Chapter 1221: Chapter 747: Pursuit and the Discovery of Fu Xingyi’s Treachery (Part 1)

An Ning swiftly left the Imperial Palace, heading to Lin Zichan’s residence.

Since it was the Empress leaving the palace, the journey was inevitably more complicated. Despite urging the coachman to ride faster, several hours had passed by the time she arrived.

An Ning stepped down from the carriage.

She took a deep breath and walked towards the entrance of the Lin Residence, knocking on the door.

There was no response from the door.

An Ning frowned.

She knocked again.

Then knocked several more times.

There was still no response from the door.

An Ning gritted her teeth and exerted all her strength to push it open.

It turned out the door wasn’t locked at all.

The door swung open easily.

The mansion was cold and quiet, as if it had never been inhabited.

An Ning’s heart tightened.

Could Lin Zichan have already left?!

Impossible.

Resigning from official duties isn’t something one can just do at a whim.

An Ning held back her nervousness and walked in step by step.

The mansion wasn’t large; she could see it all at a glance.

An Ning walked directly into an inner room.

Pushed the door.

As the door creaked open, it made the night seem even quieter.

"Lin Zichan?" An Ning called out.

There was no response.

An Ning gritted her teeth and called again, "Lin Zichan?! Are you there? If you are, respond. I have things to clarify with you."

Still no sound.

Determined, An Ning stepped into the dark room.

Through the weak moonlight, she could see the simple room, somewhat overly plain.

She approached the bed.

The bed beneath the mosquito net was particularly dark.

She couldn’t see if there was anyone on it.

An Ning walked over step by step.

She reached out to lift the mosquito net.

"Empress!"

A voice from behind came—Palace Attendant who had accompanied her out of the palace.

An Ning turned around.

"Empress, there is someone in the residence," the Palace Attendant quickly reported.

An Ning swiftly retreated outside.

At the moment she stepped out.

A bright sword seemed to flash by.

An Ning came outside.

An elderly man knelt on the ground, his face filled with fear.

"Spare me, Empress, spare me!" The old man kowtowed.

"Who is he?" An Ning glanced at the old man, asking the Palace Attendant.

"Empress, he is the servant of guard Lin, the only one serving Lin guard," the Palace Attendant replied.

An Ning turned to observe the old man.

The old man was trembling with fear.

"Old man, don’t be afraid. I won’t kill you. I will just ask you a few questions, and you only need to answer truthfully,"

"Yes, Empress," the old man quickly agreed.

"Is Lin Zichan here?" An Ning asked directly.

"Empress, my lord left after returning from the Imperial Palace today,"

An Ning was startled. 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚

"He hasn’t returned since?"

"He hasn’t returned,"

"Did he say anything?" An Ning asked.

"Before my lord left, he gave me some silver and told me to sell the residence and use the silver for my retirement," the old man quickly replied.

"Nothing else?"

"Nothing else," the old man said, then kowtowed heavily again.

Clearly, he was extremely frightened.

An Ning glanced at the old man.

She turned her gaze to the inner room and instructed, "Let’s go back."

"Yes, Empress,"

The Palace Attendant quickly assisted An Ning to leave.

An Ning sat in the carriage.

The carriage headed back to the Imperial Palace.

An Ning’s fingers moved slightly.

Her fingertips were stained with a bit of blood from touching moisture when she lifted the mosquito net.

An Ning clenched her fingers tightly, instructing the coachman, "To the General Mansion."

"Yes, Empress,"

The carriage turned and headed directly to Xie Ruotong’s residence.

Due to the impromptu visit.

Xie Ruotong and Song Yanqing weren’t prepared.

Seeing An Ning appear at this moment, both were taken by surprise.

"Greetings, Empress, "

Then they ushered An Ning inside.

In the candlelight, seeing An Ning’s expression, they were still startled.

"Empress, what happened?" Song Yanqing quickly asked.

Despite the late hour, she had ventured out of the palace alone.

An Ning tried to calm herself.

Though her mind was filled with gruesome images.

She told herself not to panic.

She said, "Ruotong, send people to Lin Zichan’s residence now. I suspect he’s being assassinated."

"..." Xie Ruotong’s eyes flickered.

Also somewhat surprised.

Even more surprised that Lin Zichan was being assassinated, why was An Ning so concerned?!

Lin Zichan was merely a guard.

Even if Song Yanqing had mentioned that Lin Zichan was favored by the Crown Prince and Princess, it shouldn’t be cause for An Ning’s anxiety.

"Ask nothing else," An Ning could see Xie Ruotong’s confusion, "Change clothes so the other side won’t recognize you. I’m afraid of causing you trouble."