After reaching an agreement with Baozhu, Li Yuanying began his preparations, spending several days plotting behind closed doors with his trusted followers. Rebellion was a perilous gamble with nine chances of death for every chance of survival; no one could guarantee that nothing would go wrong. All they could do was scrutinize the details again and again, making their arrangements as thorough as possible to meet any unforeseen developments.
Huo Qilang soon realized that she had been excluded from the plan. Even when she stood guard during their discussions, no one mentioned what she was supposed to do.
But she understood that Li Yuanying had no intention of starting a war that would leave hundreds of thousands with their brains and guts spilled across fields strewn with corpses. Instead, he had chosen to stake his own life, his sister's, and those of his trusted followers on secretly entering Chang'an and fighting for the throne at the smallest possible cost. Even a seasoned gambler would have felt his heart pound at such an all-or-nothing wager.
Should I leave before they make their move? Huo Qilang hesitated. She did not want to see his beautiful head hung over a city gate for public display, but neither did she want to be drawn back into the court's bloody storms.
Deep into the night, his trusted followers departed one by one with their orders. Li Yuanying had given them the chance to settle their families somewhere safe beforehand.
Baozhu suggested sharing a few drinks with her brother. Whether they lived or died, they could use these final hours to exchange the private confidences of siblings.
Huo Qilang tactfully withdrew and went to spend the night in the Guard Captain's House. Only the brother and sister remained in the Bedchamber.
Li Yuanying had not touched