The western palace gate was once again closed from the inside, but the guard captain stationed there frowned slightly with suspicion.
"Military reports arrived and the Meridian Gate was sealed? Why does that sound so strange?"
The captain muttered to himself for a moment before asking, "Did anyone recognize those people earlier?"
At this question, everyone around shook their heads.
Though they served in different battalions under different commanders, those who had been stationed in the palace long enough would inevitably encounter each other. It was highly unusual that none of the twenty-some people were familiar faces.
The captain waved his hand. "You, go check toward Chongzheng Hall and see if there's trouble. If there is, leave it be. If not, immediately inform Chief Eunuch Yuan about the County Princess leaving the palace."
Any mistake in palace gate security would bring severe punishment, so the captain dared not be careless.
The assigned imperial guard soldier took this seriously and headed toward the front court. The western palace gate was somewhat remote, and before he even reached Chongzheng Hall, he encountered many imperial guards returning to the palace. Approaching a familiar face, he asked what was happening. The man replied gravely, "We were handling duties in the eastern city when suddenly we were ordered back to the palace—not just us, but Commander Lin's troops too. I heard something major has happened."
Hearing this, the soldier felt somewhat relieved—it seemed Yongci County Princess had told the truth. Still, he pressed, "Do you know what happened?"
"Seems like garrison soldiers from the north came with golden-feathered arrows to report military intelligence—probably from Yingzhou direction."
The man didn't know specifics and couldn't elaborate, but his account matched Bai Feng's explanation for leaving the palace. The western gate soldier sighed in relief. The questioned guard wondered, "Why are you here instead of guarding the gate? It's chaotic tonight—be careful not to make mistakes. The Meridian Gate is already in disarray."
"Is the Meridian Gate only allowing entry now?"
The questioned guard nodded. "When we returned, there was a long queue of military officers waiting for His Majesty's summons. Ah, it seems real trouble is brewing—the Empress and Crown Prince have vanished, probably joined the rebels..."
The Empress and Crown Prince's departure from the palace was an open secret among the imperial guards, who had been searching for them for days. Both men showed concern at the mention. The questioned guard added, "But we needn't worry too much—we're palace personnel. Unless rebels reach the gates, we won't be sent to battle..."
The western gate guard felt a jolt of alarm. Spotting an officer approaching, he hurried away. Convinced of Bai Feng's story, he still followed orders to check Chongzheng Hall. Before getting close, a young eunuch from the hall stopped him. "Which unit are you from? Why are you here?"
Startled, the guard stammered, "I came to..."
Seeing the guard hesitating without urgency, the eunuch's expression shifted. "No one approaches without urgent business today! Return to your post immediately! Only the two Commander Lins may see His Majesty now!"
"But Chief Eunuch Yuan...""Chief Steward Yuan has no time to see you either! Leave quickly! His Majesty is currently occupied with urgent matters! Can't you see we're all keeping our distance?!"
The young eunuch wore an expression of impatience, yet the guard at the western palace gate dared not talk back.
Though these young eunuchs held low ranks and had physical imperfections, they served right under the Emperor's watchful eye, granting them considerably higher status. Suppressing his displeasure, the western palace gate guard clasped his hands and departed. Upon returning to his post and recounting what he had witnessed, the guard captain finally felt his heart settle.
Inside the galloping carriage, however, Fuling's heart remained suspended in fear.
"Wailing... What is all this? Tonight is the wedding of the princess consort and the prince! How could the Emperor... This servant thought once young mistress married the prince, good days would follow, but... Where are we going now... Young mistress mustn't abandon this servant. I'd rather die than leave your side."
Fuling was utterly terrified. The current situation with Yan Chi and Qin Guan resembled fleeing disaster, yet carried dangers a thousandfold greater. As a young maid who had never experienced such circumstances, she trembled with panic. Hearing her words, Qin Guan felt both pity and amusement. "How could I abandon you? It's just that we must travel a long road ahead, enduring many hardships."
Fuling clung to Qin Guan's arm unwilling to let go. "This servant fears no hardship—only being left behind by young mistress."
When leaving the royal residence, Fuling had seen clearly that Yan Chi intended to abandon the entire estate, let alone a lowly maid like her. During previous plagues and disasters when people fled, households commonly discarded or dismissed their servants. Though Qin Guan wasn't the type to disregard her servants, she might very well settle Fuling in some safe place—exactly what Fuling dreaded most. "This servant would do anything for the princess consort, much less flee with young mistress."
