empress Dowager has always doted on the young general, treating him as if he were her own grandson, no different from the other royal heirs. If you were to marry the young general, the Empress Dowager would likely extend her favor to you as well.”

Wei Zhen did not take in the rest of the words but caught on to the mention of the “Empress Dowager.”

Indeed, the Empress Dowager cherished Qi Yan deeply. If King Chu were to take action against the Qi family on the day of the grand banquet, how could the Empress Dowager not intervene? As long as she stepped in, Qi Yan could be saved.

Unless… something had happened to the Empress Dowager?

A strong sense of unease surged in her heart. Wei Zhen lifted her head and looked outside the window. The moonlight was hazy, a lone moon hanging in the dark night sky.

The night was deep—was Qi Yan asleep yet?

“Jing Shuang,” she called.

A guard outside the window responded to the summons and stepped inside, lifting the curtain. “Miss, what are your orders?”

Wei Zhen wrote a note and handed it to Jing Shuang. “Deliver this message to the young general for me.”

The guard received the order and quickly left the hall.

The moonlight draped over the palace walls like a layer of frost.

Inside the main hall of Zhanghua Palace, candlelight flickered dimly, casting shadows over a few figures by the bedside. A soft cough echoed from behind the bed curtains.

Qi Yan, having just finished assisting the Empress Dowager with her medicine, set the bowl down on the tray and carefully helped her lie back, tucking the blankets in securely.

Only when the Empress Dowager had closed her eyes in sleep did he rise and step out of the inner hall. The old eunuch who attended to her followed closely behind.

Qi Yan asked, “Has the Empress Dowager been eating poorly for some time now?”

The old eunuch nodded and respectfully replied in a low voice, “Yes. Lately, the weather has been hot, with spring ending and summer approaching. That may be the reason.”

On the table sat a half-empty bowl of medicinal soup, its bitter scent heavy and pungent.

Qi Yan lowered his gaze. “What did the physician say?”

“The physician also attributed it to the heat and prescribed a new herbal remedy. The Empress Dowager takes it daily. Since it was recommended by someone under the young general’s command, she has no reservations about it.”

Qi Yan asked, “Was it the one my uncle sent?”

Previously, when the Empress Dowager suffered from persistent headaches, Qi Yan’s uncle had sought out a female physician from the common folk.

That physician was highly skilled in traditional medicine, known as a master of healing. Shortly after entering the palace, she successfully cured the Empress Dowager’s long-standing ailment, earning a place by her side ever since.

Under normal circumstances, Qi Yan would not have given this a second thought. But today was different. He had learned from Wei Zhen that someone within the Qi family might be secretly colluding with the Crown Prince. Coupled with this matter… he couldn’t help but consider the implications.

His gaze landed on the celadon medicine bowl on the table. “Are there other physicians in the palace?”

“Yes.”

Qi Yan said, “Find someone highly skilled and have them examine this bowl of medicine thoroughly.”

The old eunuch shivered inwardly. “Young General, do you suspect—”

Qi Yan’s slender fingers lightly tapped the table, producing a crisp sound. His eyes held a faint chill. “I hope I’m just overthinking.”

The old eunuch took a deep breath and, with trembling hands, carefully took the bowl. “I will take care of it immediately.”

No sooner had the old eunuch left than Wei Zhen’s guard arrived, presenting a note with both hands.

Qi Yan read the words of caution about the Empress Dowager’s well-being. His brows furrowed slightly before he folded the paper between his fingers. “Tell your mistress, I understand.”

The next afternoon, Qi Yan sent word to Wei Zhen.

The message contained only a few sentences, but they were enough to shock her.

The examination revealed that the Empress Dowager’s medicinal diet had been poisoned—by someone she deeply trusted. The poison was potent, capable of corroding internal organs, and if taken unknowingly, it could prove fatal within days.

The physician responsible had been recommended by one of Qi Yan’s closest confidants, implicating him in the affair.

Furthermore, the secret letter Wei Zhen had passed to Qi Yan was mostly deciphered. Though its contents remained undisclosed, everything pointed toward internal betrayal and possible collusion with the Crown Prince.

Qi Yan informed her that he would be leaving the palace for a few days to handle matters. However, he assured her he would return for the Empress Dowager’s grand birthday celebration.

Wei Zhen swiftly read the letter, then took it to the candle flame, watching as the paper was consumed to ash.

Just as the last corner of the letter burned red, hurried footsteps sounded from outside. A guard, breathless, entered the room. “Miss, something terrible has happened.”

This man was Wei Ling’s personal escort, his face filled with urgency. Wei Zhen asked, “What happened to my brother?”

“It’s not the young master,” the guard pointed outside. “Miss, you must go to Princess Yiyang’s palace at once. The young master discovered the Crown Prince and the Second Miss…”

Wei Zhen froze for a moment before lifting the curtain and striding out of the hall.

By the time she arrived outside Princess Yiyang’s quarters, a commotion could be heard within.

“Wei Yao, I once thought you were different from Wei Zhang. But it turns out you’re just the same?”

Wei Zhen lifted her skirts and stepped over the threshold. “Ah Ling—”

At her call, everyone inside turned their heads.

