Chapter 210

Don't understand him

Yin Fengzhan's words were firm. But upon hearing this, Nie Jinxuan was startled at first, and then her expression sank:

"Why can't I use it?"

"I said you can't use it, so you can't!"

"Are you afraid of implicating me?"

Nie Jinxuan was a person of such clear insight; how could she not understand Yin Fengzhan's intentions? After all, even if they could successfully pass through the Xuanwu Gate today, there was no guarantee they wouldn't be suspected by Emperor Shuncheng. So doing this was clearly a risk!

But for Nie Jinxuan at this moment, she could no longer worry about so much. Furthermore, every moment they lingered was another moment of danger. Seeing Yin Fengzhan stop speaking, Nie Jinxuan knew she had guessed correctly, and she could not help but press her lips together:

"Fengzhan, I know you are doing this for me. But you must also know that this is the only way now! Besides, even if we use this token, even if the Emperor is suspicious, once we are out of the palace, he won't be able to do anything to me!"

Nie Jinxuan was now the Commandery Princess of Anguo, with the Nie family and her father, Senior Minister Nie, behind her. So even if Emperor Shuncheng suspected Nie Jinxuan and even had some ideas, he would have to find a reason; otherwise, he would not easily move against her!

But clearly, Nie Jinxuan had underestimated Yin Fengzhan's stubbornness. So, as soon as Nie Jinxuan finished speaking, Yin Fengzhan remained stubborn in his opinion!

"That won't work either!"

"You... why?"

"Because you don't understand him!"

The "him" here naturally referred to Emperor Shuncheng. Upon hearing this, Nie Jinxuan just looked at him quietly and then said without hesitation:

"I don't understand him, but now I want you to go out with me!"

As she finished speaking, Nie Jinxuan did not care whether Yin Fengzhan still objected; she turned and walked out of the hidden corner, striding directly toward the Xuanwu Gate... Seeing this, Yin Fengzhan frowned tightly, but in the end, he had no choice but to lower his head and follow.

……

Nie Jinxuan and Yin Fengzhan walked one after the other toward the Xuanwu Gate. At this time, the gate guards, having already discovered them, stood ready. Before the two could reach the gate, the commander guarding the gate led his men over.

"Stop!"

The one who spoke was a young guard walking in front. Hearing this, Nie Jinxuan paused. Several guards arrived in front of Nie Jinxuan first and looked her up and down.

"Who are you? The palace is under martial law late at night; no one is allowed to enter or leave!"

The young guard looked cold. Upon hearing this, Nie Jinxuan glanced at him, raised her hand to take off the hood covering her head, and revealed her beautiful and exquisite face.

"I am the Commandery Princess of Anguo. I came to attend the flower viewing banquet, but I lost track of time chatting with the Noble Consort in Yongxin Palace, so I am leaving late."

Nie Jinxuan's face was gentle, her calm expression revealing an indescribable elegance and grace. Hearing this and looking at Nie Jinxuan, the young guard was stunned for a moment. But at this time, the guard commander behind him stepped forward two steps and smiled slightly at Nie Jinxuan:

"Hehe~, so it is the Commandery Princess of Anguo. This subordinate was rude. However, Commandery Princess, please forgive me; an assassin appeared in the palace tonight, and the Emperor is furious and is currently sending people to search. So if possible, it would be best if the Commandery Princess did not leave the palace, otherwise..."

"Otherwise what?"

The guard commander was polite, but his smile did not reach his eyes. Upon hearing this, Nie Jinxuan instantly raised her gaze and asked directly.

Clearly, the guard commander had not expected Nie Jinxuan to answer like this, and he was stunned for a moment. But he immediately recovered and smiled again:

"Commandery Princess, this subordinate naturally cannot do anything to you, but I still hope you can understand my position. After all, if something really happens, I will have a hard time explaining it... Furthermore, the Emperor has already ordered that if we don't find the assassin tonight, our lives will be forfeit. So, you see..."

Although he was a military officer, this guard commander knew how to read the situation. Nie Jinxuan was the daughter of the Senior Minister's mansion, had handled many cases for Emperor Shuncheng, was currently favored, and had just been named a Commandery Princess in the blink of an eye; such glory was not something everyone had. Moreover, Nie Jinxuan was formerly the Consort of Prince Chen, and even though they had separated, they were still entangled. So offending Nie Jinxuan was not a good thing!

