He pushed Lin Qianqing away, stepped back a few paces, and exclaid in surprise, "Why have you co back? Isn’t it enjoyable out there? Didn’t I tell you never to return? Now that you’ve co back, what are we supposed to do?"
As the forr Princess Consort of King Jin, stepping out of the house would already invite criticism, let alone remarrying.
She was still so young, and her longing for freedom so profound—she truly shouldn’t spend her remaining years growing old in the Lin Residence.
"You should leave quickly. Though it’s not as prosperous outside as Beijing, you could live the kind of life you truly desire."
Lin Qianqing’s face was bathed in tears as she repeatedly shook her head.
"No, I’m not going anywhere. Cousin, I won’t go back. I want to stay here with you in the Zongrenfu."
"Are you out of your mind?" King Jin roared, "Leave at once! This is no place for you."
"I won’t leave. I’ll never leave again. No matter how good it is outside, it’s not my ho. Cousin, you sent away, treating as if I were your only wife. But in all honesty—during our years together—I never once truly regarded you as my husband. In my heart, I always resisted the relationship between us. Now that I think about it, I’ve done you such a grave injustice..."
...
That day, Gu Youyou received a ssage. Jin Zijin and Yue Rujing had gone to Nanzhao Country in search of Tian Jizi’s traces, but they had lost contact with Marquess Yue.
Gu Youyou clenched the letter tightly and asked the ssenger, "How long has it been?"
The ssenger replied, "It’s been over a month since I set out."
Over a month, plus the speed of the ssenger’s urgent journey—Jin Zijin and Yue Rujing had already been missing for two months.
Gu Youyou said in shock, "Why are you only telling now?"
The ssenger explained, "Nanzhao Country is vast and sparsely populated, with many mountains. Getting lost in the mountains isn’t uncommon. At first, our Marquess assud they were rely lost and would send word once they found their way out. But after waiting a month with no news at all, the Marquess decided to send to Beijing to relay this to the First Princess Consort."
Gu Youyou closed her eyes and took a deep breath.
She could feel her own heartbeat racing, her panic causing her hands gripping the letter to tremble.
They had gone missing—lost in the mountains.
Yet, with Jin Zijin’s capabilities, how could they have been lost in the mountains for so long? Unless they had encountered so kind of danger.
She pressed her left hand tightly over her right hand, striving to make herself appear calm.
"Very well, I understand. Sir, it’s been a hard journey for you; go and rest for now."
She forced herself to finish saying this.
"Understood. I’ll take my leave now."
When only Gu Youyou and Xiang Chun remained in the room, Xiang Chun, standing to the side, finally walked up to Gu Youyou with a face full of fear.
"The First Prince is missing. First Princess Consort, what should we do now? Should we inform His Majesty?"
Gu Youyou nodded, glanced at the letter she had been clutching tightly, and tossed it onto the table.
She said, "Yes, we should. The more hands we have, the better. If they had gone missing in Zhuzhao Country, I could at least mobilize everyone to search for them. But over in Nanzhao, I don’t even have any businesses there."
She really ought to open a few establishnts in Nanzhao Country as well.
"Then, should you go into the palace to see His Majesty now?" Xiang Chun’s face had turned pale with fear, appearing even more worried than Gu Youyou herself.
Gu Youyou took a deep breath and said, "Alright, I’ll go to the palace now. Go make the necessary preparations."
"Yes, I’ll withdraw for now and prepare."
"Wait, hold on." Gu Youyou suddenly thought of sothing and quickly called her back.
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