A Glimmer of Hope

The Empress, still uneasy, pressed further: "Your Majesty, will Alexander Hayes find us here?"

"Impossible. This secret passage is a labyrinth, the entrance is hidden, and the exit is even more unexpected. Alexander Hayes's men couldn't possibly track us here," Emperor Jin Xuan replied confidently.

Only then did the Empress relax a little, no longer asking questions. She shrank back, lowered her head, and sat quietly.

All around, it was silent—save for the wind and the chirping of cicadas and birds in the trees.

Lily Evans sat calmly, her composure undisturbed even in the tense atmosphere. Just then, a little bird flew in through the broken window of the ruined temple.

The little bird was soft yellow all over, impossibly cute, chirping away as it fluttered around the room. After circling for a while, it finally perched atop a stone statue, tilting its head and peering curiously at the people resting inside the ruined temple with its bright, beady eyes.

The Empress was utterly fascinated by the bird, watching it over and over before turning to Emperor Jin Xuan: "Your Majesty, look! Your imperial aura even attracts spiritual creatures. This yellow bird is a sign of good fortune. We’ll definitely get through this crisis safely."

Emperor Jin Xuan gazed at the yellow bird, feeling his spirits lift. He nodded, "Indeed, this bird is special. It sensed that there are important people in this ruined temple, so it flew in."

Lily Evans listened to their exchange, a mocking smile tugging at her lips. Meanwhile, the yellow bird glanced around for a moment, then fluttered over to Lily. She opened her palm, and the little bird landed right in her hand, tilting its head and chirping sweetly.

Smiling at the little yellow bird, Lily Evans was interrupted by footsteps outside the ruined temple. Emperor Jin Xuan heard them, sprang to his feet in delight, and exclaimed to the Empress, "Empress, it must be my guards and the prince’s men joining forces—they’ve come to rescue us!"

The Empress exclaimed with joy, "Wonderful! Absolutely wonderful!"

No sooner had the Empress spoken than two teams of highly trained soldiers marched in through the ruined temple's entrance, forming a corridor with their ranks.

A tall, strikingly handsome man strode in, his aura commanding and aloof. With a mocking smile, he addressed Emperor Jin Xuan and the Empress: "Your Majesty, Your Highness, why not wait for me in the inner palace? What brings you to this remote, dilapidated temple?"

The Empress was so terrified she fell to the ground, while Emperor Jin Xuan stared at Alexander Hayes, his face ashen, voice trembling: "Y-you... How did you find us!?"

Emperor Jin Xuan suddenly leapt back, grabbing Lily Evans by the neck in a flash. He drew his sword and pressed it to her throat, shouting, "Alexander Hayes, don’t come any closer! If you dare make a move, I’ll kill the woman you love most!"

Emperor Jin Xuan's guards instantly drew their swords, forming a protective barrier in front of him. The Empress scrambled behind Emperor Jin Xuan, nearly tripping over herself.

The two sides stood locked in a tense standoff.

Alexander Hayes’s expression never changed; Emperor Jin Xuan couldn’t read his thoughts at all.

Clutching his sword tightly, Emperor Jin Xuan’s hand trembled as the blade pressed against Lily Evans’s neck. He threatened, "Princess of Qin, if you want to live, tell Alexander Hayes to withdraw his troops by fifty miles—otherwise, I’ll kill you right now!"

Lily Evans remained calm, her tone light despite the blade at her throat. She quipped to Emperor Jin Xuan, "Go ahead and try, Your Majesty. Let’s see if my husband doesn’t turn you into a sieve."

"You—!" Emperor Jin Xuan was momentarily speechless, dragging Lily Evans backward step by step, aiming to retreat into the secret passageway and find another way out.

The secret passageway was narrow and winding—if he could squeeze through, there might still be a sliver of hope for escape.