Guan Fei tightly gripped the hard metal stick and tried to creep further into the dark corner where she was hiding. The sound of brisk foot steps came nearer and she tried to conceal her shaky breath covering her mouth tightly. She was helplessly and hopelessly trapped in this little room. She mentally cursed her self for the hundredth time for deciding to hide to observe further instead of flying away from the danger when she had the opportunity.
She couldn't remember how she ran back through the tunnel when she heard the the young commanding voice ordering to escort the prisoner through the secret door way. She was sure if not for that sudden surge of adrenaline which moved her numb feet, she would've passively waiting for them to catch her. She was equally stunned and bewildered at how they manage to possess such deep secrets of eastern spies.
Few minutes ago when eavesdropping their conversation in the study Guan Fei had realized that those men were none other than the imperial guards who surprisingly knew the undercover operations of Dong Feng. On the other hand, madam Chun was a very influential figure in the capital. She was acquainted with many big shots of the government. And also considering her competence as a spy, it was literary impossible to put her under surveillance without her knowledge.
But now these imperial guards led by an apparently young commander, not only managed to sneak in to Dong Feng avoiding any suspicion but also succeeded in arresting her directly in her own study. It was crystal clear that this people came well-planned and fully-prepared. Even the commander's airy attitude towards madam Chun suggested that they didn't mind her status at all which meant madam Chun's mask is completely uncovered.
This was a big deviation from the original plot. According to the original plot the only event tend to happen was the secret meeting. And of course there was a side event where young master Guan Feng who sneaked in from the mansion to drown his sorrows in wine, collide with the real murderer of crown princess. But that wouldn't happen as she came out disguised as a servant and did not intend to roam in streets drunk!
However the big spy who smoothly maintained her cover till the end in the original plot is now caught. But Guan Fei could understand that this doesn't mean the tragedy of the crown prince's harem wouldn't happen, after all madam Chun isn't the only eastern spy in capital! Guan Fei knew she wasn't out of danger until they catch that traitor at the palace. But the imperial guards destroyed her only chance to spot him too. She started to feel completely devastated.
But the real problem was none of that. The guards were searching the back wing of Dong Feng and she could clearly hear movements behind the door of the room she was hiding. She was unarmed except the little metal stick she picked up few minutes ago which was surely useless against those imperial guards. And while she was completely blinded by the darkness the imperial guards had torches. Getting caught seemed unavoidable!
The old wooden door unwillingly creaked and Guan Fei felt as if her rapidly beating heart is trying to blast open the rib cage. She could only hide her face in knees desperately as there was nothing else to do.
''Who are you?'' The harsh inquiry accompanied the whoosh of a sword drawing out of its scabbard.
Guan Fei neither raised her head nor answered. The only sound she produced that moment was her teeth colliding together out of fear. And seemed she was deeply frozen in terror.
Even when two guards dragged her out of the building there was not any response or a motion from her rather than shuddering continuously.