Coroner's Diary

Bai Feng was clad in the uniform of the Imperial Guards, and had it not been for the helmet, Baiying might not have recognized him.

Seeing it was her elder brother, the tension in Baiying's heart instantly eased. She immediately grasped Bai Feng's hand and said, "The princess consort ordered me to seek help at the Longevity and Health Palace. She is still imprisoned in the North Garden. Why are you here, brother? Where is the prince? Is he safe?"

Bai Feng also appeared relieved. "The prince is safe. He is currently inside the Longevity and Health Palace. We entered the palace precisely to rescue the princess consort."

Hearing this, Baiying felt completely reassured but asked, "The prince is in the Longevity and Health Palace?"

Bai Feng nodded. "The prince came here both to find the princess consort and to bid farewell to the Empress Dowager. But just now, our people searched the Longevity and Health Palace for a long time without finding the princess consort. We were growing anxious when we saw you arrive. Is the princess consort safe now?"

Baiying quickly nodded. "She is safe... though she worries about the prince."

The siblings concealed themselves behind the rockery and bamboo grove. The swirling snow made it no place for conversation. As the next patrol approached, Bai Feng lifted Baiying by the shoulders and helped her scale the high wall, then leaped over the palace wall himself. The entire Longevity and Health Palace lay in slumber, with only the faint glow of a dim yellow lamp emanating from the Empress Dowager's rear chamber.

In the rear chamber, Mammy Chen stared with red-rimmed eyes at Yan Chi kneeling on the floor, her voice trembling as she said, "Your Highness... how could it... how could it have come to this... Tonight is your wedding night, how could you..."

The Empress Dowager lay pale on the bed, her breathing shallow and labored. Yan Chi gazed solemnly at her condition, stepped forward, and grasped her flailing hand. "Grandmother, your grandson is unfilial. Matters have reached this point, and I have no other choice."

The Empress Dowager made guttural sounds in her throat before finally speaking, "You... just go... Grandmother understands."

Yan Chi's eyes flickered at these words, momentarily unable to discern her meaning. The Empress Dowager tightly clutched his hand. "Good... good child, go, go find Wan Yatou. From now on, never... never return..."

Tonight was Yan Chi's wedding night. Mammy Chen could never have imagined he would storm into the Longevity and Health Palace at night, nor could she understand why the Empress Dowager seemed to have anticipated this, showing no surprise at all. She didn't comprehend why the Empress Dowager would tell Yan Chi never to return. What exactly had happened?

Hearing the Empress Dowager's words, waves of turmoil surged in Yan Chi's heart. Unless she had discovered the emperor's secret, why would she speak such words?

How did the Empress Dowager know? Doubt instinctively arose in Yan Chi, but now was not the time to question these matters.

Having spent little of his childhood in the capital, Yan Chi had formed bonds with few—only the Empress Dowager and Princess Consort Gong. Yet ironically, these two were the emperor's closest relatives. In this predicament, he could only use them to break the deadlock. Yan Chi had expected the Empress Dowager to be the most difficult obstacle, but surprisingly, she had already seen through everything.

Grief welled up in Yan Chi's heart. Just as he was about to speak, he heard sparrow chirps from outside the window. What bird would dare show itself in such heavy snow? It was undoubtedly Bai Feng's signal, indicating he had found Qin Guan's whereabouts. Yan Chi's heart jolted, and he hurriedly said, "Your grandson is unfilial. I beg Your Majesty to take care. When I return to Shuoxi, I shall pray daily for Your Majesty's well-being. If fate allows, I will someday return to seek your forgiveness..."With these words, Yan Chi released the Empress Dowager's hand and kowtowed three times forcefully before her.

After finishing the kowtows, Yan Chi rose and stepped back, then turned and exited the rear hall. Mammy Chen watched his retreating figure with tears in her eyes, momentarily at a loss as she looked between Yan Chi's back and the Empress Dowager who had also begun weeping on the bed. Yan Chi strode quickly out of the rear hall, intending to rendezvous with Bai Feng, when he suddenly spotted a small figure standing under the corridor eaves.

