The Princess Consort of Yu wore mourning attire and guarded the mourning hall.
"Princess Consort, the people at the gate refuse to leave..." a servant reported. The Princess Consort of Yu did not react.
After perhaps half an incense stick's worth of time, the Princess Consort of Yu spoke, "Have you found out?" she asked.
"Not yet," the maid lowered her head.
Unexpectedly, in the next second, the Princess Consort of Yu's eyes turned cold. She directly grabbed the scissors beside her and stabbed them towards the maid's chest. Fresh blood splattered all over the Princess Consort of Yu's face...
"Ah!" The servants around them were startled and all knelt down.
"Your Highness, spare our lives! Your Highness, spare our lives!" the servants cried out for mercy.
"If I cannot live well... none of you will be able to live well either..." The Princess Consort of Yu seemed to have lost her mind. Those people wanted to force her to her death. They wanted to force her to her death! Then she would take these people with her to die!
These days, people were squatting at the 왕府 (Wang Fu) gate every day, cursing and throwing vegetables and stones at the main entrance.
As soon as she stepped out, countless people would swarm her, pointing and scolding her, surrounding her carriage...
"Princess Consort, something terrible has happened! The Heir Apparent has been taken away by His Majesty's men!" someone rushed in from outside and shouted.
"What did you say?" the Princess Consort of Yu's expression sharpened.
"His Majesty's men just said that the Heir Apparent had colluded with martial forces without authorization and harbored ill intentions, so he was taken away," the servant knelt on the ground.
"His Majesty... Heh, so it was His Majesty..." The Princess Consort of Yu seemed to suddenly understand something.
It wasn't just here; there was also Luo Yuncheng. However... when the soldiers arrived, Luo Yuncheng was nowhere to be found. In the study, there was only someone impersonating Luo Yuncheng. Even the servants in the mansion didn't know where he had gone.
Fortunately, upon hearing the news passed down by his subordinates, Yu Jingchen was quickly informed. Yu Jingchen ordered a city-wide search.
At this moment, in the Fengyin Palace
Nan Zhiyun was still napping. Her pregnancy had stabilized a lot, and her belly was slowly showing. She had been increasingly sleepy lately and had cravings for sour food.
Every day, Yu Jingchen had people send Nan Zhiyun the foods she liked. As for why it was every day... it was because everything had to be freshly picked that day. Yu Jingchen said it had to remain fresh.
And so, more food was delivered.
"Aunt Qian Xia, this is what was sent for the Empress today. Shall I have the eunuch put it inside?" the eunuch from the Imperial Household Department said obsequiously. After all, one could not offend the people around the Empress.
Many people had come, bringing a wide variety of items, though the quantity of each item was small. Yu Jingchen said that Nan Zhiyun should be able to taste everything she liked, but in moderation, which was why he had arranged it this way.
"Her Highness is resting now, so please be quiet. Just do as you usually do. Xia Yi, you take them with you." Qian Xia was increasingly taking on the role of a managing aunt.
"Yes, everyone follow me." Xia Yi led these people to place all the items brought today.
At the end of the procession, a young eunuch, hunched over and with his head down, slowly detached himself from the group, unnoticed.
The little eunuch walked to a secluded spot. As he looked up, he realized it was Luo Yuncheng himself. He observed his surroundings. Nan Zhiyun preferred quiet, so there was no one around.
He had followed the others into the palace hall. Since Nan Zhiyun was napping, no one was inside the hall. Those people were all by the door.