Hua Jing stood there, a bewildered expression plastered on her face. "What... just happened?" she muttered to herself, glancing left and right as if searching for answers in the air.
The remaining maids looked at one another nervously, their faces still red. Realizing that their leader had abandoned them, they quickly bowed to Hua Jing before scattering like startled birds, their footsteps echoing down the corridor.
"Is everyone here losing their minds?" Hua Jing said to no one in particular, sighing as she turned back toward the room.
When she stepped inside, she found Zhao Yan standing exactly where she had left him, his posture calm and unbothered.
Her brows furrowed, and she pointed toward the bathroom. "I need to take a shower. Can you move a little?"
Zhao Yan raised a brow but stepped aside without a word, giving her just enough space to pass. Hua Jing huffed and quickly darted into the bathroom, shutting the door behind her with a soft thud.
Inside, she found the water already prepared and steaming slightly. She began to disrobe, but her gaze flicked toward the door every few seconds.
"Don’t you dare co in here!" she shouted, her voice echoing against the bathroom walls.
From the other side of the door, Zhao Yan’s calm reply ca. "I wasn’t planning to."
Still, Hua Jing couldn’t relax. Her head peeked out of the bathroom door, her sharp eyes scanning the room for any sign of mischief. "I’m watching you!"
Zhao Yan crossed his arms, leaning casually against the wall. A faint smile tugged at his lips, but he said nothing, letting her paranoia play out.
Hua Jing disappeared back into the bathroom, muttering under her breath about n and their audacity.
Zhao Yan’s smile widened. Her antics were ridiculous, but they brought a strange lightness to the air—sothing he hadn’t felt in a long ti.
Deciding to leave her to her theatrics, Zhao Yan stepped outside, the cool morning breeze brushing against his face.
He didn’t have to wait long before Wei Ling and Deng Mi appeared, their expressions tense and urgent.
The mont they saw him, Wei Ling bowed deeply, his tone grim. "Your Highness, the palace guards have already been dispatched. The Emperor is furious."
Zhao Yan’s eyes narrowed. "As he should be. And the investigation?"
Wei Ling hesitated briefly before continuing. "The Pri Minister has been ordered to oversee it. He has already sent n to gather evidence."
Zhao Yan’s lips curled into an eerie smile, one that didn’t reach his eyes. "The Pri Minister, you say? Now this is bound to get interesting."
Wei Ling stepped forward and said, "Your Highness, there’s been progress. We apprehended so of the n responsible for the ambush last night."
Zhao Yan’s eyes narrowed sharply. "What?"
Wei Ling nodded. "When we were searching for you and the seventh consort, we passed by the place where the ambush occurred. Among the bodies, we found a few n who were still alive, albeit injured. They’re being held in one of the outer posts for now. We’ve ensured their identities remain concealed."
The audacity of it all sent a wave of cold fury through Zhao Yan. He already knew deep in his heart who was behind this. Pri Minister Gu. It wasn’t even a matter of speculation anymore—it was a certainty.
Zhao Yan’s voice dropped dangerously low. "Ensure that Gu doesn’t learn about this. If he even suspects we’ve captured his n, he’ll panic and act preemptively. We need him to remain complacent, to think he still holds the upper hand."
Wei Ling nodded firmly. "Understood, Your Highness. The n we’ve detained are being kept under strict watch. They won’t be able to communicate with anyone outside the post."
Zhao Yan’s gaze darkened. "Good. Let know the mont they’re in a condition to talk. I want every detail about who gave the orders, how many were involved, and what their next moves are."
Deng Mi, who had remained silent until now, stepped forward. "Your Highness, we also received word from the capital. A pigeon delivered a letter from the Emperor early this morning."
He held out a sealed scroll, bowing deeply as he presented it. Zhao Yan’s jaw tightened as he took the scroll, his fingers deftly breaking the seal.
As his eyes scanned the ssage, his expression twisted into sothing unreadable. Wei Ling’s brow furrowed as he asked cautiously, "Your Highness, what does it say?"
Zhao Yan folded the letter with deliberate slowness before slipping it into his sleeve. His tone was clipped as he replied, "The Emperor has summoned back to the palace."
Wei Ling stiffened. "Now?"
"Imdiately," Zhao Yan confird, his voice laced with frustration. "It seems he’s been briefed about the ambush and the fire. This timing couldn’t be worse."
Wei Ling’s face was grave. "It’s true that returning to the palace right now could complicate things, but staying here poses its own risks. This place is no longer safe. The Pri Minister is bound to make another move."
Zhao Yan tilted his head slightly, his mind racing through the implications. "If we leave now, we need to ensure Gu doesn’t get wind of our plans. The last thing I want is to give him an opportunity to intercept us again."
Wei Ling nodded. "We can arrange a small, discreet convoy. It’ll draw less attention than a full procession."
"Make it happen," Zhao Yan ordered. His voice lowered as he added, "And Wei Ling, I want you to personally oversee the interrogation of those n we captured. Get the information we need but keep it quiet. Gu must remain in the dark."
Wei Ling’s eyes flashed with determination. "It will be done, Your Highness."
Deng Mi chid in, "The army dispatched by the Emperor is close by.They can provide reinforcents for the journey back to the capital."
Zhao Yan nodded. "Ensure everyone is ready. We will all leave by midday."
The two quickly nodded. Wei Ling wanted to add sothing but before he could, a soft voice asked from behind them,
"What are you all talking about huddled up like this?"
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