Unyielding Spring Mountains - Chapter 81: Home

Chapter 81: Home

Under such circumstances, what Qi Yan felt was more of a battle between reason and instinct, bringing an endless stream of pain.

The candles inside the room had been lit and burned throughout the night.

Morning light streamed in from outside the window. Wei Zhen woke up drowsily, lifted her head, and saw the young man holding her in his arms.

The young man’s face was bathed in the morning light—thin lips, a straight nose, steady breathing. A faint flush tinged the corners of his eyes. Wei Zhen reached out and touched them. His thin eyelids trembled slightly, then opened, revealing a pair of jet-black eyes.

The events of the previous night resurfaced before their eyes. She had naturally thought of many ways to help him relieve his discomfort. At night, the darkness had at least provided them with some cover, but now, in the bright daylight, the awkwardness and shyness between them had nowhere to hide.

Wei Zhen felt somewhat embarrassed, and Qi Yan remained silent. After a long while, Wei Zhen lightly pressed her red lips together and asked, “Are you feeling better?”

Qi Yan made a soft sound of acknowledgment.

The two of them got out of bed and dressed. Wei Zhen picked up the outer skirt from the floor and draped it over herself, loosely gathering her long hair in front of her. Looking up, she saw Qi Yan standing by the window in his thin garments, his fingertips lightly tapping against the window frame as if still enduring some torment.

Hearing the voice behind him, Qi Yan turned his head.

“Are you still uncomfortable?” Wei Zhen stepped forward and embraced him.

Qi Yan felt her hands reaching toward him, his body tensing slightly. Wei Zhen tilted her head up and said, “Then let’s go out a little later.”

Wei Zhen still believed that Mu Da had acted with ill intent yesterday. He had deliberately handed Qi Yan the water pouch filled with deer blood, just to see him suffer. If Qi Yan had lost control last night, Wei Zhen would surely have been hurt as well.

She rested her head on his shoulder and spoke to him softly. The morning mist drifted in from outside the window, swirling around them and gradually enveloping them.

After a long time, his warm breath suddenly brushed against her ear.

He held her waist, his hand trembling slightly as he grasped the fabric of her clothing, his dark eyes churning.

Wei Zhen tilted her head back to receive his gentle kiss while saying, “To the Chouyou people, we are intrusive outsiders. From now on, whenever they offer us something, we must be more cautious and accept it with care. It’s best to be vigilant.”

Qi Yan gave a soft sound of agreement.

After briefly tidying up, they stepped out of the room to find the sun already high in the sky.

Ah Zhu’s husband sat under the porch, watching the two of them walk out. He grinned and said, “You two are only coming out at this hour? Seems like you didn’t rest at all last night. That deer blood—once a man drinks it, he turns into a beast in bed. Did the young lady enjoy herself last night?”

His crude and vulgar words were something Wei Zhen had never heard before.

She ignored him, lowered her head, and washed her hands. Qi Yan coldly replied, “This has nothing to do with you.”

The man was displeased by his retort and stepped forward as if to argue. But when he saw the chilling danger in Qi Yan’s eyes, he hesitated.

Qi Yan said, “We plan to go out for a while.”

“Go out?” Ah Zhu’s husband chuckled. “If you two are leaving, I must go with you. Besides, Lord Mu Da ordered you to stay at my house. You can’t just eat and sleep here for free, can you, brother?”

Qi Yan said, “We will find a way to repay you for the food and lodging.”

Ah Zhu’s husband sneered. “You two are penniless. How exactly do you plan to pay me back? Unless, of course, you stay and become our slaves.”

Wei Zhen spoke up, “My husband and I will go to the streets to find work and earn the money.”

Ah Zhu’s husband said nothing more.

Before long, the three of them left the courtyard. By this hour, the streets were already bustling with merchants and passersby. A bullock cart rumbled past, splashing mud everywhere.

Just then, a commotion broke out.

A cavalryman rode past, raising a flag and shouting, “Make way—make way! Clear the path! The Great King is returning to the city!”

