Chapter 92: Hold on, we cannot lose. [Three updates]

Chapter 92: Hold On, We Can't Lose. [Third Watch]

Jiang Yunran's heart clenched.

She immediately set down her chopsticks and rose to approach the doorway.

As the curtain was drawn aside, a glistening white expanse greeted her outside.

The snowflakes, which had briefly ceased in the afternoon, now drifted down once more, falling softly upon the silent Changxin Palace.

The quiet snow lay like grains of salt, sprinkling the earth with a fresh layer.

Just standing at the doorway, one could feel the biting chill outside—a cold that seeped deep into the bones, leaving the body shivering.

The howling wind and blinding snow signaled the start of the coldest winter of Yuanhui's fifth year in Yujing.

"No."

Jiang Yunran frowned deeply, her voice resolute. "No, we can't let Sister Wei roam about outside so carelessly."

Wei Xinzhu's health had only just begun to improve, and this winter was crucial for her careful recuperation. If the cold were to invade her body today, the consequences could be dire...

Jiang Yunran knew well that meddling in palace affairs was unwise, yet the care Wei Xinzhu had shown her in the past, along with their recent interactions, made it impossible to suppress the worry in her heart.

After all, she still held onto a shred of kindness within.

She couldn't simply stand by and watch, remaining completely detached.

Jiang Yunran made up her mind at once.

She immediately said, "Zi Ye, fetch my cloak. Qing Dai, go change into a thick cotton coat and bring Qian Xiaoduo and Liu Xiaorui along. We're going out to search for her."

The palace servants were stunned. Ying Ge, who had been frantic with worry, now looked at Jiang Yunran with a glimmer of joy in her eyes.

The young girl didn't even realize that tears were streaming down her face.

She opened her mouth, but choked up, unable to speak.

It was just past the hour of You (5 PM), and the palace gates had not yet been locked. However, due to the heavy winter snow and the sun hidden behind clouds, the world was plunged into darkness.

They had an hour left. No matter the outcome, they had to try.

As long as she had put in the effort, Jiang Yunran would have no regrets.

She was never one to sit idly by and wait.

The people of Tingxue Palace moved swiftly. In the time it took to drink a cup of tea, everyone was properly dressed and stepped out of the palace gate together.

In an instant, the wind and snow swept over them, the cold forcing its way through every gap in their clothing.

Jiang Yunran's breath fogged in the air, and she said decisively, "Let's head to Wangyue Palace first."

Battling the wind and snow, the group had intended to reach Wangyue Palace quickly, but the slippery ground underfoot forced them to support one another, costing them extra time before they finally spotted the palace lanterns at Wangyue Palace's entrance.

At that moment, the gates of Wangyue Palace were wide open, with only one eunuch standing guard, his face full of anxiety. Upon seeing Jiang Yunran, the eunuch hurriedly said, "Greetings, Consort Jiang. Unfortunately, Consort Zhaoyi and Beauty Wei are not here today. Perhaps you could visit another day."

Jiang Yunran frowned. Qian Xiaoduo immediately asked, "Has Consort Wei not been found yet? Has Consort Zhaoyi taken people to search for her?"

The eunuch was taken aback for a moment but quickly grasped Jiang Yunran's meaning.

"Exactly so. Thank you for your concern, Consort Jiang."

Jiang Yunran said directly, "Which way did Consort Zhaoyi go?"

The eunuch did not hesitate. "Toward the West Six Palaces."

Jiang Yunran asked further, "Why did Yin Zhui go missing?"

This eunuch happened to be on duty today and was well aware of the day's events.

He sighed upon hearing the question. "It seems there was an urgent matter at Consort Wei's home today. The news reached the palace, and Consort Wei was very worried, so she sent Yin Zhui out to check on things."

"The matter occurred in the morning, but by afternoon, past the hour of Shen (3-5 PM), Yin Zhui had not returned. Consort Wei grew anxious and sent Hu Po to inquire at the Dongping Gate, only to learn that Yin Zhui never even left the palace."

Jiang Yunran's heart sank.

For a living person to vanish into thin air within Changxin Palace, there was only one possibility.

No wonder Wei Xinzhu was so frantic—she needed to see the person dead or alive, to have some closure.

The eunuch said with a pained expression, "Over the years, Consort Wei and Yin Zhui were the closest of friends. How could she bear this? She immediately went out to search. She left in such a hurry that Consort Murong was unaware until the servants of the east side hall, waiting long without her return, reported it."

