Since the winter hunt, the Empress had taken quite a liking to the girl Gu Ying. She had originally wanted to bring her into the Prince Shu's manor. If it were not for the Zhao Prince acting first and marrying her, she might have become her own daughter-in-law by now.
Thinking of this, the Empress sighed again. "You must have already heard about the happenings in court. His Majesty also feels grieved upon hearing the news of the Eldest Prince's disappearance. He has already sent people to Yueyang to look for the Eldest Prince's whereabouts."
Gu Ying did not speak. Her face was slightly pale and her eyes were red, looking as if she had cried all night. She did not seem to be in good spirits.
The Empress did not blame her. It was understandable for a woman to feel this way in such circumstances. Gu Ying was not heartless after all, so the Empress sympathized with her. "I wanted to go to Yueyang to look for the Eldest Prince, but His Majesty did not agree and sent Prince Shu instead."
Gu Ying forced a pale smile. "Your Majesty, do not worry. The Eldest Prince has the fortune of a noble person. He will surely be fine."
The Empress looked deeply at Gu Ying a few times. She had not expected that at this time, Gu Ying would instead comfort her.
It was obvious she was an extremely sensible and tactful girl.
The Empress smiled. She asked someone to place His Majesty's rewards in the room and said, "You should rest well. His Majesty has already sent people to look for the Eldest Prince. Although Prince Shu is useless, Imperial Envoy Zhou Yan has quite a reputation in court. I believe they will surely find the Eldest Prince. As soon as there is any news of the Eldest Prince, I will immediately send someone to inform you."
That was what she said, but whether or not they could find the Eldest Prince was another matter.
After all, it was a once in a century heavy snow disaster, coinciding with the misfortune of an earthquake... No one was prepared. So many youths of the Qilin Army were buried underground. No one knew if anyone could dig them out and properly rebury them.
When people could barely feed themselves during such a natural disaster, who would still care about the Eldest Prince and the army?
Everyone knew that hoping for the safe return of the Eldest Prince was nothing but a fool's dream.
Gu Ying blamed herself for feeling distressed. There was a stifling pain in her chest and the tears in her eyes fell.
Seeing this pained the Empress as well.
She sighed and persuaded Gu Ying a few times. In the end, she could not say anything more and returned to the palace.
After the Empress left, Gu Ying wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes and got out of bed.
She understood what the Empress had said. The imperial family would naturally send people to save the Eldest Prince in order to pacify the old Duke. But they did not guarantee they could save him back.
Humph.
If she left the Eldest Prince's safety to these people, how could she feel at ease?
She must personally go to Yueyang. She must see with her own eyes whether the Eldest Prince was alive or dead!
All the people from the Changfeng Pavilion came to the main hall to await instructions.
Gu Ying's gaze swept over everyone in the room. She slowly said, "A Ning, Bai Zhi, and Silver Orchid will stay at Changfeng Pavilion. Silver Pearl and Huai An will go with me to Yueyang. Those who remain in Bianjing must guard Changfeng Pavilion well and must not let anyone know I have left Bianjing. A Ning, understand?"
Gu Ning's eyes were deep and his eyebrows tightly knitted. "Sister, do you have to go?"
Gu Ying smiled through red eyes. She half crouched in front of his wheelchair and stroked his cheek. "Sister must go."
Gu Ning clenched his fists. His small face was full of disapproval. He raised his head straight and looked at his most beloved sister. "What if Sister cannot come back as well?"
Had she never considered him at all?
If she did not return, how heartbroken and sad would he be?
Gu Ying was taken aback. She had never thought of this before. After finding out what happened to the Eldest Prince, the first thing she wanted to do was to rush to find him...
It seemed that for his sake, she had thrown everything else out of her mind, even death.
Hearing Gu Ning say this now, she felt self-blame spreading through her heart. "A Ning, I'm sorry... Sister did think of you and has arranged everything for you."
Even if she did not return, he would still receive the best care.
By then, his uncle and aunt would bring him back to the Ye family to raise him. When he grew a bit older, they would send him to his maternal grandfather.
Seeing that Gu Ning still looked unhappy, Gu Ying gently smiled. "Don't worry. Sister will definitely return safely with the Eldest Prince. By then, I will personally watch you stand up. Won't I?"
Gu Ning mocked his mouth into a smile but did not speak. He turned his wheelchair around and left directly.
His back was lonely and desolate, silently resisting her decision.
Gu Ying's heart ached. She pressed her lips together and did not move for a long time.
Finally, she sat down on the chair listlessly. "Still follow the original plan... As for A Ning, Bai Zhi and Silver Orchid will take good care of him... There must not be any negligence."
Silver Orchid gritted her teeth and walked over. "My Lady, I want to go with you too."
Gu Ying looked up. "Silver Orchid, Yueyang is dangerous."
