Unyielding Spring Mountains - Chapter 27: Beauty

Chu State.

Leaving the capital, the city gates closed behind her. Wei Zhen lowered the carriage curtain, and a knocking sound came from outside.

“Princess, may this minister enter?”

Wei Zhen replied, “Envoy, please come in.”

The Jin State envoy lifted the curtain and stepped inside, accompanied by a young man in his early twenties, with refined features, a jade crown, and a broad robe.

The envoy said, “Princess, this is His Highness Ji Wo from Jin State, who has traveled a thousand miles to escort you for the marriage alliance.”

Wei Zhen had noticed this elegantly dressed man among the escorting party but had not expected him to be a royal grandson of Jin. She nodded in acknowledgment.

The envoy introduced him, saying, “His Highness Ji Wo is ranked ninth among the royal grandsons. He is kind-hearted and courteous. Princess may take the opportunity to get to know him during the journey.”

Wei Zhen’s bright eyes met his gaze, but Ji Wo quickly averted his eyes. He rose, respectfully saluted, and then excused himself, saying he did not wish to disturb the princess’s rest.

A gentle breeze blew in from outside. The envoy withdrew his gaze and smiled, “His Highness Ji Wo is not familiar with the princess, so he is a bit shy and reserved. In truth, it is because our prince is still young and has little experience with matters between men and women.”

“He is also one of the candidates for the princess’s marriage in Jin State. The princess may consider him.”

Wei Zhen smiled faintly. The way he spoke, it seemed less like she was sent for a marriage alliance and more like she was entering Jin State with the liberty to choose among its many royal grandsons.

The envoy continued, “Since the princess is about to enter Jin State, this minister will briefly introduce the royal court of Jin.”

Wei Zhen nodded and asked, “Who is currently the crown prince of Jin State?”

“There is none yet.”

The envoy stroked his beard. “Our Jin King is seventy years old and has many sons. However, most of them lack the qualities and capabilities required for the crown prince position, failing to meet the king’s expectations. Among his sons, none have proven themselves, so the Jin King intends to pass the throne directly to a grandson.”

This surprised Wei Zhen. She asked, “Where are the princes now?”

“Some have been exiled, others banished to distant lands. Some were sent to the Eastern Sea, while others were relegated to bitterly cold regions. To our Jin King, a useless son is a discarded one. He has given them opportunities, but they failed to seize them. After all, the struggle for the throne is fierce and ruthless—there is no blame in the king’s strict demands.”

This was well known within the Jin royal court, and sharing it with Wei Zhen was of no consequence.

Lowering his voice, the envoy added, “I say this to remind the princess that after arriving in Jin, the king will certainly favor you for a time. But if you fail to meet his expectations, you may…” His voice trailed off.

Wei Zhen understood.

If she failed to win the Jin King’s favor, she would be cast aside like those princes—dismissed without care, abandoned with little thought.

The fate of princesses sent for marriage alliances was entirely at the Jin King’s discretion. The other states could do nothing but comply.

Such was the Jin King.

The envoy continued, “Among the royal grandsons, several show great promise and may be considered as the princess’s potential husband. For instance, His Highness Ji Wo, who is honest and kind-hearted. Then there is His Highness Ji Yuan, who is steady, graceful, and highly capable—he is the grandson most favored by the Jin King. However, his situation is a bit complicated.”

Wei Zhen asked, “How so?”

The envoy furrowed his brow. “He is betrothed to the daughter of the Wei King. Years ago, they were engaged while still in the womb, but the Wei King has been reluctant to send his daughter to Jin. The marriage has been repeatedly delayed, and the Jin King is growing displeased.”

Wei Zhen pondered this. If Ji Yuan was already engaged, he likely had nothing to do with her.

Yet the envoy continued, “It remains uncertain what will become of this engagement. If it is not annulled, and His Highness Ji Yuan marries the Wei princess, it will be highly advantageous to him in court.”

Shifting his tone, the envoy added, “However, if one of the royal grandsons were to marry you, Princess, that would also be an honor for them.”

“The Jin King has sent a royal grandson to escort the princess, which shows his special regard for you. Thus, after entering Jin, the princess must find ways to please the king and secure a future for herself.”

Wei Zhen said, “Thank you for your advice, Envoy.”

The envoy nodded in satisfaction and rose, his long sleeves brushing the floor. “Then this minister shall not disturb the princess further.”

