A major incident had occurred in the imperial palace. Ordinary people didn’t know what the exact cause was; common folk only saw martial law declared throughout the capital, with officials from Shuntian Prefecture and capital guards patrolling everywhere, spreading out in search around the palace walls.

“Could it be that some spy has infiltrated?” some citizens whispered among themselves.

As soon as these words were spoken, someone immediately analyzed: “That’s not right. The Tatars have been completely driven out. Their Khan is dead, and I’ve heard that the Tatars are fighting among themselves over the Khan’s position. Do they still have the mind to come cause trouble in our Great Zhou?”

“Then what do you think is going on?”

“I’m afraid something has been lost in the palace. Otherwise, they wouldn’t be searching around the palace walls.”

The citizens were puzzled, but the searching capital guards would question anyone they met. Soon, someone spread the news that these people were actually looking for a little boy around four years old.

Everyone began speculating about whose child could cause even the capital guards to mobilize.

Soon, people began guessing it involved the imperial family.

“Could it be His Majesty’s nephew?”

“I haven’t heard of His Majesty having a nephew of that age, but there is a prince…”

The speaker realized something was wrong, his eyes widening as he immediately shut his mouth!

Everyone was thinking: could it be that a prince was missing??

The imperial palace was heavily guarded—how could the Emperor’s son simply disappear? Perhaps they were overthinking and had guessed wrongly?

Not knowing the truth, the citizens no longer dared to discuss wildly and instead began worrying about themselves. Those officials were all domineering; who knew which official might use this opportunity for personal revenge, taking advantage of the situation to harm their families…

The capital, already oppressive in atmosphere, became even more tense. The nobles in the palace lived in fear, and the common people couldn’t escape either.

If the capital was like this, what about inside the palace?

Within the entire palace walls, everyone’s life was thrown into chaos. To search for the prince’s whereabouts and any clues, countless eunuchs and palace servants were implicated, and many innocent people were eliminated under this pretext.

The Empress Dowager had already fallen seriously ill due to Li Helan’s death, constantly clamoring for Li Qitian to avenge Li Helan. But Li Qitian never agreed, so the Empress Dowager had already become disheartened. Now with the palace in complete uproar, even though Li Qitian and the Empress hadn’t deliberately informed her, the Empress Dowager had heard from the palace maids around her.

“What did you say? You said the one who’s missing is Hao Ge’er?”

Seeing the Empress Dowager’s ashen face, the palace maid panicked and knelt down: “This servant also just heard it from the searching guards. This servant doesn’t know the specific details either.”

The Empress Dowager’s face was deathly pale, her eyes vacant. After a long while, she caught her breath and commanded: “Go summon the Emperor to see me!”

The palace servants felt bitter inside. Serving in the imperial study used to be a coveted position, but now everyone wanted to avoid it. If a prince had truly gone missing, those serving in the imperial study would be lucky not to face the Emperor’s wrath, let alone with the Empress Dowager in such a state. If they went to fetch the Son of Heaven, wouldn’t they be implicated?

Nanny Li, who served closely by the Empress Dowager’s side, comforted her: “Empress Dowager, please don’t be anxious. His Majesty didn’t tell you about this matter because he feared you would worry and harm your health. The little prince is blessed and will be fine.”

The Empress Dowager sat up against her large pillow, her bones creaking all over as she moved.

Pressing her forehead, she felt dizzy for a moment, her vision darkening in waves, but the Empress Dowager couldn’t care about these things now.

“They’re deceiving this powerless old woman! That ruinous woman Zhang Shi! Does she think that by keeping it secret, I won’t deal with her? Summon Zhang Shi to see me!”

Clearly, the Empress Dowager was extremely angry but could still maintain her rationality, knowing that throwing tantrums before the Emperor would be useless. But the Empress was easier to handle, and it would be easier to get satisfactory answers to whatever she wanted to ask from the Empress.

The palace servants breathed a sigh of relief—at least the Empress Dowager still had some sense and knew to avoid the Son of Heaven.

Someone rushed off to Kunning Palace to fetch the Empress.

At this moment, the Empress was taking the white porcelain gold-trimmed small bowl and snow-white spoon from a palace maid’s hands to eat the bitter medicine inside.

The senior palace maid Ruolan gently advised: “Your Majesty, ever since the old nannies by your side were all sent out of the palace to recuperate, your health has been poor. Now you’re anxious about the prince’s matter, but you cannot neglect your own health. If you fall ill, who else will wholeheartedly supervise the search for His Highness’s whereabouts?”

The Empress lowered her gaze, her eyelashes hiding the emotions in her eyes. Her pale lips sipped the black medicinal liquid as if she couldn’t taste its bitterness. She quickly finished the medicine, then took the blue and white carp-pattern covered bowl to rinse her mouth, spitting into a lotus-patterned spittoon covered by a handkerchief before asking: “Is there any news? Have they found any clues around the Imperial Garden?”

“Your Majesty, all the palace servants on duty in the Imperial Garden at that time have been arrested. His Majesty has ordered them to be questioned one by one. Even the palaces of the various concubines in the harem—His Majesty has arranged for people to search each one for His Highness’s whereabouts. Please don’t worry, the prince will certainly be fine.”

The Empress nodded and bowed her head again with a worried frown.

The palace servants knew the Empress was heartbroken over losing her beloved only son and that their consolation was useless, so they all quieted down.

