In the Phoenix Palace.
Little Fish, her big eyes blinking, looked at her mother beside her, "Mother, did I behave well today?"
"Yes, you did. With that commotion, everyone's attention is on you. This topic will last for a while, giving us the perfect opportunity to search for the Emperor's whereabouts."
As Qingyao finished speaking, Mo Chou walked in and whispered into her ear, "Shen Yu met with the Prince of Nan'an and has returned."
"Let him in."
Qingyao waved her hand, urging impatiently, wondering how the search by the Prince of Nan'an was going. Were there any unusual movements from the Ximen family?
Mo Chou responded and walked out, "Yes, Your Highness."
Shen Yu quickly entered, followed by Mo Chou. As he stepped into the grand hall, he respectfully bowed. Qingyao, sitting high above, impatiently asked, "How is it? Any news?"
"Reporting to Your Highness, the Prince of Nan'an said there are no movements from the Ximen family outside the palace. He also dispatched many men to investigate the capital, but there are no leads. The Prince of Nan'an said the person is within the palace."
"Within the palace?"
Qingyao was thoroughly stunned. She had considered countless possibilities, and being within the palace was the very last one. Bingxiao had searched the palace, specifically Jianyang Palace where Ximen Xinyue resided, and the underground torture chamber of Jianyang Palace. No one was found. So where had she hidden the Emperor?
A chill swept through the hall. Red silk curtains billowed, creating an enchanting spectacle.
Several people silently looked at their mistress, awaiting her command.
Qingyao pondered for a moment, her pupils narrowing, her silver teeth lightly clenched.
"From now on, keep a close watch on Ximen Xinyue. Investigate every place she has been to see if there are any hidden spots."
"Yes, Your Highness."
Mo Chou and Shen Yu accepted the order.
For a moment, the entire palace was filled with the calm before a storm, yet this calm was tinged with an unusual oppression, as if something was brewing.
Ever since the little princess had angrily struck down the various consorts, the women in the harem had been much more well-behaved.
However, the Emperor still favored Consort Mei, and subsequently, he had also favored other consorts.
Everyone was somewhat apprehensive, but the little princess did not cause any further trouble. She remained in the Phoenix Palace all day, seemingly under house arrest by the Empress. Was the Empress truly that magnanimous?
Even the Emperor found it strange. His actions were driven by the allure of beauty, as any man would be filled with ambition. Secondly, he wanted to provoke the Empress. Since the Emperor had accompanied her through countless campaigns, they should have been deeply in love.
But now, after he had favored several consorts in succession, the woman remained unmoved, casting a shadow of unease over his heart. Something seemed not quite right.
The Emperor frowned, an idea striking him. He called out towards the hall, "Someone."
A young eunuch rushed in, bowing respectfully, "This servant greets Your Majesty."
"Go to Chang Le Palace and deliver an imperial decree. Order the Imperial Astronomical Bureau to select an auspicious date for the princess's marriage to Ruan Zimuo, the son of Marquis Yongning."
"Yes, this servant obeys the decree." The young eunuch immediately complied and headed to Chang Le Palace to deliver the decree.
On the resplendent golden throne, the man's face was bathed in radiant light, flickering and shifting. His eyes were hidden in a blazing glow, his gaze filled with calculation.
Upon hearing the decree, Princess Xingzhu burst into tears. She had already told her imperial brother that she would not marry, but he remained resolute, insisting that she marry Ruan Zimuo.
After the young eunuch left, Lan Yi had already summoned the Guard Commander, Hua Lige, and then led the palace maids to withdraw.
The tall and handsome Hua Lige, clad in a striking red robe, complemented his ink-black hair and picturesque features. At this moment, his eyes were filled with deep affection, as rich as the vast expanse of clouds.
"Don't cry."
Hua Lige sighed, extending his long, slender hand to gently stroke her soft, dark hair. He had never imagined that she would truly notice his genuine feelings one day.
From when she was a little girl, standing beneath a tall willow tree, his heart had been captivated. He had waited for her for so many years, finally making her acknowledge his feelings, but in the end, their statuses still stood as a barrier to everything.
"Lige, what do we do? What do we do now?"
Xingzhu threw herself into his arms, clutching his waist tightly, tears gently falling. She did not want to marry anyone else, that conceited Ruan Zimuo. She only wanted to marry Lige. For years, he had been by her side, taking care of her, cherishing her. She wished to continue having such care, but now her imperial brother was forcing her to marry someone else. She was unwilling.
"Didn't you say you would seek out the Empress?"
Hua Lige held her. Her small body fit perfectly against his tall frame. The two embraced tenderly, like a match made in heaven.
Xingzhu lifted her face, her eyes a deep crimson. Biting her lip, she whispered softly, "Imperial sister-in-law hasn't had an easy time recently either. Look, Imperial brother took a consort and favored those women. She must be feeling unhappy, and I don't want to trouble her."
"Then I'll take you away."
Hua Lige spoke with a calm and determined expression, full of conviction. For her, he was willing to be imperfect. They would wander the world together from then on, roaming the martial arts world.
"Okay, then we'll go together."
Xingzhu nodded. The Empress had suggested the same thing before. Since her imperial brother was insistent on her marrying Ruan Zimuo, she would leave. As soon as Xingzhu made her decision, she immediately called out, "Lan Yi, Lan Yi?"
Lan Yi rushed in from the palace door, looking respectfully at the two in the hall. She saw the princess's eyes were red, clearly from crying, and Guard Hua's face was grim. The two seemed to have decided on something.
"Princess?"
"Pack your things immediately, and we will leave here. Since Imperial brother insists on this, why should I remain out of consideration for our sibling bond? I will not marry Ruan Zimuo anyway. Hurry and help me pack a few clothes."
"Okay."
Lan Yi, as Princess Xingzhu's maid, knew that the princess was very fond of Guard Hua, and Guard Hua truly loved the princess and doted on her. She hoped the princess would find happiness.
Lan Yi hurried into the inner chambers, swiftly packing a few clothes without bringing anything extra. The three of them, together, leaped out of the window.
Outside was a small garden constructed with rockeries. As soon as the three landed, a large group of guards emerged from behind the rockeries. All of them pointed their swords at Hua Lige.
Hua Lige's expression changed drastically. He pulled Xingzhu's hand back a step, calmly cupping his fists, "Brothers, we have gotten along well. Can you grant Hua a way out today?"
As his words fell, the guards exchanged glances, their faces showing difficulty. At this moment, the guards parted automatically, and a tall figure in imperial yellow emerged from behind them. His handsome face was etched with thinly veiled anger, his cold eyes flashing with a chilling glint.
"Bold Hua Lige, for seducing the princess and eloping with her! Guards, seize him!"
Unexpectedly, the Emperor himself had arrived. Xingzhu sprang forward, shielding Hua Lige with her body. Her eyes were clear, her small face filled with determination, and she stared coldly at her imperial brother.
"Imperial brother, I do not wish to marry Ruan Zimuo. Let us go. At least then, my heart will still feel grateful to you. Don't make me hate you."
A fleeting fierceness flashed across his face, which was as beautiful as jade. He spoke with a cold tone.
"Shameless wretch, you disgrace the imperial family, yet you have the audacity to speak so righteously."
"Take the princess away."
As the Emperor's words fell, guards immediately rushed forward. Fearing that the princess would be harmed, Hua Lige immediately ceased struggling. He was finally taken away by the guards, while the princess was escorted back to Chang Le Palace.