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The rear hall of Weiyang Palace.
Zhao Cong, having received the news, hurried forward with quick strides.
As he reached the palace gates, Li Ming was on duty.
Seeing Zhao Cong in such a flustered state, he couldn’t help but ask,
“What happened?”
Zhao Cong did not stop, only hastily throwing out a reply as he rushed past.
“The woman His Majesty has been searching for has been found, but… Ah—”
Before he could finish his sentence, Zhao Cong hurriedly made his way into the hall.
At this moment, Quan Minghe had just concluded the morning court session and returned to the rear hall of Weiyang Palace.
Shedding his solemn and dignified court attire, he changed into an imperial robe of crimson and black.
His posture was upright, tall, and imposing.
Even as he half-reclined on the couch, he exuded an extraordinary presence.
“This servant greets Your Majesty.”
“Rise.”
Quan Minghe did not lift his head, his focus remaining on the ancient text in his hands.
Zhao Cong stood up, but the hand holding the horsetail whisk trembled slightly, beyond his control.
He stole a glance at His Majesty’s expression, his unease growing stronger.
“Your Majesty, the young lady has been found.”
Quan Minghe, who had been casually flipping through the ancient text while reclining on the couch, slowly lifted his gaze.
The look in his eyes sent a chill down Zhao Cong’s spine.
“Continue.”
Zhao Cong swallowed hard and braced himself as he continued, “That young lady is the daughter of Grand Protector Shen.”
The moment the words left his mouth, he dared not meet Quan Minghe’s gaze any longer and quickly lowered his head.
Immediately after, with a thud, he dropped to his knees.
Internally, he was wailing in despair.
The daughter of Grand Protector Shen was personally betrothed by His Majesty to the Prince of Lingyang.
Now, what kind of situation was this?!
Quan Minghe’s hand paused as he flipped through the ancient text, a fleeting emotion flashing deep within his eyes.
The atmosphere in the hall grew even more oppressive.
“What day is it today?”
“Replying to Your Majesty, today is the tenth day of the fourth month. Yesterday, the ninth, was the auspicious day chosen by the Grand Historian—also the day of the wedding between the Prince of Lingyang and Lady Shen.”
Zhao Cong’s head was already pressed against the floor.
He could not see His Majesty’s expression, nor did he dare to look up.
His Majesty’s woman had married another man—personally betrothed by His Majesty himself.
Zhao Cong didn’t even dare to imagine what His Majesty must be feeling at this moment.
Quan Minghe’s thin lips pressed tightly together, and beneath his long lashes, his eyes glowed with a deep, shadowy light.
“Why am I only finding out now?”
He had given Zhao Cong the portrait days ago. Why had they only found the woman after she was already married?!
“Replying to Your Majesty, Lady Shen has not left the Shen residence these past few days. I searched all of Qianjing for suitable young women, but since Lady Shen came from the Northwest and was already betrothed to the Prince of Lingyang, she was likely overlooked by our men.”
Quan Minghe flung the ancient text directly at Zhao Cong’s head.
The book slid off the top of his head and fell to the floor.
“This servant deserves death! I beg Your Majesty for punishment!”
As Zhao Cong pleaded for forgiveness, he hastily picked up the book from the ground and presented it with both hands.
Quan Minghe idly turned the jade ring on his finger.
His voice was cold as he spoke, “Kill…”
He paused, unable to finish the rest of the sentence.
Instead, he asked, “Has anything happened at the Prince’s residence today?”
That woman had lost her purity; if Feng Moheng found out, he would not let it go lightly.
“Replying to Your Majesty, nothing has happened.”
Quan Minghe’s tense expression relaxed slightly.
Perhaps…
“I remember the Prince has a favored woman.”
“Yes, three months ago, the illegitimate daughter of the Minister of Justice, Liu Jingyi, entered the Prince’s residence. She is the woman the Prince favors.”
Quan Minghe’s expression softened slightly, a result of the previous pleading from the Grand Princess.
Furthermore, Shen Yuan, holding a powerful military force in the Northwest, was a formidable presence. He was a power the court needed to rely on while also keeping a careful watch over.
After weighing the situation, Quan Minghe decided to bring Shen Yuan’s daughter, Shen Yuling, to Qianjing.
He then took the opportunity to arrange the marriage, betrothing Shen Yuling to Feng Moheng and making her the Princess Consort.
With Shen Yuling’s purity lost, how could she dare to consummate the marriage with Feng Moheng?
As for Feng Moheng, his heart was firmly set on Liu Jingyi, and his affection for her ran deep. Today, at the Prince’s residence, everything seemed as peaceful as usual, with no special events taking place.
It seemed that between Feng Moheng and Shen Yuling, perhaps… they still maintained their purity.
Upon this thought, Quan Minghe’s murderous intent eased somewhat.
He was always decisive, with a ruthless and unyielding nature.
If it were an ordinary woman, once he had touched her and she later married another man, it would be an affront to him—an act that would touch his most vulnerable spot.
He would not hesitate to send assassins to eliminate the threat, ensuring that such a disgraceful matter would never have the chance to spread and tarnish the emperor’s reputation.
He could never allow a woman who was, in name, another man’s to continue living in the world.
Quan Minghe fell silent for a moment.
“Send someone to serve the Princess Consort. From now on, I want to know everything about her.”
“Yes.”
Zhao Cong exited the hall, his legs still trembling faintly.
Li Ming, who was waiting outside, saw him come out and quietly asked, “What happened?”
Zhao Cong whispered, “That woman… she’s the one who married the Prince of Lingyang yesterday, the Princess Consort!”
Li Ming was so startled that he took a step back.
They had both been by His Majesty’s side for many years, so they naturally understood His Majesty’s temperament.
He whispered, “Is His Majesty going to offer the Princess Consort a cup of poisoned wine?”
Zhao Cong shook his head.
“He only instructed to send someone to serve the Princess Consort.”
Li Ming’s face was filled with disbelief.
Could it be that the Princess Consort’s status was too high?
Indeed, the eldest daughter of the Shen family—if she were to die under mysterious circumstances shortly after arriving in Qianjing, it would be difficult to explain.
But was there really anyone His Majesty needed to answer to…?
Before Li Ming could think further, the palace door opened again.
Looking up, he was surprised to see His Majesty emerging. Li Ming quickly composed himself and adjusted his expression.
“This servant greets Your Majesty.”
Quan Minghe took a step forward, heading outside.
“Prepare the carriage, we are leaving the palace.”
“Yes, Your Majesty,” Li Ming replied.
After walking a few steps, Quan Minghe suddenly halted.
“Bring the mask I wore the last time I left the palace.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Li Ming instructed the little eunuch behind him to find Zhao Cong. Only Zhao Cong had accompanied His Majesty during his last outing, and it was only he who could retrieve the mask.
If a mask was required to leave the palace, could it be… that His Majesty was going out to find the Princess Consort?!
Li Ming raised his head slightly, cautiously glancing at His Majesty’s expression.
But he quickly lowered his head again.
Never mind. His Majesty had been on the throne for so many years, his emotions never showing on his face, so it was impossible to tell anything from his expression.