The crowd quickly moved to the sides. Wei Zhen and Qi Yan blended into the throng and crouched down with the others.

A troop of heavily armored cavalry rode past. Among them was a woman, exuding an aura of calm authority. Her armor was distinct from the others—she was the Queen of the Chouyou Kingdom.

“The Great King is victorious! The northern raiders have been repelled! A grand feast will be held in the city tonight, and everyone may drink to their heart’s content!”

The crowd erupted in cheers.

The Chouyou Queen had marched against the Quan Rong tribes and returned triumphant, bringing news from the outside world as well.

“I heard that Qi and Jin are at war. How is the battle going?”

“The fighting is brutal. The Qi army ambushed Jin’s rear troops with overwhelming force. By the time the Jin army reacted and sent reinforcements, it was too late! The old King of Jin is dead!”

“The Jin King is dead? How did he die?”

“They say his own grandson secretly schemed to seize military power and caused his death!”

Everyone knew that the King of Jin was a formidable warrior, a tyrant in these turbulent times. For years, his name loomed over the surrounding nations like a dark cloud, filling them with dread.

Now, the ruler who had dominated the world for decades had finally fallen. The news sent shockwaves through the crowd, followed by an uproar of celebratory cheers.

Qi Yan’s hand trembled slightly at his side. He took a step forward but was quickly pulled back by Wei Zhen, who shook her head at him.

The people continued to ask, “Who is the new King of Jin?”

A soldier replied, “There is no new king yet.”

“No new king? Then the country must be in chaos!”

“Yes. Before his death, the Jin King named his seventh son as heir, but there are disputes over the decree. The throne remains unclaimed.”

“If Jin is in turmoil, we Chouyou might seize the opportunity to take some of their lands!”

“And that treacherous grandson—where is he now?”

“Rumor has it he fled. Jin has issued an order to hunt him down. They say he is a strikingly handsome man who rides a fine white Ferghana horse!”

Wei Zhen grasped Qi Yan’s hand and pulled him away from the crowd.

A stern voice came from behind. “Stop!”

The two turned their heads. A’zhu’s husband stepped forward, holding a curved blade in his hand.

“That day when you two appeared in the desert, Lord Muda and I already found you suspicious! Now that the Great King has returned, you must follow me at once to see the Great King!”

As they lifted their feet to leave, A’zhu’s husband gave a command, and hidden guards within the crowd rushed forward, surrounding the two of them.

The guards stepped up, bound them, and escorted them toward the royal palace.

Inside the palace hall, ministers stood on both sides. Wei Zhen and Qi Yan knelt in the center.

Before long, the sound of footsteps came from outside. The hem of the Chouyou Queen’s robe brushed past them with a rustling sound.

The Chouyou Queen took her seat on the throne. A close aide leaned in and whispered a few words into her ear. The woman, now past her fifties, narrowed her eyes slightly, wrinkles gathering at the corners as she gazed down at the two with a cold and piercing look.

The history of this Chouyou Queen was nothing short of astonishing. Ten years ago, she had still been the Queen Consort of Chouyou. Her husband, fearing the might of Jin, sent the children born of his queen to Jin as hostages and intended to establish the son of a concubine as the heir. The Queen, originally the daughter of a great general and backed by considerable power, was deeply wounded by the former king’s betrayal. Their relationship soured, and in the end, she gathered military strength, forced the king to his death, and seized control of the government.

Over the years, she had painstakingly held Chouyou together—on one hand, bowing in submission to Jin, seeking its protection, while on the other, leading troops into battle to fend off the northern Quanrong.

A woman with such resolve was not one to be easily deceived.

The Queen spoke. “I have seen that Ferghana horse of yours. Quite a fine beast. If it were under my command, it would surely reach its full potential. And that helmet—no ordinary piece, I imagine. Jin must have had it specially crafted for you, didn’t they?”

The young man below slowly lifted his head. The Queen chuckled. “So, it was you who killed that old scoundrel, the King of Jin?”

