For three consecutive days.
Everyone in the capital was talking about one thing.
The prince, whom the Emperor had finally acknowledged, was missing!
The entire capital was plastered with wanted posters.
Whether they had seen Prince Jin or not, everyone now saw him through his portrait.
Simultaneously, a rumor had spread that morning: the Night King of the Eastern Ning Kingdom was actually Prince Jin of their Western Xia Kingdom, that they were one and the same.
The Night King of the Eastern Ning Kingdom's biological father was their Western Xia Emperor.
Despite the widespread rumors, no one knew the specific reason for their emergence.
Everyone was filled with curiosity. How could the Night King of the Eastern Ning Kingdom be their Prince Jin?
Furthermore, wasn't the Night King of the Eastern Ning Kingdom currently at the General's manor?
Who was the true identity of the Night King of the Eastern Ning Kingdom?
Perhaps only the Night King of the Eastern Ning Kingdom and their Emperor knew the truth to this question.
Soon, this rumor rapidly evolved into several versions.
Some said the Night King's mother and their Western Xia Emperor were true lovers, separated by the Western Xia Emperor's schemes.
Some said the Night King, now refusing to be Prince Jin, must have been bewitched by the Night Queen, completely disregarding filial piety.
Others said that if the Eastern Ning Kingdom learned of this news, they would surely try every means to strip him of his Night King title, as he was not of the Eastern Ning royal bloodline.
In any case, various rumors spread swiftly through the streets and alleys of the capital.
Listening to the news brought back by Xiao Jia and Xiao Huan, Qin Linglong was drinking tea.
Suddenly, she lost her grip on the teacup, and it slipped from her hand.
With a bang, it hit the ground, shattering into several pieces.
Xiao Huan and Xiao Jia were startled, "Miss?"
"I finally know what's going on! No wonder I felt something was off, it's like this, it's like this!"
Qin Linglong suddenly understood. Ever since she saw the Night Queen and the masked man at the teahouse that day, she had felt something was amiss. These past two days, she had also heard that the Night King had arrived in the capital, and he was the one wearing the silver mask.
Her heart was constantly struck by a sense of doubt, as if she had overlooked something.
She felt that the Night King's eyes were too familiar, too much like Prince Jin's.
Now, she could finally be sure. The Night Queen must have undergone cosmetic surgery to appear as the woman who came to see her earlier!
No wonder!
No wonder Prince Jin's eyes could not hold anyone else. It turned out he had already married someone in the Eastern Ning Kingdom, and the woman he married was so outstanding that any man would be captivated by her.
Also, Ning De County Princess cared so much about Prince Jin's every move, and the Night Queen who had impersonated her to enter the palace, did they already know Prince Jin's other identity?
Xiao Huan and Xiao Jia looked at each other, somewhat bewildered.
How did they suddenly not understand their Miss's words?
Their Miss seemed to be having a nightmare!
"It all makes sense, it all makes sense!" Qin Linglong continued to mutter to herself.
The Night Queen had borne Prince Jin three children. Now, Prince Jin, preferring to be the Night King again rather than Prince Jin, was it all because of the Night Queen?
Discovering the truth now, Qin Linglong felt a sudden sense of loss, and an indescribable emotion.
After all, Prince Jin was the only man who had ever moved her heart.
He was truly the first in all these years.
And yet, he had been out of her reach from beginning to end. He could distinguish her from the Night Queen from the very start, and she had been so deluded for so long.
"It's not entirely regrettable. At least I've gotten what I wanted now," Qin Linglong continued to murmur.
However, her state was much better than before.
Xiao Huan and Xiao Jia looked worried, "Miss?"
Qin Linglong looked up at them and smiled wryly, "I'm fine, don't worry. I just figured out something I've been unable to understand."
From today onwards, her restless heart would finally settle. She would bury those she shouldn't think about deep in her heart.
After all, she was about to get married.
She had a life of luxury and comfort to look forward to. Other things, even if she could guess some secrets, she would keep them buried in her heart.
Those people were not someone she could afford to provoke.
...
Meanwhile, Yun Yueyin, who had known the news for two hours, paced back and forth in her room.
She had just found an opportunity to enter the palace and intended to see Zhan Tianye.
Unexpectedly, Prince Jin, who had been perfectly fine, had now reverted to being the Night King!
Had he regained his memories?
She was as anxious as an ant on a hot pan.
"No, I can't just be trapped in Pingyang Prince's manor like this. I have to find a way to see the Night King!" Yun Yueyin pondered, feeling she could still take a gamble.
The couple, Pingyang Prince and his wife, had been acting as if possessed these past few days, constantly devising ways to torment her. They kept her by Zhen Xu's bedside to care for him. If she did anything less than perfectly, they would accuse her, as Zhen Xu's wife, of being so negligent. All sorts of punishments followed, including deprivation of food, kneeling, and slaps, as if they wanted to vent their resentment towards Prince Zhen and Ning De County Princess onto her.
She wanted to find Li De and ask him to find a way to get her out of Pingyang Prince's manor, but Li De had already treated her as a discarded piece.
As for Ning De County Princess, it was even more obvious. Seeing her being tormented by the wicked couple would surely bring her great joy.
Therefore, she could now only cling to the hope of the Night King.
Perhaps the Night King still had a little affection for her.
She had to find a way to see the Night King!
"Second Madam, Second Young Master wishes to see you," a servant announced from outside the door.
Upon hearing the servant's voice, Yun Yueyin shivered all over. She hadn't known Zhen Xu was a pervert before. Now she knew! Zhen Xu was a pervert. He was already severely injured and could only lie in bed to recuperate, yet he...
He had made her serve him in such a way. Every time it was either his hands or his mouth that hurt, it disgusted her immensely!
She didn't have long to live anyway and was trying to figure out how to extend her life and enjoy more wealth and status. Instead, she was being tormented by Zhen Xu!
Gritting her teeth.
She would be able to see the Night King soon!
...
Many people who learned this news could no longer sit still. Even Li Meng'er could not remain calm. She found an excuse to leave the palace and returned to the General's manor.
Without even seeing her face, she rushed directly before Zhan Tianye and Yun Shu.
Upon seeing the family enjoying themselves, Li Meng'er was struck as if by lightning.
She stood frozen, unable to recover for a moment.
Zhan Tianye and Yun Shu, along with the three children and General Yun, were all in the courtyard, enjoying fresh fruit together.
Laughter and joy filled the air.
She had heard earlier that Zhan Tianye wore a mask, but as the news had spread that morning, the Zhan Tianye she saw now had already removed his mask.
"You..."