Gan Qiongying sent people to search almost every place where Li Hua might appear. She waited in the mansion until almost midnight, but Li Hua still did not appear.
Li Hua often came home very late, but Gan Qiongying almost never asked what he did every day. Gan Qiongying didn't understand business matters, and Li Hua never lingered outside once he finished his business.
Today wasn't the latest Li Hua had ever returned, but it was the most agonizing night for Gan Qiongying as she waited for him.
Gan Qiongying had already notified those who were to leave in batches. Everyone was waiting in the manor outside the city. As soon as Gan Qiongying gave the order, they would split into five groups, disguise themselves, and head in different directions to provide cover for Gan Qiongying's team.
Because the incident happened so suddenly, Gan Lin needed some time to deal with things at the palace. Gan Qiongying couldn't sit still in the mansion any longer. She walked back and forth between the inner and outer rooms two or three times, feeling extremely anxious. But in the end, she couldn't wait any longer.
He walked to the middle of the ground, closed his eyes, and called out, "Where is Shadow One?"
Shadow One quickly appeared in front of Gan Qiongying and knelt at her feet to obey her orders.
Gan Qiongying's heart clenched painfully. There were two most likely explanations for Li Hua's continued absence.
One possibility is that Li Hua has left the city at this moment. After all, Li Hua's business is spread all over the world. Not only in Yindu, but also in many towns around Yindu, Li Hua has businesses. Li Hua's delayed return is because he has gone to inspect those businesses.
This possibility is extremely small. It's impossible for Li Hua to leave the city without informing Gan Qiongying in advance, especially since the two of them had already agreed to escape together on the eve of the Lunar New Year. Even if Li Hua was clearing out his assets, he would never leave Yindu without saying goodbye to Gan Qiongying.
Then there can only be the second possibility... that is, Li Hua was found by Zhongli Zhengzhen, or was controlled by Zhongli Zhengzhen.
The thought of Li Hua possibly being in danger made Gan Qiongying's heart feel like it was being squeezed.
He instructed Yingyi, "Go quietly to the residence of the hostage from Jinchuan and see if... the prince consort is there."
Even if it means going against Jinchuan tonight, Gan Qiongying is determined to snatch Li Hua back.
Logically speaking, Gan Qiongying had just provided Zhongli Zhengzhen with a list of Jinchuan spies, which Zhongli Zhengzhen should have already verified. He couldn't help but believe the truth in the list, especially after Gan Qiongying deliberately said those words that day, portraying Li Hua as a dispensable substitute in her hands.
If Zhong Lizhen truly wanted to cooperate with Gan Qiongying, he would never have provoked Gan Qiongying at this time.
Gan Qiongying gathered the remaining people, including Chen Wa and Chen Wa's confidants, together. If Li Hua was really under Zhong Lizheng's control, Gan Qiongying would talk to him first. If he refused to release her, Gan Qiongying would use whatever means necessary tonight to snatch Li Hua out.
Shadow One swiftly flew into the darkness, heading straight for the residence of the Jin Chuan hostage.
Meanwhile, in the palace, Gan Lin had just summoned Li Quan for a meeting. The two, master and servant, had been together for so many years, that there was no need for much small talk. Gan Lin did not hide from Li Quan the fact that he was about to leave.
Li Quan indeed wanted to leave with Gan Lin, but Gan Lin refused.
“The journey is long and there’s a chance you’ll be hunted down. Even if you escape, you’ll have to live under an assumed name and endure hardship,” Gan Lin said. “You’ve spent your whole life in the palace. You’re not suited to live outside. After I leave, if the Empress Dowager wants to do something to you, do as I say and find Ting Yuchi Yan of the Imperial Guard. He will ensure your safe departure from the palace and send you to Princess Hui’an’s Haoyue Manor to live out your remaining years.”
Li Quan knelt on the ground, tears streaming down his face, looking at Gan Lin. He had kowtowed hundreds of times, but Gan Lin still refused to let him follow.
Li Quan knew that Gan Lin had planned everything perfectly for him, and that every word his young master said was for his own good.
However, Li Quan had watched Gan Lin grow up since she was a child and had always been by her side. He had long since secretly regarded Gan Lin as his own child, and his concern for Gan Lin was no less than that for Princess Duanrong.
He couldn't imagine what meaning this vast palace and this vast world would hold for him after he left Ganlin.
However, Li Quan did not insist on going along, because he was indeed getting old and could not withstand the long journey. If he insisted on going, it would only cause trouble. He was a eunuch, and his body had become plump and fair in the palace, with too obvious physical characteristics. In the end, he might become a burden to Gan Lin.
Therefore, Li Quan could only kowtow with tears in his eyes and say tremblingly, "This old servant... wishes Your Majesty a safe journey, a long and peaceful reign, and the freedom to roam the four seas."
Tears welled up in Gan Lin's eyes. She walked a few steps to Li Quan's side, pulled him up, and embraced the servant who had served her for half her life, who had never abandoned her, whether in humble circumstances or when she was controlled as a puppet.
"May Eunuch Li enjoy good health and longevity, and may we... perhaps meet again someday."
Eunuch Li cried like a child, but only for a short while. He always knew the proper etiquette and wouldn't want to make his young master feel guilty at this time.
Therefore, Eunuch Li quickly wiped away his tears and volunteered, "Your Majesty, let this old servant serve you one more time. This old servant will go and prepare all the necessities for Your Majesty's journey!"
Gan Lin nodded: "Travel light. My elder sister told me to leave the palace quickly to meet up with her. She brought all my things with her."
Li Quan left quickly, but instead of sending anything to Gan Lin, he went straight to the Imperial Hospital.
It wasn't Physician Xiao's turn to be on duty tonight, but his position in the Imperial Hospital was rather awkward. Although his colleagues didn't ostracize him too much because his father had been the Imperial Physician in the past, they also didn't bully him much because he was the only one who actually worked for the puppet emperor. They didn't usually hang out with him, so it was normal for them to make him work two extra days each month.
Today was also Physician Xiao's turn to be on duty. When Eunuch Li entered the room, Physician Xiao saw him and assumed that something had gone wrong with His Majesty because of his hurried and anxious demeanor.
He stood up from beside the desk, about to ask a question, when he saw that Eunuch Li, who was always picky and "difficult" towards him, yet also took good care of him, knelt down directly before him.
"Chisho, I... I'm going to risk my reputation today to ask you for a favor..."
"Why is this happening, sir!" Physician Xiao immediately stepped forward to help him up, but Eunuch Li did not get up.
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