Chapter 50 Chapter 50 I really don’t know what you gave them…

"Your Highness, we haven't found your wife anywhere..." When Ling Zhu came back from searching everywhere with the Shen Ce Guards, he looked more nervous than ever before.

He was also aware of what had transpired between His Highness and his wife. Now that his wife had left with Master Xiao Pei and was missing again due to this incident, the bloodstains on the ground might even be a foreshadowing of her fate.

It seemed that the usually cold and indifferent prince revealed a strong murderous intent for the first time.

Xie Zhi's expression grew increasingly gloomy, and the atmosphere was filled with oppression. "Search the entire city! Leave no corner untouched!"

He turned to look at Pei Jue, his eyes filled with warning, "Pei Jue, if you can't protect her, don't try to be a hero."

Pei Jue's eyes were fixed on the pool of blood, his fists clenched tightly in his sleeves, his expression unclear.

"Pei Jue, I will settle this account with you later for kidnapping the prince's wife." He turned around with a stern face and went to the East Palace without saying a word.

"A bunch of trash." Xie Chengxin looked at Mo Jiu who was kneeling in front of him. The gloom in his brows made his already pale face look even more weird.

"If you can't even catch a weak woman, what's the point of having you?"

Mo Jiu covered a deep cut on his arm, the fishy, ​​thick, warm blood still oozing out from between his fingers. "Your Highness, please forgive me. What happened back then was quite strange."

Cold sweat dripped down his forehead. "Even though Miss Nie had secret guards to stop her, she was no match for us. We had already forced Miss Nie into the alley, but... someone came to her rescue."

Xie Chengxin raised his lips and sneered, "How come? There's someone behind the scenes, eyeing us with covetous eyes? Who is it? Third brother's men?"

Mo Jiu shook his head. "She was masked, so I couldn't see clearly. For fear of hurting Miss Nie, we were very restrained when we started fighting, which gave them an opportunity to take advantage."

Then he showed some hesitation, "But there is a three-ring broadsword among them, it looks very much like... very much like it belongs to the rebels..."

Xie Chengxin was startled by this, and a sly smile suddenly appeared on his lips. "Interesting. Not only are these rebels hiding in the city, but they're actually risking exposure to save her?"

Who exactly are these rebels?

After the death of Prince Jin, all the remnants of his followers were wiped out. Thinking carefully, it seems that they have only resurfaced in the past decade or so. Their motives are very clear: both assassinations were aimed at him and the imperial concubine.

These people must know the secret.

He was silent for a moment, then ordered, "Go and check if any of the late queen's confidants have left the palace or are missing since her passing. Investigate them one by one."

Xie Chengxin suddenly recalled the conversation he accidentally overheard in the Imperial Concubine's Palace when he was eight years old. He was so shocked that he could not say anything when he was still young, and then he tortured him all day long.

I'm afraid that the remnants of Prince Jin are fake, and the remnants of the late queen who are associated with Prince Jin are real.

"yes."

When Mo Jiu went out, he happened to pass by Xie Zhi. Xie Zhi glanced at the bloody wound on his arm with a cold look, without saying a word.

His footsteps clung to the bluestone floor, creating a dull thud in the empty hall. Xie Chengxin looked at Xie Zhi with a half-smile, "This is the first time I've seen Third Brother look like this."

"Where is Nie Xiangyi?" Xie Zhi didn't say much to him. He just looked at him coldly and asked straight to the point.

Xie Chengxin just played dumb, "Third brother, your princess, why are you asking me?"

He picked up the well-preserved white jade mask, stroking it with his fingertips. He then raised an eyebrow at Xie Zhi, "Could it be that Third Brother also knows that he is a cuckoo in the magpie's nest? And that he can't keep her heart?"

Xie Zhi's expression suddenly turned cold.

His eyes gradually darkened, and he looked down at Xie Chengxin with his usual condescending attitude, "His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has been attacked several times, and the Secret Guards have been unable to provide adequate assistance. From today on, the Divine Strategy Guards will protect the Crown Prince."

As he spoke, dozens of Shen Ce guards were stationed at the Eastern Palace. Xie Zhi looked at him indifferently, "I also ask my royal brother not to leave the Eastern Palace for the next few days, so as not to hurt yourself."

Xie Chengxin lowered his brows, a sharp light flashing in his eyes, "Xie Zhi, you dare to put me under house arrest?"