If Wei Zhen wished to avenge her mother, she had to establish herself firmly in Jin State and gain the old king’s favor.

No matter how difficult the demands, she would find a way to meet them.

Wei Zhen glanced at the bamboo curtain. Outside, the young general rode alongside the carriage. She suddenly recalled a rumor from her past life—one involving Qi Yan and the Wei princess.

It was said that in the early days of his rebellion, Qi Yan had sought military aid from Wei State. The Wei King refused, but his daughter fell in love with him at first sight and persuaded her father to agree. Otherwise, why would the Wei King have supported him?

Outside the curtain, Qi Yan sensed a gaze upon him, sharp as a blade. He turned his head and saw Wei Zhen staring at him with a complex expression.

Slowing his horse, Qi Yan asked, “What is it?”

Wei Zhen softly inquired, “Has the general ever heard of the Wei princess?”

Qi Yan pulled his reins and replied, “The Wei King’s daughter is betrothed to Jin but has been raised in the deep palace for years, never seen by outsiders.”

Wei Zhen lowered her gaze, uncertain why she had suddenly brought up this topic.

Perhaps because she had experienced the pain of rumors in her past life, she knew that gossip was often unreliable.

She decided not to dwell on it and slowly lowered the bamboo curtain.

Outside, Qi Yan withdrew his gaze and looked ahead.

Lately, he could not shake the image of that day at the Wei residence—when the young lady ran barefoot across the corridor, calling his name.

At that moment, his vision locked onto her, and it felt as though something struck his heart.

Qi Yan turned slightly, catching a glimpse of the girl inside the carriage, her expression troubled by some unspoken thought.

An invisible force pulled him toward her. His shadow fell upon the carriage, and from behind the curtain, Wei Zhen lifted her eyes—her clear gaze met his.

Qi Yan snapped out of it, tightened his grip on the reins, and distanced himself from the carriage once more.

For days, every interaction with Wei Zhen felt unnatural, a discomfort he had never known before.

If anything, he was being overly cautious.

A seasoned warrior should never harbor such feelings. He absolutely could not.

Qi Yan did not understand the origin of this strange unease, but he knew one thing for certain—when something felt unusual, it had to be suppressed.

For now, he should keep his distance from her.

After more than half a month of travel, the summer heat was rising. The scorching sun bore down, draining the energy of the escorting party.

By midday, Qi Yan ordered the group to halt and rest in a forest, waiting for the evening’s cooler air before continuing.

The sweltering heat pressed down. Inside the carriage, though sheltered by a canopy, Wei Zhen was still covered in a thin layer of sweat.

She glanced outside and told her maid, “Liang Chan, bring me a fresh set of clothes. Let’s find a stream in the forest.”

“The princess wishes to bathe?”

Wei Zhen nodded. For over half a month, her maids had only been wiping her down with damp cloths inside the carriage—it was far from refreshing.

“Should the princess inform the general?”

Wei Zhen stepped down from the carriage, looked around, but did not find Qi Yan’s figure.

For the past half month, he had been leading the troops at the forefront, leaving Wei Ling to accompany her beside the carriage instead.

Wei Zhen was not slow to notice things. If she still had not realized by now that he was deliberately avoiding her, she would be a fool.

“There’s no need to look for him,” Wei Zhen said, using her fan to shield her forehead. “Just have A’Ling accompany me.”

However, it had taken them quite some effort to find the lake, and by the time they reached the small river, the sky had already shifted from bright blue to a deep, dusky hue.

Deep within the forest, a small stream meandered its way through. Though not deep, it was crystal clear, reflecting the vast sky above—more than sufficient for Wei Zhen to take a proper bath and wash away the dust and fatigue of her journey.

The lake was flanked by dense woodlands. Wei Ling had already scouted the area to ensure that no one was around before retreating to stand guard outside. If any soldiers tried to enter the forest, he would spot them immediately and stop them.

Wei Zhen stood by the small river, removing her hairpin and dangling earrings, placing them along with her change of clothes on one side. Then, she stepped barefoot into the water.

She was wearing only a thin inner garment, loosely draped over her body.

As the cool lake water surrounded her, a deep sense of relief enveloped her entire being. Her skin tingled, her pores opening in comfort.

Back in the south, Wei Zhen had often ridden horses wildly across the wilderness. Afterward, when she was drenched in sweat, it was always her younger brother who kept watch outside while she went to the forest stream to clean up. Because of this, she did not feel particularly embarrassed about bathing in the open now.

