Yan Chi knew where Madam Qian lived and that she had already left the capital, but he didn’t know how many others like her remained in the city. How many people had worked for the Empress and managed to leave the palace safely, or perhaps were still secretly serving her?

The cold wind howled as the snow grew heavier. Yan Chi frowned slightly and looked up at the sky, seeing only an ink-black night without stars or moon. Just moments ago, there had been only a few snowflakes, but in the blink of an eye, the snow was falling like willow catkins. Worried about Qin Wan, he instinctively looked back.

Qin Wan’s carriage was already out of sight, and this sense of emptiness left Yan Chi’s heart unsettled.

He turned his gaze back to the direction Chaoyu was heading.

“Was there any incident at the city gate today?”

As Yan Chi suddenly asked this question, Chaoyu slowed his horse’s pace.

“No, everything was normal. Today, Prince Yi’s manor set up porridge stalls outside the city to aid refugees and sent out a golden Buddha statue. Nothing else happened.”

The golden Buddha from Yan Ze had already left the city, and in the evening, only Prince Yi had attended the banquet at Prince Rui’s manor.

Therefore, the Crown Prince and Empress should have already left the capital.

Yan Chi’s brows furrowed deeply. If that was the case, who were these people Chaoyu had found?

It was almost certain that Yan Ze would use the Golden Buddha incident to cover the Empress and Crown Prince’s escape. With Yan Ze’s help, why would the Empress use anyone else?

Coincidentally, these two people were caught by Chaoyu.

Having been one of those searching for the Crown Prince and Empress’s whereabouts these past days, he knew deeply that they weren’t careless people. After leaving the palace gates, they vanished into the vast capital. If his secret guards couldn’t find any leads, how did Chaoyu manage to find them?

“How were these two people found?”

As if anticipating Yan Chi’s question, Chaoyu replied, “They’re from the Imperial Grand General’s family line. One of them is reportedly the Empress’s cousin’s son.”

Yan Chi calmly said, “The Empress’s cousin’s son? We investigated the Imperial Grand General’s family line. The Zhao family has branches in Jian Province, Luo Province, and Yun Province. Yun Province is quite distant, and that’s the only line we haven’t thoroughly investigated. Could they be from Yun Province?”

Chaoyu’s grip on the reins tightened as he followed along, “Your Highness is correct. They are indeed from the Yun Province branch. These two people must have received word from the Empress early on and entered the capital under false identities to make preparations. We discovered that they were helping the Empress communicate with Cang Province in the north.”

Chaoyu spoke unhurriedly and appeared calm, but as he finished speaking, Yan Chi gradually slowed his horse. Though his expression remained unchanged, those who knew him well could tell he was beginning to anger. Noticing Yan Chi’s slower pace, Chaoyu immediately turned his head, “What’s wrong, Your Highness?”

Yan Chi replied calmly, “With the snow this heavy, I’m somewhat worried about the Princess Consort.”

Chaoyu’s expression changed slightly, “Then… does Your Highness wish to return?”

As Chaoyu spoke, the guards following them exchanged glances. Yan Chi swept his gaze over them and shook his head, “No need.”

Yan Chi then turned to one of the guards, “Zhong Yao, return to the manor and find Bai Feng. Have him arrange to send the fox fur cloak prepared for the Princess Consort to wear the day after tomorrow to the palace immediately.”

The guard who was called seemed stunned for a moment but quickly recovered, acknowledged the order, and turned his horse around to leave.

Chaoyu watched as Zhong Yao rode away, momentarily unsure what to say. However, everyone was well aware of Yan Chi’s attentiveness to Qin Wan, especially since he had just welcomed her as his bride this morning. Therefore, Chaoyu didn’t think much of it and instead smiled, “Your Highness truly shows the utmost care for the Princess Consort.”

Yan Chi smiled slightly but said nothing more, merely lifting his chin to say, “Continue leading the way.”

Chaoyu nodded, his furrowed brows relaxing somewhat. He raised his whip and continued leading Yan Chi toward the southern part of the city. Yan Chi followed behind Chaoyu, his gaze falling on Chaoyu’s straight back, but he didn’t ask any more questions—

He had also investigated the Zhao family in Yun Province.

Moreover, how could the Empress use someone from a distant branch of the Zhao family to communicate with the north?

Narrowing his eyes, a flash of killing intent crossed Yan Chi’s gaze, though he quickly concealed it.

The streets were empty in the dead of night, but the snow grew increasingly heavy. Before long, a layer of snow had settled on Yan Chi’s shoulders. He brushed off the snow and placed his hand on the short blade at his waist. As the group galloped forward, just as they turned a corner, several fast-riding horses came charging toward them from the street ahead.

Upon suddenly seeing the galloping horses, Chaoyu’s group immediately became alert. However, Chaoyu quickly realized with surprise that the riders were from the Nine Cities Patrol. From a distance, someone called out, “Is that Deputy Commander Zhao—”

Chaoyu frowned, “It’s me. Why aren’t you guarding the city gate? What are you doing here?”

This location wasn’t far from the city gate. Upon confirming it was indeed Chaoyu, the light cavalry immediately sped up and approached. When they reached Chaoyu, they finally noticed Yan Chi following behind and hurriedly bowed. Yan Chi spoke solemnly, “What has happened?”

The leader caught his breath and said, “Prince Rui, Deputy Commander Zhao, just now a house in the southern part of the city caught fire, and two people died in the fire…”

Chaoyu frowned, “For such matters, you should go to the Linan Prefecture office. Why come to me?”

The man quickly waved his hands, “No, no, no, if the dead were ordinary civilians, that would be one thing, but after our men went to help with the fire, they found several items that seemed… seemed to be from the Eastern Palace. The subordinates didn’t dare to be careless, that’s why we’ve been frantically searching for the Deputy Commander…”

At these words, both Chaoyu and Yan Chi’s expressions changed slightly.