When traveling, food and lodging could not compare to the comforts of the palace. The courtyard where Zhao Donglin stayed wasn’t much larger than Meng Guqing’s, though the furnishings inside were rather decent. On the square table in the main hall sat a small triangular incense burner, a thin curl of smoke wafting through the air, carrying a faint fragrance that kept mosquitoes at bay.
When Meng Guqing reached the door, she saw two imperial physicians leaving under Wang Ning’s escort. Upon seeing the Empress approach, they hurriedly bowed. She waved them off, then turned into the west wing after entering. Behind the beaded curtain, on the carved wooden bed, leaned Zhao Donglin. He looked relatively fine, his inner robe loosely draped, one hand still holding a memorial to review, while Feng Tianbao stood beside him with brush and ink at the ready.
After performing her greeting, Meng Guqing turned and asked Feng Tianbao, “Is His Majesty all right? Where was he hurt? Why didn’t I hear anything last night?” She had only heard the news that morning when Caiwei went to fetch water in the kitchen. Stepping outside to check, she found that the guards had indeed been doubled; even Tan Ying himself was leading men to guard the entrance.
“It’s nothing serious. Please, Empress, sit,” Zhao Donglin said. “Just two thieves who had been hiding in the villa from the start. They took advantage of a moment’s inattention to strike, but my attendants reacted quickly, so I wasn’t seriously injured, just a scratch on the arm.”
He reached out to pull Meng Guqing closer to sit by the bed, a faint smile curving his lips. Yet behind that smile, his thoughts were elsewhere, wondering who had sent those assassins. Under such heavy protection, how had they still managed to wound him? And even after being captured, they had taken poison without hesitation, leaving no clues behind.
Faced with the hand he extended, Meng Guqing hesitated for a while before lightly placing her own in his and sitting down at the edge of the bed. Her gaze shifted toward his other arm, sure enough, there was a bandage near the wrist. The arm hung stiffly at an unnatural angle. Judging from appearances, it should have been a minor wound, yet he looked unusually weak, even a little pale. Suddenly, a thought struck her. “The weapon that injured Your Majesty… could it have been poisoned?”
Zhao Donglin did not deny it. He smiled faintly. “Fortunately, it wasn’t any rare or incurable toxin. Troublesome, yes, but I’ve already sent someone back to the palace to prepare the antidote.”
He could still smile about it. Meng Guqing, who had resolved not to concern herself with him, neither his personal matters nor affairs of state, found she could not stay calm this time. “Will Your Majesty continue the southern tour? For assassins to infiltrate the very villa where we’re staying means our movements have already been exposed. The farther south we go, the farther from the capital and the closer to Former Yan’s borders. Who knows what else they’re plotting?”
In her mind, the only sensible option was to turn back. They had come out with so few people as it was. She had only wanted a peaceful separation from him, not to see him placed in danger. Zhao Donglin, sensing the rare worry and concern from her, felt a warmth spread through his chest.
“Isn’t the Empress planning to return to Gaochang? You still worry for me? If I insisted you stay in the capital, wouldn’t my death only make your departure easier?”
“But I’ve never once thought to use your misfortune as my escape,” she said quietly. “At most, I’d only planned to fake my own death. I’ve never liked owing anyone.”
Zhao Donglin tightened his hold on her hand. Only now did he truly feel the weight of what he had lost. He remembered the year he had snuck away to meet Prince Tatuo, when even the loyal Xu family secretly began supporting the Eldest Prince. Only she, his Empress, had refused to act on the perfect escape route he’d left her, choosing instead to risk everything and wait for his return, unwilling to harm the innocent in her retreat.
Such a pure, loyal heart and he had still broken it. Regret and melancholy surged up, but stronger than either was the desire not to lose her again. Gripping her hand more firmly, he said with deadly seriousness, “Once we return, the Empress will move back into the palace. I’ll select a residence nearest to Huangji Hall and confer upon you the title of Noble Consort. Would that be all right?”
Meng Guqing, who had been calmly sorting through possible suspects behind the assassination, froze for a moment and then her good mood evaporated entirely. For the emperor’s kind of ‘repayment’, she had resisted countless times already, but he still refused to change his mind. Too weary to argue, she rose, clearly unwilling, and took her leave.
He knew she didn’t want it but figured she only needed time to come around. Zhao Donglin didn’t stop her. After all, they still had time.
