Find Pan Chong?

The guard said, “First Imperial Prince, you should stay properly in the Eastern Palace. His Majesty has ordered that you are not allowed to leave the Eastern Palace, and no one is allowed to enter the Eastern Palace either.”

Calling him “First Imperial Prince” was not surprising—since the Crown Prince title had been stripped away, and before being invested as Crown Prince he had not been enfranchised as a prince, naturally he could only be addressed according to his ranking as “First Imperial Prince.”

And this title was one that Jinghua had not heard for more than ten years.

He said, “I am the Crown Prince. Father Emperor would not treat me this way. Go find Master Pan, go, hurry up and go!”

The two guards exchanged glances, their attitude firm.

“His Majesty’s orders cannot be disobeyed!”

After speaking, they pushed the Crown Prince inside, quickly pulled the door shut, and directly locked it.

Glory one moment, now placed under house arrest.

He retreated several steps backward, crashed into a pillar, his back aching, his legs giving way.

He sat down on the ground again!

This time, he was truly completely stupefied…

As if he were drunk.

Meanwhile, the entire imperial palace had also plunged into a bloody storm in the depths of night!

Emperor Qizhen was so enraged that he fell gravely ill, nearly truly passing away.

And the originally joyous Eastern Palace—once the incident at Fuyang Hall spread, in less than the time it takes to drink half a cup of tea, throughout the entire Eastern Palace, the remaining forces loyal to the Crown Prince were all eliminated one by one, not a single one left.

Except for a few eunuchs and palace maids in the Eastern Palace, almost everyone involved in this matter had died.

In the bridal chamber!

Kong Yu heard a commotion outside, heard the sounds of sword hilts and sharp blades, the tragic cries of screaming, and the sound of fresh blood splashing upon the palace walls…

She lowered her head, her calm gaze resting on that blood-red, blood-red bridal veil, embroidered with lifelike mandarin ducks and rippling water. Because the window was not closed, the cold wind from outside gradually poured in, gently lifting the red bridal veil on her head.

Until—

The red bridal veil was blown to the floor!

Looking at the red veil on the ground, she did not react for a long while.

At this moment, someone anxiously pushed open the door and entered, accompanied by a shout: “Princess, something terrible has happened!”

Only then did she raise her eyes to look—it was Juan’er, the maid at her side.

Juan’er wiped her tears, directly throwing herself at her feet, eyes full of tears, saying anxiously: “The Crown Prince has rebelled, besieging the palace and forcing abdication. His Majesty has decreed that all involved are sentenced to death, and the Crown Prince has also been confined to the Eastern Palace, placed under house arrest.”

In her tone was some sympathy for the Crown Prince and pity for Kong Yu.

Hearing these words, Kong Yu remained extremely calm!

She only asked one question: “When did this happen?”

“Just one hour ago.”

“Who rescued His Majesty?”

“Prince Yi.”

“Then, besides besieging the palace and forcing abdication, what else did the Crown Prince do?”

“The great fire at Chengqing Hall was also the Crown Prince’s doing.”

Question and answer!

Upon hearing the last answer, Kong Yu’s heart finally settled.

This burden had been placed on the Crown Prince’s shoulders, so then Jingrong could safely be released from prison.

And she asked again.

“How is His Majesty now?”

Juan’er answered: “I heard he fainted, and the imperial physicians have already rushed over.”

As she spoke, she began to cry.

Kong Yu raised her right hand, gently stroking Juan’er’s little head.

She smiled: “Poor Juan’er, you’ve followed by my side since childhood. Had I known there would be this day, I should not have brought you into the palace back then. No, back when we were at Qingshan Residence, I should not have brought you back to the capital. Then you wouldn’t have been trapped in the capital, and you wouldn’t have to be forever trapped in the palace. I have wronged you.”

Juan’er wiped her tears, vigorously shaking her head!

“Being able to follow by the Princess’s side since childhood is Juan’er’s blessing. No matter what happens, Juan’er will never leave the Princess and will always accompany you.”

“Silly child, how can you think this way? If you can leave the palace, then leave. This imperial palace is fundamentally not a place for people to stay.”

“Princess…”

“Be obedient. Leave the imperial palace. I will also find a way to send you out.”

Although Juan’er desperately shook her head, Kong Yu’s determination was set.

She took a deep breath, rose from the bed, her entire red robe reflecting the bright red candles, beautiful in the extreme.

Walking to the window, she reached out to close the open window. Walking outside to the doorway, looking at the chaotic courtyard, her eyes remained as calm as still water throughout.

Outside, it had also begun to rain…

Fine drizzling rain fell drop by drop on her shoulders, her face, cool and refreshing.

The corners of her mouth lifted slightly, carrying a penetrating smile that inadvertently left people unable to see through or comprehend.

Within her brocade red sleeves, those slender, delicate fingers slowly curled up, clenching into fists.

At this moment, she was prepared.

A decision she had made before marrying into the Eastern Palace.

…

The deep night grew colder!

Throughout the entire ink-black night sky, eerily strange.

In Zhuxi Garden—

Ji Yunshu was in Zhuxi Garden. In her mind were still those words Jingrong had said.

“That is not only the Crown Prince’s decision, but also your decision!”

These words, from when she left the palace until now, had continuously echoed in her ears, lingering endlessly.

She knew she had made a wrong decision, but as long as she could rescue Jingrong, she was willing.

Taking a deep breath, she gazed in the direction of the imperial palace, her heart anxious…

Shi Zijin asked her: “Why not tell the Prince?”

She shook her head and smiled.

“I cannot speak of it!”

“Why? If you told him, the Prince would understand.”

“Then can you understand?” Ji Yunshu asked her in return.

Shi Zijin was stunned and said nothing more.

Ji Yunshu then continued: “I cannot tell him because he knows I could choose to find evidence, then prove that it was Old General Li’s doing, present his crimes to the throne. But I cannot! For that young heir, for the hundred thousand troops, I cannot do this. Moreover, we indeed have no evidence. Apart from making a deal with Prince Yi, I have no other choice.”

Helpless!

Meanwhile, in the prison of the Court of Judicial Review, Jingrong had returned here after leaving the palace.

From the moment he entered, he had been sitting on the straw mat, gaze lowered, fists clenched tightly, eyes vacant without focus.

Upon his cold, sharp brow was an imposing aura that captured the soul, as if with the slightest touch, it could discharge thousands of volts of electrical current.

It was precisely because of this that he appeared too quiet!

So quiet that no abnormality could be detected.

Yet it made people feel extremely terrified.

Within his ink-black pupils, they gradually dilated.

For many years, he had never competed for anything, but today, he was wrong. The more he wanted to hide, the less he could escape…

Although Emperor Qizhen had been so enraged that he coughed up blood, fortunately his body was not seriously harmed. The imperial physicians took turns keeping watch, not daring to leave.

Jingyi also remained by his side throughout the night, refusing to leave for even a moment. It was not until the sky grew hazily bright that Emperor Qizhen awoke.

He called out the name “Jingyi,” summoning him to his side.

“Father Emperor, speak. Your son is here.”

Extremely anxious.

Emperor Qizhen squinted slightly, his lips moving. After a long while, he struggled to speak a few words.

“Release Jingrong.”

So at this time, you old man still knew to think about Jingrong.

At least you’re still someone who acts like a father.

Jingyi received the command: “Yes, your son understands.”

Only then did Emperor Qizhen close his eyes.