Unyielding Spring Mountains - Chapter 58: Admiration

After Qi Yan left, the eunuch beside the Jin King, Hong Shuo, lowered his voice and said, “Your Majesty, entrusting this matter to Deputy Commander Qi—isn’t it too risky?”

The Jin King held the memorial in his hands and lazily leaned against the armrest. “Naturally, I have my people keeping an eye on him in secret, recording his every move and sending reports back to the palace. And how could I trust the idle boasts of a mere fledgling? I am only giving him five thousand troops this time.”

Hong Shuo said softly, “Only five thousand, isn’t that…”

“How he uses those five thousand men depends entirely on him. If he uses them well, all the better. If he doesn’t, then it’s no great loss to me either.”

The Jin King lifted his head and gazed toward the palace doors. “Isn’t he eager to claim merit? I’m giving him the chance. It all depends on what he does with it.”

Seeing that the Jin King’s mind was made up, Hong Shuo did not continue speaking and simply replied, “Yes, Your Majesty.”

When Wei Zhen heard that Qi Yan had knelt in the palace hall for an entire day, she quickly sent someone to ask about him. His reply reassured her that it was nothing serious. However, in the following days, when Wei Zhen visited the Jin King’s palace, she did not see Qi Yan even once.

Upon inquiring with the Jin King, she finally learned from him that Qi Yan had volunteered to lead troops on a campaign and had been stationed at the military camp outside the capital for the past few days.

Wei Zhen wanted to see him. After all, he had only spent one birthday with her after returning from the border, and now they were to be separated again. However, she also understood the gravity of the situation and did not dare to disturb him.

During this period, Ji Yuan invited her on outings. Since the Jin King had given his approval, she found it difficult to refuse.

On the surface, they remained respectful, but both knew exactly why Ji Yuan sought to spend time with her.

Soon, the day of the army’s departure arrived.

At dawn, the palace gates opened to reveal a plaza where a portion of the guards had already assembled, fully equipped and ready for departure. Wei Zhen accompanied the Jin King in attending the send-off ceremony. During a brief break, she slipped away from the city tower and entered a secluded side chamber near the palace gates.

She had asked Ji Wo to help her deliver a message to Qi Yan, saying she had something to say to him.

Before long, Ji Wo arrived with Qi Yan. The young man clearly froze upon seeing her, as if he hadn’t expected her to be there.

Ji Wo said, “I’ll stand guard outside for you two, but be quick—the army will depart soon.”

With that, he shut the door behind them.

Wei Zhen said, “You’ve been outside the palace these past few days. I haven’t even had a chance to see you or speak with you.”

She looked him up and down and smiled. “I’ve never seen the young general in armor before.”

He was clad in a new suit of silver armor, his broad shoulders and narrow waist casting a long shadow that blocked much of the morning light.

Qi Yan saw her tilt her head up slightly, her delicate brows furrowing, her lips parting as if to speak—yet she hesitated.

Qi Yan said softly, “You don’t need to worry about me. The Jin King has promised that if I successfully quell the Chu Kingdom’s unrest, he will grant me any wish I desire.”

Wei Zhen hummed in acknowledgment. “Then, General Qi, be careful on the road.”

She gazed at him for a long time before suddenly stepping forward and embracing him tightly.

Qi Yan stiffened. Through his armor, he could feel her warmth seep into him. Lowering his gaze, he caught sight of her profile and, after a moment, gently embraced her in return.

Silhouettes occasionally passed by outside the window. Hidden in the dim light, they held each other in silence, their hearts pounding against their chests.

“I must go,” Qi Yan said. “Wait for me—I will return by year’s end.”

Wei Zhen nodded and let go of him. “No need to rush, General Qi. Take your time.”

She took a step back and watched him leave.

The two exited the side chamber one after the other. Wei Zhen and Ji Wo made their way toward the city gate. She noticed Ji Wo hesitating to speak several times before finally saying, “If Your Highness has something to say, just say it.”

Ji Wo spoke in a low voice. “Honestly, I sensed something unusual between you two back when we were on the journey for the marriage alliance.”

Wei Zhen glanced at him. Ji Wo continued, “I’ll help you keep it a secret, but you and he…”

He sighed and shook his head.

“I understand. Thank you for your concern, Your Highness,” Wei Zhen replied with a light smile. She knew what he meant—he was cautioning her that she and Qi Yan should not be entangled.

