Unyielding Spring Mountains - Chapter 99: Affection

Chapter 99: Affection

The wind howled fiercely in her ears, her garments fluttering wildly with its force.

She stumbled forward into his embrace, and Qi Yan tightened his arms around her, holding her close.

Their chests pressed together, and Wei Zhen’s burning tears slid down into the hollow of his neck, her body trembling gently in his arms.

Her eyes brimmed with tears, her blood ablaze, and her heart flooded with emotion. She instinctively leaned in to kiss him, but suddenly remembered that there were still many people around them.

She stopped herself immediately but did not move away from his embrace. Tears continued to fall uncontrollably down her cheeks, glistening in the sunlight.

Qi Yan raised his hand and wiped the bloodstains from her face. “The reinforcements have arrived, Ah Zhen. The Chu forces have retreated.”

Wei Zhen lifted her gaze—this city they were determined to protect, they had finally held it. This battle, which would determine the fate of nations, was won.

Qi Yan said, “You must be exhausted. Let me take you back to the palace to rest. Leave the rest to me.”

Under the vast sky, his pitch-black cloak and her fire-red robes entwined, billowing together in the wind.

He grasped her limp hand, his fingers threading through hers, and she, drained beyond all measure, leaned against his chest.

Qi Yan lifted her into his arms.

“Xingye!” he called. His white stallion galloped over. Still carrying her, he mounted the horse, turned it, and looked upon the crowd that had gathered along the road. The people, stained with dust and blood, stared at him blankly in silence.

Qi Yan tightened the reins and declared loudly, “I am the Prince of Jin. I have come with reinforcements to aid the capital of Wei. The city is now safe. You all need not fear!”

The sunlight reflected off his gleaming armor, his cloak sweeping through the air like a divine figure descending.

Hearing his proclamation, the panic on the people’s faces gradually faded. Just as the Princess had promised—aid had arrived in time, and the invading enemies had been repelled.

One by one, the survivors began to embrace their loved ones, their eyes shining with disbelief and joy. Soon, they turned to kneel before Qi Yan.

“Greetings to the Prince of Jin!”

Wave after wave of people knelt, their voices of gratitude rising into the heavens, echoing across the city.

The crowd around the city gate grew denser. Qi Yan looked upon them with clarity and declared, “Do not thank me. Thank your Princess! She is the one who held the city and endured until help arrived!”

A soldier at the front bowed low and said, “The Princess stood with us, side by side, putting her life on the line to protect the people. We will never forget her grace!”

Qi Yan urged his horse onward and headed toward the palace.

As the two rode away, the people slowly rose to their feet and watched the Prince of Jin’s retreating figure.

It had already been baffling and unexpected that the Prince of Jin personally brought reinforcements. Even more surprising was the intimate way he had embraced the Princess, unbothered by public censure. The people sensed a secret hidden within the gesture.

Yet they had no time to ponder it deeply—for now, they needed to rebuild their war-torn homeland.

After the people of Wei had endured days of hardship and resistance, the capital finally began its slow and steady revival.

With the arrival of the reinforcements, the Chu army scattered in disarray, abandoning their armor as they fled. The Wei reinforcements pursued them relentlessly, driving them into the mountain gorge, shattering their morale. The Chu army retreated again and again, eventually collapsed entirely, with troops fleeing in chaos.

Qi Yan had ordered that the Chu King must be captured alive.

As night fell, Qi Yan completed his military duties and arrived at Wei Zhen’s residence. The palace attendants respectfully greeted him. As he approached the bed, the maid standing by the side gently drew back the curtain.

Beneath the soft azure silk bedding woven with cloud patterns, the young maiden lay peacefully, her profile serene and gentle.

Qi Yan sat by the bed and ordered everyone to leave.

The maids exchanged glances. One hesitated and softly called, “Your Highness…” but Liang Chan signaled her firmly; the group immediately departed together.

Once the doors closed, Qi Yan lowered his lashes and looked quietly upon the girl before him. Taking her hand, he turned her palm upward.

There, her delicate fingers were marred with cuts and abrasions of all sizes.

Qi Yan could guess the cause of every wound. He stood and went to a cabinet to fetch a bottle of medicine and began applying ointment gently under the flickering firelight.

The day she sent the letter requesting aid, she explicitly asked that only Wei Ling return with troops. She had repeatedly emphasized that she did not want him to come, saying she could hold the city alone. Qi Yan knew she didn’t want to burden him, but he also understood exactly what soldiers were left in Wei and how dire its circumstances were.

He had ridden with all his might toward Wei. But by then, Chu had already laid siege for days, and he had prepared himself for the worst.

Yet she alone, with what little military force the capital had left, managed to hold out for ten entire days.

One look at her hands, and he could see the suffering she had endured. After applying the medicine, he sighed softly, saying nothing more.

A knock came from the door.

“Your Majesty, the King of Wei has arrived.”

Qi Yan placed her hand gently beneath the blanket and went to the door.

The Wei King entered. Qi Yan bowed to him, but the king quickly stepped forward to help him up. “Your Highness, you need not stand on ceremony. I should be the one thanking you.”

