Chapter 340 Xie Yao is missing
In front of the Zhao family's gate, Xie Yao dismounted, handed the reins to the servant, and walked quickly into the yard.
When the Zhao family heard the news, they hurried forward, each with red eyes.
When Zhao Hao saw her, he knelt down immediately, "Cousin..."
Xie Yao's eyes also turned red. "What's going on? Hasn't grandma always been in good health? How come..."
Why is it so sudden?
She also arranged for someone to stay by her grandmother's side to take care of her health and protect her.
"My grandmother didn't allow me to tell you." Zhao Hao's voice choked with sobs. "I, I just found out about it too. It's all my fault that I didn't even notice such a thing."
He knelt down naturally because he blamed himself.
Xie Yao knew that it was not Zhao Hao’s fault.
Zhao Hao has been following Cheng Fengqi around lately, running around and has rarely been home.
She signaled the servants to pull Zhao Hao up, and suppressed the sadness in her heart, "I'm going to go see my grandmother."
Madam Zhao's room was crowded with people, but when they saw Xie Yao coming, they all made way for her.
Madam Zhao’s face was pale, her breath was weak, her eyes were cloudy and dull, and she was still mumbling, “Jiaojiao… Jiaojiao…”
Xie Yao's eyes turned red after just one look.
Aunt Zhao was crying beside him and whispered, "Jiaojiao... is my little sister's nickname."
Xie Yao knelt on one knee, held the old lady's hand, and tried to smile, "Yes, Jiaojiao is here."
Hearing Xie Yao's words, the eyes of the Zhao family members turned red and they all looked away.
But it works very well for Old Madam Zhao.
Madam Zhao became much more energetic at once, holding Xie Yao's hand unwillingly, "Jiaojiao... Jiaojiao... then Xie Cheng... he, he is not good enough... you have to listen to your mother... don't, don't marry..."
Mrs. Zhao's voice was intermittent.
"Okay." Xie Yao agreed immediately, "No, I won't marry. I will listen to you. I won't marry."
Mrs. Zhao smiled, "Okay, okay..."
Xie Yao's hand was held by Madam Zhao. She could clearly feel that Madam Zhao's hand was gradually losing strength... The originally warm hand was gradually losing temperature...
"Yao, Yaoyao." At this moment, Mrs. Zhao's originally cloudy eyes became clear. She looked at Xie Yao with tears in her eyes, "Yaoyao, very good, very good..."
"Grandma!" Xie Yao could no longer hold back her tears, which rolled down her cheeks.
The old lady's hand slowly raised up and touched Xie Yao's cheek... and then suddenly dropped down...
"I, seem to see Jiaojiao..."
"Jiaojiao is here to pick me up..."
The old lady's hand then dropped heavily, and there was no sound anymore.
The next moment, cries broke out everywhere, and everyone in the room cried out loud...
Xie Yao stayed where she was. She couldn't cry out loud at this moment, only tears kept falling from her eyes.
So many times...
She thought it was just a fuss, and as long as the doctor was attentive, her grandmother would be able to recover...
"Doctor, doctor!" Xie Yao suddenly turned around and looked at the doctor she had arranged, "Quick, quick, check on my grandmother!"
The doctor knelt on the ground with an embarrassed look on his face, not daring to speak.
He was originally appointed by the Crown Princess, and he should report directly to the Crown Princess if the old lady's health condition was not good.
But... the old lady used both soft and hard tactics, and he really had no choice.
"Yaoyao." Aunt Zhao came forward and hugged Xie Yao while crying, "This matter... was your grandmother's idea. If you want to blame someone, just blame us."
Obviously, they all helped conceal the old lady's true condition.
Aunt Zhao's words calmed Xie Yao down a little.
She knew that Madam Zhao concealed her illness because she didn't want her to worry. And it wasn't just her, but also Brother Hao and Sister Ying...
Even though she knew it, she couldn't suppress the sadness in her heart.
When Xiao Ji arrived at the Zhao family, the mourning hall had already been set up.
Seeing this, Xiao Ji knew that the situation was serious, and rushed to Xie Yao's side immediately. He held Xie Yao's hand, and her hand was chilling to the bone.
Even my body was shaking slightly because of sadness.
"Yaoyao." Xiao Ji supported Xie Yao's back with his other hand, thereby transferring the warmth of his palm to Xie Yao.
Xie Yao was standing at the side of the mourning hall in a daze, like a wooden stake.
At this moment, when I sensed Xiao Ji's warmth and breath, it was as if I had finally found the connection with this world.
The tears that had long dried up in her eyes rolled down again...
The eyes are red and swollen, and the tip of the nose is also red.
Xie Yao buried her head in Xiao Ji's shoulder, her body shaking with crying.
There was wailing all over the Zhao family.
Xiao Ji arrived in person, which was already a great honor for Madam Zhao. Now he has the responsibility of regent and is very busy with government affairs.
By the afternoon, three waves of people had arrived at the Zhao family's house.
Xiao Ji had no choice but to go back and deal with things first. After all, war reports came from the North today.
That night, Xie Yao did not return to the palace, but stayed at Zhao's house to keep vigil.
