In the deep of night, an Imperial Guard walked up from beneath the city wall. “My Lord, Commander Zhao, the interrogation is complete. That person stole something from Mingxiu District in the southern city and tried to smuggle it out during the night’s confusion. We’ve applied torture, and the confession should be genuine.”
After the guard finished speaking, Zhao Yu looked toward Yan Chi. “What does Your Highness think?”
Though Zhao Yu hadn’t been very familiar with Yan Chi before, they had worked together to expose the Northern Wei Prince’s scheme at Wei Mountain, which had established something of a connection. Zhao Yu greatly admired this young general of the Northwest Army – compared to the life-and-death struggles in the Northwest Army, these incidents in the capital were hardly worth mentioning.
Hearing this, Yan Chi said, “The capital has hundreds of districts and countless citizens. The Empress and Crown Prince must have made arrangements before leaving the palace. Now they’re hiding in plain sight, and our search is like looking for a needle in the ocean. We can only rely on the patrol forces to block major routes, but we haven’t truly sealed off everything. The city gates remain the most crucial points – no matter where they’re hiding, they can’t hide for months on end. They’ll have to leave eventually.”
Zhao Yu nodded. “The north has already moved. The Empress and Crown Prince must be anxious.”
Cang Province had fallen under bandit control – though they were called bandits, everyone in court understood what this meant. The Empress and Crown Prince’s escape and rebellion was both a royal scandal and an absurd joke that would shock the world. But now this joke was becoming impossible to conceal.
Yan Chi’s gaze fell on the area below the city gate. At this hour, the curfew was in effect. From this direction, one could see straight toward the imperial city. The night was ink-black, and Yan Chi couldn’t make out the imperial city’s silhouette, yet he was acutely aware of the dangers lurking within.
Though it made sense for the Emperor to suddenly assign him this task, it still seemed somewhat strange. Although Zhao Yu and the others appeared very respectful toward him, and the Emperor had given him sufficient authority, this power could be revoked at the Emperor’s word – the Imperial Guard was, after all, the Emperor’s army.
Yan Chi gazed deeply into the night at Lin’an City. This ancient capital had experienced two hundred years of prosperity but now showed signs of decline. If the Emperor’s secret were revealed to the world, what turmoil would Great Zhou face?!
As Yan Chi was deep in thought, an Imperial Guard suddenly ran up from below the city wall. “Deputy Commander, someone has come from the palace.”
Hearing this, Zhao Yu was slightly surprised – why would someone come from the palace at this hour?
Glancing at Yan Chi, Zhao Yu quickly nodded. “I’ll go down right away.”
With that, he nodded to Yan Chi before descending.
After Zhao Yu left, Yan Chi’s eyes narrowed slightly. Though the task of finding the Empress and Crown Prince had fallen to him, this palace visitor was looking for Zhao Yu. Yan Chi instinctively felt something was amiss. The Emperor had made this decision, and at least appearances had to be maintained. What was this palace visitor here for?
Yan Chi glanced at Bai Feng, who stood not far behind him. Bai Feng nodded, understanding, and followed down.
Yan Chi stood alone atop the city wall. The cold wind was bitter, but he stood straight and tall, seemingly unmoved by the chill. His gaze shifted toward Xingle District. The Loyal and Brave Marquis Manor was just a vague point in the darkness. Yan Chi thought about how he hadn’t seen Qin Wan for over two days and felt somewhat uneasy. The Emperor wouldn’t truly let him control the Imperial Guard, and with the Empress gone from the palace for many days, the Emperor would belatedly realize the possibility of past secrets being revealed. What would he do?
A moment later, Bai Feng came up. “Master, it was someone from Eunuch Yuan’s side.”
Yan Chi narrowed his eyes. Yuan Qing was the Emperor’s most trusted person – his man coming to find Zhao Yu must mean he was delivering an imperial order!
Yan Chi remained silent for a moment. Below the city wall, the palace messenger had come and gone quickly, but Zhao Yu hadn’t come back up.
After a full incense stick’s worth of time, Zhao Yu finally returned. His expression was somewhat stern as he said, “Your Highness, the night is deep. Perhaps you should return to rest?”
Yan Chi looked at Zhao Yu. Where Zhao Yu had been quite open before, at this moment, his eyes showed signs of evasion. Seeing Yan Chi look over, he even lowered his gaze. However, Yan Chi nodded calmly. “Very well. In that case, I’ll return to the manor first.”
Zhao Yu acknowledged and followed behind Yan Chi, personally escorting him down from the city wall.
After Yan Chi rode away, Zhao Yu stood in place for a moment before turning back.
Yan Chi rode swiftly back to his manor. Upon entering, he learned that Qin Wan had visited. His eyes softened, and when he reached the waterside pavilion, he saw the note Qin Wan had left. Naturally, she didn’t dare leave important messages – they contained only a few words of comfort and concern.
Just as Yan Chi finished reading, a sharp whistle sounded outside, followed by a messenger hawk swooping down from the sky. Soon after, Bai Feng entered with a grave expression. “Master, news from the Northwest…”
Yan Chi raised an eyebrow and took the message tube, opening it to read. After just two glances, his brows furrowed tightly.
By the time he finished reading the message’s contents, Yan Chi’s face was dark as water. He quickly ordered, “Send word to Fan Xin immediately, tell him to come to the Prince Manor.”