As night fell, snowflakes began to float in the sky. Luo Lan stood at the window, looking at the snowflakes all over the sky, feeling very uncomfortable.
Ah Hong came hurriedly to report,
"Princess, the prince and his men are back."
At this moment, Luo Lan's heart was in his throat.
She looked back at Ahong cautiously, and when she saw Ahong lower her head, she knew that she had gained nothing today.
"Where is the prince?"
"They are in the front hall. The Duke and several generals are all there, and they seem to be discussing something."
Upon hearing this, Luo Lan hurriedly stood up, and Ahong quickly pulled a cloak over her and put it on.
Without even tying the belt of her cloak, she rushed out the door impatiently.
"Princess, please be careful. It's snowing outside and the roads are slippery."
She didn't care about any of this at the moment. She just wanted to know: was there any news about An An today? What were Leng Yu and the others planning to do tomorrow? How could she find An An?
At this time, Zhang Yuan, Xiao Tanzi, Xiao Ningzi, A Yu, A Hou, Leng Ming, and Liu Dechang all returned to Prince Yu's Mansion and sat in the main hall, discussing tomorrow's search plan.
When Luo Lan came in, Liu Dechang couldn't help but blame Ah Hong behind her:
"It's so cold, why did you let the princess come out?"
"Dad, don't blame her. How was your day? Any news?"
Liu Dechang shook his head.
"No, but it's certain that they haven't left the city. These past few days, following Yu'er's orders, the city gates have been closed early. When they left, the gates were already closed, so it's certain that they are still in the city."
In the city?
Luo Lan looked at Leng Yu irritably.
"If they are in the city, why can't they find them? Didn't they mobilize the troops from the barracks? They searched house by house."
At this point, she suddenly thought of something.
"Yes, we have to look for Xiwang Mansion as well."
Leng Yu stood up from the chair, walked to her side, pulled her to sit down, and then comforted her softly:
"We just discussed it. Tomorrow morning, I will go to the palace and ask for the emperor's order to search the entire city, leaving no corner untouched. Only then can we search Prince Xi's mansion and the homes of the ministers. Otherwise, it would be unreasonable and Leng Xi would not agree."
"The Imperial Seal is in your hands. Why don't you just issue the decree directly? Why wait until tomorrow? Why do you need to go to the Emperor for an order?"
"I haven't officially ascended the throne yet. I could issue an edict now, but if we do it for our own family affairs, people will think we're abusing our power for personal gain."
Liu Dechang also nodded, "Yu'er is right. No matter how urgent it is, it won't cost a whole night. Besides, visibility is poor at night. Sending more people during the day tomorrow will make it easier to find it."
Luo Lan had a sad look on her face and a worried heart.
Leng Yu frowned, glanced at everyone, and said:
"People don't just disappear. I'm worried there might be a Beihai Nation hideout in the capital. Remember tomorrow, when searching, focus on the Xiwang Mansion and Zuiyue Tower. There's a girl named Xiaohui in Zuiyue Tower. She's met Huang Yun alone. I'll go meet her tomorrow to see what secrets she has."
"Yes, Your Majesty, I will arrange it right away."
Leng Yu waved her hands weakly again.
"Everyone, disperse! We still have many important things to do tomorrow. Ayu and Ahou, please send the Duke back."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
After everyone saluted, they retreated, leaving only Luo Lan and Leng Yu.
Seeing that she was sitting there without moving, Leng Yu stepped forward and called to her softly:
"It's cold at night, go back and rest."
Luo Lan's tears suddenly fell uncontrollably.
"Lan'er, I know you're sad. It's all my fault. If I hadn't taken over the throne, so many things wouldn't have happened. If you're angry, just vent it to me. Don't hold it in your heart."
At this moment, Luo Lan forgot that they were still in a cold war, and stood up and threw herself into his arms, crying and muttering,
"It's so cold, and I don't know if An An has a place to sleep or if she has food to eat. I almost lost her last time she was kidnapped. I'm so scared that I won't be able to find her this time..."
Leng Yu patted her shoulders and comforted her softly.
"Don't worry, whoever took her away this time didn't just want to harm her. They must have other motives. Let's assume the worst. Even if we can't find her these few days, she will show up on the 18th day of the first lunar month. By then, even if I have to give up the throne in exchange for An An's safety, I will agree."
His words made Luo Lan stunned for a moment. She raised her tearful eyes to look at him, gritted her teeth and shook her head.
"Others don't want you to sit on the throne peacefully, but you insist on sitting on it peacefully. Nothing will happen to An An. Let's go look for it together tomorrow. I don't believe there won't be any clues."
"Then you should go back to bed early today so that you will have the energy to look for An An tomorrow."
After he finished speaking, he took her hand and walked towards the door. The two of them supported each other and walked in the snow, leaving two sets of footprints on the ground that were indistinguishable from each other...
…
the ninth day of the first lunar month
In the early morning, the Prince Xi's Mansion was covered with thick snow. The servants in the mansion got up early in the morning to sweep the snow.
Leng Xi has been getting up very early these days. To be more precise, he has not been sleeping well every day and is in a state of high tension.
Yuan Gang came into the main hall, without even having time to shake off the snowflakes on his body, and immediately clasped his fists and said:
"Your Highness, Yang Feng has sent a letter saying he has obtained the imperial seal, but he wants you to exchange it for Xiaohui's indenture..."
"What?"
Leng Xi's face suddenly became colder than the winter outside.
He asked through gritted teeth,
"Is he threatening the king?"
"My subordinate asked the same question, but he said that Huang Yun's identity has been exposed. He might be caught by Leng Yu one day. If that happens, it will be difficult for him to escape. He wants to seek freedom for Xiaohui before that. Right now, he has little left to hold on to. Please give him Xiaohui's indenture as soon as possible. As long as you ensure Xiaohui's safe departure from the capital, he will hand over the jade seal to you."
"That's outrageous."
"Your Highness, please forgive me for speaking frankly. Xiaohui is yours anyway. It doesn't matter if you sell her indenture to Yang Feng. You can still use her later. Right now, getting the Imperial Seal is more important."
Leng Xi's mouth corners slightly raised, with a hint of pride,
"Yang Feng would never have thought that before he came to the capital, Xiaohui was already the top performer in Zuiyue Tower. She's already been used as a pawn by me, Lengxi. Over the years, she has made great efforts to win over these officials. How could I let go of such a great pawn like her so easily? However, since he is threatening me with the imperial seal, then do as you say. Go back to the madam and bring Xiaohui's indenture contract back to her. I believe Xiaohui will not give up her current good life to suffer with him..."
"Yes, by the way, Your Highness, there's news from the North Sea Kingdom. They say Princess Yunmeng has disappeared, and they're asking you to help find her."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