Consort Murong was a decisive person. Having accompanied Wei Xinzhu for many years, she understood the depth of her bond with Yin Zhui. Thus, disregarding her status as a consort and the bitter cold, she immediately took the people of Wangyue Palace out to search.

The servants certainly couldn't persuade Beauty Wei—only she could.

No matter what, they had to find Beauty Wei first. Her health was paramount.

Jiang Yunran's decision to venture out and search aligned perfectly with Consort Murong's thinking.

Consort Murong heading to the West Six Palaces likely meant she suspected Beauty Wei had some idea, perhaps knowing why Yin Zhui had disappeared, which was why she went out to search. Thus, her target was clear.

Since someone was already searching the West Six Palaces, Jiang Yunran didn't need to go there. After a moment's thought, she suddenly said, "Let's search toward the Baixi Tower."

Though anxious, Wei Xinzhu wouldn't have completely lost her senses. If she went out to search, she must have had some idea.

A palace maid suddenly disappearing couldn't have happened on the east or west long streets, nor in the frequently traversed main palace alleys. She must have either been taken by one of the consorts or vanished in a remote, seldom-visited palace alley.

Usually, the Baixi Tower only saw activity during palace banquets. It was connected to Baochengzhai and Maoqin Hall by a single palace alley, and further north stood the Star-Gazing Tower and Guanghan Palace.

For those intending harm, those were the most suitable locations.

Just as Jiang Yunran turned to leave, she paused and said to Ying Ge, who was following behind, "Go to the Dongping Gate and ask the eunuch on duty today whether Yin Zhui actually reached the gate and turned back or never went there at all. This must be clarified. Once you've asked, return and prepare ginger soup and hot water with your sister Zi Ye. We'll all need to warm up when we return tonight."

Originally, Jiang Yunran hadn't brought Ying Ge along when leaving the palace, but Ying Ge, worried about Yin Zhui, insisted on following, and Jiang Yunran didn't stop her.

However, the young girl was only thirteen, and in this freezing weather, Jiang Yunran feared she might catch a chill, so she assigned her a task.

Ying Ge's eyes were red-rimmed. She looked up at Jiang Yunran, everything conveyed without words.

Given the urgency, she didn't dawdle but immediately bowed and withdrew.

Jiang Yunran breathed a sigh of relief and led her servants toward the Baixi Tower.

The sky had completely darkened.

The silver disk of the moon was shrouded by dark clouds, not a trace of its brilliance visible.

Dark clouds veiled the moon, snow blanketed Yujing.

Apart from the newly lit palace lanterns in the palace alleyways, the rest of Changxin Palace was pitch black.

The imperial inner court, with its exquisitely carved beams and painted pillars that appeared magnificent during the day, now resembled a monstrous beast poised to swallow lives, sending chills down one's spine.

Jiang Yunran noticed that the accumulated snow on the ground had been swept away, and the newly fallen snow only formed a thin layer on the vitrified bricks, leaving no trace of footprints from the evening.

The group moved swiftly, arriving in front of Baixi Tower in a quarter hour.

Having left in a hurry, Jiang Yunran had no time to bring a hand stove.

Now, she felt her fingers turning icy, the cold creeping up from her fingertips.

Fortunately, her heavy cloak shielded her from the wind and snow, trapping the last bit of warmth. Seeing that Qian Xiaoduo and the others had faces red from the cold, she said, "Let’s search for one hour. We’ll do our best and leave the rest to fate. If we find her, that’s best. If not, we must return to the palace before the gates are locked."

"Xiaoduo, search around here. Xiaorui, you check the alley in front of Baixi Tower. Call out if you spot lantern light."

Both young and strong, quick on their feet, the two immediately scattered at her command.

Qing Dai held up an umbrella while Jiang Yunran carried a lantern, using its faint light to look around.

The palace alley was empty, with only the two of them.

The palace lantern swayed in the wind and snow, its shade protecting it from being extinguished by the gusts—tenacious and resilient, much like many people in the palace.

"Yin Zhui also came from Ciyang Hall. After entering the palace, she first served in the Weaving Bureau. Later, when His Majesty ascended the throne and the palace held an imperial consort selection, she was assigned to Tingxue Palace to serve Consort Wei, who was then only a Selected Attendant."

"Five years have passed in what felt like a blink."

