Time is of the essence.
Qin Qi and Shu Hua believed Princess Zhaoyang's words and followed her out through the side door of the small kitchen. They fled along the way and finally arrived at another sealed-off palace.
Niao Na Palace.
Qin Qi looked at this place, her heart filled with complex emotions. This was the former residence of Consort Qin. After the late emperor passed away, Consort Qin only stayed for a few days before moving out of the palace.
She was just a powerless concubine, and Emperor Yuxian didn't care where she went, so no one knew where Consort Qin was now.
Princess Zhaoyang led a few people to Niaona Palace, carefully closed the gate again, and then led them to the lotus pond.
It was already deep winter, and the flowers here had long since withered. She squatted down and gently twisted an inconspicuous flowerpot by the pond, and the artificial rockery that had been standing there split in two, opening up from the middle!
Qin Qi was surprised. Watching Princess Zhaoyang's practiced manner, she felt a strange unease.
Princess Zhaoyang's birth mother was the Empress Dowager, who was a concubine in the same court as Consort Qin. They were practically mortal enemies, so Princess Zhaoyang should have rarely set foot in this place. So why was she so familiar with it?
She frowned and asked, "How did the princess know about this secret passage?"
Princess Zhaoyang was slightly taken aback, then slowly shook her head. "I don't know either. I have a vague impression of this place. There was always a man and a woman who told me that if there was any danger, I should turn the third pot of flowers from the left and escape through the secret passage."
Seeing that everyone had entered, Princess Zhaoyang gently pressed against the wall, and the artificial rockery closed again. She smiled and said, "That's what they said, but I don't know who they are."
Qin Xi nodded knowingly. Perhaps it was the late emperor and empress dowager.
The passageway was pitch black, with candlesticks on either side of the walls. Luckily, Lele had a tinderbox with her, so she lit the candles on the candlesticks, and the passageway was instantly illuminated.
The passageway wasn't wide, barely wide enough for two people to walk side by side. Princess Zhaoyang walked ahead of them, occasionally reminding Qin Xi to watch her step on the loose stones; the scene was surprisingly harmonious.
Looking at the sleeping Lu Sijing, Qin Qi felt extremely fortunate that she had already given birth, otherwise they might have had to carry her around right now.
After imagining the scene in her mind, Qin Xi shuddered and decided to forget about it; it was too ridiculous.
Emerging from the secret passage, one arrives at the south gate of the imperial palace. If it weren't for Princess Zhaoyang, Qin Qi would still be unaware that the palace walls were actually interconnected.
They had just slipped through the palace walls, and occasionally they could hear the sounds of the imperial guards searching.
Princess Zhaoyang brought them here and was about to return. Qin Xi watched her turn away, her brows furrowed, and finally couldn't hold back.
"Zhaoyang".
Princess Zhaoyang turned her head in surprise.
Qin Xi smiled. "Perhaps I can call you that too?"
"It would be my honor." Princess Zhaoyang smiled as well, her once flamboyant features now appearing extremely gentle. The only thing that hadn't changed was her eyes, which remained as beautiful as ever.
Qin Qi frowned as she looked at her, puzzled, and asked, "Why are you helping me?"
Princess Zhaoyang was taken aback, seemingly not expecting her to ask such a question. She smiled, pursing her lips, "Qin Xi, perhaps you don't know, but I used to envy you a lot, and of course I still do."
Envious of her? Qin Qi frowned.
“Ever since I was five years old, when I was saved by my brother Changjue, I have admired him ever since.” As if recalling the past, Princess Zhaoyang softened her eyes and said gently.
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