The Longevity and Health Palace had long been under curfew at this hour, with all servants retired for the night. Yan Chi turned toward the figure and, upon approaching, indeed saw Yan Sui's face pale from the cold. Yan Chi hadn't noticed him upon arrival, indicating the child had just emerged. Yet none of the palace servants had detected him—how had he known outsiders had come?

As Yan Chi approached, Yan Sui showed neither surprise nor alarm, nor did he cry out. He simply stared woodenly at Yan Chi, then glanced behind him.

Understanding who the boy was looking for, Yan Chi crouched down and said, "She's in the palace. I'm taking her away. Do you remember what she told you?"

Snow swirled fiercely under the eaves, driven by the bitter wind. Yan Sui stood motionless, as if completely numb to the cold. After a pause, he slowly nodded. Yan Chi ruffled his hair, patted his tender shoulder, and lifted his chin to signal the boy to return inside.

Yan Sui gritted his teeth and turned stiffly, taking two steps before hearing Yan Chi's departing footsteps. He suddenly spun back to watch Yan Chi, instinctively following two steps as if wanting to leave with him. But he forcibly stopped himself, standing still for a long moment before finally turning to hurry back toward his side hall.

...

Qin Guan waited with unbearable anxiety.

Given tonight's circumstances, both inside and outside the palace would certainly be under strict guard. Though Baiying was highly skilled, she couldn't fight against hundreds alone. Moreover, the imperial guards were fully equipped with bows, crossbows, and swords—if confronted, Baiying would likely be overpowered. If she were captured, Qin Guan would lose her only chance.

Outside the high walls, the ten Imperial Guards on duty were nearly succumbing to the storm. Moving about in such weather would have been bearable, but standing motionless on guard had allowed the cold to penetrate their very bones. Except for one or two exceptionally robust men, the others were already lightheaded with stiff limbs.

Snowmelt had seeped through their armor, soaking their clothes and carrying away what little body heat remained. Soon, their undergarments froze into stiff shells that rustled with every movement. Several who could no longer endure had sat down in sheltered spots, but this only made them more dizzy from the cold. Just as everyone was about to collapse, a squad of imperial guards suddenly appeared on the Palace Road nearby. Seeing the newcomers, the guards perked up.

The North Garden was remote and normally had no patrols. This group numbered several dozen—clearly their replacements.

The men struggled to their feet, watching the approaching figures with hope. But the leading cavalry captain frowned.

"Who sent you? Grand Commander Lin?"

Bai Feng stepped forward, calm and composed. "You've worked hard, brothers. Young Commander Lin sent us. An urgent report came from Yingzhou—the Grand Commander has been dispatched by His Majesty on other business. Young Commander Lin is now in charge of palace security. You may go rest and return for duty at dawn."Hearing this, the cavalry captain felt relieved. He had never met Bai Feng before, and if someone claimed to have come under Commander Lin's orders, it would have been suspicious.

The others grew cheerful, and someone couldn't help but let out a cheer. Bai Feng led his men to stand outside the courtyard gate, and only then did the cavalry captain wave his hand, preparing to leave with his troops. The captain walked at the forefront, instinctively flexing his shoulder bones. However, just as he brushed past an imperial guards soldier, his footsteps abruptly halted. The person he had passed kept his head down, his face obscured by his helmet and barely discernible. Though positioned toward the rear of the formation, this individual's aura stood out distinctly. The captain couldn't quite put it into words but felt certain this man was no ordinary soldier. He paused to scrutinize him for a moment and suddenly caught a sharp glint in the man's eyes. At that, the captain gasped sharply and shouted, "Halt! Who are you?!"

Yan Chi had already passed the captain but, upon being called out, did not stop, as if unaware the command was directed at him.

