The young prince has already left, and Ji Shuhe doesn't know where he went.

Only Lou Mu remained by the bedside.

Tang Nian walked to the bedside. Jing Yao was still in her fox form, curled up in the quilt, with only her pointed mouth showing.

How is Jingyao?

Lou Mu stood up: "It's nothing serious now, just need to rest and recuperate."

"This was due to my lack of foresight."

Tang Nian stared at the fox on the bed, her expression inscrutable.

“It’s not your fault. We all know about Minghuan’s strange behavior, but no one expected this to happen. It’s because Jingyao’s strength is insufficient.”

Tang Nian shook her head, forcing a smile: "Did Song Shiyan come that day?"

"They've arrived and shared some information about the person behind it all, but unfortunately, none of what they left behind can be found."

"At Song's Pharmacy?"

Lou Mu nodded.

With so many days having passed, the Song family's pharmacy has been left unattended and unguarded; it would be an easy task for them to sneak in and destroy something.

“Very well, I’ll have Chu Roujia search for traces of the Chu family’s descendants.” Tang Nian sighed and walked to the window. “I have a feeling that Ming Huan will be there too.”

Tang Nian didn't know what she was thinking; her heart was filled with complicated emotions.

"Help me."

After a long silence, Tang Nian whispered two words, followed by a long period of silence.

She knew very well that with Chu Roujia's power alone, finding Ming Huan and her royal uncle was a long way off.

But she hasn't developed any influence in the human world over the years. If she hadn't really run out of options, she wouldn't have sought help from Lou Mu.

Lou Mu naturally knew what Tang Nian wanted him to help with.

He also knew Tang Nian's personality; she wouldn't allow her to ask him for help.

But she spoke up.

"Okay, wait for my message."

Even if Tang Nian didn't say anything, Lou Mu would still do it.

After speaking, Lou Mu turned and strode away.

Tang Nian didn't turn around; she just stood by the window, watching the sun slowly rise.

...

"Master Baolou!"

Lou Mu was sitting in the camp outside the city, handling affairs.

These days, strange things have been happening frequently in the Great Chu. Lou Mu has received an imperial edict from the new emperor to resolve the strange events occurring within the Great Chu territory.

Of course, this was also an imperial edict issued by Chu Yanjun in order to keep Lou Mu and Tang Nian.

This did provide Lou Mu with a lot of convenience.

Chu Yanjun was well aware that if they were allowed to leave, it would be difficult for the Great Chu to survive this calamity.

"speak!"

Upon hearing the message from his subordinate, Lou Mu paused his actions slightly.

News came from Yingzhou City that a loud cry was heard in the eastern suburbs last night, and at sunrise, a bird-shaped phantom appeared in the sky, as if a celestial beast had appeared.

After his subordinate finished reporting, he clasped his hands in a fist salute and awaited Lou Mu's instructions.

However, Lou Mu did not issue any orders for a long time.

"What are your orders, sir?"

Lou Mu narrowed his eyes slightly, his pupils darting back and forth.

If he remembered correctly, Ming Huan's original form was the mythical bird Bifang, right?

Could it be that...?

"Go and tell the princess to prepare to depart for Yingzhou City."

Before his subordinates could react, Lou Mu stood up and hurriedly walked out of the tent.

Inside the guest room, Tang Nian was pacing back and forth on the edge of the tea table, muttering to herself.

"Minghuan, oh Minghuan, where have you gone?"

Jingyao was leaning against the bed, with a comic book on the bedding, but she had no interest in reading it.

Under the careful care of Tang Nian and Lou Mu these past few days, she has been able to regain her human form.

But after she regained her human form, Tang Nian focused all her attention on Ming Huan.

Tang Nian was so angry she wanted to dig up the entire city of Nanyu.

But it's not that easy to find.

Lou Mu was busy handling affairs every day, and Tang Nian had to take care of the injured Jing Yao, so all the burdens fell on Ji Shuhe's shoulders.

Jing Yao looked at Ji Shuhe again, and saw that he had dark circles under his eyes and was supporting his head, which was swaying precariously, with his hands on the tea table.

He was ordered by Tang Nian to search for the bird's whereabouts everywhere, and he hadn't slept well for several days.

"Miss, you've already asked 'Where did Minghuan go?' a full 873 times today. Why don't you have some tea and rest for a bit?"

Jing Yao glanced at Ji Shuhe, then at Tang Nian's similarly dark circles, and said softly.

"But……"

Tang Nian couldn't possibly calm down.

After Jingyao was able to speak, she told everyone what had happened.

Tang Nian is now absolutely certain that the Ming Huan who is by her side is no longer the real Ming Huan.

This realization made her even more anxious.

She couldn't determine when Minghuan was switched.

Was he kidnapped and switched at birth?

Or should we take advantage of Ming Huan's absence to switch the blame?

Every guess plunged her into despair.

Jingyao understood, but all she could do was comfort Tang Nian.

"Miss, didn't you say you'd already asked your senior for help? I'm sure we'll hear back soon."

"That's fine too..."

“Miss, if the senior brings news of him, but you are in the same predicament as him, how will we rescue you…”

Jing Yao stopped mid-sentence and looked toward the door.

Immediately afterwards, Tang Nian heard a gust of wind, as if something had flashed past outside.

"We have news!"

It was Lou Mu's voice, and the door opened in response.

"he……"

Tang Nian's eyes lit up, and she slammed her hand on the table and stood up, extinguishing Ji Shuhe's drowsiness completely.

“Eastern suburbs of Yingzhou City”.

Lou Mu spoke calmly, though his hair was rather disheveled, as if it had been blown away by the wind.

Thank you!

Before Lou Mu could finish speaking, Tang Nian clasped her hands in thanks to Lou Mu, picked up her already packed luggage, and headed out of the house.

"Why don't you sleep here for a while?"

Tang Nian pointed to the soft couch next to Ji Shuhe, who was still dazed, and then hurriedly left the inn.

She was going to Yingzhou City.

Unfortunately, the entire city was under a restriction set up by Lou Mu, and teleportation could only be used after leaving the city gate.

Unfortunately, before Tang Nian could even step out of the city gate, she heard footsteps behind her.

This is truly rare in Nanyu City, which is almost deserted.

Tang Nian turned around and saw Jing Yao following behind Lou Mu, the two of them walking towards her.

"Huh, what's going on here?"

Tang Nian was puzzled. She was going to Yingzhou City, so why was Lou Mu taking Jing Yao with him?

Surely they can't all come with me to Yingzhou City, can they?

Although she had come to terms with her own feelings, she still didn't want Lou Mu to accommodate her.

They all have things to do.

"Go to Yingzhou City."

Lou Mu led Jing Yao past Tang Nian and answered calmly.

Seeing that Tang Nian was still standing there, Lou Mu urged her on.

"Don't linger here, hurry up and get going."

Tang Nianxin had some doubts, so she quickly followed.

What should we focus on?

"Lord Lou, you have important business to attend to here. What are you going to Yingzhou City with me for?"

Lou Mu glanced at Tang Nian, then turned away without saying a word, staring straight ahead.