Meng Guqing stormed out, fuming. She rarely lost her temper, but this time it truly hit her hard. So focused on her frustration, she nearly bumped into someone at the doorway. Regaining her composure, she smiled and said, “General Tan, you’ve worked hard these past few days. I didn’t expect such an incident midway. We’ll have to be even more vigilant from now on.”
“You’ve already seen His Majesty? Why not stay longer? He was just saying you’d surely visit and had ordered the pheasant and hare offered yesterday to be prepared for your meal.”
Tan Ying hadn’t met the Empress many times, only glimpsed her from afar, exchanging the occasional nod. But as one of the emperor’s closest guards, he knew how deeply His Majesty cared for her, rare devotion, even for an emperor.
But Meng Guqing had no appetite left. The thought of food was unbearable. She stepped aside on the stairway, shaking her head. “How is Lady Xu? So much has happened in the palace this past year, I seldom see anyone from outside anymore. I heard from Noble Consort Xu that your young son is bright and clever. You’re blessed, Lord Tan.”
She was clearly unwilling to continue the previous topic, but Tan Ying persisted, almost as if he had come prepared. “In fact, His Majesty originally planned for my wife to come along on this journey to keep Your Majesty company. But given the uncertain situation in the south, the idea was dropped.”
What did that mean, send Xu Qian to persuade her to reconcile? Since Xu Qian hadn’t come, he had come instead? Meng Guqing gave a knowing smile. “If General Tan has something to say, just say it directly. There’s no need for pretense between Xu Qian and me. Have you forgotten? I was the one who matched you two in the first place.”
Tan Ying was not a man of many words, but since she invited frankness, he spoke openly. “This humble subject believes His Majesty treats Your Majesty very well. Although you were deposed, given the state of affairs back then, Your Majesty must have heard what the court was like. Even as emperor, His Majesty had his share of helplessness. Yet though you moved to the secluded palace, your allowances and rank have always been maintained as those of an Empress. His Majesty has always wanted to bring you back. I believe this time he truly means to cherish you. Since His Majesty is so sincere, why won’t Your Majesty return to him?”
It was Tan Ying’s first time seeing the Empress up close. From afar, he had only glimpsed a tall, graceful figure, enough to tell she was beautiful. But seeing her now, he finally understood why the emperor was so taken with her. Her composure, her unshakable calm, such a woman, so rare and noble, was impossible to cast aside. Truly, only a man like the emperor could match her. Who wouldn’t want such devotion from a ruler?
Meng Guqing smiled faintly. “The emperor does treat me well. But tell me, General Tan, does he treat the rest of the harem well too?”
Tan Ying thought for a moment, unsure of her intent, then answered honestly, “They’re… treated fairly enough.”
The courtyard was small, but lush and shaded. At the turn of spring to summer, everything was a vivid green: fresh, alive, endearingly tender. Gazing at the scenery, Meng Guqing’s mood softened, and she found herself willing to chat. “Do you know why I helped you and Xu Qian marry, General Tan? At that time, I wasn’t in the emperor’s favor. My relationship with Noble Consort Xu wasn’t particularly good either. Some even said I was meddling.”
Tan Ying stiffened and bowed deeply. “Your Majesty’s kindness is something my wife and I will never forget.”
“There’s no need for formality,” she said. “I only want you to understand something. You once said, ‘If Xu Qian marries someone else, I’ll never take another wife in this life.’ I admired that. I helped you both because of that one sentence, because I share the same belief. Of the vast waters of the world, I would take only one ladleful. Tell me, with that kind of thinking, how could I ever be happy staying in the harem?”
At first, Tan Ying’s sun-darkened face flushed at the praise. But by the end of her words, his conviction as an imperial messenger began to waver. He couldn’t refute the very principle he’d always believed in. For a moment, he truly put himself in her place. “But His Majesty is still the emperor, ruler of all under heaven. No one can, nor dares to, defy him. If Your Majesty keeps opposing him, the one who suffers in the end will be you. While His Majesty still cherishes you, you should seize this chance to secure your own future.”
His tone had changed, softening, and Meng Guqing was quietly pleased. He really was a sincere man and Xu Qian, so gentle and kind, deserved him. She had not helped them in vain.
She had meant to talk a bit longer, but just then she noticed Miss Chen approaching with two maids, making further conversation inconvenient. She turned and walked toward her own quarters.
