Chapter 444: The Family That Left Everything Behind
The next morning, the palace woke beneath a strange silence.
For the people outside the inner palace, nothing appeared unusual.
The gates opened at the usual hour.
Officials entered the court.
Servants carried out their duties.
Guards changed shifts.
The bells rang.
Yet behind the magnificent walls, something extraordinary was happening.
The imperial family was preparing to disappear.
Not forever.
Not because the throne had been taken from them.
But because the Emperor had made a decision that only a handful of people knew.
They would leave the capital disguised as ordinary refugees.
They would travel north.
They would investigate the strange events occurring there.
And they would uncover the truth behind the paranormal disturbances that had been spreading through the kingdom.
Most importantly, they would protect Lian An.
Because the strange supernatural incidents had repeatedly centered around her.
The altar discovered in her courtyard.
The death of Shin Gu.
The mysterious death of Prince Liang’s consort.
The unnatural disturbances throughout the kingdom.
Too many things were connected.
And the Emperor had finally realized that remaining inside the palace was no longer the safest option.
Sometimes, to find the enemy...
One had to leave the palace.
---
The Last Morning
Inside the Empress’s chamber, Lian An stood before an enormous wardrobe.
Usually, her clothes filled several cabinets.
Silks.
Embroidered robes.
Jewelled belts.
Hair ornaments.
Shoes made by the finest craftsmen.
Today, almost all of it remained untouched.
Instead, a small wooden chest sat on the floor.
Inside were several plain cotton garments.
Lian An picked up a simple blue-gray dress.
She stared at it.
"This is really what I’m supposed to wear?"
The Emperor, who was standing behind her, nodded.
"Yes."
She turned toward him.
"I look like someone’s aunt."
He tried not to smile.
"You look like a respectable woman."
"A respectable woman who has apparently lost all her clothes."
The Emperor finally laughed.
Lian An narrowed her eyes.
"You think this is funny?"
"A little."
She picked up another garment.
"What about this?"
"Too expensive."
"This?"
"Too fine."
"This?"
"Too clean."
She stared at him.
"You want me to look dirty?"
"No."
"Then what?"
"Poor."
Lian An sighed.
"That is much harder than being Empress."
The Emperor smiled.
"Perhaps."
She folded the garment.
Then suddenly became quiet.
Her fingers rested against the fabric.
"Once we leave..."
She looked toward him.
"...we won’t have guards surrounding us."
"No."
"We won’t have servants."
"No."
"We won’t have the palace."
"No."
"And if something happens..."
"I’ll protect you."
His answer came immediately.
Lian An looked at him.
There was no hesitation in his voice.
She smiled faintly.
"I know."
---
The Dowager Empress
In another chamber, the Dowager Empress was having an entirely different problem.
She held a wooden walking stick.
She stared at it.
Then at the mirror.
Then back at the stick.
"I am supposed to walk like this?"
A maid nodded nervously.
"Yes, Your Majesty."
The Dowager Empress sighed.
"I have spent decades learning how to walk with dignity."
She tapped the stick against the floor.
"And now my son wants me to pretend I am an old widow."
The maid lowered her head to hide her smile.
The Dowager Empress noticed.
"You find this amusing?"
"No, Your Majesty."
"You are smiling."
"I am not."
"You are."
The maid immediately became serious.
The Dowager Empress shook her head.
Then she looked at her reflection.
Her magnificent robes had been replaced with a faded brown outer garment.
Her jewellery was gone.
Her hair had been arranged simply.
No crown.
No jade ornaments.
No imperial embroidery.
She looked completely different.
She suddenly smiled.
"Actually..."
The maid looked up.
"What?"
"I like it."
The maid blinked.
The Dowager Empress leaned against the wooden stick.
"For once, nobody will bow every time I walk into a room."
She laughed softly.
"I might enjoy this."
---
The Emperor Becomes an Ordinary Son
The Emperor had perhaps the most difficult disguise.
He was too recognizable.
His posture alone was enough to betray him.
His voice was commanding.
His eyes carried the authority of someone accustomed to obedience.
Even when wearing simple clothes, he still looked like a ruler.
