Even if it was for Fu Yun Xi, to prevent any future complications with his marriage to Irina and eliminate all possibilities of unexpected incidents, there was no need to go this far. The Emperor almost always yielded to Fu Yun Xi and prioritized his feelings. From Fu Yun Xi’s behavior, he didn’t want Han Yan dead, so why would the Emperor take such unnecessary action?
A scheming Seventh Prince, a covetous Empress Dowager, and now the supreme Emperor himself – all of Han Yan’s enemies were now from the imperial family. Even for a coincidence, this was too much. Han Yan’s heart began to race uncontrollably. Could she have some inextricable connection to the imperial family? Moreover, could this connection be harmful to them, leading them to… eliminate her so thoroughly?
Han Yan shared her thoughts with her two maids. Ji Lan and Shu Hong were shocked, but more than shock, they felt terror. If it were just the Seventh Prince and Empress Dowager, Han Yan might still have ways to maneuver, using Fu Yun Xi’s or others’ influence to secure her safety. But once the Emperor became her opponent, there was no room for negotiation. When the Emperor demands death, the subject must die. No matter how capable Han Yan was, one word from the Emperor would mean her head, what future could there be?
“Young Miss, what can we do now?” Ji Lan asked anxiously. In her view, Han Yan was in grave danger. Throughout history, anyone the Emperor wanted dead ended up dead. Since the Emperor had sent Imperial Guards to kill Han Yan, he was determined. They hadn’t expected a masked person to suddenly appear and save Han Yan. This was an unexpected turn of events – if the Emperor failed to kill Han Yan this time, he might simply order her execution next time. Then there would be no hope at all. Thinking of this, Ji Lan gritted her teeth and said: “Young Miss, let’s run away.”
Han Yan startled: “Run? Run where?”
“To the ends of the earth if we must.” Ji Lan’s expression showed unprecedented determination. “As long as the Emperor’s men don’t catch us, we’ll still be alive, and isn’t that more important than anything? Young Miss, are we just going to wait here for death?”
Han Yan was struck by Ji Lan’s words about life being more important than anything, and smiled after some thought – this girl saw things more clearly than herself. But escape wasn’t the solution. Under heaven, all land belongs to the Emperor. If he truly wanted her dead, his men would pursue her to the ends of the earth. Living like a stray dog, constantly in fear, leading a vagrant’s life – what meaning would such existence have?
“No need to think about escaping yet, I have a more important task for you,” Han Yan told Ji Lan. Compared to everything else, this matter weighed more heavily on Han Yan’s mind, so much that she could temporarily put aside even her safety.
Ji Lan was puzzled: “What task?” What could be more important than one’s life? Ji Lan couldn’t understand.
“I want you to watch Prince Xuan Qing’s mansion from tonight until tomorrow morning. Don’t miss any detail.”
Ji Lan was confused, wondering why they needed to monitor Prince Xuan Qing’s mansion. In her view, they should avoid any connection with the mansion now. Could Han Yan be planning to seek Fu Yun Xi’s help?
Han Yan frowned deeply – could that person from earlier have been Fu Yun Xi?
Prince Xuan Qing’s mansion was eerily quiet today, without even the usual guards at the gate. The red lanterns hanging outside held no festive atmosphere, only desolation.
When news spread that Prince Xuan Qing was bedridden with a cold, the capital’s citizens sighed in sympathy. Many court officials brought precious gifts to visit but were all turned away. The Emperor had ordered that no one should enter Prince Xuan Qing’s mansion, saying he needed undisturbed rest. Given his military achievements and tremendous power as a royal family member, everyone could only marvel at the special treatment Prince Xuan Qing received. However, people still gossiped about how Princess Irina had tended to him day and night without rest. They said she was truly devoted, being so beautiful yet willing to go to such lengths for Fu Yun Xi – how fortunate he was. Status was indeed a curious thing – had she been an ordinary woman, people would have considered such care merely proper duty; had she been a lowly maid, they might have found fault with her service. But once crowned with the title “Princess,” her every action carried an air of nobility.
As a result, Han Yan, merely the daughter of a fifth-rank official, was quickly forgotten after an initial wave of sympathy. Many even believed Irina and Fu Yun Xi were meant for each other – after all, only a noble princess could match someone of such extraordinary grace.
In the gathering darkness, the mansion’s main gate creaked open, and a person wearing a dark green robe emerged, quickly entering a waiting sedan chair. The bearers then carried it away.
After walking for some time in the late hour when few people were about, with only the rhythmic footsteps of the sedan bearers breaking the silence, they passed through a small alley. In the weak lantern light, two shadowy figures appeared in the distance, and a woman’s voice rang out: “Might the honorable person in the sedan be Imperial Physician Wu?”
The four bearers looked at each other uncertainly and stopped. The two figures slowly approached – they were young serving maids, one in red and one in blue. Though not exceptionally beautiful, they were comely and carried themselves with an unusual scholarly air, unlike ordinary household servants.
The person in the sedan remained silent for a moment before responding: “What if I am?”
The maid in red spoke calmly: “My Young Miss wishes to meet with Your Excellence. Please grant us this favor.”
Before the physician could respond, the four bearers collectively gasped in shock. Imperial Physician Wu was one of the capital’s top royal doctors – even court officials treated him with the utmost respect. Yet these mere maids addressed him so directly, openly mentioning their “Young Miss.” Which family’s young miss had such bearing to address Imperial Physician Wu without trepidation? Even Princess Yun Ni, the Emperor’s most beloved daughter, might not catch the physician’s eye.
Finally, a hand lifted the sedan curtain as Imperial Physician Wu glanced at the two women, slightly startled: “It’s you.”