Unyielding Spring Mountains - Chapter 48: Sweetness

The Jin King no longer spoke of Wei Zhen but instead said, “If I were to dispatch troops against Qi and Wei at this moment, what do you think?”

The Jin King continued, “Although Jin and Wei have an alliance, it is clear from the Wei King’s attitude that his dissatisfaction with Jin has long been growing—not only regarding the marriage of the Wei princess. Now that Wei is in turmoil, this is the perfect opportunity to take advantage. How do you think we should strategize the overall situation?”

Ji Yuan said, “Grandson believes that the key lies in forming an alliance with Chu. As long as we strengthen the north-south alliance between Jin and Chu, then whether we march east to attack Qi or west to attack Wei, we will always have the ability to advance or retreat with ease.”

The Jin King said, “You think the same as some of the court ministers. This is indeed the most stable approach.”

However… this was not what the Jin King truly desired. He needed a better plan, one that could resolve the urgent crisis at hand.

He raised his hand to signal Ji Yuan to leave. Not long after, another voice sounded: “My King, your minister believes that now is not the time to attack Wei.”

The Jin King turned his head and saw Qi Yan rise from behind the desk, step forward to the jade steps, and kneel.

“I understand my King’s desire to conquer the warring states, but for many years, the alliance between Jin and Wei has kept both sides at peace. If we were to tear apart this alliance now, it would surely provoke a strong retaliation from Wei, and the Qi state in the east would certainly not miss the chance to exploit this invasion.”

“Moreover, the Chu royal court will soon fall into chaos as well.”

The Jin King had originally intended to get up and leave, but hearing these words, he froze.

The young man slowly straightened his back and said, “The seventh prince of Chu, who was a hostage in a foreign state, has returned to the capital and has his sights set on the position of crown prince. The Chu King also intends to change his heir. Once the Chu King passes, the Chu royal court will undoubtedly fall into turmoil, with internal strife consuming them. How then could they possibly assist Jin? Therefore, an alliance between Jin and Chu would be the worst strategy.”

The Jin King furrowed his brows.

“I suggest that my King hold back for now and quietly observe the Chu royal court. Between the seventh prince and the crown prince, choose one to support and assist in ascending to the throne. In exchange, the first thing the new Chu King must do is devote the full strength of his nation to aiding my King in conquering Qi.”

The Jin King’s eyebrows arched slightly. “Interfering in another nation’s internal affairs, planting spies, installing a new ruler, and then borrowing their blade to strike—this is the strategy you propose, Young General Qi?”

Qi Yan replied, “Yes. The Wei King is cunning and experienced, having ruled for years without any major upheavals. The current news of internal strife—who’s to say it isn’t just a deception to mislead the world? My King should wait and observe, allowing these nations to descend further into chaos first.”

“But when will Chu fall into turmoil? How long must I wait?” The Jin King’s voice was indifferent.

The young man slowly lifted his head. Outside the hall, the shadows of the trees swayed. His eyes shone as brightly as the stars as he spoke each word with deliberate clarity: “You need not wait any longer.”

As soon as his words fell, urgent footsteps echoed from outside the hall.

A minister hurried inside, drenched in sweat, rushing forward before falling to his knees at the foot of the royal steps.

The Jin King asked, “What is the matter?”

“My King! News has arrived from Chu that the Chu King is gravely ill! The crown prince is still on his way back to the capital, but the Chu King has already issued a decree to appoint a new heir!”

This single statement was like a thunderclap detonating within the great hall.

To establish a successor and then depose him was always a grave taboo among the warring states and would undoubtedly plunge the nation into unrest.

What’s more, the Chu crown prince was not even in the capital. Even if he rushed back at full speed, it would take him at least half a month. By then, if the Chu King were to die, the court would be left in chaos, and the two factions within the Chu royal family would undoubtedly come to bloodshed.

The Jin King looked at the secret letter the minister presented, then burst into laughter, leaning back against his throne. For the first time, he seriously examined the young man kneeling in the hall before him.

The Jin King handed the secret letter to the eunuch. “Hong Shuo, go inform all the princes of this matter and ask them what they think about the situation in Chu.”

Many ministers in the court had urged the Jin King to form an alliance with Chu, while others advised him to attack Qi and Wei directly. Yet who could have known that what the Jin King truly desired was to see chaos erupt all around Jin?

To set fire to the warring states and throw the world into turmoil. The more chaotic the world became, the more Jin, as the strongest power, could seize absolute dominance.

Among all the officials and nobles of Jin, only this young man before him understood what the Jin King truly wanted.

As Qi Yan had said, this plan might indeed be worth executing.

The Jin King narrowed his eyes. “Why are you so certain that the two princes of Chu will seek help from me and not from the Wei King or the Qi King?”

