Liu Yan accompanied Emperor Zhaoming for most of the day and did not leave until the palace gates were closed.
Zhijian and Zhimo waited outside the palace gates for a long time, anxious and eager to break into the palace to save people. Zhimo stopped Zhijian from acting impulsively and asked with a frown, "We are investigating Xue Xiaotang's matter, and no one should notice it, right?"
Zhijian was startled and said, "Are you worried that the man will know that we have found him and will harm the prince?"
Zhimo shook his head solemnly, "No... Even if the man wanted to harm the prince, he would not choose this time and this place."
"Yes, he will not let his reputation be damaged." Zhijian thought.
As they were talking, they saw a familiar tall figure slowly walking out of the palace gate. The two of them happily greeted him, looked Liu Yan up and down, and asked, "Is the prince okay?"
Liu Yan looked better, and he said lightly, "Nothing, I just sat with my brother, let's go back."
Zhimo subconsciously felt that something big must have happened, but the prince could not say it, and they could not ask.
Liu Yan slowly opened his eyes only after the carriage returned to the gate of Prince Ding's mansion.
Although he had closed his eyes all the way, he was not sleepy at all. Although Emperor Zhaoming asked him to rest in the palace today, he could not fall asleep at all. His body was extremely tired, but his nerves were tense, as if the slightest disturbance would make the string break.
Liu Yan was about to get up when he heard Zhimo's voice coming from outside.
"Guo Juli, what are you waiting for here?"
Zhimo had met Guo Juli several times because of Liu Yan's order. Guo Juli also knew that Zhimo was the confidant of Prince Ding. At this moment, Guo Juli's face was anxious. He grabbed Zhimo's sleeve, but his eyes were glancing at the carriage.
"Did my young lady come back with the prince?"
Zhimo was startled, subconsciously glanced at the car door, and immediately replied: "No."
The car door opened almost immediately. Liu Yan frowned slightly, looked at Guo Juli, and asked: "Is your young lady not back yet?"
The sun sets late in summer, but at this moment it is already dark. According to the usual situation, Mu Zhuohua should have returned home an hour ago.
Guo Juli's face was full of panic. He looked at Liu Yan for help and said: "The young lady didn't come back. I went to the Lifan Temple Yamen to ask. They said that the young lady left early in the morning. I went all the way back and couldn't find her anywhere! The young lady would also let me know when she came back late, but there was no news today!"
Although Mu Zhuohua and Liu Yan have been estranged recently, Guo Juli held a glimmer of hope. Maybe the two have reconciled, and the young lady came back with the prince's carriage?
Liu Yan's heart sank instantly. The smiling face of Emperor Zhaoming flashed through his mind, and the four words "hurt others and hurt yourself" seemed to pierce his chest like a sharp blade.
Liu Yan said in a cold voice: "Zhijian, mobilize the Purple Guards to search for her. Zhimo, come back to the palace with me." He looked at Guo Juli and said, "You go home and wait. If she comes back by herself, go to the palace and tell her."
Zhijian was shocked. The Purple Guards were Liu Yan's personal guards, and each of them had outstanding martial arts skills. Liu Yan would not easily let these people take action, especially in Dingjing. He was already feared by others, and he was even more reluctant to show off his actions, but at this moment, in order to find someone...
Zhimo did not think as much as Zhijian. He immediately took the order, got back on the carriage, and turned the carriage towards the direction of the palace.
The Lifan Temple Yamen was closed, but when Liu Yan arrived, the guards immediately opened the door to greet him. Liu Yan checked the palace leaving record, which clearly recorded the time when Mu Zhuohua left, which was indeed no different from usual.
Liu Yan asked the person on duty: "Did you register when she left?"
The man replied respectfully: "Your Highness, it was me."
"Is there anything unusual?"
The man frowned and thought about it, his eyes lit up, and he hurriedly said: "It seems that someone called Lord Mu, and the two said a few words at the door."
"Who was it?"
"I didn't look carefully, but from the voice, it was a young woman. From the back and the clothes... it seemed to be someone from the palace."
Liu Yan's heart moved, and he asked: "Which direction did the two go later?"
"Please forgive me, Your Highness, there were many people at the time, and I didn't pay much attention..."
Liu Yan knew that this was the limit of asking, so he didn't embarrass the man anymore, and turned around and told Zhimo to drive to the palace.
When the person on duty at the palace gate saw Liu Yan coming, he immediately saluted respectfully, obediently retrieved the palace gate records, and then reported to Liu Yan: "Your Highness, there is no record of Lord Mu entering the palace at the palace gate."
Liu Yan subconsciously clenched his fists, his brows frowned tighter and tighter, and his heart was chilled.
