Shen Xuxue wore a troubled expression. That woman remained in Mingyue Wan, leaving her no opportunity to make a move. Furthermore, within the Crown Prince's estate, she dared not act rashly. Should His Highness discover it, his wrath might be directed at the First Family, a risk she was unwilling to take.
"Mm," Changsun Yin raised an eyebrow, remaining silent. Shen Xuxue turned to scrutinize him, then broke into a delighted smile. "If Prince Yin truly wishes to know who she is, it's not entirely without recourse. Besides the Crown Prince, are there no other ways?"
"What ways?"
Changsun Yin glared coldly at Shen Xuxue. Did he not see through Shen Xuxue's scheming? However, for the moment, they were on the same side, so he was in no hurry to deal with her.
"A honey trap. If Prince Yin weren't so cold, you'd be quite handsome. Doesn't that woman have two maids by her side? If Prince Yin were to employ a honey trap, those inexperienced maids would surely be smitten, and then we'd know everything." xxs1
Shen Xuxue spoke with a sinister and sharp tone. Women, whether maids or ladies of noble birth, all craved male admiration. She doubted those young maids would be an exception.
Changsun Yin did not expect Shen Xuxue to propose such a ridiculously trivial suggestion. His face instantly turned cold, and he let out an angry snort, "Utterly ridiculous."
With a flick of his sleeve, his black robe billowed, and in an instant, he vanished. Shen Xuxue stared blankly at the empty space before her, grinding her teeth in frustration, but eventually, she smiled again.
Perhaps that fellow eventually employed the honey trap. I refuse to believe he doesn't want to find out who that woman truly is.
Within the Crown Prince's estate, the winds of change swept through in a swift and unpredictable manner.
At the same time, within the Imperial Palace of Xian Yue Palace, the Emperor's handsome face flashed with fleeting anxiety. Qingyao had been away from the palace for nearly two months, and there was still no news.
Recalling her resolute departure from the palace, his heart, which had recently been filled with anger, now brimmed with anxiety. Time seemed to pass with agonizing slowness. Internal strife had been quelled, and the unruly elements in the court had been purged. State affairs could now be handled with the assistance of the Left Prime Minister. Therefore, he spent most of his time waiting for news from Prince Nan'an.
Yet, after such a long period, there was not a single word, which naturally caused him anxiety. Could it be that across the entire Xian Yue Kingdom, they couldn't find any trace of Yao'er? And she was pregnant! What if she fell into the hands of one of the other six kingdoms?
The thought sent a chill down Murong Liuzun's spine, and his heart grew heavy.
He currently had no one to direct his anger towards, as all of this was his own doing.
He had never considered the deeper implications, believing that bestowing upon her the greatest power and highest honor would suffice. But he had forgotten what she truly needed and desired.
The quelling of internal strife in Xian Yue was undeniably due in large part to her contributions. She had been diligently assisting him, yet what had he done? And the thought of her traveling and enduring hardships outdoors while pregnant filled him with a dull ache in his chest.
In a corner of the grand hall, Ah Jiu cautiously called out to him, "Your Majesty, it is time for dinner."
"Remove it," his grim face was etched with frost, devoid of any other emotion.
Ah Jiu sighed. Why did His Majesty have to be like this? The Consort had already left, and Prince Nan'an was searching for her. They would surely have news soon. Why torment himself? Even if the Consort didn't return, life would go on, wouldn't it?
More importantly, there were countless women in the world. As long as His Majesty desired, what kind of woman could he not have?
"Your Majesty, please eat something. You haven't been eating much lately. Your health is of utmost importance. What kind of woman do you desire that you cannot have?"
As soon as Ah Jiu finished speaking, Murong Liuzun roared like an enraged lion. With a sweep of his hand, he flung the prepared meal from the table onto the grand hall floor.
"What do you understand? Ah Jiu, you don't understand the emotions between men and women. Although the Empress is capable, it is not her ability that I favor her for. I didn't understand before, but recently, I've come to understand clearly. It is a matter of affection between a man and a woman. Are all emperors truly heartless?"
The Emperor, who was always proud and overbearing, displayed such a side, which was truly unexpected. Ah Jiu dared not say more.
Since ancient times, emperors have been depicted as heartless. Is His Majesty's behavior a good or bad thing? And are Ximen Xinyue and Chu Yuyan in the harem merely decorative?
"Your Majesty, I know I was wrong. Please do not be angry."
"Clear it away," the Emperor said no more, waving his hand irritably, his face exceptionally grim.
Just then, Hua Lige walked in from the entrance of the grand hall and said respectfully, "Your Majesty, there is news from Prince Nan'an."
"What? Speak quickly, what news?" The man on the throne stood up abruptly, his ink-black eyes gleaming with light.
Hua Lige reported cautiously, "Your Majesty, Prince Nan'an sent back word. He had found the Consort, but she refused to return. Prince Nan'an had no choice but to follow her. Unexpectedly, in Fufeng City, someone aided her in secretly escaping. Prince Nan'an and his guards have searched the entire Xian Yue Kingdom with no success. Prince Nan'an stated that it is likely the Empress was taken out of the Xian Yue Kingdom."
"How could this happen? Were the edicts not posted at the border? How could she have left? How could this have occurred?"
The cold and arrogant man on the throne, at this moment, resembled a bloodthirsty lion, restless with anxiety, seemingly ready to devour someone at any moment.
A solemn silence fell upon the grand hall; no one dared to speak. The pacing man suddenly stopped, raising his bright eyes.
"Order Prince Nan'an to investigate immediately. Disseminate the message to the hidden guards and see which country has news of her."
Murong Liuzun's gaze was as dark and unfathomable as a boundless ocean, deep with surging tides and immeasurable vastness.
His heart was filled with intense panic, as if he were on the verge of losing her completely. This thought tightened a string within his heart. What if she fell in love with someone else?
Once this thought took root, it refused to recede. At this moment, he truly felt it.
How much pain had she experienced in her heart when she knew he was taking concubines? Just like him now, imagining the scene of her possibly falling in love with someone else, his entire heart felt as if it were being fried in oil, with no part left intact.
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Hua Lige immediately withdrew. Ah Jiu led the eunuchs in clearing the scattered dishes and cups from the grand hall.
In the opulent grand hall, silence reigned supreme.
A small eunuch entered through the hall doors, speaking with cautious trepidation, "Your Majesty, Consort Shu seeks an audience."
Upon hearing this, as if a string had been plucked, the Emperor sharply turned around, glaring at the small eunuch. His tall frame moved, and a foot shot out towards the eunuch, kicking him. He spoke furiously, "Tell her to return, and forbid her from ever stepping into Liuli Palace again."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
The small eunuch felt a tightness in his chest. Trembling, he got to his feet and retreated.