247 Figment Of My Imagination (1/2)

Duchess Wang Qixing walked behind her husband as she began to observe their surroundings. If she recalled it correctly, the Second Prince's sleeping quarters were located nearby.

Duchess Wang Qixing wondered exactly how much of the original plan was changed by her husband. She didn't understand why he moved the plan forward instead of waiting till tomorrow morning. Perhaps, in the chaos of the night, everything would unfold and it was easier to silence the Royal family in this mayhem.

Out of the corner of her eyes, Duchess Wang Qixing saw something startling. She thought it was a trick of the light, but when she blinked, the woman was still there. Even from the side profile, the woman starkly resembled her daughter.

”Minghua?” Duchess Wang Qixing whispered.

Li Xueyue jolted at the name as she turned her head in the direction that the Duchess was suddenly drawn to. In the near distance was a woman dressed in servant clothing.

”Minghua?!” Duchess Wang Qixing called out, surprising her husband who turned around in time to see her rush off in the direction of the woman.

”Mother, wait!” Li Xueyue cried out as she also broke off from the group, chasing down the Duchess who was swift on her feet.

The woman must've not heard the Duchess for she continued walking forward and turned a corner.

Duchess Wang Qixing knew she was not mistaken. There was no way that a mother wouldn't recognize her own daughter! No matter how much time had passed, she would never forget the twinkle of that hydrangea hairpin.

It was almost as if she was in a trance and the world around her didn't matter. Her legs were strained as she chased down the woman who walked too fast for her liking. As she turned the corner, she paid no mind to anyone else.

Duchess Wang Qixing never believed that Li Minghua died. Without her body being found, she was left with the broken hope that her daughter simply disappeared.

Seeing that woman at this abrupt moment only solidified her prediction. She chased her past and abandoned her future, not knowing the consequence she would bring to someone else.

”Mother?” Li Xueyue huffed as she turned the corner, only to see the Duchess was gone. She was stuck in a crossroads of winding hallways that extended to the west, east, and north.

Which path could the Duchess have ran down?

Li Xueyue bit her bottom lip, unsure of herself. The West Wing was more lit than the East which she assumed was the Second Prince's sleeping quarters.

There was a slight movement out of the corner of her eyes and she turned to see the wisp of colorful hanfu before it disappeared down the West Wing.

”Mother!” Li Xueyue called out, believing that was the path Duchess Wang Qixing took.

Li Xueyue immediately picked up her hanfu and ran down the brightly lit West Wing. Eventually, the hallway became more decorated and lavished. Shiny red pillars held up the golden ceilings as her shoes thudded upon the polished hallways. The luxury in this hallway alone was enough to buy out a small kingdom.

Li Xueyue stopped short to catch her breath, unable to chase onwards. ”Where is this place?” she breathed out in between gasps of air.

Turning her head, she found this place to be too surreal for a normal concubine to live here.

”It's so empty…” Li Xueyue murmured, realizing there wasn't a single guard or servant here. She assumed it was because of the chaos in the Throne Room. Everyone must've been summoned there or ran off, frightful of getting injured.

Li Xueyue's ears twitched. She heard the sound of a door being slid open. She swiveled fast enough to see the door close. Immediately, she approached that direction, hoping to find someone who could guide her out of this place.

”How strange, why would anyone still be here?” Li Xueyue said to herself as she approached the door.

Goosebumps rose on her arms and a feeling of dread coursed through her. Li Xueyue snapped her head behind her and called out, ”Who's there?!”