storm
It was the dead of winter in the capital, and everyone was on edge.
The city is in a worse state than when she first arrived, and her happiness level is steadily declining; everything is heading in a bad direction.
Faced with this situation, Yan Qing was more relaxed than before.
No destruction, no construction.
This country has been mediocre for over a decade, and its people are dragged along, unable to break free from their shackles and live a good life.
If a storm can break their shackles, it will always be better for them than before.
But after this storm, she wasn't entirely sure who would remain in the main hall.
For the sake of all living beings, she was willing to risk her life.
"The snow is falling again, Qingqing, hurry inside."
Hearing her name called, she turned around and saw He Yi standing under the eaves, waving at her.
She smiled and replied, "Coming."
Brushing the snowflakes off her shoulder, He Yi sighed, "Hey—when will spring come? Winter is beautiful, but my ears are going to freeze off."
Feeling mischievous, Yan Qing loosened his hands behind his back, quickly pinched her ear when she wasn't paying attention, and then ran away.
Startled from behind, He Yi stomped her foot and her angry voice rang out.
"Yan! Qing! You're finished."
The troublemaker had already run back inside and closed the door tightly.
After a long while, there was a knock on the door, but no one answered.
Yan Qing assumed that He Yi was trying to lure her out so she could retaliate.
So he said, "Don't think I won't know you're outside just because you don't make a sound. I'm not opening the door. Hurry up and go back inside, your ears are going to freeze off."
Contrary to her expectations, she was met with muffled sobs.
Her expression changed, and she opened the door.
Standing outside the door was Deng Chan. She covered her face with her hands, her face twitching. When the door opened, she slowly raised her head, revealing her red eyes.
Her appearance was not unexpected.
Now, news of Rong Xiao's death and Rong Xuan's background have become the talk of the town.
Deng Anhua was imprisoned in Chenhua Palace for switching the prince, awaiting his fate.
Deng Chan can only stay in the mansion for now.
She had sneaked out today, and was ordered to stay at home. Without her father's permission, she was not allowed to go out at all.
Under the current circumstances, she cannot face Rong Xuan, and therefore cannot go to the Prince Ning's residence.
There is nowhere better to go, nowhere better to confide in.
"Come in first."
Yan Qing led her into the house and helped her take off her cloak.
Her sobbing had just stopped, but now she started crying uncontrollably again.
The two of them stayed there quietly. Fangbi and Heyi heard the noise and came over to keep her company.
Sniffing, Deng Chan said, "I really don't know where to go. My father won't let me go to my aunt, and I'm really worried about her. Sister Yanqing, can you help me think of a way?"
"She's fine now, so don't worry."
Yan Qing had been keeping an eye on Deng Anhua's situation. Not to mention that she was Deng Chan's aunt, she didn't want anything to happen to her at this moment, even for Rong Xuan's sake.
Although Rong Xuan was focused on preparing to fight the enemy and didn't mention Deng Anhua to her at all, this also meant that she held a very important place in his heart, so much so that he didn't know how to accept this fact.
He hadn't figured out how to face her yet.
If people were black and white, they wouldn't have to be so conflicted.
Honestly, she had never mistreated Rong Xuan; in fact, she had spoiled him rotten. Yet, she had also caused Rong Xuan too much suffering. He lived in his elder brother's shadow every day, wondering if she would place her hopes on him if he were a little more outstanding.
He was caught in a dilemma, and Yan Qing didn't want to make the decision for him. She could only wait until everything was settled before settling the score between them.
Deng Anhua spends all her days in Chenhua Palace. Although she has a little black cat to keep her company, she seems to have lost her soul and is just a body. If this continues, there is no guarantee that something will not happen. It would be good to let Deng Chan keep her company.
Yan Qing thought for a moment, squeezed her palm, and said, "Wait here, I'll find a way to get you into the palace."
After saying that, he left the Cat Tea House.
When she returned, there was another person beside her, Li Yueshu.
Before Deng Chan could react, Yan Qing walked towards her and handed her a set of clothes.
"Go and change into these clothes. The princess will take you into the palace. Once the little black cat jumps onto you, come out. Do you understand?"
She nodded excitedly, then looked at Li Yueshu before lowering her head again as if she had thought of something. She followed her into the carriage, and only spoke up sullenly before the carriage set off.
"sorry."
With a gentle smile, the person being apologized to seemed to have never taken it to heart, saying, "I never argue with children."
The carriage, filled with anticipation, clattered towards the palace. With Li Yueshu in the procession, the journey was smooth.
Upon arriving at the palace, Li Yueshu headed towards the Imperial Study. Taking advantage of the moment when the attendant leading the way wasn't paying attention, she pointed in another direction. Deng Chan understood her meaning and crouched down to walk in another direction.
The little black cat followed her all the way from the rooftop. The maids in front of Chenhua Palace had long been lured away. Yan Qing only breathed a sigh of relief when she saw her enter the palace.
She didn't let the little black cat into the house, but watched from the side to avoid being discovered, but she could still hear the sounds coming from inside the house clearly.
Inside the Chenhua Palace.