At this time, a palace maid from outside Kunning Palace came in to relay a message: “Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager has sent someone to request that you visit her. Perhaps the Empress Dowager has discovered about His Highness’s matter.”

The Empress’s heart skipped a beat. After thinking calmly for a moment, she stood up: “I understand. I’ll go immediately.”

The palace servants offered to help the Empress change clothes and arrange her hair, but the Empress waved them away.

Her complexion was haggard, her face pale with a waxy yellow tinge. In just two or three days, she had lost weight noticeably, her cheeks becoming hollow. Just as she walked out of Kunning Palace’s main gate, the Empress felt dizzy and her vision darkened. Before she could even step onto the palanquin, she collapsed to the ground.

“Empress!” The palace servants were shocked: “Quick, call the imperial physician! The Empress has fainted!”

When the Empress fainted, the entire Imperial Medical Academy fell into chaos.

But the Empress Dowager was so angry she pounded the arhat bed, making the redwood bed bang loudly.

“I think she’s doing it deliberately! She lost my precious grandson and has no way to explain, so now she’s pretending to faint to avoid responsibility! Tell the Emperor! If something really happens to Hao Ge’er, I’ll make them pay with their lives for the child! What have they been doing all day? With so many people, they can’t even watch one Hao Ge’er!”

The palace servants dared not say more and could only agree.

Li Qitian soon learned of the Empress’s fainting and the Empress Dowager’s rage. With the prince missing, the city searching intensively, and Pang Xiao’s army arriving in just a day or two, all these troubles coming together left Li Qitian at his wit’s end.

“Tell them to contact Duke Dingguo. No matter what, my words must be delivered! If they can’t do it, come see me with their heads!”

In Pang Xiao’s military camp, there was joy and laughter everywhere.

As night fell and darkness gathered, campfires burned throughout the camp. Except for the soldiers on duty patrolling, everyone else sat around the fires roasting dry rations or wild game they had caught themselves.

Pang Xiao was in high spirits today. After drinking a jar of wine with Ji Zeyu and Mu Jinghu, he still felt unsatisfied.

Qin Yining was already tired and covered her mouth as she yawned.

Pang Xiao smiled: “You’re tired. Go sleep first. The children went to sleep with their wet nurses long ago. You don’t need to overexert yourself—just get a good night’s sleep.”

Qin Yining nodded.

Coming to Pang Xiao’s side, she no longer had to live in constant fear. With her safety assured, her mind was completely relaxed. She didn’t worry about the children, and she certainly didn’t need to worry about her own safety. Pang Xiao’s suggestion suited her perfectly—she felt she hadn’t had a peaceful sleep in a very long time.

“Then I’ll go back. Don’t drink too much either.” Qin Yining stood up and curtsied to everyone. Mu Jinghu, Ji Zeyu, and the others all bowed in return.

After Qin Yining walked away, Ji Zeyu laughed and teased: “Aren’t you going back to accompany your wife?”

Pang Xiao took another drink and smiled: “Drinking is more important right now. I’m in such good spirits today—it’s perfect for drinking. Come, cheers!”

“Don’t drink too much. Let’s stop here. Drinking interferes with business.” Ji Zeyu advised.

Pang Xiao nodded without arguing much. While drinking, they began discussing matters concerning the capital. At this time, many soldiers gathered together chatting, and some even took off their shirts to practice martial arts. Pang Xiao became excited watching and joined in wrestling with others. His strength was remarkable and his movements agile, drawing continuous cheers from the soldiers.

Ji Zeyu got up to relieve himself in the surrounding woods. Just as he turned to return, he noticed what seemed to be a dark figure by the outermost tent waving at him.

Ji Zeyu immediately became alert. Just as he was about to call out a warning, the person quickly knelt down and said in a low voice: “Duke Dingguo, please hear me out!”

This was an unfamiliar voice, and the person was kneeling in shadow, making it impossible to see his outline clearly.

Ji Zeyu didn’t want to give this person the slightest chance and walked over gripping his horse whip.

“Duke Dingguo!” The person spoke urgently but still didn’t dare speak loudly, only persuading like scattered pearls: “I’ve come under imperial orders to bring you a few words. I came alone and mean no harm.”

Ji Zeyu raised an eyebrow, somewhat curious about what Li Qitian planned to have someone say to convince him this time.

Seeing that Ji Zeyu didn’t immediately call for help, the person in shadow breathed a sigh of relief, stepped forward a bit, and knelt in salute: “I am Chen An, a secret guard by His Majesty’s side. I’ve come specifically to convey His Majesty’s words. You and His Majesty are sworn brothers. Now that the realm has just stabilized, this truly isn’t the time for internal strife and warfare. Duke Dingguo is a loyal man who would naturally put the people’s safety first. Please, for the sake of your sworn brotherhood, help His Majesty resolve this matter.”

“How would it be resolved?” Ji Zeyu asked curiously.

Chen An said with some excitement: “If Duke Dingguo could persuade Pang Xiao to withdraw his troops, that would naturally be excellent. If not, capturing Pang Xiao alive would also work! Surely Pang Xiao wouldn’t be too guarded against Duke Dingguo. As long as Duke Dingguo can take down Pang Xiao and prevent this great chaos, His Majesty is willing to offer the realm as a gift and share the empire with you in the future.”