The Thousand Peaks Temple was a scene of chaos within, while outside, danger lurked. The temple was named thus for its interconnected peaks and sheer cliffs.
The mountain paths were barely passable during the day, but at night, a single misstep could send one plummeting into the abyss.
The fighting had been relentless, and it wasn't just one group. Could it be that tonight, besides the temple's hidden guards and Wang Ningqing's men, there were others involved?
The group, escorting Wang Youling, found their movements restricted. The temple's hidden guards, upon discovering Wang Youling had left, rushed to intercept.
As many clashed, in the confusion, a figure in black suddenly appeared beside Wang Youling, a long sword poised to strike her.
Abruptly, Wang Youling was pulled back, retreating swiftly.
The swordsman pressed his attack. The one protecting Wang Youling lost his footing, stepping off the edge and falling towards the cliff behind them, pulling Wang Youling down with him.
Taiji Hall
"Your Majesty, General Song has arrived," Eunuch Zhang announced.
The Sage flicked his sleeve and sat up straighter. "So late, what brings him here?"
"This... this old servant does not know."
"Let him in," the Sage commanded. His eyelids had been twitching all night, a premonition of something ill-fated.
He had been about to retire for the night.
Song Wei had been acting strangely lately, vying with Feng Qirui. Had he eaten too much fine food and drink, clouding his mind to commit such foolish acts?
As Song Wei entered, he fell to his knees with a thud. The Sage frowned, wondering what grave offense he had committed now.
"Your Majesty, the Empress has fallen from the cliff."
The air in Taiji Hall turned heavy. Zhang Ying lowered his head, stealing a glance at the Sage's expression.
The Sage remained silent for a long moment. After what felt like an eternity, he finally spoke, "She was well at the Thousand Peaks Temple, how could she have fallen?"
"Tonight, two groups attacked the Thousand Peaks Temple. The temple's hidden guards were momentarily negligent, allowing the culprits to exploit the opportunity. By the time the other guards arrived, Her Majesty had already fallen. However, several assassins were apprehended..." Song Wei confessed, taking the blame.
"Then dispatch people to search. Go," the Sage's tone was exceptionally light, betraying no emotion.
However, he made no mention of thoroughly investigating the assassins.
Song Wei cast a furtive glance at the Sage, unsure of his true intentions.
The cliff was bottomless; survival after such a fall was impossible.
Furthermore, wild beasts roamed these mountains during this season. Drawn by the scent of blood, the corpses would likely be consumed.
Was the Sage's order to search a mere formality, or...?
Song Wei bowed and retreated, saying, "Yes." In truth, before coming, he had already dispatched men to search the cliff.
However, the cliff face was sheer rock. Two of his men had already fallen to their deaths. At night, finding a path was indeed difficult.
The Sage watched the flickering candlelight and suddenly spoke, "Zhang Ying, do you think she..."
Before the Sage could finish, his body suddenly lurched, and he spat out a mouthful of blood. The memorial slips on the dragon desk scattered, stained with crimson splotches.
"Your Majesty!" Zhang Ying's shrill voice pierced the silence of Taiji Hall.
"How can this be? Impossible!"
The Sage's breath was shallow, his complexion poor, yet his eyes remained as sharp as an eagle's. These words were a roar, using nearly all his strength.
Since the news of the Luo family's rebellion and the disappearance of the seventh prince arrived from the front lines, he had known trouble was brewing.
"Holding the Son of Heaven to command the lords" – no one was more suitable to be a puppet than this Empress who had lived outside the palace for many years.
Selecting one of the remaining princes to be adopted by her would make him a legitimate heir. They had likely already chosen the candidate.
At that point, the Great Wei would be entirely under the control of the noble clans.
His eyelids had twitched all night. He had not received news of her return to the palace, but instead, the news of her fall from the cliff.
Eighteen years. She had been away from the palace for eighteen years.