Outside the palace's east Gate, two groups stopped on opposite sides of an iron portcullis.
Xue Qinghe stepped down from his carriage first, his smile flawlessly warm.
"Teacher, why didn't you tell me you were coming to the palace so late?"
Ning Fengzhi lifted the carriage curtain.
He still wore the robe he had worn to the Shrek reunion that day, but his Seven Treasure Glazed Tile crown was in place, and he held the imperial gold token Prince Xue Xing had sent.
"His Majesty is gravely ill. I came to see him."
"Father needs rest."
"Qinghe." Ning Fengzhi looked at the student he had taught for years, his voice soft. "Open the Gate."
The Crown Prince's Guards gripped their sword hilts as one.
Chen Xin sat motionless on the carriage bench, an ordinary iron sword across his knees. The night wind parted soundlessly around him, and the arrow feathers of several archers atop the palace wall snapped short on their own.
She Long stepped halfway out of the carriage's shadow.
The iron sword rang clear.
"Old friends meeting—no need to tear down the Gate just yet." Bai Jin walked between the two carriages and tapped the portcullis. "Sturdy workmanship. Break it and you'll have to pay."
Chen Xin recognized him, and his brow eased slightly.
"You're here too?"
"His Highness asked me to work overtime."
"Then tonight's trouble probably won't be small."
Ning Fengzhi's gaze lingered on Bai Jin and Xue Qinghe. He knew they were close, but he had never seen Bai Jin stand with the Crown Prince's carriage at a time like this.
Dugu Bo had no patience for circling around the issue. He tossed a jade vial through the Gate.
Bai Jin caught it.
The stopper remained sealed, but Six Eyes had already seen the wisp