The main hall was filled with pampered nobles, not easily flustered by a mere fire.
However, everyone was unfamiliar with the Prince of Yue's residence and the location of the Duofu Xuan mentioned by the maid, which caused some anxiety.
"Duofu Xuan?" Wei Yu asked, "Where is it? Is it far from the main hall?"
Before the maid could reply, Mu Jin County Princess said with a displeased expression, "Duofu Xuan is the private study of the Prince of Yue's residence. It's very close to the main hall. To avoid any involvement, we should first take shelter in the pavilion on the lake."
Wei Yu glanced at her face, a slight smile curving her lips. "Alright, we'll do as Mu Jin County Princess suggests. Mu Jin County Princess, please lead the way. Everyone, walk slowly, don't push or shove."
Upon hearing that Duofu Xuan was close to the main hall and could potentially affect them, the noble ladies and young ladies couldn't sit still. They all stood up and hurried towards the exit in a panic.
At this moment, no one cared about hierarchy; survival was paramount.
They managed to let the most distinguished Crown Princess walk at the very front, but the rest were beyond their concern.
Mu Jin County Princess led the way, followed by Wei Yu, and then the flustered masters and servants pushing and shoving behind them.
Wang Qingyao, who was "blind," needed to be supported and guided, so she naturally couldn't walk as fast as others.
She had brought four maids with her today. Besides Zhenzhu, who was her personal guard, the other three were Yin Zhu, Shan Hu, and Ma Nao.
Amidst the crowded throng, it was unclear if it was intentional, but Yin Zhu and the other two were quickly pushed aside and disappeared in the blink of an eye.
Only Zhenzhu remained by Wang Qingyao's side.
Zhenzhu, being skilled in martial arts, tightly protected Wang Qingyao with her arms even as she was jostled and pushed, never loosening her grip.
At this point, she also sensed something was amiss.
Someone had been trying to separate her from Wang Qingyao.
Just as she was about to act, Wang Qingyao looked at her.
Wang Qingyao's feigned blindness could fool others, but not Zhenzhu.
Zhenzhu, who protected her day and night and had keen senses, naturally noticed the clues.
However, if Wang Qingyao didn't speak, she would pretend not to know.
With just a glance now, she understood the deeper meaning.
Pretending to be overwhelmed by the crowd, she was forced to release Wang Qingyao.
She was swept along with the main group, her body no longer under her control, while Wang Qingyao was pushed to the side, left alone.
"Zhenzhu, Zhenzhu, where are you?" Wang Qingyao cried out in distress, her arms outstretched in front of her, waving them around haphazardly.
"Princess Ding'an," a strange female voice called out from behind her. Immediately, a pair of strong arms supported her waist and elbows. "Have you lost your maid? I am a servant of the Prince of Yue's residence. I will help you to the pavilion on the lake."
It was an unfamiliar maid, not particularly attractive, wearing the uniform of a servant from the Prince of Yue's residence. She was petite but surprisingly strong.
Wang Qingyao nodded. "Oh, thank you. What is your name? I will ask the Prince of Yue to reward you later."
"My name is Xiao Lan," she said, a name that sounded made up on the spot.
Wang Qingyao pretended not to notice.
The people ahead had already turned left, disappearing from sight. Yet, Xiao Lan led Wang Qingyao towards the right.
Along the way, she thoughtfully offered reminders.
"Princess, be careful, there are stones here."
"Princess, walk slowly, there's no rush."
"Princess, don't be afraid, the fire has been brought under control."
They stopped by a pond.
A stone tablet stood by the pond, inscribed with the words "Fu Chi" (Bat Pond).
It was quiet all around, not a sound to be heard.
Only Wang Qingyao's and Xiao Lan's breaths could be heard, along with the occasional chirp of a passing bird.
Wang Qingyao appeared suspicious.
"Is this the pavilion on the lake? Why is it so quiet? Where is everyone else?" she asked.
Xiao Lan revealed a sinister, triumphant smile.
Her voice, which had been gentle and humble before, now sounded sharp and fierce.
"This is where I send you to the Yellow Springs," she said.
Wang Qingyao feigned shock and took a step back. "Who... who are you? What do you want?"
Xiao Lan sneered, "Princess, it's best not to move around randomly. There are ponds and ditches everywhere. If you accidentally fall in, you'll become a drowned ghost."
Wang Qingyao looked terrified and indeed dared not move.
"Who sent you? What do you want?"
"Princess Ding'an, you are so intelligent, can't you guess who sent me?"
Confident that Wang Qingyao couldn't see, Xiao Lan spoke while stealthily pulling a handkerchief from her bosom. The center of the handkerchief was wet, soaked with a potent sleeping drug.
As she slowly approached Wang Qingyao, she lamented, "What a pity. The Prince of Yue's residence caught fire, Princess Ding'an was blind, and she accidentally got separated from her maid, only to stumble into Fu Chi and drown... Tsk, tsk, a beautiful woman with a tragic fate..."
This was Wei Yu's plan.
Create chaos, have someone drown Wang Qingyao, and make it look like an accidental fall into the water.
The plan was not complicated and easy to execute.
But despite all their calculations, they overlooked one thing.
Wang Qingyao was not blind; she was faking it.
Xiao Lan raised her arm, about to press the drugged handkerchief to Wang Qingyao's mouth and nose.
At that moment, Wang Qingyao's eyes fixed directly on her, and a smile slowly spread across her lips.
Xiao Lan froze.