Something was indeed amiss, even Sun Muqing could sense it.
Yet no one knew why.
Yan Chi gave Qin Guan a reassuring glance, then immediately spurred his horse forward with Bai Feng. Although the city gate was tightly shut and the watchtower above was pitch black, such a massive capital couldn't possibly be left unguarded at its gates. It was just that something else had occurred today, altering the situation.
Yan Chi rode up to the side gate and cracked his whip against it. The loud thud echoed eerily through the night. Soon, angry shouts erupted from behind the gate.
"Who is it?! Who's out there?!"
Bai Feng shouted back, "His Highness Prince Rui has returned to the city! Why are the gates closed?!"
The people inside had been furious, but Bai Feng's shout stifled their anger.
There was a rustling sound from within, and before long, the side gate creaked open a crack. An unfamiliar face, filled with trepidation, peered out through the gap.
After scanning the scene outside, the man quickly withdrew his head, and the gate snapped shut with a sharp click!
Yan Chi immediately furrowed his brow.
"Please wait a moment, Your Highness!"
A nervous voice called from behind the gate, followed by the sound of retreating footsteps. Yan Chi's eyes darkened.
Bai Feng looked at Yan Chi. "Master, could it be..."
Yan Chi shook his head, signaling Bai Feng to remain silent. Bai Feng promptly fell quiet.
Soon, footsteps approached again, this time from multiple people. Before long, the gate creaked open, revealing a man in a captain's uniform within Yan Chi's line of sight. The captain scrutinized Yan Chi briefly, then hurriedly bowed with his companions. "Greetings, Your Highness Prince Rui. A citywide curfew and martial law are in effect tonight, so the gates were closed early..."
The captain spoke with a firm voice, then glanced at the carriage not far away. "Might I ask why Your Highness is returning from outside the city?"
Yan Chi looked down at the captain, his gaze so intense that the man dared not meet his eyes.
"The carriage carries Yongci County Princess. I took her out of the city earlier today."
The captain hesitated, sensing Yan Chi's evasiveness, but he dared not inquire further about what Yan Chi and Qin Guan had been doing outside the city...
It was widely known that Prince Rui and Yongci County Princess were betrothed. The Great Zhou dynasty was not overly strict about gender segregation, so it was perfectly normal for the two to go out of the city for leisure or other activities. Moreover, their absence from the city during the night's incident only served to prove their innocence.
The captain immediately stepped aside. "Please enter the city, Your Highness and County Princess—"
Yan Chi glanced back, and Qin Guan's carriage promptly moved forward. Yan Chi, however, remained still. He fixed his eyes on the captain and asked, "What happened in the city?"
Sweat beaded on the captain's forehead. He lowered his head and replied, "I'm not entirely sure, but I've heard there was an incident in the palace."
Yan Chi's heart jolted, his first thought flying to the Emperor and Empress. He nodded, then urged his horse through the gate first. Qin Guan's carriage and the others followed slowly. Once inside the city, Yan Chi noticed how unusually quiet the capital was that night...Snowflakes fell thick and fast, heavier than in the afternoon. The night, veiled by the curtain of snow, made it impossible for Yan Chi to see anything beyond ten zhang. The eerie silence unsettled everyone. Yan Chi glanced at Sun Muqing and instructed, "Bai Feng, escort Divine Doctor Sun back. Return to the royal residence afterward."
Naturally, Yan Chi intended to escort Qin Guan back personally. Bai Feng nodded in acknowledgment. However, Qin Guan lifted the carriage curtain and looked at Sun Muqing. "Remember what I told you this afternoon."
Her earlier instruction had been for Sun Muqing not to mention the dagger. Hearing her reminder now, Sun Muqing nodded earnestly.
Both Qin Guan and Yan Chi had seemed uneasy that afternoon. Now, back in the capital amid such strange circumstances, Sun Muqing could no longer deceive himself. The dagger was of great importance and might bring disaster upon him—this was his first thought. He nodded gravely, truly taking Qin Guan's words to heart.
Qin Guan smiled faintly. "Don’t worry too much. Rest early when you return tonight."
Sun Muqing nodded again, wanting to say something but unsure how to phrase it. He couldn’t offer Qin Guan any comfort, as he had no idea what she might face. Glancing at Yan Chi, who was mounted beside the carriage, he felt somewhat reassured. With Yan Chi by her side, Qin Guan should be safe.
As Bai Feng escorted Sun Muqing away, Yan Chi and his guards followed the carriage toward the Marquis’s residence. Though the sky had long since darkened, it wasn’t particularly late. Yet, the Imperial Road leading to Xingle District was nearly empty of pedestrians. Not only were there few commoners, but they also encountered two patrols from the Garrison Battalion. These soldiers initially intended to inspect them but withdrew after Yan Chi identified himself. This only deepened Qin Guan’s conviction.
