Chapter 415: Escape

Chapter 415 Escape

Xin You stared at Emperor Xingyuan’s icy expression, felt like she was looking at a total stranger.

That one dip in the water—it was like he’d become a different person. The thought sent a jolt through her.

If fate hadn’t gotten her mixed up with Kou Qingqing, she might never have dared to entertain such a bold suspicion. But now, faced with this version of Emperor Xingyuan, she couldn’t help but wonder.

Perhaps... he wasn’t even himself anymore?

But Emperor Xingyuan gave Xin You no chance to confirm. "Xin You, insolent and disrespectful, lacking reverence for her sovereign and elders—this is high treason. She is to hang by a three-foot silk cord—"

Xin You didn’t wait for him to finish—she bolted.

Her sudden action stunned the eunuchs who had been preparing to step forward.

A death-row prisoner making a run for it? Unheard of!

Even Chief Eunuch Li Wei was stunned. After a brief pause, he shrieked, "Stop her! Grab Xin You!"

Guards outside rushed in at the alarm.

Xin You used her split-second head start, slipping past before the guards could close in, and sprinted straight for the palace gardens.

The pursuing guards had no choice but to halt, leaving the chase to the eunuchs.

This was precisely why Xin You had chosen the palace gardens. Realizing Emperor Xingyuan intended to kill her, she knew fleeing outward would only lead to being swiftly surrounded by countless guards, trapped like a rat.

But the palace gardens, with their rock gardens, pavilions, ancient trees, and rare flowers, would take time to search thoroughly.

With that time, word of the emperor’s order would get out—and perhaps, just perhaps, there would be a way out.

Chief Eunuch Li Wei took charge of the manhunt into the palace gardens.

At that moment, several concubines were strolling and admiring the flowers in the gardens. The concubines went pale as eunuchs stormed in, looking ready to kill.

The imperial palace had always been a place of solemn dignity—nothing like this had ever happened.

"Did either of you see Xin You?" Li Wei asked sternly.

The two concubines shook their heads.

"Xin You has committed high treason and has been sentenced to death by His Majesty. If you see her, sound the alarm at once."

"Understood."

Once Li Wei and his group of eunuchs hurried past, the two concubines exchanged glances, any thought of relaxing gone.

Many others were questioned similarly, yet none had seen Xin You.

Li Wei, his expression dark, summoned more eunuchs and divided them into teams. "Turn this place upside down. She can’t have just disappeared!"

The teams scattered to search. Li Wei himself arrived at Diecui Hill.

Diecui Hill was the tallest and largest rock garden in the palace gardens, crowned with a pavilion and full of tunnels. A winding set of steps led to its summit.

Li Wei caught sight of Princess Xuan and gave a half-hearted bow. "Your servant Li Wei pays his respects, Your Highness."

Princess Xuan stood at the entrance of the hill’s cave, smiling gently. "No need for that, Respected Sir."

"Has Your Highness Princess Xuan seen Xin You?"

"Lady Xin?" Princess Xuan looked puzzled. "Lady Xin doesn't live in the palace. Why would she come to the palace gardens?"

I glanced at the cave entrance behind Princess Xuan and explained, "Xin You showed gross disrespect toward His Majesty and was sentenced to hang with three feet of white silk. Yet not only did she refuse to show gratitude for the mercy, she even fled to the palace gardens."

Princess Xuan's lips turned pale, appearing alarmed. "How could this be?"

"I wouldn't dare deceive you. Please step aside, Your Highness, so I may search the cave."

"I just entered the cave—there's no one inside."

I smiled. "I am under imperial orders to capture Xin You and dare not be negligent. Please move aside, Your Highness, so I may take a brief look and make my report."

Princess Xuan frowned. "Eunuch Li, do you not trust this princess?"

"I wouldn't dare. But His Majesty's decree is my highest priority. Once I verify, I will leave immediately. Surely Your Highness wouldn't want to draw His Majesty's suspicion?"

After a moment's hesitation, Princess Xuan took a few steps aside, revealing the cave entrance.

I entered briskly and immediately spotted a palace maid sitting on the ground. Her trouser legs were rolled up, exposing a pale calf marred by a bloody scratch.

Flushing red, the maid quickly covered her legs upon seeing me and my men.

After examining her carefully, I turned and exited.

"Earlier, I wished to climb the hill for a view, but my maid was startled by distant shouts, missed a step, and scratched her leg. We were just attending to it when you arrived, Eunuch Li."

Suppressing my disappointment, I managed a smile. "I see. Then Your Highness should return with your maid soon—things will be chaotic outside for a while."

"Thank you for the reminder, Eunuch Li."

Once I and my eunuchs departed, Princess Xuan leaned against the rock, finally unclenching her hands. She ordered, "You two, help Zhui'er out."

"Yes."

Soon, the injured maid was helped out—supported by two maids while a taller one carried her on her back—and the group headed toward their living quarters.

Princess Xuan led the way and came across me once more along the path.

"Eunuch Li, have you found her yet?"

"Not yet. No telling where she's hiding. Your Highness's maid seems quite badly injured." As he spoke, my gaze naturally swept over the injured maid's face to confirm no substitution had been made.

Princess Xuan lowered her eyes slightly, speaking softly. "Forgive the embarrassment, Eunuch Li. Women are often delicate and cannot bear pain."

"You are most considerate of your servants, Your Highness. I won't delay you further." Only then did I truly leave.

Princess Xuan returned at a measured pace to Fangning Palace. Upon entering her chambers, her legs gave way, and she sank onto the daybed.

The injured maid was carefully set down by several palace servants, and the one who had carried her finally straightened up.

The palace servants who hadn't accompanied the princess gasped in recognition upon seeing her face.

Disguised as a palace maid was none other than Xin You!

"Huán'er," she ordered, "quickly take a set of maid's attire to Diecui Cave and bring Líng'er back."

Among the maids accompanying Princess Xuan at the time, Ling'er looked the most like Xin You. After Li Wei and his men left, under Princess Xuan's orders, Ling'er and another maid entered the cave to help the injured maid.

At that moment, Xin You, who had been hiding in a tree, sneaked in. In that brief window, she changed into Ling'er's clothes and hairstyle, then carried the injured maid out while Ling'er stayed behind in the cave.

This bold, risky swap was, under the circumstances, the best option.

Shaking from leftover terror, Princess Xuan coldly warned the maids, "You must keep your mouths shut! If even a whisper of this leaks out, none of us will survive!"

The pale-faced maids whispered 'Yes.' One of them asked, "Your Highness, should we report this to Her Majesty?"

"Not yet!" Princess Xuan took a deep breath, biting her lip. "Wait until Huan'er and Ling'er return safely. For now, say nothing to Her Majesty."

If they got caught, it’d be on her alone—at least she wouldn’t implicate her mother in the crime.

At this thought, tears welled up uncontrollably.

Princess Xuan fought back tears and turned her gaze to Xin You.