When Linglan chased after them, Noble Consort Yi’s carriage had already departed. Having no way to catch up, she could only return and report to Jun Wan.
By then, little Jingchen had already fallen asleep. After hearing Linglan’s report, Jun Wan dismissed everyone from the room.
She knew this matter was far from simple.
To prepare for the worst, she first carried little Jingchen into the room inside her dimensional space and laid him down safely. Then she began moving everything.
She intended to transfer all of her valuables into the space.
Jun Wan stored her dowry, along with all the treasures bestowed by the Emperor and Noble Consort Yi, into the space. Only after everything was secured did she return to her bedroom, bring little Jingchen back out, and lie down beside him to sleep.
At that very moment, on the official road leading from the border back to the capital of Longyuan, several fast horses galloped at full speed.
Among them rode a man atop a snow-white Ferghana horse.
He wore black armor, his sword-like brows and starry eyes giving him a striking appearance. His chiseled face was stern and cold, while his deep gaze radiated sharpness and determination, inspiring awe in all who beheld him.
He was Longyuan’s God of War—
Mo Yan.
At only twenty-five years old, Mo Yan had already accumulated countless military achievements.
Just a few days earlier, he had fought his final battle against Great Liang, forcing them to sign a peace treaty and cede two cities to Longyuan.
While he and his generals were preparing to celebrate their victory, an imperial decree arrived from the Emperor, summoning him back to the capital with utmost urgency.
Along with the decree came a letter informing him that his Princess Consort had given birth to a son.
Without delay, he had set off with his trusted subordinates, traveling day and night without rest.
As they approached a forest and prepared to ride through it, they discovered that the surroundings were unnaturally quiet.
Not even the chirping of insects could be heard.
Mo Yan suddenly pulled back on his reins, and the men behind him immediately did the same.
His icy gaze swept across the silent woods.
“Charge through!”
Digging his heels into his horse’s sides, he took the lead and rushed forward, with his men following closely behind.
Just as they reached the center of the forest, a rain of arrows suddenly shot toward them from every direction.
Everyone drew their swords to block the incoming arrows, instinctively forming a protective circle around Mo Yan.
At the very moment everyone’s attention was fixed on the arrow barrage, Mo Yan sensed a fierce gust of wind coming from behind.
His reaction was lightning fast as he spun around—
But he was still a fraction too late.
A longsword pierced straight into his chest.
With a furious palm strike, Mo Yan sent the attacker flying backward.
As the assassin was blasted away, the sword was ripped from Mo Yan’s chest as well, causing fresh blood to gush endlessly from the wound.
“Master!!”
His subordinates cried out and rushed toward him.
Mo Yan planted the tip of his sword into the ground to keep himself from collapsing.
One hand pressed tightly against his wound as he lifted his head to look at the person he had struck away.
Deep disappointment filled his eyes.
“Pfft!”
The attacker finally spat out a mouthful of blood and lost consciousness.
One of Mo Yan’s guards fought his way through the surrounding assassins, reached his master, hoisted him onto his back, and fled.
The others stayed behind to hold off the attackers.
Meanwhile, back at Prince Zhan’s residence in the capital…
Nanny Lin entered the room and saw that both Jun Wan and little Jingchen were sleeping soundly. Not wishing to disturb them, she quietly sat down on a couch nearby and began sewing clothes for the baby.
Jun Wan recognized Nanny Lin’s footsteps but did not open her eyes, continuing to rest.
Suddenly, Linglan rushed inside.
Seeing that mother and son were asleep, she lowered her voice.
“Your Highness, the Prince’s residence has been surrounded!”
Jun Wan’s eyes snapped open.
Little Jingchen also woke up and burst into tears.
“Waaah… waaah…”
Nanny Lin hurriedly set aside her needlework and picked up the crying baby.
A bad feeling rose in Jun Wan’s heart.
“Where is Ye Ying?”
Ye Ying was the shadow guard captain assigned to her by her father, the Emperor of the Silver Wolf Kingdom, specifically to protect her.