Even so, Qi Yan responded with proper decorum. “Your Majesty, rest assured. The reinforcements I brought have already gone to chase down the remnants. The Chu soldiers are demoralized—they pose no threat. Within these next few days, they will be completely dealt with.”

The King nodded, eyes shining with emotion. “I truly owe you a great debt.”

He reached out and grasped Qi Yan’s hands. Qi Yan paused, slightly surprised, then smiled. “Your Majesty, with the bond between us, there’s no need to speak of gratitude.”

The meaning behind these words was clearly understood. The King still didn’t immediately release his hands. “You left Jin to come here yourself—how are things at the frontlines?”

Qi Yan answered, “Ji Yuan has suffered defeat after defeat. Sending the King of Chu to lead an army was his final gamble. Now that Wei has held its ground, Ji Yuan has no further options—his fate is sealed. Before I left, I also dispatched a division to lay siege to Chu’s capital. With its king away, the city is now defenseless.”

The King glanced at the bed and then said softly, “Let’s take a walk. We’ll talk further elsewhere.”

Qi Yan followed him to the window, where the King turned and said gently, “Back when you asked to marry Yangyang, I didn’t agree—partly because I was reluctant, and partly because I couldn’t fully trust that you would protect her. But in these past months, I’ve witnessed your strength, and I now know you are reliable.”

Qi Yan met his gaze directly. “What is it Your Majesty wants to ask?”

The King smiled. “You’ve already guessed, haven’t you? My health has never been good. If Ah Zhen can be cared for by you, I can finally rest easy. I just want to ask this—after you’ve unified Jin, how do you plan to treat the nation of Wei?”

Some things the King had to clarify. One was the Prince of Jin. The other was the Princess of Wei. Between them lay not just love but the interests of nations—and such matters cannot simply be settled through private vows.

Qi Yan thought for a moment before replying, “It’s too early to say for certain. The political landscape is still unstable. But since she has returned to Wei, she is a Wei princess. And Your Majesty has long entrusted her with state affairs. After our official marriage, the Wei court—its lands, cities, and armies—will all be managed by her. I will not interfere in any of it.”

The King was clearly surprised by this answer.

Qi Yan continued: “Moreover, if I am able to seize all of Chu, given that she previously governed its southern territories, she’s more familiar with its internal affairs than I am. The administration of southern Chu will also be handed over to her.”

The King looked at him, speechless for a long stretch, before finally saying, “Do you sincerely mean that?”

Qi Yan smiled faintly. “Would Your Majesty like me to swear an oath?”

“That won’t be necessary.” The King smiled and shook his head. “Qi Yan, there is no need to vow anything to me. Speak those words again—to Yangyang.”

He patted Qi Yan’s shoulder, eyes full of approval.

“Go now. Be with her. I’ll leave you two.”

This was his way of saying he was willing to trust him.

Qi Yan hurried to open the door. “Allow me to escort Your Majesty.”

The King chuckled at the address. “No need. Go on back.”

Qi Yan insisted on walking him to the courtyard gate before returning to the sleeping chamber. Upon entering, Liang Chan greeted him.

“His Majesty just left. I came to check on Her Highness.”

Qi Yan nodded but noticed Liang Chan seemed hesitant.

He asked, “If you have something to say, just say it.”

Liang Chan took a deep breath, pulled a silk scroll from her sleeve, and handed it to him.

Qi Yan’s fingers brushed over the silk, confused. Liang Chan gestured. “Your Highness, this is a letter the Princess wrote for you.”

Qi Yan lowered his gaze and slowly unfolded it.

“She said if the city fell and she perished, I was to deliver it to you. Last night, she had already decided how everything would end.”

He said nothing.

Eyes fixed on the calligraphy, he murmured for Liang Chan to excuse herself. His voice was no longer even.

She bowed and left.

Qi Yan traced the letters with trembling fingers. In the moonlight, his features were carved in stark cold clarity. He read the letter over and over, heart clenched tight, then looked toward the girl sleeping in bed.

The words written there—“My love is deep beyond measure; to you, I entrust my heart”—what did she mean by that?

She had written that thinking she would die, that they would never meet again, hadn’t she?

Qi Yan sat again beside her, took her hand, and lightly kissed its scarred back.

When she awoke, there were so many things he wanted to say.

The palace was still.

Outside, the chirring of insects echoed like a fine, whispering rain.

Wei Zhen awoke two days later, around noon. Light filtered through the patterned curtains, casting fluttering floral shadows.

Her eyes finally focused, and she heard a man’s voice outside the curtain.

“Qi Yan.” She called softly.

He turned at once.

The girl on the bed slowly sat up. She stumbled down, her footing unsteady. Qi Yan rushed forward to catch and cradle her.

“Careful. Don’t fall,” Qi Yan said.

She gazed up at him, eyes scanning the chamber. Gone was the stench of blood. In its place came the fragrance of flowers drifting through the window.

She finally realized where she was.

Qi Yan gently returned her to bed. “The physicians say you’re physically weakened from overwork. You need rest.”

She shook her head, eyes glossing with tears like pearls strung together.

He saw her weep and asked, “What’s wrong?”

