The letter could not be fake; it bore the seal of a general from the army at its end. But the truth of what it contained was far too consequential.
Changsun's hand clutching the letter had gone deathly pale, her expression exceptionally grim as she struggled to believe its contents.
If this were true, Great Xia would face an earth-shattering upheaval.
Ning Chen sat there, not daring to make a sound. His task of delivering the letter was complete; what remained was beyond his ability to handle.
"Ning Chen, you cannot remain in the Imperial City. Where do you plan to go?" Changsun put away the letter and made her decision without hesitation.
Qing Ling was startled and was about to speak, but Changsun raised a hand to stop her.
Ning Chen knew this secret. The Xia Emperor would certainly no longer tolerate him, and this time, even she lacked the power to stop it.
Qing Ling glanced at Ning Chen, a trace of pity appearing on her lovely face. He had traveled a thousand miles and risked his life to deliver the letter, yet he was being sent away just like this. It was too cruel.
Ning Chen grinned, indicating that it was all right. He turned to Changsun. "Empress Dowager, I need to make a trip east. Leaving the city may be troublesome. Could you see me off?"
"Yes."
Changsun's gaze flickered as she nodded. Ning Chen was right—leaving the city would indeed be difficult for him now. The Xia Emperor would not allow someone who might slip beyond his control to leave the Imperial City. If Ning Chen wanted out, he could only leave as a corpse.
The three descended the Buddhist tower, then took a carriage swiftly toward the city gate. In the shadows, a Dark