The Crown Prince’s expression changed abruptly, and he immediately strode out. "Miraculous Doctor Yu is in the palace—send someone to fetch him at once."
As this involved entering the inner palace, the others could not follow. Even Hua Zhi, without a summons, was not permitted deep into the palace grounds.
In his agitation, the Crown Prince remembered this and turned back to instruct, "Wait here for news. Grand Tutor, Grand Tutor, if any matters arise before I return, I entrust you both to make the decisions."
The two men responded in unison.
After seeing the Crown Prince off, the group gathered again around the sand table, attempting to identify anything suspicious from the relatively clear terrain.
Hua Zhi suddenly looked up and asked the Minister of War, Chen Yuanqing, "With troops needed everywhere for reinforcement, has the Ministry of War conducted another conscription?"
Chen Yuanqing nodded. "This is the third round in a short period."
The third round already. Hua Zhi’s thoughts drifted. Ancient warfare was fought with human lives, and by now, countless families had lost husbands, sons, and fathers. Yet she was powerless to stop it. Ensuring sufficient troops was essential to keep the enemy from breaching the borders and safeguarding everyone’s survival. Still, as one of the highly protected elite, she couldn’t feel entirely at ease.
The Grand Tutor picked up a long pointer and traced it over the sand table. "The Crown Prince resides in Calm Heart Hall. Could the enemy be hiding closest to it? After all, as the Grand Tutor said, the most dangerous place is often the safest..."
"Wait." Hua Zhi interrupted, disregarding propriety, her brow furrowed tightly. "If the most dangerous place is the safest, then wouldn’t the reverse also be true..."
She slapped her own face abruptly and dashed outside, shouting, "The Crown Prince is in danger! Alert the Seven Constellation Bureau—bring Black Powder to the Palace of Blessings and Longevity at once!"
The reverse being... the safest place is the most dangerous?!
The others grasped her meaning, their faces paling in alarm. The Grand Tutor, at the doorway, hastily grabbed a eunuch and relayed Hua Zhi’s instructions, adding, "Also, send someone to inform Fu Gang to bring his men!"
The eunuch, terrified by the usually composed Grand Tutor’s urgency, stammered his assent and scrambled away.
By then, the Crown Prince had already reached the Palace of Blessings and Longevity. He had no reason to suspect Yu Xiang—who would doubt a servant who had served her mistress for a lifetime? But as a prince raised in the deep palace and repeatedly cautioned by Hua Zhi, his vigilance was sharp. The moment he stepped into the courtyard, he sensed something amiss. Remembering the Grand Tutor’s advice to trust his instincts in critical moments, he retreated without hesitation.
Just then, An Yi appeared. "Your Highness, I have failed. We are surrounded."
"If they were easy to find, they wouldn’t have remained hidden this long." The Crown Prince struggled to contain his anger at the sight of Yu Xiang emerging, but he kept his composure and asked calmly, "Is Grandmother well?"
Yu Xiang smiled, but her usual gentleness was gone, her gaze no longer held the affection of an elder for a junior. Yet, perhaps from long habit, her posture remained that of a deferential servant. "Why not see for yourself, Your Highness? I still remember how, after Consort Zhen passed away, it was the Empress Dowager who brought you to the Palace of Blessings and Longevity. Won’t you go in to see her now? Perhaps this will be your last chance."The Crown Prince was not provoked. The Grand Tutor would notice something amiss; he needed to stall for time as much as possible. "I have suspected many, but never imagined the inside agent would be you, Wet Nurse Yu Xiang. To sacrifice a lifetime for such a grand scheme—you truly are someone who achieves great things. Yet I am curious: after decades of weathering storms together as master and servant, do you feel no reluctance at all?"
Yu Xiang lowered her head with a faint smile, tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear. Her demeanor still hinted at the delicate beauty she must have been in her youth. "Your Highness speaks of a lifetime of servitude. Trust, regard—all of it was earned through decades of my life. Why should I feel reluctance? I only feel liberated."
Her expression grew fervent. "I can finally leave this wretched place and return to my homeland. Even if it’s nothing but water—devoid of the palace’s opulence or the capital’s bustling splendor—it remains the place of my dreams. And also…"
As if recalling something, she abruptly fell silent, her expression tightening. "Now!"
From seemingly empty spaces, figures emerged one after another, soon crowding the area in a dense mass. The Crown Prince estimated at least fifty visible—and who knew how many more lurked in the shadows. So many enemies had infiltrated the palace, and he had been completely unaware!
The mere thought sent a chill down his spine. He vowed silently: This will never happen again. In the future, under my control, the palace will never harbor such threats!
Of course, that was assuming there was a future.
An Yi signaled discreetly, and a group of hidden guards materialized, forming a protective circle around the Crown Prince. He whispered, "Buy as much time as possible."
The Crown Prince gripped a dagger—a habit he’d adopted after seeing the Grand Tutor always carry one for self-defense. Today, it proved useful. If not to wound foes, at least to deliver a final blow if needed.
Meanwhile, Hua Zhi raced forward at a breakneck pace, faster than she had ever run in her life. How could she have been so blind? Where in the deep palace was safer than the Empress Dowager’s Palace of Blessings and Longevity? Even if the entire palace were turned upside down, no one would dare search there!
She should have realized it sooner!
Spotting a palace maid, she rushed over and commanded sharply, "Go immediately and bring Gu Yanze to the Palace of Blessings and Longevity. Hurry!"
"Yes, yes, yes!"
Leaning against a pillar to catch her breath, Hua Zhi pushed onward. As she dashed down a long corridor, the faint sounds of conflict grew louder. Her heart clenched, then eased—the boy was still alive!
Only if he were alive would the hidden guards fight so desperately for the Crown Prince.
She took another step forward but suddenly halted, glancing back. Under the swaying lanterns, the shadows were empty—devoid of maids or eunuchs. They had likely been… cleared out.
Pressing her lips together, Hua Zhi resumed running. The clashing of blades grew distinct. Now that she was close, her urgency tempered. The hidden guards were no amateurs; her mediocre skills would hardly tip the scales. She needed to find the Wise Man. If she could eliminate him, she would resolve most of the Great Qing’s current crisis!Hiding carefully in the shadows, Hua Zhi watched the two sides engaged in fierce combat. It appeared the hidden guards hadn't all revealed themselves—likely half were in plain sight while half remained concealed. Those in the shadows were launching surprise attacks, forcing the Chao Li Tribe to stay vigilant against them. Despite their numerical advantage, they couldn't immediately capture the Crown Prince.
As for the Crown Prince, Hua Zhi felt nothing but pride for his performance. Though merely a boy of twelve, he showed no fear in such circumstances. Instead, he coordinated closely with the hidden guards, dagger in hand and gaze resolute. She admired that look in his eyes.
OpenNovel