The emperor, angered, ignored him and continued to review the memorials in his hands.
Upon seeing this, Xiao Mochen immediately became anxious and asked, "Father, what have you done to my aunt? She is my savior."
In his anxiety, Xiao Mochen didn't care about anything else and revealed the nickname he used for Yan Qingqing in private.
The emperor pondered the word "aunt" for a moment. It was a good thing it was an aunt. If Xiao Mochen secretly called Lady Mingzhao "mother," then his son would truly become Lady Mingzhao's.
The emperor finally put down his pen and said, "She is the Lady Mingzhao, whom I have personally appointed. I haven't even seen her yet, so what can I do to her?"
Xiao Mochen was taken aback upon hearing this, then frowned and said, "What? Aunt didn't come to Hanlong Palace?"
Upon hearing this, the emperor became furious. Xiao Mochen clearly didn't trust him, and he shouted, "You scoundrel, why would I lie to you!"
Xiao Mochen's expression immediately changed as he said, "When I entered the palace just now, I specifically asked the guards at the palace gate, and they said that my aunt had entered the palace about half an hour ago."
It was a eunuch from the inner palace who personally led her into the palace.
My aunt was entering the palace for the first time, so she certainly wouldn't be wandering around. Someone must have done this on purpose.
After Xiao Mochen finished speaking, the emperor's expression changed. He knew about the dark methods used in the harem.
If Yan Qingqing really falls into someone's trap, then...
Upon thinking of this, the emperor's expression changed, and he quickly instructed Eunuch Xiang, "Go, quickly send people to search for Lady Mingzhao. No corner of the palace can be overlooked. We must ensure Lady Mingzhao's safety."
Upon hearing this, Eunuch Xiang quickly agreed, and Xiao Mochen also walked out with a livid face.
After leaving Hanlong Hall, he gave a secret signal, and soon a young eunuch came over.
Xiao Mochen said directly, "Go to the palace gate and find out who led Lady Mingzhao into the palace today, and see whose people they are."
"You must find this person for me! I will not let him get away with harming my aunt!"
Upon hearing this, the young eunuch quickly agreed and went to the palace gate, fearing that if he arrived too late, the other eunuch would be silenced.
Meanwhile, on Yan Qingqing's side, after walking for a while, the area became increasingly remote, and Yan Qingqing refused to go any further.
The young eunuch said anxiously, "Lady Mingzhao, hurry up, we'll be there soon."
Yan Qingqing sneered and said, "Which palace are you from? I'm afraid the road you're leading isn't the road to Hanlong Palace."
When the young eunuch saw that Yan Qingqing had seen through him, he panicked a little, but still tried to remain calm and said, "What's wrong? Lady Mingzhao has never been to the palace, so don't talk nonsense."
Yan Qingqing sneered and replied, "Are you taking advantage of the fact that I've never been to the palace? I am, after all, a second-rank lady appointed by the Emperor. Aren't you afraid that if something happens to me, the Emperor will make you pay with your life?"
Upon hearing this, the young eunuch dropped his pretense and sneered, saying, "Since Lady Mingzhao is so ungrateful, then don't blame me for being impolite."
After saying that, he pulled a dagger from his sleeve and rushed towards Yan Qingqing.
As soon as he saw this, he quickly called out, "Madam, be careful!"
Although Yan Qingqing knew some martial arts, she dared not be careless.
He dodged the little eunuch's attack with a quick movement.
Fortunately, after a few rounds of fighting, Yan Qingqing realized that although the little eunuch's kung fu was not weak, her years of Taekwondo training had not been in vain.
The two were evenly matched, and with Yan Qingqing having learned some other martial arts from Mu Xi over the past two years, the little eunuch gradually lost ground.
Although Ruyi's kung fu skills weren't great, she had been training with Yan Qingqing for many years.
They could even help launch sneak attacks on the little eunuch from time to time.
In a two-against-one situation, the young eunuch gradually lost the battle.
Yan Qingqing wasn't in a hurry to punish him. They were fighting so loudly that no one noticed. Yan Qingqing didn't believe they hadn't been cleared out.
At this moment, Yan Qingqing was extremely grateful that she had never been lazy and had always persisted in practicing martial arts, otherwise she might have died here today.
When the young eunuch realized he was no match for Yan Qingqing, he tried to run away, but Yan Qingqing knocked him to the ground with a spinning kick.
Just then, Xiao Mochen arrived with his men.
Xiao Mochen was relieved to see that Yan Qingqing was unharmed. He then ordered his men to take down the eunuch and confiscate his dagger to prevent him from committing suicide.
Xiao Mochen looked at Yan Qingqing and said with self-reproach, "Aunt, Mochen is late."
Yan Qingqing smiled and said, "It's not too late. I just didn't expect that I would be targeted on my very first day in the palace."
Fortunately, my aunt hasn't been lazy all these years, otherwise, with this little eunuch's skills, dealing with an ordinary person wouldn't be a problem at all.
Upon hearing this, Xiao Mochen looked at the bound eunuch and said coldly, "Take him away for a thorough interrogation. You must find out who is behind this."
If he is silenced or commits suicide, I, the king, will hold you accountable!
The eunuchs and guards quickly agreed.
Afterwards, Ruyi helped Yan Qingqing tidy up her clothes and headdress, and then followed Xiao Mochen to Hanlong Palace.
Yan Qingqing came to the palace today to express her gratitude to the Emperor; she can't just go back like this.
Soon, Xiao Mochen brought Yan Qingqing to Hanlong Palace.
The emperor also heard about Yan Qingqing's experience in the palace, and his face darkened considerably.
Lady Mingzhao encountered such a thing on her first visit to the palace. Ultimately, it was caused by the lax system and poor management within the palace. It was a disgrace to the emperor as well.
Fortunately, Lady Mingzhao is quite capable; otherwise, if something had really happened, Xiao Mochen would probably have blamed his father, the emperor.
The emperor didn't want any more cracks to appear in the father-son relationship that had been painstakingly repaired.
Upon meeting the emperor, Yan Qingqing performed a grand salute according to custom and said, "Your subject, Li Yan, greets Your Majesty."
By the Emperor's great grace, not only was my wife granted the title of Second Rank Imperial Lady, but my daughter was also betrothed.
Such divine grace is too much for your humble servant to repay, even with the most humble efforts.
Therefore, I have come to the palace today specifically to express my gratitude.
Anyone can flatter and say nice things; these things come naturally and don't cost any money.
Yan Qingqing had just survived an assassination attempt in the palace, and now her attitude was so devout that the emperor's favor towards her was soaring.
So he said kindly, "Madam Mingzhao, there's no need for such a grand ceremony. Please rise."
As Yan Qingqing stood up, she said, "Thank you, Your Majesty."
Only after Yan Qingqing stood up did the emperor get a clear look at her face.
Wearing the official robes of a noblewoman, she exuded an air of dignity, while the velvet flower decorations on her head added a touch of liveliness.
Looking at Yan Qingqing's face, she had willow-leaf eyebrows, peach-blossom eyes, an almond-shaped forehead and rosy cheeks, and skin as smooth as cream and fragrance as delicate as orchids. Yet, she had no trace of vulgarity, but rather the dignified and noble air of a peony.
The emperor was secretly astonished. This Yan Qingqing was nothing like an old woman from the countryside. He probably couldn't find many women in his harem with such poise.
Xiao Mochen was displeased when he saw the emperor staring at Yan Qingqing.
His aunt is a widow, and if the Emperor stares at her like that, it will ruin her reputation.
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