After stepping out the main gate, the snow seemed even heavier than it had been in the evening, and a scene reminiscent of doomsday unfolded before their eyes. Over by the Yingxian Palace in the southeast, blazing torches lit up half the sky in a fiery red, with the flames mingling with unmistakable cries of alarm and screams, creating an overwhelming sense of intimidation. At this moment, Eric Blake paid no heed to the swirling snow, focusing only on following behind Grace Harper, treading through the snow toward Yingxian Palace. As for the two palace maids behind her, frozen in shock, she didn’t even bother to turn around and order them to keep up.

After all, at a time like this, there was no need for a crowd—bringing along more cowards would only cause more trouble!

The snow on the ground was already an inch or two deep, and walking on it in her tangmu clogs felt almost like stepping on cotton. Although she stumbled a bit, Eric Blake still did her best to support Grace Harper, as the latter was in even worse shape, nearly stumbling to the ground several times. It wasn’t a matter of mood; rather, the snow had clearly been trampled by many people, leaving a mess of footprints, and many spots were iced over, making it easy to slip if one wasn’t careful.

“Who goes there!”

Suddenly, a loud shout came from ahead, followed by a flare of torchlight—it was two Yulin Guards, each wielding a steel blade. Seeing the stern, murderous look on their faces, Eric Blake quietly tugged at Grace Harper, but to her surprise, the usually flustered female official straightened up, stepped forward instead of retreating, and spoke in an icy tone: “Since when does Yingxian Palace bar even me from entry?”

One of the guards, hearing her tone, quickly raised his torch and, upon a closer look, showed a hint of respect: “So it’s Harper the Scribe. I didn’t mean to block you, but Mr. Brooks has given strict orders: the two Zhangs have committed treason, and no one is allowed to set foot in Yingxian Palace.”

The two Zhangs committing treason? Unless Samuel Brooks and Andrew Brooks had gone mad—after all, the Empress was their only support—what kind of rebellion could they possibly be plotting? Eric Blake sneered inwardly. Charles Brooks might be over eighty, but he was still as tough as ever, using such an old excuse with masterful skill.

Seeing Grace Harper hit such a wall, she couldn’t help but frown, but knew this wasn’t the time to be too forceful. Just as she was about to think of another way, she suddenly heard footsteps crunching in the snow behind her. Turning around, she was instantly overjoyed. The newcomers were only five or six people, led by someone in a crane cloak, wearing a golden crown, heavy platform shoes, a jeweled sword at the waist, and an air of heroic spirit in her features—who else could it be but Abigail Adams?

“Mr. Brooks has given strict orders?” Though she had been far away just moments ago, Abigail Adams had excellent hearing. She nodded slightly at Grace Harper as she passed her, then looked down at the two guards blocking the way. “Charles Brooks is just a minister. Her Majesty is my mother, and the Crown Prince is my own brother. Why, at such a critical moment, am I not allowed into Yingxian Palace? As for Grace… if you dare block her, I guarantee you’ll pay dearly for it!”

The guard hadn’t expected that after Grace Harper, even Abigail Adams would show up, and was instantly flustered: “Princess, this is not something I can decide…”

“If you dare block us again, I’ll use this imperial Zetian Sword to take your head!”

In the blink of an eye, Eric Blake saw a flash of cold light in Abigail Adams’s hand as she sliced off the red tassel atop the guard’s helmet with a single stroke. Though she often saw Abigail Adams in the palace, this was the first time she’d witnessed such a display of power. It had to be said, her commanding presence was truly reminiscent of the Empress herself.

Seeing that further obstruction might cause a major incident, the other guard quickly pulled his companion aside, respectfully making way. Eric Blake deliberately stayed at the rear, and had only taken a few steps when she heard a whisper carried by the wind.

“Are you stupid or just dazed? Blocking Harper the Scribe is one thing, but you even dared to block Abigail Adams? When the Crown Prince ascends the throne, she’ll be the Grand Princess—even Mr. Brooks wouldn’t dare cross her! Besides, the Andrew Brooks and Samuel Brooks brothers are already dead, the situation is settled. What could these two women possibly do now?”

Having heard what she needed, Eric Blake hurried a few steps to catch up with Grace Harper, and whispered what she’d just overheard in her ear. Unexpectedly, though she spoke softly, Abigail Adams still caught it.

“So it’s you, Seventeenth Girl, that Grace brought along! Don’t be so sneaky—whatever you can say to Grace, you can say to me as well!”

Hearing this, Eric Blake dared not hide anything and quickly repeated what she’d just heard. Upon learning that the Samuel Brooks brothers were dead, Abigail Adams burst out in hearty laughter, a trace of barely concealed malice flashing across her face: “Those two ungrateful dogs finally got what they deserved! Good, serves them right! Did they ever think who gave them all their glory and wealth, and yet they even dared to slander me!”

When the two Zhangs were at the height of their power, no one could stand against them, and who knows how many people they had humiliated and offended. Even Abigail Adams, who had recommended them, had nearly suffered backlash—her resentment was not a recent thing. Seeing Grace Harper also look a bit relieved, Eric Blake quietly curled her lips.