novelraw Chapter 146 : Love Descends into Madness, A Kiss Seals Fate
Chapter 146 : Love Descends into Madness, A Kiss Seals Fate
146: Love Descends into Madness, A Kiss Seals Fate
Looking into those brilliant, profound eyes, Qin Wan felt as if she were in a dream.
Was it a dream? At this moment between life and death, she had actually dreamed of Yan Chi again.
She remembered Qin Shuang's words: when someone is dying, they naturally think of the person they cherish most.
Qin Wan had been thinking of the bloody rain of arrows that night, of her parents' faces in her final glimpse. But she never imagined she would see Yan Chi in her dream...
Her mind was a swirling haze, her chest tight and aching, her vision darkening. Yet the warm softness on her lips felt vividly real. As if clutching the last lifeline, or perhaps nostalgic for this strange new life, her hands instinctively reached for the waist of the person before her, and her lips moved slightly. In an instant, fresh, warm breath flowed continuously into her mouth.
Qin Wan's eyes widened slightly. Those same eyes were still before her, but looking up, the faint light above seemed to grow dimmer. She was being pulled by a cold, dark current, sinking into some abyss.
Instinctively, she clung tightly to the person before her who offered some warmth. She felt the soft warmth on her lips shift, carrying a heart-soothing tenderness. Just as she tried to discern it clearly, the last glimmer of light above vanished completely. Qin Wan's consciousness wavered, and her final shred of awareness dissipated like that fading light.
She didn't know how much time passed before a sliver of consciousness returned.
The bone-piercing cold was gone. Though she felt somewhat chilled, it was nothing like the hopelessness of being trapped in an ice cave earlier. Opening her eyes to look around, she was surprised to find herself in Sun Haoyue's underground secret residence.
Her temples throbbed slightly, but she clearly remembered: Sun Haoyue's secret had been exposed, people had arrived from outside, and Sun Haoyue had ultimately activated the estate's mechanisms, intending to destroy everyone with him, and she...
Thinking of this, Qin Wan couldn't help but freeze.
She had fallen into a well-like place, then dreamed of Yan Chi.
As Qin Wan was lost in thought, light footsteps suddenly sounded. Her heart tightened instinctively, but looking up, she saw Yan Chi striding into the doorway not far away.
Qin Wan stared dumbly at Yan Chi, momentarily unable to react.
Seeing her eyes open, a bright gleam flashed in Yan Chi's eyes. In a few steps, he was by her side. "Awake?"
Qin Wan still stared blankly at Yan Chi, unable to tell if this was a dream.
Seeing her dazed expression, Yan Chi's rough yet warm palm landed on her forehead. The touch made his brow furrow slightly. A faint trace of heartache appeared in his eyes. Then his hand moved to her cheek, seemingly caressing it before sliding down toward her collar. The movement jolted Qin Wan fully awake.
She abruptly raised her hands, firmly gripping his wrist.
Seeing her strong reaction, Yan Chi looked into her eyes.
Their gazes met. Qin Wan's eyes held confusion and bewilderment, as clear and moving as a mountain stream. Combined with her damp, unbound hair and her usually gentle yet resilient, serene face now bearing an added touch of pitiful vulnerability, Yan Chi's throat tightened. He glanced at Qin Wan's hand gripping his, then gave a gentle tug.
This tug seemed to bring more awareness back to Qin Wan. She felt their proximity was somewhat inappropriate and awkward, but Yan Chi suddenly leaned in, scooping her up into his arms. His embrace was so firm it nearly crushed her against his chest.
Qin Wan's eyes widened dramatically. Her palm-sized face nestled in the crook of Yan Chi's neck; she blinked, still somewhat bewildered. "This... is this a dream...?"
"You've dreamed of me?"
Yan Chi's sharpness startled Qin Wan. She suddenly realized: the Yan Chi in her dreams never spoke, while the Yan Chi before her not only spoke but still reacted with astonishing speed.
Heat rushed to Qin Wan's cheeks. This wasn't a dream.
Since it wasn't a dream, what was the meaning of this embrace?
Qin Wan struggled, her hands, finding no purchase, immediately began pushing against Yan Chi's chest.
The room seemed to be a warm chamber within the underground residence. She lay on a daybed.
The daybed, unused for who knew how long, emitted a musty, damp smell. Beneath her was Yan Chi's brocade robe; over her was her own outer robe. Not far away, a small porcelain basin held a burning fire.
