Chapter 296 She Can't Leave

The secret passage was deep, narrow, and long, and its destination was unknown.

The surroundings were so quiet that only the faint breathing and footsteps of a few people could be heard.

The path wound its way for a full hour before the lead guard finally stopped before a seemingly endless stone wall. He fumbled around on the wall for a moment and then pressed a hidden mechanism.

With a dull thud, the stone wall slowly slid away, revealing a simply furnished room.

Shen Qingci stepped out of the secret passage and immediately pushed open half of the window to look outside. It was pitch black outside, with only a few lights in the distance. Judging from the terrain and location, although they were still in the capital, they were very close to the city gate.

"Master," the guard stood respectfully behind him and asked in a low voice, "this is one of our secret rendezvous points in the city. Although it is still inside the city, it is only one street away from the city gate. Does Master wish to take advantage of the darkness and find a way to leave the city immediately and head to the other residence? Or should we rest here for a while and leave when the city gates are open tomorrow?"

Shen Qingci withdrew her gaze, her eyebrows twitching slightly. Instead of answering directly, she asked, "Is it safe here?"

"Rest assured, Master, this place is extremely secluded. No one lives here on ordinary days, and our people are secretly guarding the surrounding area. It is safe and secure."

"Then let's rest here for the night."

Shen Qingci pondered for a moment and made a decision, "It's late now, and the city gates have long been closed. Although you are skilled enough to find a way to get me over the city wall, these are extraordinary times, and the defenses will certainly be tight. If we are discovered at the city gate, it could easily cause complications and ruin everything."

The guard didn't say much, only bowed and replied, "Yes, I will take you to the inner bedroom to rest."

After a quick wash, Shen Qingci dismissed everyone and stood alone in the center of the somewhat empty bedroom.

Although she was in a safe place, she was not sleepy at all; instead, her brows furrowed even more tightly.

Something's not right.

It was too rushed.

Chu Jichen's arrangement for her to leave the capital was far too hasty.

He only told her about it at noon, and didn't even give her much time to prepare. That night, under the cover of darkness, he couldn't wait to send her away from the Regent's Palace.

This urgency was quite different from Chu Jichen's usual calm and composed style of doing things.

Shen Qingci sat on the edge of the bed, her fingers unconsciously rubbing her cuffs.

Could it be that Chu Jichen sensed something? Or perhaps he had discovered something extremely dangerous and felt the situation was about to spiral out of control, which is why he was in such a hurry to send her away, wanting only to protect her and the child in her womb?

Chu Jichen once said that his plan was to lure the snake out of its hole.

The "snake" ostensibly refers to Huo Yunting.

However, regarding Huo Yunting alone, based on his identity as "the commander of the secret guards left by the late emperor to Emperor Yongming," she and Chu Jichen could only guess how much power he actually held, and they had not fully grasped the details.

Moreover, Shen Qingci had always felt a vague unease in her heart.

She felt that there seemed to be someone or some force hiding behind Huo Yunting.

Otherwise, given Huo Yunting's shrewdness, he wouldn't dare to be so presumptuous.

But no matter how hard she racked her brains, she couldn't figure out who else could be standing behind Huo Yunting. Whoever it was, their strength was certainly no less than Huo Yunting's, and might even be more terrifying.

If such a force truly exists, wouldn't Chu Jichen be in grave danger, left alone in the capital facing both open and covert attacks?

Thinking of this, Shen Qingci's heart clenched, and a wave of intense worry washed over her, making her restless.

"No..." Shen Qingci murmured softly.

She cannot leave the capital city early tomorrow morning.

Although Chu Yuening has now become her substitute, staying in the palace to draw attention away from Chu Jichen, if she were to return, she would not only betray the efforts of Chu Jichen and Yuening, but might also walk into a trap and become Chu Jichen's weakness.

There's no going back.

But... she didn't want to go far.

She wanted to be as close to Chu Jichen as possible, even if it was just on the outskirts of the capital.

If something were to happen, she would be able to know immediately and react instantly if anything changed in the capital, instead of foolishly waiting in her secluded villa for news that might not be true.

Shen Qingci's gaze gradually hardened.

Although Chu Jichen repeatedly emphasized that sending her to the villa was for safety reasons and that she didn't need too many guards, given his personality, he certainly wouldn't assign too few bodyguards to her.

In addition, there's the Shen family's secret service...

Those people were her father's trump card, someone even Huo Yunting didn't know about.

If used well at crucial moments, this surprise force might play a significant role and even become the key to turning the tide of the battle.

After making up her mind, Shen Qingci finally felt a little calmer. She lay down on the bed fully clothed and forced herself to close her eyes and rest.

The next morning, just as dawn was breaking.

The guard whispered from outside the door, "Master, the city gate is open. It's the morning market time, and there are many farmers and vendors coming and going at the city gate. We just need to disguise ourselves and blend in with them to leave the city unnoticed."

Shen Qingci stood up and straightened her clothes, but did not leave immediately. Instead, she looked at the guard and asked calmly, "Chu Jichen said that in addition to you, he also arranged for people from the Shen family's secret service to protect me. Where are those people? I would like to meet with them first and make some specific arrangements."

The guard didn't suspect anything. After all, Shen Qingci was the former master of the Shen family, and it was reasonable for him to transfer the Shen family's secret service. So he agreed, turned around, and went out to make contact.

Within fifteen minutes, there was another knock on the door.

The person who entered was none other than Qingming.

Upon seeing her, Shen Qingci raised an eyebrow, a hint of surprise flashing in her eyes: "Why is it you here? Didn't Huo Yunting have anyone watching you? Won't your appearance give you away?"

Qingming, dressed in a neat and tidy outfit, looked solemn and shook his head, saying, "Master, rest assured. His Majesty ordered last night that I only need to leave about twenty secret agents in the open as bait. The rest of the elite troops will be arranged for you to take out of the city to protect you. I came here specifically to deliver people to you and await your orders."

Upon hearing the words "all arranged for the master to take them out of the city," Shen Qingci's heart sank even further.

Chu Jichen... he's given her every life-saving talisman he can find? What about himself?

Shen Qingci narrowed her eyes, staring intently at Qingming, and suddenly asked, "What did Chu Jichen do today? Has there been any news from the palace or the Prince's residence?"

Qingming was slightly taken aback, and opened his mouth to reply.

Shen Qingci suddenly raised his hand to interrupt her, took a step forward, and his gaze was piercing:

"Before I answer, Qingming, I have a question for you."

"Do you... still consider the Shen family as your masters? Are you still a member of the Shen family?"