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墨書 Inktalez
Lin Xueqing held her breath, listening to the sounds outside the window. The footsteps gradually faded away, but she knew those people would return.
"Your Highness." Suddenly, Xiao Cui's voice softly called from outside the door.
Lin Xueqing cautiously opened the door, and Xiao Cui quickly slipped inside.
"Your Highness, it's not good," Xiao Cui whispered urgently. "The guards are searching everywhere for you. They say they need to inspect all suspicious individuals."
"I understand," Lin Xueqing said, thinking quickly. "Xiao Cui, do you know where the offerings are stored?"
"Yes, in the Imperial Storehouse," Xiao Cui replied. "But it's heavily guarded..."
"I must go," Lin Xueqing insisted, recalling the copper mirror mentioned in the letter. "I’ll go tonight."
"But..."
"Just tell me the way," Lin Xueqing interrupted her. "You don't need to worry about anything else."
Xiao Cui hesitated for a moment before finally nodding. "I’ll lead you there, but be careful; there are more patrolling guards than usual at night."
The two of them quietly stepped out. Under the moonlight, the Forbidden City resembled a vast maze, with the distant sound of the watchman calling out the hour echoing from the corners.
"Over there," Xiao Cui pointed in a direction. "If we pass through this narrow passage and turn right, we’ll reach the Imperial Storehouse."
Just as Lin Xueqing was about to move, she suddenly heard footsteps.
"Quick, hide!" Xiao Cui pulled her behind a column.
A group of guards walked by, holding lanterns.
"Search carefully," the leading guard instructed. "The Emperor said this person is very dangerous; apprehend them immediately if found."
Once the guards had moved on, Lin Xueqing let out a sigh of relief.
"Your Highness," Xiao Cui said anxiously, "should we wait for another day?"
"No," Lin Xueqing shook her head. "There isn’t much time left."
She took out the Peach Wood Comb from her sleeve. "Xiao Cui, you should go back first. If anyone asks, just say I'm unwell and resting in my room."
"But..."
"Go on," Lin Xueqing smiled. "You've already helped me a lot."
Watching Xiao Cui's departing figure, Lin Xueqing took a deep breath and made her way toward the Imperial Storehouse.
The doors of the Imperial Storehouse were tightly shut, with guards stationed on either side. However, Lin Xueqing recalled Lang Shining's words: the most dangerous places are often the safest hiding spots.
She circled around to the back of the Imperial Storehouse and indeed found a small door. The lock was rusty, but a faint light seeped through the crack.
"Someone has been here..." Lin Xueqing thought warily.
She took out the Peach Wood Comb and noticed that the patterns on its back shimmered subtly in the moonlight. As she aimed the Comb at the lock, the patterns suddenly glowed faintly.
With a click, the lock opened.
Lin Xueqing gently pushed the door and slipped inside. The Imperial Storehouse was filled with countless precious Cultural Relics, but right now, she was only concerned about one thing.
Following the dim light, she spotted a copper mirror in the corner. The patterns on its surface perfectly matched those of the Peach Wood Comb.
Just as she was about to take down the copper mirror, a voice suddenly came from behind her:
"Indeed, it's here."
Lin Xueqing turned around to see a man dressed in official robes standing there. In the moonlight, his face was shrouded in shadow.
"Who are you?" Lin Xueqing asked.
"A Time Traveler, just like you," the man replied. "Or rather, we belong to the same organization."
"What do you mean?"
"You think you're the first Time Traveler?" The man sneered. "We've been here long before you."
Lin Xueqing finally understood why those rebellious gatekeepers were so knowledgeable about the secrets of the door.
"You've been searching for these Cultural Relics..."
"That's right." The man stepped forward. "Now, hand over the bronze mirror."
"Not a chance!"
At that moment, a commotion erupted outside.
"Someone has breached the Imperial Storehouse!"
"Hurry and report to the Emperor!"
The man's expression changed. "It seems tonight will end with empty hands."
He quickly turned and vanished into the darkness. Lin Xueqing had no time to think; she grabbed the bronze mirror and ran outside.
However, when she returned to the small door, she found it was already surrounded by guards.
"It's over..." she thought.
Just then, a hand suddenly grabbed her.
"This way." It was Lang Shining's voice.
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