Yan Chi knew Granny Qian's residence and that she had long since left the capital, but he didn't know how many others like Granny Qian remained in the city.
How many had served the Empress and managed to leave the palace safely, or were still in her service to this day.
The cold wind howled as the snowfall intensified. Yan Chi frowned slightly, lifting his gaze to the sky only to find an ink-black expanse devoid of stars or moon. What had been mere snowflakes moments ago had transformed into swirling willow catkin-like flurries in the blink of an eye. Worry for Qin Guan surfaced in Yan Chi's mind, and he instinctively glanced back.
Qin Guan's carriage was no longer visible, and this emptiness left his heart unsettled.
Withdrawing his gaze, he looked toward the direction Zhao Yu was heading.
"Any incidents at the city gates today?"
Yan Chi's sudden question caused Zhao Yu to slow his horse's pace.
"None. Everything was normal. Prince Yi's residence set up a congee station outside the city to aid refugees today and sent a Golden Buddha out of the city. Other than that, nothing else occurred."
Yan Ze's Golden Buddha had already left the city, and in the evening, only Prince Yi had attended the banquet at Prince Rui's residence.
Therefore, the Crown Prince and Empress should have already departed the capital.
Yan Chi's brow furrowed deeply. If that were the case, then who were the people Zhao Yu had found?
It was almost certain that Yan Ze was using the Golden Buddha affair to cover for the Empress and Crown Prince. With Yan Ze's assistance, why would the Empress use other people?
And coincidentally, these two individuals were caught by Zhao Yu.
Having been involved in the search for the Crown Prince and Empress over recent days, he knew firsthand that they were not careless individuals. After leaving the palace gates, they had vanished completely within the vast capital. If even his own shadow guards couldn't find any traces, how had Zhao Yu managed to locate them?
"How were these two found?"
As if anticipating the question, Zhao Yu replied, "They're from the line of the General Who Supports the State. One of them is supposedly the Empress's cousin's nephew."
Yan Chi responded impassively, "The Empress's cousin's nephew? We investigated the General Who Supports the State's connections. The Zhao clan branches are in Jianzhou, Luozhou, and Yunzhou. Yunzhou is somewhat distant, and we didn't investigate that line thoroughly. Could it be they're from Yunzhou?"
Zhao Yu tightened his grip on the reins and continued, "Your Highness is correct. They're from the Yunzhou branch. These two likely received word from the Empress some time ago, entering the capital early under assumed names to make preparations. What we discovered is that they were helping the Empress communicate with Cangzhou in the north."
Zhao Yu spoke steadily without apparent panic, but as he finished, Yan Chi gradually slowed his horse. Though his expression remained neutral, those familiar with him could tell he was growing angry. Noticing the change in pace, Zhao Yu immediately turned, "What's wrong, Your Highness?"
Yan Chi said calmly, "With such heavy snow, I'm concerned about the princess consort."
Zhao Yu's expression shifted slightly, "Then... does Your Highness wish to return?"
At these words, the several guards following them exchanged glances. Yan Chi scanned them briefly before shaking his head, "No need."
Turning to one guard, he instructed, "Zhong Yao, return to the residence and find Bai Feng. Have him arrange to retrieve the fox fur cape prepared for the princess consort to wear the day after tomorrow and deliver it to the palace immediately."The guard who was called upon froze for a moment, but quickly snapped back to attention. With a brisk acknowledgment, he turned his horse around and rode off.
Zhao Yu watched Zhong Yao ride away into the distance, momentarily at a loss for words. However, Yan Chi's concern for Qin Guan was already well-known to everyone, especially since he had personally escorted her in the wedding procession that very morning. Thus, Zhao Yu thought little of it and instead chuckled, "Your Highness truly spares no effort in caring for the princess consort."
Yan Chi responded with a faint smile but said nothing more. Tipping his chin slightly, he instructed, "Lead the way."
Zhao Yu nodded, the slight furrow in his brow easing somewhat. Raising his whip, he guided Yan Chi onward toward the southern part of the city. Yan Chi followed closely behind, his gaze fixed on Zhao Yu's straight-backed figure, yet he refrained from asking any further questions—
He had already investigated the Zhao clan of Yunzhou.
Moreover, why would the Empress use a collateral branch of the Zhao clan to communicate with the northern factions?
Narrowing his eyes, a flicker of cold intensity flashed in Yan Chi's gaze, but he swiftly concealed it.
The streets were deserted in the deep of night, and the snowfall grew heavier. Before long, a thin layer had settled on Yan Chi's shoulders. He brushed off the snowflakes, his hand resting on the short blade at his waist. The party rode at a breakneck pace, but as they rounded a street corner, several fast-approaching horses suddenly appeared ahead.
Spotting the oncoming riders, Zhao Yu and his men at the front immediately grew alert. However, Zhao Yu soon recognized with surprise that the newcomers were from the Nine Gates Garrison. From a distance, one of them called out, "Is that Deputy Commander Zhao?"
Frowning, Zhao Yu replied, "It is. Why are you here instead of guarding the city gates?"
The location wasn't far from the gates, and upon confirming it was indeed Zhao Yu, the light cavalry spurred their horses forward. As they drew near and reined in, they noticed Yan Chi accompanying him and promptly saluted. Yan Chi, his expression stern, demanded, "What has happened?"
The leader of the group caught his breath and reported, "Your Highness Prince Rui, Deputy Commander Zhao, a residential house in the southern part of the city just caught fire, and two people were burned to death..."
Zhao Yu frowned. "Take such matters to the Lin'an Magistrate's Office. Why come to me?"
The man hurriedly waved his hands. "No, no, if it were ordinary civilians, it would be one thing. But when our men went to put out the fire, they discovered a few items that seemed... to belong to the Eastern Palace. Our subordinates didn't dare take it lightly, so we rushed to find you, Deputy Commander..."
At these words, both Zhao Yu and Yan Chi's expressions shifted slightly.
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