Qi Yan lifted his chin. “If I were one of the Chu princes, I would only seek aid from my King. First, to demonstrate sincerity, and second, because Jin is the most powerful nation. Naturally, whoever gains Jin’s support will hold an absolute advantage in the struggle for the throne.”

“My King only needs to wait. I believe that soon, secret letters from both the Chu crown prince and the seventh prince will be delivered to our capital.” Qi Yan smiled.

The Jin King remained silent, his fingers tapping against the armrest of his throne. Initially, he had thought this young man was just like his father—nothing more than a brute who knew only how to lead armies. But now, he realized Qi Yan was more like a strategist, calm and composed, with absolute ambition and an unyielding desire. He could oversee the grand scheme of things, set his sights upon the world, and yet remain patient, plotting step by step.

The Jin King felt a long-lost thrill surge through his veins.

The blades of Jin’s army had been sheathed for years, awaiting the perfect moment.

And now, he felt closer to his goal than ever before.

He knew that today, Qi Yan’s proposal was his pledge of allegiance—a declaration that he was willing to sever ties with Chu completely.

Yet the Jin King did not say much.

He watched as the young man calmly rose, took his leave, and walked out of the hall, his figure merging with the sunlight until it disappeared entirely.

Whether Qi Yan was truly worth using, he still needed to observe.

But when the secret letters from the two Chu princes arrived, the Jin King knew he would no longer hesitate to employ Qi Yan.

Qi Yan left the royal palace just as the guards were changing shifts. His duty was complete for the day, and he was free to rest. Suddenly recalling something, he ignored the soldiers calling after him and strode swiftly outside.

Using the token Ji Wo had left him, Qi Yan rode out of the palace and headed to Ji Wo’s estate in the countryside.

The sky darkened, the fields were bathed in golden light, and as soon as Qi Yan entered the estate, several small dogs rushed up to him, yapping and circling his horse’s legs. He did not hurry inside but instead laughed and played with them for a while.

It was only when Ji Wo heard the servants’ report that he emerged from the fields to greet him.

Qi Yan asked, “Your Highness has so many dogs—do you have an extra one you could give me?”

Ji Wo paused while wiping his sweat. “You want a dog?”

On the journey for the peace marriage, Qi Yan and Ji Wo had met daily. By now, they understood each other well and were extremely familiar.

Qi Yan lifted his gaze from the dogs. “Not for myself—I wish to find one for our princess. Yesterday, when the King gifted you those two little dogs from the Western Regions, our princess kept watching them longingly. She used to have dogs at home, so she must like them.”

Ji Wo suddenly remembered that Wei Zhen had mentioned this before, though he had almost forgotten. Yet Qi Yan had remembered.

Ji Wo crouched down, and the dogs wagged their tails eagerly.

Qi Yan said, “Our princess is new to the capital, alone in the palace with nothing to do. If she had a small dog to keep her company, it would make things much better. Do you have any puppies that were just born?”

Being a fellow dog lover, Ji Wo understood the sentiment. He immediately said, “Alright, I’ll check the back courtyard.”

Before long, Ji Wo returned carrying a small puppy—about two or three months old, with snowy white fur and bright, intelligent eyes.

Qi Yan carefully took the puppy into his arms, a smile appearing on his face.

Ji Wo said, “This puppy was a gift from someone else. I haven’t had it for long, so I’m a little reluctant to part with it.”

“For this, I owe you a favor. If you ever need my help, just ask.”

Qi Yan rode away from Ji Wo’s estate.

The evening breeze brushed against him, rustling the green trees.

Inside the royal palace, Wei Zhen sat in the Qingxue Hall, with wisteria flowers swaying outside the window.

She was immersed in studying a music score when a pair of snowy white paws stepped onto the bamboo scroll. A small dog climbed onto her lap, licking her fingertips. Wei Zhen looked up in surprise to see Qi Yan holding a puppy in his arms.

He was dressed in dark robes with a jade belt cinching his waist, lounging lazily by the window, idly holding a wisteria blossom in his other hand.

“Yesterday, in the Jin King’s hall, you kept staring at Ji Wo’s two dogs. So today, I found you one.”

He reached out, offering her a wisteria blossom. Wei Zhen took it, their fingertips brushing briefly—an instant of electric warmth tingling through her fingers.

Bathed in golden sunlight, he leaned in slightly, and Wei Zhen found herself gazing into his eyes.

The young man was strikingly handsome, even the golden light outlining his nose bridge casting a refined, picturesque charm.

Wei Zhen asked, “Where did you find it?”

“I went to Ji Wo’s estate. He has plenty of dogs.”

Wei Zhen hadn’t expected that the fleeting expression she showed yesterday had been noticed by him. Looking into the boy’s bright eyes, she wasn’t sure if it was because of the little dog in her arms, but her heart seemed to slowly melt.

Wei Zhen said, “Since the young general has gifted me a puppy, what should I give the young general in return?”