Because security at Prince Zhan’s residence was extremely tight, and Mo Yan had forbidden her from bringing personal guards into the estate, Ye Ying and the others usually stayed hidden outside.
“He’s still at the usual place,” Linglan replied.
Jun Wan breathed a sigh of relief.
“Tell him not to act rashly. He is to wait for my orders.”
“Yes.”
At that moment, the old steward, Uncle Zhang, anxiously called from outside the door,
“Princess Consort, are you awake? This old servant has urgent news to report.”
“Come in.”
Jun Wan sat up while Linglan helped her get dressed.
As soon as Uncle Zhang entered, he spoke hurriedly.
“Princess Consort, government troops have surrounded the Prince’s residence. The palace has already fallen under the Empress’s control, and even Eunuch Wang has disappeared without a trace.
“Noble Consort Yi was imprisoned before she could even see His Majesty one last time. Princess Huai’an has also been locked away.
“This old servant suspects that His Majesty was…”
He stopped himself before finishing the sentence.
After a pause, he continued,
“The Prince is still fighting on the frontier and likely knows nothing of what’s happened in the capital. Princess Consort, you should make preparations as soon as possible.”
Jun Wan looked at him calmly.
“And what does Uncle Zhang suggest?”
“I will arrange for you and the little imperial grandson to leave safely.”
Jun Wan pondered for a moment.
She still didn’t know exactly what had happened. If she fled now, how long would she have to remain in hiding?
She would rather investigate first.
“I understand. You may withdraw for now.”
Seeing that she neither agreed nor refused, Uncle Zhang grew even more anxious.
He might not have liked the current Princess Consort very much, but the little imperial grandson was his prince’s only heir.
If Prince Ping truly ascended the throne, would he spare the child?
“Princess Consort…”
“I already have my own plans. There’s no need to say more.”
With no other choice, Uncle Zhang sighed and left.
There was still no news of his prince, so he had to hurry and make preparations. No matter what, he had to ensure the little master’s safety.
After Uncle Zhang left, Jun Wan fell into deep thought.
If the Empress had already taken control of the palace, that meant Prince Ping was preparing to seize the throne.
If so, both she and her son were in grave danger.
Thinking of this, she quickly asked Nanny Lin to bring little Jingchen over so she could nurse him.
She had decided to sneak into the palace afterward to gather information herself.
She could not leave everything to guesswork.
She needed to know exactly what was happening.
After little Jingchen was full and asleep again, Jun Wan informed Nanny Lin and Linglan before preparing to leave.
Ever since inheriting the original owner’s memories after transmigrating, she had discovered that she possessed considerable internal energy.
“Princess, you’re still in your confinement period. How can you possibly go outside?” Nanny Lin tried to stop her.
For a woman, postpartum confinement was no trivial matter. If she neglected her recovery, the consequences could last a lifetime.
“We can’t worry about that now. I can’t just sit here and wait for disaster. You and Linglan stay behind and take good care of Jingchen.”
Without giving Nanny Lin another chance to argue, Jun Wan walked out.
Worried by the soldiers outside, Nanny Lin quickly ordered Linglan to follow and protect her.
But by the time Linglan reached the courtyard, Jun Wan had already found a secluded corner and used teleportation to enter the imperial palace.
Watching first Jun Wan and then Linglan leave, Nanny Lin couldn’t help but fall into thought.
Her princess was no longer the same as before.
She was far more decisive and independent now.
Whether that was a blessing or a curse, Nanny Lin could not tell.
Jun Wan was extremely familiar with the imperial palace, having visited it many times before.
Her first destination was the Emperor’s sleeping quarters.
To avoid being discovered, she teleported directly onto one of the massive roof beams inside the hall.
The Emperor’s body had already been placed inside his coffin.
White mourning banners hung throughout the entire chamber.
Kneeling before the coffin were the Emperor’s consorts and several of his young children.
Behind them, rows upon rows of eunuchs and palace maids knelt silently as well.