Chapter 226: He's Going to Run!

"Hahaha, if I were him, I'd definitely be furious."

Cheng Chengxuan didn't take the bait, only asked him.

"Is something the matter?"

Seeing his indifferent attitude, Chu Yuan was not pleased.

"Hey!"

"Can't I come see you if there's nothing going on?"

"I've been running around for you these past days—do me a favor and get one thing straight, I'm not your subordinate!"

Cheng Chengxuan gave a vague nod, poured him a cup of tea, and countered.

"But if there were nothing going on, would you be here?"

Wouldn't you have run off long ago to tease that little Young Master Cui?

"Cough!"

Chu Yuan was so choked by those words that he nearly sprayed his tea.

Taking in his loss of composure, Cheng Chengxuan didn't keep teasing him, only asked again.

"So what is the news, exactly?"

When it came to business, Chu Yuan's joking manner vanished, and his expression grew serious.

"These past days, quite a lot of things have been moved out of the palace."

"And that place you ambushed before—there's no one there anymore."

He rubbed his chin, looking thoughtful.

"So tell me, is the Shunhe Emperor perhaps…"

Cheng Chengxuan's tone was icy, certain.

"He's going to run!"

……

In a cell of the Court of Careful Punishment.

Led by a jailer, Shi Gui arrived outside a cell.

"Stone Chief Steward, after you."

Shi Gui gave the man a pouch of silver.

"Many thanks. Your Majesty has issued an Imperial Decree, ordering me to take this person elsewhere for interrogation."

Looking at the rather hefty money pouch, the jailer's eyes lit up, drool nearly spilling three miles, and he smiled most obsequiously, taking it and opening the cell door.

"Yes, yes, yes, as you wish. Then this one will take his leave."

In the cell, Hua Ru stood up and looked at him.

"Where are you taking me?"

Shi Gui only said two words.

"Let's go."

He turned and walked out ahead.

Hua Ru didn't understand, but considering the gap in martial strength between them, she followed along anyway.

One in front and one behind, the two went straight to the palace gate.

Little Chengzi had long been waiting there. Seeing them approach, he quickly waved and called out in a lowered voice.

"Master (Master (Master (Master (Master (Master (Master (Master (Master (Shifu))))))))), I'm here!"

He jogged up to meet him and handed him an Inventory.

"I've already bribed the Imperial Guard at the gate. Hurry up—half a cup of tea's time from now, the shift change will arrive."

After saying that, he glanced at Hua Ru behind, opened his mouth as if wanting to say something, but ultimately said nothing, only shook his head, sighed heavily, and left.

After Little Chengzi left, Shi Gui handed the Inventory to Hua Ru, his expression cold, his tone stiff.

"There's some Broken Silver and a few Silver Notes inside, along with a change of clothes. Take this and go, quickly!"

Staring at the bundle before her, Hua Ru was stunned.

"Why… why are you doing this?"

"Don't you hate me? After all, I used you…"

"Enough!"

Shi Gui cut her off loudly.

"Go, now!"

"Don't blame me for not warning you—don't think about saving your mistress. The deposed Empress has already been granted Poisoned Wine by His Majesty tonight. You alone cannot save her!"

So don't waste your effort. Flee for your life, quickly.

Hearing him say this, a flash of mockery crossed Hua Ru's eyes.

Save the Empress?

How could she possibly go save her?

Lowering her head to look once more at the Inventory in her hands, Hua Ru raised her head and looked at Shi Gui.

"What about you, then? His Majesty never actually intended to interrogate me, did he? Letting me go like this—aren't you afraid His Majesty will punish you?"

"You underestimate my standing in His Majesty's heart far too much. After all, I've served the Xiyue Emperor at his side for decades. A condemned prisoner about to be executed—His Majesty wouldn't punish me over such a trivial matter."

Shi Gui turned his head away, no longer looking at her.

"Go, quickly!"

Lowering her head, Hua Ru said a quiet thank you, then opened the door and walked out.

Watching the great doors close once more, Shi Gui lowered his eyes in loneliness.

Not at all—Your Majesty hates it most when the servants around him feign obedience while acting in defiance.