Prince Liang walked into the room and immediately stopped.
He stared at his father.
Then laughed.
The Emperor looked at him.
"What?"
Prince Liang covered his mouth.
"You still look like an Emperor."
The Emperor frowned.
"How?"
"Everything."
"What everything?"
"Your posture."
The Emperor immediately relaxed his shoulders.
Prince Liang shook his head.
"No."
The Emperor frowned.
"What now?"
"You look like a military commander."
The Emperor sighed.
"Then what should I do?"
Prince Liang thought for a moment.
"Look tired."
The Emperor stared at him.
Prince Liang demonstrated.
He lowered his shoulders.
Slouched slightly.
His expression became weary.
Then he said,
"I haven’t eaten properly in three days."
The Emperor looked unimpressed.
"Ridiculous."
Prince Liang grinned.
"Exactly. You don’t know how to look poor."
The Dowager Empress entered just in time to hear him.
"Your father has never been poor."
Prince Liang nodded.
"That’s the problem."
The Emperor looked between them.
"I am standing here."
"I know," the Dowager Empress replied.
She smiled.
"For this journey, you are not the Emperor."
She pointed at him.
"You are my eldest son."
The Emperor nodded.
"And Lian An?"
"My daughter-in-law."
Prince Liang grinned.
"And I am?"
"My second son."
He immediately bowed.
"Yes, Mother."
The Dowager Empress smiled.
"Good."
The Emperor looked at Prince Liang.
"Do not overact."
Prince Liang immediately stopped bowing.
"I wasn’t."
"You were."
"I was practicing."
"You were mocking me."
"That too."
---
Princess Zhi’s Transformation
Princess Zhi entered wearing a simple cotton dress.
Her hair was tied into an ordinary braid.
No pearls.
No gold.
No palace ornaments.
Prince Liang stared at her.
She raised an eyebrow.
"What?"
"You look different."
"So do you."
He looked down at himself.
His clothes were plain.
His boots had been replaced with worn cloth shoes.
A simple cloth bag hung over his shoulder.
Princess Zhi smiled.
"You finally look like a normal man."
Prince Liang looked offended.
"I always look normal."
"No."
"Why?"
"You look expensive."
He looked at his wife.
"Is that an insult?"
"Yes."
He sighed.
"Marriage is difficult."
Princess Zhi laughed.
---
Lady Chen
Lady Chen’s transformation was quieter.
She stood before the mirror.
The woman staring back at her no longer looked like a former member of the imperial household.
Her dress was plain.
Her hair was tied simply.
There were no jewels.
No embroidered phoenixes.
No symbols of rank.
For a moment, she touched her reflection.
Then she smiled faintly.
Perhaps this was exactly what she needed.
A new beginning.
No palace.
No titles.
No expectations.
No whispers.
No people constantly reminding her of the life she had lost.
Just a road.
A new destination.
And perhaps...
A chance to become herself again.
General Wei Rong entered.
He was carrying a large cloth bundle.
He stopped when he saw her.
"You are ready?"
Lady Chen nodded.
"Yes."
He looked at her clothing.
Then nodded.
"You look like a northern villager."
She smiled.
"Is that a compliment?"
"For this journey, yes."
She laughed softly.
"What about you?"
He lifted the bundle.
𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢
"I look like a man carrying too much."
She smiled.
"You do."
---
The Cart
By noon, their preparations were nearly complete.
A simple wooden cart stood in a hidden courtyard.
There was nothing remarkable about it.
Its wheels were old.
The wood was scratched.
A large cloth covering protected the bundles inside.
Several blankets.
Cooking utensils.
Water containers.
Clothing.
Medicine.
A small amount of grain.
Nothing luxurious.
Nothing that would attract attention.
The Emperor inspected everything.
"How much money?"
Prince Liang answered,
"Separated into several small purses."
"Good."
"We have enough for several weeks."
"Keep it hidden."
"Already done."
The Emperor nodded.
Then he looked at the weapons.
"Nobody carries a visible sword."
General Wei Rong nodded.
"Understood."
"We use them only if necessary."
Everyone agreed.
Lian An looked toward the cart.
