Wu Shang searched all the way from Chaoyang Palace to the Imperial Garden, and then from the Imperial Garden to Cixi Palace, but was always a step too late.
They found the guards who had been following Ji Fengyao near the artificial hill, but the guards had been knocked unconscious.
Lin Shuang and Xi Que were wandering aimlessly among the artificial hills like headless flies.
For some reason, many concubines and daughters of officials came to the vicinity of the artificial hill. They did not know where Ji Fengyao had gone, and they did not dare to shout or make a fuss, so they could only search silently.
Wu Shang, concerned about the poison in Shang Xiye's body, disregarded the need to reveal herself and urgently asked, "Why aren't you with the Princess? Where is the Princess?"
"We were hit by someone and got covered in vegetable soup. We went to change our clothes. The princess said she would sit and wait for us nearby, but we've been looking for her for ages and still can't find her," Lin Shuang said, sounding a little anxious.
"Is Miss perhaps sleeping somewhere secluded?" Xi Que thought to herself.
Wu Shang clenched his fist secretly, worried that the two maids might run around and ruin things, so he advised, "There are many people and gossips in the palace today, so don't run around outside. Go to Shesi Lake and wait there. We'll go find the princess."
Having said that, Wu Shang lightly touched the ground with his feet and quickly disappeared into the rockery.
Seeing Lin Shuang's regretful and worried expression, Xi Que comforted her, "Sister Lin Shuang, it's alright. Our young lady is so smart and has such good martial arts skills. The fact that she didn't leave any clues means she's safe now. Maybe she's just dozing off somewhere and will come out when the banquet starts."
Things in the palace are never that simple.
Lin Shuang glanced at Xi Que silently, but didn't say anything more to her.
I'm afraid this girl might get into a ruckus and cause chaos, which would alert people and be counterproductive.
Shang Xi entered the Yisi Terrace at night, to his former bedchamber, and instructed Wuying to find some ice to cool the water for his bath.
He was already poisoned by the Frost Talisman, making his body exceptionally cold. Now, he was going to seek out an ice bath. Even if Wuying was stupid, he could guess what was going on. He was furious: "The Emperor and that Princess Gaoqi's methods are too despicable. Unless that woman doesn't venture onto the island, I will definitely kill her!"
"Go see if the Princess Consort has arrived." Shang Xiye held the Poison-Storing Stone in his hand, feeling an unusually fierce agitation within his body. If he didn't have the Poison-Storing Stone, his condition would probably be even worse.
The shadowless messengers surrounded the palace in layers, quickly walking to the lakeside to look around. The lake was quiet, with no one or boats around. They couldn't help but feel anxious: "What is Wu Shang doing? Why hasn't he brought the princess here yet?"
At this moment, Chu Ling was taking a bath in the Zhegui Palace.
The cool water washed over her alabaster skin; her fair complexion and stunning beauty were the source of her pride.
"The princess is becoming more and more beautiful. When the Ninth Prince sees you again, he will definitely not be able to resist her," the maid Xiangguan exclaimed enviously.
"The Ninth Prince is the God of War of the Great Zhao Dynasty, and his martial arts must be extraordinary. Once the princess absorbs the Ninth Prince's power, her power will increase greatly, and she will become even more beautiful. Moreover, she will be able to easily control the Ninth Prince. As long as we control the Ninth Prince, our Gaoqi will be able to take over the Central Plains in no time," the maid Xiangfen said with a sweet laugh.
Listening to the maids' flattery, Chu Ling also said with a haughty disdain: "If he is sensible and knows his place, I, the princess, would not want to ruin him. Although he is just an ordinary man, with proper training, he can become a dragon among men. The Emperor of Dazhao is foolish and does not know his worth. We cannot be short-sighted."
At this moment, the maid Xianglan came in from outside and reported with her head bowed: "Princess, the secret passage of Zhegui Palace does indeed lead directly to Shesi Terrace."
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