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She is far more familiar with this residence than the guards brought by the Empress; one can only hope she can make her escape.

Jin Zijin was nowhere to be found. At the times when she needed him the most, he was always absent. Once or twice might be excusable, but it’s always the same story. Even if there are a thousand or ten thousand reasons, they can’t prevent the resentments growing in her heart.

The Empress came with bad intentions, and Searcy had already fled, angering her. Gu Youyou felt there was no need to keep up the pretense any longer.

She had given birth quickly and recovered swiftly; having just consumed a ginseng soup, she still felt somewhat spirited.

Gu Youyou sat up, legs crossed, and addressed the Empress, "What is your purpose in coming today? Just speak plainly."

The Empress was momentarily stunned before bursting into laughter, saying, "What’s this? No more acting?"

Gu Youyou snorted coldly, "If you’re not pretending anymore, why should I, right? If nobody wants to save face, then so be it. I am but a village girl with neither father nor mother, and have no breeding to speak of. I fear even so, I’m better than the high and noble Empress."

"Humph!" The Empress looked at Gu Youyou coldly. "It seems you won’t cry until you see your coffin. I’ll make you cry, but you’ll have no tears left."

She took a seat on a chair brought over by a maid, exuding the imposing demeanor of a queen, and commanded, "Summon the Emperor to come here."

Summon the Emperor?

Gu Youyou was confused.

She didn’t know what the Empress was up to.

But summoning the Emperor was fine with her; she wasn’t afraid of open confrontation, only of covert schemes.

Since the Emperor was coming, there was nothing for her to fear.

With that in mind, she might as well save her energy, especially having just given birth.

Gu Youyou fortunately lay back down, pulling the blanket over herself, and whispered lowly, "Empress, I am quite exhausted from childbirth and will not serve you for now. I’ll take a nap, and you can call me when the Emperor arrives."

The Empress was so angry she gnashed her teeth, saying, "It seems you indeed won’t give up until you’re at death’s door."

...

At this moment, Jin Zijin was at the Sanqing Temple; he had just left when the Empress arrived with her entourage.

"Where’s Lun Yu?" Jin Zijin asked, pulling a young novice aside.

Lun Yu left the last time after receiving news from his junior sister Yi Yan about the possible whereabouts of his mother, Lun Tong. Thus, he hurriedly left the Crown Prince Residence, leaving only a letter behind.

Lun Tong had not surfaced for over ten years, and with her skillful art of disguise, finding her was no easy task.

"Hey, I’m here!" Lun Yu heard Jin Zijin’s voice and hurried out from inside the house.

Accompanying him was Yi Yan.

Jin Zijin asked anxiously, "Did you find your mother?"

Lun Yu replied, "Before asking about my mother, let’s talk about your master first. It’s said there’s news of your master in Rucheng, and Yue Rujing has already rushed there. We were here waiting for you. Quickly, let’s head to Rucheng. I’ll explain everything on the way."

The three mounted their horses and hurried towards Rucheng.

As they traveled, Lun Yu said, "Ah Yan said my mother has returned. I hurried over to meet up with her, but we didn’t find her. However, in the old residence in Jinxiu City, we found a letter she left behind. From that letter, we learned news of your master, so we hurried here to inform you."

"Show me the letter," said Jin Zijin.

Lun Yu made a sound of confirmation and took out a letter from his chest.

Jin Zijin stopped his horse and opened the envelope.

Inside was Lun Tong’s handwriting, mentioning that she had encountered Tian Jizi in Nanzhao Country, who said he would go to Rucheng to retrieve an important item.