Counting the days, she has been recuperating in this house for almost half a month and has not left the courtyard yet.

Jian Yang decided to go out and investigate.

Just to be on the safe side, she even wore a veil and carried a sword, pretending to be a female knight-errant wandering the martial arts world.

After wandering around the streets for a while, Jian Yang didn't see the guards searching for people, but she did see a notice board surrounded by a lot of people.

She squeezed in wherever she could and, sure enough, found her portrait on the bulletin board.

I must say, it's quite lifelike.

Below the portrait is a simple line of small characters: Whoever finds this person, please report to the authorities immediately, and a generous reward will be given.

Jian Yang: "..."

Anyone who didn't know better would think she was a fugitive.

That damned emperor, she'll remember this grudge!

Now that she'd seen it all, Jian Yang decided to leave.

But as she turned around, her veil snagged the hairpin of the woman beside her.

The woman was petite, barely reaching Jian Yang's chin.

The two then let their hair down and removed their veils.

"I'm sorry!"

"I'm sorry!"

The two said in unison.

Then Jian Yang noticed that everyone, including the woman, was staring at her face.

She cried out in her heart, "Oh no!"

She quickly covered her face with a veil and rushed out of the crowd.

"Was that woman from the painting just now?"

"It's not just similar, it's practically identical."

"It must be her, otherwise why would she run so fast?"

Jian Yang thought to herself, only a fool wouldn't run away. If I didn't run away, would I just wait to be caught and reported to the authorities for a reward?

She quickly ran into the alley, then disappeared after several twists and turns.

When she ran back to the mansion, panting, Xiahou Riyue had already returned.

"Where have you been? Why are you all sweaty?" he asked, handing over his handkerchief.

Jian Yang didn't stand on ceremony, took the money, wiped her sweat, and said, "The emperor has most likely found out and is looking for me all over the city now."

Xiahou Riyue didn't say anything, but handed her another cup of herbal tea.

Jian Yang took the drink and downed it in one gulp. After wiping her lips with a handkerchief, she asked, "Has Lord Xiahou's departure date been set?"

Xiahou Riyue said, "It's settled, in three days."

Jian Yang nodded: "Okay, I'll pack my bags in the next couple of days."

Xiahou Riyue asked again, "Are you really not going to Jiangnan with me?"

Jian Yang said firmly, "No, I'm already feeling bad about eating and drinking with you lately. How can I treat you as a long-term meal ticket? Besides, following you would only harm you. One shouldn't be so ungrateful."

Xiahou Riyue lowered her eyes and suddenly felt that it wouldn't be bad to be her long-term meal ticket.

Jian Yang continued, "I plan to go south to take a look. I originally wanted to go north, but I was afraid of implicating my brother. After thinking it over, I think the south is better, as it is warm and humid."

"Then I'll arrange and take care of everything for you." His voice was surprisingly dry.

Jian Yang laughed and said, "No need. I'm actually quite curious to see how well I can make a living in this world with my own abilities. If I really can't make it in this world, then it's not too late to write to Lord Xiahou for help."

“Alright,” Xiahou Riyue smiled, “I’ll be waiting for your good news anytime.”

As evening fell, guards entered the palace.

"Are you sure that person is the Empress?" The Emperor's voice trembled slightly with excitement.

The guard respectfully replied, "Although I did not witness it myself, there were many eyewitnesses who said that a veiled woman left in a panic after her veil was torn off, and that she looked very similar to the Empress."

"Where was it found? Which street?" the emperor pressed.

The guard replied, "At the bulletin board at the west entrance of Xuanwu Street."

"Good, good, good," the emperor said with a hearty laugh after saying "good" three times. "Go along Xuanwu Street and search for me. You must find the Empress. I will reward you handsomely!"

"yes!"

Eunuch Zhang glanced at the emperor with pity, then shook his head.

How could a perfectly healthy person suddenly go insane?

The guards obeyed the order and set off, immediately launching a thorough search centered on Xuanwu Street.

The reward was secondary; being valued by the emperor and given a promising future was a blessing that would benefit his descendants, so he couldn't help but take it seriously.

Persistence pays off. By the afternoon of the next day, he had figured out all the routes Jian Yang had taken to escape that day and finally located the house where she was hiding.

The guards immediately reported the news, and the emperor rushed out of the palace in high spirits.

Zhang Gonggong hesitated for a moment, but eventually obediently followed the emperor out of the palace.

Xiahou Riyue was carrying the pastries he had just bought from Yunxiangzhai and was preparing to return to his residence.

He could imagine the happy look on Jian Yang's face when she ate these snacks.

Just as he turned the corner of the alley and was about to head home, he suddenly saw several familiar figures at the door.

It was none other than the emperor.

He was startled and quickly took a step back. After thinking for a moment, the usually composed and self-possessed Lord Xiahou actually took off running.

Soon, he arrived at another alley and knocked on the back door.

A servant opened the door, and upon seeing Xiahou Riyue, he immediately exclaimed in surprise, "Young Master, why did you come back through the back door today?"

Xiahou Riyue didn't have time to explain to him, only saying that he had urgent business to attend to, and then rushed towards the courtyard where Jian Yang lived again.

At this moment, Jian Yang was lying in a rocking chair watching the sunset and drinking her own blend of peach oolong tea, enjoying herself immensely.

Upon seeing Xiahou Riyue running over, she happily raised her cup and said with a smile, "This is what I just made, would you like a cup too?"

"Quick, hide! The Emperor is coming!"

Without saying a word, Xiahou Riyue dragged her into the house.

Jian Yang was so startled that she dropped her drink. "He found out?"

As expected of the emperor, he found her hiding place in just one day.

Xiahou Riyue said calmly, "Don't be afraid, I'll handle him."

After hiding Jian Yang, Xiahou Riyue straightened his official robes before going out to greet the emperor.

The servants of the Xiahou family were all well-trained. Seeing that the emperor and his entourage were reluctant to reveal their identities, they also refused to let them pass.

Until Xiahou Riyue appeared.

He feigned surprise and stepped forward to bow, saying, "Your Majesty, what brings you here?"

When the guards at the gate heard that the person they had been stopping for so long was actually the emperor, their legs went weak with fear.

The emperor was also quite surprised to see Xiahou Riyue walking out of his residence.

Why are you here?

Xiahou Riyue bowed and said, "This is a house that my father bought many years ago, and I have been living here recently."

The emperor's expression turned solemn as he said, "This place is far from the palace. Why does Minister Xiahou choose to live in this remote residence instead of his own mansion?"

Xiahou Riyue said without changing his expression, "This place is very quiet and elegant, which can not only cultivate one's mind and body, but also avoid official social interactions. May I ask what brings Your Majesty here today?"

He then passed the question on to the emperor.

The emperor laughed and said, "I've come to find someone."