Including the guard commander, sixteen people had climbed over the palace walls with the princes and princess. Once outside, they swiftly put distance between themselves and the Imperial Palace.
Of course, the princes and princess were not all they had brought. The eunuchs had also taken gold, silver, jewels, and other valuables.
The prefectural city was naturally in turmoil, yet its streets were eerily silent. Most residents had already gone home, not daring to linger outside, and every shop along the streets had shut its doors.
In truth, however, this had become the norm ever since the rebels began attacking Zhongling Prefectural City.
Under these circumstances, sixteen people running together through the streets stood out all the more. Even the palace guards, all skilled martial artists, were tense.
Fighting with martial arts alone was entirely different from facing a military formation.
"My lord, what should we do?"
"Find somewhere to hide. The rebels hold all four gates and the city walls. Trying to leave now would be suicide!"
The guard commander led them at a run, changing direction immediately whenever he heard a large body of troops approaching. Smoke and dust billowed in the distance, in the direction of the Imperial Palace.
The rebels seemed quite disciplined. Zhongling Prefectural City appeared to have suffered little damage, and there was no sign of soldiers or bandits plundering the common people.
Had they already begun treating themselves as the masters of Zhongling Prefecture?
The young princes and princess were being carried in arms or slung over shoulders. They dared not make any sudden movements, much less speak. Even when it hurt, they dared not scold anyone.
After a long while, the group found a home with a rammed-earth courtyard wall. Everyone outside crouched down.
"Shall we shelter here for now?" "Yes. There