“It was not me,” the young man said solemnly.

“Oh? Not you?” The Chouyou Queen straightened slightly, as if intrigued. With an air of amusement, she continued, “Then there is another side to this story? Go on, tell me.”

Qi Yan said, “And what will the Great King do after hearing it?”

The Queen replied, “That old scoundrel of Jin has tormented my Chouyou for years. Now that he is dead, my people naturally rejoice. As for you, since you claim to be innocent and are the grandson of the King of Jin, I certainly cannot let you live.”

She studied the young man before her. His presence was commanding, his gaze burning with intensity—so much so that one dared not meet his eyes directly. In that fleeting moment, she was reminded of that looming shadow in her memories, the King of Jin who had once weighed heavily on her mind.

The Chouyou Queen placed her hand on the armrest inlaid with gemstones. “If you reveal the truth as it is, I can at least grant you a less painful death.”

Her gaze shifted to the woman kneeling beside him. “Is this your woman?”

By chance, her eyes fell on Wei Zhen’s face—snowy skin, exquisite features. The Queen paused, momentarily taken aback.

Then, the old Queen of Chouyou let out a laugh. “Such a delicate beauty, and yet she suffers with you. Since you refuse to speak, then I shall start with your woman. Guards, take her away—”

As soon as the words fell, a voice rang out: “Does the Great King’s only son and daughter reside in Jin?”

The clear voice echoed through the grand hall, stirring a wave of reverberations.

The smile on the Chouyou Queen’s face froze, and the atmosphere gradually turned tense.

Wei Zhen lifted her head. “The Great King’s hatred toward the King of Jin stems from the fact that the former king sent your children to Jin as hostages, separating you from them. But the Great King is powerless against Jin and has no choice but to depend on it—is that not so?”

The Chouyou Queen said nothing, her lips pressed into a tight line.

Wei Zhen bowed, her forehead touching the ground, and spoke softly, “The Great King’s daughter is named Hu Rou. I once had the honor of seeing the princess within the Jin palace.”

“You have seen my daughter?” The Chouyou Queen rose to her feet.

Hearing the shift in her address to “my,” Wei Zhen knew she must indeed care about her children. “Yes. If the Great King is willing to let my husband and me go, my husband can help return the princess and the prince to your side.”

The Chouyou Queen’s expression grew cold as she silently observed them. Suddenly, her hand moved to the scabbard beside her, and in an instant, she drew her long sword, pointing it directly at Wei Zhen.

“You seek to bargain with me using this? Do you not know that Jin has placed a bounty on your heads? If I hand you over, do you think I could use that to exchange for my children?”

Qi Yan spoke up. “You could indeed hand us over to Jin.”

The Chouyou Queen turned to look at him. He stood in front of Wei Zhen, shielding her, his eyes ablaze.

“But the Great King must know—I am still a general of Jin, and I still hold military authority granted by the King of Jin. To the south of Jin lies my mother’s fiefdom, with a considerable number of troops. My father was once a grand general of Chu and has the power to mobilize forces. Within Chu, members of the royal family obey my command. I helped the current King of Chu ascend the throne, and within Jin, there are royal descendants who can aid me as well…”

With each advantage he listed, the Chouyou Queen’s expression darkened further.

“With all this, should I return, how can the Great King be certain that the Jin royal family will be able to eliminate me? Are you sure you want to take such a risk and make me your enemy?”

The Chouyou Queen tightened her grip on the jeweled sword.

“Moreover, I am a major threat to the Jin royal family. If they succeed in eliminating me and Jin regains peace, they may not be willing to let the prince and princess return after all.”

Qi Yan said calmly, “Therefore, I ask only that the Great King allow me to leave Chouyou and return. I can swear to the Great King that I will ensure the prince and princess are brought back home. I will not break my word.”

The hall fell silent.

Wei Zhen said, “Does the Great King know that because the princess is from Chouyou, she is looked down upon by the Jin royal family? And because she was born in the drylands, unable to swim, she was once pushed into the water.”

