Unyielding Spring Mountains - Chapter 5: Softhearted

The atmosphere inside the hall was extremely delicate, and Qi Yan’s words pulled Wei Zhen back from her trembling state.

“Is Sixth Highness feeling better?” Wei Zhen stepped forward and asked gently. “Since waking up, Your Highness has been staring at me. Is there something improper about me?”

Even though her nails had pierced her palms, drawing blood, and fear spread through her limbs and bones, Wei Zhen still held a faint, serene smile at the corners of her lips, gazing at him with soft eyes.

In that moment, she had already prepared for the worst.

If Jing Ke had truly failed to return from the gates of hell, and the truth of that night came to light, she might have been implicated. But now that he was still barely clinging to life, even if he exposed her for stabbing him, it wouldn’t cost her life. The severity of the matter was far from that of attempting to assassinate an imperial heir.

If he pointed her out, she would expose all his misdeeds in turn.

However, if such things were to spread, there would undoubtedly be endless rumors. Perhaps she would face criticism from outsiders, or perhaps the King of Chu would side with him. At that time, people would twist the truth, claiming she was also lacking in virtue and had deliberately seduced him.

But from beginning to end, it had been his own debauched nature, his covetous desire for his future sister-in-law. Wei Zhen did not feel she was in the wrong.

If that happened, her engagement to the Crown Prince would likely be annulled. But it was an arranged marriage, and she harbored little affection for the Crown Prince. She did not depend on this marriage for her future.

At most, she would be sent back to the southern lands.

The south was lush with greenery, the wind ran free. She and her younger brother would gallop across the open plains, watching the rosy dawn and misty mountains. No matter how prosperous and wealthy the capital was, she still longed for those carefree days.

And would Jing Ke dare to publicly accuse her, to admit that on the eve of the Empress Dowager’s birthday, he harbored depraved thoughts and attempted to violate his future sister-in-law, which led to this outcome?

Wei Zhen recalled that night, her eyes involuntarily turning slightly red at the corners. Yet she still smiled at him, bright and calm.

“Sixth Highness,” the Queen called again. After several unanswered inquiries, her patience was clearly wearing thin. “If Your Highness is well, then I shall have these people withdraw.”

She rose to her feet, the hem of her lavish robe cascading from the step and pooling on the floor. Her hands were tucked into her wide sleeves as she looked down at the man on the bed with a piercing gaze.

The favored concubine beside him turned and said, “Your Highness, the Queen is about to leave. May I ask one thing? Please nod or shake your head. That night in the inner chamber, was it an assassin who injured you?”

Wei Zhen lowered her gaze and saw his hand gripping the edge of the bed tightly, veins bulging on the back of it.

Hatred surged in his eyes, his gaze so red it seemed ready to spill blood.

The hall was utterly silent, the only sound the faint crackle of incense burning in the censer.

After a long pause, Jing Ke turned his face aside, his breathing uneven, the corners of his lips slowly curling into a smile.

“Yes.” His throat moved with difficulty.

The Queen’s expression darkened. “So it truly was those two assassins. They were the remnants of a rebellious faction, their families eradicated years ago, yet they still harbor ambitions!”

Having received his answer, the Queen had no interest in lingering. Before leaving, she instructed the palace maids to take good care of him.

Wei Zhen followed them out of the great hall. Her long robe trailed behind her as she walked. Reaching the curtain, she glanced back and met Jing Ke’s dark gaze.

He truly did not dare to expose her.

But a man as vengeful as him—how could he swallow this humiliation? He would surely retaliate a hundredfold, a thousandfold, in some other way.

She knew he would not let her go so easily.

After leaving the hall, Wei Zhen sent a guard to summon Qi Yan, asking to meet him at a secluded rock garden.

The two stood on a narrow path, beside a flower-covered wall where the blooms cast dappled shadows on their robes.

Wei Zhen bowed to him. “Thank you, Young General, for speaking on my behalf earlier.”

“There’s no need to thank me.” The young man lifted a hand to shield his eyes from the glaring sun. “I’ll be off then.”

“Wait,” Wei Zhen called out, making him pause and turn back. “What is it?”

She walked up to him, took a deep breath, and gently said, “The Young General has long suspected me, believing I am connected to Jing Ke’s case. Your suspicions were not unfounded. That night, I was indeed in the inner chamber.”

At last, the secret she had suppressed for so long was spoken aloud. Wei Zhen felt as if a great weight had been lifted from her heart.

“I know.” His clear, water-like gaze met hers.

Wei Zhen had already guessed as much. He had gone out of his way to visit her, to softly call her ‘cousin.’ Every word and action had been a probe.

Then had he also deduced what Jing Ke had nearly done to her that night?

