Unyielding Spring Mountains - Chapter 68: Promise

After finishing the letter, Ji Yuan slowly re-tied the bamboo scroll and handed it to his subordinate. “Put it back where it belongs, and make sure the Wei people do not notice.”

“Yes.”

The aide left silently, closing the door behind him. Ji Yuan rested his chin on his hand, quietly contemplating in the darkness, pondering his next move given the current situation.

Heavy snow continued to fall, covering the world in pure white.

For three days straight, it had been snowy. The window screens were fogged with moisture, and the clear, icy light from the snow outside seeped into the grand hall, spilling into the bed curtains and illuminating the shadow lying on the couch.

Since visiting the Jin King that day, Qi Yan had not left his quarters. His back injury required rest, so he remained in the hall recuperating.

He looked at the falling snow outside, his gaze distant, and asked his guard, “Today is the thirteenth of the first month, my mother’s death anniversary, isn’t it?”

Qi Yan propped himself up on the bed. “Nanzhu, take the brazier out under the eaves. I want to burn some paper money for my mother.”

The guard went to fetch the brazier. “Young master, there’s only a little charcoal left. It may not be enough for tonight.”

Qi Yan draped on his outer robe. “It’s fine, as long as it’s enough to burn the paper money.”

Qi Yan’s injuries were too severe to endure travel, so he hadn’t returned to the General’s Mansion. The palace rules were strict, and acquiring paper money was no easy task, costing Qi Yan quite some effort.

He opened the door, and a cold wind howled in, lifting the hem of his robe. He stepped into the snow, squatting down as his robe’s edge and his waist’s ornaments trailed in the snow. Raising his hand, he scattered the paper money into the brazier.

The dim, quiet firelight rose, illuminating his pale, delicate face.

The flickering flames reflected in Qi Yan’s eyes. Snowflakes swirled down into the charcoal, making the fire sway from side to side, on the verge of going out. Qi Yan lifted his sleeve to shield the brazier from the cold wind.

The paper money turned to ashes, fluttering upward, drifting toward the grey sky.

A faint smile appeared on Qi Yan’s lips as he softly called into the cold air, “Mother.”

Nanzhu watched from the side.

Qi Yan remained crouched, gently speaking to himself as if telling his mother about his experiences over the past six months in Jin, like a child recounting his days to his mother.

The paper money was all burnt away, but Qi Yan lingered until the last flicker of the fire vanished. Only then did he slowly stand up.

Nanzhu picked up the brazier. “The young master is brave and talented. Now that you’ve become a general in Jin, the princess would be pleased. The old general must be honoring her memory today as well.”

Qi Yan gave a faint smile, adjusting his cloak. “Let’s go back.”

In the palace hall, the Jin King was in discussion with his ministers, a meeting that stretched until evening.

After the ministers left, the Jin King adjusted his robe, and Hong Shuo helped him to his feet. “The servants have prepared the evening meal, Your Majesty. It’s ready in the inner hall.”

Today was Princess Ji Qin’s death anniversary. That morning, the Jin King had burned incense for her. Following tradition, a table of her favorite dishes was prepared, with two pairs of chopsticks: one for the King, the other for the princess.

The Jin King made a sound of acknowledgment and headed toward the inner hall.

This evening meal took the Jin King a long time. Hong Shuo stood waiting outside, not daring to interrupt, leaving the inner hall to the King.

After a long while, Hong Shuo finally lifted the curtain and entered.

The Jin King was leaning against the table. The window beside him was wide open, allowing large snowflakes to drift in, some settling on his fur robe. Yet, he remained still, gazing at the bright moon hanging in the sky.

Hong Shuo bent down and spoke gently, “Your Majesty, the physician instructed you to keep warm during the winter. You shouldn’t expose yourself to the cold wind.”

The Jin King paid no attention to the advice, mumbling, “When Qin’er was alive, she used to play the zither by my side during every New Year. I truly miss her music.”

The elderly man held a hand warmer, sitting in solitude, the moonlight intensifying the loneliness around him.

Hong Shuo hesitated before speaking, “Perhaps I should invite the Chu Princess to play a song for Your Majesty? Today, Your Majesty discussed the matter of appointing an heir with the ministers until late. Perhaps her music could ease your fatigue and relieve your longing for the princess.”

The Jin King turned his head. “You’re really partial to Wei Zhen, always bringing her up before me.”

He saw through Hong Shuo’s intentions but showed no sign of displeasure.

“Your servant only suggests it because Your Majesty favors the Chu Princess. Though Your Majesty is strict, you are always kind to both the Chu Princess and General Qi.”

