The news spread like wildfire, and even before the emperor arrived, everyone in the Zichen Palace was already in shock.

Prince Yu, General Lan, and Pan Yuanzhou, in particular, subconsciously looked at Ye Qingxue.

Ye Qingxue's ears were ringing like thunder, and the words "missing without a trace" kept exploding in her mind, each sound tearing her heart apart.

The rain was still falling outside the palace, but everything in front of her was pitch black, as if someone had forcibly taken away the light from the world.

Dongbai called to her, but she didn't respond; he gently shook her shoulder, but she ignored him.

She suddenly remembered Xiao Bao.

Remembering that she had only recently learned how to bring Xiaobao back to life, she planned to tell Yunzhuo everything after this matter was resolved, and together they would welcome Xiaobao back.

Last time, Yun Zhuo rescued her from the emperor's bedchamber, took her home, cleaned the wounds on her face, and even tied her hair. He must have feelings for her, right?

So, if she takes the initiative to propose marriage and having children with him, he probably won't refuse, right?

But now, he has been swept away by a giant wave and disappeared without a trace! She didn't even have a chance to express her feelings to him.

She recalled her and Yun Zhuo's deaths in her previous life. Before their deaths, they had endured three years, and life seemed very resilient; but death happened in an instant, and life seemed very fragile.

In this life, Yun Zhuo also said that no one should be trusted except him!

She always believed that Yun Zhuo would return safely, and he had promised to return safely, but now?

Has Yun Zhuo broken his promise?

A metallic taste rose in Ye Qingxue's throat, which she swallowed forcefully.

Steadying herself, Ye Qingxue said in a hoarse voice, "Some people wish he were dead. After his accident, the guards didn't dare to search him properly, which is why he's been 'missing without a trace.' I'm going to find him myself!"

Without waiting for anyone to react, or for the emperor to receive the news and issue any orders, Ye Qingxue turned around and walked out, rushing into the rain.

The torrential rain instantly soaked her long hair and skirt, the ice-blue skirt fluttering in the wind and rain like blue fireworks, leaving a cold and stunning mark in the dark sky.

...It was as if heavenly soldiers had descended and the gates of hell had opened, yet nothing could stop her!

Before last night, the Marquis of Zhongyong's mansion was decorated with lanterns and streamers, and the servants secretly turned to the master of the second branch of the family.

Even after daybreak, the festive atmosphere at the Marquis of Zhongyong's residence had not yet dissipated, and various large red "double happiness" characters were still pasted everywhere. However, yesterday's bride, today's Princess Ding, had died, and all the members of the second branch of the family had been sentenced to death.

The message had already been delivered to the Marquis's residence overnight.

At this moment, everyone is on edge, silent as a cicada in winter, and the sound of wind and cranes is terrifying; even the grass and trees seem like enemy soldiers.

Especially when they saw Ye Qingxue return to the manor, the murderous aura emanating from her made it almost impossible for them to breathe.

Before Ye Qingxue could even speak, they had already knelt down spontaneously and earnestly pledged to obey Ye Qingxue's every command from now on.

Ye Qingxue's gaze lingered on them, her voice cold and devoid of emotion, her tone completely flat:

"Those who wish to remain in the Marquis's residence and continue working here, will come with me to the riverbank to search for Prince Jing's whereabouts. Whoever finds him first will be rewarded with ten thousand taels of silver."

Ah! Everyone was shocked; something had happened to Prince Jing!

But they dared not utter a sound of surprise, and hurriedly expressed their willingness.

Soon, the people of the Marquis's mansion set out to the riverbank to search for Yun Zhuo's whereabouts, some holding umbrellas and others wearing raincoats!

Unfortunately, the rain was heavy, and the rushing sound of the swollen river was terrifying.

Corpses—human and animal remains, along with numerous pieces of furniture and belongings—drifted onto the water from time to time, making the river extremely terrifying, and people dared not approach it easily.

Many villages downstream were submerged, leaving only broken tiles and beams floating on the water. Overnight, countless villages at the foot of the mountain were transformed into a vast expanse of water.

The villagers stood on the mountain with blank faces, watching the river rush down. Only the occasional low sobs of adults and the cries of infants could be heard.

Despite the harsh environment and dangerous river, Ye Qingxue did not force the servants or guards of the Marquis's mansion to risk their lives to find Yun Zhuo.

She was so engrossed in her search that she didn't even notice the heavy rain and the several times she fell and got hurt. She just kept searching inch by inch.

Fortunately, not long after, the soldiers sent by the emperor also came down to search, but from dawn to noon they found nothing.

Zhuang Xin, however, finally found Ye Qingxue amidst the dense crowd and the overwhelming rain.

He was covered in wounds, his clothes were tattered, and his long hair was disheveled and draped over his shoulders. He stumbled and staggered to Ye Qingxue's side.

Ye Qingxue's gaze faltered for a moment when she saw him.

Before Zhuang Xin could speak, his eyes were already red.

As for Ye Qingxue, she didn't cry, and she seemed not to feel any pain, but it was as if every inch of her skin was aching, to the point that she couldn't feel anything anymore.

"Were you there when His Highness had the accident?" Ye Qingxue asked first, her throat and heart aching, barely able to utter a sound.

"Yes, I was there at the time. His Highness led us to rescue many villagers. When the dike was breached, we had already retreated to the back mountain. At that time, His Highness was safe..."

With red eyes, Zhuang Xin told Ye Qingxue everything that had happened, down to the smallest detail.

"Before risking his life to save her, His Highness left me with a message, instructing me to enter the palace to protect the young lady, and he was certain that she was in danger in the palace. So I went to the palace early this morning, only to find out that the young lady had left."

Now that he saw that Ye Qingxue was able to leave the palace safely without encountering any danger, Zhuang Xin wondered if his prince had made a mistake in his judgment.

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