「Increase speed!'' Ma Qing gritted her teeth and spurred her horse to gallop again. The smoke and dust churned behind her, mixed with the frantic shouts of soldiers. Behind were the Imperial Guards, chasing them like a swarm of bees. In front was the deep and boundless palace city, like a black hole that swallowed all light and hope. This was the first time Ma Qing had seen the side of death so close, so real. Her heart pounded like a drum, almost bursting out of her chest. If she was caught, she would definitely be executed, maybe even stripped of all her flesh and blood. She couldn't think about it; the fear alone was enough to make her knees weak.

She didn't know where she was going, just ran as fast as she could. The Imperial City was vast and majestic, but for Ma Qing, it was a labyrinth of death. Every corner seemed to be hidden with danger, every shadow could be a hidden enemy. She was like a fish out of water, completely lost and helpless.