The Jin King’s expression turned sarcastic. “I treat Qi Yan well, but has he ever remembered my kindness? I ordered him not to appear before me these days, and he truly hasn’t come to see me.”

For a long while, the Jin King felt only extreme irritation. Raising his hand, he motioned for Hong Shuo to help him up.

“Take me to see Qi Yan. Today is his mother’s death anniversary; I want to see what he’s doing.”

Hong Shuo hesitated. “But Your Majesty, your wound…”

“It doesn’t matter. Just lead the way.”

The lanterns swayed, their light mingling with the snow and wind in the ink-black night.

Qi Yan lay on the bed inside the hall. Zuo Ying had just finished applying medicine and was washing her hands. “General, your wounds are only superficial, not affecting bones or tendons. As long as you apply the medicine regularly, the wounds will heal without scarring.”

Qi Yan’s face was buried in his pillow as he muttered, “Zuo Ying, bring some of the medicine to the princess as well.”

Zuo Ying was about to respond when she noticed a shadow standing by the door. It was the Jin King.

He stepped over the threshold, motioning for Zuo Ying to stay silent. She bowed, picked up her medicine box, and left the hall.

The door closed behind her.

The Jin King dusted off the snow from his clothes and immediately saw Qi Yan lying on the bed.

The young man was shirtless, wrapped in bandages, his forehead glistening with sweat, eyes closed as if exhausted and asleep.

The King waited for a while, but the person on the bed didn’t stir. He finally walked over to the bedside and sat down, quietly observing him.

The candlelight traced the young man’s delicate features. His thick eyelashes and slightly curved eyes looked particularly gentle under the light, evoking a fleeting memory of someone else.

The King’s aged hand hovered in midair before slowly resting on Qi Yan’s shoulder. The touch made Qi Yan’s lashes tremble.

The young man opened his eyes, momentarily dazed. “Your Majesty.”

“You’re awake.” The King withdrew his hand, his tone cold. “I was out tonight. It’s snowing heavily, and I had nowhere to rest. I happened to pass by your courtyard, so I just came in to sit for a while.”

“Mm.” The young man responded softly, saying nothing more.

This indifferent attitude made the King feel like he was the one who insisted on coming.

The King glanced around the hall. The room was sparsely furnished and icy cold, with no trace of warmth.

The Jin King pulled his fur cloak tighter around himself. “The room is as cold as an ice cellar. Why haven’t you lit the brazier?”

“Has the King forgotten? You ordered the physicians not to apply medicine to me and forbade the palace servants from bringing me charcoal.”

Reminded of his own furious command, the Jin King recalled that he had indeed given such an order in his rage.

“I told you not to light a brazier, and you remembered that perfectly. But when I told you not to be with Princess Chu, why did you refuse to listen?”

Qi Yan remained silent.

The Jin King let out a cold laugh. “You even dare to argue with me. I truly wonder from whom you inherited this stubborn temper.”

Qi Yan replied, “My temperament comes from my parents, naturally inherited from my ancestors.”

He spoke with such composure that the Jin King was momentarily left speechless.

The Jin King said, “Today is your mother’s death anniversary. Are you aware of that?”

After a pause of two or three moments, Qi Yan replied, “I have not forgotten. I already burned paper for her earlier.”

The icy expression in the Jin King’s eyes gradually softened. His voice was hoarse as he said, “Qi Yan, do you still remember your mother?”

Qi Yan answered, “Yes. Although my mother passed away early, I still remember her appearance and smile after all these years. I remember that she dearly loved huadian.”

In his memory, when he was three or four years old, his mother’s figure would be bathed in the golden glow of sunset as she sat before her dressing mirror. Her long, elegant dress spread gently across the floor, and he would lie with his face cradled on her lap. His father would place the huadian on her forehead, those jewels and hairpins refracting shimmering light. The golden glow reflected in her eyes as she smiled warmly. This was one of his few, precious memories, buried in the softest part of his heart.

Qi Yan spoke softly, “In my fief at Xia City, I often visit my mother’s room. Seeing those unchanged furnishings, I feel as if she is still by my side.”

The Jin King’s gaze flickered slightly, his voice faint like drifting smoke. “Yes, she did love huadian. She’s always been fond of beautiful things since she was young. All the dowry I prepared for her was jewelry of various kinds.”

As memories of the past surged back like a tide, the Jin King pulled his thoughts back to the present and looked at the young man before him. “Let me ask you, Qi Yan, do you admit your guilt?”

The young man slowly raised his head.

Having spoken for so long, the Jin King was willing to give Qi Yan a chance for the sake of his daughter, as long as Qi Yan was willing to humble himself.

