I was punished to kneel within Su Xinyu’s palace, and that little eunuch would sneak in, unable to persuade me, only foolishly accompanying him in kneeling together...

Rong Jing gradually clenched his fists, fingertips turning white.

Though Xia He was merely a servant, she acted out a play and deceived him for the sake of Rong Heng and Rong Luo, the sibling pair.

Zhang Fengcai was also a servant, accompanying him for so many years, yet ultimately deceived him for the sake of his godfather.

It turns out,

There is so much sincerity in this world,

But he never truly possessed it.

"Zhang Fengcai’s body, was it found in his private residence outside the palace? What about the other people in that residence, where is Zhang Ruoshui?" Rong Jing asked.

"Apart from a few old servants within his private residence, no one else was found there. Perhaps, knowing of his death, they scattered and fled. Gu Lan’s whereabouts are also unknown."

Rong Jing’s gaze regained its sharpness, saying, "Has the Capital Gate been closed? If Gu Lan escapes the palace, she will definitely return to Dingyuan Marquis Mansion, we just need to wait for her to fall into our trap."

Miao Ci’s eyes flashed evasively, making Rong Jing’s expression even more grim.

"Your, Your Majesty... when you were unconscious, General Chen reported back from encircling Dingyuan Marquis Mansion, stating everyone, everyone in the marquis mansion... vanished without a trace..." Miao Ci stuttered out.

"Useless, a bunch of useless!" Rong Jing’s throat tasted sweet, forcefully swallowing down blood.

He drew the sword placed nearby, his eyes turning fiery red, his arm swinging it, instantly shredding the azure drapery into fragments, further accentuating his withered appearance.

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty calm down, the servants have already sent the Inner Supervision to search—"

"They are people, how could they possibly vanish without a trace, ah!?"

"General Chen said, after Commander Song left, the imperial guard surrounding Dingyuan Marquis Mansion numbered only a few hundred. This morning, those household soldiers from the Gu Family, who had been quiet for many days, suddenly began causing trouble. The imperial guard confronted them, and after waiting for two hours when the household soldiers dispersed, he sensed something was amiss, discovering that the people from the marquis mansion had already escaped through the back door, unknow—not knowing their whereabouts."

Unknown whereabouts...

A peculiar glint passed through Rong Miaoyan’s eyes as she quietly took two steps back, watching the frantic Rong Jing.

After a short while, Rong Jing tremblingly threw his sword away, clutching his injured chest, issuing orders word by word:

"Lead the Inner Supervision and imperial guard, search house by house. Issue the decree, Dingyuan Marquis Mansion has defied the authority, left the mansion privately, disregarded the imperial command... upon discovering anyone from the mansion, regardless of gender or age, kill without mercy."

"Yes, the servants will do it immediately." 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

Rong Miaoyan had already silently exited the hall, standing atop the jade steps, exhaling a turbid breath.

She ignored Rong Jing’s roars behind her, directly heading to the side hall, where Lin He was recuperating from wounds.

Upon seeing Rong Miaoyan suddenly appear, Lin He weakly said, "The servant greets the princess, and asks for forgiveness for being unable to perform etiquette due to injury."

Miaoyan looked at the handsome young eunuch before her and said in a calm voice, "Lin He, I know you belong to Gu Lan and Uncle Wu."

Lin He’s expression stiffened, his face turning paler, yet he did not refute.

Knowing his identity is something Empress Su understood, so for Princess Ning’an to know, it is reasonable.

"Your Highness came... for what purpose?" Lin He asked in a low voice, holding his wound.

"So, quickly depart." Rong Miaoyan leaned down slightly, her hands pressing on Lin He’s bloodstained shoulders, meeting his dark eyes.

She paid no heed to the blood on Lin He, her expression exceptionally solemn.

"Based on my understanding of the Emperor, he won’t believe what you say, nor does he believe Zhang Fengcai would let Gu Lan go. Right now, you are still of use to him, but he was misled by Miao Ci, only letting you off recently... You’ve been exposed, you must leave here quickly."

"Princess... why help a servant." Lin He hesitated for a moment but tremblingly stood up, fixedly staring at Rong Miaoyan, filled with confusion.

Rong Miaoyan gave a bitter smile, saying, "Gu Lan is a friend of mine, helping you also means helping her, and more so... helping myself."

What she didn’t say was, Lin He reminded her of that snowy night, when a young man held an umbrella for her, accompanying her through the last stretch of road.

She no longer wanted to watch those close to her die due to Rong Jing, without any means to change that.

"This servant understands... many thanks to the princess for the life-saving grace." Lin He expressed his gratitude, gritted his teeth, and hurriedly left, limping away.

He believed Rong Miaoyan wouldn’t deceive him; if indeed he had been exposed, once the Emperor clears his mind, his death is certain—better to immediately leave the palace and meet with Gu Lan.

Only then did Miaoyan feel assured, heading in another direction.

After exiting the palace, Zisu, who had long been waiting at the palace gates, saw her appear in safe condition, let out a sighed relief and wanted to say something. Yet, Miaoyan, with a fatigued face, gestured a weary hand, "Let’s return to the mansion."

Zisu supported her, step by step walking back to the Princess Mansion, followed closely by the last chief eunuch of Inner Supervision—Lan Nu.