In late autumn and early winter, the nights are already very cold.
Zhu Qing took a thick fox fur coat and put it on Xie Yao. Her voice was also a little hoarse, "Crown Princess, I know you are sad, but you also need to take care of yourself."
"Even if it's not for yourself, you should think about the young master. If the old lady is still alive, she would definitely not want you to get hurt."
Just as Zhu Qing finished speaking, Zhao Hao, who was kneeling on the ground, spoke up, "Cousin, Sister Zhu Qing is right, you should take care of yourself."
Zhao Hao still cares about Xie Yao, but he himself bears more, as he is the eldest grandson and the only grandson.
After the mourning hall was set up, Zhao Hao knelt there.
At this moment, the voice of the person trying to comfort Xie Yao was hoarse, his eyes were red and swollen, and he looked embarrassed and haggard.
"Brother Hao." Xie Yao looked at Zhao Hao and said, "Grandmother's body will be kept for three days. Let me stay here with her today."
"You go back and rest first, you will accompany me for the next two days..."
"Cousin." Zhao Hao's voice was hoarse but firm. "I won't leave. I've been going home every day these days, but I didn't know that my grandmother's condition had become so serious..."
"Just let me kneel down and let me show my last bit of filial piety." Zhao Hao's voice was hoarse and choked, full of self-blame.
Having said this, Xie Yao naturally couldn't bear to say anything more.
Zhao Hao spoke again, "Cousin, go and have a rest first. You can come back to accompany grandma tomorrow, okay?"
He had been busy with official duties these days, so he naturally knew that Xie Yao was exhausted because of something.
My cousin is the one who really needs a rest.
Xie Yao originally didn't want to go to rest, but the Zhao family members came to persuade her, and Xie Yao didn't eat anything at night.
She couldn't resist and had to go back to her yard to rest.
Lights were on in the yard and charcoal was burning in the house. Xie Yao had just sat down when the voice of a maid was heard outside the door.
"Princess Consort, Madam has asked me to send you some tranquilizing soup."
"Madam said that the Crown Princess was exhausted and grief-stricken today. I'm afraid she will have trouble sleeping. She needs to drink the tranquilizing soup to rest."
"There's still a lot to do tomorrow."
Xie Yao nodded to show her understanding.
After all, my grandmother just passed away today. Although many people came to pay their respects, things were rushed and more people will come tomorrow.
"good."
Xie Yao nodded, took the calming soup from the maid, and drank it in small sips.
She was really tired today. After washing up, she quickly felt sleepy and fell asleep in her clothes...
When Xie Yao regained consciousness...she felt as if the whole world was shaking.
The overwhelming stench almost overwhelmed her, and she also heard a "rolling" sound that was probably the sound of wheels rolling.
Xie Yao was completely stunned...
Where...is this place?
She couldn't move at all, her whole body was sore and weak, and even her consciousness seemed extremely weak...
Was she... kidnapped?
…
The next day, Zhao family.
Xie Yao did not return to the palace last night. Although Xiao Ji could understand that, he was still very worried and concerned about Xie Yao.
Early in the morning, he asked Si Nan to send a lot of things to the Zhao family in his name.
As for himself, he had to attend the morning court first. He had already put other things like meeting with ministers on hold and wanted to meet Xie Yao first.
After the morning court session, Xiao Ji didn't even have breakfast and hurried out of the palace.
Li Dajian followed happily and sighed with a smile, "His Royal Highness the Crown Prince really cares about the Crown Princess."
Xiao Ji hummed and said nothing more.
Looking at the carriage that had been prepared, he suddenly said, "Let's ride."
Faster.
He just really wants to meet the Crown Princess now!
Li Dajian was stunned for a moment, then immediately ordered the palace servants to bring the horses. Xiao Ji didn't say anything more and rode his horse straight to the Zhao family.
Xiao Ji came too early, even the Zhao family members didn't expect it.
Zhao Hao hadn't slept all night, and his eyes were still red and swollen. He quickly pulled himself together and came forward, "Your Highness, you are here."
Xiao Ji walked in, "Where's the Crown Princess?"
Zhao Hao hurriedly walked in front, leading Xiao Ji inside and said, "My cousin went back to the yard to rest last night. She should still be resting at this hour."
"Brother Si Nan also came this morning, but he didn't disturb my cousin because he heard she was still resting."
As Zhao Hao was speaking, he arrived at Xie Yao's yard and was stunned.
The door to the main house was wide open and the yard was empty.
Without waiting for Zhao Hao to react, Xiao Ji took a step faster and stepped into the house first.
After seeing the situation inside the house clearly, Xiao Ji's expression immediately became very ugly, "Someone come!"
Zhao Hao hurried in and saw Zhu Qing and Lin Xia lying on the carpet, but the bed was empty.
this……
Zhao Hao just felt his head was dizzy.
Where is my cousin?
This is the Zhao family, and with the passing of my grandmother, it is impossible for my cousin to do anything without permission, let alone leave Zhu Qing and Lin Xia alone...
The only possibility is...
Something happened to my cousin?
