"Send word to Xiao Luo," Nangong Yu mused after a moment's thought. "Tell him that this truce is because the Young Emperor Yun Qi has his sights set on the General's Mansion's young lady. Have him handle it."
Si Chen was puzzled. "Why not tell Commander Xiao directly that the Young Emperor Yun Qi's target is Princess Yong Ning?"
"In Xiao Luo's eyes, how many young ladies are there in the vast General's Mansion?" Nangong Yu asked softly. Sometimes, words couldn't be spoken too plainly. If someone intercepted the message, it would easily expose Xiao Man. Xiao Luo would understand once he received this message that Murong Sheng Rui's target was Xiao Man.
In Xiao Luo's eyes, in the vast General's Mansion, there was only one person who was his sister, a legitimate young lady of the General's Mansion, and that was Xiao Man. Xiao Luo was excessively good to Xiao Man, always granting her requests, as if Xiao Man were not his sister but his mistress. Thinking of this, Nangong Yu quickly shook his head, casting the thought from his mind. It was only right for a brother to be good to his sister; they were of the same mother!
"Your subordinate will deliver the message immediately."
"Additionally, have Wen Ru Yu investigate the murder case of Long Sheng Merchant House," Nangong Yu's brow furrowed. "For some reason, I feel this matter is not simple and is very likely related to the Blue Moon Kingdom. It cannot be underestimated."
"Yes, master." Si Chen went to deliver the message, while Nangong Yu returned to review official documents. There were many documents recently. With winter solstice approaching, there was much to be done, and furthermore, this year's winter solstice would be unforgettable.
"Knock, knock, knock." Suddenly, a knock came from the door. Nangong Yu said without looking up, "Enter."
The door opened and closed, and it seemed someone had entered. Then, Nangong Yu waited for a long time, but no one spoke. He couldn't help but look up. The sight made him break out in a cold sweat. The room was actually empty.
A moment later, Nangong Yu looked in a certain direction. "Gan Qing, you enjoy playing ghost games so much. Do you want this king to turn you into a real ghost?"
A figure emerged from the shadows, wrapped entirely in a black cloak, without the slightest trace of living presence. Even though the person was right in front of him, one couldn't sense his existence.
"Gan Qing pays his respects to Your Highness."
"Why have you returned so suddenly?"
"Blue Moon is making a move."
It was expected that the Blue Moon would make a move, especially since Feng Xi had appeared. If the Blue Moon remained silent, it wouldn't be the Blue Moon.
"Who has come?"
"Blue Moon's Prime Minister, Yao Ran."
Nangong Yu's brow furrowed. Yao Ran was a person of cunning schemes and methods, and quite capable, but he had a fatal weakness: a love for fame and fortune. He had persecuted the former empress of the Blue Moon in order to be second only to the emperor. What devilish schemes was he hatching now?
"Have you found the whereabouts of the Blue Moon Princess?"
"She should be in Yusheng."
Although Nangong Yu had suspected this, he was still somewhat surprised when it was confirmed. "Find her. This king wants her to be of use to him."
"That might not be easy," Gan Qing's voice was very soft, sounding weightless, much like his presence, easily overlooked. "She has been able to hide for so many years without being discovered, which shows considerable skill. The person behind her is likely not to be trifled with."
"If she wants to reclaim what belongs to her, with her own abilities, it will likely be difficult," Nangong Yu said with full confidence. "If she cooperates with this king, this king can help her reclaim all that is rightfully hers."
Gan Qing was silent for a moment. "What if she has the ability to reclaim what belongs to her on her own?"
"If she had that ability, she wouldn't have been hiding in Yusheng for so many years. Her proactive reveal this time is to test Yusheng's attitude and to see how many people in the Blue Moon Kingdom support her," Nangong Yu said calmly. "If she can get this king's help, it will be much easier for her to return to the Blue Moon as a princess, avenge her mother, and then smoothly ascend the throne."
"Your subordinate will attend to it immediately."
"Do this as soon as possible," Nangong Yu reminded him. "This king also needs time to handle other matters. If everything is crammed together, it's inevitable that mistakes will happen."
"Yes, Your Highness."
Nangong Yu lowered his head and continued to review official documents. The documents in his hand were concerning the winter solstice sacrifice. The winter solstice sacrifice was always organized by the Crown Prince. This year was no different. His responsibility was to provide security, following all the usual procedures.
Because of the grand sacrifice ceremony, the Crown Prince had gone to the Imperial Ancestral Temple early to prepare. The Imperial Ancestral Temple was a very solemn place for the royal family. Past Crown Princes had been extremely cautious. However, the current Crown Prince was so infatuated with Madam Xu that he would grant her any request, even allowing Madam Xu to disguise herself as his page and accompany him to the Imperial Ancestral Temple.
Upon hearing the news, Xue Ning'er's first reaction was to inform her maternal uncle, Xue Guojiu, to find a way to rectify the situation. However, she had just stood up when she slowly sat back down. The slap from the Crown Prince had not only broken her dignity but also her affection for him.
"Crown Princess, Madam Xu is nowhere to be found. It is highly likely she has followed His Highness the Crown Prince to the Imperial Ancestral Temple. That place is not somewhere one can fool around. If she is discovered, Madam Xu will surely die."
A smile flickered across Xue Ning'er's face. "You worry too much. While the Crown Prince is lustful, he is not careless when it comes to serious matters. He would never do something so foolish. Madam Xu might have just snuck out of the mansion to play. After all, this isn't the first or second time."
"Crown Princess, please send someone to confirm. If she has indeed gone to the Imperial Ancestral Temple, quickly get her out. Otherwise, if she is discovered, not only will the Crown Prince be punished, but the Crown Princess will also be implicated."
"Nanny, directly send people. The Crown Prince will surely be displeased. How about this, I will have my father find an opportunity to visit later. This will surely prevent His Highness the Crown Prince from acting recklessly."
"The Crown Princess is benevolent."
After the nanny retreated, the smile on Xue Ning'er's face vanished instantly, and her expression turned cold. The wet nurse brought some tea. "Crown Princess, this is freshly brewed calming tea."
Xue Ning'er took it and used the tea lid to skim the tea foam from the surface. Her posture was graceful, her expression calm. "Wet nurse, where do you think Madam Xu has gone?"
"That vixen is skilled in charming men. She must have tricked the Crown Prince into agreeing and followed him to the Imperial Ancestral Temple."
"I also believe that with her restless nature, she must have begged the Crown Prince to take her to the Imperial Ancestral Temple," Xue Ning'er said slowly. "If her presence is discovered during the sacrifice ceremony, Nanny, do you think Madam Xu will survive?"
The wet nurse frowned slightly. "Crown Princess, you and the Crown Prince share prosperity and misfortune. If the Crown Prince is discovered to have brought a woman to the Imperial Ancestral Temple for illicit purposes, it is a grave offense and will implicate you."
"I take him too seriously, which is why he dares not take me seriously. I want to see if, when something happens, his beloved Madam Xu can help him overcome the difficulty!"