249 Jump Out Of The Window (1/2)
Duke Li Shenyang had an unsettling feeling about the events that would unfold before him. He had predicted the inevitable outcome from that scream. If it truly belonged to the Empress, it could only mean one thing…
”We shouldn't crowd the Empress's bedroom and storm in all at once,” Duke Li Shenyang spoke up. ”It will be a violation of courtesy and a disturbance to the Empress.”
Duchess Wang Qixing was quick to catch on to the plan. In case anything went wrong in the Empress's bedroom, Duke Li Shenyang could be the first to access the situation.
”I agree,” Duchess Wang Qixing spoke up. ”It's impolite for so many men to trample into the Empress's bedroom…”
The Ministers hesitated at the words of the Li Family. They were undoubtedly right.
”Since I am a woman, I will enter first. It will preserve the Empress's reputation and protect her privacy. If anything was to go wrong, I'll scream and alert everyone,” Duchess Wang Qixing said. Her firm tone and serious expression didn't allow them to object to the suggestion.
Duke Li Shenyang slowly nodded. ”Please be cautious,” he responded as the Ministers reached the doors.
Marquis Ning made eye contact with the Duke just as Duchess Wang Qixing knocked on the door.
”Empress, is everything alright in there?”
There was no response.
Duchess Wang Qixing knew it was time to face the music. She cracked open the door by the slightest bit and slipped inside. She closed the door shut behind her.
Duchess Wang Qixing was met with the hand-carved folded wooden panels that created partitions in the room. Hesitantly, she peeled it back and assessed the situation. But never in her wildest dreams would she predict the outcome before her.
”X-Xueyue?” she whispered, noticing her daughter unconscious on the floor. But what was even more startling was the pool of blood just a few feet away.
To Duchess Wang Qixing's pure horror, she saw the Empress's limp body. A shiny hairpin was stabbed right through the Empress. To be exact, a brightly colored hydrangea flower hairpin had pierced the Empress's heart.
Duchess Wang Qixing's face paled. Did… Li Xueyue killed the Empress? She stumbled back a little, unable to wrap her head around the fact that Xueyue was capable of murder.
Duchess Wang Qixing knew she had to act quickly. She rushed towards Li Xueyue's motionless body on the ground and began to hurriedly shake her awake. ”Sweetheart, there's no time for this!” she hissed as she violently shook her daughter's body.
”Mm… Mother?” Li Xueyue mumbled in response as she slowly opened her eyes.
Li Xueyue touched her forehead. Her head was throbbing from a terrible ache. ”Where… am I?” she whispered, confused, and in a daze.
”Hurry, jump out of the window!” Duchess Wang Qixing pointed to the window.
”W-what?”
”Do as I say,” Duchess Wang Qixing whispered as she forced Xueyue onto her feet. ”You can ask questions later! For now, I need you to run as far as you can. Rush home on foot if you have to. No matter what, make sure no one sees you!”
Li Xueyue had so much she wanted to tell and ask, but she knew it was not the proper time for it. Immediately, she rushed to her feet but swayed. Her world was still blurry and she felt dizzy. Nonetheless, she trudged onwards and headed towards the window.
Duchess Wang Qixing watched in fear as her daughter climbed out of the window. Less than a second later, Li Xueyue was gone.
Now, it was only the Duchess, and the Empress's corpse left in the room. Duchess Wang Qixing approached the limp body, her nose crinkled at the scent. With shaky hands, she reached for the hydrangea hairpin. It had been so long since she had last seen the beautiful accessory.