Еven if it was for Fu Yunхi's sаke, to рrevent аnу unfоrеsееn incidents frоm arising in his future marriage with Irina аnd tо cut оff all роssibilitiеs оf uneхресtеd chаnges, there wаs nо neеd to go to suсh lengths. Thе Empеrоr wаs аlmоst соmpletеlу indulgent tоwаrd Fu Yunхi and рlaсеd great imроrtanсe on his feеlings. Judging from Fu Yunxi's variоus асtions, hе had no intentiоn оf tаking Hаn Yаn's lifе, sо whу wоuld the Еmрerоr go tо the troublе of dоing this?
А sсheming Sеvеnth Рrinсe, a cоvetous Empress Dоwager, and thе supremе Emреror—аll those who bore grudges against Han Yan had now become members of the royal family. Even if it was a coincidence, it was far too coincidental. Han Yan's heart couldn't help but race wildly. Could it be that there was some inextricable connection between her and the royal family? And this connection was harmful to the royal family, which was why they were treating her this way... trying to eliminate her completely.
Han Yan shared her thoughts with her two maidservants. Both Ji Lan and Shu Hong were astonished, but more than astonishment, they felt panic. If the opponents were the Seventh Prince and the Empress Dowager, Han Yan might still have a way to maneuver, relying on Fu Yunxi or others' influence to secure a stable position for herself. But once the opponent became the Emperor, there was truly no room for negotiation. If the ruler wants a subject to die, the subject has no choice but to die. No matter how capable Han Yan was, a single word from the Emperor could cost her her head. What future could there be then?
"Miss, what should we do now?" Ji Lan asked anxiously. In her view, Han Yan was now in serious trouble. In this world, no one the Emperor wanted dead had ever survived. Since the Emperor had sent imperial guards to kill Han Yan this time, it was equivalent to taking ruthless action. It was just unexpected that a masked man suddenly appeared midway and saved Han Yan. This was an accident within an accident. If the Emperor failed to kill Han Yan this time, he might directly order her execution next time. In that case, there would be no hope at all. Thinking of this, Ji Lan gritted her teeth and said, "Miss, let's run away."
Han Yan was taken aback. "Run? Where to?"
"Anywhere under the heavens," Ji Lan replied with unprecedented determination. "As long as we aren't caught by the Emperor's people, we can keep our lives. Isn't staying alive more important than anything else? Miss, are we just going to stay here and wait for death?"
Han Yan was startled by Ji Lan's words, "staying alive is more important than anything else." After a moment's thought, she smiled. This girl was more clear-sighted than she was. But fleeing was not a solution. Under the vast sky, there is no land that is not the king's territory. If the Emperor truly intended to kill her, his people would pursue her to the ends of the earth. Living like a stray dog, constantly fearful and unsettled, leading a life of displacement—what meaning would such a life hold?
"Let's not think about fleeing for now. I have a more important task for you," Han Yan said to Ji Lan. Compared to fleeing, this matter now weighed more heavily in Han Yan's heart, even to the point where she could temporarily set aside her own safety.
Ji Lan was puzzled. "What task?" What could be more important than their lives right now? Ji Lan didn't understand.
"I want you to start gathering information on the movements of Xuan Qing Prince's Mansion tonight and continue until tomorrow morning. Don't miss a single piece of news."Ji Lan was taken aback, finding it strange why they had to wait to inquire about the Xuan Qing Prince's Mansion. In her view, it was best to have no contact whatsoever with the Xuan Qing Prince's Mansion now. Could it be that Han Yan wanted to seek Fu Yunxi's help?
Han Yan frowned deeply. Could that person just now have been Fu Yunxi?
Today, the entrance of the Xuan Qing Prince's Mansion was eerily quiet, without even a single guard at the door. The red lanterns hanging there carried no festive atmosphere; instead, they exuded a sense of desolation.
When news spread that the Xuan Qing Prince had fallen ill with a cold and was bedridden, the people of the capital sighed with regret. Many powerful nobles from the court came to visit with precious gifts, but all were turned away by the Xuan Qing Prince. The Emperor had issued an order forbidding anyone from stepping into the Xuan Qing Prince's Mansion, stating that the prince needed to recuperate in peace and should not be disturbed by anyone. After all, as a member of the royal family who had achieved military merits and wielded such immense power, everyone could only lament that the treatment the Xuan Qing Prince received was truly extraordinary. However, the common people still delighted in discussing how the Western Rong princess had tirelessly cared for the Xuan Qing Prince day and night for several days. They all said this princess was truly a romantic soul, possessing such beauty and willing to go to such lengths for Fu Yunxi. Fu Yunxi was indeed incredibly fortunate. It must be said that status was a peculiar thing in many situations. If it were an ordinary woman, people would think it was her duty to care for Fu Yunxi in this way. If it were a lowly maid, they would consider it a fault if her service was inadequate. But once crowned with the title of "princess," her every move carried an air of nobility.
Thus, Han Yan, merely the daughter of a fifth-rank official, was sympathized with for a while before gradually fading from memory. Many even believed that Irina and Fu Yunxi were a match made in heaven, as such a peerlessly elegant man could only be matched by a noblewoman like a princess.
As night fell, the gate of the Xuan Qing Prince's Mansion creaked open, and a person dressed in a dark green robe emerged from within. This person swiftly boarded a sedan chair waiting outside, and the bearers carried it away.
After traveling for some time, the sky had long since darkened, and pedestrians outside were sparse. Only the bearers' footsteps remained uniform and steady. As they passed through a narrow alley, under the faint glow of lanterns, two indistinct figures suddenly appeared in the distance. At the same time, a woman's voice rang out: "Might I ask if the person in the sedan is Imperial Physician Wu, Lord Wu?"
The four bearers exchanged glances, unsure of what to do, and their steps halted. The two figures slowly approached—they were two young women, both dressed as maids. One wore red attire, the other blue. Though not exceptionally beautiful, they were delicate and refined, especially with an air of scholarly elegance about them, making them seem unlike maids from ordinary households.
There was no response from inside the sedan. After a moment, a voice finally said, "What if I am?"
The woman in red then spoke calmly, "My lady wishes to meet Lord Wu. We humbly request that Lord Wu grant her this favor."Leaving aside the reaction of the official Wu inside the sedan chair, even the four sedan bearers couldn't help but collectively gasp in shock. After all, Imperial Physician Wu was one of the top physicians in the capital. Even court officials treated him with utmost respect. Yet now, two mere maidservants dared to speak to Imperial Physician Wu in such a manner, openly referring to him as "young lady." Which family's young lady had such audacity, treating Imperial Physician Wu without the slightest hint of fear? And which young lady in the capital possessed such influence? Even Princess Yunni, the Emperor's most beloved youngest daughter, likely wouldn't be able to catch Imperial Physician Wu's eye.
Finally, a hand lifted the sedan curtain. Imperial Physician Wu glanced at the two women and paused slightly. "It's you."
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