The guard commander understood this in his heart. Upon hearing this, Nie Jinxuan just looked at him without speaking. Seeing this, the guard commander thought Nie Jinxuan had been moved by his words and struck while the iron was hot:

"Besides, with the incident in the palace, the Emperor is already in a rage. If you leave the palace at this juncture, even if nothing is wrong, it will arouse the Emperor's suspicion, right? So, Commandery Princess, please stay in the palace. It won't be too late to leave when dawn comes or the assassin is caught, why wait until now?"

The guard commander spoke reasonably, but as soon as he finished, Nie Jinxuan laughed and nodded:

"This general is right; that is indeed the logic. But does the general think I look like an assassin?"

"Uh... this..."

"Besides, the general must be well-informed and should know about my friendship with the Noble Consort. In the middle of the night, if there wasn't an urgent matter, do you think I would be rushing back? And even dare to do so at a time when something has happened in the palace?!"

Nie Jinxuan did not speak directly, but upon hearing this, the guard commander was stunned.

Nie Jinxuan's current reputation in the palace and outside was well-known; she was an expert at examining corpses and solving cases. Otherwise, as a woman, no matter how good her background was, how could she easily gain Emperor Shuncheng's appreciation? Such a prominent figure would naturally not be a stupid fool. So she naturally understood the logic better than he, a small gate commander, did.

Thinking of this, the guard commander could not help but raise his head to look at Nie Jinxuan:

"Uh... Commandery Princess of Anguo, does this mean there is some urgent matter outside?"

Noble Consort Zhang's expression was rarely this serious. After speaking, she pulled Nie Jinxuan back and scolded her in a low voice,

"Oh..."

He nodded in understanding, but the guard commander still did not easily let Nie Jinxuan pass. Seeing this, although Nie Jinxuan was anxious, her face remained calm.

For a time, the surroundings fell silent, with only the burning torches making faint sounds from time to time. The guard commander looked at Nie Jinxuan for a long while, but still shook his head and said:

"Commandery Princess, this really isn't me making things difficult for you, it's just the orders from above... After all, this is a matter of losing one's head!"

Clearly, this guard commander was not only shrewd but also a cautious person. Upon hearing this, Nie Jinxuan's eyes flickered slightly, then she smiled gently and stepped to the side of the guard commander:

"General, it seems you must know exactly what I am doing before you will let me leave the palace~!!"

"Uh..."

"Heh... nothing, I understand your intentions, General. After all, as a military officer, absolute obedience to orders is only natural. It's just that you don't know, I really have an urgent matter..."

As she spoke, Nie Jinxuan stepped forward again, deliberately lowering her voice:

"The General should know about the case of Official Jin?"

"Uh... naturally I know about that..."

The case of Jin Qi was now known to everyone in Dongling, and as a military officer in the court, he naturally knew it. But hearing Nie Jinxuan bring it up suddenly, the guard commander's eyes rolled, and his curious brow twitched:

"However, listening to you, could it be that there is... something to it?"

As she spoke, Nie Jinxuan took advantage of the faint light in the room to examine Yin Fengzhan with concern. Only when she was certain he was not injured did she feel at ease.

Seeing her reaction, Yin Fengzhan pursed his lips and whispered,

"I will not let you marry that man surnamed Mo!"

Yin Fengzhan said it with absolute finality. Nie Jinxuan was stunned for a moment, but when she came to her senses, she reached out and struck him.

"You bastard, what time is it, and you're still thinking about that?!"

As she spoke, Nie Jinxuan's pretty face tightened, and she whispered,

"I ask you, are those people outside looking for you?"

"... Yes."

Although he didn't want to say it, Yin Fengzhan nodded. At this moment, the clamor outside grew louder. Nie Jinxuan quickly ran to the door, peeked through the crack, and then returned to Yin Fengzhan's side to say,

"Then I ask you, how are you going to get out? I already had someone inquire; the Emperor is determined to catch you this time. Even Empress Duan's place is not escaping the search!"

"..."

