The Prime Minister's Darling novel Chapter 864

Chapter 864: 396 Emperor’s Wrath (Second Update)

Despite knowing the likelihood was slim, the Emperor still made a trip to Bishui Alley, not only to inquire about the whereabouts of Empress Dowager Zhuang, but also to warn Gu Jiao and Xiao Liulang to be on guard.

If Empress Dowager Zhuang was an archenemy to Noble Consort Jing, then Gu Jiao and Xiao Liulang, who repeatedly foiled Noble Consort Jing’s plans, were undoubtedly a thorn in her side.

Xiao Liulang had just returned from the Hanlin Academy and had not expected that such a thing would happen.

Gu Jiao was drying medicinal herbs in the front yard while the three children played in the backyard; the mansion was imbued with a tranquil and serene atmosphere.

He withdrew his gaze and said to the Emperor, "Auntie hasn’t been here... We will be careful."

The Emperor nodded, "You must not run into any more trouble."

Xiao Liulang looked at him intently, "Your Majesty, what are your plans?"

The Emperor clenched his fist tightly, "I will find the Empress Dowager."

This was the second time Empress Dowager Zhuang had disappeared; the first time was because of him, for he had sent her to Mafeng Mountain, and it was he who had lost her.

This time, he would personally bring her back.

He muttered to himself, then turned around, his steps deeply sinking into the night.

"What’s wrong?" Gu Jiao came over.

Considering the gravity of the situation, Xiao Liulang did not keep it from her, "Aunt and Noble Consort Jing are missing, the Emperor suspects that Noble Consort Jing has abducted Aunt."

"You just said... who was abducted?"

The voice of the old libationer suddenly rang out behind them.

The two of them turned their heads together to face him; the old libationer was holding a bowl of freshly made brown sugar glutinous rice cakes topped with freshly toasted white sesame seeds.

His hands started to tremble slightly, spilling the hot sugar syrup.

Gu Jiao walked over and reached out, "Grandfather, let me take it."

"Ah?" His voice also shook, "You, you haven’t said who was abducted?"

"It’s Aunt," said Gu Jiao.

The old libationer staggered.

Gu Jiao steadied him with one hand, and took the bowl with the other.

The bowl was very hot, and Xiao Liulang quickly took it from her and placed it on a nearby stone table, then said to the old libationer, "Noble Consort Jing won’t harm Aunt for the time being; if she wanted to kill Aunt, she would have done it in the Imperial Palace. Bringing Aunt out, she must have some other purpose."

Gu Jiao looked at Xiao Liulang and said, "I’ll go look for Aunt, husband and grandfather stay home and wait for news."

Xiao Liulang hesitated for a moment and then nodded.

The old libationer said with a trembling voice, "I, I will also go look."

Xiao Liulang did not oppose and noticing his somewhat unsteady steps, his eyes flickered slightly as he said, "I will go with the teacher."

The old libationer nodded in a flustered manner, "Good... good."

Afterward, the two of them also left Bishui Alley.

The Imperial City was under lockdown, with the four big city gates only allowing entry, not exit.

On the winding path, two carriages advanced one after the other, each escorted by four mounted guards.

As evening fell, the last glimmer of the sunset faded away, the horizon a shade of grey-blue.

The carriages moved at a steady pace, and the person inside seemed to possess a face of calm composure.

"Honghong could never have imagined we’ve already left the city."

If the Emperor were here, he would surely recognize the voice as belonging to Noble Consort Jing, the very woman he was desperately searching for.

Noble Consort Jing had changed into the clothes of a commoner woman, wearing a simple bun fixated with an inconspicuous silver hairpin.

At her age, she was no longer pursuing beauty, but it must be said that a woman who had come from the palace was indeed different from commoner women.

Opposite her sat Empress Dowager Zhuang, who had also shed her dark golden phoenix robe and was dressed in the plain clothes of a peasant woman.

However, upon closer inspection, the elegance in her eyes and brows was not something Noble Consort Jing could compare with.

"You’re very loud," Empress Dowager Zhuang said with her eyes closed. _{freewebnσvel.cѳm}