In a mansion within the capital, Wen Yu Xi, looking at Shen Yun Xuan who had returned travel-worn, couldn't help but ask, "Do you have any news of His Majesty?"
Shen Yun Xuan's face was grim. "I am useless. I did not find any trace of His Majesty."
Wen Yu Xi took several steps back until he was stopped by a tree behind him. He waved his hand, his voice tinged with weariness, "You've worked hard. Go and rest!"
Shen Yun Xuan parted his lips, wanting to offer some words of comfort, but seeing Wen Yu Xi's dejected back, he ultimately said nothing.
After Shen Yun Xuan left, Wen Yu Xi suddenly punched the tree. His gaze grew distant. Xue Zi Ning, where are you?
He sat down dejectedly on a stone chair, his eyes falling on a stone vat beneath the tree. Inside, a few fish swam freely.
At that moment, he suddenly felt as though she was like the fish, swimming to his side, and then swimming away, leaving behind only ripples in his heart, with no further news.
Xue Zi Ning, where are you?
Shen Yun Xuan returned to his room. Upon opening the door, he saw Madam Shen inside. He walked forward, and before Madam Shen could speak, he embraced her tightly.
Madam Shen was taken aback. "My lord, you..."
"Don't speak. Let me hold you for a while," Shen Yun Xuan said.
Madam Shen fell silent, returning his embrace with equal fervor.
After a long while, he finally let go.
She pulled him to sit down and asked cautiously, "You must be tired. Do you have any news of His Majesty?"
Shen Yun Xuan looked at her for a long time before finally speaking. "No."
Madam Shen's gaze dimmed, and she asked with concern, "His Majesty, she wouldn't..."
"She wouldn't. His Majesty is clever and wise; nothing will happen to her. The lack of news now might be the best news," Shen Yun Xuan said.
Madam Shen nodded. "His Majesty is blessed with good fortune; nothing will happen to her." Absolutely not.
"But His Majesty's situation is very dire," Shen Yun Xuan sighed.
Madam Shen said, "I fear the one suffering the most right now is Lord Wen. With no news of His Majesty, Lord Wen must be the most anxious." She understood that feeling. Back when Shen Yun Xuan was missing, she felt like a walking corpse, as if her soul had left her.
"Yes," Shen Yun Xuan replied.
He knew that Wen Yu Xi's feelings for the Empress were no less than his own, perhaps even more.
Unlike him, although they had faced near-death separations before, he was fortunate now. "Madam, let us never be separated again."
Shen Yun Xuan's gaze was intense, and Madam Shen's face flushed. "You... what are you doing?"
"Madam Shen, once this is over, and we return to the palace, I will resign from my post. We will go to a place of reclusion, and we will never be separated again."
Madam Shen's face turned as red as the evening clouds. "My lord, this is not the time to discuss this. We must find His Majesty first. Until His Majesty is found, our matters will have to be postponed."
Hearing this, Shen Yun Xuan's handsome face fell, and he felt a bit wronged. What if His Majesty is never found? No, he must find His Majesty as soon as possible.
"Lord Shen." Someone spoke from outside the door.
Shen Yun Xuan stood up and walked to the door, opening it. "Is something the matter?"
The servant nodded. "Someone wishes to see Lord Wen."
"Who is it?" Shen Yun Xuan asked. Who would want to see Wen Yu Xi at this hour?
The servant said, "The person did not say, but only that his purpose is the same as yours."
Shen Yun Xuan's eyes flickered. "I will go ask Lord Wen. You take the person to the study."
"Yes, Lord Shen." The servant left.
"My lord, do you think the visitor might have news of His Majesty?" Madam Shen asked.
Shen Yun Xuan turned back and patted her shoulder. "I dare not say anything for sure. I will go and see."
Madam Shen nodded. "Alright, be careful."
Shen Yun Xuan nodded and left the room. He went to the Imperial Palace, to Wen Yu Xi's chambers, and knocked on the door. After a long pause, Wen Yu Xi's voice came from within, "Enter."
Shen Yun Xuan pushed the door open and saw Wen Yu Xi sitting in a chair. In just a few short hours, he felt a profound sense of desolation emanating from Wen Yu Xi.
"Is something the matter?" Wen Yu Xi asked, looking up.
Shen Yun Xuan walked closer and said, "Someone wishes to see you."
"See me?" Wen Yu Xi asked.
Shen Yun Xuan nodded. "He said his purpose is the same as ours."
Wen Yu Xi's gaze shifted slightly. "Take me to him."
"I have already instructed someone to take him to the Imperial Study," Shen Yun Xuan said.
Wen Yu Xi stood up. "I will go and meet him."
Wen Yu Xi and Shen Yun Xuan arrived at the study. Wen Yu Xi entered first and immediately saw a man in dark robes. The man was tall and slender, and though his back was to them, Wen Yu Xi could feel a powerful aura emanating from him.
"I am Wen Yu Xi. May I know your name, brother?" Wen Yu Xi asked.
The other man turned around, but unfortunately, he wore a mask, obscuring his face from Wen Yu Xi.
"I am Ming Zi Yu."
Wen Yu Xi looked at Ming Zi Yu. "Brother, why do you not show your true face? Why the concealment?"
"Forgive my rudeness, but I believe Lord Wen will not be concerned with such formalities."
Wen Yu Xi blinked, his gaze sharpening. Shen Yun Xuan stepped in front of him. "Who are you, exactly?"
"Lord Wen wishes to know the whereabouts of Miss Xue Zi Ning. Coincidentally, my purpose is the same. Whether we are enemies or not, our goal is now the same. Is that not enough?"
Shen Yun Xuan was about to ask further, but Wen Yu Xi stopped him. "Then, Brother Ming, do you have any news?"
Ming Zi Yu nodded. "His Majesty is currently at the Imperial Mausoleum."
Shen Yun Xuan said coldly, "We know His Majesty is at the Imperial Mausoleum. But where exactly in the mausoleum?"
The people they had sent into the Imperial Mausoleum had never sent back any news. If they were not needed in the capital to guard the court for His Majesty, how could they not wish to go to the Imperial Mausoleum themselves?
"His Majesty has now reached Jing Zhou," Ming Zi Yu said.
Wen Yu Xi was stunned. "Is this information accurate?"
"I have no reason to provide false information to Lord Wen," Ming Zi Yu said indifferently.
"How did you find out?" Shen Yun Xuan asked.
"Since I know, I naturally have my methods. Currently, the only one who can save His Majesty is you, Lord Wen."
"As long as the information is true, I will naturally rescue His Majesty."
"Rest assured, Lord Wen, the information is absolutely true."
Wen Yu Xi nodded. "Thank you. May I ask, Brother Ming, if you have any intentions?"
Ming Zi Yu looked at him and said, "As I said, my purpose is the same as His Majesty's. Therefore, I have no other demands besides His Majesty being rescued."
"Thank you," Wen Yu Xi said, cupping his fists.
"You are welcome. I shall take my leave. I urge Lord Wen to act as soon as possible. Lord Hua has already begun raising an army to rebel, and the capital is likely in grave danger."
"Thank you for the warning. I will be mindful of it."
"Farewell!"
Ming Zi Yu finished speaking and left.
Shen Yun Xuan said in a low voice, "Lord Wen, shall I follow this person?"