When Tian Yu woke up again in the dark room, it was already midnight. It was still pitch black all around, and she couldn't see anything. Tian Yu was cold and hungry; she hadn't eaten for two days, and the medication had left her weak and powerless. She twisted her body, trying to break free of the ropes, but after struggling for a long time, she couldn't untie them. Feeling around, she realized she was tied to the bedside. Seeing no other way, Tian Yu desperately shouted, hoping someone would hear her—anyone, just someone—but she shouted until her throat was hoarse, and there was no response. Tian Yu was in despair. Who had trapped her in this godforsaken place?!

As the sunlight slowly climbed up the window, Tian Yu tried her best to hold on, hoping someone would come in. The moment the sunlight shone into the room, Tian Yu could see the situation inside clearly. But the next second, a palace maid came in and, without waiting for Tian Yu to speak, forcibly poured a bowl of medicine into Tian Yu's mouth. Tian Yu looked at the girl in front of her, who was clearly thin and petite, and wondered why she had such great strength, and why she had such a cold and disgusted expression on her face.

"Wait!" Tian Yu shouted desperately as she saw that the person was about to leave again.

The woman stopped, and Tian Yu asked weakly, "Why are you locking me up?! What did you give me to drink?"

The woman snorted coldly and left. The sun had already risen, and Tian Yu looked up, trying to make out her surroundings, knowing she would soon fall into a deep sleep again. As she made out the room, Tian Yu also saw the words on the pillars and the curtains. Tian Yu's eyes widened in horror, as if something had returned to her body, but the next second her body went limp and she fell into a deep sleep. For once, she experienced a long and painful night.

The matter escalated, and everyone in the capital knew that the Princess Consort of the Prince of Zhenbei was missing. This Princess Consort was Tian Yu. Those who had been helped by Tian Yu searched frantically throughout the city, causing quite a stir in literary circles. When they first heard of Tian Yu's death, everyone was deeply saddened; now, hearing that she was alive again, they were overjoyed. The scholars of Wu Kingdom had a chance to shine once more. With the help of so many people, even the nearby post stations, towns, and counties were searched. Tian Yu's portrait was plastered all over the main streets, but there was still no trace of her. The only clue was that a carriage had passed by before Tian Yu disappeared. That carriage was now standing in front of the Prince's mansion. A guard reported that they had investigated; the carriage belonged to an outsider, the owner had vanished, and the driver was dead.

Everyone was in a terrible mood, especially Xu Ri, who stopped eating and drinking and spent his days asking everyone he met on the street if they had seen Tian Yu. Zhao Moyan's feelings were the most complicated. He didn't believe that Tian Yu had simply disappeared into thin air, but they just couldn't find her. They had mobilized everyone they knew, but there were no clues. The capital was out of the question, but where else could they go? Zhao Moyan pondered and looked into the distance. "Tian Yu, hold on, I will definitely get you out."

The third day was the same. Zhao Moyan was truly on the verge of collapse. They had searched all the temples, big and small, but still found no clues. At the same time, Tian Yu was also on the verge of a mental breakdown. When she woke up again, it was already midnight. This time, she didn't shout anymore because she knew that no one could hear her here. The backyard of the East Palace, where Tian Yu used to live, had never been visited since Wu Yaohui became emperor. Wu Yaohui had even ordered it to be sealed off and no one was allowed to enter. It had become a completely cold palace.

Tian Yu smiled bitterly as she recalled everything. The painful memories made her tremble uncontrollably, but the thought that Zhao Moyan and Tangyuan were still safe and sound brought a smile to her face. It seemed that everything she had done back then had been worthwhile; at least they were both safe and sound. By the moonlight streaming through the window, Tian Yu leaned against the bed, just like on countless sleepless nights before. But this time, she wasn't lost and helpless. Tian Yu softly sang a lullaby. This time, she wasn't afraid of being alone. She knew Zhao Moyan would find the mastermind and protect Tangyuan. As for herself, having already died once, she was already very happy to be back here!

The young eunuch who was supposed to be striking the night watchman refused to walk the first part of the corridor tonight, insisting on taking a companion with him. The two mustered their courage and approached the dark corridor. The soft sobbing grew clearer and clearer, and the two trembled with fear as they took each step forward, hoping to leave this place as soon as possible. Everyone said that the former empress died strangely, and that she had suffered greatly before her death. This was where she used to live, and there were always rumors in the palace that the former empress was not human. Now they heard that she had returned, but no one knew if it was true or not. Everyone was very afraid, afraid that there were ghosts!

The closer they got, the clearer the voices became. When one of the eunuchs finally understood what was being said, he collapsed to his knees. Yes! It was the Empress! That voice! That singing! That incomprehensible language—wasn't it the very language he'd heard every day when he was a gatekeeper?! No one else in the world could understand it; even if he heard it every day, he couldn't pronounce it. The eunuch was so frightened he collapsed to the ground. The other eunuch was equally terrified, dragging him away from the corridor. Back at their quarters, the first eunuch was still trembling. The other mocked, "I asked you to keep me company, and I didn't do anything, but you're the one who's scared out of your wits!"

"It's her! It's her!" the eunuch said, trembling.

"who!"

"The former empress! That Mr. Tian!"

"Wasn't she blown up a long time ago? Didn't you see it with your own eyes?!"

"It's her! That was her voice just now! I remember it!"

"You mean! The voice coming from the Eastern Palace was hers!?"

"Yes! Only she knows it! She sang that song before!"

After he finished speaking, another eunuch trembled, and both of them felt a chill run down their spines!

On the fourth day, Zhao Moyan continued his tireless search for Tian Yu, day and night. After finishing the morning court and handling official business, he hurriedly prepared to leave the palace, intending to expand the search area further today, as there were still several ruins outside the city that hadn't been searched. His mind raced, constantly thinking about where he might have missed. Reaching the corridor leading to the East Palace, Zhao Moyan stopped and looked in that direction. He had seen it once before, but the palace had ordered it sealed off, and he hadn't been there since. After a moment's thought, Zhao Moyan turned and left. He had only taken a few steps when a passing eunuch whispered behind him, "Have you heard? The East Palace was haunted last night!"

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!