Unyielding Spring Mountains - Chapter 14: The Fragrant Boudoir

The entire hall was brightly lit, with music echoing through the palace. The banquet had yet to begin, and the guests below were engaged in hushed conversations, exchanging pleasantries.

A voice from outside the hall announced, “Miss Wei has arrived—”

Everyone turned toward the entrance. Raindrops fell from the eaves as a servant closed a bamboo-green umbrella, revealing a graceful and elegant figure.

The young woman was dressed in a long blue-green gown, with the left side of her sleeve soaked by the rain, making the color appear even deeper, blending seamlessly with the distant, misty mountains behind her.

She thanked the palace attendant who had taken her umbrella, a faint smile on her lips. As she turned slightly, her long hair, tied back with a simple blue ribbon, cascaded gently down her back. She wore little jewelry, yet she exuded a fresh, ethereal beauty. Even the mist clinging to her seemed especially soft and serene.

The eldest daughter of the Wei family was renowned for her stunning beauty, her name celebrated throughout the state of Chu. The moment she appeared, all eyes were drawn to her.

She walked forward gracefully, not pausing by her father’s seat but continuing until she reached her younger brother Wei Ling’s place, where she finally sat down.

The internal strife within the Wei family was well known, even outside their household. The recent scandal of Lord Wei personally catching his sister and the Crown Prince in an illicit affair had already spread throughout the palace. Most assumed that the eldest Wei daughter would be devastated, yet she remained composed and unbothered. In contrast, the other members of the Wei family seemed especially uneasy in her presence.

Lord Wei concealed his discomfort by drinking, while Lady Song whispered to her daughter. Wei Yao, meanwhile, looked particularly tense.

As for the Crown Prince, he maintained his usual gentle smile, but upon seeing Wei Zhen, his expression faltered slightly.

Since the scandal, he had attempted to visit Wei Zhen several times, only to be turned away at the door. Everyone was aware of this, but few had expected the eldest Wei daughter to be so resolute, daring to publicly disregard the Crown Prince’s honor.

The Crown Prince stepped out from behind his seat, holding a wine cup, and approached Wei Zhen’s table as if to exchange pleasantries.

Before he could, however, Wei Ling coldly intercepted him, blocking his path and standing protectively in front of his sister.

The Crown Prince turned slightly and called out to the young woman at the table, but Wei Zhen merely kept her profile to him, remaining silent and offering no response.

The atmosphere turned awkward. The siblings’ open hostility left the Crown Prince in an embarrassing position.

Yet, he did not appear angered. Instead, he raised his cup and drank the wine in one gulp, his expression still warm as he gently offered a few words of advice before returning to his seat.

Under the dazzling lights of the hall, Wei Ling lowered his voice. “He still has the audacity to come and see you?”

Wei Zhen cast her eyes downward and spoke softly. “The Crown Prince came to offer a toast, expecting that, in such a public setting, I wouldn’t outright reject him. He wanted everyone to see that our relationship remained amicable.”

Wei Ling scoffed. “You’ve been in the capital long enough—how does he still not understand your character?”

Wei Zhen shook her head. It wasn’t that he didn’t understand—rather, as someone accustomed to power, he carried an innate arrogance, believing that those beneath him should always submit to his will.

As they spoke, a series of footsteps sounded behind the curtain. The beaded drapery was lifted, and the Empress Dowager entered, surrounded by palace attendants.

The entire hall rose to their feet in greeting. The Empress Dowager smiled kindly and gestured for them to sit.

With the sound of bells, palace maidens entered in procession, carrying trays, signaling the official start of the banquet.

Guests stepped forward one by one, presenting their gifts and offering birthday wishes to the Empress Dowager. Dancers moved gracefully to the music, their lithe figures swaying, the bells on their garments ringing with each motion, creating a crisp and rhythmic melody. The atmosphere in the hall grew lively.

After several rounds of drinking, a messenger arrived from the upper seats, announcing that His Majesty had summoned Wei Zhen.

She exchanged a glance with Wei Ling, then placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder before rising to follow the attendant.

King of Chu sat atop his throne, his face pale and his expression grim. Though dressed in regal robes, he could not conceal the illness weighing upon him. He had long been plagued by sickness, and after the death of his youngest son, his health and spirit had further deteriorated, leaving him perpetually solemn.

“Come closer,” the King said wearily.

Wei Zhen stepped forward gracefully, maintaining impeccable decorum. The King’s sharp gaze fell upon her, and the room fell silent, his regal authority pressing down upon her.

“I hear that you are dissatisfied with this marriage?” the King asked.

This was not an easy question to answer.

Wei Zhen lowered her gaze slightly. “Your Majesty’s decree of marriage is the highest honor. This humble subject is deeply fearful and would never dare feel dissatisfaction. However, marriage is a complex matter. His Highness the Crown Prince already has someone he cherishes. This humble subject does not wish to come between them. Withdrawing from the engagement is also for the sake of His Highness’s happiness.”

The Crown Prince stepped forward and bowed. “Father, my past actions were foolish, but my desire to marry Lady Wei has never wavered.”

The King cast him a tired glance. “Consider it carefully. Do not make decisions in haste.”

He did not directly reject the annulment but merely urged further contemplation. Wei Zhen understood that this was not a matter she could resolve alone.

