Chapter 263: Forcing One's Way into Cining Palace

The wind and snow grew even more ferocious.

Wan Tang knelt in the snow, her thin plain clothes already soaked through by melted snow, clinging tightly to her body, the bone-piercing chill like countless fine needles stabbing into her limbs and bones.

She couldn't control her violent shivering, her teeth chattering, her face pale and blue without a trace of life, like an ice sculpture about to shatter.

Only beneath her lowered lashes, her gaze remained clear, carrying a nearly cold calculation.

With Xu Yanchuan's background exposed, she and her brother were as if placed on the mouth of a volcano.

At this moment, any act of defending or pleading for the other party would confirm the Xiao Family's accusation of "collusion."

The best way to protect herself was to completely cut ties, pretend to know nothing, and even display anger and innocence at being implicated.

And her current resistance and stubbornness, placing herself in danger, was the most critical part of this act.

She wanted everyone to see that she, Wan Tang, was also a victim.

An Imperial Concubine driven to despair and collapse because her daughter was taken and she couldn't even protect herself.

What Xu Yanchuan needed to do was stay put at the Northern Border, ignore her completely, until the right moment.

Only then could the siblings both clear themselves of suspicion and find a sliver of survival amidst this overwhelming storm.

The cold had already invaded her marrow, her limbs stiff and numb, even her thoughts seeming slowed by the freeze.

But Wan Tang knew the timing was about right.

She turned toward the swirling snowflakes and curled the faintest hint of a smile at the corner of her lips.

The nerves that had been taut and strained finally completely relaxed at this moment.

Her body went limp, and she fell heavily onto the icy snow.

Her plain white figure was swallowed by the whiter snow, motionless.

Her consciousness drifted at the boundary between ice and fire, endless cold wrapping around her like a tide.

A solid warmth suddenly lifted her from the icy abyss.

It was very warm.

That warmth wasn't scorching, but carried a strange stabilizing power, driving away the bone-piercing chill.

She felt herself carefully held in a broad embrace, shielded from the raging wind and snow outside.

The fabric against her cheek carried a crisp scent, yet exuded a reassuring body heat.

In her daze, she seemed to hear a steady, powerful heartbeat, pounding through a chest, striking her eardrums one after another.

Instinctively, she curled up and pressed closer toward the source of that warmth.

Her icy cheek unconsciously nuzzled against that embrace, letting out an almost inaudible, dependent sigh.

In a haze, it seemed a warm voice sounded by her ear:

"You... why put yourself through this?"

【Wan Tang's timing for fainting is just too perfect!】

【Hui Guifei just charged into Cining Palace with her sword!】

【This is definitely going to blow up. With Hui Guifei's temper, if they don't hand over Minghui, she might even dare to cut down the Empress Dowager!】

【But that's the Empress Dowager! Even if Hui Guifei holds a special place in the Emperor's heart, she can't withstand such a heinous charge and the court officials' backlash!】

【Come to think of it, this Empress Dowager still has some cards up her sleeve. Being able to put a Deposed Prince on the throne is no simple feat!】

Hui Jiejie went to Cining Palace?!

Wan Tang's heart shook violently. She sat up abruptly from the bed and blurted out, "Minghui!"

Li Ping'er, who had been watching by her side, hurried forward upon seeing her awake, her eyes still carrying traces of tears: "Sister, you're finally awake."

Xiao Luzi also came over, forcing calm to comfort her: "Don't worry, Your Highness. The Princess is with Her Majesty the Empress Dowager; she must be safe..."

But Wan Tang suddenly turned her head, her gaze fixed straight on Xiao Luzi.

That look was sharp as a knife, carrying cold scrutiny and suppressed fury, making Xiao Luzi's back instantly break out in a cold sweat, the rest of his words stuck in his throat.

"Safe?" Wan Tang's voice was hoarse, but every word was clear, laced with sarcasm. "Would a grandmother who truly loves her granddaughter silently use a despicable wet nurse as cover to forcibly take a child under two from her mother?"

"Leaving her mother kneeling in the wind and snow with no recourse, burning with anxiety?"

