What Mei Liang didn't say aloud was that the entire palace would soon be thrown into chaos—if everything went according to her plan.
Just thinking about it chased the sleepiness from her eyes. But despite her efforts, the rough jolts of the carriage did little to keep her alert, and eventually, exhaustion won—she drifted off once more.
Some time later, distant screams pierced through the constant bumping of the carriage. Mei Liang's eyes snapped open. Stay calm… don't act too alarmed, or someone might suspect something, she warned herself.
She quickly nudged Cuìyù and Lánxīn awake. "Lánxīn, open the window and ask the coachman what's going on ahead," Mei Liang whispered.
Still groggy, Lánxīn rubbed her sleepy eyes and pushed the carriage window open—just then an arrow sliced through the air, flying inches above her forehead before piercing the curtain inside the carriage.
The color drained from her face, and whatever sleepiness remained vanished in an instant.