Qin Guan couldn't help laughing at this. Their current situation truly did resemble fleeing calamity.
With this thought, she lifted the carriage curtain to look outside. At the head of their procession, Yan Chi sat straight-backed on his horse, broad-shouldered and upright, his presence alone radiating reassurance. Lowering the curtain, Qin Guan felt warmth gradually returning to her limbs.
Deep within the imperial city, chaos simmered. The palace had dispatched its first wave of commands mobilizing the garrison troops. The on-duty Garrison Battalion received the news first, while remaining soldiers were roused from sleep. These abruptly awakened individuals were particularly alarmed and fearful. Meanwhile, over a thousand imperial guards who had left the palace were scattered throughout the capital, requiring time to regroup and return. Along the ten-li imperial avenue, official carriages still hurried toward the palace gates...
More than an hour remained until dawn, yet the entire capital had already stirred awake prematurely.
Yan Chi led the entire party along small paths toward the southern city. The closer they drew to the southern districts, the quieter it became. This area had received the news earliest—from the moment the guard carrying the golden-feathered arrow entered the city, everyone's hearts had been gripped with tension. After the first imperial decree arrived, half the forces had returned to the Garrison Battalion's main camp in the southwestern city. The remaining men, exhausted by wind and snow and terrified by the military reports, allowed the southern city's defenses to slacken from within.When Yan Chi arrived at the southern city district, the entire area lay in utter silence. Dozens of men clad in Garrison Battalion uniforms stood beneath the city gate. Upon spotting Yan Chi, their expressions shifted immediately. One soldier stepped forward to salute him, then turned to order the others to open the city gate. Qin Guan had anticipated a fierce battle at the gate, yet though the carriage halted, an unsettling quiet prevailed outside. She lifted the curtain to peer out, finding an unnerving stillness enveloping the gatehouse.
The southern gate served as Lin'an's primary outer-city passage, used by royalty and commoners alike. Yet now, the entire southern entrance had clearly fallen under Yan Chi's control—perhaps temporarily, but this was the imperial capital's gateway! How could it be so easily surrendered to another?
Though unaware of the full gravity of the military situation, Qin Guan couldn't help but reflect on the city's defenses: if the Northern Garrison Army truly reached the capital's gates, how would Lin'an's garrison troops—composed of privileged scions and humble commoners devoid of battlefield experience—possibly defend it? Donning uniforms and armor, they remained recklessly green against seasoned warriors.
The gate swung open with startling ease. Soon, Yan Chi spurred his horse forward to lead the way through.
As the carriage rumbled onward through howling wind and snow, Qin Guan instinctively glanced back. Lin'an had faded to a hazy silhouette in the night. Remembering this past year in the capital, a wave of desolation washed over her. When the Shen clan had tried to flee, they were slaughtered beyond the royal city walls. What future awaited her and Yan Chi now?
The carriage slowly emerged through the gate tunnel. Outside, the snowstorm seemed milder. Qin Guan's tension eased slightly until her gaze swept southward: there, upon the snow-blanketed plains, stood thousands of black-clad cavalrymen waiting in the darkness. Seeing Yan Chi's party exit, every rider dismounted. A middle-aged commander strode forth.
"Your Highness! You've safely left the city!"
Yan Chi, towering on his saddle, ripped off the imperial guard helmet and cast it aside, then tore away his military uniform. "Plans have changed. Your dedication is commendable, General Mu!"
The kneeling general responded urgently, "We've long awaited this day! From this moment, we pledge our lives to follow Your Highness!"
Yan Chi nodded, surveying the thousands of black-armored riders in the snowy night. "You were all my father's trusted men. The House of Prince Rui shall not fail you!"
With metallic clangs, the entire black cavalry dropped to their knees.
"We pledge our lives to follow Your Highness! We pledge our lives!"
Their thunderous oath overwhelmed even the roaring storm. Yan Chi waved his hand. "Time is critical. We must reach Yun Ridge by tonight. Move out!"
The troops rose and remounted. As General Mu began directing the southward march, sudden hoofbeats echoed from inside the city gate. Yan Chi turned sharply to see a solitary rider galloping toward them.
The messenger cried out, "Seventh Brother, wait—"
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