"Your Majesty, your words are sincere. This is protection." Xie Zhi said calmly, "Father has always used the Divine Strategy Guard to protect your Majesty."

"Xie Zhi, you are still so hypocritical." Xie Chengxin sneered, "The Divine Strategy Guards are my father's personal guards, how dare you abuse your power for personal gain."

"The Emperor has already approved it." Xie Zhi looked at him coldly. "The rebels are causing chaos, and my brother is in poor health. His last injury has already made the Emperor very worried. Now there are secret guards outside the palace who are making a rash move. I'm afraid there will be trouble."

Xie Chengxin started coughing violently because of these words, and his already pale face turned unusually red due to asthma.

His eyes shone with an almost terrifying light. If he wasn't in poor health, how could he stay in the East Palace all day like a glass bottle afraid of being broken! If he wasn't in poor health, how could the Shen Ce Division allow Xie Zhi to interfere!

But he also knew that it was because of his poor health that his father always remembered the late queen who had difficulty giving birth to him, which was why he had so many preferences for her!

Success is due to this! Failure is also due to this!

But he is the only one in poor health!

Xie Zhi no longer met his gaze and turned to leave the East Palace. He whispered to Ling Zhu, "Keep an eye on the East Palace."

"Yes," Ling Zhu replied, "Your Highness, do you think the lady was taken back to the East Palace?"

Xie Zhi shook his head, "There are others."

The wound on Mo Jiu's arm was almost bloody and it was definitely not caused by Nie Xiangyi or Yang Qiu.

His tone paused, and he instructed Ling Zhu, "Go and find out who the late queen still knew."

Such a wide and deep wound inevitably reminded him of a weapon—the three-ring broadsword. Their attitude after kidnapping Nie Xiangyi last time was strange. Could they be helping her this time?

Xie Zhi knew that the blood sacrifice to Wanyue that they talked about that day must be hiding some secrets.

"Also, search the entire city for the rebels! They must not have left the city yet."

“Boom boom boom!”

It was already the third day since Nie Xiangyi left, and the sudden knock on the door made her heart tighten. She gave Han Xu a look, and she heard Han Xu ask, "Who is it?"

"Who else could it be!"

An impatient voice suddenly rang out, leaving Nie Xiangyi and Hanxu stunned for a moment. "Why is it a woman?"

"Wait? Why does this voice sound so familiar?" Nie Xiangyi frowned. "Why... does it sound like Pei Lang?"

That day, she was chased into an alley by the prince's men. Outnumbered and unable to stop them, Yang Qiu was nearly taken away by the group of secret guards. Unexpectedly, a three-ringed broadsword fell from the sky and immediately engaged in a fight with the secret guards.

Nie Xiangyi recognized at a glance that those people were the rebels who kidnapped her that day.

She had no time to think about anything else. While these people were being delayed, she arrived at Liuyun Temple under Yang Qiu's escort.

This was the place where her mother Xia Ri brought her to live when she was young. Pei Jue wanted to bring her here at the beginning.

The courtyard wasn't large, but it had already been tidied up. The wooden door was opened a crack, allowing Pei Lang to enter. "Why are you here?"

"Do you think I want to come?" Pei Lang glanced at her unhappily. "My brother is being watched by His Highness and can't come in person. He only asked me to come and see if you're okay."

Nie Xiangyi didn't know what to say, so she mumbled, "Oh...it's good..."

Pei Lang was furious when he saw her like this. "I really don't know what you've been thinking about all day! First you insisted on marrying the Third Prince, and now that you're married, you're running away! You've caused so much trouble for nothing."

She snorted, "If I had known this would happen, I would have been the one to marry."

Nie Xiangyi felt a subtle annoyance at her words, stiffening her neck and saying stubbornly, "Then go ahead and get married! I'm planning to divorce His Highness anyway!"

"What do you think of being related to the royal family? Is it a joke?" Pei Lang choked at her words and said angrily, "His Highness is looking for you and causing a big uproar in the city. If it weren't for Grandfather cultivating in Liuyun Temple, he would have turned everything upside down. Even my brother is helping you without thinking of the consequences. I really don't know what kind of drug you gave them!"

She stood up and prepared to leave. "Brother, it's not convenient for you to come here on weekdays. Grandfather's yard is next door. If you need anything, go there and find the Pei family's servants. Someone will tell you."

Nie Xiangyi glanced at her and said, "Thank you."

From then on, she settled down in this small courtyard full of memories.

