The traveling palace was built against the mountain, with cliffs behind it. Though a secret door had been opened, normal passage was impossible.

The palace attendant who received Wei Wuxie’s orders was skilled. He nimbly slid down the cliff face, stumbling slightly when he landed.

It had rained heavily the previous night, making the mountain path slippery.

He steadied himself and quickly ran into the thick darkness of night.

Qiao Zhao and Shao Mingyuan were naturally not sleeping at this moment. They both stood by the window, gazing toward the palace buildings where Emperor Mingkang was in seclusion.

The sounds of slaughter carried through the night air. Standing here, they could almost smell the scent of blood. The mountain wind howled against their faces, and despite it being midsummer, a chill still assaulted them.

Shao Mingyuan draped an outer robe over Qiao Zhao’s shoulders, embraced her, and asked gently: “Are you cold?”

Qiao Zhao looked up with a smile: “I’m fine. I guess someone is coming.”

Shao Mingyuan snorted with laughter: “Once His Majesty had this incident, it drew out all the demons and monsters. Now the Jinlin Guards, Golden Guards, Feathered Forest Guards, and the Inner Drill Army under the Eastern Depot’s command are all involved. No matter which side wins, this Qingliang Mountain will be washed in blood.”

Qiao Zhao gazed out the window: “His Majesty is obsessed with cultivation and has delayed establishing a crown prince. Today’s consequences are the result of yesterday’s causes.”

As the two were speaking, Chen Guang reported outside the door: “General, someone from Factory Duke Wei requests an audience.”

Shao Mingyuan and Qiao Zhao exchanged glances, neither surprised.

“Please let him in.”

Shao Mingyuan and Qiao Zhao walked to the flower hall and met the visitor.

The man was about thirty years old with calm eyes and a resolute expression. One could tell at a glance that he had excellent martial skills. Upon seeing Qiao Zhao and her husband, he immediately paid his respects: “Greetings to the Marquis and Madam Marquis.”

“You needn’t be so formal. May I ask what brings you here at this time?”

The palace attendant immediately said, “Prince Mu has persuaded the Jinlin Guards and Feathered Forest Guards, and they are now forcibly breaking into the palace. We cannot hold out much longer on our side, so Factory Duke has sent me to request that the Marquis assist us.”

Shao Mingyuan was silent for a while, then said mildly, “Mm, I wonder how Factory Duke wants this Marquis to assist you?”

The palace attendant quickly glanced at Qiao Zhao: “Madam Marquis has miraculous healing hands. Factory Duke humbly requests that Madam Marquis come over to try to wake His Majesty early, which might stop this palace coup.”

“Absolutely not!” Shao Mingyuan refused categorically. “The danger of a palace coup needs no explanation from this Marquis. No matter what, this is a matter between men. How could this Marquis let my wife take such risks!”

“Marquis, our Factory Duke said that as long as Madam Marquis can come, he will put her safety first. Even if the palace gates are breached, we will promptly send Madam Marquis away through the secret door and will never endanger her safety.”

“But sometimes, human calculations cannot match Heaven’s plans—” Shao Mingyuan’s tone remained unmoved.

He and Qiao Zhao had already reached an agreement. If Wei Wuxie sent someone to request, they would ultimately go with the messenger.

For the sake of lifelong peace in the future, Prince Rui must emerge victorious in this struggle. Taking risks for this was necessary and worthwhile.

But now, Shao Mingyuan naturally could not agree easily.

“Marquis, can you bear to watch Qingliang Mountain run red with blood and see Great Liang’s legitimate rule overturned by rebellious traitors?”

Shao Mingyuan smiled: “This Marquis cannot bear such responsibility. As I said before, struggles for the realm are men’s affairs. No responsibility should fall on my wife’s head.”

“The Marquis speaks correctly, but once Prince Mu succeeds, who knows how many noble officials will be purged. The Marquis’s desire to protect his family’s safety may not be so easy…”

The two went back and forth. Seeing that it was about time, Qiao Zhao finally spoke: “Tingquan, His Majesty is in trouble. As a member of Great Liang, I should indeed do my part. Let me go with this gentleman to take a look.”

