The Emperor had kept him on Mount Tian, but he had descended the mountain privately, undergone castration, and willingly became a eunuch to follow the Emperor, repaying the Emperor's life-saving grace from years ago.
Silence reigned outside the sleeping chambers.
Suddenly, hurried footsteps rushed over. A flustered young eunuch dashed forward. A Jiu's expression turned cold, and he glared fiercely.
"Are you trying to rush to your death?" Although A Jiu was angry, he tried his best to lower his voice.
The young eunuch was startled and immediately knelt down with a thud. His face turned even paler, and his lips trembled a few times before he managed to speak, "Eunuch Jiu, something's wrong, the Princess is missing."
As soon as these words were spoken, A Jiu's heart pounded. His face instantly turned pale. He took a step forward, grabbed the young eunuch by his collar, and menacingly questioned, "Is it Princess Xing Zhu?"
Princess Xing Zhu was the Emperor's biological sister. The Emperor doted on her dearly and only relaxed when he was with her.
Princess Xing Zhu was lively and knew how to amuse her Imperial brother. But now, the Princess was missing.
If the Emperor found out, he would likely be beside himself with worry.
"Yes, a eunuch from Chang Le Palace reported that the Princess and her maid, Lan Yi, are both gone."
A Jiu's face darkened as he heard this. He paced back and forth in front of the sleeping chambers.
The eunuchs under him dared not breathe heavily. Although Eunuch A Jiu looked handsome and spoke gently, he was ruthless when it came to his work. That was why all the eunuchs in the palace were well-behaved and no one dared to cause trouble.
"You, come here. Go find Commander Hua immediately. I will go in and report to the Emperor."
It seemed impossible not to report this to the Emperor. The Princess was missing; this was a monumental matter. How many people were lurking in the shadows, wanting to kill the Princess?
If anything happened to the Princess, he wouldn't be able to keep his head, even if he had ten of them.
The summoned young eunuch immediately accepted the order to find Commander Hua. A Jiu turned and entered the sleeping chambers.
Within the magnificent and golden sleeping chambers, on the luxurious bed, the four vermilion pillars were carved with soaring dragons, symbolizing ambition and soaring aspirations.
Through the white gauze curtains, a slender figure was faintly visible. It moved lazily and casually, its long dark hair cascading smoothly onto the silk brocade, revealing a flawless face. Slender, delicate eyebrows, and two rows of dense, long eyelashes fluttered slightly, and then the eyes suddenly opened.
"What is it, A Jiu?"
A magnetic, low voice sounded. A Jiu immediately and respectfully replied, "Your Majesty, Princess Xing Zhu is missing?"
As soon as his words fell, he felt a piercing, ferocious gaze directed at him, as if nails were piercing his body, carrying with it the fury of a raging storm.
"What is going on?"
The gauze curtains were suddenly flung aside, soaring wildly and unrestrainedly, though there was no wind.
A Jiu quickly stepped forward to prop up the curtains and waited respectfully. The Emperor had already sat up. His black hair cascaded like clouds, and his handsome face was now shrouded in a chilling gloom, his beautiful eyes filled with sharp intensity.
"Summon Hua Li Ge at once."
"Your servant has already sent someone to fetch him. He is waiting outside the door."
"Let him come in."
Murong Liu Zun's words were spoken quickly and urgently. The Emperor, who was usually unfathomable and restrained, unable to let his emotions show, was now visibly stirred. It seemed everyone had a weakness.
A Jiu shifted his body and walked to the door of the sleeping chambers.
Hua Li Ge was indeed waiting outside the door. Dressed in red, he was exceptionally dazzling under the light of the night pearls, exuding a captivating aura.
At this moment, his brow was etched with deep worry. Upon seeing A Jiu, he urgently grabbed his hand, "The Princess is truly missing?"
"Yes, His Majesty wishes to see you. Hurry in."
"Yes," Hua Li Ge followed behind A Jiu into the sleeping chambers. The Emperor on the bed had already regained his composure, his thin lips curving into a cold smile.
"The Princess is missing. I suspect she has gone to the Mu Residence. Go immediately and bring her back from the Mu Residence."
Murong Liu Zun clenched his fist, a trace of anger leaking out. Xing Zhu was too audacious. Did she not know how dangerous it was outside the palace?
During the day, she had come to find him.
"Imperial brother, how can you let the Mu Residence's infatuated young lady be the Empress? That woman is not worthy of you."
Unexpectedly, she disappeared at night. There was no need to guess where she had gone; she must have gone to the Prime Minister's mansion.
This girl was becoming more and more lawless. It seemed he had doted on her too much. He would have to discipline her properly upon her return.
The Emperor's gaze turned dark and unfathomable.
Upon hearing this, Hua Li Ge immediately accepted the order and flew out.
A Jiu watched his retreating back, murmuring to himself, was this fellow too anxious? Why was he so agitated? He seemed more anxious than the Emperor... Hiss, could he be...
A Jiu shivered slightly and quickly shook his head, believing that Li Ge knew his place and wouldn't think too much about it. The Princess was of royal blood; how could a mere guard be worthy of her?
As A Jiu was lost in thought, the frightened voice of a young eunuch sounded outside the sleeping chambers: "Eunuch A Jiu, Prince Nan An has arrived at the palace?"
"What?"
Why was the Prince coming to the palace at this time? The Emperor on the couch issued a cold and alluring command: "Announce the Prince's arrival."
"Yes, Your Majesty," A Jiu walked out quickly.
Prince Nan An indeed stood outside the sleeping chambers, his aura of ice colder than usual, and his expression extremely grim and unpleasant. A faint green light flickered in his dark eyes, like a ravenous beast ready to devour.
Although A Jiu was skilled in martial arts, he was still startled by the Prince's appearance and quickly spoke.
"Your Highness, please come in. His Majesty is waiting for you."
Prince Nan An, Murong Liu Zhao, had a face like a dark pot, his brows furrowed in anger, his eyes filled with ice, and killing intent radiating from him, giving the impression he was ready to fight anyone.
As a eunuch, A Jiu dared not provoke such a bloodthirsty lion and quickly and cautiously led Murong Liu Zhao into the sleeping chambers.
Inside the sleeping chambers, dazzling white light bathed the entire palace. On the luxurious and spacious bed, the Emperor, clad in inner garments, frowned and coldly regarded the approaching Prince Nan An. His already unfathomable pupils were even more dark and inscrutable.
"Why has my Imperial brother come?"
"Your subject greets Your Majesty."
Prince Nan An first paid his respects to the Emperor, then restrained some of his anger and respectfully stated, "Chang Sun Zhu trespassed into the Prime Minister's mansion, attempting to abduct Miss Mu San."
Speaking of Miss Mu San, his white teeth were bared ferociously, appearing sinister.
Murong Liu Zun's pupils suddenly sank, and a playful smile played on his lips.
So Chang Sun Zhu came to Xian Yue for Mu Qing Yao. Then why did he want to abduct Mu Qing Yao? Had rumors already spread? Had the prophecy of "The Phoenix Descends to the Prime Minister's Mansion" reached Chang Sun Zhu's ears?
If that were the case, regardless of whether Miss Mu San was the Phoenix maiden, he would surely confine her.
Moreover...
A thin layer of coldness covered Murong Liu Zun's face. That Miss Mu San was indeed an exceptionally intelligent woman. Regardless of whether she had the ability to change the nation's destiny, since rumors existed, he had to ensure foolproof security!