The bridegroom was dead, and the bride was missing.
Their marriage had been imperially decreed…
The maid who discovered Zhu Ziyu’s body was nearly frightened out of her wits. After regaining her composure, she hurriedly reported the situation to Princess Rongyang.
Princess Rongyang was stunned for a long while before rushing to the General’s mansion.
She and Cui Xu hadn’t lived together for a long time.
Along the way, servants of the General’s mansion bowed to Princess Rongyang.
“Where is your General?”
“The General is practicing swordplay at the training grounds.”
Princess Rongyang hurried to the training grounds in the northeast corner and immediately spotted the man wielding his sword with vigor in the morning light.
“Cui Xu—” she called out.
Cui Xu paused, sheathed his sword, and strode over.
Seeing Cui Xu’s indifferent expression, Princess Rongyang gritted her teeth and said, “You have time to practice swordplay? Something terrible has happened!”
“What happened?” Cui Xu put away his sword and wiped his sweat.
Princess Rongyang lowered her voice, “Zhu Ziyu is dead!”
Cui Xu’s hand froze mid-wipe: “Where’s Mingyue?”
“Missing…” Princess Rongyang grabbed Cui Xu’s wrist, “Cui Xu, what should we do?”
Cui Xu gently pulled his hand away, gripping his sword hilt: “What else can we do but search for her?”
“But—” Princess Rongyang steadied herself, her tone strange, “Who killed Zhu Ziyu?”
On the wedding night, the groom died, and the bride disappeared. Anyone would suspect the bride’s involvement in the groom’s death.
Princess Rongyang suddenly felt estranged from the daughter she remembered as sensible and gracious.
Did Mingyue kill Zhu Ziyu? Her heart trembled, and she dared not think further.
Cui Xu’s voice broke in: “Mingyue learned some martial arts from me for a few years. Dealing with one or two ordinary people shouldn’t be a problem for her.”
“Cui Xu, what do you mean by that?”
Cui Xu fixed his gaze on Princess Rongyang, his tone steady: “I mean, regardless of the truth, let’s find her first.”
Princess Rongyang sighed.
Cui Xu was right. No matter who killed the man, they needed to find Mingyue first.
“I’ll take some men to search for Mingyue. You go to the palace and report this to the Emperor.”
Princess Rongyang was taken aback: “Tell Imperial Brother?”
“It can’t be hidden forever.” Cui Xu left with these words, striding away.
Emperor Jingming had just finished the morning court session when Pan Hai reported that Princess Rongyang sought an audience.
Another problem?
Emperor Jingming carefully recalled.
Yesterday, Mingyue and Zhu Ziyu’s wedding was said to have gone smoothly—
“Invite the Princess to the Imperial Study.”
Emperor Jingming had barely settled in his seat at the Imperial Study when Princess Rongyang entered.
“This subject sister greets Imperial Brother.”
“What’s the matter?” Seeing Princess Rongyang’s red eyes, Emperor Jingming felt a headache coming on.
“Imperial Brother, Mingyue is missing…”
Emperor Jingming instinctively sat up straight: “What?”
Princess Rongyang knelt: “This subject sister has come to plead for punishment.”
Emperor Jingming simply stood up and walked over: “What punishment? Stand up and explain the situation clearly!”
Princess Rongyang rose and briefly explained the situation.
“You’re saying Mingyue is missing, and Zhu Ziyu is dead?” Emperor Jingming’s heart trembled as he listened.
He knew another problem had arisen, and it was indeed true!
Princess Rongyang nodded slowly.
Emperor Jingming closed his eyes. After a long while, he opened them, his dark eyes unreadable.
“What does Imperial Sister think?”
Princess Rongyang was on the verge of tears: “Imperial Brother, this subject sister is very worried. Surely villains must have broken in, killed Zhu Ziyu, and kidnapped Mingyue—”
“Does the Zhu family know about this?”
“Not yet.”