After arranging everyone, Qin Qianluo pondered for a moment, her eyes sweeping over each person, and finally leaving only Yaoguang behind.
Yao Guang nodded slightly, her posture upright like a pine tree, her eyes revealing loyalty and determination, like a burning flame, fiery and never extinguished.
Immediately afterwards, the three men, with solemn expressions and hurried steps, rushed towards the city gate.
Their silhouettes were stretched long in the moonlight, conveying a sense of determination and resolve.
Those figures, like three sharp swords, were about to break through the thick fog and face the impending storm.
At this moment, the city gate tower seemed to be shrouded in an invisible haze, and the atmosphere was so oppressive that it was almost suffocating.
The retired emperor sat upright in the main seat, his posture still upright, but his slightly furrowed brows and trembling fingers revealed his inner anxiety.
Surrounded by a group of close confidants, some paced back and forth, their steps hurried and disorderly.
Some sat blankly to one side, their eyes vacant yet revealing an unconcealable worry.
Others whispered among themselves, their words filled with worry and unease.
Although the secret guards had previously sent messages at breakneck speed, their words were confident and indicated that everything was going smoothly.
But the worry in everyone's hearts was like a vine that had taken root in their hearts, spreading wildly and impossible to shake off.
Left with no other choice, the group could only sit together silently, their eyes fixed on the entrance to the city gate.
It was as if by keeping their eyes glued to the entrance, they could sooner see the figure they had been eagerly awaiting, as if the entrance held all their hopes.
Time slowly slipped away in this anxious wait, each second seeming to stretch out. Before they knew it, two and a half hours had passed.
As dawn broke on the horizon, the faint light of day quietly illuminated the otherwise oppressive, night-like atmosphere with a touch of brightness.
However, this glimmer of hope did not bring much comfort to the group; instead, it added to their tension and anticipation.
Just then, the Bell and Drum Towers emitted a melodious and solemn chime, its sound as clear as a great bell in the otherwise deathly quiet morning.
Each sound struck the hearts of the crowd, each sound seeming to urge on the pace of time, and also to question the anxious hearts of the crowd.
Upon hearing this, everyone's spirits lifted, and they eagerly looked up, only to see Qin Qianluo and the others finally appear in their sight.
Seeing that Qin Qianluo and Su Jinyun returned side by side, and that there were no signs of a fight on their bodies, the hearts that had been in everyone's throats finally settled down a little.
Like a bowstring stretched to its limit, it loosened slightly. The face that had been stiff with tension showed signs of relaxation.
However, upon seeing the serious expressions on their faces, as if sealed by ice and snow, my heart, which had just begun to ease, was instantly gripped high again.
It felt as if an invisible and icy hand had grabbed me and left me suspended in mid-air, instantly plunging my heart into endless anxiety and unease.
The retired emperor felt an unease in his heart like a surging tide, one wave higher than the next.
An indescribable sense of foreboding quickly enveloped his heart like a dark cloud, causing his heart to beat faster involuntarily, as if he were foreseeing an impending storm.
Qin Qianluo walked forward steadily, each step firm and resolute, yet her expression was as solemn as if she were carrying a heavy burden.
She took a deep breath and recounted the whole story in a clear, yet weighty manner.
Her voice echoed through the silent city tower, each word carrying a heavy weight, striking the hearts of everyone present.
The Emperor Emeritus listened quietly, his expression growing increasingly solemn as Qin Qianluo recounted her story.
From initial disbelief to gradual shock, and finally to deep sorrow, a variety of complex emotions alternated on his face.
As soon as Qin Qianluo finished speaking, the Emperor Emeritus felt a loud "buzz" in his head.
It was as if countless thunderclaps were exploding one after another in the depths of his mind, making him dizzy and his thoughts instantly falling into chaos.
His body trembled slightly, his hands gripping the armrests of the seat tightly, his knuckles turning white from the force, as if trying to steady his shaky mind.
Upon hearing this, the Empress Dowager's originally rosy complexion instantly turned ashen, like the last snowflakes in winter, devoid of any color.
She felt as if struck by lightning, her body swayed, and she almost lost her balance. Fortunately, the old woman beside her reacted quickly and rushed forward to support her, barely managing to steady her swaying body.
The Empress Dowager's eyes were filled with horror and disbelief, and her lips trembled slightly, as if she wanted to say something.
But the sudden news choked him up, and he couldn't speak for a long time.
Ning Chenxing was a prince with an introverted and calm personality since childhood, just like his gentle, virtuous, and well-educated mother.
During his years in the palace, he devoted himself to books and calligraphy, immersing himself in a world of literary fragrance and poetic charm.
Whether it's the tranquility of the morning sunlight shining on the pages of a book, or the splendor of the evening glow reflecting on a painting, it allows him to forget the hustle and bustle of the world.
He appeared detached from worldly affairs, serene and carefree.
The Emperor Emeritus doted on him. Among all the princes and princesses, apart from the youngest sixth princess who was still young and innocent, he was the one who won the Emperor Emeritus's heart the most.
The retired emperor often kept him by his side, teaching him how to conduct himself in society and hoping that he would become a pillar of the country.
The Empress Dowager was also a kind-hearted person. Since the Emperor Emeritus did not have many children, she loved and cared for every child in the palace as if they were precious pearls in her palm.
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