Bai Feng wore a Royal Guard uniform, and with his helmet on, Bai Ying almost failed to recognize him.
Seeing it was her brother, the tension in Bai Ying’s heart was instantly released. She immediately grabbed Bai Feng’s hand and said, “The Princess sent me to Shou Kang Palace for help. She’s still imprisoned in the North Courtyard. Brother, why are you here? Where is the Prince? Is he safe?”
Bai Feng also appeared relieved, “The Prince is safe. He’s currently in Shou Kang Palace. We entered the palace specifically to rescue the Princess.”
Upon hearing this, Bai Ying felt completely at ease, though she asked, “The Prince is in Shou Kang Palace?”
Bai Feng nodded, “The Prince came for two reasons: first to find the Princess’s whereabouts, and second to bid farewell to the Empress Dowager. However, our people just searched Shou Kang Palace thoroughly but couldn’t find the Princess. We were getting worried when we saw you approach. Is the Princess safe now?”
Bai Ying quickly nodded, “She’s safe… just worried about the Prince.”
The siblings concealed themselves behind artificial mountains and bamboo groves. Though snow fell heavily, this was no place for conversation. Seeing the next patrol approaching, Bai Feng grabbed Bai Ying’s shoulders and helped her up the high wall, then leaped over into the palace grounds himself. The entire Shou Kang Palace was in slumber, with only a faint yellow light burning in the Empress Dowager’s rear hall.
In the rear hall, Lady Chen’s eyes were red as she watched Yan Chi kneeling on the ground. Her voice trembled, “Your Highness… how has it… how has it come to this? Tonight is your wedding night, you…”
The Empress Dowager lay pale on her bed, barely breathing. Yan Chi gazed at her with heavy eyes and took her frantically grasping hand, “Grandmother, your grandson is unfilial. Things have come to this point, and I have no other choice.”
The Empress Dowager’s throat made rasping sounds before she finally spoke, “You… you just go… Grandmother understands.”
Hearing these words, Yan Chi’s expression shifted slightly, though he couldn’t quite discern the Empress Dowager’s meaning. She gripped his hand tightly, “Good… good child, go… go find Wan girl… from now on… never… never need to… return…”
Tonight was Yan Chi’s wedding night, and Lady Chen couldn’t comprehend why he would break into Shou Kang Palace. More puzzling was how Empress Dowager seemed to have anticipated this, showing no surprise, and why she told Yan Chi to never return. What exactly had happened?
Hearing the Empress Dowager’s words, waves of emotion surged in Yan Chi’s heart. If the Empress Dowager hadn’t learned of the Emperor’s secret, how could she say such things?
How did the Empress Dowager know? Yan Chi instinctively grew suspicious, but now was not the time to question these matters.
Yan Chi had rarely stayed long in the capital since childhood. If he had any emotional bonds, they were only with the Empress Dowager and Prince Gong’s wife. Yet ironically, these two were both close relatives of the Emperor and more ironic still was that in the current situation, he could only use them to break through this predicament. Yan Chi had thought passing the Empress Dowager’s scrutiny would be extremely difficult, but unexpectedly, she had already seen through everything.
Grief welled up in Yan Chi’s heart. Just as he was about to speak, he suddenly heard bird calls from outside the window. In such heavy snow, no birds would dare show themselves – it was Bai Feng’s signal, indicating he had found Qin Wan’s whereabouts. Yan Chi’s heart jolted, and he quickly said, “Grandson is unfilial. Please take care of yourself, Empress Dowager. When I return to Shuo Xi, I will pray for you daily. If there comes a day, grandson will return to beg your forgiveness…”
Speaking thus, Yan Chi released the Empress Dowager’s hand and knocked his head against the ground three times forcefully.
After completing the kowtow, Yan Chi stood up, stepped backward, and turned to leave the rear hall. Lady Chen, tears brimming in her eyes, looked helplessly between Yan Chi’s retreating figure and the tearful Empress Dowager on the bed. Yan Chi quickly left the rear hall, and just as he was about to go meet with Bai Feng, he suddenly noticed a small figure standing under the corridor eaves.
