"The Emperor has arrived."
Outside the Cining Palace, the eunuch’s announcement echoed far and wide.
Chen Jing hurriedly stepped out to greet him, kneeling to show respect: "Good fortune to the Emperor."
"I have come to see Mother. Where is she at this moment?" Yan Xiu asked warmly, after signaling Chen Jing to stand.
Chen Jing replied, "The Empress Dowager is still in the Buddhist Hall."
Yan Xiu nodded slightly, "I will go and see Mother."
Chen Jing followed respectfully behind Yan Xiu.
Was it because the Emperor heard about Lady Li being here that he rushed over? Yet, it’s baffling that the Emperor did not inquire about Lady Li.
Buddhist Hall.
The Empress Dowager was currently in the side hall drinking tea.
Having just finished her prayers, her throat was parched, and upon hearing of the Emperor’s arrival, she was both surprised and understanding, quickly ordering someone to prepare a pot of the Emperor’s usual tea.
"Greetings to Mother, wishing Mother good fortune." Yan Xiu cupped his hands and bowed.
"Ah, drop the formalities, Emperor, please sit." The Empress Dowager, genuinely pleased to see Yan Xiu, didn’t bother guessing the reason for his visit and ordered snacks to be brought for him to taste.
"This is a new creation from my private kitchen. It’s not sweet, please try it, Emperor."
Yan Xiu looked at the round cake-like snack on the plate, picked it up and found the outermost layer very flaky, but fortunately, he applied just the right amount of pressure not to crumble it.
Taking a small bite, Yan Xiu nodded in satisfaction, "Very good."
The Empress Dowager beamed with joy, "Since the Emperor likes it, have a few more pieces. Tomorrow, I’ll have fresh ones made and sent to you. These snacks are best right when they’re out of the oven, taking them back will lose their flavor, no need to."
"I listen to whatever Mother says."
Yan Xiu hadn’t had breakfast, and after the morning court, he attended meetings in the Imperial Study for a long time. Now, having a piece of the snack, his hungry stomach was finally somewhat satisfied. He calmly sipped tea and, with Shen Quan’s assistance, rinsed his mouth and cleaned his hands.
The Empress Dowager, seeing Yan Xiu give such face, was in a very good mood.
"When Man’er came to greet me today, she looked unwell. It seems she didn’t rest well from the sudden illness yesterday. If I hadn’t insisted she go back, she would still be here with me now."
Yan Xiu glanced at Shen Quan and realized, oh, she means Princess Consort De.
"I will have the Imperial Physician take good care of Princess Consort De," Yan Xiu said warmly. "Mother need not worry; with the Imperial Physician, Princess Consort De will surely be fine."
The Empress Dowager, seeing Yan Xiu skillfully avoid the real issue despite knowing her intentions, could only sigh helplessly.
Yan Xiu stayed with the Empress Dowager for a while before rising to leave, never once mentioning the matter of Li Yu’er.
It was only after walking far out of the Buddhist Hall that Shen Quan softly said, "Emperor, Lady Li was escorted directly to the Buddhist Hall by Aunt Chen. Miss Feng Yin did not follow her inside and has been waiting outside. Now Miss Feng Yin is also nowhere to be seen; Lady Li seems to have returned."
Yan Xiu pressed his lips in silence.
He would be relieved if she had returned, for what he worried was whether Yu’er was still being punished in the Buddhist Hall.
Just now, he’d stayed with the Empress Dowager for so long, hoping that if he heard Yu’er, he would find a way to take her back. Unfortunately, Yu’er wasn’t in the Buddhist Hall at all.
"Search again," Yan Xiu’s voice grew cold.
"Emperor, this is the Cining Palace." Shen Quan was troubled.
Even gathering this much information was not easy, as it depended on the Empress Dowager’s indulgence. If the Empress Dowager did not allow it, no one would casually divulge matters concerning Cining Palace.
Yan Xiu squinted his eyes, about to summon Jian Yi to search when a girl’s scream was heard from not far away—