Feng Xiaoyue nodded at Chen Xiaobei's words.
"Then I'll go find the Crown Prince now."
At this moment, Crown Prince Xiao Jingyun had already entered the palace.
Today was the day he paid his respects to his father.
Although he had already begun to oversee state affairs and officials could discuss national matters with him, paying respects to his father was a ritual that could not be abolished.
At this time, Xiao An was also somewhat uneasy. He had actually heard the horn sound outside and knew that it must have been Xiao Dezi who made his move.
However, when Xiao Dezi did not return even until dawn, Xiao An realized that something had happened, and Xiao Dezi was likely in grave danger.
With a hint of apprehension, he still went to the Imperial Study, ready to receive Xiao Jingyun's greetings.
After Xiao Jingyun entered, he lifted his robe, knelt down, and kowtowed three times.
"Your humble son pays respects to Father Emperor, wishing Father Emperor good health, may you live for ten thousand years, ten thousand years, ten thousand years."
Xiao An slightly raised his hand, "Enough, you may rise."
Xiao Jingyun stood up and stood there, lowering his head slightly but observing his surroundings. He suddenly noticed that it was not Xiao Dengzi but Xiao Shunzi standing behind his father today.
This immediately made him alert. For the past ten years, there had always been two people guarding his father.
The personal guard Bai Han, and the personal eunuch Xiao Dezi. As for Xiao Shunzi, their relationship was more distant. Yet today, it was Xiao Shunzi.
Coincidentally, last night someone had attacked Cui Hongyu and Huang Ying.
At this moment, Xiao An slowly asked, "Jingyun, are there any urgent matters these past few days?"
Xiao Jingyun shook his head, "Father Emperor, there are no urgent matters. The envoy from Great Lin Country has also departed."
Xiao An nodded, "Good. Since you can handle all this, I should step down."
Xiao Jingyun remained composed and, after mentioning a few more tasks, bowed and withdrew.
As he walked away, he pondered. His father, who seemed calm today, had a major flaw: he did not ask about the matter of the altar at all. From another perspective, his father seemed to be evading the issue. Recalling Xiao Dezi's disappearance, his heart suddenly sank.
But what was his father trying to achieve?
At this moment, in the Imperial Study, seeing Xiao Jingyun leave, Xiao An also let out a long sigh of relief.
Seeing his relieved demeanor, Bai Han couldn't help but step forward and ask, "Your Majesty, are you tired and need to rest?"
Xiao An waved his hand, "You may leave. I wish to be alone."
Bai Han bowed and retreated.
After Bai Han left, Xiao An turned to Xiao Shunzi.
"Has Xiao Dezi returned from his mission?"
Xiao Shunzi shook his head, "Duke De has not returned."
Xiao An nodded and then waved his hand, signaling Xiao Shunzi to withdraw.
Since he had not returned, Xiao An already knew the outcome.
However, he was still unsure about the achieved effect. Had Chen Xiaobei's two wives died?
Just then, hurried footsteps sounded, and Bai Han entered again. "Your Majesty, there is important news!"
Xiao An raised his eyelids slightly, signaling him to continue.
Bai Han cupped his fist and said, "Your Majesty, news just arrived from outside the palace. Last night, at the altar outside the west gate, someone suddenly attacked the two people performing the ritual. One of Chen Xiaobei's wives was killed."
"It is said that the perpetrator was bitten to death by a tiger on the spot."
Hearing this, Xiao An's heart sank. Xiao Dezi had indeed met with misfortune, but outwardly, he still had to maintain his composure.
"Oh? Who would dare to be so audacious!"
Looking at Xiao An's feigned calmness, Bai Han had already understood everything. The day before, he had discussed bestowing a marriage upon Chen Xiaobei, and then such a thing happened at night. It was obvious what had transpired. However, Bai Han dared not speak or inquire. He only felt a sense of despair. Serving such an Emperor for many years, he truly felt a chill down his spine. Sudán Novel Network
This was the first time Bai Han had the thought of retiring, and it was impossible to stop.
At this moment, Xiao Jingyun was also somewhat disheartened.
Beyond that, he was utterly confused, unable to understand why his father would want to disrupt Chen Xiaobei's ritual.
Puzzled, Xiao Jingyun returned to his Crown Prince's mansion.
Upon reaching the main entrance, he saw someone kneeling by the side. He could tell it was a woman, but her face was obscured by her bowed head.
Then, a guard stepped forward to report, "Your Highness, Feng Xiaoyue has arrived and insisted on seeing you. I told her you were out, but she refused to leave."
Xiao Jingyun nodded, dismounted his horse, and hurried forward.
"Miss Xiaoyue, please rise quickly!"
Feng Xiaoyue hesitated and shook her head, looking at Crown Prince Xiao Jingyun, she said word by word, very seriously, "Your Highness, I have come today to implore you to rescue someone."
Xiao Jingyun looked at her and nodded solemnly.
"Miss Xiaoyue, tell me whom to rescue, and I will go with you immediately."
"Your Highness, I have received news that Prime Minister Fang is in the Princess's hands."
Xiao Jingyun's eyes widened in disbelief. He looked at Feng Xiaoyue.
"Miss Xiaoyue, where did you get this news?"
Feng Xiaoyue looked at Xiao Jingyun and said word by word, very seriously, "It was Miss Huang Ying who told Sister Hongyu before she died. She would never lie to me."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Jingyun fell silent.
If Huang Ying's words were true, then there was only one possibility: some people had known Fang Zheng's whereabouts long ago but refused to say.
He suddenly had a terrifying thought: did Chen Xiaobei also know but not tell him?
Thinking further, if Fang Zheng was indeed in Princess Zhaoning's hands, and his sister had visited two days ago but kept silent with him.
At this thought, he sighed even more deeply. Even his own sister concealed things from him.
How tragic was he, the Crown Prince? Thinking of this, Xiao Jingyun suddenly felt an inexplicable sorrow. Whom could he still trust?
With this thought, he flicked the cloak on his back and turned to Zhou Quan, saying, "Let's go find Jingfeng."
Princess Zhaoning felt a faint sense of unease upon hearing that her brother had arrived.
However, she forced herself to remain calm and greeted him at the palace gate.
"Jingfeng greets the Crown Prince."
Xiao Jingyun remained silent, staring intently at Princess Zhaoning.
Seeing that her brother did not reply, Princess Zhaoning also subconsciously looked up and met her brother's gaze, then looked away with a hint of guilt.
"Brother, what brings you here?"
From Princess Zhaoning's reaction, Xiao Jingyun could tell that she was hiding something from him.
He said in a deep voice, "Where is the old minister Fang Zheng?"
Upon hearing Fang Zheng's name, Princess Zhaoning involuntarily shivered.
And it was this tremor that confirmed to Xiao Jingyun that his sister was definitely in the know. His tone became even more stern.
"Jingfeng, if you know and do not report, it is a grave offense."