Zhao Zhuan looked at Yan Dongwu and smiled. "We have three days to make arrangements. Let's leave on the second night."
Yan Dongwu knew they would soon be leaving. For some reason, she felt relieved, but then she asked uncertainly, "Your Majesty, where are we going?"
Zhao Zhuan sighed and said helplessly, "There aren't many places we can go. Wherever we go, we'll be treated as hostages. So there's only one place left."
Yan Dongwu thought it over, then asked hesitantly, "Does Your Majesty want to go to Northern Liang?"
Zhao Zhuan nodded with a resigned smile. "My elder brother was right about one thing: Xu Xiao is far more loyal than the others. For my mother's sake, I imagine he'll at least spare our lives."
Yan Dongwu wasn't convinced. She quickly reminded him, "But Chen Zhibao has already attacked Prince Jing'an's Qingzhou. He's surrounded Xiangfan City now. I'm afraid Xu Xiao can't be relied on either."
Zhao Zhuan replied helplessly, "If I were still emperor, I couldn't rely on him. But if we're just two of his younger relatives seeking refuge, there shouldn't be a problem."
Seeing that Zhao Zhuan had made up his mind, Yan Dongwu said no more. Ever since she was little, people had said she was destined for great nobility. Yet she had been empress for only a short time before becoming the former empress.
She felt a little melancholy, but also somewhat relieved. It seemed rather nice that she wouldn't have to follow so many rules anymore.
Three days later, when Zhao Wu took command of the Imperial Guards at the palace, he followed an eunuch into the imperial palace. He found only the Imperial Seal on the desk and an edict of abdication. His younger brother, Zhao Zhuan, was nowhere to be