kingnovel Chapter 910 The Exit of the East Palace
Chapter 910 The Exit of the East Palace
"It's the middle of the evening hour now, time for dinner." Xu Dingchun came back to his senses immediately and asked hurriedly with a concerned tone, "Xier, do you want to use something first?" He looked at her pale and thin profile, his heart tightening.
After being unconscious for so many days, even though everyone tried their best to pry open her mouth and feed her porridge, soup and medicine, she didn't swallow much. She looked thinner, and her clothes, which were already a bit tight, now hung loosely on her, making her look even more fragile.
Xu Dingchun's nose felt sore, a mixture of heartache and worry. If Jing Chunxi hadn't grown into a big girl, he would definitely hold or carry her without any explanation, not letting her waste such energy.
"No need. Go to the palace first to find the emperor and Brother Xiaokang. You can get whatever you want to eat from the space later." It's not that she can't eat at this time. Getting a bun is just a piece of cake, but her mood has completely flown to the palace. Any delay is unbearable for her.
Until they got on the horses, Xu Dingchun and she rode side by side on two horses. They suddenly kicked the horses' bellies and galloped towards the imperial palace.
The biting wind blew past her ears, and Jing Chunxi shouted into the wind, "I don't care what your plans are, but you have to tell the emperor and Brother Xiaokang as soon as possible. The East Palace also has a secret passage leading to the outside of the palace, and I'm afraid someone has already entered." This was the clearest and most terrifying warning the nightmare gave her.
"What?" Xu Dingchun was startled and almost stopped his horse. He asked in a stern voice, his voice a little distorted by the wind, "Where is the location of the Eastern Palace?" This news was completely beyond his expectations and disrupted all the established arrangements.
Jing Chunxi shook his head, his hair flying in the wind, "I didn't say it in my dream, and I didn't see it either."
She sat on the horse, her eyes becoming deep and cold due to memories. She paused and added with disgust and hatred in her voice, "Chu Xuan is not dead. He is back and has become that man's pawn. He is back to disgust people." Her nose suddenly became tearful, but the speed of the horse's gallop did not slow down at all, but even faster.
Xu Dingchun was stunned for a moment, giving him very little time to process this shocking news. Suddenly, he gritted his teeth and lashed out with his whip, sending a crisp crack through the air. "Go!"
The horse under him felt pain, neighed loudly, and rushed out like an arrow, instantly overtaking Jing Chunxi. At this moment, he could no longer care about anything else and had to deliver the message as quickly as possible.
According to the information we received, that beast Xu Ziyi will make some move tonight. Once their people start moving, the Imperial Guards and the Jinwu Guards will execute them on the spot with thundering force and will never let his people get close to the palace. This is a careful deployment that has been planned in advance.
However, the plan he learned of did not include any defenses for the Eastern Palace. It was likely that Emperor Wu of Yan and the First Prince were unaware of the entrance and exit there. This oversight instantly made him break out in a cold sweat.
On the night when the emperor pretended to be poisoned, he secretly summoned him, Prince Hong, Minister Feng, Jing Chang'an and other loyal officials.
Therefore, they were clear about the plans and the number of people on guard within the palace, including how to capture the "mountain king", and he was in charge of an important part of it.
Any unplanned changes at this moment could have fatal consequences.
He knew the entrances and exits of the secret passages beneath the palace, as did many others. When he personally protected Emperor Wu of Yan in his bid to seize the throne, a key entrance and exit to the secret passages had been displayed before all the civil and military officials, and by now, everyone was aware of it. Everyone's attention was focused on the known passages.
Since Xi'er dreamed of that entrance, it follows that that entrance is the key. However, Xu Dingchun felt a chill in his heart when he thought of those people who had already been on high alert and could no longer enter the palace.
If the enemy appears from an unexpected place...
A light flashed in his mind, "There is someone inside to support us, and he is someone who can command troops."
This thought made him feel like he was falling into an icy cave. If this was true, the situation in the palace would be far more dangerous than he had imagined.
"Third Uncle, didn't you say that after dinner, we should avoid other people before entering the palace to avoid alerting the enemy? Why didn't you wait until dark?"
He dismounted, the sound of horse hooves echoing crisply against the palace walls. Jing Chunxi tugged on the reins with a deft movement, his long black hair curling in the wind as he moved.
She was stunned when she looked up - she didn't expect that Xu Zize had already changed into the ordinary uniform of the imperial guards. If she didn't listen to his voice, she would have no idea of his identity. He had been waiting outside the palace gate for a long time. It seemed that the news from the secret guards had already reached him in advance.
He stood in the shadow of the vermilion palace gate, his body straight as a pine tree, only his hand gripping the hilt of the knife revealed a hint of anxiety.
Seeing Jing Chunxi, Xu Zize waved his hand to cut him off before Xu Dingchun could reply. He rushed forward, his armor clanging, and stared intently at Jing Chunxi, who had just stopped.
"Xi'er, go back and take good care of yourself. You are not needed here." His voice was like an ice-hardened blade, cold and sharp without a trace of warmth, as if he was scolding a low-ranking palace servant who did not know the rules.
But Jing Chunxi clearly heard the uncontrollable trembling in his voice, and saw the guilt and pain surging in his eyes - he even unconsciously opened his arms and used his whole body to block her, as if to block all the swords and sabers for her.
"Brother Xiaokang, there is a secret passage in the East Palace. The thieves entered the palace from there. There should be quite a few of them." Jing Chunxi said hurriedly, reaching out to stroke his thin cheek and feeling his slight trembling.
The stubble her fingertips touched made her palms itch, but it also made her heart soften. "Xi'er has always understood Brother Xiaokang's sincerity. Falling from the building that day was all a temporary measure by the Fairy Aunt. It had nothing to do with you."
A warm tear unexpectedly fell on the back of her hand. Xu Zize's eyes turned red, and his Adam's apple rolled violently: "Xi'er, I'm sorry... Brother Xiaokang didn't know you were like this..." His words were cut off by sobs, and the rest of his words shattered in the wind.
"Your Highness, Xier dreamed that there was a secret passage in the East Palace. We must make a decision early as it is getting dark." Xu Dingchun suddenly appeared from behind and pulled the emotional Xu Zize back.
He turned to Jing Chunxi and said gently, "Xi'er, go back and wait. Your Highness and father are here. Don't worry about anything. Just wait for our good news."
"No!" Jing Chunxi thought of the horrific scene of corpses and blood in her dream, and a chill ran down her spine. She rushed forward, her boots clattering on the bluestone slabs. "I have to go in and give you the drug. This can't be sloppy!"
Xu Zize stretched out his hand to stop her, but missed - she had already passed by them like a nimble swallow and headed straight for the palace gate.
"Let's talk inside!" Xu Zize gritted his teeth and said in a low voice.
Winter dusk falls quickly, and by now the sky has already turned a dark blue. The palace corridors are deserted. The three men, dressed in ordinary attire, blend into the gathering night. Only the sound of hurried footsteps, overlapping, can be heard as they rush towards the inner palace.