Su Juan stood up with a hurt face. She looked at Princess Jing and Song Qianhang with tears in her eyes, "Mother, please have your meal. I am tired today and want to go back to my room to rest first."

Having said that, she dragged the chair away and ran away, leaving behind a wounded back, without giving Princess Jing any chance to say a second word.

Song Qianhang was surprised. Could it be that she really changed her personality?

The next second, Su Juan's voice came from afar...

[Wow, my acting was so good that even I was almost moved.]

Song Qianhang: "......"

It would be weird if she could change.

[I guess he’s not catching up with me. I have to walk faster. I can’t let him catch up...]

Song Qianhang almost laughed out loud, but when he saw his mother's expression, he immediately stuffed two bites of food into his mouth and forced himself to hold back his laughter.

[Who wants to side with that heartless bastard Song Qianfan? He cheated on me just a few months after getting married. I am not adding insult to injury now. It is all out of respect for the official hat on my head! ]

Song Qianhang: Quite principled.

[You still expect me to sacrifice my career to help Song Qianfan? ]

Song Qianhang: That’s definitely not possible.

[I was thinking that it wasn't even daytime yet, so why was I daydreaming? How dare I, an outsider...?!]

Song Qianhang couldn't hold back and laughed out loud.

Princess Jing looked unhappy and glared at her youngest son, "He's your own brother, but he doesn't help me find a solution. He just drinks and has fun all day long. You really spoiled him!"

Song Qianhang admitted his mistake very quickly, "Mother, it is my son who is wrong. Don't worry, I will go see my elder brother now."

With that, he quickly stood up and ran away.

Princess Jing is really having a headache. Her youngest son is useless, her eldest son has caused trouble, and she also has a petty-minded daughter-in-law. It is really difficult to deal with.

...

It has been a long time since Master Su sent someone to investigate with half a piece of jade pendant pattern, but there is still no news.

Little did he know that the people he sent out had already been targeted.

When Duke Ping received the news, he remained calm. He only ordered people to follow secretly to see who was investigating the origin of the jade pendant. However, the other party was indeed cautious and he did not see anyone in contact after following for two days. So Duke Ping had to go into the palace alone to report the matter.

When the news was reported to the old emperor, his face changed, his pupils suddenly contracted, and his expression was slightly excited, "Is there really someone checking the pattern of the jade pendant?"

Duke Ping handed the copy to the old emperor and said, "It is absolutely true. I have arranged for someone to follow them secretly. I think we will be able to find out who is investigating in secret soon."

Maybe this time, there really is news about the princess.

He didn't say the latter sentence. Decades have passed, and things are unpredictable. News about the jade pendant does not necessarily mean news about the princess.

But there is some hope after all.

The old emperor's fingers were tightly gripping the handles of the chair, his eyes filled with excitement, but he was restraining himself. After decades, there was finally news!

That was his daughter with the queen, his only daughter!

After the old emperor calmed down, he slowly told Duke Ping, "Thank you, please investigate this matter secretly and don't tell the queen yet."

After decades, the Queen finally stopped worrying about the matter. He was afraid that the investigation would yield nothing and her hopes would be dashed again.

Duke Ping responded, "This old minister understands."

The Minister of the Central Secretariat had never expected that after decades, the princess' whereabouts would be known at this time. He looked at the pattern on the half jade pendant and asked curiously, "Why is there only half of this jade pendant?"

Duke Ping explained, "This jade pendant was carved by my late father. It was the dowry of the empress when she got engaged. Now the other half should be in your majesty's hands."

The old emperor nodded, "It is indeed in my hands."

The Minister of the Central Secretariat suggested, "Your Majesty, since someone is investigating the jade pendant, why not take out the other half of the jade pendant and lure the other party into the trap. If there is any news about the princess, it will be easier to verify it in time."

If a person has not been found for decades and there is a clue at this time, no matter it is true or false, it should be verified as quickly as possible. Otherwise, if something unexpected happens, it will be difficult to find the next few decades.

Duke Ping agreed, "Your Majesty, I second this motion."

The Minister of the Central Secretariat said: "I am willing to do my best to find the princess."

The old emperor then ordered the eunuch to fetch the jade pendant. He walked down with the jade pendant and personally handed it to the Duke of Ping. He held their hands tightly, his eyes reddened, and said, "Thank you for everything."

"Don't worry, Your Majesty. We will do our best to find the princess."

Coming out of the palace, Zhongshu Ling held the jade pendant in his hand and sighed, "It's not easy, it's been decades..."

"I thought you guys had given up a long time ago."

Duke Ping held onto the piece of paper with the pattern on it and said in a hoarse voice, "How can I give up?"

Not only is she the princess of the current dynasty and His Majesty's only blood relative, she is also the child of their Xie family, the biological daughter of his sister and his niece. For decades, their Xie family has never given up looking for that child.

"I'll have to trouble Lord Liu to help with this matter. This concerns the princess, so please be cautious."

Zhongshu Ling: "I understand."

Before figuring out the other party's purpose, it is not advisable to reveal the princess's identity, to avoid the other party from intentionally harming the princess. Therefore, the Xie family should not intervene in this matter. However, anyone who knows something about the princess's disappearance would easily associate the Xie family with the queen and the princess.

Therefore, it is most appropriate for the Liu family to do this.

...

The next day, Su Juan stretched lazily as she went to court. She saw Duke Ping from afar and waved at him, "Duke!"

Hearing this, Duke Ping turned to look at her with a smile on his face, "Why are you here so early today, Mr. Yuanwailang?"

Su Juan sighed, looked around, and lowered her voice, "It's all because of your Majesty. He has assigned me another difficult task. I can't stay in the palace for the next two days. I have to leave early to seek refuge."

[I’m afraid of being caught by Princess Jing. ]

The people around immediately pricked up their ears. After all, Song Qianfan's affair had been a big deal recently, and they were afraid of missing out on any gossip.

Duke Ping smiled and said, "I'm sorry to trouble you. If you have any difficulties, just tell me."

Su Juan narrowed her eyes and said, "Okay!"

[Why does it seem like Duke Ping is particularly happy today? Although he usually treats me like this, he is clearly in high spirits today. Could something good be happening? ]

Duke Ping stroked his beard and narrowed his eyes to smile. There is suddenly news about his niece who has been missing for decades. Shouldn’t he be happy?

For so many years, his sister has been vegetarian and chanting Buddhist scriptures for this matter. When she finds him, she will definitely be happy.

Colleagues around him also looked over curiously. Yes, Duke Ping really seemed to be in high spirits today!

Is there some happy event?

Su Juan blinked, thinking, and suddenly her eyes lit up, [I know! ]

Duke Ping's heart tightened, wondering if this girl had guessed it? The news about the princess couldn't be known to anyone!

At the same time, Zhongshu Ling's heart was about to jump out!

[Duke Ping must have found his second spring! 】

Everyone was surprised: there is a second spring!

Duke Ping: “???”

[Love nourishes people. Look at this happy face. It's a good thing! ]

The Minister of the Central Secretariat patted the Duke Ping on the shoulder: It is indeed a good thing!

Duke Ping: "......"