Qin Guan quickly realized something was amiss. She narrowed her eyes at the momma beside her, "What is your name? Where do you serve in the Longevity and Health Palace?"
The momma kept her head lowered. Under the dim glow of the palace lantern, Qin Guan couldn't clearly see her expression, but she noticed the woman's shoulders suddenly tremble—a sign of fear and guilt. Qin Guan's eyelids twitched, a chill settling in her heart. She swiftly responded, "The Empress Dowager isn't actually critically ill, is she?"
The momma hunched her shoulders and glanced quickly at Qin Guan, seemingly surprised that she had uncovered the deception yet remained so composed. She nodded, her voice trembling, "This servant... this servant truly serves in the Longevity and Health Palace. This... this was done under orders, my lady..."
The Empress Dowager was not critically ill; it was merely a pretext to lure her into the palace...
To her own surprise, Qin Guan felt a wave of relief, then subtly clenched the delicate fist hidden in her sleeve.
She had been brought into the palace, with Imperial Guards waiting here. Who in this palace could issue such orders? Who could use the credentials of the Longevity and Health Palace? Who could command the Imperial Guards? The answer was self-evident. A bone-chilling cold crept up from the soles of Qin Guan's feet.
There were at least ten Imperial Guards in this squad. As Qin Guan watched them approach, her clear eyes gradually filled with icy resolve.
To restrain a defenseless woman like her, ten men were utterly unnecessary. She had been deceived into entering the palace, while Yan Chi had encountered Zhao Yu upon leaving—was this coincidence or a prearranged plan? If Imperial Guards awaited her inside the palace, what lay in wait for Yan Chi outside?
Today was their wedding day, an event watched by the entire capital. Both Yan Chi and she had anticipated the emperor's growing wariness toward Prince Rui's household, but who could have imagined his impatience would drive him to act so hastily—striking on the very night of their wedding!
If he wished to leave no trace, the day after tomorrow's ancestral rites outside the city would have been the perfect opportunity. Yet clearly, the emperor would grant them no such chance.
They had been calculating the emperor's intentions, while he, in turn, had likely been gauging theirs. Knowing how deeply Yan Chi valued this wedding, he must have guessed that Yan Chi would resist control afterward—hence striking on this very night. Qin Guan laughed bitterly inwardly; she had still underestimated the heart of an emperor.
"My lady, His Majesty intends for you to stay in the palace for a couple of days. Your quarters are in the Northwest Garden."
Qin Guan did not recognize the imperial guards' leader who approached, but upon hearing this, she merely narrowed her eyes. "I am now the princess consort of Prince Rui. Your address is incorrect."
A flicker of surprise passed through the imperial guard commander's eyes. Qin Guan stood there with only Baiying by her side, fully aware of the dire situation, yet she remained upright and composed, even correcting his form of address. Despite his own imposing stature, he felt an inexplicable awe toward her.
After a pause, he said, "Princess Consort, please come this way—"
Qin Guan glanced in the direction he indicated. The North Garden lay in a different direction from the western Longevity and Health Palace—it was the deepest, most secluded, and desolate part of the Inner Palace.
Without a word, without resistance, Qin Guan merely fell silent for a moment before walking in the direction the Imperial Guards pointed.The snow fell heavier now, the howling wind whipping flurries into swirling eddies before they settled. Qin Guan felt a creeping chill in her limbs, the warmth from her earlier bath utterly gone, swept away from within. This was to be her wedding night, yet it had come to this. Though her expression remained composed, the thought of Yan Chi outside the palace and the Emperor’s murderous intent toward him sent a shudder through her heart. Pressing her lips tightly together, Qin Guan strode resolutely into the courtyard prepared for her.
Located in the southern part of the Northern Palace, this single-courtyard residence stood in stark contrast to her impression of the area—typically filled with lower-ranking servants’ quarters and abandoned, neglected palaces. Yet this courtyard was surprisingly elegant. Deep into the night, lanterns illuminated the grounds. The Momma who had deceived Qin Guan into entering the palace followed her inside, while the Imperial Guards commander remained at the gate. "This will be the princess consort’s residence," he said calmly. "All daily necessities are provided. It is late—please rest inside."
