However, black powder was not an endless resource. The amount that could be hastily produced was limited, so it couldn’t all be expended here at once.
Once the enemy was suppressed, the Seven Constellation Bureau members charged forward. Fu Gang ordered half of his men to stay and assist, while the other half searched various palaces for any remaining hidden enemies.
It was only then that Hua Zhi stood up. Glancing down at her disheveled appearance, she couldn’t be bothered to tidy herself. "May I ask if Your Highness’s shadow guards are present?"
The Crown Prince nodded. "They are."
"Please dispatch some of them to the Palace of Blessings and Longevity. Their priority is to gather intelligence—do not alert the enemy."
The Crown Prince clasped his hands behind his back. "You heard her. Send two men."
The shadow guards vanished in an instant.
"And what of the capital’s defenses? Does Your Highness have the Tiger Seal on your person?"
The Crown Prince nodded again. "I carry it with me at all times."
"Since they’ve caused such a commotion in the palace, they must have made arrangements in the capital as well. Please entrust the Tiger Seal to someone reliable and order General Zhou of the Central Camp to immediately mobilize and protect the capital. Additionally, dispatch the Northern Camp for reinforcements. No matter what, the capital must be secured. Otherwise, even if we hold the palace, it will be futile."
The Crown Prince took out the Tiger Seal and handed it to Hua Zhi. "I trust the Grand Tutor most. Whomever the Grand Tutor trusts, I trust as well."
"Yes, I will not disappoint Your Highness." The weight of this trust was immense, yet Hua Zhi accepted it without hesitation. She hoped that in the future, the Crown Prince would still be capable of placing such faith in others—a trait only possible for those who retained light in their hearts.
Seeing the imperial guards approaching, Hua Zhi gently pushed the Crown Prince further inside. "Even Wet Nurse Yu Xiang turned out to be from the Chao Li Tribe. At this point, I dare not assume there are no enemy agents among the imperial guards. A person of great value should not remain in a precarious position. Your Highness is far more precious than they are, so please stay hidden."
The Crown Prince was amused by the Grand Tutor’s plainspoken advice and willingly stepped back to reassure her.
Before the imperial guards could push the door open, Hua Zhi strode out to meet them. Fu Gang spotted her from a distance and hurried over, clasping his hands in salute. "Grand Tutor, is the Crown Prince safe?"
"With the crisis still unfolding, it’s best for His Highness to remain out of sight for now. Don’t you agree, Commander Fu?"
Though the Grand Tutor before him was a head shorter and a civil official, her presence was no less commanding than his own. It was clear she was wholeheartedly devoted to the Crown Prince’s safety, unwilling to let him take unnecessary risks. Fu Gang readily agreed. "What are your orders, Grand Tutor?"
"Has Ling Wang’s young grandson arrived?"
"Yes. I’ve already stationed men to guard him. Do you have a use for him, Grand Tutor?"
Hua Zhi’s gaze shifted to the ongoing skirmish, her voice lowering. "He is the only one who can identify the Wise Man. Keep him protected."
Fu Gang’s mind cleared at once. Of course—the Wise Man was the boy’s maternal grandfather. While others might not recognize him, the grandson surely would. "As expected of the Grand Tutor. Your foresight is impeccable."
Hua Zhi accepted the praise. In the brief exchange, she had located the person she sought. "Commander Fu, please summon Qu Qi."
Fu Gang glanced back and signaled his subordinate to fetch him. When Qu Qi arrived, Fu Gang tactfully withdrew.
"What are your orders, Grand Tutor?"
"Mobilize the Central and Northern Camps to defend the capital and stand ready to reinforce the palace. Be swift. After that, proceed to the Heir Apparent Residence and deploy all available personnel to assist in the defense. Should you encounter any suspicious individuals, detain them immediately regardless of their status. I will bear full responsibility for the consequences."Hua Zhi raised her hand, palm facing downward. Qu Qi extended his hand beneath hers. With a light flick of his sleeve, when their hands were revealed again, both were empty—the Tiger Seal had been exchanged without a trace.