"Where will the food go?"
Prince Liang pointed.
"Under the blankets."
"And medicine?"
"Inside the wooden box."
"Water?"
"Two containers."
She nodded.
Then she noticed something.
"What is that?"
Everyone turned.
Prince Liang was holding a small silver cup.
Lian An stared at him.
"Put that back."
He looked confused.
"Why?"
"Because no refugee carries a silver cup."
He looked down.
"Oh."
The Dowager Empress laughed.
"Leave it."
Prince Liang immediately put it away.
---
The Ghosts Were Not Invited
Unfortunately, there was one problem nobody had considered.
The ghosts.
Fen Yu appeared suddenly beside Lian An.
"I’m coming."
Lian An closed her eyes.
"No."
Fen Yu looked offended.
"Why?"
"Because we’re pretending to be refugees."
"So?"
"You cannot travel openly beside us."
Fen Yu crossed her arms.
"I can."
"You glow when you’re angry."
"I do not."
"You do."
Fen Yu looked at Wei Rong.
"Do I?"
Wei Rong nodded.
"Sometimes."
Fen Yu glared.
Li Shen appeared behind them.
"I believe she is referring to spiritual light."
Fen Yu pointed at him.
"Nobody asked you."
Li Shen sighed.
Wei Rong looked toward Lian An.
"I can stay hidden."
Lian An shook her head.
"You three can follow, but nobody can reveal themselves unless necessary."
Fen Yu brightened.
"Really?"
"Yes."
"Then I’m coming."
Wei Rong nodded.
"I’ll watch the surroundings."
Li Shen adjusted his invisible robe.
"I shall observe."
Lian An sighed.
"Fine."
She looked at them.
"But no fighting."
All three ghosts became silent.
Lian An narrowed her eyes.
"Especially you, Fen Yu."
Fen Yu looked away.
"I didn’t do anything."
"Yet."
Fen Yu smiled innocently.
---
The Final Farewell
Before leaving, the Emperor returned to his private chamber one last time.
He stood there alone.
The room contained everything that represented his life.
The throne room.
The portraits.
The imperial seal.
The weapons.
The books.
The records.
Years of responsibility.
He looked at them for a long moment.
Then he turned away.
He didn’t take the seal.
He didn’t take the crown.
He didn’t take any symbol of power.
He took only what an ordinary man could carry.
When he stepped outside, Lian An was waiting.
She looked at him.
"Ready?"
He nodded.
"Yes."
She smiled.
"Then let’s go."
---
Leaving the Palace
The hidden gate opened.
One by one, they walked out.
The Dowager Empress first.
She leaned heavily on her wooden stick.
Behind her came the Emperor and Lian An.
Then Prince Liang and Princess Zhi.
Lady Chen and General Wei Rong followed with the cart.
To anyone watching—
They were simply a family.
An elderly widow.
Her eldest son and his wife.
Her younger son and his wife.
A daughter and her husband.
A few bundles.
Some food.
A wooden cart.
Nothing more.
No imperial guards.
No banners.
No golden carriage.
No music.
No announcement.
The gate closed behind them.
The Emperor looked back once.
Lian An noticed.
"You can miss it."
He looked at her.
"I don’t."
She was surprised.
"You don’t?"
He shook his head.
"Right now, I only care about finding the truth."
His eyes moved toward the northern road.
"And bringing everyone home safely."
Lian An smiled.
"Then let’s go."
The cart began moving.
Slowly.
Quietly.
The family joined the road leading north.
Ahead of them stretched mountains, villages, refugee camps and unknown dangers.
Behind them stood the palace they had ruled from.
But nobody knew that the ordinary-looking family disappearing into the crowd...
Was the very royal family the entire kingdom believed was still safely inside the capital.
And somewhere beyond the northern mountains—
Something was waiting for them.
Something that had already begun watching their arrival.
The Emperor tightened his grip on the cart.
Lian An looked toward the distant horizon.
Neither of them knew what the journey would reveal.
But for the first time—
They were leaving the palace behind.
Not as rulers.
Not as nobles.
But as a family.
And their real investigation had finally begun.