Qi Yan flipped over the window and entered the room. Wei Zhen, afraid someone might notice he was inside, quickly reached out to close the window and locked it.

Once the window was shut, the room instantly darkened. Wei Zhen carefully studied him in the dim light. Suddenly, he turned around, and she instinctively stepped back, her waist pressing against the desk as their eyes met.

Perhaps it was the summer heat, or perhaps it was because they were too close, but the breath they exhaled onto each other’s faces grew unbearably warm.

Qi Yan gazed at her seriously. “Since the eldest lady of the Wei family says she wants to give me something, why are you asking me what I want? Shouldn’t you decide for yourself?”

Wei Zhen said, “If you don’t tell me, how will I know what you want?”

Qi Yan replied, “Then think carefully about it. Try to figure it out yourself.”

Lowering his head, he saw the music score on the table behind her and picked up the bamboo scroll.

Wei Zhen said, “This is the music score His Majesty instructed me to practice upon my return. There are some details I haven’t fully grasped yet. If the young general has time, could you guide me a little?”

Qi Yan raised an eyebrow. “If so, then you owe me two favors now.”

Hearing his words, Wei Zhen knew he had agreed and smiled. “Alright, two favors.”

Her hand, resting at her side, happened to touch the fruit tray. She picked up a cherry and brought it to his lips. “Would you like to try it? The other day, you picked loquats for me, so today, try the cherries from my place.”

The cherry, still dotted with water droplets, pressed against Qi Yan’s lips, making them tremble slightly.

Under her gaze, he bit into the cherry, and a few drops of juice splashed onto her fingertips.

Wei Zhen’s fingers curled slightly in nervousness, but Qi Yan took her hand, gently pried her fingers open, and wiped them clean with a silk cloth.

Outside, the sounds of maids and eunuchs chatting and laughing occasionally drifted in, yet not a single person noticed that, in this darkened hall, there was an additional young man.

The sense of secrecy heightened the tension. They were so close, saying nothing, yet sparks ignited in the darkness.

Qi Yan recalled the words Jin Wang and Ji Yuan had spoken earlier in the day and asked, “How are you getting along with the various royal sons in Jin Palace? Is there any gentleman among them you fancy?”

Wei Zhen said, “I haven’t even met most of them. How could I possibly fancy any?”

Qi Yan held her hand and asked, “Then, apart from those princes, is there any young man you like?”

The young lady turned her face away, her ear tilted toward his cheek, and the soft flesh of her earlobe gradually flushed a shade of red like pigeon’s blood. Her eyelashes fluttered rapidly, and at last, she turned back to look at him, her eyes flickering, as if she wanted to speak but hesitated.

In the darkness, two hearts pounded.

Footsteps sounded outside—perhaps a palace maid approaching.

Qi Yan let go of her hand, glanced at the puppy on the ground, and said, “I should go.”

Wei Zhen opened the window for him. This particular window led to the backyard, where no one was present. She whispered, “Be careful, don’t let anyone see you.”

Life in Jin Palace was different from before. He and she could only seize these rare moments to meet.

Qi Yan swiftly climbed out of the window but, just before leaving, suddenly turned back. Wei Zhen hadn’t had time to step away when his face was already close to hers, their lips almost touching.

The young man spoke softly, his warm breath brushing against her lips, “You still owe me two favors. Don’t forget to repay them, hmm?”

Wei Zhen looked into his eyes, wanting to say, “I know,” but found herself unable to voice the words.

How was she supposed to repay him?

Her gaze dropped slightly, landing right on the young man’s lips.

He moved half an inch closer. “Tomorrow afternoon, I’ll be waiting for you.”

“Afternoon?”

“Yes, isn’t Jin Wang sending you out in the afternoon to hunt with those young noblemen? By then, I’ll accompany Ji Wo under the pretense of being his guard. Naturally, I’ll have a chance to see you.”

Hunting, mountains, forests, lakes.

The dense woodland, thick with foliage, could conceal anything. With the mountains and forests as their cover, they could secretly meet.

Wei Zhen’s heart pounded like a drum. She whispered, “Alright.”

The evening breeze stirred. He tucked a wisteria flower behind her ear, then turned and left the courtyard.

Wei Zhen stood by the window, raising a hand to touch the flower at her ear. Her heartbeat quickened, and it took a long time for her to calm down.

She knew well that, as a princess sent for marriage, she shouldn’t have any entanglements with him.

Secretly meeting him like this was no different from betraying her duty.

Yet, when he spoke so gently of seeing her again, Wei Zhen knew she wouldn’t refuse.

The puppy at her feet let out a soft bark. Wei Zhen crouched down, resting her head on her knees, gently stroking the little creature’s head. Wisps of sweetness curled in her heart, and the corners of her lips lifted into a smile.

She stood up and walked to the wardrobe, eager to choose which outfit to wear tomorrow.