Chapter 655 - 658: The Princely Heir is Missing

Chapter 655: Chapter 658: The Princely Heir is Missing

The two parties exchanged a few simple pleasantries before quickly parting ways.

After the Crown Prince and his retinue entered Yufu Palace, Hua Manman and Madam Zhong’an glanced at each other. They immediately picked up their pace, practically running toward the palace gates.

The little eunuch leading the way didn’t understand what was happening and hurried after them to give a reminder.

"Madam, please slow down. Running is not permitted in the palace."

Madam Zhong’an blurted out an excuse.

"My—my stomach hurts. I want to get home quickly."

The little eunuch quickly said, "Are you ill, Madam? Should we summon an Imperial Physician to take a look?"

Hua Manman cut in, "It’s an old ailment of my mistress’s. There’s no need to trouble the Imperial Physician. She just needs to go home, take some medicine, and rest for a bit."

Madam Zhong’an chimed in, "Yes, that’s right. I must get back quickly to take my medicine."

Even as they spoke, the two women strode forward at a rapid pace, covering a great distance in moments.

The little eunuch was suspicious. ’If Madam Zhong’an’s stomach is hurting, how can she walk so fast? She doesn’t look sick at all.’

But considering Madam Zhong’an’s status, the little eunuch didn’t dare say more and could only follow them silently.

Meanwhile, the Crown Prince, Li Qiong, had met with Princess Consort Zhen.

Princess Consort Zhen first asked about the Crown Prince’s recent well-being before inquiring about the purpose of his visit.

Li Qiong answered truthfully, "Your son heard that Cousin Li Xun has been in low spirits lately, so I came especially to see him."

Princess Consort Zhen was very pleased.

"It seems you’ve taken this consort’s words to heart. You must get along well with Xun’er and treat him as your own brother. Only then can you do right by your deceased aunt."

Li Qiong nodded. "Your son understands."

Princess Consort Zhen said, "Go see him, then. You two are close in age; you should have plenty to talk about."

Guided by a palace maid, Li Qiong arrived at the door to Li Xun’s bedchamber.

He knocked on the door.

There was no response.

The little eunuch standing guard at the door explained.

"The Young Master is in a bad mood today. He won’t answer the door for anyone."

Li Qiong reached out to push the door but was surprised to find it bolted from the inside.

Unable to open it, he had someone check the window.

The window wasn’t bolted and opened with a slight push.

The little eunuch stood by the window and called out "Young Master" twice, but still received no reply.

From his angle, he could only see a large lump under the covers.

It looked like the young prince was still sulking under the blanket.

The little eunuch reported everything he saw to the Crown Prince.

Li Qiong ordered, "Climb in through the window and open the door for Us."

The little eunuch hesitated.

"Will the Young Master be angry?"

The young prince already had a bad temper. If someone entered his room without permission, he would surely fly into a rage.

Li Qiong said, "We will bear all consequences. Just do as We say."

Hearing this, the little eunuch was greatly reassured and immediately began to carry out the Crown Prince’s order.

The little eunuch climbed through the window into the room.

Afraid of disturbing the young prince, he deliberately walked on his tiptoes.

He tiptoed cautiously to the door, slid back the wooden bolt, and opened it.

Li Qiong stepped over the threshold and strode into the room.

He saw the large mound on the bed and said in a serious tone.

"Cousin, We have come to see you."

The blanket didn’t move.

Li Qiong received no reply.

He frowned slightly and said in a low voice.

"We know you are unhappy, but Mother-Concubine is only keeping you in the palace to protect you.

She even incurred the Empress Dowager’s displeasure for this. Can’t you show a little understanding for her good intentions?"

Still, there was no response.

Li Qiong said a few more things.

But no matter what he said, the blanket remained perfectly still.

The excessive silence made Li Qiong realize something was wrong.

He walked over, placed his hand on the blanket, and gave it a gentle push.

His hand sank right in.

Li Qiong’s heart skipped a beat. ’This doesn’t feel right!’

He grabbed the blanket and yanked it away.

Underneath, there was no one at all—only two stacked pillows.

Seeing this, everyone else in the room couldn’t help but gasp.

"The Young Master is gone!"

Li Qiong immediately turned his head and glared at the little eunuch, demanding.

"Weren’t you guarding the door the whole time? How could the Princely Heir have disappeared?"

The little eunuch, trembling with fear, fell to his knees with a thud and cried.

"This servant doesn’t know! This servant was at the door the whole time and didn’t see anyone go in, much less anyone come out."

"Useless!"

Li Qiong turned angrily, flicked his sleeves, and stormed out.

He ran to find Princess Consort Zhen and tell her what had happened.

Princess Consort Zhen was stunned. "Xun’er is missing? How is that possible?"

It was only when she rushed to Li Xun’s bedchamber and saw the empty bed with her own eyes that she was forced to accept reality.

Li Qiong looked around the room and analyzed the situation.

"There are no signs of a struggle in the room. It probably wasn’t robbers."

Princess Consort Zhen gazed at the two pillows on the bed and said slowly.

"He even knew to use pillows to create the illusion that he was still here. That means he wasn’t kidnapped; he left willingly. But he’s just a child. He couldn’t have left Yufu Palace on his own. Someone must have helped him in secret."

Li Qiong asked, "Mother-Concubine, did you see anyone unusual today?"

Princess Consort Zhen immediately thought of Madam Zhong’an.

’Madam Zhong’an has always wanted to take Li Xun away. Could she have done this?’

At this thought, Princess Consort Zhen immediately gave an order.

"Quick, have someone stop Madam Zhong’an! Don’t let her leave the Imperial Palace!"

"Yes, Your Highness!"

...

Hua Manman and Madam Zhong’an practically flew on their feet, sprinting all the way to the vicinity of the palace gates.

The little eunuch who had been following them was already left far behind.

Seizing the moment before the little eunuch could catch up, Hua Manman pinched her throat and began to meow like a cat.

MEOW, MEOW, MEOW!

Not long after the sound carried, a chubby Three-colored Cat darted out from the side.

Following behind it was a little attendant girl in a dress.

As the person and the cat ran closer, Madam Zhong’an got a clear look at the little attendant’s face and was instantly overjoyed.

"Gou Dan, why are you dressed like this?"

Li Xun clutched the hem of his skirt, his little face flushed red as if he were wearing rouge.

He said, mortified, "You’re the ones who made me dress like this!"

’I’m a man, and I have to wear a dress! This is so humiliating!’

’If word of this gets out, I’ll never be able to face my little brothers again!’

Hua Manman laughed and said.

"It’s harder for people to recognize you when you’re dressed like this."

She glanced back and saw the little eunuch who had been guiding them catching up. "Stop talking, let’s go!" she urged.

The palace gates were just ahead. They only had to walk about a hundred more steps to leave the Imperial Palace.

But just then, a sharp shout came from behind them.

"Close the palace gates! Don’t let them leave!"

Hua Manman’s heart leaped in alarm. She whipped her head around toward the sound and saw a group of people rushing toward them.

It looked like their targets were her and Madam Zhong’an.