Having spoken, the King closed his eyes as though exhausted. Wei Zhen replied with a respectful “Yes” and refrained from staying longer.

As she was about to leave, she heard the Empress Dowager’s voice. “The banquet is already halfway through, yet Yan’er is still nowhere to be seen… I wonder where that child has gone.”

Returning to her seat, Wei Zhen gazed at the continuous rain outside.

The banquet had passed its midway point, yet her trusted guard, Jingshuang, who had been sent to gather news about Qi Yan, had still not returned.

Her concern for Qi Yan and her desire to change the fate of the Qi family were not for any selfish reasons—she simply wished to repay the debt of gratitude for when he had once saved her life.

Beside her, Wei Ling poured her a cup of wine. “Sister, you seem distracted today. Is something troubling you?”

Before she could answer, the curtains across from them swayed, and a guard stepped out from behind the screen, approaching the Crown Prince to whisper something in his ear.

Wei Zhen had been quietly observing the other side. She saw the Crown Prince’s expression shift slightly as the guard spoke, and then he abruptly stood up to leave.

A sense of unease gripped her. The banquet was still ongoing—why was he leaving now?

As soon as the Crown Prince disappeared behind the curtain, Wei Zhen pulled Wei Ling to his feet, using the excuse of stepping out for fresh air to leave the hall.

Once outside, she asked urgently, “How many men do you have at your command?”

Wei Ling frowned. “Sister, what’s going on?”

Wei Zhen hesitated for a moment.

The Crown Prince’s move against the Qi family meant that the Wei family’s safest course of action was to remain uninvolved. Getting involved now would only bring trouble upon them and risk displeasing the King.

Yet after a brief consideration, she decided to speak. “The Crown Prince intends to eliminate the Qi family. Qi Yan has yet to return, and I fear something has happened to them. I sent Jingshuang to investigate earlier, and he reported that the Crown Prince has taken a squadron of soldiers and left the palace.”

Wei Ling’s expression darkened immediately. “Are you certain?”

Wei Zhen nodded.

Wei Ling said, “I understand. At the moment, I don’t have many men in the palace; most of our troops are stationed at home in the capital. I will take a few people back first. If the Crown Prince is truly targeting the Qi family, I will help Qi Yan however I can.”

He took the longsword handed to him by his guard. “Sister, don’t worry about me. I know what I’m doing. I won’t drag the Wei family into this.”

The young man strode away, his departing figure reflected in Wei Zhen’s eyes.

The cold night pressed against her cheeks. Standing in the pavilion, her robes fluttered in the wind. Only when the heavy rain slanted down upon her body did she finally step off the terrace.

**

More than ten li away from Zhanghua Palace, within the capital of Chu, galloping horses kicked up their hooves, thundering down the imperial road, splashing water in all directions.

The sound of hoofbeats was like blades slicing through the thick night, carrying a terrifying force.

Inside the Qi family courtyard, a trail of shocking bloodstains stretched from the steps to the gate, washed by the torrential rain. Several bloodied corpses lay scattered across the courtyard.

A young man stood on the steps, his tall figure appearing even more resolute against the pitch-black night. Thick drops of blood dripped from his fingertips.

“Young General!” A guard rushed in from outside. “The Crown Prince has arrived with troops. He has surrounded the Qi residence, accusing you of treason and demanding to search the premises!”

“Treason?” The young general’s lips curled into a mocking smile, his voice laced with faint amusement.

“Let him in,” Qi Yan lowered his hand. The severed head he had just cut off rolled onto a tray, sending a spray of blood into the air. The guard holding it trembled with fear.

Thunder rumbled across the sky.

**

The heavy rain pounded against the windows. Wei Zhen sat beneath the window, listening as the downpour grew heavier.

“Miss, it is late. You should rest,” Maidservant Tian approached, advising her.

Her younger brother had left the palace two hours ago, yet there was still no news. Wei Zhen couldn’t help but worry.

Maidservant Tian urged again, “The guards have all been taken away by the young master. Should I stay with you tonight?”

Wei Zhen shook her head with a smile. “There’s no need.”

Maidservant Tian pressed a hand to her abdomen and retreated.

Knowing that simply waiting was useless, Wei Zhen blew out the candle and walked toward the bed.

Just as she was about to remove her shoes and lie down, a knocking sound came from outside.

“A’Mu, did you leave something behind?” Wei Zhen assumed the maidservant had returned and stepped down to put on her shoes.

The knocking suddenly became urgent. As Wei Zhen placed her hand on the door, she could feel the force behind it.

Scenes from her dreams surged into her mind, merging with the present moment.

With a thunderous crash, the door burst open, and a drenched figure stumbled in.

The damp night air engulfed her from all directions. Wei Zhen had no time to see who it was before she was pulled into an ice-cold embrace.

The rain soaking his body was freezing, seeping through her garments like countless needles piercing her skin.

In the darkness, the thick scent of blood mingled with disorder. Their heartbeats tangled together. The young man collapsed against her, as if lifeless.

Wei Zhen held him in her arms, her voice trembling uncontrollably. “Qi Yan?”

Just like in her past life, he had once again stormed into her chambers.

Outside, the rain and thunder raged on without end. Her heart sank.