The Empress's No.1 Lackey-Chapter 1193 - 642: The Buried Secret

"October 10th. Today, our convoy has finally left the boundaries of the Capital. We are traveling south via fast boats along the river. I am unaware of our destination. I once asked my superior in private, but was reprimanded and forbidden from inquiring..."

"October 11th. Today, the convoy temporarily docked at a pier, and I finally saw the Crown Prince who is being transported with this convoy.

As far as I know, as the last remaining Imperial Guards defending the Imperial City, each team led by various Princes takes different routes to transfer. With the Crown Prince here, it signifies that our team is the most crucial one."

"... However, the reason the Crown Prince made an appearance is because someone in the convoy secretly leaked information and is suspected of colluding with rebels and disclosing our movements.

The Crown Prince was furious and publicly hanged the suspect at the docks, slicing their flesh off with blades while keeping them alive with a pill. After their death, only a skeleton full of organs remained... That night, I was awakened by nightmares."

"October 13th. Due to the leaked whereabouts, the Crown Prince temporarily changed the route. We abandoned the boats and began to traverse the mountains, maneuvering vehicles carrying palace treasures along winding and treacherous paths, successfully evading the rebels...

During the noon break, I heard that all the convoys would meet at the same location, but the military leaders stayed up all night, seemingly arguing over which route to break through...

The path south is no longer the landscape of Qi Country, having been fragmented by rebels led by the Xu Family."

"November 15th. There are no records from this period. To avoid revealing our whereabouts, the Crown Prince ordered the massacre of village stops for cultivation along the way... I don’t know if this is (this part was smudged out)."

"December 1st. Heavy snow. We have passed the Jiangnan region, and the number of rebels ahead has decreased... It’s said that most of the rebels have gone north, and the Capital has fallen.

During the noon break, I unexpectedly overheard bad news; it’s said that a transport convoy has been intercepted by the rebels, falling into a perilous situation... The Crown Prince chose not to rescue them."

"December 16th. As that convoy attracted most of the rebels’ attention, we smoothly entered Yunfu. I noticed that the high officials, including the Crown Prince, began to relax. Could it be that the Crown Prince intends to seize Yunfu to rebuild a Capital?"

"17th! Shocking news; His Majesty the Emperor has passed away in the Capital. We received the news more than a month late. The Crown Prince ordered the entire convoy to halt for a day and worship in place, everyone draped in white silk."

...

In the La Garden.

Pei Niannu calmly read page by page from the diary.

Zhao Douan and others held their breath in concentration, momentarily feeling as if they were following the diary’s owner, a noble Imperial Guard from six hundred years ago, witnessing that ’escape’ across the Central Plains.

Zhao Douan pressed on the diary, suddenly looked at Yu Xiu, and said:

"I recall you mentioned there’s a historical record of a Qi Country army escorting numerous palace treasures into hiding in the Southwest Territory, later disappearing?"

Yu Xiu pursed her lips and explained sternly:

"Yes. Years ago, one of my objectives in exploring the Great Territory was to search for the legendary treasure. At that time, I suspected from clues that the Imperial Guards from that era perished in the harsh conditions of the Great Territory and that the treasures they carried were hidden by the Liao people."

Beside her, Jin Jian seemed to suddenly understand, his eyes sparkling:

"So that’s why you, Second Senior Sister, risked sneaking into the La Garden?"

Whether it was due to the nightfall or the mention of treasures... the young priestess appeared unusually excited.

The fear on her face replaced by excitement.

Yu Xiu nodded, the light in her eyes dimming:

"Unfortunately, I never found it that day. Even though I hid in the La Garden and tried to explore, I dared not approach the temple too closely because of the existence of the Laba God. The furthest I could reach was the altar."

Zhao Douan sighed lightly, saying:

"It seems the truth is likely that the last Imperial Guards of Qi Country were killed by the Liao people or the Laba God."

Nonetheless, he still had doubts deep down.

As far as he knew, six hundred years ago, the Liao Clan had lived in the Great Territory for many years, and it was long the domain of the Evil God.

What gave the Crown Prince of Qi Country the courage to venture into the Great Territory?

Could it be that the Liao people supported by the Evil God were much weaker than the old Xu of that time?

Like a prophecy from beyond, Zhao Douan felt that this journey might uncover some significant, long-buried stories.

"Woosh." He turned the diary page again.

Pei Niannu’s calm voice echoed once more:

"January 3rd. We have actually left the borders of Qi Country, entering the Great Territory!

Could the Crown Prince be using the presence of the Great La Ba to evade the rebels? I do not understand! The Evil God is scarier than the rebels!

Clearly, with Yunfu’s terrain, there was a chance to establish our own stronghold, so why enter such a danger zone?

Moreover, the people of Qi Country are simply unsuited to living in the Great Territory! The entire army became restless and uneasy, yet all voices of doubt were suppressed!"

"... Oh my God! What did I see? The chief of those savage, uncivilized Liao people is actually a Qi Country person!

How is this possible? He personally received the Crown Prince and led our entire team into the slumbering ground of the Great La Ba!" 𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞

The following is a prolonged blank period, and then the final entry of the entire notebook:

"January 30th. My comrades and I have been living in this valley for a long time, and the Crown Prince behaves increasingly erratically...

I am very afraid; among my comrades, some are conspiring to escape..."

The diary ends abruptly here.