His tone was detached, the implied imprisonment described with casual indifference. Qin Guan did not so much as glance at him before stepping into the room.
As the main door opened, warmth enveloped her. Her sharp eyes scanned the chamber, noting two charcoal braziers in the corners. Though the room showed signs of age, it was impeccably clean, furnished simply yet adequately, just as the guard had claimed.
Once Qin Guan entered, Baiying followed, casting a glance backward. The Momma, who had intended to enter, shrank back under Baiying’s gaze and remained at the doorway.
Baiying shut the door firmly. The moment it closed, her forced composure cracked, revealing anxiety. "Princess Consort, what does the Emperor mean by this? Will His Highness be in danger outside the palace?"
Her question betrayed her own suspicions. Even with her background as Yan Chi’s covert operative, Baiying was now unnerved.
Having served Qin Guan for over a year, Baiying trusted her wisdom and calm demeanor. Despite her own forebodings, she sought Qin Guan’s perspective.
Qin Guan moved to the window and sat on the neatly arranged daybed nearby. Only then did she withdraw her hands from her sleeves. One fist rested on the low table, bearing her weight, while the fingertips tucked in her palm trembled faintly.
"The Emperor likely intends to move against Prince Rui’s household. With Yan Chi outside the palace... the odds are against him."
Her voice tightened as she spoke these words. Baiying glanced outside before stepping closer, whispering, "Princess Consort, what should we do?"
Qin Guan offered a bitter smile, her gaze turning to the window where snowflakes drifted like willow catkins. She, too, felt adrift.
This was the imperial palace. Even if Yan Chi were here, escape would be nearly impossible—let alone for two women. With twenty thousand imperial guards enforcing layers of strict security, not even a mosquito could slip through undetected. Yet, was there truly no other way?
"We wait. He was prepared. Now we can only hope he remains safe. There are guards outside this courtyard, but they likely don’t know you’re skilled in martial arts. We’ll wait for an opportunity."
Baiying forced herself to calm down. After a moment, she murmured, "The Emperor summoned you here to imprison you... Is it to...?""The Emperor will not kill me." Qin Guan narrowed her eyes. "If that were his intention, he wouldn't have deceived me into entering the palace. The Emperor is certain to spare my life."
Baiying frowned, clearly distrustful of the imperial heart. Qin Guan lowered her voice, "Because in this world, only I can save the Empress Dowager. Her health is deteriorating daily. If I were killed and the Empress Dowager falls ill, no one could save her. Moreover, keeping me alive also serves to restrain him."
Baiying felt slightly relieved internally, yet her tension remained undiminished.
The night had grown deep, and heavy snow quickly blanketed the outer courtyard in white. Within just an hour, the entire imperial palace was draped in the color of White Silk. Simultaneously, in Chongzheng Hall, Yuan Qing listened to a report at the entrance before turning to approach the Emperor.
"Your Majesty, Yongci County Princess remains very composed, without any crying or fuss. She has already settled in."
The Emperor, who had been resting with closed eyes, opened them, revealing a layer of obscure, unreadable sharpness within his gaze.
Qin Guan, the Ninth Miss of the Qin family - this young girl had struck him as quite unusual from their first meeting. Looking back over this past year, Qin Guan truly hadn't disappointed his expectations.
The Emperor even thought Qin Guan would have made an excellent candidate for Crown Princess. Had she not chosen to marry Yan Chi, she wouldn't be facing her current predicament. He held a certain appreciation for her, no less than what he felt for his most capable ministers.
What a pity. The Emperor sighed inwardly.
"Just keep watch properly. Two young girls won't amount to much. We await Zhao Yu's news."
Yuan Qing nodded, "Everything was arranged long ago. We'll probably receive news shortly."