By now, Shou Kang Palace was under curfew, with all servants retired for the night. Yan Chi turned toward the figure and, approaching, saw Yan Sui’s face, pale from the cold. Yan Chi hadn’t seen him when he arrived, proving he had just come out. Yet none of Shou Kang Palace’s servants had discovered him – how did he know outsiders had arrived?
Yan Chi walked up to Yan Sui, who showed neither fear nor panic nor did he call out. He just stared woodenly at Yan Chi, then glanced behind him.
Yan Chi knew who he was looking for and crouched down, “She’s in the palace. I’m going to take her away. Do you remember what she told you?”
The snow was being blown fiercely under the eaves by the cold wind, but Yan Sui stood motionless, seemingly immune to the cold. After a pause, he slowly nodded. Yan Chi patted his head and his young shoulders, then gestured with his chin for him to return.
Yan Sui bit his lip and turned, walking stiffly for two steps. Hearing Yan Chi’s departing footsteps, he suddenly turned back to look at him. He unconsciously followed for two steps, as if wanting to leave with Yan Chi, but then forcibly stopped himself. After a long moment, he finally turned and quickly walked back to his side hall.
…
Qin Wan waited with intense anxiety.
On such a night, both inside and outside the palace would surely be under strict guard. Though Bai Ying’s martial skills were good, she couldn’t fight against hundreds, especially when the Imperial Guard was fully armed with bows, crossbows, and swords. If encountered, Bai Ying would likely be no match. If Bai Ying were captured, she would lose her only chance.
Outside the high walls, the snow and wind had nearly overwhelmed the ten Royal Guards on duty. If they could move around in the wind and snow, it would be bearable, but standing motionless like this, the cold had penetrated their bones. Except for one or two with exceptionally strong physiques, the others were already dizzy with numb hands and feet.
The snow seeped through their armor and soaked their clothes, taking away what little body heat remained. Soon, even their undergarments froze into hard shells, making rustling sounds with every movement. Several who couldn’t endure any longer simply sat down in sheltered spots, but this only made their heads spin more from the cold. Just as everyone was about to collapse, a group of Imperial Guards suddenly appeared on the palace path in the distance. Seeing them approach, several men’s spirits lifted.
The North Courtyard was remote, with no patrol teams, but this group numbered several dozen – they had come to relieve them.
Several struggled to their feet, watching the newcomers expectantly, but the leading cavalry officer frowned slightly.
“Under whose orders have you come? Commander Lin?”
Bai Feng walked at the front, maintaining a calm expression, “Brothers, you’ve worked hard. Junior Commander Lin sent us. Urgent reports came from Ying Zhou, and Commander Lin has been dispatched by His Majesty on other business. Junior Commander Lin is currently in charge of palace security. Brothers, go rest first, you can return for guard duty after daybreak.”
Hearing this, the cavalry officer relaxed. He hadn’t met Bai Feng before, but if they had claimed to come on Commander Lin’s orders, that would have been suspicious.
The others grew cheerful, with someone even letting out a cheer. Bai Feng led his men to stand outside the courtyard gate, and the cavalry officer waved his hand, preparing to lead his men away. The officer walked in front, unconsciously working his shoulder muscles. However, just as he brushed past one of the Imperial Guard soldiers, the cavalry officer suddenly stopped. The man he passed had his head lowered, his face hidden under his helmet and unclear, but though he was positioned toward the back of the formation, his entire bearing seemed particularly different. The cavalry officer couldn’t quite describe it, but he felt this person couldn’t possibly be just an ordinary soldier. He paused to look at this person for a moment longer, and suddenly, he keenly caught a flash of sharp light in the man’s eyes. The cavalry officer drew in a sharp breath and immediately shouted, “Stop! Who are you?!”
Yan Chi had already passed the cavalry officer and didn’t stop when called, acting as if he didn’t know the officer was addressing him.