Zhao Hao was still confused when Xiao Ji ordered in a stern voice, "The Crown Princess is missing. Send an order immediately and have everyone look for her!"
"Seal off the city gates and search every house to find the Crown Princess!"
Si Nan and Li Da Jian were also confused when they saw the situation, and hurried out to make arrangements.
Xiao Ji's eyes fell on Zhu Qing and Lin Xia, "Wake them up."
As Xie Yao's personal maids, the two of them must have been the last people to see Xie Yao yesterday, so naturally they had to wake her up and ask for clues.
As soon as Zhu Qing and Lin Xia woke up, they keenly realized that something was wrong.
"Crown Princess..." Zhu Qing just spoke, and saw Xiao Ji standing aside with a gloomy face, "Your Highness the Crown Prince..."
Zhu Qing and Lin Xia knelt down without saying a word.
When they heard that Xie Yao was missing, their expressions became very ugly.
The two immediately suppressed their fear and anxiety and began to think about the incident.
Soon, Zhu Qing said, "After returning to the residence yesterday, a maid said that she was following Madam Zhao's instructions to send a tranquilizing soup. The Crown Princess drank it for a short while and then went to bed..."
Zhu Qing told the story slowly and leisurely.
Lin Xia also said, "We must have been tricked, otherwise... I shouldn't have slept so deeply."
Xiao Ji knew.
Zhu Qing and Lin Xia have been serving Xie Yao for such a long time, and they are people Xie Yao trusts very much.
Zhu Qing and Lin Xia looked at each other and said at the same time: "Your Highness, I failed in my duty and am willing to accept any punishment."
"But please allow us to find the Crown Princess first, Your Highness, and punish us after we find her."
"Okay." Xiao Ji agreed without hesitation.
Firstly, these two people were Xie Yao's men, so he would not punish them without Xie Yao's knowledge. Secondly, although he was very angry and worried, he knew that the person behind the incident should be blamed.
Having said this, Xiao Ji finally regained some of his sanity.
He looked at Zhao Hao who was still standing there in a daze, and said, "I have already sent someone to look for the Crown Princess. Everything in the Zhao family remains the same as before."
"My grandmother has passed away. Yaoyao doesn't want to delay her burial because of her affairs."
Zhao Hao finally came back to his senses and said quickly, "Your Highness, searching for my cousin is more important..."
"Everything depends on me." Xiao Ji's words left no room for doubt. "Go and do it."
Zhao Hao had not slept all night, and after hearing about Xie Yao, his brain was almost non-functioning. When he heard Xiao Ji's words, he reacted a little slowly and said "oh" before turning around and walking out.
Soon, all the Zhao family members knew about Xie Yao's disappearance.
Everyone in the Zhao family was extremely worried and panicked. They didn't expect such a thing to happen on such a day!
All expenses in Xie Yao's room were carefully checked under Xiao Ji's instructions, and it was finally discovered that there was nothing wrong with the tranquilizing soup, which was indeed Mrs. Zhao's instructions and arrangements.
The problem is the charcoal.
As the charcoal fire burned, a colorless and odorless incense spread. Because the charcoal fire had been burning all night, Zhu Qing and Lin Xia did not notice the noise of someone taking the unconscious Xie Yao away.
Apart from that, there were no problems with the Zhao family's servants.
After interrogating everyone, Li Dajian reported, "Your Highness, yesterday, Madam Zhao passed away, and dozens of people came with their servants to pay their respects. In addition, there were Taoist priests performing rituals and opera troupes performing operas... There were too many people coming in and out of the Zhao family..."
It's really difficult to find clues among so many people.
The more Xiao Ji listened, the uglier his expression became. He gritted his teeth and squeezed out a word: "Find it!"
"Yes!" Xiao Ji was furious. Li Dajian didn't dare to say anything more. He immediately agreed tremblingly and turned around to make arrangements.
Xiao Ji thought of something and immediately stood up and walked out...
…
After Xie Yao regained consciousness for a moment, she was knocked unconscious again...
When she regained consciousness and hadn't figured out the current situation, she heard a familiar voice, "Awake?"
This sound...
Xie Yao suddenly raised her eyes, "It's you?!"
It was only at this moment that she confirmed her surroundings. She was lying on a bed in a small room.
The room was dark, with only a tiny lattice window facing the small bed.
This house must have been uninhabited for a long time. She could even smell mold and, of course, the stench that seemed to stick to her skin!
The person standing beside her bed had his back to the window, so his face couldn't be seen clearly.
But just by looking at the figure and the voice just now, Xie Yao was able to confirm this person's identity.
"Song, Wen, Bo."
Xie Yao called out the name of the person in front of her word by word, "Where is this? What do you want to do with me?"
Song Wenbo bent down slightly and reached out to lift Xie Yao's chin. Xie Yao wanted to resist, but she was powerless and could only let Song Wenbo do what he wanted.
Song Wenbo chuckled and made a vague sound, his voice a little shrill, "We are husband and wife after all, why are you calling me so awkwardly?"
"As expected, when someone new comes, the old is forgotten. Song Wenbo shook his head and said, "You said... you and I were husband and wife... did your highness know about this?"
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