Chapter 218: No More

When Cheng Ruonan received the news, it was already the afternoon of the next day.

"How could something like this happen? How is An Luo doing now?"

"Have you found her?"

Officer Lu shook his head.

"Not yet."

"We asked Ms. Cheng to come in today because we wanted to ask you—have you noticed anything off about An Luo recently? For example, why would she suddenly hand the foundation over to the Cheng Group? And sell off her property?"

Hearing that An Luo's whereabouts were unknown, Cheng Ruonan frowned tightly, deeply worried.

"She only said she was too tired, wanted to rest for a while, go traveling, and have fun here and there."

Officer Lu carefully observed her expression. Seeing that she truly didn't know much either, he let her go.

"Alright then, thank Ms. Cheng for making the trip. If you have any other leads, please contact us promptly."

Back in her car, Cheng Ruonan tapped open WeChat and stared blankly at her chat history with An Luo.

She stared for two minutes, then turned off her phone, leaned her head back, closed her eyes, and let out a soft sigh.

"Did you also go to another world, just like Cheng Sitao?"

"I hope so…"

After interrogation, both An Biao and Xu Jing confessed.

"It's very simple. That Xu Jing held a grudge and was looking for revenge. She seduced An Luo's distant great-uncle An Biao, and egged him on to kidnap An Luo for money."

"An Biao also said that after they drugged An Luo unconscious, Xu Jing urged him to kill An Luo and take her property for themselves, but An Biao said he didn't agree."

As he spoke, the young colleague's face was a picture of helpless resignation.

"While they were doing... that, An Luo took the chance to open the trunk and escape. When we arrived, the two of them were also looking for An Luo."

Officer Lu carefully flipped through the interrogation records.

"Even after expanding the search area, you still haven't found her?"

Speaking of this, the young colleague was also baffled.

"No, it's really strange. We've practically dug up the whole place!"

"How can a living person just vanish into thin air? Transmigrate?"

As soon as he finished, he met Officer Lu's stern gaze and gave an awkward chuckle.

"Hehe."

"I was just saying it off the top of my head, Master, you have to believe me, I'm absolutely a steadfast materialist!"

As he spoke, he held his right fist beside his head, looking utterly devout.

"Really, I swear!"

Officer Lu shot him an exasperated glare.

"Why aren't you out looking for her yet!"

"Yes!"

Watching his little disciple dash out in a whirlwind, Officer Lu shook his head helplessly.

"Transmigrate?"

After saying that, he laughed self-deprecatingly.

"I've really been led astray by these youngsters who surf the net all day. How could something like that possibly happen?"

……

Da Yin, the Imperial Palace.

Inside Yongxiu Palace.

"Knock knock knock!"

"Imperial Consort, Your Majesty is heading our way."

Lian'er finished knocking.

Soon, the cabinet let out a series of creaking sounds, and the wall behind it was opened.

Noble Consort Jia walked out. Just as she closed the secret chamber's exit, the two of them heard:

"The Xiyue Emperor has arrived—"

Master and servant had no choice but to hurry to the door to receive him.

"Your servant greets the Xiyue Emperor."

The Shunhe Emperor took her hand and helped her up.

"Imperial Consort, please rise quickly."

Suddenly, his nose twitched, and he asked in confusion.

"Why does Imperial Consort have a smell of incense and candle smoke on her?"

Noble Consort Jia froze, her gaze flickered for a moment, then she smiled and looked toward the Child-Giving Guanyin enshrined on the cabinet.

"Your servant was just praying to the Bodhisattva to bless the child in her belly with safety."

The Shunhe Emperor smiled and patted her hand.

"Imperial Consort is thoughtful."

"Then I shall light a stick of incense as well."

Hearing this, Noble Consort Jia's heart tightened, and a flash of panic crossed her face.

At that moment, a young Eunuch ran over and whispered something to Shi Gui.

Shi Gui's expression changed drastically on the spot.

"Your Majesty!"

He whispered a few words into the Shunhe Emperor's ear, and the Shunhe Emperor's expression also turned very ugly.