Qi Yan’s voice was calm. “What crime have I committed? I admire a young lady and wish to join her as a couple. This feeling comes from my true heart. I do not see what crime I have committed.”

“Even if you force me to admit guilt, Your Majesty, you already know the answer in my heart.”

“If you truly refuse to repent, then I will punish you according to the law.”

Qi Yan rose to his feet. “I am willing to accept punishment.”

The Jin King was so furious he could not find words to speak. Looking at the stubborn young man before him, he had already anticipated such a response.

He sighed. “Before I met you, I had imagined what kind of person Ji Qin’s child would be. You truly are just like her—refusing to admit fault, unwilling to turn back even after crashing into a wall.”

The Jin King turned to leave, but his gaze landed on the bedside. “You’re still reading military strategy while recovering?”

“Yes. As a general, I cannot afford to neglect my studies even for a single day. All the battles, big and small, from the past can serve as lessons for me.”

The Jin King’s expression turned complicated as he turned and left the hall.

As soon as he exited the great hall, Hong Shuo immediately came forward to hold an umbrella over him.

Snowflakes hit the umbrella’s surface. The Jin King suddenly stopped and gazed at the dark, ink-like sky. “The courtiers are all urging me to establish a crown prince, but there’s no suitable heir to appoint. If only Qi Yan were my grandson, how great that would be.”

Hong Shuo’s steps faltered. “Your Majesty… General Qi is your grandson by blood.”

“Yes, but what if I were to adopt him under my name?” the Jin King said.

Hong Shuo’s hand trembled on the umbrella’s handle. “Your Majesty, how could that be done? From ancient times to now, there has never been a precedent for the son of a married-out woman ascending the throne.”

The establishment of the crown prince had to be handled with utmost caution. If any controversy arose, it would leave behind endless troubles.

Hong Shuo knew the Jin King was only speaking casually and would never truly pass the throne to Qi Yan, but hearing those words still made his heart pound.

“It is difficult to establish a crown prince.” The Jin King sighed. “Among all my grandsons, each has their own shortcomings. The eldest is arrogant and disrespectful, the second is mediocre and short-sighted, and the rest are all unremarkable. Only Ji Yuan and Ji Wo show some promise.”

The Jin King and Hong Shuo walked slowly forward. “In your opinion, which prince is most suitable to be the crown prince?”

“I dare not presume to discuss state affairs.”

The Jin King said, “Ji Wo could be a good ruler for maintaining the status quo, cultivating the land and caring for the people. In times of peace, he could achieve something great. But now is a time of chaos, and chaotic times require a ruthless ruler. His nature is too soft and lacks authority. As for Ji Yuan, he is steady and understands strategy and leadership, but his focus on court politics shows he is not a ruler who sees the entire realm. Nor does he understand the people’s suffering like Ji Wo. Compared to Qi Yan, they both fall far short.”

“But ultimately, he is not truly my grandson. If only he were, I would be far more at ease.” The Jin King let out a long sigh.

He looked back and saw the palace servants a few yards behind them, holding a suit of armor now dusted with snowflakes.

This armor had been specially crafted by the Jin King for Qi Yan, intended as a reward when he returned from the southern state of Chu. But too many complications had arisen in between.

“Qi Yan is so disrespectful toward me. If I forgive his mistakes so easily, doesn’t that make me seem overly soft-hearted?” the Jin King said.

Hong Shuo shook his head. “Young General Qi is not being disrespectful, but rather he is a young man with a rigid nature, unwilling to bend his proud backbone. Since Your Majesty came to visit him today, you should not remain entangled by past grudges and end up troubling yourself.”

“What you say is true, but I can’t simply let it go so easily. I must teach them a lesson.”

The Jin King waved his hand, signaling for the palace servants to put the armor away and slowly continued forward.

Just as they neared the royal hall, a figure stood at the entrance. Upon seeing the Jin King, the figure immediately stepped forward. “Your Majesty, I am responsible for investigating the traitor within the palace. Last night, the results came in. After torture, the palace servant confessed the truth.”

“Confessed?” The Jin King narrowed his eyes. “Come inside and speak.”

The next morning, before Wei Zhen had been awake for long, a message came from the royal hall, summoning her to appear.

Having not been summoned by the Jin King for several days, Wei Zhen sensed something was wrong and asked Hong Shuo, who came to escort her, “What does His Majesty want with me?”

“Last night, the prison officials reported the results of the investigation into the palace traitor. His Majesty was so enraged that his old headache flared up again, so I have come to escort you.”

Wei Zhen asked, “The investigation is complete?”