Softly, she asked, “But what I do not understand is—why did you still speak on my behalf today, even though you knew I hurt Jing Ke? That was false testimony. If Jing Ke had denied it outright, an investigation could have implicated you as well.”

“Jing Ke wouldn’t dare point you out,” Qi Yan said with certainty. “This matter was his wrongdoing to begin with. Even if it had happened to someone else, I would have helped just the same. Don’t dwell on it.”

His tone was indifferent, his gaze drifting toward the flower wall as if he wished to brush the matter aside quickly, unwilling for her to feel indebted to him.

Wei Zhen was momentarily stunned.

But he was the officer in charge of investigating the case. He should have reported the truth. Why, then, would he choose to cover for her and even provide false testimony?

“If there’s nothing else, I’ll be going.” The warm sunlight poured over him, making his eyes appear bright and clear.

As he turned to leave, Wei Zhen, flustered, grabbed the hem of his sleeve. She could only say, “Young General Qi Yan truly has a kind heart.”

Qi Yan gave her an odd look.

He chuckled lightly. “I’ve been praised countless times growing up, but this is the first time someone has called me kindhearted.”

Others spoke of Young General Qi Yan as extraordinary, brilliant like the sun in the sky. To be near him was as if the sun and moon had entered one’s heart. But the sun in the sky was also distant and unreachable—meant to be admired from afar, not approached.

Yet Wei Zhen felt he was, in fact, an easy person to be around.

That night, when he had led the search, she had loosened her robes before him, revealing the bruises on her neck. He had turned his face aside, then stiffly helped her pull her clothes back up, gently reminding her to dress properly.

Clearly, he was someone softhearted.

Earlier, facing Jing Ke’s dark, ruthless expression, his utter lack of remorse for what he had done, Wei Zhen had not felt shaken. But now, hearing Qi Yan’s quiet yet steadfast words, she felt an unexpected warmth swell in her heart.

“There was no reason for you to take such a risk, yet you still helped me. I am truly grateful.” She smiled brightly, tilting her face up amidst the deep red and pale pink shadows of the flowers.

Qi Yan’s gaze fell upon her face, her eyes shimmering with golden light. This time, he did not interrupt her thanks.

“With Jing Ke’s nature, he won’t let this go easily. You and your younger brother must be careful.” He warned her calmly.

Wei Zhen understood. She suddenly remembered something. “Earlier, I asked you to investigate the night guards.”

“There are already some leads, but the matter involves more people. Once everything is clear, I’ll let you know.” His expression grew slightly more serious.

“Alright,” Wei Zhen said.

Having said all that needed to be said, she took her leave of him amidst the soft spring air.

**

The dazzling sunlight pierced through the gauze curtains, dispelling the shadows in the hall.

Leaving the palace hall, Jing Ke was lying on the bed, taking medicine, when he suddenly spat out a mouthful of foul blood. A concubine attending to him quickly took a handkerchief to wipe the blood from the corner of his lips.

Jing Ke pushed her away with one hand. The beauty let out a startled cry, stumbling and falling to her knees in panic.

He leaned against the bedpost, panting heavily. Blood seeped through the gauze wrapped around his neck once more.

A nearby aide urged, “Hurry and summon the physician—”

“No need,” Jing Ke interrupted, his voice like a blade scraping against bone, sending shivers down one’s spine.

His eyes were filled with cruelty, and his heart was consumed by overwhelming hatred.

That wretched woman was still alive and well, even daring to act as if nothing had happened, parading around before him. She deserved to be properly humiliated.

“Go,” Jing Ke gritted out, his voice seething with venom. “Summon Wei Zhang—”

That night, it was that fool Wei Zhang who had leaked the news that Wei Zhen was alone. And what happened after he went?

His subordinate cupped his fists. “Yes, Your Highness.”

Jing Ke’s gaze darkened. With a sharp crack, he crushed the medicine bowl in his hand, shards of porcelain embedding into his palm as fresh blood dripped from between his fingers.

He would make Wei Zhen pay. Right here in this palace, he would let her taste what it meant to live a fate worse than death.

**

Night had fallen deeply, yet Wei Zhen lay restless, unable to sleep, still troubled by the matter of Jing Ke.

Now that he was awake, he would undoubtedly seek revenge.

Fortunately, she was now on guard. In the coming days, as long as she never let herself be alone and kept her guards by her side at all times, even if Jing Ke wanted to make a move, he wouldn’t find an opportunity.

Wei Zhen also secretly instructed her brother’s guards to stay vigilant.

For the next two or three days, Wei Zhen was summoned by the Queen and made to study court etiquette with the palace matrons, spending from dawn till dusk in the Queen’s hall without a moment’s respite.