But Hua Ru's life was one he had bargained with the Xiyue Emperor to get back.

Thinking of this, he gave a self-mocking smile, shook his head, and turned to walk back.

Not long after he left, the great doors that had just been closed were suddenly opened again, then slowly shut…

With the matter handled, Shi Gui hurried back to the emperor's sleeping chambers.

It was already deep into the night, yet the Shunhe Emperor had not only failed to rest, but was fully dressed, with a Black Cloak edged in Golden Thread Trim draped over his shoulders—ready to depart at any moment.

"Since the person has already been sent away, from now on, just set your mind at ease and do what you ought to do."

Hearing these words, Shi Gui's eyes darkened for a moment, then he nodded.

"This Servant understands. I will surely not fail Your Majesty's trust."

He had always been meant to serve the Xiyue Emperor for life. Even if the emperor passed away, unless a decree was left ordering him to leave the palace to live out his remaining years in comfort, he would still have to enter the Imperial Mausoleum.

Now it was nothing more than walking ahead of Your Majesty, that was all.

"Mm."

The Shunhe Emperor's face was expressionless. He gave a flat, indifferent "mm," then looked toward the Qianlong Guard beside him.

"Leave two men behind. The rest of you, follow me out of the palace!"

In less than three days, the Cheng Family Army could attack the Capital. Even if they shut the City Gate tight and threatened the lives of the city's common folk, they wouldn't be able to hold out for long.

Was it not just the Capital?

Was it not just the imperial palace?

Let them have it for now. Once he returned with troops borrowed from Dongxun and Nanjiang, he would certainly drive them out again!

Didn't the Cheng Family ally with Muyuan and Xiyue?

Then I too can go seek out Dongxun and Nanjiang!

The Shunhe Emperor gave a look to the Qianlong Guard beside him, and that man placed a small blind boy at Shi Gui's feet.

"In the days to come, you must carry these Bamboo Tubes on your person at all times."

Killing intent filled the Shunhe Emperor's eyes.

My Dragon Throne is not so easily sat upon!

Shi Gui kept his head lowered all the while.

"This Servant obeys the Imperial Decree."

……

Yet the Cheng Family Army came faster than he had imagined.

Hearing the news brought by the Qianlong Guard, the Shunhe Emperor took the Imperial Jade Seal. Before departing, he thought and thought, deliberated repeatedly, and still had someone bring Jia Guipin. The group hurriedly left the palace.

The gold, silver, and jewels in the Imperial Treasury—he had already had the Qianlong Guard secretly transport them out several days before.

After all, those were the important Bargaining Chips for his future return as sovereign.

Hmph!

I will absolutely not leave the Cheng Family even half a copper coin!

……

As the sky was just beginning to brighten, the few soldiers guarding the City Gate spotted several Horse Carriages approaching from afar.

One of them waved them off with a hostile tone.

"Don't come any closer!"

"It isn't time to open the City Gate yet, and you're not allowed to loiter here blocking the way! Don't you know the rules?!"

Seeing their arrogant, bullying manner, the Qianlong Guard driving the carriage gripped the reins tightly, itching to give them a good beating.

But the master had specifically instructed not to draw attention.

A Qianlong Guard walked over, holding up a Token. After seeing the Token clearly, the gate-guarding soldiers instantly changed their arrogant attitude and became respectful toward him.

"My lord, what are your orders?"

"Open the City Gate immediately!"

"Yes, yes, yes, I'll go right away."

After the gate-guarding squad leader attentively saw this group off, he once again ordered the men to close the gate.

"Boss, who were they? Why were you so polite to them?"

The squad leader slapped the back of that man's head.

"What do you know, you ignorant fool? The Token they held was from the Imperial Guard of the Inner Palace!"

After the Horse Carriage left through the City Gate, Jia Guipin looked uneasily at the Shunhe Emperor beside her.

"Xiyue Emperor, where are we going?"

The Shunhe Emperor held her hand.

"Imperial Consort, don't be afraid. I will take you somewhere safe."

"With Your Majesty by my side, this concubine fears nothing."

After saying this, Jia Guipin shifted her gaze, looking through the swaying curtain of the carriage at the outside, an unreadable expression in her eyes.