The Prime Minister's Estate.
The main hall was filled with people.
Gauze screens, moon-bright pearl walls, and the sounds of silk and bamboo were incessant, with laughter and joy everywhere.
Liu Rongruo sat at the banquet, lightly responding to the clinking of glasses and the sounds of conversation.
Bai Ze entered from a side door, approached quietly, and bowed his head to speak in a low voice.
"Master, A Wu is gone."
Liu Rongruo's hand, holding a wine cup, paused slightly. He looked up at Bai Ze.
"After my subordinates discovered the person was missing, I sent people to investigate. All four palace gates have been sealed. A list of people who went in and out will be brought later."
As Bai Ze spoke, he subtly observed Liu Rongruo's expression. Seeing that his expression remained unchanged, he was inwardly startled.
They had never expected A Wu, who was so attached to the Master, to secretly run away. It was a moment of negligence.
When she had sneaked out, he had thought it was because the Master hadn't returned to accompany her, and she was in a bad mood. So, he had turned a blind eye and let her go out to play.
He hadn't expected that when the palace gates were locked and she still hadn't returned, he realized something was wrong and quickly ordered people to look for her.
"I checked the Yeting Bureau's record roster and found that the eunuch who was close to A Wu had swapped shifts and gone out of the palace with the imperial kitchen's procurement team," Bai Ze reported.
Liu Rongruo coldly glanced at the tea and snacks in front of him, remaining silent.
Bai Ze was shocked and lowered his head.
"Senior Brother, the old madam is calling for you."
At this moment, Qin Yunshang, dressed elegantly, walked over from the other side, smiling.
Liu Rongruo glanced sideways. "What is it?"
"She wants to discuss our wedding. My grandmother is also waiting for you."
"You go ahead first, I'll be there shortly."
Qin Yunshang paused. "Does Senior Brother have something to do?"
Liu Rongruo remained silent, his expression indifferent.
Seeing this, she suppressed the displeasure in her eyes and sniffed.
"Then hurry up, Senior Brother, don't keep the old madam waiting."
"Mm."
After Qin Yunshang returned to the inner hall, Liu Rongruo avoided the crowd and walked out from within.
The lively and noisy sounds gradually faded.
He stood in the corridor with his hands behind his back. The palace lanterns hanging from the eaves illuminated his tall figure, half his face hidden in the shadows, making his expression appear even more indifferent.
Bai Ze stood behind him, feeling that the atmosphere around him was suffocating.
"When did she go missing?"
"Less than half an hour ago."
Liu Rongruo said, "You mean she followed Xia Yun and mixed in with the procurement team to leave the palace."
"An hour ago, the imperial kitchen staff took people out of the palace. Other than mixing out from here, or hiding in the hidden compartments of various officials' carriages, there was no other way to get out. I suspect they most likely disguised themselves as eunuchs to leave."
Liu Rongruo looked at the night outside. His clear and cold face showed no change in emotion, but his eyes were chilling.
After a moment, he fiddled with the jade thumb ring on his hand, lowered his eyes, and gave a light laugh.
"Ran off with someone."
Bai Ze heard the unusual tone in his voice and said, "The city gates are sealed now, they can't get out. I've already sent people to search everywhere."
"Bring them back, dead or alive."
Bai Ze looked up and saw the figure of Liu Rongruo leaving. He inwardly clicked his tongue and quickly went to carry out the order.
Liu Rongruo did not return to the hall. He rode a horse straight to the palace.
Upon arriving at the military affairs department, Qilin immediately stepped forward and respectfully said, "Everyone is waiting for you in the hall."
"Bring the chief eunuch of the imperial kitchen."
"Yes."
In the hall, the commander of the Imperial Guard and a group of generals were waiting. Seeing Liu Rongruo enter, they immediately knelt down.
"Greetings, Prime Minister."
As Su Zhe knelt down, a kick from Liu Rongruo sent him flying, hitting the red pillar behind him. The pain caused him to immediately spit blood and roll down.
Everyone was shocked. They prostrated themselves on the ground, not daring to say a word.
Liu Rongruo stood quietly at the entrance. The light and shadow from the corridor illuminated his deep contours, his expression placid.
He looked at Su Zhe and said in a faint voice.
