Sun Shaozong braved the wind and snow to hurry home, only to find that the place had already been taken over, inside and out, by former members of the Patrol Defense Camp and the Divine Machine Camp. Lu Jianxing and Han Bang were leading them.
Shen Lian, however, was nowhere to be seen.
Only after asking Lu Jianxing did he learn that, after Shen Lian had gathered everyone and gone to the Crown Prince's Residence to bring back the Grand Heir, he had hurried to Zuo'an Gate to make his report—only to miss Sun Shaozong on the way.
"Sir, shall I send someone to bring him back?"
"No need."
Though searching for Virtuous Consort and Consort Rong was now essentially meaningless, it would not do to leave Zuo'an Gate without anyone in charge. Sun Shaozong instructed, "Send someone to notify him. Tell him to keep watch at Zuo'an Gate."
After Lu Jianxing acknowledged the order, he asked about the Grand Heir and Crown Princess.
"The Crown Princess and the Grand Heir are currently with Respected Sister-in-Law."
Respected Sister-in-Law naturally meant Jia Yingchun. Though Sun Shaozong had quite a few women in his household, they were merely concubines in status. With such distinguished female guests visiting, the family matriarch should naturally receive them.
After telling Lu Jianxing to prepare a carriage and be ready at any time to escort the Grand Heir into the palace, Sun Shaozong hurried toward his sister-in-law's courtyard.
The old women and maids in the rear residence all knew that something was amiss outside. Seeing Sun Shaozong barge straight in with his head lowered, none of them dared be foolish enough to stop him.
He reached the doors of the main hall without obstruction. Only then did Sun Shaozong halt and announce loudly, "Your servant Sun Shaozong