Her pace slowed. After talking with Tan Ying, her anger had largely ebbed away. The immediate concern wasn’t how to dissuade Zhao Donglin, his mind had never wavered anyway. What she needed to think about was how to move up the plan she’d prepared back in the palace, because she didn’t have much time left. If she couldn’t escape before they returned to the capital, she really would be dragged back into the harem and that would be a true living h*ll.
Just as she turned a corner, hurried footsteps came up from behind, and a familiar voice called out. Meng Guqing turned with a well-timed smile. “Miss Chen, out for a stroll? This villa’s scenery is quite lovely, very rustic and charming.”
Chen Ruolan looked a bit embarrassed. She had actually gone to deliver medicine to the emperor but had been stopped by the guards at the door, those insolent men hadn’t even passed on her message. Frustrated, she was heading back when she caught sight of the graceful back of the imperial consort and, without thinking, chased after her. Flustered, she said quickly, “Yes, yes, though this villa isn’t as grand as my own estate, it’s pleasant enough. Actually, my maternal family has a garden that’s even more beautiful, quite famous locally. Scholars and poets from all over request invitations just to see it. Once we arrive there, I’ll invite Your Ladyship to visit the garden!”
Meng Guqing wore an expression of mild regret. “I was quite interested in seeing your family’s garden,” she said, “but His Majesty will not be traveling further south. At the latest, we’ll return to the capital the day after tomorrow so I won’t get the chance after all.”
“What?” Chen Ruolan looked utterly surprised. The emperor turning back? Then what excuse did she have to continue following along? All her careful plans would be wasted! She stammered, “H-how could that be? We’ve only left the capital for half a month!”
“Yes.” Meng Guqing walked slowly. She had been worrying that Zhao Donglin watched her too closely, surrounded by so many guards, that slipping away would be nearly impossible. She’d just been thinking she needed someone to draw his attention elsewhere—and speak of the devil, here came one. “It’s a pity Miss Chen still needs to continue south to visit her maternal family. Otherwise, we could have traveled together for a few more days.”
“Yes, indeed. I felt so close to Your Grace when I saw you yesterday, I’d hoped we could spend more time together along the way. But now Your Grace must turn back…” Chen Ruolan gave a soft sigh, then asked tentatively, “Does Your Grace find me acceptable company? If you feel lonely riding in the carriage alone, I can send word to my grandparents that I’ll turn back with you to Linchuan, and only then go south to fulfill my filial duties. You’re a noble lady, if you wish it, my grandparents will surely agree.”
Meng Guqing’s lips twitched. So that’s how it was, Chen Ruolan wasn’t thinking of filial piety at all; she simply wanted to keep following, to find more chances to get close to the emperor. And now she was trying to make Meng Guqing take the blame for her delay in paying respects? Too clever by half. Meng Guqing said with a mild smile, retreating to advance, “That won’t do. No matter how much I like you, I can’t keep you from honoring your elders. I’m sure your grandparents are already eagerly awaiting your arrival, I’d better not detain you.”
From the very first time she’d seen the emperor, Chen Ruolan had decided that her fate lay in the palace. How could she give up halfway? Afraid Meng Guqing might refuse to take her along, she quickly insisted that she truly couldn’t bear to part with Her Grace, that she would explain things to her grandparents herself, and that she must escort Her Grace back. She begged not to be refused.
Faced with such “warmth,” Meng Guqing could only appear touched. The two linked arms and went into the back room to chat. Seeing Chen Ruolan’s bright, innocent face and her “curious” questions about the emperor’s likes and habits, Meng Guqing simply went along with it and “chatted” about quite a few things.
Their conversation lasted more than an hour. When Chen Ruolan finally left, still glowing with excitement, Meng Guqing’s own spirits had waned considerably. She sat staring blankly at the tablecloth, teacup in hand, as Fusang came up to clear away the dishes. “My lady doesn’t like Miss Chen,” Fusang remarked quietly. “Why tell her about the emperor’s preferences? Doesn’t that make things easier for her?”
“That’s the point,” Meng Guqing said calmly. “I’ll be honest with you both, once we return, His Majesty plans to bring me back into the harem.”
“What?” Fusang froze. The princess’s desire to leave the palace had never changed, and both she and Caiwei had supported it from the start. “Then what do we do? I can’t live through those exhausting days again.”
“Exactly. That’s why we absolutely can’t go back.” Meng Guqing set down her cup. She’d long planned something, but never found the right moment, or the courage, to carry it out. Yet now, no matter how afraid she was, she couldn’t delay any longer.
