escape failed

Chapter 48, Failed Escape

This absurd and laughable visit finally ended when Xie Kun became so overjoyed that he bent over laughing and couldn't breathe.

My anger reached its peak, but for some reason, I didn't utter any words or actions of resistance. I simply watched coldly as Xie Kun vividly described his daydream.

This calmness led me to discover something unexpected: not only was Yuanzi cold-faced the whole time, but the King of Western Shu... that boy, even though he leaned to one side shortly after Xie Kun began his long-winded speech, seemingly wanting to fall into his mother's arms—but his mother, the Queen Mother, was leaning towards Xie Kun, out of his reach—I could still see his increasingly gloomy and dark expression as Xie Kun spoke, even from below.

Perhaps this is a child who understands everything but is powerless to do anything?

Yes, he's clearly just a child. What kind of madman would think of making him support a country, a family, and be a ruler and a husband?

The child seemed to notice me looking at him, and his gaze turned slightly towards me, but we only made eye contact before he quickly looked away.

Without uttering a word, I was once again pulled away from the main hall by Yuanzi, and then returned to the palace where I was temporarily staying. She suddenly stopped, stared at me, and a strange light flashed in her cold eyes: "I was going to let you go before."

It was as if by doing so, she could face this absurd situation with a clear conscience.

I remained silent, simply watching her.

She released her grip on my arm and said to those around her, "Guards, keep a close watch on Zhao Xi. No one is allowed to see her without my permission."

When I was brought back into the house, I was momentarily at a loss. Once again, I was trapped, and there was no one around. What could I do? I knew I couldn't force my way in. Even if I could find Lan Feiyu, with her and me, we would just be another piece of meat on Yuanzi and Xie Kun's chopping block.

I wandered around the room a few times, then patiently began searching for anything that might be helpful. Unfortunately, I couldn't even find the needle and thread that were usually found in a boudoir. Just as I was getting frustrated, the door opened, and two maids, escorted by six guards, came in to bring me food. This display astonished me and made me even more certain that Iris wouldn't let me escape.

I was extremely frustrated, but I still managed to eat my meal. I didn't know when things would turn around, but when they did, I couldn't go hungry.

And so, in a state of utter boredom, night fell.

My injuries hadn't fully healed, and since I had nothing to do, I lay back down on the bed and closed my eyes to sleep. But I hadn't calmed down for long when I suddenly heard something moving above me... I opened my eyes abruptly, and the sound disappeared again. After a while, the sound reappeared, a rustling sound, as if there was something up there.

I couldn't help but look up and follow the sound. I had noticed before that the roof tiles here were made of bluish-gray glazed tiles, and now the sound was loudest from the innermost part of the room. I stared at that spot without blinking, and after a while, a crack appeared in the roof, and silvery moonlight shone down. The crack gradually widened, eventually expanding into a small hole. I stared in disbelief as a hairy leg poked out of the hole, followed by another.

"Zhi Zha" clung to the edge of the roof tiles with both hands and dangled into the house. It looked around and then looked at me. I immediately understood what was going on with the monkey, found a chair, stood on it, and reached out to catch it. "Zhi Zha" didn't make a sound, but gently jumped down and landed in my arms.

I had to cover my mouth with my hand to stop myself from making a sound, "Squeak!" Every time I was at my wit's end, it would appear in front of me, this monkey was like a bodhisattva!

Compared to my excitement, "Zhi Zha" seemed very calm. It lightly jumped off me, dusted itself off, and then firmly shook my hand.

"Squeak," I said in a low voice, "What are you doing here? Didn't the kite notice you?"

"Zhi Zha" shook its head very decisively. In the moonlight, its big eyes showed determination. My nose tingled, and I couldn't help but touch its head: "You're always the one who helps me, Zhi Zha. I'm so useless."

The monkey pointed to the hole in the roof and looked at me. I chuckled and shook my head: "Impossible. You can come down, but I can't get up."

"Zhi Zha" wasn't too disappointed. It nodded, raised one foot, and held it up in front of me. I looked closely and was astonished to find a brass key stuck to the bottom of the monkey's foot.

I carefully peeled the key off the creaking sole and placed it in my palm. It was an exquisite key, with delicate patterns engraved on its surface. A thought struck me, and I looked towards the door. Knowing there was no one else around, I couldn't help but lower my voice and ask, "Is it... the key to that place?"

"Zhi Zha" nodded readily.

I opened my mouth wide, then closed it again, looking at "Zhi Zha" with almost worshipful eyes, wondering to myself once more, is this really a monkey? I feel like "Zhi Zha" is much more useful than me.

