Chapter Fifty-Two: Stubbornness

Yan Zhan slept through the entire night, but her rest was uneasy, plagued by nightmares that lingered until dawn. When she finally awoke, she found herself lying in bed. Startled, she quickly turned to look for Zhongli Yu, and saw him still lying motionless beside her. Hastily, she reached out to touch his palm, discovering a trace of warmth. Only then did her tense heart settle somewhat.

“Soul Departure,” she called toward the door.

“Madam, you’re awake? Soul Departure and Mist Departure have gone to rest; it’s now my turn and Thunder Departure’s to keep watch,” Shadow Departure replied from outside.

“How long have I slept?” Yan Zhan glanced at the brightening sky, realizing she must have slept for quite some time.

“Madam, you slept through the entire night,” Shadow Departure answered respectfully.

“Has there been any movement from the master during that time?” Though she knew the answer, she couldn’t help but ask, clinging to a sliver of hope.

“None, madam. You haven’t eaten since you arrived, so I’ll bring you food at once.” With those words, Shadow Departure vanished.

Yan Zhan had been traveling for days without a proper meal. Since arriving here, she hadn’t even taken a sip of water. Now, hunger gnawed at her. Judging by Zhongli Yu’s condition, he was not yet dead. In modern times, she’d acquired some knowledge of forensics—she could distinguish between the living and the dead. Though Zhongli Yu was silent and still, after a day and night, there was no sign of coldness or livor mortis, so her heart was somewhat at ease. She simply waited for Grandpa Meng to arrive, confident his expertise would reveal the truth.

“Madam, General Liang Ruhai and several other generals request an audience,” Thunder Departure announced from outside just as Yan Zhan finished her meal, the visitors evidently having waited for some time.

“Let them in,” Yan Zhan said.

Led by Liang Ruhai, the generals entered, hurriedly paying their respects upon seeing her.

“No need for formalities,” Yan Zhan gestured for them to rise.

“Madam, how is the prince’s condition?” Liang Ruhai glanced at Zhongli Yu, speaking cautiously.

“I don’t know,” Yan Zhan replied, shaking her head helplessly.

The generals exchanged uneasy glances, unsure what to say—never before had they heard of a case where even the state of life or death was unclear.

“Since you’ve seen him, you may take your leave,” Yan Zhan said, uninterested in entertaining them further.

“Yes, madam,” the generals replied, not daring to linger. With battles just ended, they had much to attend to. Yet with Zhongli Yu’s fate uncertain, their hearts were troubled, especially those generals who had been captured—they sincerely hoped Zhongli Yu would survive and not perish for their sake.

Yan Zhan remained by Zhongli Yu’s side day and night, watching him closely. He was unchanged—silent, unmoving. Thus, three days passed, and suspicion grew outside that Prince Chun was already dead, with the princess unable to accept it and refusing anyone near. Anxiety spread among the people; the ancients believed the dead should be laid to rest—prolonged delay was disrespectful.

“General Liang, please persuade the princess. This cannot go on,” Liu An finally approached Liang Ruhai in distress. They mourned Prince Chun’s passing, but it was unacceptable not to give him a proper burial.

“How can I persuade her? The princess insists the prince lives—we are powerless,” Liang Ruhai replied, equally troubled.

“General, Prince Lan and Prince Jin have arrived. They’re at the city gates now,” a guard reported as the two men wrestled with the dilemma.

“Quickly, let’s go out to welcome them,” Liang Ruhai and the others hurriedly straightened their attire and made their way out.

Prince Yi Lan and Prince Yi Jin arrived at Wangcheng after days of arduous travel, having pressed on day and night for five and a half days. Upon entering the city, they found Liang Ruhai and the generals, forgoing pleasantries to inquire directly about the situation. Hearing the reports, they grasped the general outline and went straight to Zhongli Yu’s lodging.

“Madam, Prince Lan and Prince Jin have arrived,” Soul Departure announced, seeing the urgency in their faces as they approached Yan Zhan.

Before Yan Zhan could respond, the two princes entered directly. She stepped forward to greet them, but they ignored her, moving straight to the bedside. They felt Zhongli Yu’s pulse, both shaking their heads in disappointment. Despite having prepared themselves mentally, seeing him lying silent and still before them brought a wave of sadness—it seemed they had arrived too late. Their father would be disappointed.

“What’s going on? If Prince Chun has passed, why hasn’t the body been sent to the capital for burial?” Prince Yi Lan spoke first, glancing back and pausing as he saw Yan Zhan standing nearby, realizing perhaps the servants hadn’t had time to report her arrival.

Prince Yi Jin also looked at Yan Zhan, a hint of pity in his eyes. He, too, believed Zhongli Yu was dead.

“He isn’t dead—why should he be buried?” Yan Zhan frowned, angered by the ignorance of these ancient men. Could a corpse remain unchanged for days?

“Prince Chun has no pulse, no breath—how can he still be alive? Princess, why deceive yourself?” Prince Yi Lan regarded the beautiful woman before him, his tone softening.

“I know whether I deceive myself or not. Please, Prince Lan, do not curse my husband,” Yan Zhan said calmly.

“You...” Prince Yi Lan was momentarily at a loss. He had never seen such a bold woman, daring to speak to him this way.

“Princess Chun, we understand that you cannot accept this cruel truth. We, too, mourn Prince Chun’s passing, but you cannot continue like this. If you do, Prince Chun will not rest in peace,” Prince Yi Jin said gently.

“I told you, he’s not dead. Why won’t you believe me? Both princes have traveled far—please rest now,” Yan Zhan had no patience for further argument.

“You... truly, ah,” Prince Yi Jin was also at a loss for words, never having met such a stubborn woman. “You two, try to persuade her. This cannot be allowed to drag on,” he instructed Soul Departure and Mist Departure who had followed him in.

The two exchanged glances, saying nothing, conflicted within.

Prince Yi Lan and Prince Yi Jin left, exhausted after their days of travel, determined that once they had rested, they would send someone to return Prince Chun’s body to the capital. That was their resolve.

Later that afternoon, Divine Physician Meng arrived in Wangcheng, accompanied by Qingyun, Lanyun, Lanxiang, Lanyu, and Lanxue. The guards, upon hearing that the princess’s maidservants and Divine Physician Meng had come, hurriedly opened the gates and escorted them straight to Yan Zhan’s residence.

“Grandpa Meng, you’re here!” Yan Zhan, seeing Divine Physician Meng, felt as though she had seen her savior. Excitement made her voice tremble—it was this endless vigil that unsettled her more and more.