Silver Orchid said, "I can take care of my Lady's and Elder Sister Ning's living arrangements on the road. And I grew up begging on the streets, not pampered in boudoirs. I am not a delicate girl—"
Bai Zhi immediately said, "My Lady, I want to go too! I am not afraid of danger, hardship or even death! Even if I die, I still want to be with my Lady!"
"Bai Zhi, stop this nonsense! Finding the Eldest Prince is the most important matter. Taking care of A Ning at home is also very important." Gu Ying hated hearing Bai Zhi mention death the most. She glared at her and sternly said, "You even have to cleverly handle Madam Cheng and other madams or noble ladies who come looking for me. Your responsibility is even greater."
Bai Zhi did not know what to do and blinked anxiously, with eyes instantly turning red. "My Lady..."
Gu Ying advised heavily, "Listen to me."
Bai Zhi was at a temporary loss for words, not knowing what to say.
But Silver Orchid stood firmly behind Huai An with a determined look. She glanced at Gu Ying then glanced at Huai An's broad back. Her eyes lowered and she continued, "Silver Pearl should stay as well. The young master's legs are inconvenient. It would be dangerous without someone skilled in martial arts by his side. With Silver Pearl here, she can protect Bai Zhi and the young master. My Lady, please bring me along. I definitely won't drag you and Master Huai down."
"Silver Orchid, I'll only feel at ease with you staying at Changfeng Pavilion."
"My Lady worries too much. When Bai Zhi and the rest were still toddlers, I was already begging on the streets. Please bring me along, my Lady. My heart cannot be at ease in Changfeng Pavilion. I won't be able to eat or sleep well. It's better to follow along to watch over you. At least I'll know everything that's happening."
Gu Ying looked at her complicatedly before finally agreeing.
That night, Gu Ying made all the preparations. She travelled light with Huai An, Ning Shen and Silver Orchid, as well as a few highly skilled Qilin Army cavalrymen. They left the city.
...At the same time.
Prince Shu's entourage also set off from Bianjing.
Imperial Envoy Zhou Yan was a student of Lord Ning from the Ministry of Personnel and currently worked in the Ministry of War. As an advisor under Prince Shu this time, he would go to Yueyang together to handle disaster relief matters.
Jiang Yin, a guest at Prince Shu's manor, also left Bianjing with Prince Shu.
Although Gu Ying had stabbed him twice, he managed to survive under the imperial doctor's treatment.
Inside the spacious and luxurious carriage...
Prince Shu sat comfortably on the soft cushions and looked down condescendingly at Jiang Yin who was kneeling below. Displeasure flashed across his eyes.
"Is Zhao Changdu really dead or not?"
Since the winter hunt, the Empress had taken quite a liking to the girl Gu Ying. She had originally wanted to bring her into the Prince Shu's manor. If it were not for the Zhao Prince acting first and marrying her, she might have become her own daughter-in-law by now.
Thinking of this, the Empress sighed again. "You must have already heard about the happenings in court. His Majesty also feels grieved upon hearing the news of the Eldest Prince's disappearance. He has already sent people to Yueyang to look for the Eldest Prince's whereabouts."
Gu Ying did not speak. Her face was slightly pale and her eyes were red, looking as if she had cried all night. She did not seem to be in good spirits.
The Empress did not blame her. It was understandable for a woman to feel this way in such circumstances. Gu Ying was not heartless after all, so the Empress sympathized with her. "I wanted to go to Yueyang to look for the Eldest Prince, but His Majesty did not agree and sent Prince Shu instead."
Gu Ying forced a pale smile. "Your Majesty, do not worry. The Eldest Prince has the fortune of a noble person. He will surely be fine."
The Empress looked deeply at Gu Ying a few times. She had not expected that at this time, Gu Ying would instead comfort her.
It was obvious she was an extremely sensible and tactful girl.
The Empress smiled. She asked someone to place His Majesty's rewards in the room and said, "You should rest well. His Majesty has already sent people to look for the Eldest Prince. Although Prince Shu is useless, Imperial Envoy Zhou Yan has quite a reputation in court. I believe they will surely find the Eldest Prince. As soon as there is any news of the Eldest Prince, I will immediately send someone to inform you."
That was what she said, but whether or not they could find the Eldest Prince was another matter.
After all, it was a once in a century heavy snow disaster, coinciding with the misfortune of an earthquake... No one was prepared. So many youths of the Qilin Army were buried underground. No one knew if anyone could dig them out and properly rebury them.
When people could barely feed themselves during such a natural disaster, who would still care about the Eldest Prince and the army?
Everyone knew that hoping for the safe return of the Eldest Prince was nothing but a fool's dream.
Gu Ying blamed herself for feeling distressed. There was a stifling pain in her chest and the tears in her eyes fell.
Seeing this pained the Empress as well.
She sighed and persuaded Gu Ying a few times. In the end, she could not say anything more and returned to the palace.
After the Empress left, Gu Ying wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes and got out of bed.
She understood what the Empress had said. The imperial family would naturally send people to save the Eldest Prince in order to pacify the old Duke. But they did not guarantee they could save him back.
Humph.