She and Ji Wo climbed the city tower together. The Jin King stood by the city wall, gazing into the distance, watching the troops leave the city.

Following his gaze, Wei Zhen saw Qi Yan atop his horse, leading the troops forward. Beyond the city gates, the mountains stretched endlessly, lush and verdant.

The old eunuch’s hoarse voice sounded, “I still remember when Your Majesty was but a prince, leading only five thousand troops into battle. That war led to the destruction of the northern Yan Kingdom.”

The Jin King’s eyes were distant. “So many years have passed already. My sister wrote to me yesterday, saying this boy reminds her of my younger self. Hong Shuo, do you think he resembles me?”

The eunuch lowered his head. “Your Majesty is unmatched in valor—how could Qi Yan possibly compare?”

The Jin King chuckled. “Let’s hope he doesn’t disappoint me.”

Turning around, his gaze fell upon Wei Zhen. “When we return to the palace, come and massage my temples.”

Wei Zhen replied, “Yes, Your Majesty.”

This time, when Qi Yan left for the Chu Kingdom, he took Zuo Ying with him. Previously, Zuo Ying had left behind a bottle of medicine that could alleviate the Jin King’s chronic migraines, but the supply was nearly exhausted. Wei Zhen had to prepare the salve herself based on the prescription.

Since Wei Zhen arrived at the Jin Palace, the Jin King’s headaches had significantly lessened. According to Hong Shuo, he used to suffer every two or three days, but now, the episodes only occurred once every ten days or so.

After Qi Yan’s departure, Wei Zhen had little else to do and simply remained by the Jin King’s side.

The tax records that the Jin King had entrusted to her were already submitted. Though he made no comment, Wei Zhen knew that silence meant approval.

She had once thought that serving a king was like walking on thin ice, but after spending time with the Jin King, she realized that as long as one did not cross his bottom line and met his expectations, he was not as harsh as he appeared.

Once, when she mentioned missing her younger brother back home, the Jin King casually remarked that if she longed for her family, she could bring them to the capital in the future.

Everyone in the palace knew that Wei Zhen was favored by the Jin King.

Especially after the Seventh Prince, Ji Yuan, began inviting her on outings. She could feel the palace attendants looking at her with growing reverence.

Wei Zhen had stayed in the palace hall to avoid the noble sons at the academy. But Ji Yuan was different—he could enter the palace freely to discuss state affairs with the Jin King, which meant he often encountered her.

Interacting with the royal descendants of Jin, Wei Zhen felt particularly uneasy.

In order to avoid making the Jin King think she was too close to Ji Yuan alone, Wei Zhen often went out with Ji Wo as well. However, most of the time, she was merely acting as a cover for him and Gongsun Xian.

The weather grew colder day by day, yet over the past three months, one victory report after another from Chu continued to be delivered to the palace.

The Jin King did not shy away from Wei Zhen while handling political affairs, allowing her to listen by his side. The battle reports sent from the border were all read aloud to him by Wei Zhen.

As her fingertips brushed over the characters on the letters, her heart pounded rapidly. She felt that the day she would see him again was drawing closer.

Although the situation in Chu remained complex, it was gradually stabilizing. The new king’s foundation was still shaky, but with the assistance of Marquis Wei, Wei Ling, and Qi Yan, he soon secured his throne. Meanwhile, Crown Prince Jing Heng continued his desperate resistance, suffering repeated defeats over the past three months. He had now fled to the western interior of Chu, preparing to raise another army.

The Jin King’s decision was not to execute the deposed crown prince but to secretly capture and bring him back to Jin.

This would serve as Jin’s bargaining chip. As long as the deposed crown prince remained in their grasp, the new king of Chu would have to remain wary of Jin.

As the year-end approached, the academy conducted an examination for the young women on their studies.

In the evening, a snowfall blanketed the imperial palace in a layer of pure white. When Wei Zhen arrived outside the royal hall, the eunuch informed her that Princess Ji Ying was inside. She chose not to enter and instead waited quietly outside.

Not long after, Ji Ying emerged. Wei Zhen noted her flushed cheeks, nodded slightly in greeting, and then proceeded directly into the grand hall.

Wei Zhen removed her cloak and knelt beside the Jin King. He brushed aside the bamboo slips before him and said, “The teachers have delivered your exam papers. I have seen them—you achieved the highest score. You performed exceptionally well. Later, I will have someone send you a few gifts.”