This time, Yin Fengzhan did not speak. Seeing this, Nie Jinxuan glared at him, then walked to the door again and gave instructions to the little palace maid guarding outside.

Hearing this, the little palace maid nodded immediately and ran off. Only then did Nie Jinxuan turn to Yin Fengzhan and say,

"I have already spoken to Noble Consort Zhang, and she said she would help send you out. But for now, change your clothes."

As she spoke, Nie Jinxuan did not wait for Yin Fengzhan to reply; she walked quickly to the table, handed him a set of guard's clothes she had prepared in advance, and then nimbly helped him change.

At this moment, Nie Jinxuan's mind was clear of distractions. Yin Fengzhan, however, just looked at her as if he wanted to see her into his very heart. Finally, he couldn't help but reach out and pull her into his arms.

Yin Fengzhan did not speak, and being held like this, Nie Jinxuan was stunned for a moment, but then she couldn't help but lean her head against his chest.

For a time, an indescribable warmth filled the surroundings. After a long while, Nie Jinxuan whispered slowly,

"Why do you always do such dangerous things? Do you know what I would do if something happened to you?"

Nie Jinxuan murmured softly. Hearing this, Yin Fengzhan's eyes flickered, but just as he was about to say something, a voice suddenly came from outside the room.

"Princess Consort, everything is ready."

The person speaking outside was Yuzhu. Hearing this, Nie Jinxuan's expression instantly sharpened. She pulled away from Yin Fengzhan's embrace, quickly straightened his clothes, and grabbed a hooded cloak from the side to drape over herself.

"Let's go!"

As she spoke, Nie Jinxuan grabbed Yin Fengzhan and walked straight out.

Noble Consort Zhang had been able to remain in the palace for over twenty years under Empress Duan's suppression while still firmly holding the position of Imperial Noble Consort. Clearly, she had some capability.

Thus, once Nie Jinxuan and Yin Fengzhan left Yongxin Palace, they followed Yuzhu along the small paths of the palace, passing through several checkpoints, until they reached the Xuanyang Gate.

"Princess Consort, Prince, this is the Xuanyang Gate. Once you pass through this gate and walk a bit further, you will be out of the palace. I have already taken care of the guards in between, but I can only send you this far."

The Xuanyang Gate was the barrier sealing the inner palace. Once outside, they were no longer in the inner palace. As a palace maid, Yuzhu naturally could not go any further.

Hearing this, Nie Jinxuan naturally understood. She nodded.

"Good. Yuzhu, please thank the Noble Consort for me. I will certainly not forget this kindness!"

"Alas, Princess Consort, what are you saying? The Noble Consort is the Prince's aunt; she is not doing this for your sake!"

Yuzhu said with a smile. Her words were casual and blunt, but they also seemed to be a reminder to Yin Fengzhan. She raised her eyes to look at Yin Fengzhan, then said to Nie Jinxuan,

"In any case, Princess Consort and Prince, take care on your way."

"Good, we are leaving."

In such a situation, there was naturally no time for more words. Yuzhu gave Nie Jinxuan a few more reminders and then turned and left quickly. Once Yuzhu was gone, Nie Jinxuan turned to look at Yin Fengzhan, and without a word, they walked out of the Xuanyang Gate in tacit understanding!

Yuzhu was right. After passing the Xuanyang Gate, there were still several checkpoints outside. But the guards—whether they were soldiers or eunuchs—saw it was Nie Jinxuan and let her pass without a word.

Just like that, Nie Jinxuan led Yin Fengzhan, who was dressed as a guard, along a smooth path, and before long, they arrived at the Xuanjing Gate!

The Xuanjing Gate was the final barrier leading out of the palace. Once they stepped out of the Xuanjing Gate, they would be outside. Precisely because of this, the Xuanjing Gate was usually heavily guarded. Now that something had happened in the palace, it was even more strictly guarded than before!

So, when Nie Jinxuan arrived at the Xuanjing Gate, she saw from a distance that the area was bustling with people. Squads of guards stood ready with weapons, and rows of archers could be vaguely seen on the city tower, fully prepared. At the gate, a man who looked like an Imperial Guard commander stood to the side, guarding the Xuanjing Gate tightly!