Several pairs of eyes landed on her. The first person she saw was Wei Ling. The young man stood beside an incense burner, gripping a whip in one hand, his other hand clenched into a tight fist at his side, barely concealing his fury.

The Crown Prince sat at the table, one side of his face reddened as if struck by a punch, a trickle of blood at the corner of his mouth. His expression was cold as a physician applied medicine to his wound.

Upon seeing Wei Zhen, he rose from his chair and approached, guilt evident in his eyes. “Ah Zhen.”

A figure stepped between them—Wei Ling, who turned sideways and said, “Your Highness, my sister does not wish to see you right now.”

From behind a curtain, muffled sobbing could be heard. Wei Zhen turned toward the sound and saw two figures silhouetted against the gauze.

Wei Yao’s long hair was disheveled, and she wore only a thin inner garment, her face buried in Madam Song’s embrace as she wept. Madam Song gently comforted her.

The Crown Prince’s robe was also slightly disheveled.

In the midst of this absurd scene, Wei Zhen quickly pieced together what had happened.

Moments later, the Queen emerged from the inner chambers. The room fell silent as everyone bowed in greeting. Wei Zhen had not expected the commotion to be serious enough to summon the Queen.

The Queen sat at the head of the hall, her gaze cold as she looked at Wei Yao, who was being supported by Madam Song. “I have heard everything that happened here. Now tell me—when did this affair between you and the Crown Prince begin?”

Wei Yao released her mother’s hand and fell to her knees. With a trembling voice, she softly pleaded, “Aunt…”

The queen interrupted, “Do not call me Aunt; just speak the truth!”

Her voice was filled with coldness and authority. As soon as the words fell, Wei Yao’s face turned deathly pale.

All eyes were on her, making her feel as though she were sitting on needles. Even more so, she could feel the oppressive presence of the one seated above. She bit her lip tightly. “It was last autumn, when I came of age. The Crown Prince grew up with me—we were childhood companions, like brother and sister. Later, we often discussed poetry and literature, enjoyed tea, and played the zither together. I regarded him as a confidant and held great admiration for him…”

“Since last autumn?”

The queen had always been strict. Wei Yao knew that her unclear relationship with the Crown Prince would certainly displease the queen. As she spoke, tears welled up in her eyes and trickled down.

“Aunt, I will not hide it from you any longer. In truth, I came today to put an end to things with my cousin!”

“End it?” Wei Ling interjected. “So your way of ending things was to take your dear cousin to bed?”

Wei Yao’s face turned ashen. “Brother, I am your sister too. How can you say such things about me…”

“Sister? Is my elder sister not your sister as well? And yet, as a sister, you went to bed with her betrothed?”

His words were sharp and merciless.

The Crown Prince furrowed his brows and quickly spoke, “Mother, it is as Wei Yao said. We connected through music and poetry and saw each other often. However, we have always maintained propriety. She has feelings for me, and I did not wish to let her feel abandoned. Today, it was truly a momentary lapse of judgment. But please do not blame her.”

At last, he admitted their relationship.

Wei Yao lifted her head, her tear-filled eyes shining with hope. “Cousin…”

Wei Ling sneered. “A momentary lapse of judgment? Your Highness, Wei Yao may be young and naive, but you—knowing full well your engagement—still chose to behave this way with your fiancée’s sister?”

The Crown Prince met his gaze, his dark pupils unreadable. “I will take responsibility for this.”

Wei Ling chuckled. “Should I commend Your Highness for being so honorable?”

“A’Zhen.” The queen lifted her head and took Wei Zhen’s hand. “This matter is entirely the Crown Prince’s fault. I am not someone who cannot discern right from wrong, and I will ensure you receive a fair resolution.”

“Today, you will decide how this should be handled.”

At those words, the expressions of everyone in the hall shifted.

The queen’s stance was clear—she was siding with Wei Zhen.

However, Wei Zhen knew that, while the queen’s words seemed considerate, they were in fact difficult to answer.

Was she truly speaking on Wei Zhen’s behalf, or was she simply going along with the situation to temporarily appease her?

Just moments ago, she had watched the Crown Prince and Wei Yao exchange their heartfelt emotions—one a refined gentleman, the other a delicate beauty. It was as if she were the villain interfering in their love.

And now, before they were even wed, the Crown Prince was already openly favoring Wei Yao. What would he be like after marriage?

Wei Ling’s gaze fell upon her, as if worried that she would be heartbroken. He called softly, “Sister.”

Wei Zhen’s red lips parted. “Your Highness, how do you think this matter should be resolved?”

She threw the question back at him, catching Jing Heng off guard.

“Cousin…” Wei Yao looked up at him, hoping that he would say he would marry her—that all their past restraint would have been worth it.

The Crown Prince responded, “A’Zhen, I will leave the decision to you.”

Leave it to her… Wei Yao’s face turned pale as she looked at Wei Zhen.

Wei Zhen’s lips curved slightly. Did he believe that, even if she were angry, she would not dare to make an unreasonable demand for the sake of the greater good?

“A’Zhen.” The queen held her hand tightly. “You shall decide the resolution.”

“Very well.”

The hall fell silent, so quiet that even a pin drop could be heard. Then, her voice rang out—clear and unwavering.

Each word, like pearls falling onto jade, echoed through the grand hall.

“I wish to annul my engagement to the Crown Prince.”