She swam a little in the stream, then lifted her gaze to the sky.

The evening was drawing near. She could only wash quickly—if she delayed any longer, night would fall, and she would be left unable to see.

A voice called out from behind her. “Princess.”

Wei Zhen turned in the water. “What is it?”

Liang Chan spoke apologetically, “This servant forgot to bring an outer robe for Your Highness. I will return to fetch one now. Please forgive me.”

Without the outer robe, Wei Zhen would be left wearing only her undergarments, which was, of course, an unacceptable state to be seen in.

Wei Zhen nodded. “Be quick.”

Liang Chan acknowledged the order and disappeared into the woods.

Wei Zhen swam to a stream-side rock, lowered her hands to untie the last piece of clothing on her body, and placed both her inner garment and underclothes on the rock. Then, she scooped up the lake water to rinse her long hair.

Not long after, the rustling of leaves sounded from the nearby underbrush.

Wei Zhen did not pay it much mind, assuming Liang Chan had returned with her robe—until she heard the sound of hooves. That was when she realized something was wrong.

She lowered her body, hiding behind the rock, and peeked out cautiously to observe the opposite shore.

In the moonlight, a tall figure emerged from the woods, leading a white horse to the lake’s edge. The horse dipped its head to drink, while the young man stood to the side, one hand resting on the animal’s neck, gently stroking its mane.

Wei Zhen’s fingers tensed around the stone beneath her palm.

It was Qi Yan.

He must have entered the forest before her; otherwise, Wei Ling would have stopped him outside.

At this point, regret was useless. Wei Zhen could only hope that once the horse finished drinking, Qi Yan would lead it away.

But the more she willed something not to happen, the more it seemed fate conspired against her.

The young man let go of the reins and stepped toward the lakeside. His hand reached for his belt, beginning to untie his robe.

In just a few breaths’ time, he had already stripped off his upper garments.

Wei Zhen did not want him to discover her presence. She could only sink lower into the water, pressing herself against the rock.

Qi Yan crouched by the lake, scooping up water to wash his upper body. The moonlight spilled over his broad shoulders and lean waist, casting his figure in stark relief. Under the moon, he resembled a panther—every inch of him radiating strength.

Then, Qi Yan stood up and reached for his belt again.

Wei Zhen instantly turned her head away, pressing her back against the cold stone. In her movement, a splash sounded in the water.

The noises from the other side fell silent. Then, Qi Yan’s voice rang out: “Who’s there?”

The rippling water lapped around Wei Zhen’s body. She pressed her lips together, responding with silence.

For a long moment, there was only stillness—so long that Wei Zhen almost thought he had left.

Then, the sound of footsteps splashing through water came toward her.

Wei Zhen’s scalp went numb. She swam behind the rock, trying to use it as a shield.

But it was too late.

Qi Yan had already waded within a single zhang(11ft) of her.

She turned her face toward him, her gaze soft and flustered. “Young General, it is me!”

The moon shone brightly, illuminating the scene.

A young girl, her snowy skin and crimson lips vivid against the night. One arm crossed over her chest, her long hair spread around her like seaweed, concealing yet faintly revealing the delicate curves of her body.

The moonlight traced the gentle arc of her exposed neck, making her skin gleam like polished jade. Her slender waist swayed slightly in the water, sending ripples outward.

Her clear eyes, misted with water, looked up at him—soft, fragile. The color had drained from her face, leaving only the contrast of her dark hair and flushed lips.

Qi Yan’s gaze froze for a moment before he abruptly turned away.

“How is it that Eldest Miss Wei is here?”

His voice was unusually stiff—as if he had even forgotten that outside the capital, he was supposed to address her as “Princess.”

Wei Zhen wanted to ask the same—how was he here?

She reached toward the rock, searching for the undergarments she had left there. She groped for a long while but found nothing.

Her clothes were gone.

Wei Zhen withdrew her pale hand, sinking back into the water.

Qi Yan, still facing away, began stepping toward the shore.

Behind him, a voice called out, making his steps pause instantly.

In the silence of the night, her soft voice drifted to him.

“Young General, I cannot see. Could you help me find my inner robe and… my underclothes? They must have drifted away in the water.”

Her delicate, boneless voice wrapped around his ears like silk.

Qi Yan’s thick lashes, damp with water, trembled slightly.

Wei Ling: Qi Yan, you take one more step, and see what happens!