Qin Wan seemed to have fully regained her senses, but no matter how she pushed Yan Chi, his embrace remained immovable like a towering mountain. Qin Wan was seriously trying to push him away, but he not only ignored it, he placed one hand on her back, the other in her hair, then rested his cheek against the top of her head, exhaling a long, deep sigh.
Qin Wan's hands stilled. Her clear eyes reflected the distant fire. Her face grew even warmer. The strength in Yan Chi's arms squeezed her back painfully, and once again, her mind grew hazy.
But a moment later, her reason calmed her.
Closing her eyes briefly, when she opened them again, the distant fire still reflected in her eyes, but her mind was clear and composed.
"Why is Your Highness here?"
"I was with the Yuanzhou garrison. I thought you had already passed Yuanzhou and reached Tongzhou, but I never expected you to use the token I gave you." As he spoke, Yan Chi still held her firmly against his chest.
Qin Wan shifted slightly, to no avail, so she simply leaned against Yan Chi's chest.
She still didn't quite understand why Yan Chi was here.
"When I gave it to you earlier, you refused. Now that you've used it, it must be an emergency. I rushed here overnight and arrived just as the estate's owner activated the mechanisms."
Qin Wan fell silent for a moment, then suddenly asked, "How is Wanxing?"
Yan Chi's hand on her back seemed to twitch slightly, then he calmly replied, "She won't die."
A brief silence filled the room. Qin Wan only heard the crackling of the fire. "Your Highness went to considerable trouble."
"With your temperament, I find it hard to be at ease if no one is protecting you."
"Protected for what reason?" Though Qin Wan leaned against Yan Chi and no longer struggled, her tone remained calm.
Yan Chi raised a hand to gently stroke the top of her head. "Because my heart is set on you."
He seemed to use considerable resolve to utter these words. Hearing them, Qin Wan's mind wavered slightly again. But after a moment, she said softly, "How exactly is your heart set on me?"
Hearing this, Yan Chi released Qin Wan slightly. He leaned back a little, his gaze brilliant yet carrying a sharp, assertive edge as he looked at Qin Wan. "Naturally, it's clear and unambiguous."
Qin Wan looked into Yan Chi's eyes, warmth instantly blossoming in her heart, mingled with bittersweet and rich emotions. Her throat tightened slightly, leaving her momentarily speechless. *Clear and unambiguous*, such fitting words.
In worldly matters, her father had always adhered to integrity and uprightness. Following her father, whether dealing with cases or human affairs, she valued seeking truth and facts. She was adept at peeling back layers of mist to find the truth, yet she knew the heart was veiled by something far more complex than mere mist. The more she saw, the more she understood the subtle intricacies of the human heart. But if someone laid themselves bare before her so clearly, even her heart, firm as rock, could soften a little...
Looking at Yan Chi, Qin Wan once again marveled at his keen insight. He knew what she wanted.
Seeing Qin Wan seemed lost in thought and silent, Yan Chi grasped her hand. "Don't believe me? Or don't dare to believe?"
Hearing this, Qin Wan's eyes sharpened by three degrees. "What is there to fear?"
Her tone held three parts pride, three parts composure, and four parts certainty, making Yan Chi burst into laughter. His rich, resonant laughter vibrated against her eardrums; his eyes were filled with brilliant light, three parts tenderness, three parts satisfaction, four parts pride. His entire being radiated genuine joy from within.
After laughing for a moment, Yan Chi suddenly straightened his expression, gripping Qin Wan's hand tightly. "Good, then I'll take it as you believe me! Since you believe, you must also give me clarity."
Qin Wan's eyebrow arched slightly, her gaze blatantly shifting aside. "What clarity?"
Her features were picturesque, cheeks slightly flushed. Though she seemed uncooperative, her demeanor carried a touch of pride born from Yan Chi's confession, quite unlike her usual restrained composure. This attitude was almost a clear, unambiguous tacit agreement. A smile returned to Yan Chi's lips as he pulled Qin Wan into his embrace.
This time, he didn't hold her as tightly as before, but his hands unconsciously wandered over the nape of her neck and her back, wishing he could meld Qin Wan's body into his heart. Qin Wan arched her back slightly, her hands resting on Yan Chi's waist.
