Though the matron before them was unfamiliar, Qin Wan instantly recognized the Shoukang Palace token she held. Behind her stood two young eunuchs, their faces filled with urgency. Qin Wan hurriedly asked, “What happened to the Empress Dowager? She was fine when I visited the palace days ago.”
The matron immediately replied, “The Empress Dowager took ill this afternoon. There was no particular incident – she suddenly began trembling and collapsed. After we helped her up, she couldn’t speak. The Imperial Physician was summoned and said her wind evil condition had flared up again, but he had no way to treat it. He said we should fetch you, but since today was your wedding day, Matron Chen didn’t dare disrupt the ceremonies. She only had the physicians from the Imperial Medical Academy apply acupuncture. Doctor He gave the Empress Dowager two needles, and by evening she could take her medicine. But just half an hour ago, the Empress Dowager suddenly couldn’t breathe – there was a rattling in her throat, and even acupuncture had no effect. His Majesty is waiting at Shoukang Palace now. Only with his permission did this servant dare come to request your presence. On your wedding day, if not for the Empress Dowager…”
The Empress Dowager’s condition was indeed a wind evil ailment – the symptoms the matron described matched perfectly. Qin Wan grew increasingly anxious. She knew the Empress Dowager’s health had been steadily declining, and while she had hoped getting through this winter peacefully would help, this crisis had struck today of all days. In an instant, thoughts of her wedding night and bridal chamber were pushed aside as she quickly said, “I understand. The Empress Dowager’s condition takes priority. Let me gather my things and we’ll head to the palace immediately.”
The matron nodded, and Qin Wan turned to go inside. “Bai Ying, bring the acupuncture needles.”
She then turned to Yan Chi, “This time seems truly serious. The Empress Dowager had another life-threatening episode just days ago.”
Yan Chi, wearing only a thin robe after his bath, nodded, “With you there, the crisis will surely be averted.” He began changing clothes, and Qin Wan stepped forward to help him dress. Yan Chi paused, looking down as Qin Wan fastened his belt. As he watched, he couldn’t help taking her hand and pressing it to his lips for a kiss.
Qin Wan looked up at Yan Chi, their eyes meeting, both filled with clear understanding.
Meanwhile, Bai Ying had brought out the acupuncture needles. Neither Qin Wan nor Yan Chi delayed further, immediately preparing to enter the palace. Fuling stood bewildered, watching the situation suddenly change. Seeing her state, Qin Wan said, “Don’t worry, go rest early. Just wait for our return.”
Fuling nodded numbly – being new to the prince’s mansion, she felt somewhat lost with both Qin Wan and Bai Ying leaving.
Qin Wan and Yan Chi left together, following the matron outside. Though it had been clear during the day, snow was now falling. Yan Chi pulled up Qin Wan’s hood. After walking a few steps, they could still hear commotion from the main courtyard – while most guests had left, servants were cleaning up after the banquet. Yan Chi led Qin Wan along the covered walkway as a shortcut. When they reached the mansion gates, a carriage was already prepared. However, just as Qin Wan and Yan Chi stepped out, a group of riders suddenly galloped up. Yan Chi looked up to see their leader was none other than Zhao Yu.
The sudden arrival of these horsemen made every one pause.
Zhao Yu was also startled to see Yan Chi and Qin Wan. He quickly dismounted before the mansion and bowed, “Greetings to Prince Rui and the Princess Consort…”
Rising from his bow, Zhao Yu hurriedly asked, “Where are the Prince and Princess Consort headed?”
Yan Chi replied, “The Empress Dowager is critically ill. We’re going to the palace. Why have you come?”
At this question, Zhao Yu’s expression grew serious, “I came to find Your Highness. We’ve discovered traces of the Empress and Crown Prince. I seek Your Highness’s instructions.”
These words sent a shock through both Qin Wan and Yan Chi.
It was certain that Yan Ze was helping the Empress and Crown Prince. Yan Chi had chosen not to ally with Yan Ze, though both sides maintained an unspoken understanding. Yan Chi had thought that with Yan Ze’s help, the Empress and Crown Prince would surely leave the capital safely – so how had their whereabouts been discovered now?
“Where are the Empress and Crown Prince? What have you found?”
Zhao Yu immediately reported, “In the southern part of the city. We found two elderly people from the palace in a civilian residence there. These two have connections to the Empress, but they’re very tight-lipped. We’re interrogating them now and should have information soon. I came to inform Your Highness.”
Zhao Yu had accompanied Yan Chi to escort the bride in the morning, and after attending the wedding ceremony at the prince’s mansion in the evening, he had left. While searching the capital had been a joint effort between him and Yan Chi, with Yan Chi’s wedding, the task had fallen to him alone, so he couldn’t stay long.
Yan Chi’s expression grew serious as he heard this. The earlier Madame Qian had also been in the southern city. While Yan Chi and Qin Wan didn’t know how many people the Empress had at her disposal, if the Empress and Crown Prince were captured, it wouldn’t be good for them… In the current situation, they and the Empress shared common enemies.
As Yan Chi realized this, so did Qin Wan. She quickly grabbed his arm, “You handle this matter first. I’ll go to the palace to treat the Empress Dowager. Both are urgent and can’t wait. After you’ve dealt with this, you can come to the palace to see the Empress Dowager.”
Qin Wan’s words were decisive – firstly, the Empress Dowager’s critical condition couldn’t wait, and secondly, the matter of the Empress and Crown Prince needed to be under their control. Put this way, Yan Chi agreed this was the best approach. He nodded, and after exchanging a look with Qin Wan, she turned to board the waiting carriage.
Bai Ying followed her into the carriage, and at the guard’s whip crack, they set off immediately.
Yan Chi watched the carriage grow distant. With Bai Ying accompanying her, there shouldn’t be any problems, especially since she was going to Shoukang Palace to save the Empress Dowager…
Collecting his thoughts, Yan Chi turned to Zhao Yu, “Where are these two people? I’ll go see them.”
Zhao Yu quickly replied, “In the southern city!”
Yan Chi immediately said, “Lead the way.”
Life’s two greatest pleasures are achieving scholarly success and the wedding night. Naturally, Yan Chi had hoped this wedding night would pass peacefully, allowing him to indulge in romantic bliss. But, whether it was the discovery of the Empress and Crown Prince’s whereabouts or the Empress Dowager’s critical condition, either event represented a variable.
Without further words, Yan Chi ordered guards to bring horses and led a team of secret guards away from the mansion’s main gate.
Sitting in the carriage, Qin Wan’s heart was tightly knotted as she repeatedly urged the driver to go faster. It was now the Hour of Zi, and the imperial road was empty, allowing the carriage to move quickly. Soon they reached the palace gates, where the matron showed her token, and the imperial guards immediately allowed them through. The matron led Qin Wan toward Shoukang Palace, with only the sound of their hurried footsteps breaking the silence. As they neared Shoukang Palace, the matron suddenly slowed and stopped…
Qin Wan raised an eyebrow, about to question this, when she saw a pair of imperial guards walking toward her.
Their serious expressions made it clear they had been waiting for her here.