From that day on, taking advantage of Zhao Donglin’s weakened state from poison, Meng Guqing began feigning illness herself. To make it convincing, she even prepared two special medicines. After taking them, she would run a low fever and appear pale, as if she’d caught a chill. In truth, the medicine was simply a cooling formula that dispersed internal heat outward, making her skin feel warm while leaving her unharmed.
They had been traveling for over half a month, but their return was much faster, after all, the emperor was poisoned, and the only consort accompanying him had fallen ill. At last, the imperial convoy reached the location Meng Guqing had prearranged. Summoning Fusang, she asked quietly, “Has your brother made all the preparations outside? Ever since the assassination attempt, security around the traveling palace has been heavily tightened. One mistake could cost us our lives.”
Fusang nodded firmly, lowering her voice. “Don’t worry, my lady. You’ve told me this so many times already, it’ll be fine. Luckily you had the foresight to leave my brother and his men in place. Otherwise, we’d have no one to rely on.”
Lying pale on the bed, Meng Guqing thought wryly, Foresight? Hardly. This kind of thing always needs inside and outside working together. From the moment she left the capital, she’d been searching along the way for a suitable escape point. Each one she found had some fatal flaw, except one perfect spot, only a hundred li from the capital. But that was dangerously close. If she fled from there, the investigation team would reach the place almost immediately. If they found even a trace, she’d be finished. Still, she had no other choice now.
That day, the southern expedition finally reached Yuncheng, a major gateway just south of the capital. Yuncheng was a famous royal port, with thousands of boats docking daily, sprawling across four directions. In truth, traveling south by boat was much faster than by land, but the emperor had wanted to inspect local affairs personally. Riding on horseback and carriage let him see the people along the way. Now, in a rush to return and seek treatment, he naturally chose the faster water route.
The return journey was hasty, and the vessels were not as grand as the imperial barges, but still fine and ornate. Originally, Zhao Donglin had wanted Meng Guqing to share his ship, but she used her “illness” as an excuse, and the imperial physicians agreed it was bad for two patients to recover together so they were separated. Still, Meng Guqing’s boat was surrounded by guards; no one was allowed near her cabin. It was enough to make her head ache.
That night, the ships anchored at Yuncheng Port. Along the riverside, lights from endless taverns shimmered on the water, reflecting like twin streams of fireworks. Meng Guqing sat by the window, watching the moon’s reflection ripple on the river and listening to the distant laughter and noise. Amid the sounds came the soft rustle of a curtain being lifted, Fusang entered, followed by Miss Chen.
Chen Ruolan had escorted Meng Guqing all the way to Linchuan, and the two had grown closer by the day; one with intent, the other with calculation. Over these days of traveling together, Chen Ruolan had begun to truly believe that Consort Jing was sincerely helping her win the emperor’s favor. Her initial wariness had faded. After learning from Caiwei about how the former Empress had been deposed and what Consort Jing’s current situation was, she even convinced herself that Meng Guqing’s “help” was natural, perhaps she simply found her pleasant, and wanted a friendly ally in the harem. After all, the imperial harem would surely grow in time; why not have someone familiar at her side?
And Chen Ruolan did have confidence in herself. She might not match Consort Jing in beauty, but hadn’t such a stunning Empress been deposed all the same? Clearly, beauty wasn’t everything in the palace. She was clever, delicate, and charming enough. Yesterday, when she accompanied Consort Jing to dine with the emperor, His Majesty had even looked at her twice, that was already progress! As long as she stayed close, one day he would truly notice her. Even if she couldn’t enter the palace immediately, Consort Jing had said she could first stay with Princess Yang’a, the emperor’s sister, and then be recommended from there. It was still a clear path to the palace.
For that reason, Chen Ruolan had genuinely begun to treat Meng Guqing with warmth. She even wished Consort Jing would recover quickly, so her own arrangements could move forward. When Fusang brought the medicine, Chen Ruolan eagerly followed, offering a plate of candied fruit and chattering about her journey. It was her first time traveling so far from home, and thank goodness her brother had come along. Once she bore the emperor a son, her brother would be the imperial uncle…
The medicine of old was truly bitter, so realistic that even fake medicine tasted awful. As Meng Guqing pondered how to send Miss Chen away so she could secretly pour out the concoction, Chen Ruolan, lost in her own daydreams, blushed and fell silent. Seizing the moment, Meng Guqing set the bowl behind her on the table. Fusang pretended to tidy the teacups, and in the same motion, tipped the medicine out through the window—straight into the river below, leaving no trace.
