“What if we can’t hide it?” Consort Li murmured.

Facing life and death, the clothes-fetching maid’s reverence for her mistress had long vanished. She stared fixedly at Consort Li: “At worst, it would be the same result as originally.”

They had been guarding here yet still lost a noble princess—it was impossible they would keep their lives, and even Consort Li would be no exception.

After the clothes-fetching maid’s reminder, Consort Li realized this point too. She bit her lip: “Fine, you hurry and clean up. When dawn comes… if it doesn’t work when dawn comes, we’ll do as you say.”

The night grew deeper, and even the moon in the sky hid behind the clouds. Places without lamplight were pitch black as ink, where one couldn’t see their hand.

Long Ying supported himself against the cold palace wall with one hand, gasping heavily. After resting a moment, he revealed a faint smile.

Perhaps Heaven took pity—it had allowed him to successfully bring the princess out.

“Your Highness, you must hold on,” Long Ying said silently in his heart, then took off running with Princess Zhenzhen on his back.

The streets were empty, the trees on both sides like ghosts, appearing sinister and terrifying in the thick black night.

Long Ying dared not stop for a moment, heading straight for Xingzi Alley on West Main Street.

No matter what, he had to see Third Miss Li.

Since Third Miss Li could give the princess antidote pills, she must have a way to save Her Highness!

After running frantically for an unknown length of time, Princess Zhenzhen, lying on Long Ying’s back, suddenly retched and vomited a mouthful of filth.

The putrid smell instantly filled the air, but Long Ying showed no disgust whatsoever. He didn’t even bother to wipe it clean, continuing his frantic run.

Finally seeing the shadow of Xingzi Alley, a sharp sound suddenly cut through the air.

Long Ying quickly dodged and asked hoarsely: “Who?”

“You don’t need to know who I am. If you’re smart, leave this place and don’t approach Xingzi Alley.”

Long Ying had the critically ill Princess Zhenzhen on his back—at this moment, it was impossible to engage in combat with the other party. He could only force himself to calm down and ask in a low voice: “May I ask if you’re one of Marquis Guanjun’s people?”

Being able to guard near Xingzi Alley, he could only speculate thus.

“That’s not for you to ask. If you don’t leave, I won’t be polite anymore.”

“I am the Ninth Princess’s guard. There’s an extremely urgent matter—I need to see Third Miss Li. Please relay this message for me.”

A sneer came from the darkness: “Are you joking? In the middle of the night, you want to see Third Miss Li?”

Long Ying steeled himself: “The Ninth Princess is right here on my back. She’s barely alive. No matter what, please go report to Third Miss Li. As for whether Third Miss Li will see us or not, that’s entirely up to Third Miss Li to decide.”

“The Ninth Princess is on your back?”

After a moment of silence, the person in the darkness said, “Wait here.”

Binglu, who was sleeping in the outer room on night duty, was awakened by the sound of tapping on the window. She casually grabbed a fire poker for self-defense and walked over, asking in a low voice: “Who is it?”

Being a maid was also hard work—every few days someone climbed up to the young miss’s window. She had to promptly let in people like the General while guarding against perverts trying to take advantage.

“It’s me, Chen Guang.”

The window opened at once. Binglu frowned at Chen Guang, very dissatisfied: “I say, Chen Guang, isn’t this like a guard stealing from his post? The General has you protecting our young miss, yet you climb windows even more frequently than the General!”

Chen Guang smiled bitterly: “Sister Binglu, please don’t speak carelessly. Has Third Miss gone to sleep?”

“What time do you think it is? Of course, she’s asleep! What exactly is the matter?”

“Quickly go tell Third Miss—the Ninth Princess’s guard is outside Xingzi Alley right now with the Ninth Princess. Whether Third Miss will see them or not, please give a quick answer.”

“Ah?” Binglu was stunned upon hearing this.

What was the situation now? Even with her wisdom as a head maid, she couldn’t analyze it.

“Don’t just stand there dazed—go ask quickly,” Chen Guang urged.

“Oh.” Binglu turned and ran into the inner room.

Forget it—the young miss was smarter than her anyway. Better leave it to the young miss.

“Binglu, is something wrong?” Qiao Zhao had been sleeping restlessly these past few days. Hearing the slightest sound, she woke up.

Binglu quickly relayed Chen Guang’s words.

Qiao Zhao sat up abruptly. After thinking briefly, she put on her outer garments and walked out.

“Third Miss,” Chen Guang, outside the window, greeted her with an awkward smile.

Qiao Zhao walked quickly to the window: “Chen Guang, bring them in.”

Chen Guang hesitated: “Should I bring the Ninth Princess’s guard in too?”

Qiao Zhao nodded without hesitation: “Bring them in together. The Ninth Princess is probably in bad shape—I still need to ask about the situation from her guard, Long Ying.”

Chen Guang nodded and quickly disappeared from the window, leaving only the azure banana leaves gently swaying.

Qiao Zhao stood quietly by the window, silently gazing outside.

Binglu had already lit the candles, making the room bright, which made the outside seem even darker.

“Miss, why did you say the Ninth Princess is in bad shape? When the Ninth Princess came to visit you that day, wasn’t she still full of life?” Binglu walked to Qiao Zhao’s side and asked curiously.

“Palace winds and clouds change—you don’t need to ask so much.” Qiao Zhao withdrew her gaze and smiled at Binglu. “Go get the medicine chest, wake A’Zhu to prepare hot water. We’ll probably all have to stay up tonight.”

“Yes,” Binglu asked no more questions and hurried to wake A’Zhu, who was resting in the side room.

Taking advantage of the time before people arrived, Qiao Zhao walked behind the screen to wash her hands, carefully cleaning them while thinking.

Ever since she had asked Jiang Yuanchao to deliver the antidote pill to Princess Zhenzhen, her heart had been suspended, and seeing today’s situation, Princess Zhenzhen hadn’t taken it.

That Long Ying would bring Princess Zhenzhen to find her at this time truly exceeded her expectations.

Soon, light footsteps approached.

“Third Miss, they’re here.”

Long Ying entered the room carrying Princess Zhenzhen. Upon seeing Qiao Zhao, he immediately fell to his knees: “Your Highness is barely alive. Please save Her Highness, Third Miss Li.”

“First, carry her to the bed in the inner room.”

After Princess Zhenzhen was laid down, Qiao Zhao quickly examined her and murmured: “She’s been poisoned for three days. Looking at the onset, did Her Highness just take the antidote?”

Long Ying was about to speak when Qiao Zhao raised her hand to stop him: “Other matters can wait. I need to first use acupuncture to drive out the poison from Her Highness. You all wait outside. A’Zhu and Binglu stay to help.”

Long Ying and Chen Guang quickly withdrew, and Qiao Zhao began working busily with the two maids.

Half an hour later, Binglu came out and said to Long Ying: “Wait a moment. Our miss worked up a sweat treating the princess and will come see you after bathing and changing clothes.”

“How is Her Highness?” Long Ying asked urgently.

Binglu lifted her chin: “With our missing action, naturally, it’s miraculous healing!”

Seeing Long Ying lift his foot to go inside, Binglu spread her arms to block him: “Stop right there! Don’t you have any manners? How can you barge in carelessly?”

“I want to see Her Highness,” Long Ying said with a wooden expression.

A hand fell on his shoulder: “I say, brother, you’d better wait for Third Miss to come out. Don’t make our Third Miss unhappy.”

Long Ying glanced at Chen Guang, frowned deeply, and withdrew his foot.

Soon, Qiao Zhao emerged, having changed clothes, and nodded slightly to Long Ying: “Follow me to the study. I have questions for you.”