Unexpectedly, Deng Chan appeared here. She assumed she was a servant who had come to deliver food, so she didn't do anything.
Upon hearing Deng Chan's choked "Auntie," she quickly turned her head, and after confirming it wasn't a hallucination, tears welled up in her eyes as well.
After exchanging pleasantries, the two calmed down and leaned on each other.
Thinking of the recent situation, Deng Anhua said, "Achan, you should leave this place. The capital is about to descend into chaos. Your father is a fool; he will definitely try to curry favor with the Crown Prince. You might become his tool, just like I was back then."
The person who had stopped crying started crying again, "I don't want to leave, I want to stay with my aunt."
“Silly child, I have nowhere to turn. If you do something wrong, you have to accept the punishment. I was wrong in the past. I thought that if I betrothed you to Xuan’er, I would be spared a lot of suffering in the future. You like that boy from the Cheng family, right? If that’s the case, then go find him.”
Since Rong Xiao committed suicide, Cheng Changfeng led the remaining soldiers to set up camp in the nearest city and led the angry soldiers to attack Deputy General Jiang. Now, the two cities are engulfed in war.
However, since Deputy General Jiang was already stationed here and was an old general, Cheng Changfeng faced many difficulties in dealing with him. Other generals either rebelled or died in battle, and only he could still mobilize these troops.
The battle situation was extremely tense, and the imperial court's reinforcements were still on their way.
Setting off to find him now, just in time for reinforcements to arrive and the rebels to be defeated, is not a bad idea.
After some thought, Yan Qing decided that the plan was feasible.
According to Deng Anhua, if Deng Chanruo stayed in the capital, she would inevitably become a political sacrifice, which was an outcome that no one wanted to see. Therefore, the only option was to let her leave the Deng residence and leave the capital.
But Deng Chan also revealed her willful side in front of her loving elders; she didn't want to leave.
She couldn't afford to act like a child. Deng Anhua said seriously, "This matter is of great importance and you can't afford to make a fuss. Leave tonight, tonight, lest things get complicated."
Just then, footsteps sounded outside the door.
The two stopped talking abruptly, and Deng Chan quickly ducked behind the screen.
"I lost a hairpin here a few days ago, could you go and look for it for me?"
Cheng Yue stopped the maid who was heading into Chenhua Palace and casually gave her instructions.
The maid dared not disobey and agreed, then began to search carefully in the courtyard.
That wasn't enough, she added, "It seems to have been left behind. Go look for it over there."
The maid did as instructed and left Chenhua Palace.
Yan Qing witnessed this entire scene through the little black cat.
Suddenly their eyes met—no, it was the kitten and Cheng Yue who met eyes. She beckoned, "Afu, come here."
The little black cat ignored Yan Qing and jumped into her arms.
A loving voice came from above, "I've been thinking about you these days. Have you lost weight recently? Remember to eat well, do you hear me?"
As she spoke, she turned the kitten over and examined it carefully.
Then he put it down and had the maidservant bring out the prepared food and place it in front of the little black cat.
Afraid that the little black cat would only focus on eating, she raised her voice a little, "I'll come to see you again in a few days, take good care of yourself."
Yan Qing didn't know much about their relationship and couldn't comment on it, but she could tell that Cheng Yue was being soft-hearted.
It was almost time, and Deng Chan needed to leave before the maidservant on guard returned. The little black cat strode into the hall.
Seeing it running towards her, Deng Chan knew it was time to leave, so she reluctantly said goodbye to Deng Anhua.
It took a long time before he finally stepped out of Chenhua Palace, his eyes even redder.
Following the little black cat's steps, Deng Chan held her breath and walked carefully outside, but she ran into Cheng Yue soon after leaving Chenhua Palace.
She stood there bewildered, only managing to greet her before remaining where she was.
Yan Qing didn't expect her to come back, but fortunately she meant no harm.
How is your aunt?
Unexpectedly, she was asked this question, and Deng Chan answered truthfully, albeit haltingly.
After listening, Cheng Yue simply had her maid lead the way so that she could leave the palace safely.
Seeing this, Afu saw no need to follow any further and returned to the palace, where Yan Qing also severed his connection with her.
She had to arrange for Deng Chan to leave the capital, but she was always worried about leaving her alone. She thought of having Fang Bi accompany her, but she didn't know if Fang Bi would be willing.
So she went to Fangbi's room, knocked on the door, and the door was quickly opened.
After hearing Yan Qing's suggestion, she nodded and agreed.
After being persuaded by Deng Anhua for a long time, when Yan Qing offered to send her away, Deng Chan only felt it was too coincidental and did not resist.
That night, under cover of darkness, a carriage left the capital and headed north.
He Yi was unwilling to let the other two leave, and Yan Qing could not persuade her otherwise, so she could only let her stay with the kittens. Jingyuan had also closed its doors and was no longer open for business.
Not long after they left, a blizzard began to fall in the capital.
The storm reached its climax.
Braving the wind and snow, the Crown Prince, who should have been staying in the Eastern Palace, appeared in the countryside, wearing armor and riding a warhorse.
He led his troops into the capital without hindrance and headed straight for the palace.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