Their small act went completely unnoticed. Meng Guqing exhaled softly, dabbing the corner of her mouth with a handkerchief. “Miss Chen, are you comfortable traveling by boat? Tomorrow night we’ll reach the capital. Once you’re settled at the princess’s residence, you won’t feel homesick, will you?”
“Oh, Your Grace, didn’t we agree you’d call me Ruolan?” Chen Ruolan smiled brightly. “I’m fine on the boat! My brother used to take me out to pick lotus flowers when I was little. Once I’m at the princess’s residence, I’ll be careful not to offend anyone. By the way, Your Grace said I could learn dance from the dancers there, was that true? I’ve always been curious about dancing, though I’ve never learned before. Do you think I could manage it?”
Though confident, Chen Ruolan still felt a twinge of worry. Consort Jing was already so beautiful, and the other consorts were surely all exquisite too. If they were all more beautiful than her, would the emperor ever look her way? She’d heard that under Noble Consort Xu’s lead, most palace ladies excelled at poetry and calligraphy but few were skilled in dance. Since the emperor seemed fond of music and dance, perhaps that could be her advantage.
At first, Meng Guqing found her sudden determination to learn dancing amusing, especially since she was starting from nothing, but she wasn’t one to discourage others. She merely suggested that Ruolan wait until they reached the capital to find a good instructor. Unexpectedly, Chen Ruolan fixated instead on the idea of learning from Princess Yang’a’s performers. That, however, Meng Guqing could not allow. Even if she herself planned to leave, she couldn’t dump trouble on the princess.
Smiling, she said, “Actually, when His Majesty and I passed through Yuncheng earlier, we dined at a local inn. The townsfolk mentioned several fine song-and-dance houses here, their performers are both beautiful and talented, quite famous. You could learn a great deal from them.”
Learning at the princess’s estate was secondary, Chen Ruolan’s real goal was to build a connection with the princess. She couldn’t say this aloud, of course, so she hesitated. Just then, her old nurse, Chen Mama, entered. Hearing what they were talking about, she found an excuse to take her mistress outside. In a low voice, she said, “Miss, are you foolish? Her Grace’s suggestion is a good one! The dancers at the princess’s estate are indeed excellent, but His Majesty has seen them for years, he’s surely bored by now. The girls outside are fresher. You’ve never danced before, so surprise is your best weapon. And these women from the song houses, they’ve seen the world and know exactly how to please a man. What you should really learn is…”
Chen Mama leaned in to whisper a few words, and by the end, the young lady’s face had flushed scarlet all the way to her neck.
But she also knew Chen Mama wasn’t wrong. That pampered concubine in her family, everyone knew the real reason she was favored. The way people winked and made faces when they talked about her, weren’t they just implying she was good in bed? Though it was embarrassing to talk about, she still said, “How could I trouble Consort Jing to find such a person for me? If that spread, wouldn’t it be utterly humiliating?”
“Of course we can’t trouble Niang Niang for everything,” the servant replied. “Didn’t the master send the young master along just so it’d be convenient for you outside? Once Consort Jing is asleep, we’ll go find the young master and talk it over.”
Meng Guqing didn’t know what the two of them were plotting, nor did she have the energy to care. After taking her medicine, a messenger from the dragon barge came to invite her to dine with him, just as had become routine these past days. Whatever poison that assassin had used, it hadn’t weakened his body much, but he was always fatigued, drowsy, and every bit of his strength was spent during his brief waking hours. Meng Guqing didn’t want to run while he was in such a state, but the opportunity was too rare to pass. She could only apologize to him silently in her heart. She told herself: after this dinner, she would leave, and once gone, there would be no meeting again. She should say a few parting words, but her plan required her to “die,” and she didn’t want to spend the rest of her life hiding from his pursuit. So she said nothing at all.
But today Zhao Donglin acted differently. He suddenly took her hand, not letting her go. “Mingzhu’er,” he said quietly, “if the poison in me can’t be cured, will you miss me in the future?”
Meng Guqing’s heart trembled. “Don’t talk nonsense. How could that be? Didn’t the imperial physician say it wasn’t deadly?”