Upon hearing Qiao Zhao speak, the palace attendant couldn’t help but breathe a great sigh of relief. His gaze toward Qiao Zhao was almost tearfully grateful.

Factory Duke had already instructed that if he could not bring the Marquis Guanjun’s wife back, then he need not return either—he should just commit suicide directly.

“Then I’ll accompany you.” Shao Mingyuan grasped Qiao Zhao’s hand. Seeing the palace attendant’s lips move as if wanting to say something, he said coldly: “This point is non-negotiable.”

“Very well then. Please, Marquis and Madam, prepare yourselves and come with this humble one.”

The two changed into outdoor shoes and, under the cover of darkness, followed the palace attendant toward the traveling palace.

Though entering from the back mountain presented many difficulties, Shao Mingyuan handled such matters with ease. He carried Qiao Zhao on his back, leaping nimbly like an ape through the mountain forest. It wasn’t long before they met Wei Wuxie.

Upon seeing the two, Wei Wuxie showed a relieved smile: “Finally, the Marquis and Madam Marquis have arrived. Please, both of you, quickly follow this servant.”

Under Wei Wuxie’s guidance, Qiao Zhao soon came face to face with Emperor Mingkang.

Emperor Mingkang lay quietly on the dragon bed, surrounded by layers of gauze curtains, revealing a pale face tinged with blue.

This man, who had once stood at the very pinnacle, now looked no different from any ordinary old man on his deathbed.

Qiao Zhao walked over.

“Madam Marquis, can you see whether His Majesty can wake up early?” Wei Wuxie asked anxiously.

Qiao Zhao placed her hand on Emperor Mingkang’s wrist and remained silent for a long time, pressing her lips together.

Wei Wuxie grew increasingly nervous and couldn’t help raising his sleeve to wipe the cold sweat from his forehead.

Prince Mu’s disturbance had drawn all the imperial guards into such fierce combat—this was something he hadn’t anticipated.

If His Majesty could only wake up two days later, everything would probably be too late.

Time passed bit by bit. Qiao Zhao withdrew her hand and looked at Wei Wuxie: “Factory Duke Wei, how much longer can you hold out outside?”

Before Wei Wuxie could speak, Qiao Zhao emphasized: “Under the circumstances of fighting with all your strength, how long can you resist?”

Wei Wuxie thought for a moment: “At most until around noon tomorrow.”

“That won’t work—that time won’t work.” Qiao Zhao shook her head directly. “At most, I can make His Majesty wake up at dusk tomorrow. Any earlier than that and I’m powerless.”

“But—”

“Factory Duke Wei, I am merely someone who has just entered the path of medicine, not a living immortal.”

Wei Wuxie’s expression changed constantly. After hesitating for a long time, he gritted his teeth: “Fine, then let it be dusk tomorrow!”

Qiao Zhao continued: “Even so, having His Majesty wake up early will still have consequences.”

“What consequences?”

“I mentioned before, didn’t I? Even if His Majesty wakes up, he can only last for a quarter of an hour. If he wakes up early—”

“Could it be that he cannot even last a quarter-hour?”

“That’s not it, but afterward His Majesty will die with blood flowing from all seven orifices. How to explain this to the officials and nobles afterward—that will be Factory Duke’s headache to figure out.”

Wei Wuxie’s expression changed, but in this situation, there was ultimately no other choice. He could only nod: “This servant will find a way to handle that. Now, please, Madam Marquis, administer the needles to His Majesty.”

“Has Factory Duke Wei thought this through?” Qiao Zhao took out her silver needles and confirmed one last time: “Once this needle goes in, there will be no room for change.”

“I’ve thought it through. Please administer the needles, Madam Marquis!”

Qiao Zhao nodded, tightened her grip on the silver needle, aimed at an acupoint on Emperor Mingkang’s head, and pierced it in.

In that instant, Emperor Mingkang’s eyebrows twitched slightly. Wei Wuxie nearly collapsed to the ground, but blinking to see that Emperor Mingkang still looked like a living corpse, he finally recovered.