Lady Cha nodded: "Yes, when I learned that His Majesty was missing, I rushed here with the magistrate. Your Majesty, are you alright?"

The words of Lady Cha sent a jolt through everyone present. His words were like a boulder thrown into a calm lake, creating ripples. His face was full of concern and worry, as if he would rush to the Emperor's side without hesitation should the Emperor feel the slightest discomfort.

Lady Cha stared intently at the Emperor, as if trying to see right through him. She wanted to confirm whether the man before her was truly unharmed or merely putting on a brave face. The Emperor's face was slightly pale, but his eyes were firm and bright, as if telling Lady Cha that he was alright.

"I'm fine, I'm sorry to have worried you." The Emperor's voice was weak, but full of strength. He gently waved his hand, indicating to Lady Cha that there was no need to worry too much. At that moment, time seemed to stand still, with only the two of them and their endless worry and concern.

The county magistrate, accompanied by a group of yamen runners, approached the emperor and bowed slightly, saying, "Your Majesty, I am sorry for being late and causing you any distress."

The magistrate, accompanied by a group of yamen runners, hurried through the palace corridors and arrived before the emperor. Their footsteps echoed loudly in the empty palace.

The magistrate bowed slightly and said, "Your Majesty, I greet you. Is Your Majesty well?" His voice trembled slightly, clearly indicating that he had just experienced a thrilling battle.

The surrounding constables also bowed their heads in salute. Their faces showed fatigue and tension, but even more so, a sense of relief and joy.

The Emperor looked at them, nodded slightly, and a relieved smile appeared on his face: "Magistrate, you've come at the right time. There was a commotion just now, but thankfully you arrived in time."

The magistrate stood up and helped the emperor slowly into the carriage: "Your Majesty, it's dangerous here. You should hurry back. The princess is worried about your safety."

Reminded by the county magistrate, Liang Shuyan suddenly remembered the princess and replied, "Yes, Your Majesty, the princess is very worried about you when she learned that you are missing. Let's hurry back."

The county magistrate carefully helped the emperor into the carriage, with Liang Shuyan following closely behind.

The carriage slowly started moving and drove forward along the stone-paved road.

The afterglow of the setting sun spilled onto the street, casting a warm golden hue.

The shops on both sides of the street have lit up their lights, and wisps of smoke are rising from their chimneys, filling the air with the aroma of food.

The county magistrate was extremely nervous, glancing back at the emperor from time to time with concern in his eyes.

Liang Shuyan silently thought about the princess, imagining her anxious expression and helpless appearance.

The Emperor's eyes widened in surprise: "What? How did the princess know about this? By the way, Madam, have you discovered anything?"

The lady turned to Jin Erniu beside her: "Erniu, didn't you say you just found a token on the Black Warrior? Bring it over so the Emperor can see it."

Jin Erniu lowered his head, took out a bronze token from his pocket, and handed it to the emperor.

Before the emperor, the token had a black character engraved on the front and complex patterns on the back, clearly the symbol of some organization.

Upon seeing the token, the Emperor's eyes widened in disbelief: "This... how is this possible! How could the Black Knight be related to them!"

The lady said in a deep voice, "Your Majesty, the evidence is right before our eyes. The Black Knight is indeed connected with those mysterious people. Moreover, judging from this token, they are clearly not ordinary subordinates, but must be extremely important members."

The horse-drawn carriage made a clattering sound and soon arrived at Daling Village.

Throughout the journey, the Emperor was clearly preoccupied, but he didn't want to speak.

Liang Shuyan lifted the carriage curtain, and a gust of cold wind rushed in. She saw the Emperor sitting inside, his face pale and covered in sweat. Liang Shuyan said with concern, "Your Majesty, you've worked so hard! Would you like to rest?"

Hearing the sound of the carriage, Niu Niu ran out of the house. She saw the Emperor alight from the carriage, his face pale. Niu Niu asked anxiously, "Father, what's wrong? Are you alright?"

The Emperor looked up at Niu Niu and forced a smile: "It's nothing, I'm just a little tired. You don't need to worry."

Niu Niu was still worried. She saw that the Emperor's face was pale and he was walking unsteadily. She quickly helped the Emperor into the house and helped him sit down in a chair.

Looking at the Emperor, Niu Niu felt a surge of warmth in her heart. She knew that this man had been silently dedicating himself to the country and its people, and now he was exhausted and needed to rest.

She gently helped the Emperor to sit down, then brought him a cup of hot tea. The Emperor took the teacup, smiled, and said, "Sweet Princess!" His voice was a little hoarse, but full of gratitude.

As Niu Niu watched the Emperor drink tea, she couldn't help but feel a surge of emotions.

She recalled the days she spent playing in the palace as a child, when the emperor was a handsome and dashing young man, but now he had become a weary middle-aged man. Yet his eyes remained firm, filled with a deep affection for his country and its people.

Seeing that the Emperor was safe and sound, Niu Niu smiled and said, "Father, I'm so glad you're alright. I was so worried about your safety."

"It's almost time," the Emperor said with some concern. "Let's go back to the palace!"

Not far away, the county magistrate's shouts could be heard: "Your Majesty, the situation in the palace is quite serious. The matter of returning to the palace needs to be discussed at length. I have learned that the Prime Minister has already sent people toward Daling Village. We need to leave here as soon as possible."

"Leave? How can we leave? If it were the Prime Minister's men, they would probably be surrounded by now. What chance would we have to escape?"

Upon hearing the commotion, Liang Shuyan rushed over, bowed slightly, and said politely, "Your Majesty, there is a secret passage in our Daling Village. We can lead our people out through the passage now, and escape Daling Village without making a sound."

The Emperor nodded heavily: "Alright, let's leave here first."

So, Jin Erniu and the others hurriedly left with the Emperor. Liang Shuyan tidied up the things in the courtyard and then used some straw to tidy up the mess. She said with a smile, "It's okay. As long as someone can see it, they won't have any other thoughts."

In no time, a constable arrived carrying a large sword, shouting menacingly, "Men, search thoroughly, make sure there's nothing missing, or you'll be beheaded!"

A short, dark-eyed officer flashed his eyes and said, "Yes, Your subordinate obeys!"