"How can this concubine be at ease?"

Xiao Luzi was left speechless, opening his mouth but only managing to squeeze out a pale, powerless reply after a long moment: "But... but that's the Empress Dowager..."

"Yes, she is the Empress Dowager."

Wan Tang lowered her eyelids, the cold surging in her eyes. "So, as an Imperial Concubine, this concubine cannot overstep the rules, cannot make a scene, cannot snatch her back."

"This concubine can only use everything she has to trade..."

"The Phoenix Seal, power, even this broken body—as long as she is willing to return Minghui to me..."

Two streams of clear tears slid down her pale cheeks, her voice choked with sobs: "To avoid making the Emperor difficult, this concubine can endure heartache and not go cry before the gates of Cining Palace..."

"But my Minghui, she's still so young. She has to hear a story every night to fall asleep..."

"I don't know how she is now, whether she's crying or scared..."

Her heartfelt, tearful plea moved even Xiao Luzi.

A look of pity and sorrow appeared on his face too. He had taken care of Minghui for so long and had grown attached.

Seeing this, Li Ping'er couldn't help but interject, her tone carrying worry: "Sister, don't panic first. After Hui Jiejie found out, she... she already went to Cining Palace to demand the child..."

"What?!" Wan Tang's face changed drastically upon hearing this. She grabbed Li Ping'er's hand fiercely. "You said Hui Jiejie went to Cining Palace?!"

Her eyes instantly filled with terror, her voice distorted: "No good. Hui Jiejie's temper—she's the most protective of her own."

"If she goes there, and the Empress Dowager insists on not releasing the child, in her rage..."

Wan Tang dared not think further. Ignoring the pain and weakness that felt like her whole body was falling apart, she threw off the brocade quilt and stumbled to get out of bed and rush out.

"Sister..." Li Ping'er and Xiao Luzi hurriedly tried to stop her.

"Don't stop me!" Wan Tang pushed them away, her tone more resolute than ever. "I have to go."

"I must never let her, for my sake, bring about a disaster of cosmic proportions!"

Outside Cining Palace, the Fēng xuě howls, while inside the atmosphere has grown tense from Hui Guifei's intrusion, swords drawn and arrows nocked.

Hui Guifei is clad in a sturdy outfit, her black hair tied high, without a jeweled hairpin, holding in one hand her long sword that gleams with a chilling light.

She is like a war goddess marching through the snowstorm, her brows exuding only a brisk, unyielding fierceness.

She ignores the Guanren kneeling on the ground and heads straight for the inner hall.

"Hui Niangniang! What are you doing?"

Xiao Yurou steadies herself and steps forward, blocking the path to the rear hall, her face showing just the right amount of surprise and concern.

Her voice is gentle yet sharp, "Empress Dowager is in a Buddhist ceremony, and your sword‑bearing intrusion disturbs the phoenix carriage; if word spreads, it will surely tarnish the Ning family's reputation."

"Besides, how could Minghui Princess be in Cining Palace?"

"Did you perhaps believe some slander…"

Before she finishes speaking, a suppressed, fearful cry of a child drifts from the inner hall—it is Minghui.

Hui Guifei's eyes turn cold, and her long sword flashes like lightning.

Swish

Xiao Yurou feels her hand become light, looks down, and sees the embroidered handkerchief in her hand split in two, drifting softly to the ground.

She is frightened, her beautiful face turning pale, frozen in place, forgetting even to breathe, daring not to utter another word.

Hui Guifei doesn't even glance at her, lets out a cold snort, lifts her sword and walks inward.

"Ning family, you are audacious!"

Empress Dowager sits upright on the throne, her face as still as water, clutching the prayer beads tightly, and rebukes sharply, "You trespass into my chambers armed; do you still have any Palace Rules in your eyes, any respect for me, the Empress Dowager!"

Hui Guifei stands firm before her, her posture as upright as a pine.

Without flinching, she says, "In my eyes there are certainly Palace Rules, and also justice."

