d.u.c.h.ess w.a.n.g Qixing walked behind her husband as she began to observe their surroundings. If she recalled it correctly, the Second Prince's sleeping quarters were located nearby.

d.u.c.h.ess w.a.n.g Qixing wondered exactly how much of the original plan was changed by her husband. She didn't understand why he moved the plan forward instead of waiting till tomorrow morning. Perhaps, in the chaos of the night, everything would unfold and it was easier to silence the Royal family in this mayhem.

Out of the corner of her eyes, d.u.c.h.ess w.a.n.g Qixing saw something startling. She thought it was a trick of the light, but when she blinked, the woman was still there. Even from the side profile, the woman starkly resembled her daughter.

"Minghua?" d.u.c.h.ess w.a.n.g Qixing whispered.

Li Xueyue jolted at the name as she turned her head in the direction that the d.u.c.h.ess was suddenly drawn to. In the near distance was a woman dressed in servant clothing.

"Minghua?!" d.u.c.h.ess w.a.n.g Qixing called out, surprising her husband who turned around in time to see her rush off in the direction of the woman.

"Mother, wait!" Li Xueyue cried out as she also broke off from the group, chasing down the d.u.c.h.ess who was swift on her feet.

The woman must've not heard the d.u.c.h.ess for she continued walking forward and turned a corner.

d.u.c.h.ess w.a.n.g Qixing knew she was not mistaken. There was no way that a mother wouldn't recognize her own daughter! No matter how much time had pa.s.sed, she would never forget the twinkle of that hydrangea hairpin.

It was almost as if she was in a trance and the world around her didn't matter. Her legs were strained as she chased down the woman who walked too fast for her liking. As she turned the corner, she paid no mind to anyone else.

d.u.c.h.ess w.a.n.g Qixing never believed that Li Minghua died. Without her body being found, she was left with the broken hope that her daughter simply disappeared.

Seeing that woman at this abrupt moment only solidified her prediction. She chased her past and abandoned her future, not knowing the consequence she would bring to someone else.

"Mother?" Li Xueyue huffed as she turned the corner, only to see the d.u.c.h.ess was gone. She was stuck in a crossroads of winding hallways that extended to the west, east, and north.

Which path could the d.u.c.h.ess have ran down?

Li Xueyue bit her bottom lip, unsure of herself. The West Wing was more lit than the East which she a.s.sumed was the Second Prince's sleeping quarters.

There was a slight movement out of the corner of her eyes and she turned to see the wisp of colorful hanfu before it disappeared down the West Wing.

"Mother!" Li Xueyue called out, believing that was the path d.u.c.h.ess w.a.n.g Qixing took.

Li Xueyue immediately picked up her hanfu and ran down the brightly lit West Wing. Eventually, the hallway became more decorated and lavished. s.h.i.+ny red pillars held up the golden ceilings as her shoes thudded upon the polished hallways. The luxury in this hallway alone was enough to buy out a small kingdom.

Li Xueyue stopped short to catch her breath, unable to chase onwards. "Where is this place?" she breathed out in between gasps of air.

Turning her head, she found this place to be too surreal for a normal concubine to live here.

"It's so empty…" Li Xueyue murmured, realizing there wasn't a single guard or servant here. She a.s.sumed it was because of the chaos in the Throne Room. Everyone must've been summoned there or ran off, frightful of getting injured.

Li Xueyue's ears twitched. She heard the sound of a door being slid open. She swiveled fast enough to see the door close. Immediately, she approached that direction, hoping to find someone who could guide her out of this place.

"How strange, why would anyone still be here?" Li Xueyue said to herself as she approached the door.

Gooseb.u.mps rose on her arms and a feeling of dread coursed through her. Li Xueyue snapped her head behind her and called out, "Who's there?!"

Li Xueyue narrowed her eyes. She was certain that she felt a presence behind her. When she looked behind her, there was no one there.

Li Xueyue rubbed her arms, growing scared of the eerie atmosphere. To be alone in this enormous palace was suddenly daunting. She had no idea how to leave here.

"h.e.l.lo?" Li Xueyue called out, not realizing she was bringing unwanted attention to herself.

Li Xueyue bit her bottom lip. "Maybe it's just a figment of my imagination," she sighed. The days of insufficient sleep were beginning to take a toll on her. If she ever made it back home, she would summon the doctors for some herbal tonics.

"I should head back," she said out loud.

Li Xueyue knew her loud voice would be recognised by her mother. Since no one responded to her, it only meant the d.u.c.h.ess didn't walk down this side of the hallway.

"You!"

Li Xueyue jumped when she heard a loud scream from behind one of the doors. Her eyes widened and she looked around, wondering if they were talking to her.

"How did you get in here?!"

Li Xueyue cringed at the loud shrill. She realized the sound was coming from behind the door that she saw open and closed earlier. Stepping in that direction, she debated the idea of eavesdropping.

"Guards!" the same voice cried out.

Li Xueyue's eyes widened. It sounded familiar and feminine. She had no choice but to lean on the side of the door to hear what was going on.

"There are no guards outside," another voice spoke up.

Li Xueyue tilted her head. She also recognized this voice. What was going on? If there were no soldiers and servants here, why didn't they usher whoever was inside of this room to safety beforehand? None of this made sense to her.

"What are you talking about? I am the Empress. How could there not be a single guard or servant outside?!"

Li Xueyue's jaw dropped open at the declaration. This was the Empress's residence?! Her eyes widened in disbelief. Maybe it would be a good idea for her to leave…

"That's not my problem," the other voice said. "You're the one who likes to sleep without a single servant or guard around, frightful that you'd be a.s.sa.s.sinated in your sleep. It's a stupid idea really. Without a single guard or servant here, who else would protect you?"

"Is this how you repay me for my generosity?!" Empress Huiyun hissed as her lips curled into a scowl. "I allowed you to leave that fire with only a few burns on your arm! You were able to live because of my kindness."

"Is this how you justify your actions? By saving me?" the woman let out a cackle of laughter. "You were the one who started the fire. You were the cause of my burns. Save me? Don't make me laugh!"

"You despicable brat!" Empress Huiyun seethed. "How dare you barge into my room and accuse me—" She paused upon seeing the hairpin. How did this wench get her hand on that? Wasn't it in the possession of Wen Jinkai?!

"You forced me to a life of servitude instead of allowing me to go back to my family," the woman gritted out. "There wouldn't have been a need to save me in the first place if you hadn't tried to kill me."

Empress Huiyun chuckled as her ruby red lips twisted into a sinister smile. "Oh little Minghua, so naive as always." She shook her head in disappointment. "Has all these years in the Palace taught you nothing?"

Li Xueyue was absolutely floored by the twist of events. Her eyes grew wide and she slapped a hand over her mouth to prevent a gasp from coming out. She had heard that name loud and clear.

After all this time, Li Minghua was alive?