On the fourth day, the Queen planned to go hunting in the forest with several princesses and granted Wei Zhen a day of rest.

However, by the afternoon, a palace matron arrived with a message: “Miss, Her Majesty the Queen has summoned you to accompany her.”

The Queen of Chu was cold and indifferent. She seemed to value Wei Zhen, but in truth, she was exceedingly strict and difficult to deal with.

Wei Zhen sighed inwardly and said, “Wait a moment, I will change into a riding skirt.”

She instructed two guards to follow behind and rode off toward the hunting grounds.

At the end of April, the heat was already beginning to rise. But once she entered the forest, a cool breeze rustled through the pines, bringing refreshing relief.

The leading palace matron introduced herself as Matron An and claimed to be someone from the Crown Prince’s household. Wei Zhen had seen her before in the Eastern Palace, so she did not suspect anything.

The group traveled deep into the forest, moving farther and farther away from the nobles’ hunting grounds. After an incense stick’s time, the trees grew denser, the path narrower, and they were now far removed from where the royals were gathering.

Wei Zhen pulled on her reins. “Matron An, is the Queen truly in this part of the forest?”

Matron An gestured ahead. “Just a little further. We’re almost there.”

Dappled sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting patterns on her face. Wei Zhen lifted her head, straining her ears to listen.

Silence.

If the Queen and the princesses were really here, their entourage would have made much more noise.

Wei Zhen grew alert. She asked again, “Did the Queen personally send you?”

Matron An replied, “Miss Wei, this is indeed the Queen’s command. The royal procession is just ahead. Please, do not keep Her Majesty waiting.”

Wei Zhen gripped her reins tighter.

This matter had only been known to the Queen’s close servants.

One of her guards rode up. “Miss, if you are unsure, allow me to scout ahead?”

“Alright,” Wei Zhen said in a low voice. “But don’t go too far. Turn back immediately and find A-Ling by the pasture. Have him bring a squad of guards here.”

If there was indeed an ambush up ahead, sending one scout alone would be useless.

Having more guards around would put her mind at ease.

The guard obeyed her command and galloped off. Just as he left, there was a rustling sound from the forest ahead. Matron An said, “Miss, look, we’ve arrived.”

Wei Zhen tightened her grip on the reins but did not advance.

All around her, the mountains stretched in verdant waves.

On a hill, partially hidden by tall trees, Jing Ke stood watching. From his vantage point, he could see everything happening in the hunting grounds below.

A guard beside him asked, “Miss Wei has sent a guard back.”

“Ignore it,” Jing Ke said hoarsely.

“Your Highness, should we act now?”

“Lure her in further,” Jing Ke commanded. “Is Wei Zhang ready?”

“The beasts have been set. I will go check again.”

Jing Ke’s lips curled in mockery as he gazed at the girl in the fiery red dress below.

**

Wei Zhen’s guard galloped out of the forest, circling the pasture in search of Wei Ling, but unable to find him. With no other option, he approached the stationed soldiers for help. The soldiers brought him before Qi Yan.

The military forces of Zhanghua Palace were all under the young general’s command.

“Young General, my lady is in the hunting forest. She requests reinforcements. Would you be willing to lend a squad of guards?”

“She’s in the forest?” Qi Yan asked.

“Yes, and she was urgent about it. If I return to the palace to fetch our own men, it will take too long. Borrowing yours is the fastest option.”

Just then, another soldier rushed onto the high platform, reporting urgently to Qi Yan.

“Young General, Wei Zhang was seen sneaking into the forest through a side path. His movements were suspicious, so I came to report immediately.”

The sun was already dipping westward. What business did Wei Zhang have in the forest at this hour?

Qi Yan’s expression turned icy. His fingers tightened around the hilt of his sword.

“Gather a squad. We’re going in now.”

**

Deep in the forest.

Seated on horseback, Wei Zhen had been observing her surroundings ever since she sent her guard away.

Moments ago, she had noticed birds suddenly taking flight from the left side of the woods. If she turned and galloped in that direction, she might encounter other hunting nobles.

Without hesitation, she signaled to her remaining guard. He understood her meaning immediately.

Just as they turned their horses, a sharp “whoosh” pierced the air.

An arrow shot out from the forest behind them, striking the guard squarely in the back.

Blood sprayed across Wei Zhen’s face, still hot.

The force of the impact froze her in place. Her face went pale as she blinked through the crimson mist and turned her head.

A tall figure stepped through the thick underbrush, moving slowly.

Wei Zhang carried a gleaming dagger at his waist.

His face bore a deep, twisted smile, his eyes fixed on her like a predator watching its prey.

“Little sister,” he said. “It’s been a long time.”