Yan Chi's breath hitched for an instant. Suddenly, he lowered his head to murmur against her hair, "When you first saw me just now, you also held me like this..."
"I only thought it was a dream."
Qin Wan's outer robe slipped to the ground, chilling her. Leaning against Yan Chi, she could draw a little warmth from him. Hearing her, Yan Chi chuckled again. "But you dreamed of me?"
After a moment's thought, Qin Wan gave a soft "Mhm."
Yan Chi's chest heaved slightly; after a moment, another sigh of contentment escaped him.
"Then my heart is satisfied."
Yan Chi felt the cold on Qin Wan's body. He grabbed her outer robe from the ground and draped it over her, then scooped her up in his arms. "This place isn't safe. We must leave."
Being carried horizontally by Yan Chi made Qin Wan's heart flutter. In Jinzhou, she hadn't felt it, but once they left, the longing during moments of crisis along the journey had made her aware of her own feelings, not to mention the lingering dreams. She was never a cowardly person; she feared neither the dangers hidden behind the mist nor the malice of the world and human hearts. So why would she fear Yan Chi's clarity?
Her heart held other aspirations; she wasn't someone who placed love above all. She had hidden worries and concerns, but she truly trusted Yan Chi.
And he was right before her. What was there to fear?
Fearless she was, but though her expression showed boldness and straightforwardness, she was ultimately inexperienced in matters of love. Nestled in Yan Chi's arms, looking at his profile, a bittersweet, hazy feeling welled up in her heart.
This was an unexpected twist. Though skilled in medicine and autopsy, matters of love were foreign to her. She stared blankly at Yan Chi, wondering what role he would play on her unknown path ahead.
"What are you looking at?" Yan Chi carried Qin Wan out of the warm chamber. Exiting the door, he noticed Qin Wan's gaze fixed on him. Glancing over, he saw her cheeks still faintly flushed like rosy clouds.
He knew Qin Wan's will was far from ordinary, even surpassing many men's. But unless one was close to her, no one would know her delicate charm was no less than any other young woman's.
"Did Your Highness truly come from the Yuanzhou garrison?" Qin Wan asked again. Things were different from before.
A slight curve touched Yan Chi's lips. "Indeed from the Yuanzhou garrison, but not from Yuanzhou City. There are two large camps north of Jixian County. The moment you used the token, I knew. Soon after, Bai Ying's message arrived."
"Bai Ying? Wanxing?" Qin Wan quickly made the connection.
Yan Chi nodded. "She's Bai Feng's younger sister, originally responsible for intelligence gathering by my side."
The corner of Qin Wan's mouth twitched. "When she entered the household... it wasn't long after you arrived in Jinzhou."
Yan Chi chuckled softly. "The night of the Anyang Marquis's incident, I saw you."
Qin Wan blinked, unaware of this. Looking at Yan Chi's profile, she felt she had many questions, but the current situation didn't allow for them. So, she surveyed the secret residence. She hadn't been to the warm chamber they were just in and didn't know how Yan Chi had brought her there...
Seeing her expression, Yan Chi guessed her thoughts. "The mechanisms beneath this secret residence all use water as power. Sun Haoyue activated the main mechanism, opening all the water gates below. But a secret passage system can't have only one exit. I followed a passage with you and emerged at the lowest level."
As he spoke, Yan Chi carried Qin Wan onto a corridor. On either side seemed to be living quarters. At the end of the corridor was a staircase. Yan Chi strode up it with Qin Wan in his arms.
"This lower level is equivalent to a proper two-section residence, likely the original owner's resting place."
Yan Chi carried Qin Wan up to the next level. Qin Wan was slender and not heavy, but she was no child. Yet Yan Chi carried her effortlessly. Qin Wan looked around, not recognizing the place at first. But when Yan Chi stepped through the nearest door, Qin Wan immediately frowned.
This staircase wasn't far from the one leading to the ground level. To Qin Wan's left, not far away, was the Ice Chamber. Looking to the right and the staircase they had ascended earlier, she saw everything had collapsed into a pile of rubble. The storage room where they had been held was now a chaotic mess of stones and earth.
"The estate truly is destroyed..." Qin Wan's tone held a trace of chill. "Sun Haoyue's main chamber should be in that direction."
Qin Wan narrowed her eyes, looking toward the area beyond the storage room, now unrecognizable.
