Chapter 85
Seven days had passed since Murong Qiufeng last appeared at Ta Qing Courtyard.
However, today, the courtyard was much livelier than usual. Since morning, numerous people had come to visit—first the prime minister, then General Dugu, followed by several other officials, all claiming to have business with the place, such as delivering memorials. Murong Qiufeng’s fame had spread far and wide by now.
Most notably, even the emperor had come to pay a visit, offering some words of praise and continuing to probe for an opportunity to win him over.
However, with Shangguan Ye standing by his side, the emperor’s attempts had little effect, and the atmosphere in the courtyard remained tense throughout the day.
The courtiers at Ta Qing Courtyard were suffering under the pressure.
At noon, both Murong Qiufeng and Shangguan Ye were invited to have lunch with the empress.
Murong Qiufeng, though, wasn’t fond of spending time with the empress. Perhaps it was his sensitivity, but although the empress appeared gentle, gracious, and caring, he couldn’t shake the feeling that something was amiss—like he was being seen through. Perhaps it was just his guilty conscience.
The empress seemed to be in good spirits. When they entered, despite Shangguan Ye’s cold demeanor, her smile remained warm and unwavering. She greeted them, saying, “Ah, at last, you’ve come. Please sit, His Majesty will be here shortly.”
Murong Qiufeng nodded lightly but didn’t know what to say. He simply smiled and stayed silent, while it was Shangguan Ye who spoke up. “Is the emperor coming too?” he asked, furrowing his brow slightly.
“Ha, we’re all family, no need for formality,” the empress responded with a laugh. “When His Majesty heard you were coming, he ordered the kitchen to prepare extra dishes. It’s a shame Jun’er didn’t come. How’s Jun’er doing, by the way?”
“She’s doing well,” Shangguan Ye replied casually, settling himself at the table, gesturing for Murong Qiufeng to sit as well, all without waiting for the host to be seated.
Murong Qiufeng looked at him helplessly.
As he raised his head, he saw the empress staring at him. For a moment, her eyes seemed to flicker with an unreadable expression, but it quickly shifted back to a gentle smile.
“Qiufeng, sit down, why are you standing there?” the empress said, before turning to Shangguan Ye. “Qiufeng has only just entered the world, and has caused His Majesty a lot of trouble these days. Please be understanding, and thankfully, His Highness has been helping him, or else he might have really fallen into the trap set by evil people.”
“Since he’s mine, I will naturally protect him,” Shangguan Ye responded indifferently, dismissing the matter.
The empress chuckled lightly. “It seems Qiufeng is truly blessed. By the way, how’s Xiru? That girl can be quite reckless at times, making a storm out of nothing. She’s been staying in the royal mansion these days, and if she’s caused any trouble, please bear with her, Your Highness.”
Both Murong Qiufeng and Shangguan Ye frowned in unison.
“Staying at the royal mansion? When did this happen?” Murong Qiufeng asked, glancing at Shangguan Ye, only to see him equally puzzled.
The empress had only intended to change the subject, but upon seeing their reactions, her expression suddenly changed. A sense of unease stirred within her, and her demeanor turned serious. “Xiru isn’t at the royal mansion?”
“What happened?” Shangguan Ye’s face darkened. Murong Qiufeng also sensed something unusual, and his face showed growing concern as he looked at the empress.
The empress’s face paled, and she couldn’t help but stand up. Her gaze shifted, as if recalling something, and her face turned white. “Someone, come!”
“Your Majesty.”
“Go summon the commander of the Imperial Guards.”
“Yes.”
After giving the order, the empress sat back down, visibly shaken, and turned to Shangguan Ye with a grave expression. “Three days ago, when the news of Qiufeng being framed reached the palace, Xiru heard about it. She was furious and came to see me. She was certain Qiufeng was being wronged and wanted to help. She even took a royal token to leave the palace. Later, we received word that she had moved into the royal mansion and wasn’t planning to return to the palace for the time being.”
Murong Qiufeng’s face changed instantly. He had never met Zhao Xiru before, so he turned to Shangguan Ye, only to see him narrowing his eyes, his gaze flashing with thought.
The empress was now clearly distressed, and her anxiety grew. “Have you seen her?”
Under normal circumstances, she wouldn’t be so worried, but given the current situation, with Zhao Guo stirring restlessly, she had planned to send Zhao Xiru back to Zhao Guo in the next few days to avoid further complications. Yet now, her worst fear had come true.
Murong Qiufeng studied Shangguan Ye’s expression, noticing that, although he didn’t speak, it was clear Shangguan Ye was just as unaware. He shook his head and replied solemnly, “I haven’t seen her since we parted six days ago. Perhaps she’s out sightseeing, maybe in Lucheng. We should send someone to look for her. Xiru is cautious and shouldn’t be wandering aimlessly.”
Murong Qiufeng was unaware of the current situation in Yan Country.
The empress sighed and rubbed her brow. “I hope I’m just overthinking.”
“Your Majesty, the King’s Commander greets you, and greets the Prince.”
“Commander Wang, no need for formalities. I wish to ask, has the Seventh Princess of Zhao Country left the palace or returned recently?”
Commander Wang thought for a moment before responding in a formal tone, “Your Majesty, three days ago, at seven in the afternoon, the Seventh Princess left the palace with her jade pendant. We have yet to find any sign of her returning.”
The empress pursed her lips, her expression darkening.
Shangguan Ye suddenly spoke, “When she left, were there any unusual circumstances? Was she alone?”
Commander Wang seemed to sense something was amiss and furrowed his brows, recalling the details carefully. His eyes suddenly brightened. “Indeed, there was something unusual. The Princess left in male attire, saying it was more convenient. She was not alone, though—she had a servant accompanying her, and they traveled in a carriage. Also, her voice sounded somewhat strange, as if she had caught a cold, a little hoarse.”
The empress’s face turned pale, and she looked at Shangguan Ye, clearly alarmed. “When she left, there was no sign of anything unusual.”
Shangguan Ye stood up. “It seems our plans for the meal will have to be delayed.”
“Urgent matters are more important,” the empress said, her face pale but still composed, nodding.
Shangguan Ye glanced at Murong Qiufeng, who nodded in understanding. The two of them, along with Commander Wang, took their leave.
As they departed, the empress looked at their retreating figures, her brow furrowed deeply. There was a hint of uncertainty and doubt in her eyes as she stared at the contrasting black and white figures, her concern growing.
“Has something happened with Xiru?” As they exited Fengyi Palace, Murong Qiufeng asked softly, though he didn’t seem overly anxious. His aunt’s expression just now, however, suggested that something serious, possibly threatening Yan Country, was afoot. Otherwise, the usually composed empress wouldn’t have shown such a dramatic change in demeanor.
Shangguan Ye gently shook his head. “It’s not too serious, but Zhao Country has been making some small moves recently. Zhao Xiru might become the excuse for Zhao Country to send troops.”
