Unyielding Spring Mountains - Chapter 93: Eternal

Chapter 93: Eternal

Ji Yuan took his seat and nodded. “Since everyone has arrived, let us begin today’s discussion.”

Wei Zhen returned to her seat. Across from her, the King of Qi asked, “May I ask the King of Jin—has Qi Yan truly died?”

Ji Yuan replied, “Many soldiers personally witnessed him fall into the Yellow River. Such a fact cannot be falsified. Ten days have passed without him appearing. Had he survived, he would have shown himself by now to steady the morale of his troops.”

Wei Zhen knew well—regardless of whether Ji Yuan truly knew Qi Yan’s whereabouts, he had to insist that Qi Yan was dead. Only then could he hope to convince the King of Qi to stand on his side.

Ji Yuan turned to the King of Qi. “Qi Yan’s forces have lost their momentum. However, I cannot yet estimate exactly how many troops remain under his command. I must ask the King of Qi for assistance in supporting Jin.”

Ji Yuan’s proposed strategy was for the four kingdoms to unite, each supplying troops and provisions to help Jin and Chu suppress internal unrest. Once peace was achieved, all parties would enjoy the spoils. Wei Zhen, however, shook her head and refused. She made clear that Wei and Chu were irreconcilable, and that Wei would not send troops over internal affairs in Chu.

She smiled politely. “King of Jin, if Wei assists the Crown Prince of Chu and he ascends as King, what if he later turns against Wei? We can aid you, but we will not intervene in Chu. I hope Your Majesty can propose a more fitting arrangement.”

Ji Yuan paused in thought. “Then let Wei not assist Chu—only aid my kingdom.”

“But how can we trust the Crown Prince? What happens if he diverts Jin’s troops to support the Chu king, and instead uses Wei’s forces to attack the remnants of Qi Yan’s army?”

Jing Heng cut in sharply, “Princess of Wei opposes the King of Jin at every turn—do you truly seek alliance, or not?”

Wei Zhen replied calmly, “I am willing to ally. I am simply unwilling to align with Chu.”

Jing Heng clenched his jaw. The officials beside him quickly pressed a hand on his shoulder, urging restraint.

The King of Qi spoke up. “King of Jin, you ask us to send forces to support you. You claim there will be rewards. What rewards, exactly?”

Ji Yuan stated, “Territory from Chu will be divided among the kingdoms of Qi and Wei.”

Wei Zhen glanced at Jing Heng, catching sight of his hand tightening on his teacup before relaxing again.

After all, what leverage did a deposed Crown Prince have to win Ji Yuan’s support? His only choice had been to submit, offering parts of Chu to Ji Yuan in exchange. Surely, he resented it immensely. Wei Zhen was pleased. She doubted that the alliance between Ji Yuan and Jing Heng was as solid as it appeared.

The King of Qi looked at Jing Heng with interest. “So the Crown Prince is truly willing to cede ten cities?”

Jing Heng said nothing. His expression hid behind the shadows of the tent.

The King of Qi narrowed his eyes. “Very well. I need time to consider. Committing troops is no small matter.”

Ji Yuan lifted his tea to his lips. “Agreements such as this are hardly settled in a day. The King of Qi may deliberate at leisure.”

Ji Yuan turned to Wei Zhen and whispered a few words to a nearby attendant. The attendant carried Ji Yuan’s fruit tray to Wei Zhen’s table and gently set it down.

“The Princess is invited to enjoy some fruit.”

Wei Zhen lowered her eyes briefly to the tray. Meeting Ji Yuan’s gaze, she only offered him a faint smile, making no move to take anything.

Qi Yan, witnessing all this, bent low and murmured, “If you feel unwell, you may step outside for some air.”

The tent was still thick with the scent of blood—from earlier—making the atmosphere stifling. But as the talks had only just begun, Wei Zhen couldn’t excuse herself so soon. She whispered back, “Let’s wait a little longer.”

The alliance discussions covered many angles and dragged on until the afternoon.

By then, restlessness crept in. Qi Yan again quietly offered, asking if she wanted to step outside.

This time, Wei Zhen nodded, directing her subordinates to represent her for a moment while she stepped away with Qi Yan.

Once outside, she finally exhaled the stale breath she’d been holding all morning.

Qi Yan said, “There’s a hill behind the camp. I rode there at dawn earlier. The scenery is beautiful. If you’d like a change of pace, let’s walk there.”

His fingertips brushed softly against her palm. Wei Zhen’s breath trembled slightly. She instinctively retracted her hand into her sleeve.

Despite the people all around them, he dared to lightly graze her hand.

Still, under his gaze, she gave a slight nod.

They rode out of the camp, galloping several li before dismounting near a grassy hillside at the edge of a wood.

Qi Yan tied the horses under a tree and peeled off his mask. “This place is far enough. No one will follow us here.”

Though it was already autumn, the wild grass was still a vibrant green, rustling like whispers in the wind.

The afternoon sunlight poured down, gilding the blades of grass and her embroidered skirts. Hand in hand, they walked—no particular destination, no political agendas. Even gazing idly at the scenery brought a strange sense of contentment.

All the troubles of the outside world seemed far away. Here felt like a secluded utopia all their own.

They stepped into a field of wildflowers. Wei Zhen lifted her skirt and twirled in the middle of it. Her spirits were high. When she turned back, Qi Yan was gently plucking flowers, then presented the bouquet to her.

“Today, both of your former fiancés are present. If I don’t present myself properly now, I’m afraid I may lose Your Highness for good,” he said.

