Chapter 9: Thereafter: Heartless Falling Blossoms

“General Yan, this is a welcoming gift prepared in advance by our Heir Apparent to congratulate you on your triumphant return.” Qin An bowed to the side, while the maids beside her held various brocade boxes overflowing with jewels that nearly dazzled the eyes.

South Sea pearls, emerald jade bracelets, ruby necklaces… each one was a treasure she had carefully selected from her private collection.

Her gaze swept over these exorbitantly priced jewels, and Yan Yiqing stepped forward half a pace, saying with a half-smile, “The Heir is quite generous.”

On her journey south from Youzhou, Yan Yiqing had encountered many displaced refugees. Only after questioning them did she learn that last year’s locust plague in the southeast had halved the harvest, yet the court’s land taxes remained unchanged. With corpses littering the fields, corrupt local officials turning a blind eye, and the people having nowhere to appeal, they had been forced to flee.

It was the same land, the same people of Great Yong, yet the nobles of Yanjing could squander a fortune—just as a congratulatory gift.

Seeing Yan Yiqing’s lips curve upward, Qin An assumed she was delighted with the gifts she had chosen. She stepped forward with a sandalwood painting box in her hands. “General, this painting was personally created by the Heir Apparent.”

Yan Yue, who had been listless until then, had her expression change abruptly upon hearing this.

Rumors said Zhao Huaijin was extremely dissatisfied with the marriage, so what did it mean that she had proactively sent a painting? What exactly was the Zhao family plotting?

“The Heir Apparent’s paintings are priceless, and you’re giving one away as a mere welcoming gift?” Yan Yue asked, half-serious and half-teasing.

Yan Yiqing took the painting box, a faint flicker of scrutiny and disgust passing through her eyes, undisturbed by Yan Yue’s teasing.

Unlike the other gold- and gem-encrusted brocade boxes, this one was plain sandalwood, surrounded by a faint ink fragrance.

Breathing in that lingering ink scent, Yan Yiqing inexplicably opened the box and slowly unrolled the painting.

Towering mountains in grand style, peaks layered upon peaks shrouded in mist. Distant summits rose majestically, while nearby streams flowed gently; amid the mountains loomed a solitary city, its banners snapping in the wind atop the walls.

Her fingers gripping the scroll tightened until they turned white, and Yan Yiqing’s pupils contracted slightly.

This was… Youzhou City.

The scenery in the painting was all too familiar: the peaks she gazed at daily during drills, the streams where she and her soldiers fetched water. And the isolated city was the Youzhou she had sworn to defend to the death.

But more than that—

What struck her most was the painting’s mood.

Amid the vast mountains and waters emanated an indescribable solitude and resilience, perfectly mirroring her mindset over these years guarding the border.

After clearly seeing the painting’s content, Yan Yue pressed her lips together, her gaze darkening.

Seeing the two sisters engrossed, Qin An lowered her head and chuckled inwardly: Hah, this is just the beginning. Our Heir Apparent excels in all six arts of the gentleman.

Though each sister harbored her own thoughts, their impression of Zhao Huaijin shifted subtly at the same time.

“With the gifts delivered, I won’t disturb the General further.” Qin An cupped her hands and took her leave.

Though Yan Yiqing had no idea what medicine Zhao Huaijin was selling in her gourd, she knew not to hit a smiling face. She rolled up the painting and frowned as she said, “Convey my thanks to the Heir Apparent.”

“Yes.” After the formalities, Qin An departed from the Yan Mansion.

Her fingertips brushed over the dazzling treasures, and Yan Yue picked up a glass peacock hairpin from the corner, raising an eyebrow. “As expected of a first-rank Duke’s mansion. These welcoming gifts from her could buy a four-courtyard estate in the most prosperous district.”

“And this?” Yan Yiqing casually lifted the painting scroll and asked.

Yan Yue glanced sideways at her and silently held up five fingers.

“Five hundred taels?” Yan Yiqing placed the scroll back in the box, clicking her tongue in amazement. “Silver really does flow like water in Yanjing. But… would anyone really spend five hundred taels of silver on this painting?”

Yan Yue shook her head lightly.

