Chapter 62: A String of Strange Events

Li Ning’an couldn’t be bothered with Chi Jin anymore, leaving the rest to the Ministry of Rites and the Honglu Temple. As she left, she didn’t forget to pull Yan Ziqi along.

“You’re coming with me.”

Yan Ziqi gave Ling Jibai a glance, signaling him to keep people stationed at the Honglu Hall.

The soldiers accompanying Chi Jin numbered around a hundred, and they would listen to their general’s orders, standing guard around the courtyard. The Honglu Hall would also arrange accommodation for them.

The Iron Cavalry Army, totaling a thousand, would be stationed in the capital’s garrison, except for the ones patrolling the Honglu Hall for Chi Jin’s protection. Locals among them could return to their homes.

Ling Jibai would handle the shift arrangements properly.

Tong Linian, naturally, went straight home to the Tong residence. Though he longed to reunite with his father, he knew he couldn’t persuade Chi Jin to release him.

Seeing his third sister not returning to the palace, Li Ningzhi decided he’d report back to their father on his own.

Ling Jibai coordinated with the Head of the Honglu Temple on where to assign guards. The Minister of Rites instructed the Northern Yue envoys on the etiquette of Great Qi.

Chi Jin’s men were expected to follow local customs, but Chi Jin himself felt no need to learn them. He wasn’t a defeated foe and still held General Tong as a hostage.

Yan Ziqi rode with Li Ning’an back to the Duke of Xiang’s manor.

The steward, having received word of their arrival, waited in the front yard. The gatekeeper, spotting them from afar, rushed to inform him.

“The young lord is back… and he’s brought Princess Ning’an with him!”

The steward, halting in his tracks momentarily, resumed his hurried pace, eyes welling up at the sight of the young lord.

But rather than happily greeting, “Uncle Steward, I’ve returned safely,” Yan Ziqi turned to lift Princess Ning’an off the horse.

The steward, words of relief on the tip of his tongue, swallowed them back, reaching out in vain to hug the young lord.

He put on a cheerful expression, saying, “Welcome back, young lord. Princess Ning’an, you must be tired.”

He fully supported the young lord marrying Princess Ning’an.

Yan Ziqi, having helped Li Ning’an down, turned to speak to his uncle.

But when the steward spoke of the princess being “tired,” Yan Ziqi couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow.

She’d merely waited at the city gates, and he’d brought her back himself—how could she be tired?

Seeing the young lord unharmed, the steward turned his attention to Li Ning’an and asked, “Princess, are you exhausted? Receiving the Northern Yue envoys must have been no easy task—were you treated well?”

As he continued, he chuckled, “Ah, what am I saying? Of course, no one would dare mistreat you. You’re so beautiful, gentle, and clever; who wouldn’t want to cherish you?”

Caught off guard by the steward’s sweet words, Li Ning’an glanced at Yan Ziqi, signaling she hadn’t prompted this.

What was up with the steward? His words were honeyed like never before.

Li Ning’an hadn’t intended to greet the Northern Yue envoys; she’d only wanted to ensure they posed no threat to her father or Great Qi, which was why she insisted on being present.

Her father had sent her along with her fourth brother, so Li Ning’an thought it a chance to see Yan Ziqi and dressed conveniently for the occasion.

Yan Ziqi’s letter had been filled with complaints, as though he’d suffered greatly under Tong Linian.

Yet there he was, sitting comfortably in Chi Jin’s carriage, while Tong Linian rode on horseback. Anyone watching would think Tong Linian was escorting him.

Li Ning’an teased, “Your young lord had quite the luxury—he even got a ride in Prince Chi Jin’s carriage.”

She still held the whip she’d used to retrieve the egg for Yan Ziqi.

Noticing the steward’s gaze fall on the whip, she quickly put it away, realizing her oversight.

The steward breathed a sigh of relief and explained on the young lord’s behalf, “Surely, the young lord was only mingling with Prince Chi Jin to gather intelligence.”

Yan Ziqi, helpless, replied, “Uncle, she’s just joking—no need to take it seriously. Please, prepare tea in the study.”