Wei Zhen smiled lightly and replied, “Thank you, Your Majesty.”

“As for Ji Ying…” The Jin King flipped to the next exam paper, his brows furrowing tightly.

He said, “In terms of age, she is the same as you and already at the age of marriage. Yet her mind remains so immature—what does she spend her days thinking about? Such a rotten piece of wood; I can only feel ashamed.”

Wei Zhen recalled Ji Ying’s flushed face as she left just moments ago. While grinding ink, she softly asked, “Your Majesty, did you perhaps speak too harshly to the princess?”

The Jin King replied, “Not at all. She is already seventeen and should be married soon. I simply asked if there was any young man she admired.”

Wei Zhen’s hand paused in the act of grinding ink. A name surfaced in her mind.

“She spoke without hesitation and directly told me the name Qi Yan.”

Wei Zhen lifted her gaze and met the Jin King’s eyes. A cold sneer appeared on his lips. “Like father, like son. They come to my Jin Kingdom, only to make even the princesses fall for them.”

Wei Zhen could feel the Jin King’s anger. She stared at the ink pooling in the inkstone, remaining silent.

“Ji Ying said that when Qi Yan returns to the court, he will have rendered great service to Jin. If he were to marry her, he would be more than worthy. Tell me, what do you think of this matter?”

Wei Zhen replied, “How could I have a say in the princess’s marriage?”

The Jin King said, “You may speak freely.”

Wei Zhen deliberated and said, “The princess admires Deputy Commander Qi, but it still depends on what Deputy Commander Qi himself thinks. If he has feelings for her, then it would be a union of mutual affection. If he does not, then it cannot be forced. That would also align with Your Majesty’s wishes.”

“And what about you?” The Jin King abruptly shifted the conversation. “I have heard that you’ve been quite close to Ji Yuan lately.”

She tucked her chin into the white fox fur collar and softly replied, “But isn’t His Highness Ji Yuan already betrothed to the Wei princess?”

The Jin King narrowed his eyes. “There is a betrothal, yes, but it can be annulled. I see no real intent from Wei in pursuing this alliance.”

At the side, Hong Shuo reminded him, “Your Majesty, a letter from the King of Wei arrived a few days ago, saying that after the new year, he will send the Prime Minister to Jin.”

The Jin King sneered, “The King of Wei refuses to send their princess and instead dispatches their prime minister. Does he intend for his prime minister to marry into our kingdom instead?”

He turned to Wei Zhen. “You have good relations with both Ji Yuan and Ji Wo. Between the two, which one do you favor? After the new year, I should also arrange your marriage.”

This question was not easy to answer. Wei Zhen replied, “I am a princess sent for marriage. My marriage is entirely at Your Majesty’s discretion.”

She had always known this day would come. But now that the Jin King had asked so casually, her heart still trembled.

The Jin King had kept her by his side every day, teaching her to manage the palace’s affairs and even some matters of the court. His intentions were already clear.

The one he intended her to marry was the future crown prince.

The day the heir to the throne was decided would also be the day her marriage was set.

The Jin King asked, “What do you think of Ji Yuan and Ji Wo? Tell me your thoughts.”

Wei Zhen looked into his dark, cold eyes and vaguely sensed the hidden meaning in his words.

She said, “The Seventh Prince is mature and steady, concerned with matters of the court. Your Majesty has also praised him as reliable and considerate. The Ninth Prince is gentle and honest, but his interests lie only in farming. He has a carefree nature.”

The Jin King shook his head. “You do not understand them. It is all an act. One is wildly ambitious, while the other deliberately hides his edge, pretending to be unremarkable.”

“Go back and think carefully. I must also consider who you should marry. Once spring arrives, your marriage should be settled.”

As she rose to take her leave, the Jin King tapped a secret letter on the table. “Wait. Before you go, take a look at this. It arrived earlier today from the army. Read it for me—tell me what it says.”

Wei Zhen lowered her hands and picked up the letter, gently untying it. The characters leaped off the page before her eyes.

The handwriting was bold and powerful, flowing like clouds and water, each stroke piercing the paper with force.

Wei Zhen’s gaze flickered slightly as she said, “Your Majesty, Deputy Commander Qi has written. He reports that the deposed crown prince has been captured, and the army is preparing to return to court.”