"This subordinate will proceed immediately."
In the end, Hua Zhi did not mention the Hua family. It wasn’t that she wasn’t worried, but given the current circumstances, she could only prioritize the greater cause over her own family. Nor did she believe the Chao Li Tribe had any extra manpower to deal with the relatively insignificant members of the Hua family.
A dark shadow flashed before her eyes, and Hua Zhi instinctively gripped her dagger.
"Your Excellency." The shadow revealed itself—a guard clad in tight-fitting black attire.
Hua Zhi relaxed slightly. "What is the situation?"
"This subordinate was unable to enter. There are at least twenty people inside the Palace of Blessings and Longevity."
Hua Zhi gestured for him to report to the Crown Prince. She descended the steps, observing the intensifying battle nearby.
"Grand Tutor."
Hua Zhi turned to see Fu Gang approaching with Gu Yanze.
She felt a pang of sympathy for the young lord. For the first ten years of his life, he had enjoyed boundless affection, yet everything he possessed had crumbled in an instant. Without an imperial uncle to protect him, and given this ordeal, it was uncertain how Ling Wang would treat him hereafter. In comparison, his plight seemed even more tragic than Yan Xi’s had been back then.
"If I asked you to identify who the Wise Man is, would you be willing?"
"Yes." Gu Yanze’s voice was calm, without the slightest hesitation. Due to years of illness, his pallor was evident even in the night. Hua Zhi suddenly felt a surge of compassion. Strictly speaking, he was not yet ten years old—an age when most children were carefree and mischievous. Yet here he was, facing the cruelest moment of his life.
She turned away, not letting this softness show. Such sentiment was not enough to alter her resolve.
Just then, the Grand Tutor and others arrived. "Is His Highness safe?"
"He is safe for now."
Everyone breathed a collective sigh of relief. As long as the Crown Prince was safe, no other matter was insurmountable.
The Grand Tutor did not inquire about the Crown Prince’s whereabouts but asked instead, "What of the Empress Dowager? Is she safe?"
"We have not yet ascertained her situation."
As the Grand Tutor was about to press for more details, he saw Hua Zhi hastily bow and stride forward—the enemies there had all been subdued.
No one dared to delay, quickly following her.
"It has been confirmed that there are approximately twenty people inside the Palace of Blessings and Longevity. The Wise Man is likely among them." Hua Zhi looked at Xue Liang. "With the Empress Dowager’s situation unclear, do you have a plan for what to do next?"
Xue Liang frowned slightly. "Your Excellency, do you have any ideas?"
Hua Zhi shook her head. "The Empress Dowager is in their hands. We are constrained by fear of harming her. However... we must still attempt something."
They were anxious, but their opponents were surely even more desperate. With the Crown Prince safe and their own forces nearly depleted, the enemy’s priority now was to find an escape route. Unless they intended to fight to the death, they would not harm the Empress Dowager.
"I will go," the Grand Tutor suddenly declared. "The imperial family has few members left. The Empress Dowager must not come to harm."
Hua Zhi wanted to stop him, but after opening her mouth, she closed it again. She had no right to interfere.
The Grand Tutor turned to Hua Zhi and bowed solemnly. "The late Emperor had a discerning eye. With Your Excellency guiding the Crown Prince, he will surely become a wise ruler in a prosperous era. I fear you will bear heavy responsibilities henceforth."
Hearing these words, which sounded like a final testament, Hua Zhi felt a deep ache in her heart. Forcing a smile, she replied, "Look at my condition—how could I shoulder such a burden? We still need Your Excellency to steady the helm. Xue Liang, accompany His Excellency and ensure his safety."
"Yes."The Grand Tutor seemed to smile faintly, shaking out his sleeves as he strode toward the Palace of Blessings and Longevity.
While walking, Xue Liang swiftly made a series of hand signals, and the Seven Constellation Bureau moved past the Grand Tutor to take up positions throughout the Palace of Blessings and Longevity.
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