Yuan Qing only snapped back to reality when he watched Princess Consort Gong's figure disappear into the curtain of snow.
He remained dazed for a while longer before finally turning to enter Chongzheng Hall as if awakening from a trance. There was only one hour left until dawn, yet Lin Zhang and the others in the side hall still hadn't reached a decision. This was a matter that could not be delayed. Yuan Qing hurried through the hall doors, only to see Yan Han, who had been sitting earlier, now standing before the west window. The window was open, and his gaze... Yuan Qing's steps faltered, his eyes darkening. The emperor was looking in the exact direction where Princess Consort Gong had just departed.
Outside the window, the cold wind howled, but the hall remained warm. Yet at this moment, the emperor's expression was filled with desolation, sending waves of unease through Yuan Qing's heart. After a pause, Yuan Qing finally whispered, "Your Majesty, in the side hall, Commander Lin and the others are still waiting for you..."
Yuan Qing's voice instantly drew Yan Han's spirit back. His brow twitched, the sorrow on his face dissipating as his entire being suddenly seemed clad in cold armor, devoid of any expression. Yuan Qing's heart trembled, thinking he had said something wrong. But the next moment, Yan Han turned around. "Summon Lin Zhang here."
Yuan Qing's tense heart relaxed, and he immediately acknowledged the order before turning to leave. Soon, Lin Zhang and the others returned to the main hall.
Lin Zhang said, "Your Majesty, we have finished our discussions. Here are the details—"
A Ministry of War official handed over a memorial, which Yuan Qing received. After reading it, Yan Han nodded. "Proceed with this for now. Dawn is approaching soon. Make the arrangements quickly."
Upon hearing this, Lin Zhang immediately acknowledged and left. Yan Han carefully reviewed the details again and added, "The main commander will be the Duke of Wei. I will also assign you a military advisor. Prince Cheng has long wished to gain experience in leading troops. This time, let him learn well under the Duke of Wei."
With these words, it was decided that Prince Cheng, Yan Qi, would accompany the army to Yingzhou.
The emperor's orders were not to be disobeyed. Yan Han continued, "Summon Prince Cheng to the palace. At this hour, he must already know what has happened."
Yuan Qing nodded and went to the door to instruct someone to relay the order. But as soon as he spoke, he saw an imperial guard running frantically to the front of the hall!
"Eunuch Yuan! Eunuch Yuan, something terrible has happened!"
Yuan Qing frowned. "What is all this shouting about?! Do you know where you are?!"
"Eunuch Yuan! Something terrible! The Yongci... the people in the Western Garden have escaped!"
Yuan Qing froze. He had not misheard the imperial guard's blurted mention of "Yongci." Realization dawned on him—this was indeed a grave matter. "What?! Are you saying... Princess Consort Rui has disappeared?!"
Yuan Qing lowered his voice, and the imperial guard nodded hastily. "Yes! The princess consort and her maid are both gone! Over a dozen imperial guards on duty were knocked unconscious and left in the courtyard. Judging by their injuries, it was the work of experts—extremely clean and efficient..."
Yuan Qing's heart began to race wildly. However, the fact that Qin Guan had been deceived into entering the palace and imprisoned could not be widely disclosed. Thus, Yuan Qing quickly turned and went inside, approaching Yan Han to whisper a few words. Yan Han had been reviewing the troop deployment details, never expecting to receive such news at this moment! His face immediately darkened.Two hours ago, Zhao Yu should have returned to the palace. Yan Han had been pondering this matter, but unexpectedly, a military report suddenly arrived, disrupting all his plans. After being occupied for half the day, Princess Consort Gong entered the palace again. Before the details of dispatching troops could be finalized, news arrived of Qin Guan’s disappearance.
Someone had rescued Qin Guan! And it was done without a sound! Who could it be?!
There were few in this world who would risk their lives to cause chaos in the palace for Qin Guan’s sake. With Zhao Yu still not returned, Yan Han was almost certain who was behind this. Clenching his fist inside the sleeve of his Ceremonial Robe, anger surged abruptly in his eyes. Narrowing his gaze, he said, "Immediately investigate all palace gates. If he took someone away, he certainly wouldn’t leave them in the palace. He had a way in, so naturally, he has a way out. Send Lin Xie with men to Prince Rui’s royal residence—"
As soon as he finished speaking, Yuan Qing quickly turned to leave, but halfway out, Yan Han suddenly called out, "Wait—"
Yuan Qing turned back. "What are Your Majesty’s orders?"
A storm of fury raged in Yan Han’s eyes. "Summon the two messengers who delivered the military report!"
Yuan Qing blinked, and Yan Han added, "Issue the orders first, then summon them!"
Snapping back to attention, Yuan Qing hurried out of the hall. He first dispatched men to investigate the palace gates, then ordered the summoning of the Yanzhou personal guards who had already gone to rest in the imperial guards’ barracks. The commands were delivered swiftly, and the response was just as quick. Returning with the news was the captain of the West Palace Gate guard!
The moment the captain entered the hall, he knew something was wrong. By the time he finished speaking, Yan Han’s gaze had turned as cold and piercing as ice.
Yuan Qing looked at Yan Han. "Your Majesty, what should we do now?"
Yan Han was narrowing his eyes in thought when a young eunuch rushed in from outside, panicked, and reported, "Your Majesty, the two men are nowhere to be found in the imperial guards’ barracks!"
Everything was happening too fast. Yan Han glanced out the window at the pale gray dawn, his lips pressed tightly together. After a long moment, he spoke in a cold, heavy tone, "He must have already left the city. Recall Lin Zhang. Let the troops that have already set out proceed as planned, but hold back those scheduled to depart at noon!"
Yuan Qing nodded in acknowledgment. After issuing the orders and returning to the hall, he saw Yan Han’s face as cold as frost.
"Your Majesty, was it Prince Rui?! Where would Prince Rui go? To Shuoxi? If Prince Rui leaves, it will ruin Your Majesty’s plans…"
Yan Han let out a cold laugh. "It’s merely one more rebel added to the list!"
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