Yan Chi said, "There's a secret residence beneath this estate, and another level below that. Activating the lower mechanisms was meant to first destroy the secret residence, then the upper structures would collapse and be buried."
"Does Your Highness know about the events here?"
Yan Chi nodded. "I've met the Qin household guards. On the way, I also encountered the Heir Apparent of the Loyal and Valiant Marquis. I know the general situation. Nothing more than Sun Haoyue harming many lives to save his wife."
Qin Wan shook her head. "His wife is already dead. If I hadn't seen the corpse's signs of post-mortem change, I wouldn't have believed it."
Yan Chi's expression darkened. "Then he has descended into madness."
Qin Wan didn't argue. Sun Haoyue was such an immortal-like figure; normally, no one could detect anything amiss. And Qin Wan still remembered him holding Bai Feiyan's decaying arm with affection.
He wasn't insane or foolish; he had truly descended into madness.
"These rooms and stairs are all destroyed. How do we get out?"
Qin Wan suddenly asked this. Only about thirty percent of the underground residence remained undamaged, and the only exit was blocked. They were essentially trapped in a sealed prison below. How to escape?
"If we can't get out, are you afraid?"
Yan Chi didn't linger here, simply carrying Qin Wan toward the Ice Chamber.
Hearing this, Qin Wan smiled slightly. "With Your Highness accompanying me, it wouldn't be a loss."
Yan Chi tightened his arms around her. Qin Wan suddenly remembered to ask, "How long was I asleep?"
Yan Chi replied, "Two shichen."
Four hours had already passed. That meant it was probably dawn outside.
"To repeat, this place is full of mechanisms; there can't be only one exit. Sun Haoyue destroyed the eastern part of the residence, which shows the original builder left himself a way out."
*There can't be only one exit...*
Qin Wan pondered this phrase, then her eyes lit up. "I know. I know where the exit is."
She pointed forward. "Go straight ahead, then turn left, keep going forward. There's a room where Sun Haoyue usually removed hearts and livers. That room also has cat corpses he used for practice. I saw a black cat carrying a cat corpse away from this residence. Sun Haoyue must have wanted to conceal this. And the Benevolent Heart Courtyard is where he and Bai Feiyan lived. He would never tolerate these bloody things passing in and out from there. So I suspect there must be another exit. The cat corpses were transported out. Perhaps in the past few days, with outsiders staying in the residence, it was inconvenient to dispose of them, so they were temporarily piled somewhere within the estate, and the black cat found them..."
Qin Wan spoke to herself while Yan Chi followed her indicated direction.
Before long, Qin Wan spoke softly. "Right here."
His steps halted, Yan Chi frowned. "There's someone inside."
Qin Wan thought for a moment before remembering. "It's Sun Haoyue's subordinate."
As she spoke, Qin Wan fished out the fire starter from her sleeve. The outside was soaked, but the inside was still dry. She lit it, and they entered the room. Inside, they indeed saw Shang Lu lying motionless on the ground.
Yan Chi glanced at him but paid no mind. His gaze fell on the porcelain jars and the crimson objects scattered on the floor. He frowned, walking past the long table holding the jars straight into the inner chamber.
On the long table, the corpse still lay untouched.
"Possessing unparalleled medical skill, yet descending into the path of darkness." Yan Chi's eyes narrowed slightly, his voice lowering. "No matter how deep his love, it is not worth forgiveness."
Hearing this, Qin Wan sighed, feeling as if a heavy stone pressed on her heart.
"What is it?" Yan Chi asked, looking down.
Qin Wan said, "This is perhaps the helplessness of fate. He could save all under heaven, yet couldn't save his beloved."
After a pause, she looked at Yan Chi. "If it were Your Highness, what would you do?"
Yan Chi, asked this, instinctively looked at Qin Wan. He seemed to picture Qin Wan with an incurable illness, his eyes darkening. "I wouldn't descend into madness, because I already am."
He looked deeply at Qin Wan for a moment, then walked straight behind the long table.
Entering the inner chamber where the corpse lay, Qin Wan momentarily didn't know where to go. When she brought Qin Xiang, they had only come this far.
Yan Chi glanced at her. "You've been here?"