Seeing this, Nie Jinxuan, who had been hiding at the corner of the palace wall to observe, couldn't help but frown. Yin Fengzhan, standing behind her, had a cold expression and said to Nie Jinxuan,

"You go back."

Yin Fengzhan spoke in a low voice, his words carrying an obvious command. Hearing this, Nie Jinxuan, who had been observing the situation at the gate, was stunned. She turned her head abruptly and couldn't help but frown.

"Go back? Go back where?"

"Back to Yongxin Palace!"

"Back to Yongxin Palace?... What do you mean?"

Nie Jinxuan was somewhat bewildered by Yin Fengzhan. But then, she suddenly realized what he meant, and her expression sank immediately!

"Yin Fengzhan, what do you mean? I go back? Then what about you after I go back? Don't tell me you intend to break out on your own! You saw the archers up there. Even if your martial arts are high, you can't guarantee you won't get hurt, can you? Are you crazy?"

Nie Jinxuan was a little angry, but she also understood that he didn't want to put her in danger. So, she pursed her lips, reached out to straighten Yin Fengzhan's collar, and whispered,

"Fengzhan, I know you are doing this for my sake, fearing you will implicate me. But you must also know, even if I am safe and sound, do you think I will be at peace if you are imprisoned? So don't always think about what will happen to me; I am not that fragile. Besides, do you think I only sent you out to accompany you for a part of the way?"

As she spoke, Nie Jinxuan looked up at Yin Fengzhan, then suddenly reached into her bosom and pulled out an object, spreading it before him.

"Look, what is this?"

Nie Jinxuan's eyes held a smile. Hearing her words, Yin Fengzhan's brows twitched, and he lowered his gaze. But the moment he saw the object, he couldn't help but freeze.

"The Imperial Token?!"

Yes, what Nie Jinxuan had taken out was the Imperial Token that Emperor Shuncheng had secretly had Gao Caiyong give her. Of course, when the Emperor gave her the token, it was to cover up the royal family's dignity by announcing that Yin Fengzhan had divorced her. Even Nie Jinxuan hadn't taken this priceless token too seriously... But Nie Jinxuan was a cautious person by nature, so although she hadn't thought much of it, she had kept it in her personal sachet. She just hadn't expected it to finally come in handy today!

With the token in hand, they would naturally pass through without obstruction. Seeing the token in Nie Jinxuan's hand, Yin Fengzhan's eyes flashed, but then he frowned.

"No, you cannot use it!"

See you tomorrow!

"Father's health is not good, so if Father asks about me later, Uncle Quan, just say I went out to handle some business, don't worry. Do you understand?"

Senior Minister Nie's health was getting worse, and Nie Jinxuan naturally did not want him to worry about her. Nie Quan naturally understood Nie Jinxuan's intentions and nodded in understanding.

Nie Quan's expression was not much better. But Nie Jinxuan did not want to say anything more; she reached out, pulled Shui Yun, who was blocking her, to the side, and said to the middle-aged eunuch:

"Alright, let's go!"

……

Nie Jinxuan was "invited" into the palace and headed straight for the Imperial Study. Once inside, Nie Jinxuan found the Imperial Study silent, with Emperor Shuncheng sitting behind the dragon desk with a gloomy face, looking straight at her. Gao Caiyong stood by his side with a complex expression. At this moment, besides the two of them, there was no one else.

Seeing this, Nie Jinxuan felt things were not good and stepped forward to pay her respects, but before Nie Jinxuan could speak, Emperor Shuncheng asked coldly:

"Nie Jinxuan, who was the man who went out with you last night?"

Emperor Shuncheng asked directly. Upon hearing this, Nie Jinxuan's heart shook, but on the surface, she calmly pressed her lips together and said in a low voice:

"Replying to the Emperor, Anguo does not understand what you mean. It is true that Anguo left the palace last night, but that person was just a guard; how would Anguo know who he was?"

"Don't know?! Hmph! Nie Jinxuan, do you think I am a fool? You won't say? Fine! Someone, throw the Commandery Princess of Anguo into the Celestial Prison, interrogate her strictly, and without my decree, no one is allowed to see her!"

Three chapters today, the first one is uploaded!