“This matter is no small issue. But I know you have no disloyalty, so I won’t hide it from you. The traitor was that eunuch you’ve met before, An Zhu, who serves in the royal hall. It was he who tampered with His Majesty’s ceremonial robe on New Year’s Eve.”

Wei Zhen said, “I remember him. He’s been serving in the palace for many years. Why would he suddenly want to harm His Majesty? Was there someone behind him?”

“An Zhu was born in Jin, but his mother was from Qi, so he is half-Qi by blood. After interrogation, he confessed everything. The mastermind was the King of Qi. The wild beast’s madness during the New Year’s Eve banquet was all part of the King of Qi’s scheme to use the beast to eliminate His Majesty.”

Wei Zhen was stunned. “How could a mere eunuch make contact with the King of Qi?”

“That’s something to ask the Qi Princess about. She had secret correspondence with her brother and coordinated this plot. She was the one who reached out to An Zhu, provided the incense that drove the beast mad, and threatened and bribed him into cooperation. Now that the scheme has been exposed, the Qi Princess has admitted guilt under torture, claiming she was forced to act by her brother, who threatened her with the life of her younger brother left back in their homeland.”

Wei Zhen often saw the Qi Princess at the study palace. Although their relationship was superficial, they had always been cordial. She never expected the princess to be used by the King of Qi, but conspiring to harm the Jin King meant her fate was sealed.

Wei Zhen let out a long sigh. As she entered the main hall, she saw several ministers present. Qi Yan stood to the side, with Ji Yuan and Ji Wo also there.

The hall fell silent as she walked in.

Wei Zhen knelt by the Jin King’s side and bowed respectfully.

The Jin King sat behind the desk and addressed the ministers below. “The King of Qi’s treachery is a blatant challenge to my authority. Today, I have called you all here to discuss what should be done. What ideas do you have? Speak freely.”

A minister on the left spoke, “Your Majesty, please do not act in haste. First, send envoys to negotiate and probe the King of Qi’s attitude. He must be made to give an explanation.”

“That scoundrel dares to trample upon me, and you suggest sending envoys to negotiate?” The Jin King slammed the table, causing the inkstones and paper to tremble. The officials lowered their heads.

“If I tolerate this, then I am unfit to be the Jin King!”

Having spoken this far, the Jin King’s attitude was evident.

He looked to the right. “Qi Yan, what do you think of this matter?”

Qi Yan rose from behind his desk. “The King of Qi is reckless and holds the throne in contempt. With Jin’s current strength, defeating Qi would be as easy as taking something from a sack. The swords of Jin’s warriors have not tasted blood for too long. It is time to draw them and point them eastward!”

The words “Attack Qi” sparked a flurry of discussion in the hall.

Ji Yuan stepped forward. “If Jin does not assert its power now, it will be seen by the world as fearing Qi. How then can we claim supremacy over the Central Plains?”

The Jin King said, “But I want more than just attacking Qi…”

After his words fell, he saw Qi Yan raise his head and knew the boy understood his meaning.

The Jin King rose, his tall figure like a tiger’s, standing before the wide, sweeping screen. “What I want is Qi’s annihilation. That is the only way to truly frighten Qi!”

His voice rang with a powerful clarity, each word weighing like a thousand pounds, striking the hearts of everyone in the hall.

The Jin King lifted his hand and tossed a command token before Qi Yan. “Qi Yan, you said you would accept any punishment I saw fit. I will give you a chance to redeem yourself. The day the King of Qi’s head falls shall be the day Wei Zhen is promised to you. Do you have any objections?”

The hall instantly fell silent. Wei Zhen stared at the Jin King with wide eyes.

For a moment, all eyes in the hall turned toward the quietly kneeling young man.

Would he agree to the Jin King’s promise?

Everyone speculated, thinking perhaps Qi Yan would abandon this path and choose another, one much quicker than this.

Yet, to everyone’s surprise, Qi Yan slowly bowed down. “This subject is willing to lead the troops eastward, to knock on the eastern gates of Qi, take the Qi King’s head as a sacrificial banner, and accomplish Your Majesty’s great endeavor of eastern conquest.”

He slowly straightened himself, his gaze falling upon Wei Zhen beside the Jin King.

Wei Zhen’s heart raced, her pulse quickening as his calm voice echoed with absolute clarity, “A ruler’s words are not to be taken lightly. I ask Your Majesty to issue the decree now, establishing my marriage contract with the Princess.”

Qi Yan: After being left hanging last time, this time I must have the Jin King acknowledge it publicly.

Wei Zhen: This way, I’ll have two engagements hanging over me.