"Empress Dowager, Minghui is the daughter of Virtuous Consort and the Emperor's bloodline; you silently bring her here, making her mother kneel in the snow until she faints—what reason is that?"

"I have come today only to take Minghui away!"

"How audacious!" Empress Dowager slams the table, "She is the Emperor's child and also my own granddaughter."

"I wish to keep her by my side for a few days to enjoy familial happiness; must I still obtain a consort's consent?!"

"Familial happiness?" Hui Guifei seems to have heard the biggest joke.

She whirls her long sword, forming a fierce blade flower, the tip pointing straight toward the ground.

Her tone is ringing, "If Minghui wishes to stay, I will not obstruct."

"But if she does not wish it, no one may force her."

"If Empress Dowager persists in refusing to release her, I will not leave today!"

"You!" Empress Dowager trembles with anger, pointing at her, "Using the Ning family to pressure me?"

"It seems the Ning family's fine daughters truly do not understand the rules!"

Hui Guifei hears this, not only unafraid but lets out a cold laugh, the sword tip lifting slightly, "Rules?"

"I only know that a child beside its mother is the greatest rule."

"If Empress Dowager still refuses to let me see Minghui, do not blame me…"

"That child is of the royal house; not keeping her close is quite normal."

"Do you intend to assassinate me, then?!" Empress Dowager interrupts sharply, her gaze like Yin Zhi.

Hui Guifei merely lets out an extremely cold snort from her breath, and says no more.

Her ears twitch slightly, precisely catching the faint sobbing from the inner hall, and she follows the sound with her sword.

A murderous aura surrounds her; the Guanren, frightened, step aside, none daring to block.

"Hui Niangniang…"

At that moment, a tiny figure stumbles out of the inner hall.

Her small face is wet with tears; upon seeing Hui Guifei, she rushes forward like a savior, opening her little hands and crying as she lunges.

"Minghui!" Hui Guifei feels joy and moves to approach.

"Come here." Empress Dowager suddenly rises, seizing Minghui tightly in her arms.

Her complexion turns iron‑blue, her voice icy and cutting, "This child, I will keep, and no one…"

Hui Guifei halts, her long sword suddenly raised, the tip pointing straight at the Empress Dowager cradling the child.

Her gaze is sharp as a hawk, her tone decisive, bearing a resolve to spare nothing:

"This person, I must take away today!"

Inside Cining Palace, the air seems frozen into Ice Block; between Hui Guifei's sword tip and the crying Minghui in the Empress Dowager's arms lies only a hair's breadth, danger imminent.

"Sister Hui!" Wan Tang rushes in, stumbling, and upon seeing this sword‑drawn tension, her heart nearly jumps out of her throat.

"Mother!" Minghui sees Wan Tang, crying even more heart‑wrenchingly, her small body struggling desperately in the Empress Dowager's embrace.

Wan Tang's heart aches like being twisted, she forces her frail body to move forward.

Xiao Yurou, however, steps ahead, blocking between Wan Tang and the Empress Dowager.

She wears a false concern on her face, raises her voice to ensure everyone hears, "Virtuous Consort, Hui Guifei!"

"Are you trying to force the Empress Dowager to death?"

"The Empress Dowager cradles the imperial grandson, which is familial happiness; you point swords at each other, disturbing the phoenix carriage, and if any harm befalls the Empress Dowager, that would be a crime worthy of exterminating nine clans!"

"Even if you are a consort, the Ning family's entire loyal line cannot bear that!"

She, while spouting lofty words, uses her body to shield, swiftly moving close to Wan Tang's ear.

In a voice only the two of them can hear:

"You dare vie for the queen's position? Are you worthy?"

"Look at your daughter; she's now in my aunt's hands."

"You say, if they keep deadlocking like this, my aunt would 'accidentally' press a little harder with her hand…"

"Tsk tsk, that would be Hui Guifei forcing the Imperial Heir to death, and you losing your beloved daughter."

She stared at Wan Tang's face turn deathly pale in an instant, her smile growing ever more chilling:

"She wasn't insisting on helping you?"

"Then I'll make sure she, and you, won't meet a good end!"