If she left the Eldest Prince's safety to these people, how could she feel at ease?
She must personally go to Yueyang. She must see with her own eyes whether the Eldest Prince was alive or dead!
All the people from the Changfeng Pavilion came to the main hall to await instructions.
Gu Ying's gaze swept over everyone in the room. She slowly said, "A Ning, Bai Zhi, and Silver Orchid will stay at Changfeng Pavilion. Silver Pearl and Huai An will go with me to Yueyang. Those who remain in Bianjing must guard Changfeng Pavilion well and must not let anyone know I have left Bianjing. A Ning, understand?"
Gu Ning's eyes were deep and his eyebrows tightly knitted. "Sister, do you have to go?"
Gu Ying smiled through red eyes. She half crouched in front of his wheelchair and stroked his cheek. "Sister must go."
Gu Ning clenched his fists. His small face was full of disapproval. He raised his head straight and looked at his most beloved sister. "What if Sister cannot come back as well?"
Had she never considered him at all?
If she did not return, how heartbroken and sad would he be?
Gu Ying was taken aback. She had never thought of this before. After finding out what happened to the Eldest Prince, the first thing she wanted to do was to rush to find him...
It seemed that for his sake, she had thrown everything else out of her mind, even death.
Hearing Gu Ning say this now, she felt self-blame spreading through her heart. "A Ning, I'm sorry... Sister did think of you and has arranged everything for you."
Even if she did not return, he would still receive the best care.
By then, his uncle and aunt would bring him back to the Ye family to raise him. When he grew a bit older, they would send him to his maternal grandfather.
Seeing that Gu Ning still looked unhappy, Gu Ying gently smiled. "Don't worry. Sister will definitely return safely with the Eldest Prince. By then, I will personally watch you stand up. Won't I?"
Gu Ning mocked his mouth into a smile but did not speak. He turned his wheelchair around and left directly.
His back was lonely and desolate, silently resisting her decision.
Gu Ying's heart ached. She pressed her lips together and did not move for a long time.
Finally, she sat down on the chair listlessly. "Still follow the original plan... As for A Ning, Bai Zhi and Silver Orchid will take good care of him... There must not be any negligence."
Silver Orchid gritted her teeth and walked over. "My Lady, I want to go with you too."
Gu Ying looked up. "Silver Orchid, Yueyang is dangerous."
Silver Orchid said, "I can take care of my Lady's and Elder Sister Ning's living arrangements on the road. And I grew up begging on the streets, not pampered in boudoirs. I am not a delicate girl—"
Bai Zhi immediately said, "My Lady, I want to go too! I am not afraid of danger, hardship or even death! Even if I die, I still want to be with my Lady!"
"Bai Zhi, stop this nonsense! Finding the Eldest Prince is the most important matter. Taking care of A Ning at home is also very important." Gu Ying hated hearing Bai Zhi mention death the most. She glared at her and sternly said, "You even have to cleverly handle Madam Cheng and other madams or noble ladies who come looking for me. Your responsibility is even greater."
Bai Zhi did not know what to do and blinked anxiously, with eyes instantly turning red. "My Lady..."
Gu Ying advised heavily, "Listen to me."
Bai Zhi was at a temporary loss for words, not knowing what to say.
But Silver Orchid stood firmly behind Huai An with a determined look. She glanced at Gu Ying then glanced at Huai An's broad back. Her eyes lowered and she continued, "Silver Pearl should stay as well. The young master's legs are inconvenient. It would be dangerous without someone skilled in martial arts by his side. With Silver Pearl here, she can protect Bai Zhi and the young master. My Lady, please bring me along. I definitely won't drag you and Master Huai down."
"Silver Orchid, I'll only feel at ease with you staying at Changfeng Pavilion."
"My Lady worries too much. When Bai Zhi and the rest were still toddlers, I was already begging on the streets. Please bring me along, my Lady. My heart cannot be at ease in Changfeng Pavilion. I won't be able to eat or sleep well. It's better to follow along to watch over you. At least I'll know everything that's happening."
Gu Ying looked at her complicatedly before finally agreeing.
That night, Gu Ying made all the preparations. She travelled light with Huai An, Ning Shen and Silver Orchid, as well as a few highly skilled Qilin Army cavalrymen. They left the city.
...At the same time.
Prince Shu's entourage also set off from Bianjing.
Imperial Envoy Zhou Yan was a student of Lord Ning from the Ministry of Personnel and currently worked in the Ministry of War. As an advisor under Prince Shu this time, he would go to Yueyang together to handle disaster relief matters.
Jiang Yin, a guest at Prince Shu's manor, also left Bianjing with Prince Shu.
Although Gu Ying had stabbed him twice, he managed to survive under the imperial doctor's treatment.
Inside the spacious and luxurious carriage...
Prince Shu sat comfortably on the soft cushions and looked down condescendingly at Jiang Yin who was kneeling below. Displeasure flashed across his eyes.
"Is Zhao Changdu really dead or not?"
