As expected! Even before stepping into Feixiang Hall, Du Ruhui had anticipated that Yunyi would make this request. But Xiao Shi was different from Yunyi—if she left the palace, it would definitely alarm Yang Guang and ruin their plans.

While he was struggling with this difficulty, Yunyi’s voice reached his ears again: “All these years, Mother Empress and I have depended on each other for survival. I absolutely will not abandon Mother Empress and leave alone.”

Du Ruhui nodded: “This minister understands Princess’s feelings, but how can Her Majesty the Empress leave the palace?”

Indeed, Yang Guang regarded Mother Empress as his forbidden treasure. For all these years, he had used himself to imprison Mother Empress. How could he possibly allow Mother Empress to step out of the palace gates now? But asking her to abandon Mother Empress and flee alone was absolutely impossible.

Yunyi shook her head: “Ruhui, thank you for risking danger to tell me about this matter. Unfortunately, Mother Empress and I are trapped in this deep palace surrounded by high walls and cannot leave. I can only fail your good intentions. You should leave quickly. Remember, take good care of Xianyue and don’t let her down.”

Du Ruhui shook his head: “Princess, don’t say such dispiriting words. Let’s think carefully—we can definitely find a way.” Before he finished speaking, a flash of joy crossed his eyes, and he said urgently: “I have it!”

Hearing this, Ruyi and the other quickly urged him to speak quickly. Du Ruhui smiled slightly: “Her Majesty the Empress naturally cannot leave the palace, but a palace maid can.”

Ruyi said dejectedly: “Do you need to tell us that? The trouble now is how to get His Majesty to agree to let Her Majesty the Empress leave the palace.”

Yunyi shook her head: “It’s just a palace maid leaving the palace. Why would his consent be needed?”

“But the person who needs to leave the palace now is…” Halfway through, Ruyi seemed to understand something and tentatively asked: “Princess means to have Her Majesty the Empress disguise herself as a palace maid to leave the palace?”

“That’s right. By the time Yang Guang discovers that Mother Empress is not in the palace, we will have already left Jiangdu long ago. Even if he sends troops to pursue us, he may not be able to find us. Moreover, once those people raise troops in rebellion, he’ll be unable to protect himself—how would he have the ability to send people to chase us?” Speaking thus, she said to Du Ruhui: “I’ll go speak with Mother Empress now. Ruhui, you should leave the palace first.”

“Princess…” Before Du Ruhui could continue, Yunyi said: “I know you’re worried about me, but likewise, I don’t want you to be in danger, and I don’t want Xianyue to blame me in the future.”

Seeing her resolute attitude, Du Ruhui could only say: “Very well then. I’ll wait for you outside the palace gates. Those people could raise troops at any time—you must hurry.” Before Yunyi could respond, he said: “This is this minister’s greatest concession. Princess must not object further.”

“Very well then.” After Du Ruhui left, Yunyi immediately went to see Xiao Shi, telling her about the upcoming rebellion in Jiangdu, then said: “Mother Empress, quickly write a written order for the Palace Secretariat, then change into palace maid clothing and leave the palace with your daughter. Ruhui will be waiting outside the palace to receive us.”

Xiao Shi knew the matter was urgent. She immediately ordered someone to bring writing materials, wrote the edict and gave it to Yunyi, then changed into the clothes brought by Hong Li, disguising herself as a palace maid. As long as she kept her head lowered, she should be able to deceive people.

As they prepared to leave, Hong Li and Wu Fang suddenly knelt down, choking with emotion: “This servant will pray before Buddha, hoping Buddha will protect Her Majesty and Princess on this journey, keeping you safe from disaster and trouble.”

“You…” Hong Li’s words made Xiao Shi vaguely understand something. Indeed, Wu Fang said: “If the palace staff discover that we disappeared at the same time as Her Majesty, they will definitely report to His Majesty. By then, Her Majesty might be captured before even leaving Jiangdu. So this servant just discussed with Hong Li—we two will remain in the palace. With us providing cover, they won’t discover Master’s absence so quickly.”

“No!” Xiao Shi immediately said: “Once Yang Guang discovers that this palace is gone, he definitely won’t spare you.”

Wu Fang choked with emotion: “All these years, we have always received Her Majesty’s care. This servant still remembers that at the end of the Kaihuang era, this servant’s older brother was hopeless and owed a huge gambling debt. The whole family was forced to the point where they could barely survive. It was Her Majesty who paid money to settle this servant’s brother’s gambling debt and let this servant’s family open an inn so they could live and work in peace. This servant has always remembered this kindness. Now is the time to repay Her Majesty.”

Hong Li nodded: “Please give us servants a chance to repay your kindness.”

Xiao Shi said hoarsely: “But you have followed this palace for so many years. How can this palace bear to…”

“This is our servants’ own choice.” Speaking thus, Hong Li added: “Moreover, if Princess travels with so many palace servants, it will surely arouse suspicion. That would be real trouble.”

Wu Fang kowtowed: “Our servants’ minds are made up. Your Majesty need not say more. Please set out quickly with Princess and don’t delay further. We hope that after leaving the palace, you and Princess can be happy and carefree, with no more worries.”

Seeing that they refused to leave with her no matter what, Xiao Shi could only say: “Thank you for staying by this palace’s side all these years, never leaving or abandoning me. This palace…” Speaking to this point, tears she had held back for so long flowed down her face and dripped onto the smooth, mirror-like golden bricks.

“Being able to serve Her Majesty for so many years has been our servants’ good fortune.” Wu Fang wiped away tears from the corner of his eyes and said to Yunyi: “Princess, Her Majesty is entrusted to your care. Go quickly!”

Yunyi solemnly bowed to Wu Fang and Hong Li: “Thank you, Eunuch Wu and Aunt Hong Li, for your care all these years. We… part here.” Speaking thus, she said to Xiao Shi: “Mother Empress, it’s getting late. We should go.”

Xiao Shi nodded. After taking one last look at Wu Fang and Hong Li, Xiao Shi steeled her heart and left with Yunyi. The moment she turned around, tears were already streaming down her face.

Leaving the palace hall, the group headed toward the palace gates. The journey was relatively smooth, and no one discovered Xiao Shi’s identity. When passing through the last gate before the palace exit, a figure suddenly blocked their path—it was Pei Qiantong, who was on duty in the palace today. “This minister pays respects to Princess. Long live Princess, long live, long live.”

Yunyi suppressed the panic in her heart and said calmly: “Minister Pei, rise.”

“Thank you, Princess.” After straightening up, Pei Qiantong said: “Is Princess leaving the palace?”

“Yes, the air is fresh after today’s rain, so I plan to leave the palace for a walk.” Seeing that Pei Qiantong hadn’t stepped aside, she said: “What, does Minister Pei have an objection?”

Pei Qiantong smiled apologetically: “Princess, where are you going with this? This minister just noticed the sky doesn’t look good and was afraid it might rain again, so I wanted to remind Princess to bring an umbrella.”

“No matter. If it really rains, I’ll find someone to buy one.” After saying this, Yunyi looked him over and said: “Now can Minister Pei step aside?”

“Of course, of course.” Pei Qiantong said while stepping aside to let Yunyi’s group pass. When the last person passed by him, Pei Qiantong’s eyes moved. This fragrance… so familiar, as if he had smelled it somewhere before, but he couldn’t remember where for a moment.