The next day.
Yun Shu woke up in the mountain manor.
They were resting in the mountain manor for these two days, waiting for Zhan Tianye, as it was Zhan Tianye’s manor.
After a simple meal of steamed buns, she went to the pavilion on the high mountain.
From here, she could see the carriages on the official road not far away. This official road led directly to the capital, serving as the only way in and out of the city.
News had arrived from the capital last night that Zhan Tianye would be here today.
The exact time was not yet determined.
A'cha, being always clever, had already prepared various teas, snacks, and even some books that Yun Shu usually enjoyed.
Time quietly slipped away as she read and drank tea in the pavilion.
Unknowingly, the sky had already darkened.
It was dusk.
She put down her book and gazed into the distance with slightly lowered eyes.
In the twilight glow, there were no carriages on the official road, nor were there any carriages heading towards the mountain manor.
Jing Heng arrived at the pavilion and said to Yun Shu, "Mistress, King Ye has not arrived yet. Perhaps something has happened in the capital again. I will return to the capital to investigate now."
"Is there anything else going on in the capital? Didn't Prince Ning already commit suicide? Princess Sheng Yue is also in the temporary palace. If King Ye were delayed by something, he should have sent someone to inform Miss!" A'cha asked, puzzled.
This question hit the nail on the head.
It was very true.
Yun Shu withdrew her gaze from the official road and said coldly, "Jing Heng, go to the capital immediately to investigate."
"Yes, Mistress!" Jing Heng immediately got up and left.
Horses were already prepared at the foot of the mountain.
Yun Shu watched Jing Heng leave in a hurry, her gaze once again fixed intently on the distance. Zhan Tianye was definitely not a person who would easily break his word. His not arriving at this hour must mean something else had happened in the capital.
Now that the matter of Prince Ning was settled, whether it was Li De or Princess Sheng Yue, they could only return empty-handed.
Zhan Tianhong could already independently support himself and had nurtured many hidden guards in secret.
Without the Regent's interference in court, Zhan Tianhong could handle court affairs more adeptly.
So, what exactly had happened so suddenly?
For a moment, Yun Shu’s mind was filled with confusion.
"Miss, please don't worry. No one in the capital can harm King Ye, and nothing can stump him," A'cha said to comfort Yun Shu, seeing her solemn expression.
However, for some reason, even though she said nothing could stump King Ye, she couldn't shake a sense of foreboding in her heart.
This uneasy feeling had been present since the afternoon.
And now, King Ye still hadn't arrived. Watching Jing Heng ride away on a fast horse towards the capital, her premonition grew stronger.
But...
She absolutely could not show it in front of Miss. Perhaps this was just a sense of unease due to being away from the capital.
Yun Shu hummed in acknowledgment and then sat down again.
Her expression appeared very calm.
Her fingers lightly tapped the surface of the stone table.
A faint sound echoed from the table.
Yun Shu narrowed her eyes slightly.
Thus, from dusk to night.
Insects flew around, and A'cha immediately sprinkled insect repellent powder.
She looked at Yun Shu with some concern.
Miss had been silent for so long, lost in thought, not saying a word. She was truly worried.
And...
Jing Heng, who had returned to the capital, had not come back yet. What was the situation now?
Could it be...
No, no, absolutely impossible. Anyone else could have an accident, but King Ye would never! King Ye was supposed to meet Miss, and then they would go to meet Xiao Jing and the others together!
The family was soon going to travel the world!
Such wonderful things were imminent, how could there be any unforeseen circumstances?
Suddenly.
A figure rapidly climbed the stone steps.
Like a shadow, they moved from the foot of the mountain, quickly appearing before them.
"Qiu Lu?"
A'cha’s eyes lit up with joy upon seeing Qiu Lu, who had arrived so swiftly. "Is the Prince at the foot of the mountain? We've been waiting for you for so long. You don't know how worried we were when we didn't see you before dark. Did you meet Jing Heng? Jing Heng went to the capital to find you!"
"Miss, Qiu Lu is here!"
A'cha turned back to Yun Shu and said joyfully.
Yun Shu, hearing the sound, had already stood up and looked towards Qiu Lu.
The moment Qiu Lu saw Yun Shu, his knees buckled, and he knelt down.
With a thud.
In the quiet night, the sound was exceptionally loud and clear.
"Qiu Lu, what are you doing?" A'cha was startled. Why would Qiu Lu kneel down like this?
Kneeling without a word was truly frightening!
Yun Shu pursed her red lips, her cool gaze falling on Qiu Lu. "Speak."
Qiu Lu's eyes were red, his face unnaturally pale, and dust from his rapid ride still clung to him. He opened his mouth, his voice hoarse and trembling, "The Prince... the Prince is missing!"
"What do you mean?" Yun Shu took a step closer, staring intently at Qiu Lu.
What did he mean by missing?
"Did something happen in the capital? Did King Ye go to handle matters?" A'cha exclaimed in shock and quickly questioned Qiu Lu after reacting.
Qiu Lu's face turned even paler. With trembling hands, he held up a letter. "This is a letter left by the Prince. Miss Yun Er will know why the Prince is missing after reading it. Your subordinate..."
"Your subordinate searched the capital all day and did not see the Prince. This letter was personally written by the Prince; it is not a forgery."
When he saw the letter in the afternoon, he was completely stunned.
He couldn't believe the Prince would leave such a letter!
So, he wanted to find the Prince, but after searching the entire capital without success, he began to verify if the letter was indeed written by the Prince. After verification, he confirmed it was a letter left by the Prince!
Last night, when he returned from the palace, the Prince showed no abnormality. He even asked if everything in the manor was prepared.
Upon learning that everything was ready, the Prince's expression softened, and he even said that he would be able to see Miss Yun Er tomorrow.
Who would have thought...
As Qiu Lu's face grew paler and he lowered his head completely, Yun Shu had already opened the envelope and read the letter.
She was familiar with Zhan Tianye's handwriting and knew for sure that this letter was from Zhan Tianye.
When she saw the contents, her fingertips trembled slightly.
The letter stated that he was going to a place alone and might encounter danger, asking her not to wait for him. If he resolved everything one day, he would return to her side. However, he could not guarantee when he would return and asked her to take good care of their three sons.
Apart from this, there were no other instructions.