Unwilling to let it go, the captain strode forward and reached out to grab Yan Chi's shoulder. "You there! Which battalion are you from—"

Before he could finish, his hand landed on Yan Chi's shoulder. But before he could exert any force, a far greater strength clamped down on his wrist. A searing pain shot through him, and before he could react, he was sent spinning through the air and slammed to the ground. In an instant, all the replacement guards sprang into action like leopards, and the imperial guards who had been about to leave were swiftly overpowered, rendered helpless as fish on a chopping block. After the initial shock, the captain quickly realized something was amiss, but before he could cry out, a heavier blow struck the side of his neck. His eyes bulged abruptly, and he lost consciousness without even a sound.

"Clean this up. Drag them into the courtyard."

Yan Chi issued the order without another word, striding into the courtyard.

Inside the room, Qin Guan's heart leaped into her throat at the commotion. If it were merely a shift change, the newcomers wouldn't enter the courtyard. Either they had come to interrogate her and the other, or Baiying had been discovered. Either scenario spelled significant trouble for her at this moment.

Qin Guan had nothing on her, not even the dagger she usually carried. Yet, facing the impending danger, she straightened her dress and sat calmly and resolutely by the bed.

With a creak, the door swung open, letting in a gust of wind and snow, and a tall shadow fell across the threshold. Qin Guan stiffened her spine, her expression cold and stern. But suddenly, a figure flashed into the room, and Qin Guan met a pair of worried eyes. She froze, momentarily thinking she was dreaming.

Yan Chi hurried to the door, and upon pushing it open, he saw Qin Guan sitting coldly by the bed. His initial joy was quickly replaced by heartache as he noticed her guarded and aloof demeanor. He quickened his pace, pulling her into his embrace. "Guan Guan—"

Only when she leaned against Yan Chi did Qin Guan snap out of her daze. "You! How did you get into the palace? Is the Emperor planning to move against us?"

Yan Chi hummed in affirmation. "Zhao Yu was carrying out orders, but I saw through it."Qin Guan tightened her grip on Yan Chi's arm. "Then how dare you enter the palace?"

Yan Chi smiled, raising a hand to adjust the cape draped over her shoulders. "With you inside the palace, I would come even through mountains of blades and seas of fire."

Qin Guan felt a surge of emotion. "What do we do now?"

"I've already seen Her Majesty the Empress Dowager. We'll leave the capital tonight."

Leaving tonight meant their plans had been accelerated. Studying Yan Chi's imperial guards uniform, Qin Guan worried whether he could handle any sudden complications. Sensing her concern, Yan Chi reassured her, "Don't worry, everything will go smoothly."

Though somewhat comforted, Qin Guan couldn't fully set her mind at ease. The palace was heavily guarded, and the imperial city was under strict martial law. How would they escape the palace? How would they leave the imperial city?

"Baiying went to the Longevity and Health Palace..."

"We met. She's waiting outside now."

Relieved, Qin Guan asked urgently, "Are we leaving the palace now?"

Yan Chi glanced at the water clock in the corner and shook his head. "We'll wait another quarter-hour."

Meanwhile, among the continuous stream of people passing through the Meridian Gate, a carriage slowly approached.

As more officials were summoned, the imperial guards at the palace gates grew increasingly vigilant. Seeing the new carriage arrive, they assumed it carried another civil or military official. But when the door opened, out stepped a middle-aged woman draped in a plain white cape. Her hood obscured her features, yet her slender frame and ethereal grace suggested someone detached from worldly affairs.

The guards exchanged puzzled glances. Who would come at such a late hour amidst this chaos? They knew the Emperor had summoned numerous military officers, but which noblewoman had been summoned?

While they wondered, the woman approached steadily under an attendant's umbrella. Amid the howling wind and snow, her unhurried steps contrasted sharply with the surrounding commotion. Without any identification token or imperial pass, the old momma holding the umbrella stepped forward and announced, "The former Princess Consort Gong requests an audience with His Majesty. Please announce her arrival—"