The night was deep and heavy when an imperial guard ascended from below the city tower. "Your Highness, Vice Commander Zhao, the interrogation is complete. The man stole goods from the South City's Mingxiu Workshop and attempted to smuggle them out under cover of darkness. He has been tortured, and his confession appears genuine."
After the guard finished speaking, Zhao Yu looked toward Yan Chi. "What does Your Highness think?"
Though Zhao Yu had not been particularly familiar with Yan Chi before, their shared experience at Weishan—where they jointly uncovered the Northern Wei prince's treacherous scheme—had forged a bond between them. Zhao Yu held deep respect for this young general of the Northwest Frontier Army. Compared to the life-and-death struggles on the frontier, the troubles in the capital seemed trivial.
Yan Chi responded, "The capital has hundreds of wards and markets, and tens of thousands of citizens. The Empress and Crown Prince must have made arrangements before leaving the palace. Now they hide among the masses—finding them is like searching for a needle in a haystack. We can only rely on the Garrison Battalion to blockade key passages, though claiming complete lockdown would be an overstatement. The city gates remain most critical. Wherever they hide, they cannot remain concealed for months on end; eventually, they must leave."
Zhao Yu nodded. "The north has already stirred. The Empress and Crown Prince must be growing desperate."
Cangzhou had fallen under bandit control—though court officials understood the true implications. The Empress and Crown Prince's rebellion and flight were both a royal scandal and a ludicrous farce, one that could no longer be concealed.
Yan Chi's gaze fell upon the city gates below. Curfew was in effect, and from this vantage point, the imperial palace was visible in the distance. The night was pitch black, obscuring the palace's outline, yet Yan Chi remained acutely aware of the danger lurking within.
Though the Emperor's sudden assignment of this task to him seemed reasonable on surface, it felt slightly peculiar. While Zhao Yu and others showed him deference, and the Emperor had granted him considerable authority, such power could be revoked at whim. The imperial guards ultimately answered only to the Emperor.
Yan Chi stared intently at the ancient capital of Lin'an, veiled in darkness. This two-hundred-year-old city, once flourishing, now exuded an aura of decay. If the Emperor's secrets were exposed, what turmoil would erupt across the Great Zhou dynasty?
As Yan Chi pondered, an imperial guard suddenly rushed up the tower. "Vice Commander, an envoy from the palace has arrived."
Zhao Yu started in surprise—why would the palace send someone at this hour? After a quick glance at Yan Chi, he nodded briskly. "I'll go down immediately."
With a respectful nod to Yan Chi, Zhao Yu descended.
Once Zhao Yu departed, Yan Chi narrowed his eyes. The responsibility of locating the Empress and Crown Prince had fallen to him, yet the palace envoy had come for Zhao Yu. Yan Chi instinctively sensed something amiss. The Emperor's decision, while superficially proper, now seemed questionable. What urgent matter had prompted this midnight summons?
Yan Chi glanced at Bai Feng standing nearby. Understanding the unspoken command, Bai Feng nodded and quietly followed Zhao Yu down.Yan Chi stood alone atop the city wall tower, the biting wind howling around him. Yet his posture remained erect and unwavering, seemingly impervious to the chill. His gaze shifted toward the direction of Xingle District, where the Loyal Marquis Manor was merely a faint speck in the night. The thought of not having seen Qin Guan for over two days stirred a lingering unease in his heart. The Emperor would never truly allow him to command the imperial guards, and with the Empress absent from the palace for days, the Emperor would eventually realize the possibility of long-buried secrets coming to light. What would he do next?
After a moment, Bai Feng approached. "Master, it’s someone sent by Chief Eunuch Yuan."
Yan Chi narrowed his eyes. Yuan Qing was the Emperor’s most trusted confidant. If his man had come to see Zhao Yu, it could only mean an imperial decree was being delivered.
Yan Chi remained silent for a while. Below the tower, the palace messenger had come and gone swiftly, yet Zhao Yu did not return immediately.
It was only after the time it takes for an incense stick to burn that Zhao Yu finally ascended. His expression stern, he said, "Your Highness, the night is deep. Perhaps you should return and rest?"
Yan Chi looked at Zhao Yu, who had been composed earlier but now seemed evasive, even lowering his gaze under Yan Chi’s scrutiny. Yan Chi, however, nodded calmly. "Very well, in that case, I shall return to the residence first."
Zhao Yu acknowledged and personally escorted Yan Chi down the tower.
After Yan Chi rode off on his horse, Zhao Yu lingered for a moment before turning back.
Yan Chi galloped at full speed back to the royal residence. Upon entering, he learned that Qin Guan had visited. A softness touched his eyes as he reached the waterside pavilion and found a note she had left. Naturally, Qin Guan dared not write anything crucial—only a few words of comfort and concern.
Just as he finished reading, a sharp cry pierced the air outside, followed swiftly by a messenger eagle descending from the sky. Soon after, Bai Feng entered with a grave expression. "Master, a message from the Western Frontier…"
Yan Chi raised an eyebrow, took the message tube, and opened it. His brow furrowed deeply after just a glance.
By the time he finished reading, his face had turned as dark as still water. Without delay, he commanded, "Send word to Fan Xin immediately. Have him come to the royal residence at once."
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