Qin Wan gave an "Mhm." "I told the steward Fifth Sister might still be at the Hundred Herb Garden, but he came alone, so Sun Haoyue learned our purpose as soon as we arrived. He intended to use knockout incense, but I detected it early and took an antidote pill before entering. After they left, I found Fifth Sister in the Ice Chamber we passed earlier. Later, we encountered Shang Lu and came here... It was Wan... Bai Ying. Bai Ying saved us."
Yan Chi looked at Qin Wan. "If you're used to calling her Wanxing, then she is Wanxing."
Qin Wan immediately shook her head. "Your Highness hid this from me at the time, likely thinking I wouldn't accept such favor without reason. Now that I know, she is naturally Bai Ying."
Yan Chi didn't pursue this, merely saying gravely, "You are indeed bold, daring to bring those young girls of your household here."
A wry smile touched Qin Wan's lips. "This time, I was indeed reckless and nearly implicated them. But if we hadn't come, Fifth Sister would likely be like that corpse lying there. It was worth it."
Yan Chi frowned. "I heard the Qin family's Fifth Young Miss doesn't treat you well."
Hearing this, Qin Wan felt somewhat helpless. Having Bai Ying stay by her side was clearly not just for protection; it had other purposes.
"Whether she treats me well or not is unimportant. She didn't intend to harm me. Since we share the Qin name, and I knew she was truly in danger, I couldn't do nothing..."
Yan Chi seemed not to fully agree but didn't intend to continue the topic now. His gaze swept the room. This inner chamber had two secret doors: one from which Shang Lu had appeared, the other of unknown destination. Qin Wan's eyes shifted. "This way. I don't know where this one leads. Let's see."
Yan Chi willingly followed Qin Wan's direction. Passing through the secret door led to another chamber. This one lacked the porcelain jars, but as Qin Wan waved the fire starter, she saw a human skeleton supported by a stand made by Sun Haoyue, looking like a standing skeleton at first glance.
Qin Wan's eyelashes trembled. Looking up at Yan Chi, she saw his brow hadn't even twitched.
Besides the human skeleton, the room held various diagrams and medical texts. Qin Wan looked and saw the drawings weren't simple depictions of meridians, joints, or acupoints, but detailed illustrations of the blood vessel distribution around every organ in the human body. Moreover, there were even drawings of human organs dissected.
The artist's skill was above average, simply and vividly depicting human organs with startling realism. Looking at these, Qin Wan felt a sense of wonder, as if witnessing the profound essence of medical knowledge, a treasure not meant for outsiders. Yet thinking they were obtained through Sun Haoyue's many murders made her lose interest.
Yan Chi's tone was grave. "Somewhat a pity."
Qin Wan also felt deep regret. Yan Chi didn't linger, carrying Qin Wan forward. They entered another room, this one furnished like a study. Qin Wan looked and saw a few booklets on the table.
"What are those? Let's look."
Qin Wan pointed. Yan Chi carried her over. After a few steps, Qin Wan felt she had regained considerable strength and said, "Your Highness, put me down. I'm actually fine, just caught a chill."
Qin Wan still felt waves of cold; she knew her condition well.
But after she spoke, Yan Chi frowned and still carried her to the table.
Seeing this, Qin Wan sighed softly, first opening the booklet. Inside were records of the "patients'" symptoms. Reading through them, Qin Wan couldn't help but gasp. If these were ordinary medical notes, it would be one thing, but these recorded the symptoms of those harmed by Sun Haoyue, detailing the reactions of individuals whose organs were removed, especially those who underwent organ transplants. Scanning through, Qin Wan saw that very few survived organ transplantation; there seemed to be some strict criteria at play. Sun Haoyue hadn't known this initially, so those who died were his attempts to explore and understand these standards.
There were many ways to master the medical arts. If this notebook weren't stained with blood, Qin Wan might have thought it a treasure surpassing even the ancient lineage records of Medicine King Valley…
"His talent likely surpasses all previous Valley Masters of Medicine King Valley. If he..."
If Sun Haoyue hadn't taken this path but used his skills to heal and save lives, how wonderful would that be?
Thinking this, Qin Wan felt it futile to voice. She set the booklet down, saying only, "These booklets are crucial evidence. If we can get out, have them take everything."
Yan Chi understood her meaning. "We will certainly get out. By this time, those outside must be anxious."
Qin Wan put down the notes, and Yan Chi carried her onward. Meanwhile, the fire starter in Qin Wan's hand was about to die. Without it, how would they find the exit? What if they encountered more mechanisms?
