Everyone withdrew. Han Wang sat up from the bed and casually pulled a piece of clothing over himself, chuckling, "Xue Jingyun, you're not here just to visit this King, are you?"
"What do you think?" Xue Jingyun retorted.
Han Wang burst into laughter. "I'm self-aware. Speak, what business brings you here?"
"Where is Han Xi Chen?" Xue Jingyun bypassed Han Wang's question and inquired about Han Xi Chen.
Han Wang inexplicably felt something was amiss but didn't pry further. Instead, he sent for Han Xi Chen.
"Xue Jingyun, tell me, has something happened?" Han Wang wasn't foolish; he quickly grasped Xue Jingyun's purpose for being there, which must be related to Han Xi Chen.
Why did this Han Xi Chen always cause him trouble? Even in Han City, he could reach into the capital.
If it weren't for the sake of brotherhood, he truly wished he could end him with a single sword stroke, saving himself the hassle.
The messenger returned shortly. Upon seeing only the messenger, Han Wang sensed something was wrong and quickly asked, "Where is Han Xi Chen?"
"My Lord, the Seventh Prince is not in his chambers."
Han Xi Xia's heart sank. He looked up at Xue Jingyun and said, "I had placed Han Xi Chen under house arrest in his chambers. I didn't expect..."
"I am not here to hold you accountable. Find him, and do it quickly!" Xue Jingyun said coldly.
Han Xi Xia did not dare to delay and immediately dispatched people to search for Han Xi Chen.
Seeing Xue Jingyun about to leave, Han Xi Xia rose and chased after him, "Is this related to the Empress?"
Xue Jingyun turned back, looking at Han Xi Xia. After a long pause, he nodded and said, "A Ning is missing..."
Han Xi Xia trembled all over. "Did Han Xi Chen do this?"
Xue Jingyun stated coldly, "I don't have absolute certainty, but the evidence points to him."
"This Han Xi Chen wants to ruin me," Han Xi Xia cursed uncontrollably.
"If Han Xi Chen is found, I request that you hand him over to me for full handling."
Han Xi Xia nodded. "Very well, but please allow me to send my own people to search for her as well."
Xue Jingyun looked at him, then nodded after a moment. "Agreed."
Gazing at Xue Jingyun's departing back, Han Xi Xia sighed. To push someone as elegant and peerlessly beautiful as him into such a state, it was likely only Xue Zi Ning could do it.
Xue Zi Ning, you are a person of great fortune. May you be safe!
"Send people to search for the Empress. If there is any news, report back to this King," Han Xi Xia said softly.
A moment later, a voice from behind replied, "Yes."
Seeing Xue Jingyun emerge from the Han Palace, Xue Yan quickly stepped forward and asked, "Your Highness, any leads?"
Xue Jingyun glanced at her and said faintly, "Han Xi Chen is missing."
Xue Yan was stunned, then stomped her foot fiercely. "It must be him, Han Xi Chen."
She gritted her teeth, vowing to tear him limb from limb if she ever caught him.
"Your Highness, our own people are too few. Shall we seek help from Qian Jin Lou?" Xue Song suggested.
Xue Jingyun nodded. "That is precisely my intention."
Qian Jin Lou, as the largest assassin organization, once had a liaison point in every country. Its leader was the current Censor-in-Chief, Wen Yu Xi.
Xue Jingyun and his two companions arrived at Qian Jin Lou's liaison point, a Wen Yu Tea House situated on a bustling street in Han City.
Its exterior was opulent, and those who came here were either wealthy or noble, which also served as a way to gather all the news in Han City.
Upon entering the tea house, a waiter approached them enthusiastically. "Sir, are you here for tea?"
Xue Yan eyed the waiter but dared not let down her guard. From the moment they entered this tea house, they might have already been under surveillance.
Perhaps this waiter was a cold-blooded killer.
Thinking this, Xue Yan felt a shiver run down her spine.
"Is your proprietor available? My young master wishes to discuss a transaction," Xue Song spoke up.
The waiter sized them up. "Please follow me to the second floor. My proprietor is rather busy. Please wait a moment."
The waiter led them to a private room on the second floor and then left.
"Your Highness, they..."
Before Xue Song could finish, they heard faint sounds from outside.
Xue Song paused slightly, frowning and whispering, "Your Highness, allow me to investigate..."
As he was about to rise, Xue Jingyun stopped him with a hand. He dipped his finger into some tea and, just as someone was about to break through the door, Xue Jingyun flicked his hand towards the intruders.
The tea water on his finger shot out, each drop landing precisely on the foreheads of those breaking in. Though it was merely tea water, it caused the intruders to cry out in pain and fall to the ground.
However, they quickly got back up. At this moment, a tall figure appeared before them, clad in a moon-white robe, exuding an air of travel-worn dust, and exuding a powerful aura that made it difficult for them to lift their heads.
"Make one more move, and it won't be tea water on your brow," a clear, cold voice declared, as sharp as ice, piercing to the bone.
Like a born king, he gazed down at them, who resembled ants, with an air of superiority.
"It has been heard that the Crown Prince of Xue Kingdom is invincible under heaven. Seeing you today, it is indeed not an empty rumor."
A hoary voice echoed softly.
Xue Jingyun looked at the elder who walked in from outside and said faintly, "You flatter me, proprietor. Nowadays, talents emerge in great numbers, and this prince can no longer be considered invincible."
The elder stroked his beard. "Your Highness need not be so modest. This old man is a good judge of character."
"I am not here today to spar, but to find someone."
The elder smiled and said, "This old man knows. Does Your Highness seek the Seventh Prince or the Empress?"
"Both," Xue Jingyun replied.
The elder nodded. "Just now, this old man received a secret letter from the楼主 (Louzhu - Lord/Leader), instructing me to cooperate fully with Your Highness. Please instruct me."
Xue Jingyun was not surprised how Wen Yu Xi obtained the information. With his control over Qian Jin Lou, if he couldn't get the news at this moment, then Qian Jin Lou would be useless.
"Dispatch a portion of your men to search for Han Xi Chen. I want to know his whereabouts within an hour."
"Yes, this old man will send people to search immediately." The elder was about to leave.
Xue Jingyun continued, "Then dispatch another portion of your men to An City. Report to me all that has happened after An Ping returned, leaving nothing out."
The elder nodded. "This old man understands."
"The remaining men will search for the Empress discreetly," Xue Jingyun instructed.
The elder stated, "If there are no further orders, this old man will proceed."
Xue Jingyun nodded. "Good."
"Your Highness, what shall we do?" Xue Song inquired.
Xue Jingyun looked at Xue Song and Xue Yan, who had also stayed up with him, and said softly, "Let's return to the Han Palace for a meal and rest."
Xue Song and Xue Yan were stunned, completely taken aback by such words from their prince.
Xue Jingyun seemed to explain, "If A Ning sees me in this state, she will be displeased. Do not underestimate the movements of Qian Jin Lou; they are faster than I am."
Xue Song nodded. "That's fine. It's been a long time since this subordinate has had a good night's sleep."
Upon hearing this, Xue Yan delivered a playful blow. "All you think about is eating."
Xue Song replied with a wry smile, "Those words came from His Highness. If you have such ferocity, go hit His Highness."