“But I think it’s a slow poison,” he said. “I slept for seven hours today, and I’m still so tired. I’m afraid one day I’ll fall asleep and never wake up again.” Even as he spoke, he wasn’t sorrowful, he smiled faintly. “You once told me that you and I are different: I endure hardships for revenge, while you drift with the tide, so we’re not the same kind of people. Later, I thought about it… The throne isn’t really that important to me. Compared to that, I’d rather go to Gaochang with you. But…”
Without the throne, he couldn’t even protect his own life, what freedom could there be to talk about? So he could only keep walking forward without looking back, using the power of the throne to bind her to him.
Zhao Donglin brushed a hand over her soft cheek. For the first time, the insecurity he usually hid surfaced in his eyes. “I know that keeping you is like breaking a bird’s wings and locking it in a cage. But Mingzhu’er, forgive me. Without you, I don’t know how to go on. Yet I still can’t die, not yet. Please, come into the palace with me. I’ll never go to anyone else again. I’ll only stay with you, all right?”
What he couldn’t tell her was that the first time he had lain with Consort Huang Xian, it was only because his mother had served him a bowl of “tonic soup.” One misstep had led to another, each step wrong, and now there was no turning back.
This was his fate, to be trapped in it all his life. The woman before him was the only one he truly cared for. His heart had long been hers, and only by keeping her close could he feel any warmth. So, it turned out he wasn’t as heartless as she had thought. Yet if she stayed, she would be living a fate worse than death. Meng Guqing couldn’t promise him anything. Fortunately, Zhao Donglin soon fell asleep, sparing her the need to answer.
Meng Guqing gently laid his hand down, then returned to her own cabin with Fusang and Caiwei. “Everything’s ready?”
Fusang nodded. “It’s all set but there’s been a small issue with Miss Chen. She took her wet nurse to look for Young Master Chen. We don’t know when she’ll be back.”
“She’s gone? All the better, otherwise we’d have to find a way to get rid of her too. The more we do, the more flaws we risk showing. Has your brother brought the flower boat over?”
Her plan was to act when the nearby guard ships changed shifts. Fusang’s brother and a few others would gather a few boats outside and set off fireworks and firecrackers. A few stray sparks would “accidentally” land on her own vessel—which just happened to be filled with silks and fabrics she’d bought along the way, all highly flammable. Once the fire started, even on water, who could save a burning behemoth? In that chaos, they would vanish without a trace.
The weather seemed to favor her too. It had rained heavily in recent days, the river was high, and tonight the wind was strong. Meng Guqing mentally reviewed the plan one more time. When the guard change approached, she took Fusang’s hand. “The rest depends on you. Caiwei’s too simple, I’m afraid she’ll mess it up. I’ll take her with me. Once you’ve handled things here, return to Gaochang first. I’ll find you in a few years. Think of your story beforehand, it’s easy enough. Say Miss Chen hadn’t come back, you went out to look for her. I’d taken medicine and was sleeping deeply. Caiwei’s always been a naïve girl, His Majesty knows that. She’s shorter than me too. When the fire broke out, she couldn’t pull me out in time, so she got trapped as well. But don’t tell them that, let them guess.”
Thinking of being apart from the two people she’d grown up with for years, Fusang’s eyes reddened. She choked out, “I understand. I’ll wait for you.”
A quarter past the second watch, most people were ready for bed. The patrol boats began shifting formation. Just as two ships were swapping places, the flower boat in the distance exploded with fireworks. If Meng Guqing hadn’t known beforehand, she might have thought assassins were attacking. Fireworks scattered in all directions, sparks flying onto her own vessel. Meng Guqing overturned a candle, and she and Caiwei, already changed into travel clothes, stood by the window watching the flames rise.
The ship burned fast, just as she’d planned. Amid the billowing smoke came shouts of alarm from all sides. Meng Guqing felt slightly relieved, until the sounds of fighting erupted ahead. When she caught what was being shouted, her face darkened. Caiwei gripped her hand tightly. “My Lady, did you hear? Assassins! They’re heading for His Majesty!”
She heard it. Heaven itself seemed to be lending her a hand. And yet… Zhao Donglin… Meng Guqing glanced once more in that direction, then jumped into the river with Caiwei.
Want to show your support? Go donate at Paypal or Ko-fi to show your appreciation! Want to read the remaining chapters of the ENTIRE book in advance? Go to my Patreon to join now! :)