Something had happened—it must have—otherwise, security wouldn’t be so tight.
Exchanging a glance with Yan Chi in the darkness, both saw confusion mirrored in each other’s eyes.
Qin Guan needed to return home to inquire about the situation, while Yan Chi planned to enter the palace. Without words, they understood each other’s intentions. The carriage sped toward the Marquis’s residence, arriving after the time it takes two incense sticks to burn. Knowing Yan Chi would not rest that night, Qin Guan urged, "Be careful in everything. If possible, I’ll come to the royal residence tomorrow to find you."
Yan Chi nodded. "The Marquis’s household should know something. Go back and rest early."
Qin Guan acknowledged this. Yan Chi waited until she entered the main gate before riding off.
As soon as she stepped inside, Qin Guan saw a Momma waiting for her. Overjoyed at her return, the Momma greeted her briefly before hurrying toward the main courtyard. Qin Guan followed, but along the way, she noticed the entire residence shrouded in gloom, as if something terrible had occurred. Her heart sank further. Just as she reached the entrance to the main courtyard, Hu Shi rushed out, her eyes red-rimmed.
"Guan’er?! Guan’er, you’re finally back…"
Even if she had been missing for half a day, Hu Shi shouldn’t have been this distraught. Noticing the tears at the corners of Hu Shi’s eyes, Qin Guan asked keenly, "Where is Uncle?"
A tear rolled down Hu Shi’s cheek. "Your uncle, along with your third and fourth brothers, have been taken away!"Qin Guan's eyelids twitched. "Taken away by whom?! How could they be taken away?!"
Hu Shi couldn't hold back her sobs. "It was Prince Cheng's men who took them. They said the Emperor wanted to summon them, but... but it doesn't make sense. Even if the Emperor wants to see someone, it should only be your uncle alone. There's no reason to take both your third brother and fourth brother. Your third brother serves in the imperial guards, and your fourth brother is with the Garrison Battalion! Why take them all together? The men who came looked fierce and menacing, as if the Marquis's household had committed some crime. Guan'er, where have you been? Do you know what's happened?"
Qin Guan's heart pounded like a drum. Supporting Hu Shi as they moved indoors, she said, "Today, I went out of the city with Prince Rui. Her Majesty the Empress Dowager is unwell, and we wanted to seek out a renowned physician outside the city who specializes in treating wind-related illnesses. Unfortunately, we were unlucky today and came back empty-handed."
Hu Shi had only asked casually. Learning that Qin Guan had been outside the city, she realized Qin Guan might not know what had happened either, which made her even more anxious.
Qin Guan continued, "When we returned to the city, we saw that it was already under strict curfew. How could they have taken Uncle and the others? When did this happen? Did the men who came say anything else?"
Hu Shi shook her head. "They only said the Emperor wanted to see them. It happened half an hour ago."
Half an hour ago, when it was already dark. What could have happened that required taking all the male members of the Marquis's household at once?
Qin Guan suddenly halted in her tracks. Could it be that something had happened in the Eastern Palace?!
Qin Chaoyu had married into the Eastern Palace as the Crown Princess. Only if something had happened to Qin Chaoyu would the Marquis's household be implicated!
Cold sweat broke out on Qin Guan's back as she recalled her discovery that afternoon. The Emperor had long been determined to depose the Crown Prince. Could it be that the Emperor had acted tonight? And had preemptively moved to control the Marquis's household? But if that were the case, why impose a curfew over the entire capital?
When they returned, the Garrison Battalion had been extremely vigilant, questioning almost everyone they saw. Their demeanor seemed more like they were searching for someone.
Qin Guan's heart thumped wildly. She hadn't expected that returning to the Marquis's estate would not only fail to provide more information but that the household would also be implicated. "Aunt, don't panic just yet. Since the estate isn't surrounded, the situation can't be too dire. Let's wait. There must be a reason for this. It's possible the Emperor truly has some instructions for them."
Her comforting words didn't offer much solace, but now that there was someone in the household who could take charge, Hu Shi felt less frightened than before. Compared to her, Qin Guan appeared much calmer and more composed. Wiping the corners of her eyes, Hu Shi felt somewhat embarrassed. "But... it doesn't make sense... Ah, there's nothing we can do but wait now. It's just... I'm afraid something might have happened to Yu'er in the palace. If that's the case, I'd be completely helpless."
