The decoration of the new house was in a simple, natural wood style, looking very warm and inviting.
The sofa in the living room was comfortable, and Feng Qingyi couldn't wait to sit down as soon as she got home.
After putting away the things in his hands, Qin Yuchuan said, "Didn't you say you wanted to see the study?"
"Help me up!" Feng Qingyi lay motionless on the sofa.
Qin Yuchuan walked over and picked her up, "Come on, let's go see it together."
Feng Qingyi struggled out of his arms, "I just asked you to help me up, not carry me."
They walked into the study together, where a whole wall of natural wood bookshelves looked very soothing.
In the center of the study were two identical desks, separated by a wooden side cabinet.
Feng Qingyi pulled out one of the chairs, "This will be my desk from now on, and the one next to it will be yours. You can even see the view outside from here!"
Qin Yuchuan walked over to Feng Qingyi, "Why don't we go look at the other rooms?"
Feng Qingyi stood up, "Alright."
After touring the whole house, they returned to the living room.
Feng Qingyi took out the snacks they had just bought and placed them on the coffee table, "Honey, what would you like to eat?"
Hearing Feng Qingyi's term of endearment, Qin Yuchuan smiled and said, "I'll have the blue bag."
Feng Qingyi opened the blue bag of marshmallows and fed one into Qin Yuchuan's mouth.
"How is it? Is it sweet?"
Qin Yuchuan pulled Feng Qingyi into his arms and kissed her lips.
Perhaps because he had just eaten the marshmallow, the kiss had a hint of sweetness.
"Very sweet."
Feng Qingyi blushed, "You're so naughty."
...
The war between Tianqi and the Southern Frontier had ended, and it was tradition for the defeated country to send envoys to the victorious one.
Qin Yuchuan and several officials were waiting at the city gate of Shengjing to welcome them.
The leader from the Southern Frontier was Rong Sheng, dressed all in black, riding a brown horse. Even after entering the city, he showed no intention of dismounting.
Qin Yuchuan stepped forward to stop him, "Riding horses on the streets is not allowed in Shengjing. Since General Rong has come to Tianqi, you should follow our rules."
Rong Sheng dismounted, "If that's the case, I'll do as General Qin says. But what about our horses..."
"You need not worry about the horses, General Rong. I will assign someone to take care of them," Qin Yuchuan responded.
Rong Sheng's face remained expressionless, "Then I'll trouble General Qin with that."
After settling the Southern Frontier envoys in the temporary palace, Qin Yuchuan went to report to Xuanyuan Yan.
In Yangxin Hall, Xuanyuan Yan was reviewing memorials. He put down his brush when Qin Yuchuan entered.
"Have the Southern Frontier envoys been properly arranged?"
Qin Yuchuan replied, "They have been settled in the temporary palace."
"The Southern Frontier's sending of envoys this time is surely not just for peace talks. Yuchuan, you'll need to be extra vigilant."
It was common for some incidents to occur at times like these. The war wouldn't resume anytime soon, but annoying the victors and causing some trouble was not uncommon.
Qin Yuchuan was aware of these intricacies, "Your Majesty can rest assured, I will keep a close eye on them."
"With you in charge, I'm at ease. By the way, will your wife be attending tonight's palace banquet?" Xuanyuan Yan suddenly asked.
Although unsure why Xuanyuan Yan suddenly inquired about Feng Qingyi, he answered truthfully, "She's been very busy lately and doesn't have time to come."
Xuanyuan Yan played with a piece of jade in his hand, "I have no more business for now. You may go, but don't be late for the reception of the envoys tonight."
"Then I shall take my leave, Your Majesty."
As darkness fell, the banquet to welcome the Southern Frontier envoys was in full swing in the palace.
In Heyin Hall, lights blazed and music played.
The gift presented by Rong Sheng disrupted this harmonious scene, causing the hall to fall into a solemn atmosphere.
Xuanyuan Yan looked at the female corpse in the crystal coffin in the hall, "May I ask what General Rong means by this?"
"This is our Southern Frontier's holy maiden. We present her to Your Majesty as a sign of our sincerity," Rong Sheng said calmly.
Xuanyuan Yan spoke slowly, "Since this is a gift from the Southern Frontier, Ming Jiu, have the Imperial Astronomical Bureau choose an auspicious day to lay this Southern Frontier holy maiden to rest."
"Since she's been gifted to Your Majesty, of course you may dispose of her as you wish. However, the holy maiden holds an esteemed position in our Southern Frontier. How can she be buried without a name or status? Why doesn't Your Majesty marry her? It would be a beautiful tale of alliance between our two countries. What does General Qin think of this?" Rong Sheng suddenly turned to look at Qin Yuchuan.
Qin Yuchuan raised his wine cup, "Oh? No matter how esteemed your holy maiden's status might be, she's still just a corpse. We in Tianqi have no precedent for ghost marriages."
Ever since the ice coffin had been brought in, Qin Yuchuan had detected a faint, elusive fragrance. He warily glanced at the woman in the ice coffin, deciding to send someone to investigate after the banquet.
The people in the hall were abuzz with discussion. Xuanyuan Yan finally politely declined to accept this so-called Southern Frontier holy maiden. If he had truly accepted, it would have been a laughingstock.
Everyone knew that the Southern Frontier's move was meant to irritate them.
After their defeat, the conquered cities had been fully taken over by Tianqi, which naturally displeased them.
Neither side could go to war again now, and reclaiming those cities was a distant prospect. They could only vent their dissatisfaction in this manner.
Rong Sheng showed no anger at the rejection of his gift, instead drinking freely with the others in the great hall.
As the banquet neared its end, Rong Sheng and his subordinates took their leave, while Qin Yuchuan was summoned to Yangxin Hall.
"Yuchuan, what do you make of today's events?"
Qin Yuchuan was momentarily at a loss, "Perhaps it's just as everyone suspects - they're simply disgruntled."
"I feel it's not that simple. That woman still has some tricks up her sleeve. Have your men keep a close watch," Xuanyuan Yan instructed.
Qin Yuchuan acknowledged, "I understand, Your Majesty."
"You'll have a busy fortnight ahead. Once the Southern Frontier envoys leave, I'll grant you some time off," Xuanyuan Yan said.
In the temporary palace.
Rong Sheng and several others were discussing their strategy, unaware of the person hiding outside.
"General Rong, Tianqi refused to accept that woman. We can't carry out our plan. What should we do?"
Rong Sheng said, "Their refusal was expected. As long as the ice coffin is here, it won't be long before corpses litter this place."
"But won't they suspect us then?"
Rong Sheng smiled wickedly, "It takes time for the effects to manifest. How could they blame us for something that happens after we've left?"
"The general's plan is flawless. We'll surely succeed."
Rong Sheng: "Everyone be cautious these days. Don't give them any reason to suspect us. Be especially wary of those around Qin Yuchuan, and try to avoid direct confrontation with them."
"His Flying Cloud Cavalry is formidable. We've never seen their true face, but they're likely hidden in Shengjing even now."