Without even time to leave a single instruction, he led a noisy crowd of palace servants back the way they had come.

"Your concubine respectfully sees the Xiyue Emperor off."

Watching the group walk into the distance, Noble Consort Jia quickly strode into the hall, lit three sticks of incense, and only then let out a complete sigh of relief.

That was close!

"Imperial Consort, from now on whenever you enter the secret chamber, this servant will also light a few sticks of incense outside."

"From now on?"

Noble Consort Jia softly repeated it.

"There is no 'from now on.'"

Lian'er slightly furrowed her brow.

"What did you just say, Your Highness? This servant didn't hear clearly."

At this moment, another palace maid brought the medicine.

"Noble Consort, the tonic is ready."

Lian'er stepped forward to take it, a look of hesitation on her face.

"Your Highness, why not just forget it, don't drink it anymore. Didn't the Imperial Physician also say that every medicine has its poison?"

Noble Consort Jia glared at her.

"This tonic is good for Her Highness's child. Bring it over quickly!"

Lian'er looked at the medicine bowl in her hands, still not moving.

"But…"

Noble Consort Jia, as if by chance, glanced toward the door, her tone turning cold, and said sharply.

"Don't make me repeat it a second time!"

"Yes."

Lian'er replied reluctantly, walked over slowly, and reached out to hand over the medicine bowl.

Noble Consort Jia's fingers moved slightly, her lashes trembled. Not knowing what she was thinking, when she reached out to take it, the moment Lian'er's hand left the bowl, she deliberately pulled her own hand back.

"Crash!"

The medicine bowl smashed onto the ground, shattering into pieces instantly, the medicinal liquid splashing everywhere.

"Crash!"

"How dare you!"

Noble Consort Jia slammed the table heavily.

"Your Highness, calm your anger!"

Lian'er hurriedly knelt on the ground to beg forgiveness.

"This servant did not do it on purpose."

"Carrying a tonic and dawdling, yet you dare to spill Her Highness's medicine bowl!"

"Is it because Her Highness has been too good to you on ordinary days?!"

Noble Consort Jia shouted toward the door.

"Someone come!"

"Send this ungrateful wretch to the Laundry Bureau!"

Lian'er shook her head, weeping and pleading.

"Don't, Your Highness!"

"Don't send this servant away, this servant doesn't want to leave you."

She knew clearly in her heart that Her Highness was determined to do that thing, and sending her away was to protect her.

Lian'er crawled forward on her knees two steps, reached out to grasp the hem of her robe, crying so hard she could barely breathe.

"Your Highness, this servant knows her fault, will never say such things again. Please don't send this servant away, alright?"

Noble Consort Jia turned her face to the side, looking away, her expression utterly unmoved.

"What are you all standing there staring at?! Why haven't you dragged her away yet?!"

Hearing her say this, the eunuchs and palace maids at the door stepped forward, seized Lian'er, and dragged her outside.

"Don't touch me, I'm not leaving, Your Highness!"

"Your Highness!"

Until there was no one else left in the room, Noble Consort Jia's eyes gradually reddened, and the tightly clenched fists quietly loosened.

With the gold, silver, and jewels she had rewarded her with on ordinary days, as well as the silver notes deliberately given to her these past days, Lian'er's days at the Laundry Bureau should not be too hard.

Although she would suffer, it was still better than staying here and losing her life.

……

"Oh? She actually sent her personal maid to the Laundry Bureau?"

After receiving the news, the Empress laughed proudly and heartily.

She laughed until tears came out, gently dabbing at the corners of her eyes with a handkerchief.

"If she knew that Lian'er was the only person in the entire Yongxiu Palace who was utterly loyal to her, I wonder what she would think."

"It's just a pity about that bowl of medicine."

Two days later.

The Shunhe Emperor had just come down from Early Court and was about to go to Yongxiu Palace to have a look, when he saw a little eunuch running over in a panic.

"Bad news, Your Majesty!"

"Imperial Consort Jia Gui has miscarried!"

The Shunhe Emperor's heart lurched, and he nearly couldn't keep his footing.

"What did you say?!"