Chapter Seventy-One: Hemorrhaging Wound

In the early morning, before the faintest blush of dawn had even colored the sky, Mr. Lee knocked lightly at MeiLan's door.  He didn't want to wake his young mistress, but he guessed by the glow of candlelight in the windows that she was either already awake, or she had never gone to sleep at all.

MeiLan pulled open the door herself, bleary-eyed, and blinked at the servant. 

"I'm sorry to disturb you so early, but I thought you should know that Master Long has left, he has taken one of your horses."

MeiLan rubbed one hand over her face tiredly.  "What about Emilian? I mean… the second prince?"

"He has gone too," the old man said, ducking his head.

"Has my aunt mustered the house guards?"

"She has, though there were only ten of them.  They've also been sent to the gates, on the Emperor's order."

"So who is left to protect the mansion?"