Unyielding Spring Mountains - Chapter 63: Mutual Affection

 

This was the grandson of the Jin King, a rising noble in the court. That was a princess from another country, sent far away for a political marriage. Yet the two had secretly developed an illicit relationship, exchanging affections in private.

 

Fu Qiang snapped out of her shock and took a step forward.

 

Earlier, when she couldn’t find Wei Zhen, her heart had been pounding with unease. Unable to rest easy, she immediately led a team of guards to search the courtyard room by room—only to stumble upon this scene.

 

Taking a deep breath, Fu Qiang made a gesture toward the two of them. “Princess, Young General, please!”

 

The cold wind lashed against the windows, producing bursts of noise. Wei Zhen turned back nervously, meeting the gaze of the man beside her. He had already dressed and now reached out to take her hand.

 

Wei Zhen’s fingertips trembled. Qi Yan leaned in and whispered, “Don’t be afraid, I’m here.”

 

His large palm enveloped hers, the warmth of his grip spreading to her through the gentle pressure. Wei Zhen’s violently thudding heart gradually steadied. Her face remained pale as she murmured, “Alright.”

 

Qi Yan led Wei Zhen out of the palace hall.

 

At the front, the banquet was still ongoing. The Jin King, having had several rounds of wine, was slightly intoxicated and leaned back in his seat, resting with his eyes closed—until he heard hurried footsteps approaching.

 

The Jin King slowly opened his eyes and saw a young eunuch hastily ascending the steps, stopping beside Hong Shuo.

 

The Jin King asked, “What is it?”

 

Hong Shuo’s expression changed, yet he hesitated to speak. “My King…”

 

The Jin King frowned. “Just say it directly.”

 

Hong Shuo leaned in and whispered into the Jin King’s ear, “My King, the princess and the Young General have been discovered together in a secluded palace hall…”

 

A sharp crash echoed through the grand hall. The room fell into sudden silence as everyone watched the Jin King’s face turn ominously dark. The wine cup in his hand had been hurled to the ground, shattering into pieces.

 

Slowly, the Jin King rose to his feet, his imposing figure casting a shadow against the screen behind him.

 

His presence was commanding. Over the years, even the senior ministers in court had come to fear him, let alone the others in the hall, who now lowered their heads in trepidation.

 

“Bring those two to my royal hall.”

 

His face was ashen, and he strode out swiftly, the hem of his wide robe sweeping over the tiled floor.

 

The Jin King had left, but the suffocating tension in the hall remained.

 

Soon, whispers filled the air as word of what had happened during the banquet spread.

 

“The Chu princess was found in secret with General Qi!”

 

“How dare they engage in such misconduct? When did these two start colluding?”

 

“They are truly bold, daring to carry on an affair right under the King’s nose. If the King finds out, he won’t let them off easily.”

 

Snow began to fall. Outside the royal hall, palace attendants stood stiffly, their bodies tense.

 

Inside, the Jin King stared at the kneeling woman before him.

 

The old ruler’s face was deeply lined, each crease adding to his formidable presence. In the stifling atmosphere, even the eunuchs were too afraid to lift their heads.

 

Wei Zhen’s skirt spread out behind her as she pressed her forehead to the floor, closing her eyes.

 

The icy chill of the floor seeped into her skin, and the cold draft from the window wrapped around her body. Her fingertips were numb, her entire being as if plunged into a frozen abyss.

 

Slowly, she straightened her back. “My King, today, your child and General Qi…”

 

The Jin King’s voice was slow but heavy: “My child? What child are you to me? When have I ever acknowledged you as mine? Who gave you the right to address yourself so?”

 

“Grandfather…” the kneeling Ji Wo spoke up.

 

The Jin King shot him a sharp look. “You knew about their affair yet helped them keep it from me? Did you think you could escape responsibility?”

 

Ji Wo’s face flushed red as he fell silent.

 

The Jin King’s gaze shifted to Qi Yan.

 

Qi Yan bowed low. “My King, before I led the troops south, you promised me that if I could pacify the Chu rebellion within three months, you would reward me with one request of my choosing. Now that I have returned, it is time for Your Majesty to fulfill that promise.”

 

The Jin King acknowledged, “I did say that.”

 

Qi Yan straightened his back and spoke firmly, “I ask Your Majesty to grant me the hand of Princess Chu in marriage. This is the only reward I desire.”