The cavalry officer refused to let it go, stepping forward to grab Yan Chi’s shoulder. “I’m talking to you, which battalion are you from…”
As soon as he spoke, the cavalry officer’s hand landed on Yan Chi’s shoulder. However, before he could apply force, a stronger force struck his wrist. The cavalry officer felt only a heart-piercing pain, and before he could react, he was already spinning through the air before being thrown to the ground. In an instant, all the newcomers sprang into action like leopards. The Imperial Guards who were about to leave became like fish on a chopping block, at the mercy of others. After his initial shock, the cavalry officer immediately realized something was wrong, but before he could cry out, an even stronger force struck the side of his neck. The cavalry officer’s eyes suddenly bulged, and he couldn’t even make a sound before closing his eyes.
“Clean this up thoroughly and drag them into the courtyard.”
Yan Chi gave the order and said nothing more, striding into the courtyard.
Inside the room, when Qin Wan heard the commotion, her heart leaped into her throat. If it were just a changing of the guard, the newcomers wouldn’t enter the courtyard. Either they were coming to interrogate the two of them or Bai Ying had been discovered. Either way, it was extremely unfavorable for her current situation.
Qin Wan had nothing on her person, not even her usual dagger. However, facing the impending danger, she straightened her clothes and sat calmly yet resolutely before the couch.
With a “creak,” the door was pushed open. The wind and snow from outside swirled in, and a tall shadow was cast into the room. Qin Wan sat with a tense back, her face cold and stern. Suddenly, a figure flashed in, and Qin Wan met a pair of eyes filled with concern. She was startled, thinking for a moment she must be dreaming.
Yan Chi hurried to the door, and upon opening it, saw Qin Wan sitting coldly on the couch. His first reaction was joy, but then seeing Qin Wan’s wariness and cold demeanor, his heart ached. He moved even faster, pulling her into his embrace, “Wan Wan—”
Only when Qin Wan leaned against Yan Chi did she come to her senses, “You! How did you enter the palace? Has the Emperor decided to move against us?”
Yan Chi made an affirmative sound, “Zhao Yu was acting on orders, but I saw through it.”
Qin Wan grabbed Yan Chi’s arm tightly, “Then how dare you still enter the palace?”
Yan Chi smiled, raising his hand to adjust the cloak around her, “You’re in the palace – I would brave mountains of swords and seas of fire to come to you.”
Qin Wan was deeply moved, “What do we do now?”
“I’ve already seen the Empress Dowager. We’ll leave the capital tonight.”
Leaving tonight meant the plan had been moved up. Seeing Yan Chi in Imperial Guard clothing, Qin Wan wasn’t sure if he could handle the sudden changes. Yan Chi noticed her worry, “Don’t worry, we’ll succeed.”
Qin Wan felt somewhat reassured, but still couldn’t completely relax. The palace was heavily guarded, and the imperial city was under martial law. How would they leave the palace? How would they escape the imperial city?
“Bai Ying went to Shou Kang Palace…”
“We met her, she’s outside.”
Qin Wan relaxed and quickly asked, “Are we leaving the palace now?”
Yan Chi glanced at the water clock in the corner of the room and shook his head, “Wait another quarter hour.”
At the same time, among the endless stream of people before the Wu Men Gate, a carriage slowly approached.
More and more summoned officials were arriving, and the Imperial Guards guarding the palace gate were all on high alert, not daring to be careless. Seeing the new carriage, the Imperial Guards thought it was another military or civil official arriving, but when the carriage door opened, out stepped a middle-aged woman wearing a plain white cloak. The middle-aged woman wore a hood, her figure slender and graceful. Her face was hidden under the hood and couldn’t be seen, but one could faintly make out an otherworldly cold elegance about her.
Several guard Imperial Guards looked at each other in confusion. So late, and at such a chaotic time, who was this person?
Everyone knew His Majesty had summoned many military officials, but who knew His Majesty had summoned any noble ladies?
Thinking thus, this lady was already approaching, supported by a servant holding an umbrella. The wind and snow howled, but this lady walked unhurriedly, standing out amid the surrounding chaos. Without any waist token or imperial entry permit, the old maid holding the umbrella stepped forward and said, “The Senior Princess Gong requests an audience with His Majesty, please convey the message—”