She remembered how her mother would bring her here every year for a short stay, just before summer arrived. They would step on the dew in the mornings and watch the moon at night, her mother always sitting in the courtyard, reading a book.

Occasionally, she would hear the sound of a zither from the opposite courtyard, and out of curiosity, she would climb up the wall to listen. It was then that she met Pei Jue.

Old Master Pei has been practicing in seclusion here for several years, and Pei Jue came to accompany him.

Pei Jue seemed like a gentle and well-behaved child, but in fact, he would take her to catch crickets in the grass and pick fruits from the trees. Occasionally, he would climb the courtyard wall with her, saying that he wanted to see if the scenery here was better.

It’s just that summer is beautiful, but now it is already the middle of winter.

It snowed heavily and New Year's Eve was approaching. Nie Xiangyi had nothing to do, so she swept the snow at the door, but she met the skinny old Mr. Pei at the door.

He was wearing a Taoist robe and holding an old broom, sweeping the snow at the door.

His eye sockets looked sunken due to his thinness, but his eyes were sharp and vigilant. He looked at Nie Xiangyi and said, "You are the little girl from before."

Nie Xiangyi just nodded, "Greetings, Master Pei."

"Where's your mother?"

"Dead."

"I knew it."

The strange conversation came out of nowhere, leaving Nie Xiangyi bewildered. Before she could react, Old Master Pei had already entered the courtyard.

"What a strange person."

The entire city was under martial law, and the Shen Ce Guards searched almost every corner of the city, but could not find Nie Xiangyi.

Not only Nie Xiangyi, but even the rebels are nowhere to be found.

The aura surrounding Xie Zhi could almost freeze people.

"Find out who is in the city." If they are not in the city, then they have no choice but to leave.

"Your Highness, the Divine Strategy Guards have been guarding the city gates for the past few days, and no one has left the city," Ling Zhu reported. "Only... only Lord Zhong Qianyue left the city and returned to Shanzhou on the seventh day after the birth of the first month. This was allowed by the Emperor himself."

Xie Zhi tightened his jaw, "Shanzhou... As expected, she returned to Shanzhou..."

His eyes flashed, "Prepare the horses! I'm going to Shanzhou!"

New Year's Eve soon arrived. When lights were on in every house, Nie Xiangyi was alone in the courtyard and suddenly missed his mother.

Her mother was gone, her grandfather was gone too, and now she felt as if she really had nothing left.

The night sky outside was dark, and the fireworks suddenly burst into brilliant glory.

She thought of Xie Zhi a little inappropriately, and of that gentle kiss beneath the fireworks. Back then, she had been reckless and straightforward, not knowing what fear was.

She had to admit that she was a bit of a loser. Even though she had heard him say he hated her, even though he wasn't sincere about marrying her, at this moment, she suddenly missed him.

Actually, it was a bit regrettable. She had spent spring, summer, and autumn with him, but not winter. Even the memories seemed to be missing a piece.

At this moment, is Xie Zhi attending a banquet in the palace? Or is he touring the city walls?

“Knock, knock, knock.”

Suddenly, a knock on the door interrupted Nie Xiangyi's thoughts. She went to open the door, and Pei Jue appeared in front of her with a gentle smile, "Sister Ah Si! Happy New Year's Eve!"

A flash of disappointment passed through Nie Xiangyi's heart.

She raised her lips and let Pei Jue into the yard, "Why is Brother Ziying here?"

"Today is New Year's Eve, I want to play with you." Pei Jue smiled under the fireworks night sky, his eyebrows curved, "Look what I brought!"

He placed the fireworks in front of Nie Xiangyi and said, "I used to play with my sister in the summer, but we've never played with this before! How can I miss it?"

Nie Xiangyi also became interested. The crackling firecrackers flashed with red flames, which was beautiful and festive. Even the deserted courtyard became more lively.

Pei Jue turned his head and looked at Nie Xiangyi's happy face illuminated by the fireworks beside him, "That's great."

"What did you say?" The sound of firecrackers made Nie Xiangyi unable to hear his voice, so she asked in a hoarse voice.

Pei Jue leaned closer to her and said with a smile in her ear, "I said, this is the first New Year's Eve I spend with you."

"Squeak--" The low courtyard gate was suddenly pushed open, and a dark figure walked into the courtyard, looking at the two people who were behaving intimately with a gloomy look.

His voice was as if soaked in ice. "Ah Si, happy New Year's Eve."