Chapter 942

The next day, the Xuanwu Guard left the capital and went to Mount Tai to search for the Crown Prince's traces.

Only a few people remained on duty outside Zichen Hall.

That evening.

Two swift horses stopped at the gate of a courtyard under the moonlight.

The two people dismounted, travel-worn, slipped inside, passed through the front courtyard, and went straight into the study.

"Your Excellency," the two knelt on one knee.

One of them said, "Subordinates have been searching day and night; we just returned from Mount Tai."

"The Crown Prince's palanquin indeed fell into a deep valley; the prefect of Tai'an Prefecture still has people guarding there, terrified, fearing that once an imperial edict arrives, disaster will strike."

We searched the valley bottom; the water was turbulent, we searched along the river for several li, found no trace.

According to what we've seen, the Crown Prince definitely cannot survive!

"Get up," said the Masked Man, then fell silent for a long while.

Everyone inside stared fixedly at the bronze mask on his face.

After a moment, the Masked Man slowly rose: "Tomorrow." His voice icy, "Take action!"

"Yes!"

The next morning, Xiao Yuanhang was having breakfast with his wife and daughter.

The Chief Eunuch of Fengyi Palace stepped through the gate of Ning Prince's Mansion.

Liu Mama led him into the Flower Hall.

The Chief Eunuch smiled broadly, bowed, and said, "I pay my respects to the Prince, Princess Consort, and Princess Defending the State."

Cheng Ru'an asked, "You came early, Father-in-law; does the Empress have any orders?"

"Reply to the Princess Consort: the Empress says that when you enter the palace today, Prince, please bring the Princess Consort and the Princess first to Fengyi Palace."

"The Empress wishes to bestow a few important items."

Cheng Ru'an smiled: "Please tell the Empress, Father-in-law; we will arrive shortly."

"Your humble servant takes leave."

Cheng Ru'an glanced at Xiao Yuanhang: "Prince, since that's the case, let's go to the palace together today."

Xiao Yuanhang nodded: "Good."

Tuan Tuan held a small bowl, took a sip of porridge, and said, "Mom, I can go see my little brother again!"

Cheng Ru'an smiled and nodded.

After the family finished breakfast, they rode into the palace.

Upon arriving outside Fengyi Palace, shortly after the announcement was made, Si Yu hurried out to greet them and led them into the main hall.

Mu Rongjin sat upright in the seat of honor; though her makeup was fine, it could not hide her weary expression.

Her eyes were slightly swollen, with a faint bluish-gray tint beneath.

Tuan Tuan lifted her little face, looked for a moment, and asked, "Empress, what's wrong? Why are you crying again? Is my little brother sick again?"

A faint smile touched Mu Rongjin's lips; she spoke softly, "He's in the bedchamber; go see him."

"Okay!" Tuan Tuan released her parents' hands, stepped forward, took Si Yu's hand, and ran toward the bedchamber.

Mu Rongjin slightly raised her hand: "Please sit, tea is being served."

"Thank you, Empress." Xiao Yuanhang and Cheng Ru'an took their seats.

Palace attendants entered carrying teacups in single file, gently placing them on the table.

Murong Jing said: "This is ginseng tea just brewed this morning."

"Prince Ning has been busy with state affairs these days; drinking this is just right."

Xiao Yuanhang lifted the teacup and took a few sips.

The ginseng soup was slightly bitter on the palate, but the sweet aftertaste came quickly; a warm current slid down his throat.

Cheng Ru'an also took a sip and praised: "The heat of this ginseng tea is just right—bitter but not astringent. The Empress's palace kitchen truly has superb skill."

Murong Jing smiled.

Xiao Yuanhang set down the teacup and asked: "Did Your Majesty wake up last night?"

Murong Jing lowered her eyes, gently shook her head: "These past two days, she has been waking less and less."

"Every time she opens her eyes, she calls out 'Old Seven'."

She let out a soft sigh, pressed her chest: "My heart feels as if something is blocking it each day, making me feel stifled."