 

The Jin King stood tall, silent for a long moment. His eyes, hidden in the shadows, held an eerie calm.

 

Qi Yan’s words were nothing short of shocking, sending a wave of unease through everyone in the hall.

 

Turning, the Jin King walked forward. The only sound in the grand hall was his steady footsteps.

 

Then, with a sharp metallic ring, a sword was drawn.

 

The Jin King pulled a treasured blade from the rack, its gleaming edge flashing in the light. In an instant, the sharp tip was pressed against the young man’s throat.

 

“My King!” The surrounding attendants cried out in alarm.

 

The young man’s pitch-black eyes, reflecting the candlelight, burned with a quiet, unwavering fire. He showed no fear as he met the Jin King’s gaze.

 

To their shock, he even smiled. “My King, will you keep your word?”

 

The Jin King said coldly, “I did promise. But what was the condition? That as my subject, you would remain loyal, obey my commands without question, and harbor no divided loyalties. And yet, what have you done tonight? Secretly consorting with the future wife of my grandson?”

 

Qi Yan let out a light laugh. The Jin King instantly recognized the mockery in it, finding the sound unbearably grating.

 

“I have already shown mercy by not executing you both on the spot. And you dare to bargain with me?”

 

The Jin King’s eyes flashed with chilling intent. He called for the guards, “Take Qi Yan away at once!”

 

The grand doors were abruptly pushed open.

 

“Grandfather, you mustn’t!” Ji Wo crawled forward, his face deathly pale. “All of this is my fault! Your Majesty once tested both Seventh Brother and me, considering whether to betroth the Chu princess to either of us. But I already have someone I love—how could I take the princess as well? And Seventh Brother is already engaged to the Wei princess. So what of Princess Chu? Should she be reduced to a concubine?”

 

Ji Wo gritted his teeth and declared, “If Your Majesty deems them guilty, then punish me as well!”

 

The Jin King sneered, “Should I praise you for your loyalty?”

 

Before him, Wei Zhen lifted her tear-filled eyes and softly called, “My King.” A mist of sorrow clouded her gaze. “I deceived you. I failed the trust you placed in me. But Qi Yan and I have long since fallen in love. I feared disappointing you and so did not dare to speak of it.”

 

The Jin King’s voice was dangerously calm. “You claim this love began long ago? When exactly—on the road to your marriage, or back in Chu?”

 

Wei Zhen closed her eyes briefly. “On the road to my marriage.”

 

The Jin King’s grip on his sword trembled. Wei Zhen could tell he was suppressing a great rage.

 

“Guards—” the Jin King called again.

 

Qi Yan stepped forward, shielding Wei Zhen. “Before I set out for Chu, I told Your Majesty—only I could complete that mission. Now, if Your Majesty punishes me, I fear many matters in Chu will remain unresolved.”

 

Ji Wo added, “Yes, Qi Yan has rendered great service. How can Your Majesty punish a meritorious general at such a time?”

 

The Jin King gave a low chuckle. “Are you threatening me?”

 

At last, he let out a long breath. “If you had known today would come, would you still have entangled yourself with the princess?”

 

Qi Yan hesitated only briefly before bowing. “I accept any punishment Your Majesty sees fit.”

 

The Jin King smiled grimly. “Indeed, my grandson is quite bold.”

 

“Guards! Take Qi Yan out and give him twenty lashes!”

 

Wei Zhen raised her head, her eyes turning red. The whipping punishment in the palace was especially cruel, and being winter, the punishment was unbearable for most people. Wei Zhen said, “General Qi is already injured; he cannot endure more punishment.”

The Jin King lowered his gaze and looked down. “Wei Zhen, are you pleading for him? Do you wish to take the punishment on his behalf?”

He squinted his eyes, looking at the young man who had already walked outside the hall and was kneeling down after lifting his robe. He instructed the guards beside him, “Since the princess wants to accompany him, take her outside.”

Hong Shuo advised, “Your Majesty, the princess is frail.”

The Jin King remained unmoved. “Hold her down and let her watch carefully how her man endures the punishment.”

Wei Zhen’s shoulders were restrained, and she was pressed down to kneel on the icy ground.

The cold wind howled, and heavy snowflakes drifted into the hall, landing on Wei Zhen’s body.

Wei Zhen’s eyes were bloodshot. The crisp sound of the whip cracking through the air echoed as it landed on Qi Yan’s body. Her entire body trembled as if she herself had been struck.

