Qi Yue's prediction was right.
While the two were halfway back to their residence, they encountered a group of Imperial Bodyguards surrounding them.
Fortunately, it was dusk, and the street was crowded with people, making it difficult for the opponents to pinpoint them immediately.
Having no choice, the two entered a tea house and found a spot facing the street to take temporary refuge.
Downstairs, a master in Feiyu Attire was speeding past, and Qi Yue silently made a decision.
"Zhao Chong, let's split up. You and Zhao Tai quickly leave Yindu and wait for me at the previously agreed-upon river entrance."
Zhao Chong quickly grasped the meaning of Qi Yue's words, and his expression changed involuntarily.
"Master, you aren't thinking of entering the Imperial City, are you?"
"Why not?" Qi Yue responded with a cold smile, "Tonight is the best opportunity. Qin Lingwei would never dream that I'd enter the Imperial City to find her."
Upon hearing this, Zhao Chong's mind exploded.
"Master, this won't do, in case something goes wrong..."
"Don't worry about me, I have my own ways to save my life."
Zhao Chong of course knew the extent of Qi Yue's capabilities, but he was still a bit uneasy.
"Master, otherwise, let's leave the punishment of that woman to the Black Feather Guard, and we leave first..."
"No," Qi Yue interrupted Zhao Chong, "Only I can handle Qin Lingwei's affair, and the Black Feather Guard have their own tasks to perform."
Qi Yue quickly shared a few key points she had thought of with him.
Qin Lingwei's actions today indicate one thing—the royal house of Western Chu had definitely decided to join the Four-Nation Alliance.
Otherwise, she as a Princess, would likely not dare to make such a big move.
First by maligning her image at the city gate, and upon seeing her, not only managing to stabilize the situation publicly but also ordering her capture immediately.
Although Qi Yue might not be considered significant, Zhao Xiyan was not someone to be underestimated,
The actions of the royal house of Western Chu only proved that they were ready to burn bridges.
Moreover, judging by Qin Lingwei's reaction today, she clearly did not anticipate Qi Yue herself would come to Yindu.
Otherwise, Qin Lingwei would probably not have used that degrading image and instead would have identififed and captured her as soon as she entered Yindu.
"Zhao Chong, before you leave, there's one important thing—inform our people to hide, and Rishengchang must also be prepared."
Zhao Chong naturally understood the critical nature of this, and immediately agreed.
"Master, rest assured, the treasuries of all branches have been constructed according to your suggestions and moved to the black market. Even if there's trouble, there won't be much loss."
"Good."
As evening approached, the lanterns in the tea house were lit one by one.
Watching the dwindling crowd below, Qi Yue quickly discussed the next steps and took out a small package from her space and pushed it in front of Zhao Chong.
"This contains items for saving your life, use them at a critical moment."
Zhao Chong knew those were mysterious weapons and hurriedly took them, tucking them away safely.
Thinking of the bearded men, Qi Yue added another word of caution.
"Qin Lingwei's people might go looking for them, it's best if you find an excuse to have the trio with the big faces leave as well, since their business is already settled."
"Yes."
Faced with Qi Yue's assertive arrangements, Zhao Chong had no more words to say and simply complied.
However, before leaving, he described Qingzhu's appearance in detail.
"Master, Qingzhu should be arriving soon, you must return safely!"
"Don't worry, when has your master ever had a mishap?"
Despite Qi Yue's full confidence, Zhao Chong did not feel alleviated.
This place was still Yindu, and the combined force of Western Chu's Imperial masters was hardly inferior to that of the world's number one.
He needed to hurry and contact the Black Feather Guard in Yindu, and find a way to support Qi Yue.
With this in mind, he no longer hesitated and left swiftly.
No sooner had Zhao Chong left than the Imperial Bodyguards in Feiyu Attire rushed in, one of them holding a portrait in hand.
The woman in the painting was dressed in red, her features delicate and formidable.
"Have you seen this woman?"
"Whoever provides information on this woman's whereabouts will be richly rewarded!"
"...."
Soon, the people conducting the search pushed open the door to the private room where Qi Yue was.
Seeing the strikingly handsome man before them, the Imperial Bodyguards were somewhat surprised, but they still asked a few routine questions.
Qi Yue dismissed them with just a few words.
With all sorts of makeup items from the system store, there was no style she couldn't achieve.
If she wanted, she could even transform herself into Qin Lingwei.
She just wasn't inclined to.
Leisurely drinking tea and eating some snacks, she waited until the sky had completely darkened before quietly leaving.
The arrival of night did not stop people from trying to capture Qi Yue; the streets were everywhere filled with soldiers holding torches.
Now and then, cries and shouts of injustice could be heard.
Qi Yue stopped to listen, unable to resist curling her lips into a smirk.
Qin Lingwei's reaction was quick, but who could imagine that she possessed a heaven-defying space!
Under normal circumstances, as long as nobody discovered this secret, capturing her would be quite difficult indeed.
Qi Yue thought happily and moved briskly toward the Imperial City.
Midway, she encountered several groups of soldiers heading toward the outer city.
Things were going smoother than she anticipated, and soon she arrived at the edge of the Imperial City.
The grand, solid walls of the Imperial City were even taller than the city walls.
Assessing it, Qi Yue took out a climbing rope and started strapping it on herself.
"I kind of miss the days when Zhao Xiyan was by my side."
If he were here, all she'd have to do was lean on his shoulder, and the rest would be taken care of.
At the thought, she grew worried about the affairs of the Four-Nation Alliance.
She wondered how well Zhao Xiyan's preparations were going.
If the alliance launched a military campaign from several directions toward Longnan, Yecheng, and others, whether Zhao Xiyan's men could withstand it was a question.
Among his men, besides the original 20,000-strong base, the rest were either defectors from Donggao or new recruits.
When she left, although she left behind many tricks, Zhao Xiyan had said that those secret weapons should be used as little as possible, just for deterrence.
The fear was, some people, disregarding human lives, would do anything to reach the pinnacle!
In her view, Emperor Han Linghe of Nanyue was such a person, stop at nothing to unify the four nations.
As Qi Yue adjusted the climbing rope on her body, she brooded on this.
With a "click," Qi Yue finished setting up the climbing rope and tossed its other end over the nearly thirty feet high palace wall.
"Let's start!"
Mentally cheering herself on, Qi Yue already surged up two meters.
The wall was too high, and as Qi Yue climbed, she grew somewhat bored.
"Why can't I ever learn Qinggong?"
No sooner had she voiced this complaint than a flute melody suddenly sounded near her ear.
"Woo woo... woo..."
The flute's sound was distant and ethereal, enlivening Qi Yue's spirit instantaneously as she felt like an apricot blossom swaying in a gentle breeze, her climbing speed increased notably.
But she soon stopped climbing, clinging to the wall like a gecko.
That flute sound was very close!
Could it be... the flute player was right on top of the wall above her?
Qi Yue's heart skipped a beat.
Could she have been discovered?
Was someone waiting just above her, ready to catch her in the act?
And had the kind soul even played a pleasant flute piece to welcome her?