While waiting for Erniu to arrive at the palace, news had already spread. Various consorts and concubines rushed to express their concerns but were sent away by Emperor Jingming.

At this moment, he didn’t need these women to display their kindness before him. It was better if they didn’t add to the chaos.

Then the Empress Dowager arrived from Cining Palace.

“Mother, why have you come?” Emperor Jingming went to greet her.

The Empress Dowager sighed softly, “How could I sit still when something has happened to Fuqing and Fourteenth? How are they?”

Emperor Jingming hesitated, his face showing deep sorrow: “Fourteenth is gone.”

“What about Fuqing?” the Empress Dowager asked urgently.

“Fuqing was fortunate, she was rescued in time.”

A flicker of an odd expression passed through the Empress Dowager’s eyes, quickly replaced by grief: “Poor Fourteenth… The palace is becoming increasingly chaotic, and each time it seems to be related to Cining Palace. Your Majesty, this time you must investigate thoroughly, without exception for Cining Palace. We can’t allow villains to continue causing trouble.”

Emperor Jingming nodded gravely: “Rest assured, Mother. I understand.”

The Empress Dowager seemed to notice Jiang Si and Yu Jin for the first time, looking at them: “Why have you entered the palace?”

Emperor Jingming answered for them: “Seventh Brother has worked with Zhen Shicheng before. I thought he might be able to uncover something, so I summoned him to the palace.”

As for the vain hope that Seventh Brother could revive Fourteenth, it was better left unsaid.

At this moment, Emperor Jingming became even more acutely aware of how fortunate it was that Yu Jin had been able to save Chun’er.

That might have truly been a miracle.

Although the former Crown Prince had been sentenced to death for witchcraft and treason, and Chun’er had become a commoner, Emperor Jingming’s affection for Chun’er had not diminished.

He even felt more tender towards that innocent and sensible grandson.

But sometimes, even an emperor is not free to act as he wishes, unable to show affection towards a demoted grandson.

Emperor Jingming could only silently suppress his feelings and developed more fondness for Yu Jin, who had saved Chun’er.

“Has the Prince of Yan discovered anything?” the Empress Dowager asked, following the conversation.

Before Emperor Jingming could respond, Yu Jin spoke up: “We haven’t found much yet, but please be assured, Grandmother, the villain who harmed Fourteenth Sister will be found!”

“The Prince of Yan is so confident?”

Yu Jin smiled: “Your grandson learned to investigate cases from Master Zhen. The first thing Master Zhen taught me was that heaven’s net casts wide, and though its meshes are coarse, nothing slips through.”

The Empress Dowager paused, then nodded: “That’s good. You are Fourteenth’s brother. Whether Fourteenth can rest in peace depends on your efforts.”

Jiang Si listened silently to these words, inwardly scoffing.

The Empress Dowager was truly silver-tongued. The incident of Princesses Fuqing and Fourteenth falling into the lake originally had nothing to do with them, but with the Empress Dowager’s words, if they couldn’t uncover anything, it would be seen as Yu Jin not putting in enough effort.

Fortunately, she and Yu Jin had never been ones to fear challenges. Doing their utmost to catch the culprit was exactly what they wanted to do.

If anyone said today’s events had nothing to do with the Empress Dowager, she wouldn’t believe it for a second.

It was a pity that her grandmother had always avoided mentioning the events of the past, making it difficult for her to gain any insights.

Yu Jin smiled: “Rest assured, Grandmother. Your grandson will do his utmost.”

The Empress Dowager fixed her gaze on Yu Jin for a moment, then nodded slightly: “If that’s the case, I can be at ease.”

As she spoke, her voice trembled, unable to control a hint of sorrow.

Emperor Jingming quickly said: “Mother, let me have someone escort you back.”

The Empress Dowager shook her head in refusal: “No, I want to personally witness the Prince of Yan find the culprit who harmed Fourteenth. Otherwise, I won’t be able to rest easy. Thinking of how obedient Fourteenth was, to lose her life at such a young age, it pains me deeply.”

