The Emperor finally left the Imperial Palace at the Grand Eunuch's urging.
Fortunately, he had arranged for a double long ago. Some interested parties were currently watching his double and had not found the real him.
The Emperor, Empress, and Crown Prince—the family of three—followed the Grand Eunuch and moved into one of his residences outside the palace.
The Empress had initially suggested hiding at her father's home.
The Emperor thought, Perhaps I would have agreed before, but now I know that your father—my father-in-law, who has long enjoyed the dynasty's favor—has already prepared to defect to the New Dynasty.
How laughable. Those who had received the most grace from the court were the least likely to repay it.
On the contrary, those who had given much to the court would risk their lives for it.
Through the Divine Network, he had discovered that Sun Changcun was racing back at a hundred and eighty li per day, attempting to return with reinforcements.
Yet even he understood that under the Divine Network's watch, such a rescue attempt would inevitably meet an ambush. The outcome was obvious.
A hundred and eighty li a day—how many Soldiers could endure that? Even if they could, how much strength would they have left to lift their blades and spears? The Emperor shook his head and simply picked up a general history in the Grand Eunuch's study.
He was looking for comfort.
There had been more than one ruler in history who had lost his country.
But as he read on, he began to cry again.
"Other rulers who lost their nations either could not tell meat from porridge, spent every day muddleheaded, had their thrones usurped by powerful ministers, or faced powerful enemies at the borders. But I had none of those!"
"As for powerful