Yuan Qing regained his senses only after Prince Gong’s Consort’s silhouette disappeared into the snowy curtain. After another moment of daze, he turned toward Chongzheng Hall. With only an hour until dawn, Lin Zhang and others in the side hall still hadn’t reached a decision. This was an urgent matter that couldn’t be delayed.
Yuan Qing hurried through the hall doors, only to find Yan Han, who had been sitting, now standing by the western window. The window was open, and his gaze… Yuan Qing’s steps faltered, his eyes darkening. The Emperor was looking in the direction where Prince Gong’s Consort had just departed.
The winter wind howled outside while the hall remained warm, yet the Emperor’s expression was full of desolation, making Yuan Qing increasingly uneasy. After a pause, Yuan Qing softly said, “Your Majesty, Commander Lin, and the others are still waiting for you in the side hall…”
Yuan Qing’s voice instantly called back Yan Han’s wandering spirit. His brows trembled, the melancholy dispersing from his demeanor. He suddenly seemed to don an armor of frost, showing no emotion. Yuan Qing’s heart quivered, thinking he had spoken wrongly, but the next moment, Yan Han turned around and said, “Summon Lin Zhang.”
Yuan Qing’s tense nerves relaxed, and he immediately acknowledged the order and left. Shortly after, Lin Zhang and the others returned to the main hall.
Lin Zhang said, “Your Majesty, we have completed our deliberations. Here are the details—”
A Ministry of War official presented a memorial. Yuan Qing received it, and after Yan Han reviewed it, he nodded. “Proceed with this for now. Dawn approaches, make haste with the arrangements.”
Hearing this, Lin Zhang immediately departed. Yan Han carefully examined the details and added, “The Duke of Weiguo will serve as Commander-in-Chief. I’ll assign you a military advisor. Prince Cheng has long wanted military experience; this time, let him learn well under the Duke of Weiguo.”
This meant Prince Yan Qi would accompany the army to Yingzhou.
With the Emperor’s decree, none dared disobey. Yan Han continued, “Have Prince Cheng come to the palace. At this hour, he must already know what has transpired.”
Yuan Qing nodded and walked to the door to relay orders, but just as he opened his mouth, an Imperial Guard ran frantically to the hall!
“Lord Yuan! Lord Yuan, something’s happened!”
Yuan Qing frowned. “Why such shouting?! Do you know where you are?!”
“Lord Yuan! A major incident! The people from Yongci in the Western Garden… they’ve escaped!”
Yuan Qing froze. He hadn’t misheard the guard’s mention of “Yongci.” Realizing the gravity of the situation, Yuan Qing immediately asked, “What?! You mean… Prince Rui’s Consort is missing?!”
Yuan Qing lowered his voice, and the guard immediately nodded. “Yes! The Consort and her maid are gone! Over a dozen Imperial Guards were knocked unconscious and left in the courtyard. Judging by their injuries, it was the work of skilled martial artists, executed with precision…”
Yuan Qing’s heart began racing wildly. However, since Qin Wan’s deception and imprisonment weren’t widely known, Yuan Qing quickly turned and went inside, walking straight to Yan Han’s side to whisper a few words. Yan Han had been reviewing the troop deployment details, but he hadn’t expected such news at this moment! His expression immediately changed!
Zhao Yu should have returned to the palace two hours ago. Yan Han had been pondering this when the unexpected military report arrived, disrupting all his plans. After much bustle, Prince Gong’s Consort entered the palace, and before the troop deployment details were finalized, news of Qin Wan’s disappearance arrived.
Someone had rescued Qin Wan! And they had done it silently! Who could it be?!
There weren’t many who would risk death by causing trouble in the palace for Qin Wan’s sake, and with Zhao Yu still not returned, Yan Han could almost certainly determine who was responsible. He clenched his fist within his imperial robe sleeve, rage swirling in his eyes. Narrowing his gaze, he ordered, “Immediately investigate all palace gates. If he took someone out, he wouldn’t keep them within the palace. If he had a way in, he surely had a way out. Have Lin Xie lead men to Prince Rui’s mansion—”
As Yuan Qing turned to leave after these words, Yan Han suddenly called, “Wait—”
Yuan Qing turned back. “What are Your Majesty’s orders?”
Storm clouds of fury rolled in Yan Han’s eyes. “Bring those two who delivered the military report!”
Yuan Qing blinked, and Yan Han added, “First give the orders, then summon the people!”
Yuan Qing came to his senses and quickly left the hall, first ordering an investigation of all palace gates, then commanding that the Yingzhou soldiers who had gone to rest in the Imperial Guard barracks be summoned. The messages were delivered swiftly, and responses came just as quickly, along with the captain of the Western Palace Gate guard!
Upon entering the hall, the captain knew something was wrong, and after he finished speaking, Yan Han’s eyes became as cold as ice daggers.
Yuan Qing looked at Yan Han. “Your Majesty, what should we do now?”
Yan Han was squinting, deep in thought, when suddenly a young eunuch returned in panic, “Your Majesty, the two men are missing from the Imperial Guard barracks!”
All these changes had come too swiftly. Yan Han turned to look at the graying dawn sky through the window, his lips pressed tightly together. After a while, he spoke in a cold, deep voice, “He must have already left the city. Recall Lin Zhang. Let the troops that have already departed continue, but have those scheduled to leave at noon wait!”
Yuan Qing nodded in acknowledgment. After giving the orders and returning to the hall, he found Yan Han’s face as cold as frost.
“Your Majesty, was it Prince Rui? Where would he go? Shuoxi? With Prince Rui’s departure, Your Majesty’s grand plans are ruined…”
Yan Han gave a cold laugh. “It’s merely another added to the ranks of treason!”