Wei Zhen looked down at the colorful bouquet. A breeze stirred the petals, brushing some across her cheeks.

“I knew it.” She smiled. “You insisted I step outside just now because you were jealous—you didn’t want me staying too long with the other two, did you?”

Qi Yan didn’t answer that directly, only quirked the corner of his lips. “Last night you said you hadn’t forgiven me. Will you forgive me today?”

Wei Zhen stared into his gleaming eyes. Fingers curling around the bouquet, she whispered, “Come closer.”

Qi Yan tilted forward. “What’s wrong?”

“Didn’t you ask if I forgave you?” she said, lifting her head. “Get a bit closer.”

He complied slowly. The moment he was close enough, she tiptoed, grabbed his shoulders, and kissed him.

Petals stirred around them in waves like a golden sea under the wind. Qi Yan gazed down at her, heart pounding in his chest.

Wei Zhen laughed, eyes shining. “Still think I’m mad?”

When Qi Yan finally pulled away, reluctant to part, he smiled. “Not angry anymore.”

She looped her arm through his. “Since you don’t want me going back to deal with Ji Yuan and Jing Heng just yet, then walk with me a while longer.”

They climbed a slope together. Wei Zhen shaded her eyes with a hand and asked, “Do you know where we are?”

“See that tree on the hill?” said Qi Yan. “This is the border between Wei and Jin. West of the slope is Wei, east is Jin.”

Wei Zhen dashed up the hill, the sunset chasing her skirts. Qi Yan was just about to follow when a voice called, “Your Majesty.”

He turned to find one of his guards approaching briskly. “Your Majesty, you’ve been gone a while. Your officers are waiting to discuss matters. Do you wish to return?”

“I know,” Qi Yan replied calmly. He turned back to glance at Wei Zhen. “Let me stay with her a little longer.”

The guard withdrew.

Back on the hillside, Wei Zhen stood bathed in golden light. Turning to watch Qi Yan walk back up, she asked, “Was that your guard? Was it urgent?”

Qi Yan replied, “No.”

Seeing his look of reluctance, she softly said, “Go. I can handle it.”

He stopped a short distance away, unmoving. Under the golden sun, his gaze shimmered. “Zhen’er… As I watched you stand there just now, I suddenly felt—I want to stay. I want to stay by your side.”

Wei Zhen turned, heart halting. Qi Yan brought out a floral circlet from behind his back and carefully placed it on her head, his hands gentle—like handling the most precious treasure in the world.

“I want to ask you, Wei Zhen—will you marry me?”

She was momentarily stunned. “I thought we were already married…”

He chuckled. “Yes, in Chouyou. But that was simple, hasty. Only now, when I feel confident again, do I dare truly propose—with sincerity.”

He asked again, “Will you marry me, Wei Zhen?”

She stared at him.

“I will treat you with all the love I have. Only you. You’re already my queen—someday, I’ll make you queen of the entire land.”

Something stirred in her as he spoke—every sentence striking her heart like the strings of an instrument.

“You really are sly, Qi Yan,” she said. “You already knew my answer, and yet you asked anyway.”

His eyes gleamed joyfully as he held her in his arms.

He wrapped her tightly and gently fell back into the flower field with her.

Surrounded by the fresh scent of grass and petals, stalks swayed near her ears.

He cupped her face and kissed her again. Wei Zhen laughed softly, pulling him close. Sunlight poured over them like honey, warm and golden.

In that moment, all her thoughts converged into a single desire:

To be closer to him—closer still.

Their robes spilled into the grass, blending with the golden bloom around them.

Wei Zhen remembered when, back in Jin Palace, they had once laid together on a patch of grass just like this.

Now again, leaves whispered beneath, partnering with the sun to wrap them in warmth.

After a long time, the swaying leaves finally stilled. Qi Yan tidied her clothes. Her face, still flushed, lay against his shoulder. She raised tired eyes to the sky and watched a hawk soar through the air.

He shifted slightly and began tying a strand of her hair with one of his own. Reverently, he cut the lock with a short blade.

“We’ve already bound hair once,” Wei Zhen said softly.

Qi Yan’s voice was gentle. “True. But since I proposed again today, let us bind it again.”

He took her by the hand and led her farther. Wei Zhen lifted her skirt and chased after him. “Where are we going?”

“You’ll see.”

The last rays of sunlight spread across the hillside. Unrestrained, they ran hand in hand, robes flapping in the wind, suffused in golden dusk.

Under an ancient tree, Qi Yan stopped. “This is the border between our two nations. Beyond this tree—Wei.”

He looked up at the towering branches and stooped to carve a small hole in the ground.

Wei Zhen bent down and helped him.

Once done, he placed their bound lock of hair into the earth.

She stared, tears in her eyes.

“We already bound our hair once,” he said. “Let’s bury this lock here—so that the tree may nourish it.”

He turned to her, voice as soft as spring waters. “May our love last, evergreen like this tree.”

Wei Zhen heard her heartbeat echoing in the wind.

Leaves fluttered overhead in hushed whispers. She took his hand and stood with him in the golden afterglow, staring into his face—as though trying to seal this moment forever into memory.

They had endured thorns and hardships. The most difficult days were behind them. Now all paths stretched openly ahead.

Golden rays burst through the clouds. A hawk soared across the mountains.

As the last light of evening descended upon them, Wei Zhen softly, reverently said:

“May our love last, evergreen through the ages.”

The wind howled around her ears.