Just as Qin Wan worried silently, they reached another new chamber.
But this chamber had no doors or windows, seeming like the final room of the secret residence.
Qin Wan hurriedly said, "There's no way forward. Let's go back through the other door. The fire starter is about to go out."
Qin Wan wanted to turn back, but Yan Chi didn't move. He scanned the room with a solemn expression, then walked to the center. Seeing this, Qin Wan instantly knew the room was unusual. "Is the exit here?"
"Do you hear wind?" Yan Chi suddenly asked. Qin Wan focused, listening intently for a long moment but hearing nothing. Yan Chi then looked at the fire starter. "Look at the flame."
Hearing this, Qin Wan immediately understood. Such details, usually easy to notice. Somehow, she hadn't thought of it. Looking, she saw the flame indeed tilted slightly.
Qin Wan's heart lightened. "The exit must be here!"
As the words left her mouth, the fire starter in Qin Wan's hand silently died.
Darkness enveloped them, so quiet a dropped pin could be heard. Only Yan Chi's and her breathing were distinct. Qin Wan grew anxious. "What now? I only have this one fire starter."
"No matter. Opening this won't be difficult."
Qin Wan wanted to ask if Yan Chi had another fire starter, but hearing his words, she felt reassured.
Yan Chi carried Qin Wan a few steps into a corner, then gently set her down. "Stand firm."
It was a corner. Once her feet touched the ground, Qin Wan leaned against the wall. She gave a soft "Mhm." In the darkness, she felt Yan Chi adjust her outer robe, then heard him walk away. Soon, the sound of Yan Chi lightly tapping the stone walls echoed. Qin Wan knew he was testing for hidden mechanisms. She even held her breath.
Yan Chi tapped around briefly, then soon returned to a spot not far from her. Seeing he had suddenly stopped, Qin Wan couldn't help asking, "What's wrong? Is the mechanism not here? Or is it difficult to solve?"
After her question, Yan Chi remained silent.
Surrounded by pitch-black darkness, Qin Wan's heart began to race. "Your Highness?"
As she spoke, she gingerly felt her way toward Yan Chi. Just as she was about to reach him, the previously unresponsive Yan Chi suddenly reached out and pulled her into his embrace. The sudden move made Qin Wan gasp softly. By the time she realized, Yan Chi had her pressed against the stone wall.
"You still call me 'Your Highness'?"
Yan Chi's breath was right before her. In the silent darkness, his rich, low voice and breathing carried warmth. The faint flush that had barely faded from Qin Wan's cheeks returned. Qin Wan pushed against Yan Chi, but instantly, he wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her tighter, pressing her close against him.
"Wanwan..."
Just as Qin Wan hesitated over Yan Chi's first question, he softly called her name. That single word sent tingles through her ears, and she froze.
She was enveloped in Yan Chi's embrace. Though slender, she wasn't short, yet in Yan Chi's arms, she seemed to fit perfectly. Qin Wan hesitated for a moment, then a sudden pang of sorrow struck her, tightening her chest.
It had been a long time since anyone called her that. It seemed like fate that the Ninth Young Miss shared the same name. In the past, her father and mother had called her that; it gradually became the address of the closest people in the world. Qin Wan had thought no one would ever call her that again.
Yan Chi seemed to instantly sense the sorrow emanating from her, so he held her even tighter.
Surrounding them was darkness, like every nightmare-ridden midnight before. But this time, Yan Chi's broad, warm embrace gave her strength. The sorrow threatening to overwhelm her was barely held back.
Her hands moved, resting on Yan Chi's waist.
The motion made Yan Chi's breath catch. He then lowered his head. She felt him kiss the top of her head, then heard him say, "After returning to the capital, I will send someone to the Loy…"
"No."
Before Yan Chi could finish, Qin Wan interrupted.
Yan Chi clearly hadn't expected this. Qin Wan's tacit agreement to his feelings was precious to him. With his decisive nature, how could he bear her current situation upon reaching the capital?
The capital was truly a den of tigers and wolves. Moreover, he wasn't unaware of the Loyal and Valiant Marquis's intentions. Knowing this, he naturally wanted everything under his control. Yet Qin Wan was unwilling?
Yan Chi fell silent for a moment, his tone already slightly dark. "Why?"
Qin Wan leaned against Yan Chi's chest. "If not for me, what were your original plans?"
