But they had clearly never expected that, somewhere beyond their knowledge, others were doing everything they could to kill them. And Wang Yan was famously good to his own people—he had actually handed over military authority and let them make their own plans.
Besides, was Wang Yan really such a kindhearted man? Did he truly have no designs on the imperial family, no interest in treasure?
Looking at the silent Yi and Cixi, Xianfeng waved a hand. "Forget it. Each of you should flee for your lives. I believe you've all made your arrangements. I don't have long to live, so I'll buy you some time."
"Your Majesty~"
Both looked at Xianfeng, deeply moved.
Once the news spread through the inner circle, even more people were moved. One after another, they came into the carriage to speak with Xianfeng. They all spoke quickly, but their sincere feelings swept away every other unpleasantness. The constant coming and going, however, let all the warmth out of the carriage; it felt as though spring had suddenly turned to winter.
Xianfeng fiddled with his opium pipe and pulled the blanket tighter around himself...
For a power that had already reached an absolute dead end, with no chance whatsoever of recovery, it was utterly impossible to expect Human Heart, unity, or solidarity through hardship.
The princes and ministers of the Manchu Qing all had forces of their own, and naturally, each had somewhere to go. In fact, even the imperial family had already scattered. Some fled with this convoy, while others dispersed like everyone else, changing their names and vanishing into the sea of people.
The imperial family could flee, but the emperor could not.
He was too conspicuous. Hiding was practically impossible; without absolute secrecy, there could be no true security. He could only