The princess regretted it.

Chapter 341 Rescuing Mingyue

Inside the Orchid Palace, the Emperor's eldest grandson, Hongze, and Concubine Xian had already retired, the entire palace shrouded in tranquility. However, the Right Commander of the Imperial Guard, Zuo Quan, hurried in, anxiously begging for an audience.

As soon as he reached the palace gate, he was quickly stopped by Eunuch Fuquan. "Commander Zuo, His Majesty has gone to bed. What brings you here at this time?" Eunuch Fuquan asked with a smile on his face.

Zuo Quan quickly clasped his hands together, leaned forward, and said in a low voice, "Eunuch Fuquan, please help inform everyone that the maidservant accompanying Concubine Cen has been found in Princess Jiaoyu's palace."

Upon hearing this, Fuquan's face suddenly changed. He realized that the matter was serious and did not dare to delay for a moment. He turned and walked quickly to the door. Before he could open his mouth to report, the emperor in the room was awakened by the noise outside.

Chang Sun Hongze slowly sat up from the bed, his voice low but majestic: "What happened outside?"

Fuquan quickly and respectfully replied in a low voice: "Your Majesty, Commander Zuoquan Zuo requests an audience!"

The emperor thought for a moment, then ordered, "Let him in."

After getting the consent, Fuquan carefully opened the door and stepped into the outer room.

At this time, the lights in the inner room had been turned on, and the soft candlelight reflected the busy figure of Concubine Xian Lin Qian, who was skillfully helping the emperor change his clothes.

After the emperor was dressed, he whispered to Lin Qian, "You should rest first."

After saying this, he opened the curtain and strode out. Seeing this, Fuquan hurried forward, straightened the emperor's clothes, and stepped aside, standing with his hands hanging down.

The emperor strode into the hall, sat down steadily, looked at Zuo Quan with a sharp gaze, and said in a deep voice: "Tell me, what is going on?"

Zuo Quan took a deep breath, stepped forward, and reported the entire story to the Emperor. He told the Emperor everything from the moment Mingyue was found in Princess Jiaoyu's palace to the moment she was rescued, the arrival of Concubine Cen and several other concubines in the harem with their servants, and the moment Concubine Cen took Mingyue away and placed her back in Concubine Cen's palace. He hid nothing in his recounting.

After hearing this, the emperor's face became even gloomier, his brows knitted tightly into the shape of a "chuan" character. The air in the hall seemed to freeze, and the atmosphere was so oppressive that it made people breathless.

Zuo Quan explained the whole story clearly, then bowed slightly and asked in a low voice, "Your Majesty, this matter has spread throughout the palace. How should we deal with it?"

The Emperor slowly raised his eyes, his gaze piercing towards Zuo Quan like a torch. In a deep and commanding voice, he asked, "How did you know that the maidservant was hiding in Jiaoyu Palace? Also, how did Concubine Cen know about this?"

"In reply to your Majesty," Zuo Quan quickly clasped his fists respectfully, leaning forward and speaking solemnly, "It was the patrol team responsible for tonight who noticed something unusual near the Jade Palace. They spotted a maid acting suspiciously, holding a package. The patrol members immediately approached to investigate. However, the maid, realizing the situation was not looking good, dropped the package and turned around to walk back into the Jade Palace. Because it happened so suddenly, the patrol members didn't have time to get a good look at her."

"The patrolmen picked up the package and examined it, discovering it contained tattered, bloodstained clothing. Upon hearing this, I became deeply concerned, fearing that someone might have infiltrated the Jade Palace and endangered the Princess. So, I acted decisively and ordered a search inside. Finally, in a humble little room, we found Mingyue, whose life hung by a thread." At this point, Zuo Quan secretly raised his eyes, cautiously observing the Emperor's expression. The Emperor's brow furrowed, his eyes flickering with an unreadable emotion.

Zuo Quan swallowed, gathered himself, and then said carefully, "I remember Princess Jin'an mentioned before that this person might be a key witness to the arson case. I originally thought that I would quietly bring him out and properly place him, and then consult Your Majesty and wait for your next instructions.

But unexpectedly, just as Mingyue was carried to the entrance of Jiaoyu Palace, Concubine Cen and several other concubines suddenly arrived. Concubine Cen was adamant and insisted that Mingyue be taken away. Furthermore, Concubine Cen appeared to be in poor health and very emotional. Mingyue's condition was also very critical.

"I had no other choice but to let Concubine Cen take the witness away, and only then did I hasten to report this to Your Majesty." Zuo Quan lowered his head, feeling uneasy. He had allowed Concubine Cen to take such an important witness away. If anything happened, he would be blamed.

After listening to Zuo Quan's account, the emperor knew that further questioning would not yield any more useful information. He fell into a brief moment of contemplation, his brow furrowed as his mind rapidly sorted out the entire incident.

After a moment's hesitation, the Emperor made up his mind and decided to personally go to Concubine Cen to investigate. "Come with me to Concubine Cen," the Emperor said in a steady voice, revealing unquestionable authority. As soon as he finished speaking, he stood up and strode out.

Seeing this, Fuquan hurriedly trotted to catch up, following the emperor step by step. Zuoquan also did not dare to slack off, quickly tidied his clothes and followed closely.

Eunuch Fuquan's attempt to arrange for a palanquin was rejected by the Emperor. The three hurried along the quiet palace road, their footsteps remarkably clear in the still night. As they walked, the Emperor suddenly spoke, his voice low and oppressive: "Lord Zuo, was Princess Jiaoyu present when you went to Jiaoyu Palace?" "Your Majesty," Zuo Quan replied cautiously.

The emperor's footsteps suddenly stopped, and his body froze in an instant, as if frozen in place. He slowly turned his head, his gaze like a knife piercing towards Zuo Quan.

Zuo Quan felt a chill coming towards him, his scalp numbing. He quickly stopped, lowered his head, and stood there hunched, not daring to breathe.

The emperor stared at Zuo Quan coldly for a moment, his eyes full of scrutiny and inquiry. Then, without saying anything, he turned and continued walking forward.

Zuo Quan secretly breathed a sigh of relief, quickly calmed his mind, adjusted his state, and followed the emperor's pace again, but a trace of uneasiness could not help but arise in his heart.

Inside Concubine Cen's palace, the atmosphere was heavy and oppressive. Mingyue lay weakly on the couch, her breath faint, as if she would fade at any moment. The imperial physician hurriedly arrived and immediately began treating her, his expression focused, his brow furrowed, the silver needle in his hand gleaming coldly in the candlelight.

Concubine Cen, supported by another maid, stood nearby, her eyes filled with anxiety and worry. She gazed at Mingyue, who lay lifeless, tears streaming uncontrollably down her cheeks. To her, Mingyue was more than just a maid; she was like a close sister, a dear and intimate person. After so many years of companionship in the palace, they had become as close as siblings.