Yun Shu looked at Qiu Lu before her.
She was well aware of the situation in Prince Ye’s mansion these past two days.
Zhan Tianye had left in a hurry, giving Qiu Lu no specific instructions, leaving Qiu Lu like a headless fly.
Yun Shu had also learned some things in these past two days.
"Second Miss Yun, I beg you," Qiu Lu pleaded again.
"Alright," Yun Shu withdrew her thoughts and agreed.
Jing Heng, seeing Qiu Lu clinging to them like a barnacle, thought of Prince Ye and hated him with all his might. He had been investigating in the capital for the past two days, but found nothing. He wished he could find Prince Ye quickly and teach him a good lesson.
If Qiu Lu followed them every day from now on, wouldn't he have to see Qiu Lu every day and be reminded of Prince Ye's betrayal of Miss? He feared he wouldn't be able to control his killing intent and would kill Qiu Lu!
Taking a deep breath, he calmed his mind.
"Are you saying that you received orders from Prince Ye to monitor the young master's every move? Just so we don't find him?" Jing Heng narrowed his eyes, not concealing the strong killing intent emanating from him.
Facing Jing Heng's suspicion, Qiu Lu was not angry. Anyone would think the same. But he was truly wronged!
Like them, he was in a state of confusion, completely unaware of the Prince's whereabouts, nor did he know why the Prince had left with just a letter!
He could only look at Jing Heng with unwavering eyes, appearing trustworthy, "What I've said is true. I don't know where the Prince is, nor have I been ordered by the Prince to monitor Miss Yun. I can swear, if I lie, let the heavens strike me down with lightning and split me in two!"
"I don't think Qiu Lu is lying," A Cha suddenly said.
She hadn't doubted Qiu Lu these past two days, nor had she dismissed this possibility. But after several days, she found that Qiu Lu was genuinely anxious and truly knew nothing about Prince Ye's departure.
Prince Ye had only left them with that letter.
Seeing A Cha speak, Jing Heng snorted and said no more.
Yun Shu looked at them, "After leaving the capital, first meet up with my father and the others, and then go to the Western Xia Kingdom together. I suspect he might have gone to Western Xia."
Perhaps he had received some urgent news, something very troublesome. Of course, this was just a possibility…
However, he would never forget Old Master Qin's deep-seated hatred and would definitely go to Western Xia to avenge him.
So…
She would go to Western Xia, find Zhan Tianye, and put a definitive end to their relationship.
She had said she wouldn't leave him, but that was on the condition that he wouldn't break his promises.
But now, she needed to bring this relationship to a close and give Xiao Jing and the other two an explanation.
Thinking of this, Yun Shu's expression turned a little colder.
Just then, a report suddenly came from the gatekeeper outside, "Miss, someone has come from the palace. The Emperor summons Miss to the palace for an audience."
Yun Shu raised an eyebrow. Zhan Tianhong wanted to see her?
She glanced at the sky outside, then looked back at Jing Heng and the others, "You three, pack your things properly. We'll leave the capital immediately after I return from the palace."
"Alright," the three replied in unison.
…
Half an hour later, Yun Shu arrived at the palace and was led by a eunuch to the Imperial Garden.
The day Zhan Tianyu had attempted to cause chaos in the palace, he had failed, so nothing was damaged in the palace from top to bottom. The Imperial Garden still possessed its stunning beauty.
Arriving at a pavilion in the Imperial Garden, Zhan Tianhong was already waiting inside.
Various exquisite tea snacks and fruits were already laid out on the stone table.
"Your humble subject pays her respects to Your Majesty," Yun Shu performed a complete禮 (lǐ - ritual/courtesy) according to etiquette.
Seeing this, Zhan Tianhong blurted out words of prohibition, "You never needed to perform such a grand ceremony when seeing me. You are my savior!"
A sense of estrangement, which he couldn't prevent, had arisen between them.
He remembered that not long ago, before seeing him, her first concern was not to bow, but to inquire about his health and whether he had recovered. Yet, not long after, he was shocked to discover that she had become distant from him.
The grand ceremony before him indicated that in her eyes, he was no longer someone who needed protecting.
A place in his chest felt as if it had been torn open.
The pain leaped clearly before his eyes.
As Yun Shu finished her bow and stood up, she heard Zhan Tianhong speak. She simply smiled and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty."
Hearing Yun Shu's clear distance, Zhan Tianhong tightened his lips, seemingly unaffected by her alienation, and said, "How is it that I heard about Fifth Brother's matter? He left the capital with only a letter."
"What Your Majesty has heard is true," Yun Shu said indifferently, lowering her gaze.
Zhan Tianhong felt increasingly uneasy. "Fifth Brother has wronged you. If you wish to find him, I will immediately dispatch people to search. I believe with all our might, we can find Fifth Brother quickly."
"Thank you, Your Majesty. It's not necessary for now. Prince Ye left for his own reasons, and we will meet again in the future," Yun Shu replied.
Zhan Tianhong scrutinized Yun Shu. From her indifferent and cold eyebrows, he saw no resentment towards Fifth Brother, nor could he detect any anger or complaint in her words. His eyes flickered, and he continued, "Since that is the case, you shall remain in the capital. Wait for me to have news of Fifth Brother, and I will have him return immediately. If you wish, I will immediately have Fifth Brother marry you."
Looking at Zhan Tianhong's sincere demeanor, Yun Shu felt that he had grown.
He had become an emperor capable of completely manipulating people's hearts.
In court, there should be no officials who could bully him. Gradually, no one would underestimate this young emperor before him.
She smiled faintly, "Your Majesty's concern is appreciated. This matter is left to fate, and everything will follow destiny. A forcefully twisted melon is not sweet. If Prince Ye wishes to marry this subject, he will do so without an imperial decree. If he does not wish to, this subject will not force the issue."
Hearing Yun Shu's words, Zhan Tianhong's eyes flickered. He stared earnestly into Yun Shu's eyes and continued, "Good. As long as you remember, if you have any requests, I will surely grant them."
"Thank you, Your Majesty," Yun Shu thanked him again.
Hearing these repeated thanks, Zhan Tianhong's heart was filled with a myriad of emotions, an indescribable feeling surging from his heart.
"Does Your Majesty have any other matters? If not, this subject will take her leave," Yun Shu spoke again.
Seeing this, Zhan Tianhong looked at Yun Shu, who seemed about to leave at any moment, and immediately asked in a deep voice, "Are you… are you leaving the capital?"
Yun Shu nodded, "I will be leaving the capital for a while."
Zhan Tianhong pursed his lips. "Will you return?"
"I don't know for now," Yun Shu replied gently after a slight pause.
Upon hearing this, Zhan Tianhong's expression instantly turned somber. "If I wish to find you someday, will I be able to?"
When he learned that Yun Changfeng had left the capital and his whereabouts were unknown, and no one knew where Yun Changfeng had gone, he realized that she might also become elusive.