The Prime Minister's Darling novel Chapter 448

Chapter 448: 227 Punishment (Second Update) _{freeweɓnovēl.coɱ}

There was a reason that the Emperor and the Duke of Xuanping had left the palace incognito, so it was not surprising that they would meet the old duke. The three of them had initially agreed to a secret location for their clandestine operation.

They had only ended up meeting earlier than planned.

The trio made their way to a … opera house nearby.

Yes, it was an opera house.

Everyone knew that the Duke of Xuanping was a romantic and a hedonist, a lover of beautiful women and great opera. He often frequented this place, yet no one knew that this property was owned by him.

Once they entered the private room, the young servant closed the door behind them.

The Emperor was with a head injury, feeling extremely uncomfortable. After he had taken his seat, he said impatiently, “Make it brief! What is the situation?”

The old duke dared not delay. He bowed respectfully and said, “Your Majesty, ever since word got out regarding my return to the Capital City, my movements have been followed.”

“By the people from the estate?” the Emperor asked.

The Duke of Xuanping grabbed a handful of melon seeds.

The Emperor glared at him.

“Ah.” The Duke of Xuanping sighed as he reluctantly put the melon seeds back. The Emperor’s temper was truly dreadful.

The old duke nodded, “Yes, today when I went to the temple, Prince An quietly followed me.”

The Emperor furrowed his brow, “He actually dared to follow you himself?”

The old duke did not find it strange: “I know all his guards well. He had no choice but to take the risk himself.”

Discovering Prince An was no easy task. The old duke had hardly noticed him on the way there. It was only when Prince An got into his carriage a little early on the return journey that the old duke noticed him.

As for why he shot his own foot, the old duke had no idea.

As the conversation returned to the main topic, the Emperor’s expression grew serious again, “What about the Empress Dowager’s whereabouts? Any leads yet?”

The old duke speculated, “Your Majesty, I believe … the Empress Dowager might have already returned to the Capital City.”

The Emperor’s brow furrowed even more tightly, “What makes you say so?”

The old duke seemed deep in thought, “While the estate is still pretending to seek the Empress Dowager, their search efforts have significantly slowed down. Moreover, when Prince An left the Capital City ostensibly to accompany his sister on a sightseeing trip, he was in fact looking for news of the Empress Dowager along the way. Later, he returned to the Capital City using the imperial examinations as an excuse… forgive my blunt words, Prince An is still young. He would not forsake the search for the Empress Dowager for a mere examination.”