The Chouyou Queen clenched her fist. “Was she harmed?”

Wei Zhen shook her head. “I had someone rescue her from the water. The princess was unharmed. Later, she gifted me a bracelet of red string and agate, telling me it was a gift you had given her in the past. Is that correct?”

Upon hearing these words, the Chouyou Queen’s expression subtly softened.

She sheathed her sword, turned back, and took her seat, addressing Qi Yan. “Your words have indeed moved me. But how can I trust in your ability based solely on what you say?”

Qi Yan said, “I hope the Great King will allow me to send a letter. Once my subordinates receive it, they will naturally bring troops to retrieve me.”

He needed to establish contact with Zuo Ying.

A minister stepped forward to persuade her, but the Chouyou Queen raised a hand, signaling for silence.

“I will grant you some time. If what you say is true and your subordinates do indeed send troops for you, I will believe you. But until they come for you, you are not to leave Chouyou.”

Having achieved this result, Qi Yan was extremely satisfied and lowered his head in gratitude. “Many thanks, Great King.”

The two rose and left the royal hall.

Watching their departing figures, a minister spoke. “Is the Great King truly letting them go so easily?”

The Chouyou Queen shook her head. “Of course not. I had intended to send them directly back to the Jin royal family. But then I thought—if I were to help eliminate Jin’s internal threat so easily, how could Jin descend into chaos?”

The minister immediately understood.

“Letting him return will throw Jin into turmoil. And when Jin is in turmoil, the world will be in turmoil.”

The Chouyou Queen nodded. “This boy is not to be underestimated. Though he bows before me now, his heart may be no different from his grandfather’s. Who knows when he may plan to devour Chouyou?”

She sighed. “Until his subordinates arrive, have him watched in secret.”

The minister asked, “Shall we arrange accommodations for him?”

The Chouyou Queen sneered. “He comes to Chouyou and still expects me to provide for him? Let him and his woman fend for themselves.”

Wei Zhen and Qi Yan left the royal hall. Though they were not allowed to leave Chouyou, at least their lives had been spared.

Returning to their dwelling, Wei Zhen closed the door and saw Qi Yan standing by the window, gazing into the distance, his figure lonely. She walked over and embraced him from behind.

“Still thinking about the Great King?”

He gave a low hum, his voice barely audible. “On the eve of the battle, my grandfather summoned me and spoke to me. I had a feeling then that it might be our last meeting.”

He lowered his gaze, concealing the faint redness in his eyes.

Qi Yan felt her soft form against him, her chin resting against his hair.

Ever since the Battle of Zhu Keguan, he had been unable to sleep. In the desert, whenever he closed his eyes, all he saw were the soldiers who had died. He had been restless, unable to find peace.

It seemed only by holding Wei Zhen, breathing in her scent, could he sleep soundly.

His fingertips brushed against hers, their fingers touching.

He lowered his head and embraced her, his voice hoarse. “Ah Zhen, I think…I have no home anymore.”

Wei Zhen said, “How could you have no home?”

He always appeared strong before others, yet in front of her, he would let down his guard, revealing his vulnerability.

Wei Zhen understood his feelings. To have no home meant to have no sense of belonging. It was like being a lone minister in a chaotic world, with nowhere to turn.

Her heart ached, and she slowly raised her arms, holding him close, resting her head on his shoulder. “The world is vast—how could there be no home for you? We will go wherever we must. Wherever we are, that will be your home.”

She said, “I will always be with you, Qi Yan. Because…I have no home either.”

Qi Yan lifted his head, his warm breath brushing against her cheek. “Once we get out, I will find a way to help you reunite with your father.”

Wei Zhen was stunned, realizing he wanted to help her find her way home. She asked, “Do you think my father…will like us?”

She used the word “us,” including him in her idea of “home.”

He gazed at her for a long time before softly saying, “He will.”

Wei Zhen smiled gently. As long as she was with him, she felt that no matter what obstacles lay ahead, they could overcome them together.