[So many people have actually been abducted in the capital?]
[Yes,] the system continued, [at least several dozen, and they're all young women like Wen Taofei.]
Tong Aning put down her comb and propped her chin in her hands, looking at herself in the mirror with a rather gloomy expression. [It's been like this since ancient times.]
[Host, don't dwell on it too much. Doesn't Lord Cen already know? He's sure to find a way!]
Tong Aning nodded, but suddenly thought of something. [With so many young women missing in the capital, why has Lord Cen only just found out?]
For once, the system was stumped.
Tong Aning stood up. [No, I have to tell Father and Eldest Brother about this.]
Tong Aning hurried out, only to run into Tong Aobai in the corridor outside.
Tong Aobai asked, "Where are you going so late?"
"Father, I have something very important to tell you."
Tong Aobai gazed at his daughter's fair little face, his eyes softening. "About the human traffickers?"
Tong Aning gave an emphatic hum of agreement.
Tong Aobai said, "As it happens, I'm going to the palace."
"To discuss it with His Majesty?"
"Yes."
Tong Aobai had originally come to comfort Tong Aning after hearing that she had encountered human traffickers that day, worried that she had been frightened, only to hear her inner thoughts.
Tong Aning couldn't make sense of it, but he understood.
It wasn't just Cen Yu. Not a single person at court had mentioned the disappearances of so many young women. What did that mean? It meant those people had a backer behind them whose heights were beyond reach.
Who could wield such power? It could only be someone from the imperial family.
This was no simple missing persons case at all.
Tong Aobai took a few steps forward, then turned back. "Aning, you had a fright today. Have a bowl of the calming soup from the kitchen."
Tong Aning's face fell at his words. "I've already had a bowl."
"Have another."
Tong Aning: "..."
[If I keep drinking it, I'll turn into Bitter Aning.]
Tong Aobai chuckled, and Tong Aning watched his retreating figure grow more distant.
The palace was brightly lit.
The emperor frowned. "Minister Cen, what did you mean by what you just said?"
Cen Yu stood where he was, his back ramrod straight, and declared with ringing conviction, "I mean that this matter has far-reaching implications. Jingzhao Prefecture alone will not suffice."
"However many people you need, I will have them cooperate with you."
Cen Yu's expression was exceptionally stubborn. "That still won't suffice."
The emperor grew somewhat angry. "This won't suffice, that won't suffice. Minister Cen, what exactly are you trying to say?"
"Does Your Majesty still not understand? Only when I went to examine the records today did I learn there were so many missing persons cases. Here at the Son of Heaven's feet, who would dare conceal them, other than the imperial family?"
Sure enough, the emperor flew into a rage and slammed his hand on the desk. "How dare you!"
Even Eunuch Wang jumped in fright, but Cen Yu remained fearless in the face of danger.
A young eunuch came in from outside to announce, "Your Majesty, Lord Marquis Tong requests an audience on an urgent matter."
"Summon him."
Tong Aobai strode inside.
His thinking was the same as Cen Yu's, except that he directly named the member of the imperial family.
"Prince Jing."
The emperor's brow twitched. "Marquis Tong, without any evidence..."
"Your Majesty, even if this matter is handed over to Jingzhao Prefecture, it will be of no use."
Both Tong Aobai and Cen Yu looked grave, and the emperor could only say, "I must think this over carefully."
The young eunuch came in again. "Your Majesty, the Heir of Prince Yong has arrived."
Xue Lin swept his gaze over those in the hall, seeming somewhat surprised.
The emperor asked, "Have you also come about the missing persons cases?"
Xue Lin cupped his hands. "Imperial Uncle, there has been another attempt on my life."
The emperor: "..."
His tone was utterly ordinary, as though he were talking about what he had eaten that day.
"Fine, fine, fine. Missing persons cases, and now an attempt to assassinate a prince's heir." The emperor rose and paced back and forth, veins bulging with anger. Finally, he slapped the dragon throne, abandoned the idea of summoning the crown prince to the palace, and said, "I hereby place the Heir of Prince Yong in full charge of the missing persons cases."
The emperor looked at Xue Lin and said solemnly, "Even if that person is your princely uncle, you must not show mercy."
Xue Lin nodded.
On the way back, Cen Yu couldn't resist speaking to Tong Aobai. "Lord Marquis Tong, what do you think His Majesty meant by that?"
Tong Aobai shook his head meaningfully.
A phrase suddenly sprang into Cen Yu's mind: old fox.
The emperor was one, and so was Tong Aobai.
He himself was still too green. What about Xue Lin? By rights, he ought to be a young fox as well, but if he wasn't an old fox, could he outfight Prince Jing?
Tong Aning had slept poorly the night before. She had wanted to wait for Tong Aobai to return, but as she waited and waited, she had fallen asleep without realizing it.
Now she sat on her bed, stretching and yawning.
Yingtao brought in water. "Miss, shall I comb your hair?"
Tong Aning nodded.
Even after her hair had been pinned into a bun and she had washed her face, Tong Aning was no more awake.
She went outside and learned that Tong Aobai had not returned all night.
Su Zhouyue said, "Stop thinking about the human traffickers. Though your father hasn't come back, he sent word that the Heir of Prince Yong will be handling this matter."
Tong Aning nodded.
But that afternoon, the system told her that something had happened to the Heir of Prince Yong.
Tong Aning: !!!
Author's note:
Darlings, the paid chapters start tomorrow! Thank you all for your support. My next novel is "The Palace Maid Is Enjoying the Gossip Again Today." If you're interested, darlings, you can take a look at my author page [scattering flowers][scattering flowers][scattering flowers]