“I knew it was just hype. Who would spend that much silver on her painting?” With a light snort, Yan Yiqing reached for the box’s lid.

“No, five hundred taels of gold.”

With a thud, the sandalwood lid fell to the ground.

“You’re not teasing me, right, Big Sister?” Yan Yiqing’s gaze toward the scroll shifted as she asked curiously, “His painting skills are indeed good, but five hundred taels of gold…?”

Five hundred taels of gold equaled five thousand taels of silver.

Five thousand taels of silver, if used frugally, could cover half a month’s pay for the Youzhou Guard.

“Face like carved jade, top scholar of six examinations, legitimate son of Duke Rui—before even coming of age, already a fourth-rank official. Zhao Huaijin’s future is limitless.” Yan Yue sat down by the stone table, picked up the gilded wine pot, and poured Yan Yiqing a cup of light wine. “Countless noble ladies would splurge a fortune on her. A personal work from the Heir Apparent? Five hundred is underselling it.”

Yan Yiqing had no interest in the person Zhao Huaijin, and most of what she knew was hearsay, so she hadn’t realized her “nominal spouse” was so popular.

No wonder—

Her Highness was so worried she might back out.

“I don’t like her, not now, and not in the future.” Yan Yiqing set down the painting box carelessly and said.

“What about her?” Yan Yue asked.

“I’ve never met her before. Our first encounter was today on Zhuque Street.” Knowing Yan Yue was still thinking about that painting, Yan Yiqing shrugged, her voice lazy. “Whatever her intentions, I’ll meet force with force and water with earth.”

Dali Temple Vice Minister wasn’t an idle post; that landscape painting would take at least a month to complete, and the imperial marriage decree had come just over a month ago. This proved Zhao Huaijin had begun preparing this gift shortly after the decree.

From what she knew, Zhao Huaijin had never shown such attentiveness to anyone.

“I want to sell this painting.”

Yan Yue was slightly stunned. “You’re going to sell the painting?”

“Big Sister, this is five hundred taels of gold.” Yan Yiqing raised her wine cup. Though she didn’t spell it out, her eyes were frank enough—they needed the money, or rather, the Youzhou Guard did.

“The Heir Apparent’s paintings have never circulated outside. If you sell it, she’ll know soon enough…”

“So what if she knows? I don’t care what she thinks.” If Zhao Huaijin took a dislike to her because of it, that would be ideal—mutual disdain meant no need for phony devotion after marriage.

Hearing this, Yan Yue thought to herself: Truly, the flowing water is willing, but the falling blossoms heartless. I wonder who that woman is who so captivates Qing’er. I really should thank her properly…

“Peach Flower Drunk?” Yan Yiqing raised an eyebrow after sipping the clear wine.

Gathering her thoughts, Yan Yue poured herself a cup as well.

“Yes, knowing you were returning to the capital, the Peach Flower Drunk was prepared early.”

“As expected, it’s still Her High—” Under Yan Yue’s gaze, Yan Yiqing smiled and changed her words. “Big Sister who dotes on me the most.”

“The Second Prince was enfeoffed last year, Uncle was promoted to Minister of War, and with you holding the Youzhou Guard, His Majesty fears the military power in Prince Gong’s faction. That’s why he tacitly allowed the Empress to decree the marriage.” Turning to serious matters, a shadow fell over Yan Yue’s picturesque brows, and she said gravely, “Given the current situation, you’ll have to endure the Si Nong Temple Junior Minister post for a while.”

“In others’ eyes, Prince Gong’s mansion and the Yan family are as close as lips and teeth. Little do they know… only when His Majesty targets Prince Gong will Prince Gong’s people push me into the Ministry of War.” Yan Yiqing toyed with her glass cup and lifted her eyes. “With you as Princess Gong Consort, Big Sister, the Si Nong Temple Junior Minister role is just a strategic retreat—and moreover—”

“You want to reopen the military pay case from back then?”

“Yes.” A fierce glint flashed in her eyes before calming, and Yan Yiqing’s voice cooled. “Do you still remember those two hellish months, Big Sister?”

Yan Yue said softly, “I’ll never forget them in this lifetime.”