Since Mu Zhuohua was taken away by someone in the palace, where else would she be taken except the palace?
Just at this moment, Zhijian came to report quickly, with a very ugly face and said: "Your Highness, I asked the Purple Guards to follow the clues of the Lifan Temple and found that... it was the maid of the princess's mansion who took Mu Zhuohua away."
"Princess Roujia..." Liu Yan's eyes suddenly moved, and he turned to Zhimo and said, "Let's go."
Zhimo's forehead jumped, and he lowered his voice and said: "Your Highness... Could it be that Princess Roujia really ordered that thing?"
Could Xue Xiaotang be Princess Roujia's man?
Liu Yan had worked with Xue Xiaotang for a period of time, and his biggest impression of that man was bravery and stupidity. Xue Xiaotang fought on the battlefield and was extremely brave, but he killed the enemy and made meritorious deeds, and the only thing he wanted was to marry Princess Roujia. He could go through fire and water for Princess Roujia, so betraying Liu Yan and betraying the State of Chen was not a big deal, but what motive did Princess Roujia have to do this?
Zhijian's face changed. He had a good impression of Princess Roujia. After all, the princess was kind and benevolent, and everyone in the world knew it. But on second thought, Emperor Zhaoming was also a benevolent monarch praised by the world. Didn't he kill countless people in private?
There were no good people in the palace, and only the prince could make them trust him. As soon
as Liu Yan's carriage arrived outside the princess's mansion, the guards at the door saw the sign of Prince Ding's mansion and immediately came to greet him.
"Greetings, Your Majesty!"
Liu Yan got off the carriage, his eyes swept across the people in front of him, and his momentum was intimidating.
"Is Mu Zhuohua in the princess's mansion?"
The two guards looked at each other, then replied, "Your Highness, Lord Mu did come here, but he left more than an hour ago."
"Which direction did you go?" Liu Yan asked.
The guard pointed to the direction Liu Yan came from and said, "Go in that direction."
Liu Yan said to Zhijian, "You lead the people to track down, and Zhimo will follow me into the mansion."
It was already late at this time, and ordinary people had long stopped seeing guests. Hearing that Prince Ding was coming, Princess Roujia was a little surprised. She quickly changed her clothes and came out to greet him.
"Hello, uncle." Princess Roujia knelt down and saluted.
Liu Yan's expression was not as gentle as usual. His face was pale and indifferent. He waved his wide sleeves and said in a cold voice: "No need for formalities."
Princess Roujia stood up nervously and asked in confusion: "Uncle, why do you come so late? Is there something important?"
Liu Yan's scrutinizing eyes fell on Princess Roujia's quiet and soft face. After a moment, he said: "I heard that Mu Zhuohua is missing, so I traced her here."
Princess Roujia was shocked: "When did she disappear? She just left me an hour ago."
Liu Yan did not answer but asked: "I would like to ask, why did the princess summon her?"
Princess Roujia's long eyelashes trembled slightly, she lowered her eyes, smiled bitterly and said: "Today is the anniversary of General Xue's death... So I asked Zhuohua to go to the general's mansion together, packed up the general's belongings and burned them for worship."
Liu Yan's expression eased a little when he heard this, but he still had some doubts about Princess Roujia in his heart. "If that's the case, why didn't Mu Zhuohua send someone home to inform them?"
"It was still early at that time. It was not yet dark when Zhuohua left, so she didn't report to her family." Princess Roujia said, her face panicked, "Could it be that she hasn't returned home yet, but something happened on the way? I wanted to send a carriage to take her back, but she refused."
Liu Yan's deep pupils reflected Princess Roujia's seemingly sincere concern and self-blame, and he couldn't tell whether it was true or false.
"The princess and General Xue are really in love." Liu Yan said slowly.
Princess Roujia lowered her head under Liu Yan's scrutiny, with a bitter smile on her lips: "I just respect him as a person. The marriage of children has always been decided by the elders. The marriage of the royal family is even more of a matter of interest. How can there be love? I thought the emperor's uncle understood."
Liu Yan couldn't completely believe Princess Roujia, but what was more important at this time was Mu Zhuohua's whereabouts and safety. He glanced at Princess Roujia and strode out of the princess's mansion.
Princess Roujia looked at Liu Yan's back with worry. Man'er walked to her side and heard Princess Roujia say, "Man'er, send someone out to look for Zhuohua quickly. Don't let anything happen to her..."
Night fell over Dingjing City. Two hounds were running wildly in the alleys, followed by several purple-robed swordsmen. These two hounds were borrowed by Zhijian from the military. The hounds had a very keen nose. After learning that Mu Zhuohua left the princess's mansion on foot, Zhijian found these two hounds and let them smell Mu Zhuohua's clothes and search for Mu Zhuohua's breath along the way.
