After being sentenced to death, she came to her senses.

Unexpectedly, the Empress Dowager valued Gu Yuqing so much that she asked him for a promise under these circumstances.

Clearly, this promise was no small matter, nor was it easy, as it could save their lives.

But what exactly does the Empress Dowager want Gu Yuqing to promise, and what can he give her?

Fang Xiaoran became increasingly curious about Gu Yuqing.

There were always many things about him that she didn't know.

Thinking of this, Fang Xiaoran's eyes darkened slightly, and she subconsciously looked at Gu Yuqing beside her. She saw him think for a moment, then suddenly pull Fang Xiaoran and turn to leave.

Even Fang Xiaoran was taken aback by his actions, and asked in confusion, "You're just giving up like that?"

“I can’t give her the promise she wants. What else can I do but give up?” He shrugged and smiled nonchalantly. “At worst, I’ll just die. Anyway, so many people will be buried with me, and we can become a couple in the afterlife.”

Fang Xiaoran couldn't help but roll her eyes. Who wants to be your husband and wife in the underworld!

Not to mention Fang Xiaoran, even the Empress Dowager was taken aback, clearly not expecting Gu Yuqing to refuse so decisively, and even put on an indifferent attitude.

The archers gripped their longbows tightly, unsure of what to do. The Empress Dowager had not given any orders, and the atmosphere was somewhat tense. They could clearly see that the Empress Dowager seemed to have a request for Gu Yuqing, but this man showed no respect whatsoever.

Once the two of them returned to the palace and the doors were closed, the Empress Dowager's eyes turned cold, filled with murderous intent. "Change to rockets."

Although the palace was on fire, the fire did not spread as they had expected.

An accident requires multiple factors to occur, and fire is indispensable.

shhhhh--

Dozens of rockets were launched towards the main hall.

In an instant, the fire spread rapidly, billowing thick smoke that made people cough uncontrollably.

"We're doomed! They used rockets this time; we're probably doomed!"

"Quick, jump out the window! I'd rather be killed than burned alive!"

The crowd was in complete chaos. One of them rushed to the windowsill, struggled to climb up, and had just jumped down when he heard a "thud" as a spear pierced his body.

"Ah!" A scream rang out in the hall, and everyone was thrown into a panic.

The windowsill is not a safe haven; in fact, it's a place where you'll die even faster than if you stayed there.

Fang Xiaoran narrowed her eyes, already drawing her sword and ready to rush out, but Gu Yuqing grabbed her sleeve and gently shook his head at her, "Wait."

He uttered only one word, but that word weighed a ton and clearly reached everyone's ears.

In this life-or-death moment, all everyone wanted was to survive, but they couldn't see any possibility of survival. And now, the single word spoken by the calm and collected Gu Yuqing had become their hope.

But how much longer do we have to wait?

The fire is out of control. Even if someone comes to rescue them, will they be able to save them all safely?

In fact, not only them, but even Fang Xiaoran was somewhat surprised at this moment. She looked at Gu Yuqing and asked in a low voice, "What exactly are you making me wait for?"

To everyone's surprise, Gu Yuqing smiled mysteriously and said, "It'll be soon."

He did not explain what he meant, which made the already panicked people even more uneasy. The fire spread in, and thick smoke filled the hall, causing people to cough violently.

Fang Xiaoran instructed them to soak handkerchiefs in tea and cover their mouths and noses to temporarily alleviate the effects of the thick smoke. Just as everyone was in a panic, a series of orderly hoofbeats suddenly came from outside the hall, followed by the clash of weapons and the shouts of guards.

Gu Yuqing's eyes flashed, and the corners of his lips lifted slightly: "They're here."

The next moment, the palace doors were suddenly kicked open, and a squad of imperial guards in black armor rushed in. The leading general shouted, "By order of His Majesty, we are here to protect the safety of everyone inside!"

The Empress Dowager's expression changed drastically, and she shouted sternly, "Who gave you permission to trespass into the main hall?!"