She struggled desperately, only to be forced down again, her mouth covered by someone’s hand, leaving only muffled whimpers.

The young man knelt in the snow, silent. The snow soaked his hair at his temples. His gaze was icy, and a certain determination seemed to support him from deep within his bones.

Gradually, something hot and wet fell on Wei Zhen’s body.

Blood from Qi Yan splashed onto her neck. Turning her head, she kowtowed toward the Jin King above, her voice choked with sobs. “Your Majesty, I do not need the general’s merits to atone for my sins. I have urgent matters to report to you. Could Your Majesty please stop this?”

The Jin King stood with his hands behind his back, silent.

Wei Zhen continued, “Does Your Majesty know that the beast attack during the New Year’s Eve banquet was no accident? There is a traitor in the palace. The robe given to Your Majesty was scented with a specific fragrance, which drove the beast mad. I have been investigating this matter these past few days…”

She bit her lip, tears dripping onto her hands. “I can find out who was responsible for this. I only ask Your Majesty to spare General Qi.”

The Jin King turned to look at her, his brows furrowed. His gaze shifted from her to the young man behind her.

Snow had covered the young man’s shoulders, and the whip continued to strike his body, each lash tearing into his flesh. The young man gradually bent over, but his hands remained braced against the ground, refusing to collapse. Slowly, he straightened his body once again and met the Jin King’s gaze.

The Jin King looked toward Hong Shuo. “Go ask him if he admits his guilt.”

Hong Shuo quickly went outside, but the response he received was, “I do not know what crime I have committed.”

The Jin King saw the blood at the corner of the young man’s mouth. His beautiful eyes stared directly at the Jin King, with a hint of a mocking smile on his lips.

Just as the last whip was about to fall, a slender figure broke free from the soldiers’ grasp and ran outside.

Snowflakes drifted down, and the girl in a red dress threw herself toward the young man. The blood-stained whip continued to fall, mixed with icy snow, lashing at her body and tearing through her splendid dress, leaving a shocking wound.

The sound of fabric ripping echoed, and the surroundings fell into silence. The guards stopped whipping, leaving only the sound of snow falling.

Blood spilled from her wound and splattered onto Qi Yan’s cheek. Qi Yan looked at her in shock. The girl’s arms wrapped around his neck, her tears soaking his shoulder.

Her eyelashes were covered with misty snow, her eyes filled with shimmering tears. Her blood-stained hand clasped his. Qi Yan endured the excruciating pain, swallowing the blood that threatened to rise in his throat, his voice hoarse and weak, “Why did you run out here? I’m fine. You should go back.”

Wei Zhen cupped his face, wiping away the blood from his lips, refusing to leave.

Qi Yan called for Ji Wo to come and take her away, but Wei Zhen clung tightly to him.

Snow continued to fall heavily. The Jin King stood inside the hall, watching the two embracing figures in the snow. The young man, biting his lip and red-eyed, raised his head, looking like a wounded beast staring back at him. At this moment, the Jin King finally realized his mistake. He had always thought this child resembled his father, but in the end, the one he truly resembled most was his mother.

The same stubbornness. The same refusal to repent.

Just then, a voice came from outside, “The Prime Minister of Wei has arrived!”

The Prime Minister of Wei stepped over the threshold and, upon entering, saw the scene in the snow.

Wei Zhen turned her face away, not wanting anyone to see Qi Yan’s miserable state. She spoke to Ji Wo, “The snow is too heavy. Ninth Prince, could you fetch a cloak?”

Hearing this, Wei Yu quickly took off his own cloak.

“Princess.” He crouched down and handed the cloak to Wei Zhen.

Wei Zhen raised her head, her eyes meeting his like rippling water before she quickly looked away and thanked him. She took the cloak and draped it over Qi Yan.

“There’s no need to thank me, Princess.”

Wei Yu wanted to look at her for a moment longer, but she had already turned away.

Having heard about the two of them, and seeing the whip still in the guard’s hand, seemingly ready to strike again, Wei Yu quickly rose and walked into the hall, saying, “Your Majesty, I have urgent matters to discuss with you. May I have a moment of your time?”

Hearing this, Hong Shuo quickly said, “Yes, Your Majesty. By my count, the number of lashes is about right. We should have them withdraw for now.”

A young couple’s love is always mutual.