Yan Chi said he would wait for a quarter of an hour, and indeed, it was exactly a quarter of an hour.
After that time, Yan Chi led Qin Guan out of the West Garden room.
In the right wing, ten imperial guards and the Momma responsible for guarding Qin Guan were all unconscious.
The North Garden was remote. Yan Chi took Qin Guan along the northern edge heading west. The Empress’s quarters lay to the east, while the entire western side had only the Longevity and Health Palace as the main building. Although the area around the Longevity and Health Palace was heavily guarded, other parts were extremely quiet. Observing their direction, Qin Guan asked, “Are we leaving through the West Palace Gate?”
At this moment, the main noon gate was bustling with crowds, and the imperial guards were only allowing exits, not entries. With Qin Guan in tow, it was naturally difficult to leave through the main gate.
Yan Chi nodded, tightening his grip on Qin Guan’s hand. “Everything is arranged.”
Qin Guan felt reassured. The group took the time it takes for an incense stick to burn to reach the West Palace Gate.
The West Palace Gate was a side entrance to the imperial city, typically used by palace staff on official errands, so there were few guards. In the deep night, the imperial guards stationed at the West Palace Gate were startled to see a group approaching. Twenty-some imperial guards escorting two people—upon closer look, it was Yongci County Princess.
Qin Guan was a frequent visitor to the palace, and today she had made no disguise, so she was instantly recognizable.
The guard captain dared not neglect her and hurried forward. “It’s Yongci County Princess! This humble general pays respects to the County Princess! Today… today is the County Princess’s wedding day. Why has the County Princess entered the palace?”
The wedding of Prince Rui and Yongci County Princess was known throughout the city, and this guard captain was naturally aware. However, those guarding Qin Guan were Lin Zhang’s trusted subordinates; other imperial guards had no knowledge of Qin Guan being deceived and imprisoned in the palace. Qin Guan, wearing a hood, appeared stern and imposing, exuding an intimidating aura. Though the captain asked, Qin Guan did not respond.
Bai Feng stepped forward and said, “Her Highness the Empress Dowager’s condition suddenly worsened tonight. His Majesty ordered the County Princess to enter the palace to treat the Empress Dowager. Now the County Princess needs to leave the palace—just open the gate. The snow is heavy tonight; we will return after escorting the County Princess.”
The guard captain nodded and was about to open the gate but found it somewhat odd. “The County Princess must have entered through the noon gate. Why is she leaving through the West Gate now?”
Bai Feng frowned. “Haven’t you heard? An urgent military report has arrived from Yingzhou. The imperial guards who left the inner city have all been recalled. The noon gate is now sealed—only entry is allowed, no exits. Officials summoned by His Majesty are waiting at the palace gate for orders. Since the County Princess is coming from the Longevity and Health Palace, this route is closer.”
The guard captain had no knowledge of the military situation and was startled by this news. Seeing the large escort of imperial guards with Qin Guan, he dared not take it lightly and quickly ordered the gate opened. As the gate swung open, Bai Feng led the way out.
Qin Guan’s heart tightened slightly, but she hadn’t expected leaving the palace to be so smooth. Even more surprising was the military report from Yingzhou!
If what Bai Feng said was true, could it be that the Northern Garrison Army was about to attack the capital?
Once outside the palace gate, Qin Guan took a deep breath. The military report had come at the perfect time—the entire palace was now shrouded in gloom over the military situation. The Emperor had many officials to summon and had to recall the imperial guards, providing them the perfect opportunity to slip away in the chaos.
The long street outside the West Palace Gate was empty, but in the civilian alleys to the left after exiting the gate, someone had long been waiting!A spacious carriage stood waiting, with over a dozen black-clad shadow guards each holding the reins of two horses. As Yan Chi and the others approached, the carriage door was abruptly pushed open from inside, revealing Fuling within. The moment Fuling spotted Qin Guan, her eyes reddened, and she leaped down from the carriage.
"Young lady... Princess Consort! Wuwu... I was so frightened, Princess Consort..."
Fuling disregarded formalities, rushing to Qin Guan in a few steps and embracing her tightly.
The wind and snow still howled fiercely. Qin Guan’s own eyes grew warm at the sight of Fuling. Though she had been imprisoned and knew nothing of the outside world, Fuling was the person she cared about most. Seeing her here now, Qin Guan’s heart finally settled.
Time was of the essence. Yan Chi’s voice was low and urgent, "Get in the carriage first. We leave the city immediately!"
Only then did Fuling wipe her eyes and bow to Yan Chi. Qin Guan, hearing this, asked no questions and hurried into the carriage.
Baiying and Fuling both mounted horses, leaving only men outside. Yan Chi took the lead, swinging onto his horse, and the others followed suit. A man in his fifties stepped forward from the crowd and said, "Your Highness, the South Gate is fully prepared."
Yan Chi nodded. "What about the royal residence?"
The man replied hastily, "Imperial guards surrounded the residence, but they withdrew to the palace just moments ago. Only about twenty remain guarding it now."
Yan Chi narrowed his eyes, cast another glance toward the palace, and issued a firm command, "Move out!"
With the crack of a whip, the group of several dozen swiftly fell into formation. Shielded by the blizzard and darkness, they escorted Qin Guan’s carriage toward the South Gate.
Inside the carriage, Fuling wept as she recounted, "After you left, the prince didn’t return either. But soon, his guard Zhong came back, saying Deputy Commander Zhao needed him for something. The guard mentioned the prince was worried about you and ordered Baiying to fetch the white fox cape originally intended for you to wear the day after tomorrow, to be sent into the palace. Baiying was still managing the wedding banquet cleanup at the time, but his expression turned grim upon hearing this. He immediately told me to pack, giving me only the time it takes for one incense stick to burn."
"Wuwu... I had no idea what was happening. Baiying only said that if we delayed, the royal residence would be raided. I... I’ve never experienced anything like this! I grabbed only the most crucial items—your dowry, your dagger, the most accessible silver notes, and the medicines you usually prepare. There was no time for anything else. Baiying said to leave the rest, then took me down to a cellar..."
"When I left, the residence was still in chaos, with the front courtyard’s banquet not fully cleared. But when I entered that cellar, it was packed with people. I was terrified! Then I was handed over to Brother Chen. These carriages were all prepared in advance. I’ve been waiting outside the imperial city for so long, terrified you wouldn’t make it out, wuwu..."
A small stove inside the carriage showed that Yan Chi had made preparations despite the sudden upheaval. Fuling clung tightly to Qin Guan’s hand, sobbing, "Princess Consort, what is really going on? Why... wasn’t the Empress Dowager ill? Where are we headed now..."Qin Guan sighed and held Fuling tighter. Though she still didn't fully understand what was happening outside, Fuling's words had clarified much for her. Patting Fuling's shoulder, she said, "The royal residence has fallen under the Emperor's suspicion. Since the Emperor won't tolerate us, we must leave the capital tonight. Fuling, are you afraid?"
Fuling froze for a moment, tears streaming down her face. Suddenly she threw her arms around Qin Guan. "This servant is terrified! Please don't abandon me, young mistress!"
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