This was also Qin Guan's concern. However, given her status, she couldn't freely enter and leave the palace. Moreover, the palace gates were already under curfew. Unless one was a royal prince like Yan Chi, who could enter the palace without an imperial decree?!
"Aunt, don't worry too much for now. If there's truly no other way, I'll enter the palace tomorrow to treat Her Majesty the Empress Dowager. I'll find out what happened then."
Hu Shi wished it were already tomorrow, but at this moment, there was nothing to do but wait. "Alright, alright, I understand. Perhaps... perhaps the Marquis and the others will be released soon?"This was the best possible outcome. If they were merely summoned to the palace for some instructions, they would return shortly.
Qin Guan felt uneasy but had no choice but to wait with Hu Shi. However, by midnight, Qin Shu and the others still hadn't returned. Strangely, the manor gates remained accessible without restrictions on other household members. Unable to discern the situation and seeing how late it had gotten, Qin Guan persuaded Hu Shi to rest first. Knowing she couldn't wait all night, Hu Shi settled in the Warm Chamber of the main courtyard. Only after ensuring Hu Shi was comfortable did Qin Guan return to Pine Breeze Courtyard.
Exhausted from the day's travels and the earth-shattering secret she'd learned, Qin Guan was utterly fatigued. Yet she didn't retire immediately. Dismissing her attendants, she entered her inner chamber and retrieved the wooden hairpin gifted by Princess Consort Gong from her dowry box, carefully examining its engraved characters.
Though not skilled in painting, she excelled in calligraphy. The handwriting on the hairpin closely resembled that on the dagger—as if it came from the same hand. Coupled with the numerous unexplained mysteries she'd uncovered, Qin Guan couldn't avoid reaching that astonishing conclusion.
Clutching the hairpin tightly, she pondered what might have transpired in the palace while washing up and lying down. Qin Guan possessed the instinct to grow calmer under pressure. Forcing herself to sleep, she woke early the next morning. After hurriedly freshening up, she went to the main courtyard and found Hu Shi looking terribly pale in the Warm Chamber. Granny Yu rushed to Qin Guan saying, "The mistress didn't sleep all night, Your Highness." Please check on her quickly."
When had Loyal Marquis Manor ever faced such turmoil before?!
Moreover, this time not only was Qin Shu taken to the palace, but Qin Yan and Qin Ye were also detained. How could Hu Shi not be frantic?
After comforting Hu Shi briefly, Qin Guan was contemplating whether she could enter the palace today when the gatekeeper came to report!
Granny Yu exchanged a few words with the visitor outside before hurrying in. "Princess, Her Majesty the Empress Dowager is unwell." Someone from Longevity and Health Palace has come to request your presence in the palace!"
Qin Guan immediately stood up, both concerned about the Empress Dowager's condition and eager for the chance to enter the palace. Hu Shi grabbed her arm, but Qin Guan reassured her, "Don't worry, Aunt. I understand. Please wait calmly for my news."
Hu Shi nodded and released her.
In the front courtyard, Qin Guan saw the same Mammy who had come last time. Unable to contain herself, Qin Guan asked directly, "Mammy, what happened in the palace last night?"
The Mammy's face fell as she lowered her head, but Qin Guan pressed on unlike before. "Even if you don't tell me now, I'll find out when we reach Longevity and Health Palace. Wouldn't it be better to inform me beforehand so I know how to speak with Her Majesty? What if..."
Hearing this, the Mammy reconsidered and found it reasonable.
Even if she remained silent now, Mammy Chen would reveal everything at Longevity and Health Palace. Thus, it was better to grant Qin Guan this favor.
"Indeed, there was an incident in the palace last night, but it didn't involve Longevity and Health Palace..."
Only after Qin Guan boarded the carriage did the Mammy speak hesitantly.
"It's... Kunning Palace and the Eastern Palace that encountered trouble..."
Qin Guan's heart sank. Though she had anticipated this, confirming it still presented a daunting challenge.
"What happened to Her Majesty the Empress and His Highness the Crown Prince?"Qin Guan cautiously asked a question. Momma moved half a step closer to her and lowered her voice, "Last night... last night, Kunning Palace and the Eastern Palace suddenly caught fire. The entire palace was fighting the flames, but when the fire was finally extinguished, it was discovered that the Empress and the Crown Prince had disappeared..."
Momma's words struck Qin Guan's mind like a heavy thunderclap. This matter seemed even more serious than the Emperor voluntarily deposing the Crown Prince.
The Emperor had not yet made a decision—what did the Empress and Crown Prince's actions signify?!
Having taken this step, was there any turning back for them?!
At that moment, Momma added another sentence, "The Crown Princess has also disappeared."
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