The princess regretted it.

Chapter 287 Night 1 Preparing to Breakout

Like a flash of black lightning, Yoruichi swiftly tumbled from the outer courtyard into the small courtyard. Instantly, the guards within the courtyard felt a flash of darkness before their eyes. Upon closer inspection, they saw a figure in black, a figure clad in tight black, entering with uncanny force. Without a second thought, the guards instinctively assumed it was an assassin. With a loud shout, they drew their swords and charged at Yoruichi. The sword flashed a cold light in the night, carrying a fierce aura as it pierced Yoruichi's throat.

Ye Yi was still in mid-air, before he even landed on his feet, when he keenly heard the sharp, piercing sound of a blade slicing through the air. His gaze glared, and with the extraordinary skills honed over the years, he twisted his waist in mid-air, darting to the side like a nimble swallow. At the same time, he shouted, "I'm sent by Princess Jin'an, Ye Yi!" His voice was steady and resonant, piercing through the thick smoke and echoing throughout the courtyard.

When Concubine Chun heard the sudden noise and Ye Yi's voice in the house, she was extremely anxious. Regardless of the fact that she was coughing continuously due to the thick smoke, she hurriedly spoke out to stop him: "Cough, cough, stop it! Cough..." The voice was a little anxious and weak.

After hearing Ye Yi's call, the secret guard froze in his tracks, and quickly retracted the sword he held high. With a swift spin, he came to a steady stop, looked up at Ye Yi, his eyes filled with confusion and surprise, and asked, "Commander Ye, how did you get in?"

Ye Yi landed smoothly and stabilized his body. With a serious expression, he said in a deep voice: "The Emperor and Princess Jin'an know the situation here. The Royal Guards outside are trying their best to put out the fire, but..." He frowned slightly, paused, and continued, "When I first came in, I smelled a strong smell of kerosene. I'm afraid the situation is not optimistic."

At the mere mention of "kerosene," Concubine Chun's face instantly turned as pale as paper, completely devoid of any color. She felt a whirlwind of dizziness, her body limp, and she nearly collapsed to the ground.

Nanny Su was quick to react. She quickly stepped forward and hugged Concubine Chun tightly in her arms, forcing herself to calmly comfort her, "Don't be afraid, Your Majesty. The Emperor already knows about this and will definitely do everything he can to resolve it." Nanny Su raised her head and looked anxiously at Ye Yi. Her voice trembled slightly as she asked, "Master Ye, do you have any ideas?"

At this moment, Jin An's anxious voice came from outside: "Ye Yi, what's the situation inside?"

Outside the courtyard, Jin An, accompanied by Han Shuang and Zi Yun, rushed in with a frantic urgency. From afar, the towering flames threatened to light up the night sky, while thick smoke billowed like a ferocious beast, swirling wantonly. When she arrived at the scene, she looked around but couldn't find Ye Yi. Her anxiety grew. She quickly grabbed hold of the Imperial Guards who were fighting the fire and asked, learning that Ye Yi had already entered the courtyard. She couldn't wait to ask.

Han Shuang followed Jin An, her expression equally solemn. She sniffed the air, then gently tugged at Jin An's sleeve. Jin An turned her head, and Han Shuang quickly leaned in, whispering in her ear, "Princess, I smell kerosene. I'm afraid this fire is extremely difficult to extinguish."

When Jin An heard this, her pupils shrank suddenly, her eyes filled with shock and worry. Then, she turned her head and stared at the courtyard, anxious and shouting again, "Ye Yi, Ye Yi, how is Concubine Chun?"

At that moment, Concubine Cen, supported by her maids and accompanied by the imperial physician, arrived breathlessly at the scene. Gazing at the raging fire, she felt her eyes go dark and her legs go weak. She opened her mouth to ask, but her throat was dry and her voice was hoarse: "What, what happened?"

Jin An was so anxious that he had no time to think about Concubine Cen. She paced back and forth, desperate to get closer to the courtyard, but the blazing fire prevented her from moving forward.

Seeing this, Han Shuang held her tightly, fearing that she would rush into the sea of fire in a moment of impulse. The heat from the flames rushed towards her face, burning her skin, but Jin An seemed unaware of it, her heart filled with worry for Concubine Chun in the courtyard.

Seeing Princess Jin'an's expression, Concubine Cen's heart leaped into her throat. Her eyes frantically searched the faces of those present, but Mingyue was nowhere to be seen. The uneasiness within her surged like a tidal wave, growing ever stronger.

"Ye Yi! Concubine Chun! Nanny Su!" Jin An anxiously called out to the people in the courtyard again, his voice already a little hoarse.

"Princess, please get them to stay away. I have a way out!" This time, Ye Yi's calm voice finally reached the courtyard. He had briefly communicated with the people in the courtyard, sharing his plan, and then hurried over to help soak the quilt in preparation for a breakout.

Jin An's heart finally relaxed slightly after hearing Ye Yi's words. She immediately turned to a captain of the Imperial Guards and urgently ordered, "You, go tell them to move away." The captain didn't dare to delay, and quickly ran over to direct the men fighting the fire to retreat.

When Concubine Cen heard Jin'an calling out to the people in the courtyard, she understood that not only were they the emperor's people, but they were also being protected by Jin'an's tacit consent. She secretly thanked herself for not rashly attacking them, as the consequences would have been disastrous.

Just as everyone retreated, a resounding "bang" was heard, like thunder exploding in the ears. The courtyard wall collapsed from the inside, sending bricks and stones flying. The fire, miraculously abated for a moment, was miraculously reduced by this impact. Then, several wet quilts were thrown forcefully onto the flames, instantly tearing a hole in the sea of blaze.

Inside the courtyard, the secret guards were already prepared. He was covered in a heavy, soaked blanket, clutching another tightly in his hand. He quickly rushed over to Ye Yi and covered him. Ye Yi moved swiftly, grabbing a less soaked, lighter blanket and carefully wrapping it around Concubine Chun, saying, "My lord!"

Then, the moment a gap opened in the circle of fire, he glared fiercely and decisively ordered the secret guards and the others behind him, including Nanny Su, Gancao, and Xing'er, "Run!" With that, he lifted the frail Concubine Chun into his arms. The secret guards, with their practiced skills, held up the wet blanket for her protection, and together, like an arrow, they rushed out of the courtyard. The others also wrapped themselves tightly in their wet blankets, lowered their heads, and ran with all their might.

Once they had escaped, Ye Yi gently laid Concubine Chun on the ground and carefully unwrapped her blanket. The others also tore off their own wet blankets, already blackened by smoke and still dripping with water. Gancao, Xing'er, and Yue'er looked at each other. Earlier in the courtyard, their lives had been on the line, their minds preoccupied with escape, their fear and tears too far to consider. Now, seeing each other's bewildered yet safe appearance, they felt a surge of joy at having survived, and they all embraced and wept.