Chapter 48: The Returning Geese Look Back

After First Snow and Zihua departed, another slightly younger man approached the King of Qi in the rear hall. His features resembled First Snow’s in many ways. The King’s smile faded, and he asked quietly, “Have you seen him off?”

“I personally escorted him out of the palace. Father, do you want little sister to remain in the palace for the time being?”

The King of Qi nodded, but worry lingered in his expression. “We have always spoiled First Snow. Even if I instruct her, she may not listen. Assign more guards to watch over her chambers, and send a few to keep an eye on her in secret. Under no circumstances must she leave the palace at this time.”

“I understand. But why are you so certain that First Snow would be in trouble if she encountered that man? And the capital isn’t small—she may not even meet him if she goes out.”

The King sighed deeply, his face seeming to age in an instant. “I know First Snow too well. That sort of man—even if he says nothing and does nothing—she would approach him on her own. Ultimately, these precautions are merely to prevent the worst.”

The young man bowed his head in acceptance and withdrew. Only then did Mingyue and Qin Shi leave to find First Snow. With past experience, Mingyue was not worried about locating her. In fact, in this Canglan Illusion, no matter how they wandered, they would always find themselves drawn to the storyteller’s side—sooner or later.

First Snow, as the King predicted, was well-behaved at first, but soon began scheming to leave the palace. She confided her plan to Zihua, which was met with fierce opposition. Clearly, Zihua was not as ignorant as she appeared.

Annoyed, First Snow sat on the couch. “What’s wrong with all of you? If the capital isn’t safe, where would be? At worst, I’ll take a few guards along.”

“Princess, please listen to the King this once. Zihua begs you.” Zihua knelt at First Snow’s feet, bowing repeatedly in earnest plea.

First Snow frowned and waved her hand sharply. “Get up, get up! I won’t go out, all right?”

“Thank you, Princess.”

First Snow snorted, then flung the teacup by her bedside in irritation. “Let me be alone for a while!” With that, she yanked the covers over herself and wrapped up tightly.

Zihua obediently withdrew. Mingyue, meanwhile, grimaced—tea had splashed onto her hand, and it was scalding hot. Unable to cry out, she gritted her teeth and shook her hand vigorously, her face contorted in pain. Just then, Qin Shi gently drew her hand to his lips and blew softly.

Mingyue was about to praise Qin Shi when First Snow stirred beneath the covers. Mingyue quickly withdrew her hand and followed as First Snow tiptoed behind the bed. There was a gap between the bed and the wall. First Snow embraced a tall porcelain vase, twisting it with effort until the wall recessed and slid aside, revealing a hidden passage.

Having seen similar mechanisms in Jun Xiao’s chambers, Mingyue was hardly surprised. What puzzled her was how First Snow knew of this secret passage, yet the King and Zihua seemed unaware. If they did know, why hadn’t they guarded it?

Following First Snow, the tunnel led all the way to an inconspicuous dog hole outside the palace wall.

Watching First Snow crawl out with difficulty, Mingyue wrinkled her nose and glanced at Qin Shi. “Do you think you can squeeze through?”

“I’ll give it a try…”

“And what if you get stuck?”

Qin Shi’s face darkened as he considered this possibility. Seeing that First Snow had already made it out, Mingyue followed. She and First Snow were of similar build, so it wasn’t too hard, though both emerged covered in grass and dirt. First Snow was no better, vigorously brushing off her sleeves and skirts. Mingyue tidied herself briefly, unconcerned since no one was there to see. She turned her gaze to Qin Shi’s head just poking out, unable to resist asking again, “Are you sure you can get through?”

Qin Shi’s face grew even darker; his shoulders were much broader than theirs. Mingyue watched him try to squeeze one shoulder through, then the other, his expression growing more sour. First Snow was already preparing to leave. Mingyue, determined not to miss the crucial moment when First Snow would meet the Emperor of Que, pressed her foot against the wall and reached out to pull Qin Shi. “Hurry up, faster.”

Together, they managed to drag Qin Shi out, though Mingyue heard a cracking sound—like a dislocated arm…

Qin Shi gritted his teeth, drew his limp arm from Mingyue’s grasp, and, pressing on his shoulder, popped it back into place.

Mingyue stared in astonishment. “You can do that with one hand?”

“Aren’t you going to follow the lead?” Qin Shi said through clenched teeth.

Mingyue shook herself from her daze, about to pull Qin Shi again but recalling the earlier incident, she hesitated, then hurried after First Snow. First Snow, ever cautious, bought a mask to conceal her face before wandering the city streets. The land of Qi spanned both north and south of the Chu River, though most lay north. The capital where First Snow now wandered was likewise in the north. In time, this northern territory would fall within the domain of Que, but to Mingyue, the scenery now seemed little different from that of Que.

First Snow made her way to the end of the street, when suddenly a child’s voice called, “You dropped your brocade pouch.”

First Snow turned to look and, across the street, saw a man glance back as well.

Out of thousands and thousands of people, I saw only you.

The man didn’t linger, quickly turning away. The pouch was indeed First Snow’s; she held it, returned by the child, and looked toward the direction the man had left.

Though First Snow’s face was hidden by the mask, Mingyue had no doubt she was smiling beneath it, for that man was none other than the Emperor of Que. Had the Emperor come to see the King of Qi? But why such a secretive meeting between nations? Judging by the timeline, the Emperor had not yet conquered Shu, though Zhao and Chu should be nearly his. In other words, the Emperor had been on the throne for less than three years… He should be busy plotting his conquest of Shu, so what was he doing here in Qi, years ahead of schedule?

Qin Shi took the still-dazed Mingyue by the hand and followed after First Snow. She hadn’t wandered far before Zihua came to find her.

“Princess!”

First Snow removed her mask, waving with a smile. “I know, I know. I’ll go back with you now. But don’t tell Father or Brother, all right?”

“Did you meet anyone?”

First Snow lowered her head and handed everything to Zihua, shaking her head in denial. “No, why do you ask?”

“N-no reason.”

Zihua and the other attendants gathered the items and followed First Snow as the group headed back toward the palace. Upon returning, First Snow went straight to her chambers, leaving Zihua confused.

“Princess, aren’t you going to see the King?” Zihua arranged the items in First Snow’s chambers, puzzled.

First Snow lay atop her covers, shaking her head with her face buried, whispering, “If I go see Father now, he’ll find out I snuck out. I’m not that foolish.”

Zihua nodded blankly and withdrew.

Mingyue watched and sighed. “Zihua really is simple—she believes everything First Snow says.”

“What puzzles me more,” Qin Shi said calmly, “is why the King of Qi is so certain First Snow will fall in love with the Emperor of Que. Clearly, Zihua and the others are tense because of the King’s orders.”

“Well, as for that…” Mingyue pouted. “I suppose it’s because the King truly knows First Snow. Look—just one glance at the Emperor and she’s already like this. Honestly, the Emperor has plenty to recommend him—good looks, wealth, power—he’s got it all.”

“And what about you?”

“Me?” Mingyue turned her head, meeting Qin Shi’s calm, dark eyes. “I haven’t been around him long enough to know. Besides, love is troublesome—hardly suits me.”