An Wei's face flushed crimson. "Empress!"
Xia Yuqing's cold gaze cut through her hesitation. "Do it."
There was no room for shame tonight.
Only survival.
An Wei swallowed and obeyed, hands shaking as she removed the guard's armor and clothing piece by piece. Xia Yuqing moved swiftly. She quickly changed into a worn, dull maid uniform she had prepared beforehand. The robe hung loosely, designed to hide her figure completely.
By the time the guard lay unconscious on the floor, stripped to his undergarments, Xia Yuqing had tied her hair, shadowing most of her face.
She no longer looked like the empress. She looked like a tired, ordinary palace servant who could disappear in a crowd.
"Take the clothes," Xia Yuqing commanded quietly. "And follow the rest of the plan."
An Wei nodded quickly, clutching the bundled garments as she prepared to leave. She only made it halfway to the door before Xia Yuqing's voice cut through the air like a blade.