Emperor Jingming sighed and didn’t try to persuade her further.

Xiao Lezi led a majestic (stout) large dog over, announcing: “Your Majesty, General Xiaotian has arrived.”

Emperor Jingming looked eagerly toward Erniu.

Erniu wagged his tail as he passed by Emperor Jingming, rushing to Jiang Si’s side and wagging his tail.

Being publicly ignored, Emperor Jingming coughed and said to Jiang Si: “Seventh Brother’s wife, please give instructions to General Xiaotian.”

Xiao Lezi, who had personally escorted Erniu from the Prince of Yan’s mansion, wiped away a bead of sweat, thinking to himself that General Xiaotian was truly intelligent. No wonder the Prince of Yan had instructed him to mention the couple when requesting General Xiaotian’s presence, otherwise he wouldn’t have followed a stranger.

As Xiao Lezi mused on this, he secretly glanced at Yu Jin, feeling inexplicably sympathetic.

He had mentioned the Prince of Yan first, but General Xiaotian, who had been playing with the young princess, had wagged his tail hesitantly for a long time without moving. It wasn’t until he mentioned the Princess Consort of Yan that General Xiaotian immediately stood up, even nudging him with his nose when he walked too slowly.

The difference in General Xiaotian’s regard for the Prince and Princess Consort of Yan was so great, he wondered if the Prince knew…

Jiang Si patted Erniu’s head and held the bloodstained stone to his nose, saying softly: “Erniu, remember this scent. Go find that person.”

As if understanding, Erniu barked lowly at Jiang Si, then began sniffing the ground.

Everyone watched as the dog, as big as a small calf, sniffed around in front of the Emperor, Empress, and Empress Dowager. These noble personages watched intently, feeling both strange and tense.

Just as people were beginning to grow impatient, Erniu suddenly stopped and bounded off in one direction.

Everyone was startled.

Emperor Jingming immediately called out: “Follow General Xiaotian!”

A crowd of people hurried after Erniu.

Erniu seemed to be considerate of the onlookers, not moving too quickly, even turning back occasionally to check if his male and female owners were keeping up.

As they followed for quite a distance, people began to guess.

Where was General Xiaotian heading? Judging by the direction, it seemed to be towards the chambers of one of the concubines—

The Empress, most familiar with the inner palace, had a sudden thought: Could Erniu be heading towards— Spring Blossom Palace?

The image of a beautiful woman with bright eyes flashed in the Empress’s mind.

Could it be Consort Ning?

The Empress’s first thought was that it was impossible.

With Prince Lu’s capabilities, what could Consort Ning possibly gain by causing trouble?

But Erniu did indeed stop at Spring Blossom Palace, barking twice at Jiang Si.

Jiang Si curtsied to Emperor Jingming: “Father Emperor, please allow Erniu to investigate Spring Blossom Palace.”

Emperor Jingming’s face turned ashen as he gritted out: “Go investigate!”

Consort Ning came out, looking surprised: “Your Majesty, what is—”

She had just been sent back after trying to express her concern, why had everyone now come to her palace?

Emperor Jingming fixed his gaze on Consort Ning, his eyes roiling with dark emotions: “The culprit who harmed the princesses is here.”

Consort Ning’s expression changed abruptly: “Impossible!”

She had been curious about how things would unfold, how had she suddenly become involved?

At this moment, Consort Ning was completely bewildered.

Accompanied by the cries of palace servants, fierce barking came from within Spring Blossom Palace.

The crowd surged towards the source of the sound like a tide.

In a courtyard of a side hall in Spring Blossom Palace, there were two large vats filled with clear water, growing water lilies.

But today, many of the lotus leaves from one of the vats had fallen to the ground, creating a mess.

A person was planted headfirst in the vat, and Erniu was barking furiously at them.