Holding the key, I tiptoed to the window and peeked out. Hmm, this didn't seem likely; the guards were still standing outside... Wait a minute, something's not right with them. Why are they all yawning? It doesn't seem like it's that late hour yet, is it?

I turned around to ask "Zhi Zha," but found the monkey sprawled out on the comfortable bed, looking exhausted.

Poor little "squeak," if I were more useful, you wouldn't have to go through all that trouble.

I continued to observe outside the window. After a while, the guards yawned even more frequently, and some even seemed unable to stand steadily. My heart was pounding, and I gripped the key tightly in my hand, even my breathing became much lighter involuntarily.

About half a cup of tea's time later, the guard closest to the door could no longer hold on and collapsed to the ground. His colleague noticed something was wrong and stretched out his foot as if to kick the guard awake, but instead stumbled and fell heavily to the ground as well. I watched as he seemed to be trying to struggle, but soon he became still.

Immediately afterward, within a short period of time, the five or six guards fell one after another. I was dumbfounded, and a thought flashed through my mind: "Heartless."

Is it Lan Feiyu?

"Zhi Zha" was already beside me, and it also stuck its head out to look out, just like me. We watched together as all the guards fell down. "Zhi Zha" pushed open the window, jumped out in a flash, and looked at the guards closely, shaking its head and examining them for a while. Then it waved at me vigorously. I was overjoyed and rushed to the door. I used the key that "Zhi Zha" had given me to open the door and slipped out of the house.

Following "Chirp," I ran along the corridor, turning several corners. Moonlight spilled onto the bluestone slabs, illuminating the quiet palace garden. My heart was pounding in my throat. I was panting and looking around when suddenly I saw a figure standing in the shadows ahead. I was startled and about to call out when Chirp squeaked and pounced on the figure. The figure turned around and whispered, "Xi'er, come here quickly!"

It really is Lan Feiyu!

She wore a drab gray cloak and clutched two sets of coarse cloth clothes, which looked like servants' disguises. She grabbed my arm and whispered urgently, "Thanks to 'Zhi Zha,' she helped me sprinkle the 'black-hearted' powder into the guards' food tonight, but it took effect earlier than I expected. We have to hurry. Here, change into this." She shoved a set of clothes into my hands, and I didn't care about anything else at that moment. I practically pulled and yanked off the luxurious dress and changed into the coarse cloth clothes.

"Chirp!" It jumped onto my shoulder in a flash. Lan Feiyu grabbed my hand, and under the cover of night, we crept out along the palace garden path with our heads down. The moonlight shone on the bluestone slabs, making the surroundings eerily quiet. Only the rustling of the wind through the treetops and the sound of our footsteps mingled together.

After navigating several corridors, the palace gate was finally in sight. The main gate was tightly shut, dark and seemingly blocking the way. My heart sank. Just as I was about to speak, Lan Feiyu whispered, "There's a side gate over there." She pointed to a clump of bushes on the left, and sure enough, there was an inconspicuous little side gate. I breathed a sigh of relief and pulled her along, running towards it.

The side door was also closed. I was about to push it open when Lan Feiyu stopped me. She then silently took out a key. My eyes lit up. "Chirp" jumped up and down beside me. I turned around with a smile and patted its head: "I know, it's all thanks to you!"

Lan Feiyu inserted the key into the lock and turned it. With a "click," the door opened! "Zhizha" jumped out first, and Lan Feiyu and I hurriedly followed. We had just taken a step when a sudden burst of light flashed from the shadows. My vision blurred, and my heart sank to the bottom.

A series of rapid footsteps approached. I gripped Lan Feiyu's hand tightly, and she gripped mine just as firmly. We didn't look at each other, but she probably understood, just like me, that we were doomed this time. She lowered her voice and asked me, "Xi'er, are you scared?"

I swallowed hard: "I'm not afraid."

It's not that I'm not afraid of my future fate, of becoming a caged bird, or a pawn in a game; I'm just suddenly less afraid of dying.

Perhaps when I fall into that situation, that will be the moment I have no choice but to face death.

At least for now, Lan Feiyu and I are still holding hands.

Two rows of guards quickly surrounded us in the flickering firelight. "Chirp" covered its eyes on my shoulder. I turned my head to the side and whispered to it, "Don't be afraid. When you see an opportunity, just climb up the tree. They won't chase you."

Iris slowly walked up from behind. She looked at me and Lan Feiyu expressionlessly, then lowered her gaze slightly before sneering, "You really think you can escape? Lan Feiyu, if this happens again, our alliance will be null and void. I will show you no mercy."

Before Lan Feiyu could speak, I interrupted, "You don't need to hold back now. Let me tell you, Yuanzi, there's absolutely no way you'll make me obediently marry the ruler of Western Shu."