Qing Huan was surrounded by the Night Owl Guard.
She threw everything she had at them, but there was no way to escape unscathed.
Her hand, gripping the longsword, trembled from exhaustion. Sweat mixed with blood and grime trickled down her cheeks.
Though her body was covered in wounds, she showed no signs of backing down. The look in her eyes remained as resolute as ever.
The Princess Consort was giving birth, and it was the most critical moment.
’Even if it means death, I can’t let these men pass!’
The Night Owl Guard closed in again.
They attacked in unison, striking at Qing Huan from all angles, determined to eliminate this meddlesome woman for good.
Qing Huan knew her death was inevitable.
She clenched her jaw, ready to fight them to the death.
But in the next moment, the whistle of arrows cut through the air.
One after another, the Night Owl Guards were struck by arrows and fell.
Immediately after, Prince Zhao rushed over with his men.
They swiftly dispatched the remaining Night Owl Guard, rescuing Qing Huan, whose life had been hanging by a thread.
Bian Ziming looked her up and down, clicking his tongue.
"Tsk, tsk. To think you can still stand in your condition. You’re quite the heroine!"
Qing Huan opened her mouth. "I..."
Bian Ziming cut her off. "Enough. I know you’ve got a stutter. Don’t try to talk. Just point us in the Princess Consort’s direction."
’I don’t have a stutter,’ she wanted to say. ’I just speak a little slowly.’ But the situation was urgent; there was no time for a lengthy explanation.
She obediently pointed in a direction.
"Chaoyang Palace... study... in..."
Bian Ziming said, "Don’t tell me the Princess Consort is hiding in the study of Chaoyang Palace?"
As soon as he finished speaking, Li Ji rushed out ahead of everyone.
He was heading in the direction of Chaoyang Palace.
Bian Ziming was about to follow, but Qing Huan grabbed him.
Qing Huan was burning with anxiety, but the more anxious she got, the more she stammered.
"Not, not... the study..."
Bian Ziming was completely confused.
’Didn’t she just say it was the study? Why is she saying it’s not now?’
Prince Zhao and his men were already getting far ahead. If he didn’t hurry, he’d be left behind.
Bian Ziming could only say, "Pardon my rudeness," before hoisting Qing Huan onto his back and quickly chasing in the direction Prince Zhao had gone.
The servants in Chaoyang Palace had long since fled.
When Li Ji rushed in with his men, he immediately saw Prince Wu Zhang, Li Ying, sitting on the steps, drinking.
Beside him were two empty wine jugs and an open oil-paper umbrella.
In the courtyard before him, peonies bloomed in profusion, vibrant and enchanting.
He heard footsteps, looked up, and his gaze met Prince Zhao’s as he rushed in.
Li Ying was surprised for only a moment, then he raised his wine jug, gestured with it, and asked with a smile.
"You got here pretty fast. Care to have one last drink with me?"
Li Ji smelled the scent of lamp oil hanging in the air.
He stood still and asked coldly.
"Where is Manman? Where did you hide her?"
Li Ying chuckled as if he’d heard a funny joke. "I’d love to have hidden her away. Unfortunately, she wasn’t willing."
His fingertips gently stroked the edge of the oil-paper umbrella, his bloodshot eyes filled with nostalgia and sorrow.
"She lied to me. Left without a second thought. All she left me was this umbrella... and this courtyard full of peonies."
Li Ji had no desire to listen to this nonsense and gave a direct order.
"Take Prince Wu Zhang away."
But Li Ying seemed oblivious, still muttering to himself.
"I know she’s still in the palace. Maybe she’s hiding nearby.
She’ll be so happy to know you’re here, won’t she?
But I’m not happy. I’m very unhappy.
I clearly met her first, so why did she end up falling in love with another man? It’s not fair."
For some reason, the corners of his mouth lifted again, his smile frighteningly obsessive.
"Not only does she not love me, she lied to me and used me.
That being the case, why should I show her any mercy?
The road to the underworld is too cold. I want her to accompany me."
As he spoke, he raised his right hand and reached for the oil-paper umbrella beside him.
Those farther away thought Li Ying was reaching for the umbrella.
Only Chen Wangbei, who was closer, saw the candlestick hidden behind the oil-paper umbrella.
A white candle was burning quietly, emitting a warm glow.
Chen Wangbei had already noticed that the ground beneath his feet was covered in lamp oil.
The moment the candlestick fell, the entire Chaoyang Palace would be set ablaze.
When Chen Wangbei saw Li Ying’s fingers touch the candlestick, his heart leaped into his throat. Without a second thought, he swung his sword at Li Ying’s right hand!
The candlestick was knocked over.
The flame touched the lamp oil on the ground.
In an instant, flames roared to life!
At the same time, Li Ying’s wrist was struck. Blood sprayed out, splattering onto the oil-paper umbrella.
The once clean, snow-white surface of the umbrella was now spattered with bloodstains.
The next moment, tongues of flame licked at the oil-paper umbrella.
Li Ying clutched his wound, which was gushing blood, and watched helplessly as the umbrella was consumed by the flames.
It was the only warmth in his entire life.
He said softly.
"Why did you lie to me?"
The flames crept up the hem of his robes and began to burn his skin.
The pain was worse than death, but he had no intention of getting up to escape. With a trembling hand, he just took out a worn-out little sachet from his robes and clutched it tightly.
Then he closed his eyes and became motionless, as if savoring the release that death brought.
The fire spread rapidly, and in the blink of an eye, the entire Chaoyang Palace was engulfed in a sea of flames.
Chen Wangbei was forced to retreat quickly.
"Your Highness, we can’t stay here any longer! We have to get out!"
But Li Ji refused to leave.
Ignoring the others’ attempts to stop him, he tried to rush into the sea of fire to find Manman.
Fortunately, Bian Ziming arrived just in time, carrying Qing Huan on his back.
This time, Qing Huan finally managed to get the full sentence out.
"The Princess Consort... is in... the secret passage... The passage... has... another... exit... right near... the flowerbeds..."
Li Ji immediately sprinted toward the flowerbeds.
The flames couldn’t penetrate the secret passage, but the thick smoke they produced seeped in through the cracks in the door.
Mu Qing choked and coughed violently.
She said in a hoarse voice, "The baby’s head is out! Your Highness, just a little more, push harder!"
Hua Manman was in so much pain she felt she was dying. Her eyes were red and stinging from the smoke, and tears streamed down her face.
’I know there isn’t much oxygen left in this secret room.
I have to have this baby before we run out of air.
Otherwise, we’ll all suffocate in here.’
Hua Manman clenched her jaw, held her breath, and used the last of her strength.
Finally, the baby was out.
Mu Qing didn’t even have time to see if it was a boy or a girl. She quickly cleaned the baby and wrapped it in a blanket.
"Your Highness, we have to leave, quickly!"
Having just given birth, Hua Manman was completely drained of strength. She couldn’t even think about walking; she couldn’t even lift her arms.
Her eyes were so irritated by the smoke she couldn’t open them, and her breathing grew more and more difficult.
"Take the baby and go. Don’t worry about me."