Yan Chi frowned slightly. "Naturally, to focus on the Western Frontier Army. With the change in crown prince establishment, there is unrest in both court and military. My journey south this time also involved matters related to this."
Qin Wan then said, "Then focus on the Western Frontier Army."
Hearing this, Yan Chi seemed to want to say more but held back. "Then you and I... how can I give you clarity?"
Qin Wan knew he misunderstood and continued, "The clarity I want isn't about a position by Your Highness's side. Your Highness has great ambitions; I also have a wish in my heart. Before fulfilling that wish, I have no plans to marry. If it weren't for Your Highness, it would be one thing. If I couldn't decide, resist, or change anything, marriage would happen anyway. But since it is Your Highness, I shouldn't hide it from you."
"What wish?" Yan Chi immediately asked.
Qin Wan pressed her lips together. "This wish existed long ago. Please, Your Highness, don't ask."
Qin Wan hadn't expected Yan Chi to want to make their relationship public so quickly. Doing so would disrupt her plans. A faint bitterness rose in her heart. The hidden worries she felt when accepting Yan Chi's feelings surfaced so quickly. Yet no matter what, she wouldn't let seeking revenge and clearing grievances take a backseat because of Yan Chi. Saying this much was the greatest honesty she could offer Yan Chi now.
Yan Chi's breathing seemed to fluctuate. He was someone whose word was law in the Western Frontier Army. He had intended to proceed cautiously, but since Qin Wan wanted clarity, he would give it to her. He thought he understood her, but he was mistaken. She could even refuse the position of Consort to the Heir Apparent of Prince Rui.
How many noble young ladies in the capital coveted that position, yet she refused so decisively, not even letting him finish. Yan Chi's heart was a mix of emotions. He suddenly released Qin Wan.
"Let me ask you, do you think my confession today was too frivolous or presumptuous?"
Qin Wan's heart was in turmoil. Hearing this, she felt somewhat stunned. Even if she didn't know he had traveled so far, even if she considered his previous care and protection in Jinzhou ordinary, even if she forgot he gave her that token, once she learned Bai Ying's identity, what was there not to understand?
She shook her head, her voice softening slightly. "Of course not."
Yan Chi chuckled in the darkness. "Then do you think we haven't known each other long enough, or my character makes you distrustful?"
A wry smile touched Qin Wan's lips. "Of course not either..."
Yan Chi's tone softened slightly, commanding yet carrying a gentle inquiry. "Then do you feel my decision is too hasty, my feelings for you not deep enough?"
Qin Wan reacted quickly. "Of course... a little."
Hearing this, Yan Chi's breathing hitched, and his grip on Qin Wan's waist tightened.
But Qin Wan didn't regret her answer. She didn't think Yan Chi treated her lightly, nor did she feel she didn't understand his character. But matters of love were still confusing to her; she wasn't afraid to accept Yan Chi's feelings, but marriage was still distant for them. Moreover, she absolutely had to fulfill her prior wish first.
"So, you still don't fully trust me..."
It took Yan Chi a long moment to utter these words through clenched teeth. Qin Wan was about to explain, but Yan Chi gave a low laugh, a mix of helpless fondness and relentless determination. "Fine. There is plenty of time. Whether you have an unfulfilled wish or feel our bond isn't deep enough, we'll see in the future."
He paused, his gaze piercing as he looked at her. "You always manage to surprise me."
The tension in Qin Wan's heart eased slightly. "Thank you, Your High…"
Before the word "Highness" was fully out, Qin Wan felt her lips sealed. Yan Chi pressed her firmly against the stone wall behind her, invading her space like fire meeting water. His kiss was deep and intense, as if he wanted to grind down her defenses bit by bit, imprinting his own essence upon her. Qin Wan tilted her head back slightly, instinctively wanting to resist, but sensing the turmoil in Yan Chi's heart, she froze for a moment, then finally closed her eyes. Her wrists softened, resting loosely at his waist.
Qin Wan's response seemed to soothe him best. Yan Chi pulled her into his embrace, the aggressive force suddenly replaced by a gentle, lingering exploration of her lips. His long-held anxiety seemed to finally settle at this moment. Though he hadn't gotten his wish, how could he complain when the one in his arms was no ordinary woman...
Thinking this, Yan Chi's arms unconsciously tightened around her again.