Snowflakes drifted ceaselessly outside the window. Baiying stepped forward and whispered, "Princess Consort, it's already the Yin hour."
Qin Guan opened her slightly closed eyes, turned to look outside, where the dim indoor light cast upon a snow-blanketed courtyard. After a moment's gaze, she suddenly opened the window and stretched out her hand. Though two charcoal braziers warmed the room, their embers had nearly burned out, leaving only residual warmth. As the window opened, a biting cold wind swept in, making even Baiying shiver uncontrollably, while Qin Guan's exposed hand stung as if pierced by needles.
"Has the commotion outside ceased? Where is that Momma now?"
Baiying replied, "Yes, it's silent now. That Momma went to the right wing, but no lights are on there. It's too cold outside—she couldn't endure it."
Qin Guan withdrew her hand, shut the window, and wiped her face with her icy-cold fingers.
The Yin hour was the deepest part of the night, when sleep was most profound. Even if one forced themselves to stay awake, exhaustion would be at its peak. On such a frigid night, the guards outside, though robust, had long been drained of energy after standing two hours in the wind and snow.
Qin Guan motioned for Baiying to draw closer and instructed in a low voice, "This is our best chance. The shift change will happen soon. Go to the Longevity and Health Palace to seek the Empress Dowager. I suspect guards are posted outside her palace too, blocking any pleas for help. If you can't enter the main gate, head south of the palace, near the Ninth Prince's courtyard—that area will surely be the least guarded."
Baiying anxiously said, "But leaving you alone here is highly improper."
Qin Guan shook her head. "They won't kill me. Go quickly. After all this time, who knows what he's facing out there? The Emperor will certainly not spare his life... If not for this dire situation, I wouldn't wish to disturb the Empress Dowager. But now, besides her, I can think of no one else who can save us."
Baiying's eyes darkened with resolve. "Understood. This servant will go to the Longevity and Health Palace at once."
Qin Guan listened carefully for outside movements. "Use the back window."
Baiying nodded, following Qin Guan to the rear window. Pushing it open, snow and wind immediately swirled inside. With agile movements, Baiying climbed out, urging "Take care, Princess Consort" before turning toward the rear courtyard wall. Her skills were nimble—even the towering palace walls couldn't hinder her. Only when Baiying's figure completely vanished did Qin Guan close the window. After securing it, she hurried to the front to listen again, relieved to hear only the howling wind and snow.
Even if the Empress Dowager wasn't critically ill tonight, her mind and body couldn't withstand any turmoil. Qin Guan didn't know if this plea for help would worsen the Empress Dowager's condition, but at this point, she had no choice but to rely on her.
The Momma tasked with guarding the two had long curled up on the daybed in the wing room, chilled to the bone. Seeing the heavy snowfall outside and remembering the Imperial Guards stationed there, she finally set aside her worries and drifted into dreams. Just beyond the wall, ten imperial guards stood covered in snow, some already slumping against the courtyard wall from exhaustion. Soon, melting snow soaked through their clothing, and even the leading cavalry captain struggled to endure.Someone whispered, "Captain, how much longer do we have to stand here? In such heavy snow, it's really..."
"Quiet," the Cavalry Captain hissed under his breath. "Commander Lin personally assigned us this task. Until he gives the order, we cannot leave our posts. You know who's inside—tonight is critical. If we mess this up, it'll cost us our heads!"
"But... I can't hold on much longer. If this continues, we'll all collapse."
The Cavalry Captain glanced around at the men. "You few, go stand in the sheltered spot to rest for a while. Come back later to rotate. Unless Commander Lin sends replacements, there's nothing I can do."
One of them muttered, "Commander Lin probably forgot about us. Captain, do you hear that? It sounds like something's happening near the front hall—quite a commotion."
The imperial guards outside the royal city had all returned to the palace, and with so many people, the noise was naturally loud. Ignoring the remark, the Cavalry Captain insisted, "Focus on your duties."
No one dared say more. A few who could no longer endure slipped around the corner to take shelter from the wind.
Baiying crept toward the Longevity and Health Palace like a cat. The palace was indeed restless tonight. From the North Garden to the Longevity and Health Palace, the number of imperial guards had multiplied, far exceeding the usual security. Fortunately, Baiying often accompanied Qin Guan into the palace; otherwise, finding a place to hide would have been nearly impossible.
When Baiying finally managed to reach the Longevity and Health Palace, it was just as Qin Guan had predicted: the palace was completely surrounded by imperial guards. In the wind and snow, guards stood armed every five paces. No matter how agile Baiying was, she couldn't breach such a tight blockade to enter the palace.
After waiting a moment, Baiying saw that the palace gates were shut tight and the interior was pitch dark. She suspected the Empress Dowager was unaware of the events outside. Waiting for someone to emerge from the palace seemed futile. Hiding in the shadows, Baiying began moving toward the direction of the Ninth Prince Yan Sui's quarters. Reaching the southeast side of the Longevity and Health Palace, she indeed found fewer guards stationed there. Here, the imperial guards patrolled rather than standing firm, but the patrols were twice as frequent as usual. One squad had barely passed when, in the blink of an eye, the next arrived. Baiying frowned deeply; though her cheeks stung from the cold, cold sweat still beaded on her forehead.
After watching five patrols pass without finding an opening, Baiying grew anxious about the time. She could wait no longer. As the sixth patrol moved away, she leaped toward the palace wall. But at that very moment, the seventh patrol rounded the corner. The leader spotted a shadow flitting by and immediately raised his torch. "Who's there? Who goes there? Guards—!"
The leading guard shouted and charged toward the palace wall. Baiying had no choice but to hide temporarily behind a cluster of low bamboo and rocks at the base of the wall. Her heart pounded like a drum, her body tensed, ready to fight the guards at any moment. Just as the guards drew nearer, about to search the area, suddenly, another dark figure flashed in the distance. The leader's eyes lit up, and he immediately gave chase toward the black-clad figure. "Over there! After them—!"Baiying let out a huge sigh of relief as she watched the imperial guards marching further away. Though unsure of what had happened, she decided to seize the opportunity to sneak into the Longevity and Health Palace first. However, just as she turned to climb the wall, a sudden gust of wind swept from behind. Alarm bells rang in her mind, and she spun around, throwing a punch. Yet the newcomer seemed to anticipate her moves, catching her fist squarely. In the next instant, the figure abruptly closed in on her...
"It's me—"
The sudden voice halted Baiying's counterattack. Her eyes widened as she stared at the figure before her. "Elder brother?!"
Bai Feng’s eyes were filled with urgency. "Why are you here?! Where is the princess consort?"
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