Night fell beneath Cloud Peace City.
Tap, tap, tap...
Soft footsteps sounded in the long, narrow tunnel, drawing closer from afar, before a palace lantern came into view.
Dressed as a wealthy household's wife, the Empress Dowager wore vermilion rouge and walked slowly through the deep, dark tunnel, her neck slightly drawn in.
Hongyu carried the palace lantern in one hand and held the Empress Dowager around the waist with the other. They clung tightly to each other, occasionally looking from side to side, a clear hint of fear in Hongyu's eyes.
"Your Majesty, let's go back. What if we run into something unclean..."
"Shh!"
The Empress Dowager held a silver dagger protectively before her chest, putting on an air of calm in the face of danger as she chided:
"As the dignified Empress Dowager, why would I fear wandering ghosts outside? Even if some blind fool of a spirit appeared, I have a sacred implement in my hand, personally consecrated by an expert from Jade Void Mountain..."
Hongyu knew that the Phoenix Gallbladder in the Empress Dowager's hand was a rare, renowned weapon. Perfected Person Xuanji had given it to her specifically to bolster her courage, and it had indeed been ritually consecrated.
But Hongyu was not worried about ghosts at all. She was worried about whether she would be punished with a beating for sneaking out behind the Secret Guards' backs.
After walking a little farther, Hongyu began beating the drum of retreat again:
"Perhaps you should go back, Your Majesty. If something happens while you're wandering around outside..."
"We'll be at Prince Jing's Manor once we get out. We can simply have Li Ren arrange a few experts to guard us. If you don't want to go out, go back yourself."
Having spent two months enjoying herself