Nodding, the steward left to arrange it, and Yan Ziqi led Li Ning’an to the study.

The room was impeccably clean, finally allowing Li Ning’an to sit without laying down a cloth.

“It seems the staff here is more diligent when you’re away.”

Leaning back casually, Yan Ziqi crossed his legs. “Actually, I asked them to leave it a little messy before, to put on a show for outsiders.”

Li Ning’an had managed to steal his private seal and send a letter to Uncle Ge, all thanks to Yan Ziqi’s cooperation.

Today’s move would surely raise suspicion among many. As for Li Ning’an, she must have sensed something long ago; otherwise, she wouldn’t have suggested he go to the border. Though they often bickered, she would never send him to die.

Yan Ziqi hadn’t seen her like this in a long time. Ever since she fell for Fu Minglang, she had stopped engaging in activities like horseback riding and archery.

“You haven’t ridden in a while, have you?”

Li Ning’an scoffed, “One of these days, let’s have a match. I’m certain I won’t lose.”

After leaving the Duke of Ding’s residence, Li Ning’an began planning a way to meet her uncle, the Prince of Jing. His execution was imminent, and he was under tight watch—his captors feared that remnants of his faction might try to rescue him and attempt another coup.

She’d thought of many plans but found flaws in each, pondering until the Northern Yue envoys arrived in the capital. So, she decided to act today.

To welcome and guard against the Northern Yue delegation, the palace would certainly assign additional manpower. This meant the guard around her uncle would be less stringent.

As the steward brought the tea and refreshments, he leaned toward Yan Ziqi and whispered, “Young lord, after such a long journey, perhaps you should change into fresh clothes.”

Since he’d soon be going to the palace to see the Emperor, Yan Ziqi thought he should indeed change.

“Wait here for a moment; I’ll be back soon.”

“Alright.” Li Ning’an relaxed, treating the place like her own Changle Palace.

When Yan Ziqi returned, Li Ning’an noticed he was now wearing a sky-blue robe, his hair tied with a jade crown, exuding a suave elegance.

Yan Ziqi asked the steward to leave them, signaling that there was no need to serve them here.

Seeing Yan Ziqi had something on his mind, Li Ning’an asked her maids, Hongxiu and Xing’e, to stay back in the palace, so there was no need for anyone to leave.

“What’s going on?” Li Ning’an inquired.

Yan Ziqi replied, “I suspect that General Tong never even entered the capital with the Northern Yue envoys.”

Li Ning’an looked puzzled. “What do you mean?”

Indeed, when General Tong alighted from the carriage, he was wearing a mask and was thoroughly covered.

“Didn’t you verify his identity when you arrived?”

Li Ning’an doubted Yan Ziqi would make such a careless mistake.

“Well, they captured General Tong, so we have no leverage.”

Though the matter was serious, Yan Ziqi remained calm.

“Do you know where General Tong might be?”

Shaking his head, Yan Ziqi said, “I’m merely suspicious. He eats, sleeps, and even relieves himself in the carriage. We never once saw his face, only a figure and a voice that resembled his.”

General Tong’s own son hadn’t noticed anything amiss; Yan Ziqi’s suspicion alone was remarkable.

The only reason Great Qi had agreed to the Northern Yue envoys was to save face and retrieve General Tong. After all, his life hung by a thread in their hands.

Yan Ziqi then shared his next concern, “I also suspect that the person claiming to be Chi Jin might not actually be the real prince.”

Li Ning’an rose abruptly. “Do you realize what you’re suggesting?”

She had initially planned to tell Yan Ziqi about her father’s condition and ask him to help search for the Dragon’s Bloom.

Now Yan Ziqi was telling her that the Northern Yue prince might be an imposter.

“No one has ever actually seen the real Chi Jin prince, not even on the battlefield.”

Traveling and dining with him for so long, Yan Ziqi had noticed several inconsistencies. He found it strange that the prince would send an imposter—or perhaps he was overthinking.

Li Ning’an sat back down. “I also have something to tell you.”

She revealed the details of her father’s poisoning to Yan Ziqi.

Now it was Yan Ziqi’s turn to stand up in shock. “The Emperor actually told you?”