The crowd chased the two hounds farther and farther into the remote alleys. Later, when they reached a place where the carriage could not pass, Liu Yan abandoned the carriage and walked, and Zhimo followed him to protect him.
The hounds entered the dilapidated area of West City. The residents here were mixed and all poor. Mu Zhuohua should not come to such a place at this time. Liu Yan frowned and clenched his right fist unconsciously.
Suddenly, Zhi Mo said, "Your Highness, there is a smell of blood!"
The barking of the hounds suddenly became sharp. Liu Yan was startled and quickened his pace. He saw two hounds standing outside the narrow alley. They wailed a few times, fell to the ground and twitched, foaming at the mouth, and it was obvious that they were dying.
Liu Yan called out softly, "Mu Zhuohua!"
The narrow alley was dark and there was no movement, but as soon as Liu Yan's voice fell, he heard a very low groan from inside.
"Your Highness, don't come over..."
Liu Yan's heart skipped a beat. Seeing the death of the two hounds, he could only stand outside the narrow alley and dared not enter. His eyes were fixed straight ahead. Slow footsteps sounded in the darkness, and the breathing sound gradually became clearer. Liu Yan squinted his eyes and saw a petite silhouette in front of him trembling and approaching him. She walked out of the darkness, and the moonlight gradually spread over her face, illuminating her somewhat pale face.
Mu Zhuohua walked in front of Liu Yan, showing a faint smile, and then fell forward and fell into Liu Yan's arms. The reassuring breath instantly enveloped her entire consciousness, relaxing all her tense nerves.
Liu Yan picked up Mu Zhuohua horizontally, and she nestled in his arms obediently at this moment, which made his heart, which had been hanging for a long time, finally fall to the ground, and he breathed a sigh of relief almost inaudibly.
Liu Yan carried Mu Zhuohua back to the carriage, placed her on the soft mattress, and took out a silk handkerchief to gently wipe the dust off her face. He had just taken her pulse and confirmed that she was not injured, and he felt much more relieved. He was just frightened, and ran a short distance, so he was tired and hungry.
At this moment, Mu Zhuohua curled up beside him, unconsciously clutching the corner of his clothes in her sleep. This look of complete dependence made Liu Yan unconsciously smile a little, but this smile was quickly covered by another layer of worry.
Who wants to hurt her?
It shouldn't be Princess Roujia. If it was her, it would be too much to arouse suspicion.
Could it really be His Majesty...
He was looking for someone in such a high-profile manner. Was he trying to save her or to harm her?
When Mu Zhuohua woke up, she found herself lying on her bed. There was a bowl of hot porridge on the table not far away. The aroma aroused her appetite and made a "gurgling" sound.
Mu Zhuohua immediately turned over and got up, ran to the bowl of hot porridge, and ate it while blowing it, not caring about the heat.
As soon as Guo Juli came in, he saw Mu Zhuohua wolfing down her food. He breathed a sigh of relief, then took another breath and choked up, "Miss, you scared me to death!"
Mu Zhuohua said while holding her porridge, "I'm fine, don't cry!"
Guo Juli's eyes were red, and he came forward sobbing, "I heard from the prince that you went to the princess's mansion and were attacked on the way back, is that right?"
When Mu Zhuohua heard the word "prince", her eyelids twitched, and she hummed and asked, "The prince sent me back, right?"
Guo Juli nodded, "The prince carried you up here, I gave you a bath and changed your clothes, you were sleeping like a dead person, you didn't even know the water was hot."
Mu Zhuohua sighed: "My calves are shaking now. I have been chased for an hour and I have thrown away all the poisons on me."
Mu Zhuohua has a strong sense of crisis. She feels unsafe if she does not bring seven or eight kinds of poisons with her. Thanks to her caution, the people who chased her today were fooled and let her slip away.
Guo Juli said: "The prince said that if you wake up, go to the next door to see him and report."
Mu Zhuohua's eyes flickered and she ate the porridge slowly. Guo Juli saw through her thoughts at a glance and frowned and said: "Miss, are you stalling for time? Don't say that the prince saved you, you should go and say thank you. Even for your own sake, you should find a way to find the person who wants to harm you!"
Mu Zhuohua touched Guo Juli's head with relief: "This little head has finally become smart."
Mu Zhuohua rested for a while after eating, and then came to see Liu Yan with shaking legs.
Zhimo let Mu Zhuohua into the house and closed the door casually. Liu Yan sat behind the table, his cheek supported by his right hand, his eyes closed, a large shadow cast under his long eyelashes. He seemed very tired, and even someone entering the room could not wake him up.
