Ye Jin's mind raced. She had seconds at best. She snatched the key, tucking it into her sleeve, and pressed herself into the shadowed corner of the room behind a tall armoire.
The footsteps grew louder, and soon the figure of a man came into view. Ye Jin's eyes narrowed as she peeked through a sliver of space. It wasn't the emperor, but a servant carrying a tray of documents. He set the tray down on the desk and lingered for a moment, adjusting some items on the desk. His movements were methodical, and he seemed entirely unaware of her presence. After a few minutes, he turned and exited the room, the door clicking shut behind him.
Ye Jin released her breath, her grip relaxing slightly. She waited another minute to ensure he was gone before stepping out of the shadows.
With the key securely hidden in her sleeve, she moved back toward the window. Sliding it open just enough to slip through, she climbed out and made her way down the side of the building.
