“Spread the word — say this Consort has fallen ill from the journey.” Noble Consort Ya lay down and waved a hand.

“Also, arrange for a visit to the Fenglan Inn tomorrow. If the Empress won’t let me have an easy time of it, then her people won’t get one either!”

“Yes.” The maid bowed and went to untie the curtain around the bed.

“Rest well, Your Highness. This servant knows what to do.”

The next day, around noon, Noble Consort Ya took several dozen men and horses and headed toward the Fenglan Inn.

The fighting outside had already dragged on for some time, and only a scattered few common folk remained on the main street.

Many shops had shut their doors tight; the Fenglan Inn was one of the very few still open for business.

As Noble Consort Ya made her grand, ostentatious way down the street, the common folk watched the woman in the palanquin, clustering together in twos and threes.

Word reached the Fenglan Inn, and the innkeeper led his people out to receive her.

“Make way!” A guard ran ahead, shouting. “It’s Noble Consort Ya herself — clear the way, quickly!”

The staff scattered back, opening a path.

“This humble one greets Your Highness.” The innkeeper knelt down.

The rest all knelt as well, calling out in unison, “This humble one greets Your Highness.”

“Rise. Ahem—”

Supported by two palace maids, Noble Consort Ya stepped on the back of one maid and descended from the palanquin.

She kept a hand pressed to her lips, coughing now and then, looking rather frail.

“We thank Noble Consort Ya for her grace!” Everyone bowed once more and rose.

“Don’t be so quick to feel grateful.” The guard snorted coldly. “Her Highness has received a secret report that a criminal is hiding here.”

“Hand the criminal over at once! Lest the innocent be harmed.”

“This humble one does not understand what Your Highness means.” The innkeeper cupped his hands and looked up.

“The Fenglan Inn has stood in the Feng Clan’s lands for over twenty years, always keeping to its proper conduct and never breaking the law.”

“This humble one dares to ask — what does Your Highness mean by this?”

“Harboring a criminal, aiding a criminal’s escape — is that not against the law?” Noble Consort Ya coughed again, agitated.

“Do you truly believe you can hide the truth from Heaven itself?”

“Your Highness, you’re unwell — perhaps you should return and rest,” the maid said, looking anxious.

Noble Consort Ya flicked her sleeve, staring at the man before her, brow tightening.

“With the Imperial Family in crisis, how could I possibly rest easy? Today, if you do not hand over the criminal, don’t blame me for showing no mercy!”

“There is no criminal here — how could we hand one over?” The innkeeper looked at Noble Consort Ya, neither servile nor defiant.

“Does Your Highness know what the Fenglan Inn truly stands for?”

“Heh—” Noble Consort Ya shook her head. “You all think that with the Empress backing you, you can do as you please?”

“If not for your help in the Night Prince’s escape, the Feng Clan wouldn’t be in such turmoil today.”

“Men! Dig three feet into the ground if you must — find the criminal!”

“Wait!” The innkeeper spread his arms wide. “Your Highness, this humble one truly does not understand why you would slander the Empress.”

“And what this humble one is speaking of isn’t the Empress at all — it’s that this place isn’t merely an inn, it’s the people’s home.”

“Unless there is an Imperial decree, no one shall be allowed to tear it down!”

“Rebellion!” the guard sneered coldly. “Who do you think you are, to speak to Her Highness like this?”

Dozens of soldiers raised their spears and surrounded the front of the inn.

Suddenly, a crowd came rushing out from the side door of the inn.

Among them were old and young, men and women, all dressed plainly.

“Who are you people?” the guard demanded, staring at those blocking the way.

“We are all poor folk the Fenglan Inn has taken in,” an elder stepped forward and said.

“The Fenglan Inn’s business is our business!”