无翼乌工口里番无色无摭挡

Jiang Yi rode his horse toward the East Palace.

Jiang Ruobai stared at his son’s retreating figure for a moment, not stopping him, and went straight to the imperial study.

Today was not a day for the morning court, and according to the Emperor’s habit, he would write and read in the imperial study.

Upon seeing him, the Emperor laughed, “It’s rare to see Prime Minister Jiang so early.”

Jiang Ruobai knelt down to perform a salute and cut straight to the chase, “Last night, my daughter sent the emperor’s eldest grandson back to the palace, and then she disappeared. Does Your Majesty know about this?”

The Emperor was surprised, “I heard that the Princess Consort of Yu brought Xiaoqian here, but the Empress said that she left the child behind and went back on her own.”

“No.”

Jiang Ruobai’s face was solemn, “According to the maidservant beside the Princess Consort of Yu, they were attacked last night. The maidservant was knocked unconscious in the snow, and the whereabouts of the Princess Consort of Yu remain unknown.”

The Emperor frowned, “Was she attacked inside the palace?”

“Yes. The maidservant said that it was the early arriving Imperial Guard who found her and woke her up. The place where she woke up was still some distance from the Immortal-view Gate.”

The Emperor called for the guards, “Go and investigate the whereabouts and movements of the Princess Consort of Yu last night!”

The guards took their orders and left.

The Emperor glanced at Prime Minister Jiang, “Do you already have a plan in mind?”

“Yes.”

Jiang Ruobai said, “Now, Your Majesty and the Imperial Concubines live in the palace, as well as the Crown Prince in the East Palace. My daughter has always been lazy and doesn’t like interacting with others. The only person who could be a misunderstanding is the Crown Prince.”

“Do you suspect that the Crown Prince abducted the Princess Consort of Yu?” The Emperor’s eyes narrowed slightly, “Such an accusation should be backed up by evidence. Even you, as the Prime Minister, can’t evade the crime of slander against the Crown Prince.”

“Whether there is evidence or not, it will be found out if a search is conducted!”

Jiang Ruobai was insistent.

The Emperor was somewhat displeased in his heart.

He was not trying to cover up for the Crown Prince, but Prime Minister Jiang’s attitude in front of him was increasingly disrespectful.

The Emperor didn’t speak for a moment.

Jiang Ruobai spoke word by word, “If the Crown Prince does anything to my daughter, I… will never let it go!”

Angry, the Emperor slammed the table, “Jiang Ruobai, do you want to rebel? If the Crown Prince is responsible for Jiang Ning’s disappearance, do you wish to assassinate the Crown Prince? Are you willing to defy my edict to leave the East Palace?”

Jiang Ruobai sneered, about to speak when the Eunuch rushed in and knelt to report, “Your Majesty, the Prince of Yu has returned.”

Both the emperor and the minister looked stunned.

They didn’t expect him to return so quickly.

They had thought that he would not be home until the end of the year.

The Emperor asked, “Where is the Prince of Yu now?”

“The Prince of Yu… has gone to the East Palace.”

“He went to the East Palace?” The Emperor was astonished.

Why had the Prince of Yu gone to the East Palace first when he should have come to see the Emperor upon return?

The Emperor continued to ask, “The Crown Prince is under house arrest, so why has he gone to the East Palace?”

“This servant is not very clear, but it seems to be related to the disappearance of the Princess Consort of Yu.”

The Emperor and Jiang Ruobai exchanged glances.

The Emperor stood up, “Let’s go to the East Palace to take a look. You go ahead and try to stop him, don’t let the Prince of Yu make a scene in the East Palace!”

The young eunuch dashed out.

Jiang Ruobai followed the Emperor toward the East Palace.

Speeding ahead, the young eunuch arrived at the East Palace, only to find a commotion outside. The Crown Prince’s personal guards and a few of the Prince of Yu’s guards were clashing.

As for the Prince of Yu, there was no trace of him, presumably already inside.

The young eunuch hurriedly stepped forward, “I have come to relay the Emperor’s decree!”