Lying on the pillow, she whispered, “I thought I’d never see you again.”

Qi Yan froze, then quickly reassured her. “How could that be? It’s all over now, Ah Zhen.”

He knew—she was a princess of a nation. She had carried the lives of thousands on her shoulders. She must’ve been stretched to the limit. Only with him did she allow the vulnerable side of herself to show.

Sensing this, the palace attendants exited quietly.

Qi Yan said, “It’s over now, Ah Zhen.”

His gaze was as soft and warm as spring water. “I always knew you would prevail. You led your troops for ten days. Those remnants of the Chu army couldn’t hold out either. Had they gone on, they’d have unraveled.”

She sat up, dark hair draping forward, eyes glinting like ripples in autumn water.

His palm cupped her cheek. “Wei Zhen, do you know?”

She looked at him, puzzled. He smiled faintly. “You are the most resilient woman I have ever known. Sometimes I wonder… am I good enough for you?”

The spring light in his eyes burned bright, and the heat of his palm seared into her heart.

She shook her head, brushing away her tears with a smile. “What talk of deserving or not deserving? Stop saying such things.”

Qi Yan laughed softly, his elegant fingers stroking her hair. “Then stop worrying. Rest easy. I’m here.”

Leaning into him, she asked, “How is the war outside?”

“It’s over. The aftermath is being tallied now.”

Qi Yan lowered his head. Seeing she didn’t close her eyes to rest, his tone changed slightly. “Ah Zhen, I read your letter.”

She looked up. “You did?”

“You said I was the love of your life, and you never once regretted being with me. Do you know what I feel?”

He pulled her hand in and placed it over his heart. Her fingers curled instinctively. He leaned in, and his next words melted into tender kisses.

He responded with touch rather than words. Wei Zhen felt her heart steeping in warmth.

When their lips parted, she dove into his arms and held his waist.

His heartbeat was strong—pounding steadily in her ears. She asked softly, “If you hadn’t made it in time, if the city had fallen and I was executed by Jing Heng… What would you have done?”

Qi Yan raised an eyebrow, reluctant to answer. “What kind of question is that?”

“I want to know.”

She recalled the way things had ended in their past life. Something pushed her to ask again.

Qi Yan didn’t respond immediately. Noticing she was well enough to sit up, he fetched her outer robe and draped it around her shoulders.

She asked once more.

He smiled and said, “Didn’t we already make a vow beneath the moon? Have you forgotten already?”

Beneath the moon? Their marriage oath—that night, vowing before the mountains to never part, to walk together through all seasons.

Looking into her eyes, he said, “We promised we’d always be together. Back then, and even now—I will still marry you. Let the world know you are my wife.”

Though his tone was breezy, she knew he meant every word. Just like in their past life, he would even marry her memorial tablet.

Qi Yan added, “But since none of that happened, let’s not mention it again. We are already bound—on our wedding night, our hair was braided together. That silk-knit of black strands means we’re joined in this life, past, and future… destined to be tangled, always.”

Her breath caught. Somewhere deep inside her heart stirred painfully. She buried her face against him, hiding the tear slipping down her cheek. “Maybe we really were husband and wife in a past life.”

Qi Yan laughed quietly and pulled her close. “I’ve been thinking—once we’ve taken Chu, not just Wei, but even Chu’s lands—you should govern those too. Would you be willing?”

Wei Zhen looked up. She knew him too well to take great pride in the proposal—but she understood what it meant.

No other king would willingly give up territory. But Qi Yan had never truly cared for the throne. All he’d ever wanted was to be with her.

He’d offered the world as a dowry—and truly meant it.

She smiled. “What about Jin?”

“If you want to manage that too, by all means. Then I’ll just oversee the military and enjoy a leisurely life,” he said lazily.

The war was not yet over, but inside this quiet and warm hall, nothing from the outside could disturb them.

His fingertips pressed against hers until they fit as one. The spring light played upon them like water, radiant and serene.

Qi Yan said, “Though I didn’t mention how much trouble this marriage would bring… I’ll leave those worries to Princess Wei.”

Wei Zhen smiled.

He kissed her hair. “For a thousand years to come, they will remember we were together.”

Sunshine spilled down upon them, golden and brilliant, casting ripples of light.

Her body warmed against his.

It had been so long since Wei Zhen had felt such calm and peace.

She let herself relax. Gentle flower shadows danced outside the window. The world was quiet.

In this tender spring light, sleepiness crept upon her.

After some time, he spoke again from above her head. “At Zuo Ying’s end, progress is smooth. The King of Qi trusts him. His people now hold key positions in Qi. There will be no betrayal. Soon, our united army will retake Jiangdu.”

Wei Zhen nodded softly.

Suddenly, footsteps approached the hall. A voice called from outside, “Your Majesty, the King of Chu has been captured. The soldiers are bringing him to the palace.”

Wei Zhen froze and looked toward the doorway. “Jing Heng was captured?”

Qi Yan asked, “Shall we go see for ourselves?”

She collected herself. See him—of course she would. He had led the armies of Chu in a bid to trample her homeland. A thousand cuts would not be enough justice.

Wei Zhen grasped his hand. “Let’s go.”