Pei Qing ran out from the side door of Yangju Hall.
With Meng Chuang and the other imperial guards at Yangju Hall, Xiao Jing had a chance of survival. But in Han Ning Palace, there were only Zhi Lan and Ji'an. Her heart raced, and she almost stumbled, but she refused to slow down. She discarded her usual elegance and ran along the secluded path.
The cold wind and snow whipped against her face and neck. The sounds of fighting on the other side of the palace walls were terrifying.
When she reached Han Ning Palace, Zhi Lan was tightly guarding Xiao Ji'an. The nearly five-year-old held a wooden practice sword in his hand, the same one he used for martial arts training. He had inherited the talents of his mother and father and had started his education much earlier than most children.
If his mother hadn't died, and if his father wasn't sick, with their careful guidance, Xiao Ji'an would surely have become a great emperor.
Pei Qing had thought this countless times, but she knew that now she couldn't hope for a throne or power; she had to find a way to save this child's life.
"Mother!" The palace was dimly lit, but Xiao Ji'an immediately saw the disheveled Pei Qing. He broke free from Zhi Lan's grip and ran into Pei Qing's arms, "Mother, don't be afraid. I will protect you!"
The cold wind had dried her tears, but they flowed again.
"My lady, we must escape while the enemy is not yet here!" Zhi Lan urged urgently.
Pei Qing nodded, but before she could speak, there was a sharp "whoosh," and an arrow shot into the hall, grazing her hair and embedding itself in the floor.
Zhi Lan screamed in fright, and in the next moment, soldiers burst into the palace, surrounding the three of them.
Laughter echoed from outside the hall, "So the child is indeed here! Be careful with your swords; anyone who harms the young prince will be punished!"
Pei Qing tightly held Xiao Ji'an in her arms, pulling Zhi Lan close to protect her as well.
Striding into the main hall was an aide of Prince Xiao Yu, a member of the royal clan. His sword still dripped with blood, and his gaze slowly moved from Xiao Ji'an to Pei Qing, appraising her.
The disdainful look on his face showed he held no regard for either the emperor or empress. Pei Qing's heart turned cold. Zhi Lan suddenly stepped out from behind her, defiantly standing in front of Pei Qing, "How dare you! This is the empress, appointed by His Majesty himself, the mother of the nation! If you dare act recklessly, you will face execution and the destruction of your family!"
Xiao Ji'an looked up in shock at the usually gentle Zhi Lan, who now shouted so fiercely.
But the soldiers were not children; a maid's words wouldn't stop them. The leader wiped the blood off his sword and raised it high, "A mere servant dares interfere in a man's business!"
Pei Qing's heart trembled as she screamed and tried to pull Zhi Lan back. The men's laughter and the woman's cries mixed together, and the sword's edge fell without hesitation.
No one believed there could be such loyalty between a mistress and her servant. While it was expected that Pei Qing would protect the prince, her shielding of a maid surprised everyone. The sword seemed destined to sever Pei Qing's arm, and murmurs of pity arose—
When suddenly, there was a loud "thud." The sword fell from the man's hand, and he collapsed to the ground with a muffled grunt.
An arrow had pierced the back of his head, emerging from his forehead, the tip still smeared with blood and brain matter. Pei Qing quickly covered Xiao Ji'an's eyes.
In the twilight, amid the raging snowstorm, a figure outside the main hall lowered his bow.
The light was too dim for Pei Qing to see his face clearly, but she knew he was mounted on a tall warhorse, his posture erect and radiating a lethal aura.
Was it... him?
But he seemed not to notice the empress and prince inside Han Ning Palace. Instead of dismounting, he lazily uttered two words, "Take them."
Pei Qing shuddered at the voice, but the sudden resurgence of fighting drew her attention away. A moment ago, Prince Yu's men had been triumphant, but now they were being slaughtered within Han Ning Palace.
Two women and a child huddled in a corner until the hall fell silent.
Finally, a lean man tossed aside his bloodstained sword and walked over, "All intruders in Han Ning Palace have been dealt with. Your Majesty and the prince need not fear."
"Th-thank you." Zhi Lan helped Pei Qing to her feet. Pei Qing even straightened her dress, then, with Xiao Ji'an and Zhi Lan, bowed to the man.
He was startled and quickly stepped back, "Your Majesty, please don't!"
Pei Qing spoke softly, "You have saved our lives. Such gratitude is deserved. May I ask who you are?"
The man wiped the sweat from his face and bowed, "I am Chu Li, commander of the Nanchuan military camp, sent by the King of Nanchuan to protect you."
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