The general clasped his hands in a salute, his tone respectful yet leaving no room for doubt: "Your Majesty, please forgive me, but I am acting on His Majesty's orders. His Majesty heard that there was a fire in the palace and specially ordered the Imperial Guards to come to your rescue."

Fang Xiaoran then realized that Gu Yuqing was waiting for the emperor's reinforcements!

The fire was quickly brought under control, and everyone was escorted out of the hall.

The Empress Dowager also left surrounded by palace servants. Although she was unwilling, there was nothing she could do about it now.

After this battle, no one in the palace dared to mention what had happened there again, for fear of losing their lives.

Fang Xiaoran only breathed a sigh of relief after leaving the palace and getting into the carriage.

This incident happened so suddenly that it was somewhat beyond Fang Xiaoran's expectations.

"You knew all along that His Majesty would send someone to rescue him?" Fang Xiaoran glanced at Gu Yuqing, who was sitting beside her and had already closed his eyes to rest, and couldn't help but ask.

Gu Yuqing did not open his eyes, but spoke slowly: "Such a big thing as a fire in the palace, how could His Majesty not know? He would definitely send people to put out the fire."

He spoke of it as if it were the most ordinary thing in the world, but Fang Xiaoran found it to be anything but simple.

A fire is a serious matter, but under the circumstances at the time, it wouldn't have been impossible for Emperor Zhao to go along with it. After all, the Empress Dowager would have taken responsibility, and he could have pretended not to know anything and let the fire spread.

Fang Xiaoran frowned and said in a deep voice, "His Majesty is probably not doing this to put out the fire or save people, but just to do a favor. Perhaps, he can even convict the Empress Dowager."

This crime could be serious or minor, but it could restrain the Empress Dowager.

After all, given her status as the Empress Dowager, it wouldn't be easy for Emperor Zhao to touch her.

Of course, these are just Fang Xiaoran's guesses, and the actual situation is still unknown.

Gu Yuqing gave a soft "hmm", then suddenly opened his eyes, pulled back the car curtain and looked out, smiling as he said, "It's Old Liu's secret recipe wontons. Come on, let's try them. I didn't get to eat my fill at the birthday banquet, I'm starving."

He stopped the carriage and jumped off. Although his leg had not recovered and he sometimes walked with a slight limp, it did not stop him from rushing to the wonton stall.

Seeing his ravenous appearance, Fang Xiaoran was even more puzzled.

What exactly did the Empress Dowager want from this person?

Previously, it could be said that he had a vast fortune and could provide convenience for Prince Yong, but now, thinking about it, I feel that money may not be that important.

While Fang Xiaoran was pondering, Gu Yuqing had already ordered two bowls of wontons and was sitting at the stall, waving happily at her.

Many pedestrians on the street stared at him with strange looks.

It seems completely out of character for a scion of a prominent family to be sitting at a roadside stall eating wontons.

But Fang Xiaoran didn't dislike this aspect.

She walked over with a smile and sat down next to Gu Yuqing.

Wontons are cooking in a steaming iron pot, the milky white broth bubbling and boiling, with plump, round wontons bobbing up and down in the pot.

As dusk approached, a ray of moonlight shone down from the clouds, lengthening the shadows behind pedestrians on the road. People carrying lanterns walked and laughed, or ran, and occasionally a few words of laughter could be heard.

"Sir, please eat while it's hot." The owner placed two bowls of cooked wontons on the table, where steam rose and the aroma filled the air.

Gu Yuqing quickly picked up a spoon, scooped up a wonton, blew on it twice, and then put it in his mouth. The wonton was too hot, so he kept breathing on it, but he couldn't help chewing it. He said with a smile as he ate, "Old Liu's wontons are the best. My nanny brought me here to eat once, and I've never forgotten them since. I often ask Xiao Shitou to come and buy a bowl to take home."

"I never expected that the Second Young Master Gu, who often hosts banquets at the Millennium Building, would like such simple roadside wontons." Fang Xiaoran chuckled and bit into half a wonton, the hot soup splashing onto her lips. She subconsciously stuck out her tongue and licked it. "But it is indeed delicious."