Yan Lingshuang had originally planned to return to Great Yan for the New Year. Aside from Yan Zhouheng, she also wanted to see Yan Zhaoning.
After Chi Na became the new Khan, he led the grassland tribes to retreat hundreds of miles north. Following that, he was busy reorganizing affairs between the tribes, and Yan Lingshuang had her hands full as well, so she never got the chance to correspond with Yan Zhaoning to ask how she was doing in Great Yan.
But not long ago, the female physician in the tribe diagnosed her with pregnancy.
The first three months of pregnancy required extra caution. The journey from the grasslands all the way to Great Yan was long and arduous, so Yan Lingshuang abandoned the idea and instead sent a letter back with the envoy.
What she didn’t expect was for Yan Zhouheng to return with the envoy delegation.
After the exhausting journey, Yan Zhouheng, covered in dust, bore no resemblance to a prince.
Looking at his grimy face, he seemed more like Old Batu’s foolish son from next door. Yan Lingshuang almost didn’t recognize him.
"Elder Sister!" Yan Zhouheng’s eyes lit up, and he immediately rushed toward her, but then remembered the news of her pregnancy and stopped just in time.
"Elder Sister, why have you lost weight?" His gaze swept over her still-flat stomach, his expression awkward, before shifting to Chi Na beside her, his dark eyes tinged with displeasure.
Chi Na quickly explained, "Lingshuang hasn’t had much of an appetite lately. I’ve been trying everything to get her to eat more."
Yan Lingshuang couldn’t help but laugh.
"Alright, he’s not blaming you," she said, patting Chi Na’s shoulder and signaling for him to step out first.
Chi Na, perceptive as ever, stood up. "The Sixth Prince has traveled a long way and might not be used to our food yet. I’ll go make some arrangements."
With that, only the siblings remained in the tent.
Yan Zhouheng pressed his lips together, finally relaxing. He sat down on the carpet, leaning against Yan Lingshuang’s legs, and closed his eyes wearily.
"So this is where Elder Sister was married off to—such a distant place," he murmured, his voice tinged with melancholy. "You’ve suffered."
But Yan Lingshuang didn’t feel that way at all.
"This is already the best life I’ve ever had." Though she had indeed grown thinner due to the pregnancy, her spirit was high.
Hearing this, Yan Zhouheng looked up, reassured.
It was true—compared to their days in the palace, Yan Lingshuang now seemed full of life.
Her face remained as expressionless as ever, but her eyes held a new spark.
The siblings chatted for a long time, catching up on family matters, until Yan Lingshuang eventually brought up Yan Zhaoning.
And that was when she learned about the poisoning.
Yan Lingshuang: "..."
Yan Lingshuang shot to her feet. "What? Poisoned?!"
Yan Zhouheng was taken aback by her reaction, but considering that the only princess she’d ever been close to was their eldest sister, it made sense.
"Yes, on the night of the New Year’s banquet, I was feeling weak, so my mother didn’t let me attend. I only heard about it from the palace servants," Yan Zhouheng recalled. "Apparently, the Eastern Yue Crown Prince brought a horse that angered Eldest Sister, and on her way back to the palace, she was ambushed..."
Yan Lingshuang’s expression darkened.
This poison… it must have been their mother’s doing.
Yan Zhaoning was highly skilled in martial arts. If not for the poison, a few mere assassins would never have been able to harm her.
"How is she now? Was there an antidote?" Yan Lingshuang pressed urgently.
Yan Zhouheng replied, "Her consort summoned a renowned physician from the martial world. By the time I left, Eldest Sister was out of danger, though she still needed rest."
Yan Lingshuang let out a relieved sigh.
"Elder Sister..." Yan Zhouheng hesitated before speaking again. "Mother… doesn’t seem to want us getting too close to Eldest Sister."
Lost in thought, Yan Lingshuang was caught off guard by this.
"Did she find out when you went to see her?"
"Yes… Mother said Eldest Sister was deliberately leading me astray, making me neglect my duties." Yan Zhouheng’s mind was in turmoil. "I don’t understand why Mother paints Eldest Sister as some villain… as if she’s always scheming against me."
Yan Lingshuang’s gaze turned complicated.
Since childhood, she had envied Yan Zhouheng. Raised like a treasure by Consort Ning, he was the only prince in the harem, untouched by the ruthless struggles for favor.
Consort Ning had subconsciously groomed him as the Crown Prince. In all his years, the worst hardship Yan Zhouheng had faced was Grand Tutor Fu’s verbal reprimands.
But he had been sheltered too well.
"Ah Heng..." Yan Lingshuang sighed, her expression more solemn than ever. "Now that I can protect myself… there are some things I want to tell you myself."
Yan Zhouheng’s heart sank.
Before she could continue, he asked, "Is Mother… not as good as we thought?"
"We?" Yan Lingshuang suddenly laughed. "Remember the question I once asked you?"
Yan Zhouheng lowered his head and nodded.
—Between Elder Sister and Mother, who would you choose?
Ever since he noticed Consort Ning’s malice toward Yan Zhaoning, Yan Zhouheng had been haunted by that question.
At the time, he thought it was just about the marriage alliance.
Yan Lingshuang had been unwilling to marry the old Khan, but Consort Ning, fearing she would flee, had confined her. That was why she resented their mother and posed that question.
But now, Yan Zhouheng dared not dwell on it further.
Yan Lingshuang gave him no chance to retreat.
"Do you know why my face is like this?" she asked.
Yan Zhouheng looked up at her impassive expression.
Then, in a calm voice, she said, "Mother gave birth to me… just to detoxify herself."
"She never saw me as her daughter." Yan Lingshuang spoke each word deliberately. "Because of this fetal poison, my constitution became unique—the perfect test subject for her medicines. Do you really think those days I disappeared every month were for leisure?"
Yan Zhouheng’s pupils constricted violently.
"Elder Sister and Mother are not family," she said. "We are enemies."
After the Lantern Festival, Jiu Yue left for Golden Jade Ridge under the pretense of recuperation.
Her consort, Sima Qing, concerned for her safety, volunteered to accompany her.
Emperor Yan did not object and even dispatched seven skilled guards, including Wu Liang, to protect them in secret.
Golden Jade Ridge lay west of the capital, not far at all—just an hour’s carriage ride away.
Their entourage was small. Even Lianqiao was left behind in the palace.
Once outside the city, Mei Wuchang and Qiu Dongfang split off to escort Mr. Bai back to Tianqi.
Now, only Sima Qing and Jiu Yue remained in the carriage.
After recuperating in the Eastern Palace for over half a month, Jiu Yue had fully recovered. Gazing out at the snow-covered scenery, she found it quite beautiful.
"What are we going to Golden Jade Ridge for?" she asked.
"Recuperation" was just an excuse.
Sima Qing glanced at her and reminded her, "The New Year has passed. Has Your Highness forgotten? We still owe Young Master Nangong a grand gift."
Jiu Yue’s eyes brightened. "Nangong Xun is at Golden Jade Ridge?"
Sima Qing nodded, leisurely flipping through a book in his hands. "My people have scouted the area. If all goes well, we might even make a trip to Muzhou afterward."
The headquarters of the Luosha Gang was in Muzhou.
Watching his composed demeanor, Jiu Yue couldn’t help but marvel inwardly.
Professional tasks should indeed be left to the professionals!
There's something utterly captivating about just holding the blade and following their lead—striking wherever they point.
