Lady Xie furrowed her brows. While she was not fond of her elder daughter-in-law, the future of the Xie Family was at stake. At this juncture, if she did not offer so incentive to motivate her grandson, who was capable of upholding the Xie Family’s prestige, their future would indeed be bleak.
"Alright! If he can co out on top, I will swallow my pride and beg the Duchess for help. I will beseech her to take to the Imperial Palace and request the Empress Dowager to release Lady Lin from prison!"
"Thank you, Mother!"
Xie Zian then took his leave.
What he did not see, however, was the sarcastic, cold smile that had crept onto Lady Xie’s face.
Being released from prison did not necessarily an returning to the Xie Family!
In the Imperial Palace, the Empress Dowager’s anxiety was palpable. The Great Phoenix was crying incessantly again. It soared above the Imperial Palace, flying back and forth, its relentless cries intensifying the Empress Dowager’s unease.
"Nanny Xiao, has the person been located yet? Why are both Xie Pan’Er and the Eldest Princess absent? What did the Ji Family say?"
Nanny Xiao had visited the National Master’s Mansion but was unable to see him as he had secluded himself for ditation. Even the residents there did not know when he would erge.
Then, Nanny Xiao went to the Ji Mansion to find Xie Pan’Er, but the response she received from the Ji Family chilled her to the bone.
"Your Majesty! There is bad news!"
The Empress Dowager glanced at Nanny Xiao, confusion etched on her face. "Hm?" A sinking feeling gripped her heart. She quickly dismissed everyone around her and then asked, "What’s going on? Did you get any news from the Ji Family?"
"Your Majesty! Terrible news. I have just returned from the Ji Family’s side; the Ji Mansion is now on high alert. I’ve heard that all blood relatives of the Ji Family were recently summoned back by Old Madam Ji. I went to great lengths to bribe two young maids and learned from them that the Eldest Princess and Divine Hunter Ji seem to be trapped sowhere. It is highly likely they may not be able to return!"
"What did you say?" The Empress Dowager bolted upright, knocking over the teacup in her hand.
Gazing at the Great Phoenix, which was still circling above the Imperial Palace, she noted the increasing sorrow in its cries.
The Empress Dowager suddenly realized. "It... It’s wailing for its Master!"
Nanny Xiao looked at the Empress Dowager in confusion, finding her reaction incomprehensible.
Stepping out of the Palace Hall, the Empress Dowager shouted up at the Great Phoenix, "Great Phoenix! I know you can understand what I’m saying. Instead of worrying here, why don’t you go and find her! There’s no need to fret like this!"
"Your Majesty!" Nanny Xiao paled dramatically upon hearing the Empress Dowager’s words. If the Great Phoenix were to leave, the Royal Family of Great Han would be...
"Go, Great Phoenix! Go find Suisui! I believe that she will return safely."
The Great Phoenix circled the Imperial Palace three tis before it landed in front of the Empress Dowager. Its noble head gently bowed before her. Then, it soared powerfully into the sky, leaving behind a dazzling rainbow in its wake.
The disappearance of the Great Phoenix sent shockwaves through the Great Han Royal Family. The first person to arrive at the Imperial Palace to inquire about the reason was Prince Yi.
"Your Majesty! Why did the Great Phoenix suddenly leave the Imperial Palace? Is there a reason for this?" Prince Yi looked towards Empress Dowager Xiao with a worried expression on his face.
"The Great Phoenix’s arrival was due to Suisui. Now Suisui is in trouble; the Great Phoenix sensed it and beca restless. So, I advised it to go look for Suisui."
"What did you say? Suisui is in trouble? How did you know?" Prince Yi was astonished, his eyes widening as he looked at Empress Dowager Xiao.
"The Ji Mansion is on high alert. Ji Youze, who has been managing affairs quietly within the Palace ever since the Emperor secretly left, returned to his mansion three days ago and has not been seen since. Also, Ji Youcheng, the proprietor of the Bright Moon Pavilion, who is rarely ho, has also been missing for several days."
"This... What has happened to the Ji Family? How does this relate to the Eldest Princess?"
"Nanny Xiao made so inquiries. It’s said that Xiaosuisui and Ji Youzhi are trapped, facing a life-and-death situation, and it’s uncertain if they can return. The Great Phoenix ca to the Great Han Royal Family because of Suisui. It most likely sensed that Suisui is in danger. I told it to go find Suisui, and so it went."
"I see. What about the Emperor? Does Your Majesty have any news of His Majesty? When will the Emperor be able to return?"
"General Dugu has sent an eight-hundred-li express dispatch back. The Emperor has gone out to sea. General Dugu has already organized n to go out to sea and escort His Majesty back."
"Out to sea? How reckless! What was His Majesty thinking? Has he ever considered the implications for the Great Han Empire? If he..."
"Prince Yi!"
Prince Yi was livid, about to lambast the Emperor’s willful behavior, when the Empress Dowager shouted sharply, interrupting his tirade.
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