Xia Yuqing's eyes narrowed as she stared at the door through which Long Mingze had just left. Something wasn't right—she could feel it.
Her instincts screamed danger, warning her to move, to run before it was too late. She took a shaky breath and pushed herself up from the bed.
But the moment she stood, a wave of nausea and dizziness slammed into her. The room spun, and she had to grab the bedpost to steady herself.
Her brows furrowed. "What… is happening to me?" she muttered under her breath.
Her pulse felt off, but she didn't have the strength to check it now. First, she needed to get out of this place, this bedroom.
With quiet determination, she made her way to the door and pushed it open. But before she could take another step, two guards immediately blocked her path.
Her eyes turned cold. "Move."
The guards stiffened. One of them bowed deeply, his voice trembling. "Forgive us, Empress. We cannot allow you to leave. The Emperor's command—no one is to let you out."
