Bloodstains, intermittent and sporadic, stretched forward along the path.
The adversary had clearly fled in haste, without time to cover their tracks.
The Empress's eyes were ice cold as she pursued relentlessly, with eunuchs and palace maids lagging behind, unable to catch up.
Midway, she encountered Dongfang Li patrolling with a troop of the Imperial Army.
Surprised to see the swiftly moving Empress, devoid of even one palace maid holding a lantern, Dongfang Li couldn't help but be amazed.
"Empress, it is deep into the night. Where are you headed?"
Dongfang Li came forward to ask.
"There's an assassin, heading in this direction."
The Empress pointed ahead.
"An assassin?"
Dongfang Li was shocked, and quickly brought guards to follow the Empress.
"The blood trail ends here. Ahead lies Prince Wu's residence."
Dongfang Li looked up and realized it was a side hall; recently, only Dugu Wu had been residing there.