Before her words finished, Tuan Tuan's voice sounded: "What's wrong with Imperial Uncle? Is he missing Third Elder Brother?"

The three were all startled, looked up.

Tuan Tuan was standing, holding Siyu's hand as she walked over, evidently having heard their words.

She glanced at Murong Jing, then at her father and mother: "Why haven't Third Elder Brother and Second Elder Brother returned yet? Weren't they supposed to come back soon?"

"They even said they'd bring me pine nut candy! Is Mount Tai very far?"

Siyu could no longer hold back; tears welled up, she hastily lifted her sleeve to wipe, but couldn't finish wiping them away.

Tuan Tuan turned to look at her, tugged at her sleeve: "Siyu sister, why are you crying? What happened to them?"

Siyu bit her lip, eyes blurred with tears as she looked at Murong Jing.

Murong Jing slowly shook her head.

Tuan Tuan released Siyu, turned and ran toward the hall's exterior, her little short legs pumping fast: "I'm going to see Imperial Uncle! Ask him why Third Elder Brother hasn't returned yet!"

"Don't go, Tuan Tuan!" Cheng Ru'an sprang to her feet, stepped forward quickly, grabbed her daughter and pulled her into her arms.

Tuan Tuan wore a puzzled expression: "Mother! Why are you stopping me?"

"What exactly has happened to Third Elder Brother and Imperial Uncle?"

Cheng Ru'an lifted her eyes and looked toward Xiao Yuanhang.

Xiao Yuanhang walked to her side, squatted down, and together with his wife surrounded their daughter.

Xiao Yuanhang tried to lower the voice: "Tuan Tuan, your third elder brother… when he climbed Mount Tai, he was caught in a flash flood and disappeared."

Xiao Yuanhang paused, the Adam's apple rolling up and down: "Your second elder brother searched for him for a long time without success; His Majesty fell ill after learning this."

"Can't find him?" Tuan Tuan's eyes widened to the size of coins, "Where did he go?"

Cheng Ru'an did not know how to answer and lowered her head.

Tuan Tuan stared at her father; Xiao Yuanhang turned the head away, avoiding her bright, big eyes.

Tuan Tuan blinked, seemed to understand something, closed her eyes, and fell straight backward.

"Tuan Tuan!" Xiao Yuanhang grabbed her and pulled her into the arms.

Cheng Ru'an lunged in front of her daughter: "Tuan Tuan!"

"Grand Physician! Call the Grand Physician!" Xiao Yuanhang shouted hoarsely, clutching the daughter tightly to the chest.

Cheng Ru'an's body swayed a few times and collapsed softly to the side.

With one arm cradling his daughter, Xiao Yuanhang hurriedly reached out with the other to catch his wife; before the wife could be steadied, the world began to spin wildly.

Ginseng tea!

Xiao Yuanhang looked at the unfinished ginseng tea on the table, vision went black, and fell.

Murong Jin hurried to his feet: "Quick, summon the Grand Physician to see the princess!"

Siyu responded hurriedly, and sprinted out of the hall.

Just as she reached the hall entrance, her steps abruptly halted.

In the next instant, she stepped backward repeatedly, trembling all over like a sieve: "Mother… Mother."

Murong Jin looked up, pupils contracting sharply.

A figure wearing a bronze mask walked in slowly.

The Masked Man was tall and slender, his steps unhurried; his robe silently brushed the threshold behind him, as if he were entering not the Fengyi Palace but his own study.

"Who are you?" Murong Jin's voice trembled.

She shouted sharply: "Where are the guards? Someone! Quickly, someone!"

Outside the hall was dead silence.

No one answered, and no one entered.

Inside the main hall only Murong Jin's rapid breathing and Siyu's grinding teeth could be heard.

The Masked Man did not cast a single glance at Murong Jin.

The Masked Man walked straight to Prince Ning's family, bent down and looked at the three people lying on the ground.

After a moment, he lifted his head slowly, his tone even: "Who am I?"

Two deep gazes on the bronze mask swept over Murong Jin's pallid face.

"I am the one who told you what to do and saved your life."