The town wasn't very close by and it was now snowing heavily. On top of that, Jiang Shuang was not in good health and she would get worse after the long trip.
"Mother, does she have to leave today?" The King looked at the snow and found the whole thing improper. She could just move out the court whenever she wanted, not necessarily on this day!
Hearing what the King asked, the Empress Dowager felt even more resolute.
It was just snow and if she did not leave, then the King would not want her to leave even by New Year's Eve! That was what the Saint Divine Land was like in winter, it was always snowing and never sunny.
"Since the day is already settled and the arrangement done, we should not postpone the trip. The Queen is not an ordinary person, and the preparation process isn't that simple either," the Empress Dowager said seriously. "King, just leave that to me."
The King opened his mouth, but said nothing.
Okay, she could leave now. She could just return on New Year's Eve.
He sighed, then he arranged for the Queen to leave the court.
Only Aunt Nan was with her on the way out, and it was not publicly announced either. The Queen left the court in secret and neither Zhou Huaijin nor Gu Chaoyan were allowed to see her off.
The wagon drove out steadily and peacefully.
When they came to the town everything was arranged properly. The guards had been replaced by Zhou Huaijin's men and Zhao Yiqiu also moved there. The Queen would get increasingly weak in health in later stages, but with Zhao Yiqiu around, everyone would be much more assured.
Everything seemed to go much more smoothly, after the Queen left the court.
Xiu Jie also managed to find the store for the clinic.
Xiu Jie had been in charge of the whole arrangement, so the store was immediately bought when Xiu Jie spotted the right one.
It was located in a relatively more isolated alleyway in the capital. However, despite the isolated environment, the location was perfect, quiet and tranquil, very suitable for running a clinic.
Next to the clinic was a store that was selling study tools. Gu Chaoyan took a look at the store and was very satisfied with it. After the New Year, she was going to get the renovation done and open the clinic formally.
As for the renovation process…
Xiu Jie would be in charge of that as well.
Gu Chaoyan never asked how the process went.
As they returned to the mansion from the clinic, Gu Chaoyan noticed that the air was a little different. It was quite strange and serious inside the mansion, where many imperial enunches were present. Normally, there would be just one or two enunches if it was just about passing on the imperial order, but apart from De Fu this time, some other eunuchs were present as well, including the imperial army.
De Fu looked at Gu Chaoyan with no expression on his face. "Where have you been, Lady Chaoyan?"
"I took a walk outside." Gu Chaoyan answered calmly.
Then come with me, since you are back." De Fu said straightforwardly rather than pass on any normal message.
He had just said these words when the imperial army took a step forward and came to Gu Chaoyan, fearing that she would flee.
Sword One shielded Gu Chaoyan, not allowing anyone to approach her.
Gu Chaoyan answered peacefully. "Let's just leave."
De Fu led her away.
As they came to the Qianqing Palace, Zhou Huaijin was present too. He gave Gu Chaoyan an assuring look as he slightly patted her hands.
The King said straightforwardly as he saw everyone present. "Xunyang is missing!"