Mu Zhuohua stood for a moment nervously, hesitating whether to go forward. Her eyes hesitated and she saw the flowerpot on the windowsill. The flowering period of the peony has long passed, and now there are only bare roots. The owner does not mind that it is ugly, and just puts it by the window.
Mu Zhuohua's mood suddenly became heavy for some reason. She thought about it and decided not to disturb Liu Yan's sweet dream, so she turned around and was about to leave.
"Come here."
Liu Yan's hoarse and low voice with strong tiredness suddenly came from behind.
Mu Zhuohua paused, turned around awkwardly and looked at Liu Yan. Liu Yan woke up at some point, his chin supported by the back of his right hand, and a pair of deep and dark eyes were staring at her closely.
Mu Zhuohua forced a smile, took two steps forward, bowed, and said sincerely: "Thank you, Your Majesty, for saving my life."
Liu Yan ignored her hypocrisy and asked directly: "What do the people who attacked you look like? Did anyone recognize who they are?"
Mu Zhuohua froze, and then replied: "Your Majesty, they were three men, one head taller than me, with their faces covered so I couldn't see their faces clearly. Their martial arts skills were average, but they were very strong, with thick fingers and obvious rope marks on their palms. Therefore, I guessed that these three people should be people working at the dock."
"Did they hurt you?" Liu Yan asked.
"It was just a minor injury. When they were following me, I noticed it, so I made preparations and scattered house arrest powder. Two of them were hit, and one dodged. I fled and scattered poison all the way to ambush, and didn't let them succeed." Mu Zhuohua answered honestly.
Liu Yan said: "Where were you injured?"
Mu Zhuohua lowered his head shyly: "It was just a minor injury..."
"Where were you injured?" Liu Yan asked again with a heavier tone.
Mu Zhuohua twisted her sleeves and whispered, "My lower back was hit."
Speaking of the lower back, she couldn't help but think of the day in the tent when Liu Yan pressed on her. She said her lower back hurt, so he reached out and pressed it, rubbing it gently...
Liu Yan looked at Mu Zhuohua's face, which had inexplicably turned red, thinking that she had been humiliated, and his heart suddenly became heavy and angry.
Mu Zhuohua was still mumbling in a low voice: "Let Juli rub the medicinal wine for me..."
"Come here!" Liu Yan's voice contained a little anger, which made Mu Zhuohua tremble violently, his knees softened, and the whole person knelt on the ground with a "bang".
Liu Yan was actually startled by her action. He looked at Mu Zhuohua who was kneeling in front of him in confusion. He was silent for a while before saying, "Why do you have to perform such a great ceremony..."
Mu Zhuohua's eyes were moist, and she was ashamed and angry: "I have been chased for a long time... My legs were weak, and the prince was fierce..."
Liu Yan sighed softly, walked to Mu Zhuohua, bent his knees and half-knelt, looking at her at eye level.
"Am I fierce?" Liu Yan asked softly.
Mu Zhuohua looked at Liu Yan who was so close, swallowed her saliva involuntarily, shrank her neck back, hesitated for a moment, and nodded.
"The prince is angry."
Liu Yan wanted to sigh again, but this time he held back. In front of her, his emotions were always too exposed.
"I am just worried..." Liu Yan hesitated to speak, suddenly stretched out his hand, and hugged Mu Zhuohua sideways.
Mu Zhuohua was startled and subconsciously hugged Liu Yan's neck to maintain her balance. Her head hit his shoulder. A scent of Galao surrounded her. Looking at Liu Yan walking towards the couch, her breath was choked and she said in a trembling voice: "What are you doing, Your Majesty?"
Liu Yan gently placed Mu Zhuohua on the couch, glanced at her and said, "Do you want to continue kneeling?"
Mu Zhuohua sat on the couch and looked up at Liu Yan timidly: "Thank you, Your Majesty..."
Liu Yan smiled faintly, looking at her like a cat, pitiful and cute, and couldn't help raising his hand to rub her hair.
"Your Highness..." Mu Zhuohua glanced at Liu Yan's palm inadvertently and spoke carefully, "Your hand is injured." There
were several wounds on Liu Yan's right palm. Mu Zhuohua saw at a glance that they were caused by nail marks digging into the flesh. What kind of mood must one be in to dig one's nails into the flesh...
"This wound has not been treated. It's hot today, and I'm afraid it will itch and ulcerate." Mu Zhuohua glanced at Liu Yan very quickly and whispered, "Let me apply medicine to Your Highness."
Liu Yan was silent for a moment before saying, "Okay."
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