Star of Another Day

Chapter Four: Fleeing（1）

In the courtyard, Yu Qing was pacing restlessly, anxious about the chaos that had unfolded and unsure if she had handled everything correctly. What would she say to Yu Mengwei upon her return? Her worries were interrupted as she spotted Yu Mengwei arriving.

In front of her appeared three people, emerging suddenly as she turned around. Long Fei was on one knee, surrounded by a purple aura, holding onto one person with each hand. Yu Mengwei was on the left, and to the right, shockingly, was the Snow King! The Snow King’s chest was still bleeding. Yu Mengwei, overjoyed to see her, urgently called out, “Yu Qing, quickly get the medicine!”

Yu Qing snapped out of her daze and hurried to fetch the medicine. Yu Mengwei, concerned, asked Long Fei, “How are you feeling? You look so pained. Did the teleportation take too much of your energy?”

Long Fei, unable to speak, just nodded, his face covered in sweat. Yu Mengwei suddenly remembered something and rushed to the kitchen, returning with some pastries for Long Fei. Gratefully, he began to eat.

When Yu Qing returned with a medicine box, Yu Mengwei hurriedly tended to the Snow King’s wound, asking, “Where is everyone in the house? Why can't I see anyone?”

Yu Qing explained, “You don’t know yet? There’s been a rebellion in the city. Lord Yun has seized the Snow Palace and is arresting people. Seeing the situation, I dismissed our servants. Just after they left, Yun’s men broke in. I hid on the roof of the Snow Viewing Pavilion and wasn’t found. They left after a fruitless search.”

“Why didn’t you flee with them? Long Fei and I just witnessed Xue Nancheng's coup and his attack on the Snow King. He won’t spare us. You should escape while he’s not back yet.”

“Miss!” Yu Qing protested, “I’ve been with you since I was a child. Lady Mengwei specifically instructed me to take good care of you. How could I abandon you and flee alone?”

The Snow King opened his eyes and moaned, “Lord Yun… has he also betrayed us?”

Yu Qing nodded, “The soldiers who came searching said Lord Yun has taken over the Snow Palace. It's unclear if there are any forces still resisting him.”

Yu Mengwei analyzed, “Xue Nancheng meticulously planned this coup. Most likely, he has control over most of the city's army. We can’t confront them head-on. We need to find a way to escape and then look for a chance to fight back.”

“But they must have sealed the city gates. How can we, so conspicuous, get out of the city?” Yu Qing expressed her concerns.

Long Fei suddenly lifted his head and softly said to Yu Mengwei, “The Academy.”

Yu Mengwei was startled, remembering Long Fei's unusual discovery a few months ago - a secret passage in the Academy leading directly outside the city. This discovery had now become their only lifeline.

Decisively, she instructed Yu Qing to gather all the food in the house while she retrieved the map Long Fei had drawn of the secret passage. Just as she was about to leave, she saw her book, "Tales of Monsters and Mysteries," on her desk. She hurriedly tucked it into her bosom, feeling a pang of sorrow at the thought of possibly never returning.

On their way back, Yu Mengwei stopped by the servants’ quarters to grab several sets of servant clothes. Once everyone had changed, she said to the Snow King, “Your Majesty, your royal attire is too conspicuous. Please wear these ordinary clothes so we can escape.”

The Snow King sighed, “To think that I, a lifelong hero, have fallen to such a state that I must dress as a commoner to flee.”

Long Fei interjected, “Survival is the most important thing. Everything else can be earned back, except for life.”

“Earned back?” the Snow King muttered. “At my age, what can I earn back?” He intended it rhetorically, but Long Fei earnestly nodded. The Snow King couldn't help but laugh, despite the pain from his wound.

After changing, Yu Qing hid their old clothes. The group cautiously left through the back door of Yu Mengwei's house. They occasionally saw patrolling soldiers. Except for Long Fei, everyone was familiar with Xuecheng and quickly navigated to Shenwu Street.

Yun Bo had returned to Xuecheng. Despite knowing his task, he felt dispirited. Xue Nancheng had instructed him to find Yu Mengwei and immediately summon the troops to capture her if he did.

Yun Bo tried not to recall the b****y scenes he had witnessed, but he couldn't shake off the image of Xue Nancheng. He felt depressed about the recent events. Wandering the streets one day, he ran into Xue Nancheng, who insisted on drinking together. They weren’t close, but considering Xue Nancheng’s high status and potential benefits, Yun Bo reluctantly agreed. After a few drinks, he felt dizzy and soon passed out.

Waking up, he found himself in an unfamiliar room, weak and confused, with Xue Nancheng smiling beside him.

“What do you mean by this, Lord Xue? We have no grievances. Why d**g me?” Yun Bo demanded angrily.

“Because we have no grievances, I offer you a chance for glory. Just follow my instructions, and I assure you a life of wealth and honor,” Xue Nancheng said soothingly.

“What do you want me to do?” Yun Bo asked, puzzled.

“It’s simple. Drink this tea, then you'll sleep again. When you wake up, you can go home. After that, just follow Lord Yun’s orders. Soon, good things will happen to you…”

Yun Bo, doubtful but intrigued, drank the tea and heard Xue Nancheng’s calm voice, “That’s a good boy…” before falling into a deep sleep.

When he awoke, feeling refreshed, he quickly left the eerie mansion, heading home. Along the way, several servants passed by, ignoring him completely. He hastened his steps, eager to get home.

Returning home, his father showed a mix of relief and happiness, uncharacteristically refraining from scolding him, and simply invited him to dine.

The next day, Lord Yun called Yun Bo to the hall, telling him that he was unwell and asking Yun Bo to attend the next day's ceremony on his behalf. He added that Yun Bo, being not young anymore, would eventually take over his responsibilities. This was a good opportunity to gain experience.

Yun Bo was puzzled. Just a day ago, his father was full of vigor, and now he claimed to be unwell. His father, who had always seen him as inept, suddenly entrusting him with attending such an important event was unprecedented.

Yun Bo’s thoughts turned to Xue Nancheng. Could this be his arrangement? What could be his ulterior motive? Yun Bo, not one to overthink, decided not to dwell on it. He simply did as his father asked, agreeing readily.

At the Snow Sacrifice, he, too, was rendered unconscious and witnessed Xue Nancheng's ruthless actions. He saw Long Fei escaping with the Snow King and Yu Mengwei using a vanishing technique he had once seen in the mysterious house in the Snow Mountain. Enraged, Xue Nancheng knelt on the ground, clutching his head, groaning in pain and frustration.