The Emperor made an acknowledging sound and closed his eyes again. The night was profound, and the Emperor leaned against the back of his throne without any intention of sleeping. This was no ordinary night - naturally he couldn't sleep. Over the past twenty years, there had been many such nights. Of course, if such sleepless nights proceeded smoothly, they would buy him peaceful rest for a long time to come.
Such was the nature of royalty, especially for someone like him who had occupied the throne under another's name for twenty years.
Thinking back now, even he found it somewhat miraculous that he had actually succeeded.
His elder brother had overshadowed him since birth with the privilege of being the legitimate eldest son. Later, with popular support, everyone believed that if he became Emperor, the Great Zhou would enjoy lasting peace and stability. No one had noticed his existence. But now? What's wrong with the current Great Zhou's prosperity and the people's contentment?
This was what he had achieved through painstaking effort. It proved that he too could be a good emperor.
The regret was that his imperial father and elder brother hadn't lived to see this day.
Yan Huai... no, Yan Han. Yan Han closed his eyes and furrowed his brow tightly. After a moment, he still opened them again.
The hall's lamplight was somewhat dim, but he didn't order the servants to trim the wicks. He preferred this ambiguous half-light.
Because whenever he closed his eyes in darkness, long-buried memories in his mind would become clear. And if the hall were too bright, he would worry that the emotions on his face might appear too strange. Becoming aware of his own preoccupation, Yan Han felt a flash of long-suppressed anger within.
No one wishes to live under another's name, especially when this achievement was destined to be attributed to his elder brother by the historians.
This was truly a tremendous regret.It was for this reason that Yan Han began to entertain the idea of changing the Crown Prince.
Bloodline held immense importance within the royal family. His achievements would never be known to the world, and so he resolved to see his own son ascend the throne. This way, after his death, he would have one less regret on his journey to the underworld.
A flicker of inscrutable light passed through Yan Han's eyes as he suddenly asked, "How is the Noble Consort?"
Yuan Qing lowered his gaze and replied, "She has been in a deep slumber these past few days. The imperial physicians have administered strong medicine to allow Her Highness to rest and recover in peace."
Yan Han gave an almost imperceptible nod. "Have the people of Changxin Palace been dealt with?"
Yuan Qing bowed again. "Yes, everything has been handled. Your Majesty need not worry."
Yan Han's brow relaxed slightly. He raised a hand to rub his temples, revealing a rare trace of weariness. Only when a weight was lifted from his mind did he allow such exhaustion to show. Over the past twenty years, his nerves had been tempered like steel. By now, nothing could provoke his fury, nor could anything move him deeply. He had to make himself impervious to all poisons—only then could he continue walking this Path.
"If all is settled, then let the Noble Consort sleep. If her illness persists... you know what to do."
Yuan Qing's eyelids twitched, and he responded in a low, respectful tone.
Time slipped away quietly. Setting aside the memorial in his hand, Yan Han glanced outside. Flakes of snow fell like cotton, already layering thickly before the hall. Yet there was still no word from Zhao Yu. "What time is it? Zhao Yu's message should have arrived by now."
Yuan Qing checked the water clock in the outer hall. "Your Majesty, the hour of the Ox is nearly over."
Yan Han straightened in his seat, his brow furrowing tightly. "At this hour? A fast horse from the southern city to the palace gates should take no more than the time it takes for two incense sticks to burn. What is Zhao Yu doing?"
Though his tone held no anger, the suppressed intensity was palpable. Yuan Qing hurriedly replied, "The snow is heavy—perhaps it has delayed him."
Yan Han narrowed his eyes and remained silent, his gaze fixed on the direction of the hall's entrance.
Yuan Qing stood to the side, not daring to breathe too loudly, watching helplessly as the snow outside piled layer upon layer.
The rhythmic dripping of the water clock in the outer hall echoed one after another. The warmth within the hall gradually gave way to a chilling stillness. Yet outside Chongzheng Hall, there was no sign of any guard arriving to deliver a report. As Yan Han stared at the vast expanse of white snow, a sense of foreboding stirred deep within him...
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