Unfortunately, Marquis Gu will not return to the capital, and as for Rong Heng... Gu Lan remembers that in the original book, Rong Heng’s return to the capital was fraught with danger, ultimately turning misfortune into fortune.

She curled her index finger, her knuckle making a cracking sound.

The original storyline has changed too much; she can’t rely on the elusive protagonist’s halo.

Lin He is not a fool; upon hearing this, he instantly responds.

"I will immediately contact the Crow Building to arrange hidden guards to meet the Prince, but I fear the Prince is too pressed to hurry back, and if Song Zhi brings five thousand imperial guards..."

Gu Lan pondered for a moment, her red lips parted gently: "Go find someone."

"Who?"

"Su Zixiao."

"Su Zixiao? Oh right, he is also an imperial guard colonel!"

Gu Lan’s gaze was deep and serene: "If Zixiao is unwilling to help us, then at that time I will also bring the household soldiers of the Dingyuan Marquis Mansion to hold out for half a two-hour period for the main force to arrive, it is still possible."

Lin He swallowed and finally asked, "Young Master, how exactly do you intend to get out?"

"Within these five days, there will be an unexpected event," Gu Lan said, "perhaps on the last day, or maybe tomorrow, it all depends on when Rong Jing can no longer keep his cool. In any case, I can get out of this palace myself, but you need to be adaptable and have people ready to meet me."

Lin He saw Gu Lan’s calm demeanor, and his tense heart gradually became steady.

The Prince trusts the Young Master,

now,

he can only trust her too.

"I understand now. Since this could happen at any moment, I will contact Senior Li and Nian Xia tonight, to have them ready outside the palace, ready to rescue the people of the Dingyuan Marquis Mansion at any time," Lin He earnestly agreed.

The treatment in Yongming Palace was much better than in the Imperial Court. Ever since Gu Lan killed Zhong Liang that day and tore up the clothes sent by Rong Jing, she had been served well with good food and drink by the palace attendants.

Aside from not seeing the light of day, and every meal being delivered by female death warriors, her current life was no different from that of a princess living in the palace.

Seeing Lin He was about to leave, Gu Lan asked, "So... you said earlier, who wants to see me?"

Lin He smacked his forehead: "Almost forgot about that."

He glanced at the water clock inside the hall: "Fortunately, the appointed time is soon, Young Master, you will see her shortly."

A moment later, someone appeared before Gu Lan, someone she did not expect.

"Empress?"

Empress Su Zhixue wore only a single white jade hairpin to bind her hair. Dressed in a plain palace gown, adorned with delicate snow-like patterns, she resembled an elegant white gardenia.

Her makeup was light and elegant, her egg-shaped face as pale as ever, with an elegant demeanor, a touch of sorrow in her gentle eyes, and the fragrance of incense from years of worship wafting around her.

"I have seen Young Master Gu," Su Zhixue’s voice was soft and gentle, "I asked Lin He to bring me in."

Lin He explained: "In past years, the Prince regularly replaced the Empress’s medicine every year or so, and sometimes Jiu and I would be on the lookout outside. Thus, the Empress came to know my identity, and three days ago she requested to meet you, seeking cooperation." 𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺

"Cooperation?" Gu Lan inquired, her expression awkward, "Empress, you didn’t come because of Miaoyan, did you? I’m sorry, I really didn’t mean to deceive her—"

Once, the Empress even tried to match her with Miaoyan.

The situation was embarrassing; she did not intend to deceive the daughter of a family.

Su Zhixue gazed at Gu Lan, her eyes growing softer, cautiously interrupting Gu Lan: "I am indeed here for Miaoyan, but I have no intention of blaming you for disguising as a man and hiding your identity from Miaoyan."

Gu Lan’s mind stirred, and she vaguely recalled a suspicion that arose when she told Miaoyan of Rong Jing’s true identity while in the Imperial Court.

At that moment, looking at Rong Miaoyan’s appearance, another possibility suddenly crossed her mind.

The next instant, Su Zhixue suddenly knelt before Gu Lan with a thud.

"Empress, what are you doing?"

Gu Lan hurriedly bent down, intending to help Su Zhixue up, but the woman shed a trail of tears, insisting on kneeling on the ground.

"Young Master, Rong Jue was once Wu’s teacher and his Third Imperial Brother, and I, Su Zhixue, come here today not as the Empress of Dayan but as the widow of Rong Jue, pleading for you to look after Miaoyan for the sake of Jue."

"Rong Jue is Rong Heng’s Third Imperial Brother, and naturally my brother as well. Empress, Miss Su’s implication is that Miaoyan is?" Gu Lan’s breath slowed for a moment, her eyes slightly widening.