Having lived in the same palace with both of them, Jiang Yunran had always witnessed the bond between them. Though Wei Xinzhu appeared frail and indifferent to everything, Jiang Yunran could see that she was pure-hearted and emotionally genuine.

Such a person would risk her life for a close companion.

Jiang Yunran let out a breath and said, "No wonder Ying Ge is so concerned."

That scatterbrained girl, who seemed to spend her days gossiping, was actually quite thoughtful. Yin Zhui had likely looked out for her before, and she had remembered it.

After exchanging just a few words, the two internal servants who had hurried off returned.

Qian Xiaoduo remained silent, looking dejected, while Liu Xiaorui reported, "Your Ladyship, we found no one."

Without hesitation, Jiang Yunran said, "Let’s go to Guanghan Palace."

The wind and snow grew fiercer, with snowflakes as large as goose feathers whipped by the icy wind, slapping their faces.

Pushing through the storm, the group fell silent.

Finally arriving at the palace alley in front of Guanghan Palace, Jiang Yunran did not need to give orders—the group turned directly into Wutong Alley.

Any farther ahead would be too distant from the Eastern Six Palaces, and they would not make it back before the gates were locked.

Wutong Alley had no palace lanterns.

Upon entering, it was pitch black, almost impossible to see one’s own hand.

The three lanterns could only illuminate the path beneath their feet. Beyond that, all light was swallowed by darkness, revealing nothing.

The tall, imposing palace walls seemed to vanish, replaced by an indescribable vast, empty expanse.

Holding their breath and focusing, they pressed forward and soon arrived at Guanghan Palace.

The dilapidated gate of Guanghan Palace remained tightly shut, its copper lock still firmly fastened to the chain, making it impossible for anyone to enter or exit.

It was not yet Xu hour, but the entire Guanghan Palace was unlit, dead silent, as if not a soul was there.

After a brief moment of observation, Jiang Yunran said, "Press on."

As soon as she spoke, her voice was scattered by the cold wind, torn apart by the night.

After taking a few more steps, Jiang Yunran suddenly heard faint, scattered sounds.

"Cough, cough, cough."

"Cough, cough, cough."

It was a weak coughing, like a kitten’s.

Jiang Yunran’s eyes lit up instantly.

She grabbed Qian Xiaoduo’s arm, and he immediately understood: "Consort Wei, is that you? Consort Jiang has come to find you."

In such a situation, identifying themselves was the only way to make Wei Xinzhu lower her guard.

Qian Xiaoduo was clever; though his voice, too, was scattered by the cold wind, he persistently called out three times.

As the third call faded, a glimmer of light suddenly appeared ahead.

Someone approached from the distance, moving toward them through the darkness.

"Cough, cough, cough."

Accompanying the light was still the sound of coughing.

It had to be Wei Xinzhu—it could only be Wei Xinzhu.

Jiang Yunran felt slightly relieved. She quickened her pace, ignoring the slippery footing beneath her feet.

The place was remote, with no passersby, so layers of snow piled on the palace path, marked only by scattered footprints.

"Wei Xinzhu!"

Jiang Yunran’s voice cut through the thick darkness once more.

The lanterns converged in the cold wind, like moths to a flame, their light unwavering.

In an instant, Jiang Yunran’s vision cleared—the lantern light illuminated the palace alley ahead, revealing two pale figures.

It was Wei Xinzhu and Hu Po!

Wei Xinzhu had left the palace after receiving the news. In such bitterly cold weather, she had been searching for over an hour.

Now, her face was ghostly pale, her lips stained crimson. Propped up by Hu Po, she was on her last legs.

Jiang Yunran was alarmed.

She hurried forward, reaching Wei Xinzhu in two or three steps: "Sister Wei, let’s return."

She didn't try to persuade her, only saying, "The palace gates will soon be locked, and Hu Po can't hold on much longer either."

Wei Xinzhu froze for a moment, as if only then realizing who stood before her.

The firelight illuminated her ethereal beauty, like an immortal descending to the mortal world to relieve suffering and save all beings.

A stream of hot tears traced down Wei Xinzhu's numb, ice-cold cheeks.

The last of her strength gave out.

With a thud, Wei Xinzhu collapsed into the snow, blood trickling from her lips.

"Wei Xinzhu."

Jiang Yunran rushed forward, at the same time instructing Qian Xiaoduo, "Carry Consort Wei on your back to the palace."

She grasped Wei Xinzhu's hand tightly. "Wei Xinzhu, hang in there. We cannot lose."