The military drums outside the palace grew louder with each passing day.
Apart from her daily visits to Yangju Hall to pay respects to Xiao Jing and attend to his medicinal needs, Pei Qing stayed in Han Ning Palace with Xiao Ji'an, reading and practicing writing.
Recently, Zhi Lan's reports had become more frequent. At first, it was about eunuchs and palace maids smuggling treasures out of the palace in an attempt to escape. Pei Qing said nothing; after all, they were human. Faced with impending disaster, who would willingly stay and be implicated in their deaths?
But in recent days, the matters Zhi Lan reported were not trivial. Although the Emperor was not a lustful man, the positions of the concubines in the harem were still filled. Those with protective maternal families sent messages to her, but they didn't ask for Empress Pei's permission before taking people out of the palace. Pei Qing couldn't stop them, nor did she intend to.
But those concubines with no family to support them, in their desperation to escape, had started illicit affairs with the guards, causing scandal within the palace and then attempting to flee secretly. This blatant disregard for the emperor and empress was too much, and though Pei Qing understood they were only trying to survive, the situation was intolerable. She had to consult Xiao Jing before taking any action.
In the afternoon, after coaxing Xiao Ji'an to take a nap, Pei Qing instructed Zhi Lan to add more coal to the fire and to stay by the prince's side to ensure he didn’t kick off his blankets and catch cold.
Zhi Lan nodded and, worried, brought her a thick cloak. She escorted Pei Qing to the entrance of Han Ning Palace, watching as she walked alone through the snow towards Yangju Hall. The grand empress had no carriage or sedan chair.
After all, everyone with any connections in the palace had fled, and no one was left to serve an empress with no powerful family and no heirs.
When Pei Qing arrived at Yangju Hall, the sky was growing dark, a sign that a heavy snowstorm was imminent.
"Greetings, Empress!" Meng Chuang, the leader of the imperial guards at Yangju Hall, with a sword at his waist, saluted when he saw her.
Pei Qing nodded slightly, "Commander Meng, is His Majesty awake?"
Meng Chuang nodded, "Yes, Your Majesty. The Emperor has just asked for some books and is currently reading."
Pei Qing understood and stepped into Yangju Hall, taking each step carefully. The familiar scent of medicine greeted her, and she heard a few coughs as she walked further inside.
"Brother-in-law," she hurried forward, pouring a cup of hot tea and handing it to Xiao Jing.
He took it, drank a sip to stop his coughing, and a faint smile appeared on his handsome but pale face, "Where is Ji'er?"
Pei Qing moved the brazier closer to the bed as she replied, "He's napping. After studying all morning and practicing martial arts in the evening, he fell asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow."
Perhaps the warmth of the brazier or the presence of another person made Xiao Jing feel less cold. He took another sip of tea and returned the cup to her, "I have something to say to you alone, and it's fortunate that you've come alone."
Pei Qing was surprised by his words as she took the cup with both hands.
"Go ahead, tell me what's on your mind," Xiao Jing set the book he was holding aside and looked at her gently.
"Well... Consort Yu had an affair with a guard, and they tried to escape with palace treasures. The imperial guards stopped them. Since it's a matter within the palace, I reported it to you first."
Pei Qing looked at Xiao Jing, who showed no expression as she continued, "Consort Yu has been in the palace for a long time and has spent the most time with you, so I wanted to know your thoughts first."
Xiao Jing smiled, thinking she had come with a serious matter. "A husband and wife are like birds in the same forest; when disaster strikes, they fly their separate ways. Moreover, Consort Yu is just a concubine, not a wife. If she wants to escape, let her."
"What I wanted to talk to you about is also related to this," Xiao Jing said, looking at Pei Qing. "We have held on in the palace for this long, but it's time to leave."
Pei Qing, who had been looking down, suddenly raised her head at his words.
"I know my own health. The imperial physicians have done their best. Ji'er is still young. If I die, you won't be able to fight off those people outside the palace. They are mad with their desire for the throne and won't care about legitimacy. While I'm still alive, if they break in, they will try to force me to issue an edict or a will. I can buy you some time, so they won't focus on other things."
Hearing this, Pei Qing was already in tears, but she refused to agree.
Once they left the palace, Ji'er would no longer be a noble prince but would have to hide and live in fear for the rest of his life.
"I'll leave Meng Chuang and his loyal guards with you. Once they ensure your safety, they will leave."
Pei Qing choked up, "Brother-in-law, with such an arrangement, Commander Meng might not follow your orders."
Xiao Jing was amused, "You know his stubborn nature well. He has followed me for so many years, from a servant to the commander of the guards. He has suffered much but has become highly skilled. He is nearly thirty and hasn't married or had children. If he dies in the palace, it would be my fault. Don't you agree?"
Pei Qing's tears kept falling, but she refused to comply.
"The tiger tally can no longer mobilize troops. The courtiers are busy forming cliques, and the royal relatives are trying to seize the throne. Pei Qing, we are at the end of the road."
Xiao Jing suddenly began coughing uncontrollably, with black blood even seeping from his lips.
Pei Qing hurriedly used a handkerchief to wipe it away, blurting out in her panic, "I wrote a letter asking for help, brother-in-law. I wrote to the King of Nanchuan. He still has troops. If... if..."
But she couldn't confidently finish her sentence. It had been seven days since the letter was sent, and there was no news.
"The King of Nanchuan..." Xiao Jing mused, "He probably won't care about such matters."
Pei Qing lowered her eyes. She knew that as well.
Suddenly, they heard Meng Chuang shout outside, followed by flames rising.
"Intruders! Intruders are killing!" A eunuch's shout was abruptly cut off, followed by the deafening sounds of swords clashing.
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