"As the commander of the Imperial Guard, your supervision is lax, allowing people to privately mix out of the palace. Such a useless official should be dismissed and return to his village."
Su Zhe was terrified and immediately knelt properly. "Your subordinate has already ordered people to search everywhere. I beg the Prime Minister to allow me to atone for my mistakes and capture the person."
Liu Rongruo's expression was terrifyingly cold. He looked at the people kneeling on the ground and said nothing.
A general immediately stepped forward. "Your subordinate has already dispatched three teams of men towards Fuyang Gate, Anding Gate, and Yongding Gate to pursue them. The city gates are tightly closed, so they must still be within the city. Once any trace is found, we will report it to the Prime Minister immediately."
"The patrolling soldiers within the city are also conducting intensive searches. All residential homes and marketplaces are being searched."
Liu Rongruo walked to the window. His face was hidden in the shadows, making his expression unreadable, but there was a hint of killing intent flickering in his eyes.
"Prime Minister, should this matter be reported to His Majesty?"
This was the Emperor's concubine who had gone missing. Although the Emperor was like a figurehead in the palace, it was at least necessary to maintain appearances.
Unexpectedly, upon hearing this, the speaker instantly felt as if thorns were pricking his back. He quickly lowered his head, prostrating himself even lower.
He had already heard in private that the Emperor was bedridden with illness, and the Prime Minister was having an affair with Consort Qing, even directly moving into Qu You Palace, completely disregarding the Emperor.
Indeed, if it were truly the Emperor's consort who had escaped, why would the Prime Minister be so diligent, returning to the palace in the middle of the night to inquire?
At this moment, someone changed the subject and said, "The Saintess of Southern Xinjiang came for a marriage alliance, but dared to escape privately. Prime Minister, should we issue an order to hold Southern Xinjiang accountable?"
Liu Rongruo did not listen to them. He looked at the night scenery outside and said.
"Continue to dispatch more personnel. Tomorrow, the city gates will be inspected closely."
"Yes."
As long as the city gates were strictly guarded and searched, they would not be able to fly even with wings.
"Master, they are here."
Qilin brought in a portly man.
As soon as the man entered, he knelt on the ground.
"This servant Li Quan greets the Prime Minister."
Liu Rongruo turned back calmly. "Have you brought Xia Yun's档案册子 (archive roster)?"
Li Quan, the chief eunuch of the imperial kitchen, supervised the roster of all eunuchs and palace maids in the imperial kitchen.
"It's all here."
Liu Rongruo flipped through it and said, "A young eunuch bribed someone for a shift change and mixed out of the palace. Does Director Li feel that this position is too comfortable?"
Li Quan did not know what had happened. Upon hearing this, and recalling the rumors he had just heard, his heart was filled with panic.
"Prime Minister, spare my life, spare my life! This servant did not know, knew nothing—"
Liu Rongruo did not speak, his expression terrifyingly calm.
Seeing this, Qilin immediately ordered people to drag him away.
Everyone watched this scene in terror, finding the usually approachable Prime Minister shockingly inhumane.
"What are you all still standing here for?"
Liu Rongruo glanced over. Although his voice was very clear and cold, it startled everyone into immediately getting up and retreating, going to search.
Qilin saw his grim expression and said, "Master, this Xia Yun was sold into the palace. His family consists only of the old and infirm. Your subordinate has already sent people to investigate in Xiahe Village."
"We should have news tomorrow."
Liu Rongruo threw down the scroll in his hand.
"Tomorrow, plant our people at the city gates to supervise."
"Yes."
After everyone in the room had withdrawn, Liu Rongruo returned to Qu You Palace.
He went directly to the back hall. The hall was dark, with no candles lit. The cold light of the crescent moon shone in, casting a faint silver glow on the ground.
He looked around, then sat on the small couch.
The surroundings were dark and quiet. He seemed to be enveloped in darkness, low and suppressed.
The palace maids guarding the door exchanged glances, not daring to speak, as if in fear of a snake.
Not long after, a loud crash was heard from inside, followed by the sound of tables and chairs falling, and even the doors trembled twice.
In the silent night, the sounds of smashing mixed with enraged ferocity were extremely jarring.