You Hongming said, "Your Majesty, I already borrowed personnel from Minister Shen yesterday. Dozens of people combed the entire area where Chonghua disappeared but found no clues whatsoever.
I suspect that Chonghua's disappearance may not be a simple matter."
Emperor Mingxi seemed to grow somewhat interested and deliberately asked You Mingmin, "Minister You, where is the location of Chonghua's disappearance? Is there anything special about that place?"
"Reporting to Your Majesty, according to my investigation, Chonghua disappeared near the Three Street Market in Xinghua Quarter. What is special is that the Three Street Market includes Pear Blossom Lane, Apricot Blossom Lane, and Peach Blossom Lane. Peach Blossom Lane contains a private residence belonging to Princess Pingning of the Qi Prince's estate.
Before his disappearance yesterday, Chonghua had been seen there with envoys from several other states. Later, due to the incident involving the Princess, the place was sealed off, and he was nowhere to be found."
"Little Pearl, this actually seems to have a little something to do with me!"
The System: It had reason to suspect Emperor Mingxi was asking this on purpose, just to spite it! Hmph! An emperor being so petty!
The System curled its lip. Reciprocity is a principle, so it deliberately said, [Master, do you think it could be Emperor Mingxi's doing? He might already know about Concubine Zhou cuckolding him!]
Hmph, you little... The more you don't want me to say it, the more I will bring it up!
Yue Fuguang: ?? The System isn't following the usual script. Is it picking a fight with Emperor Mingxi now?
Thinking this in her heart, she said aloud, "I saw The Ninth Prince in the palace just a couple of days ago. If Emperor Mingxi knew about this, could that child still be alive?"
[Who says he couldn't be? What if Emperor Mingxi only knows his favorite concubine was unfaithful, but doesn't know she got pregnant from that single affair?
He doesn't seem very clever anyway, being cuckolded by his favorite concubine and his own brother, and never learning the truth until his death!]
Emperor Mingxi: Not clever? That's not what you said yesterday! I'll endure it, I'll endure it. I won't get angry, I won't get angry. These people won't survive this winter anyway, nothing to be angry about!
He kept brainwashing himself, while mechanically asking aloud, "Have any envoys from the other states also gone missing?"
"No, we have already verified. Among the envoys, only Chonghua from Beili is missing. We repeatedly searched the area with his portrait, but no one has seen him.
However, according to a recollection by one of Shen Kang's subordinates, he saw this person when he first infiltrated the Princess's residence disguised as a servant to investigate."
At that time, he entered carrying a water kettle, and Chonghua even had him pour water for her, but that man said when they went in a second time after surrounding the detached courtyard, this person was gone."
Emperor Mingxi seemed to detect a flaw in his words, "You said only Chonghua was missing among the envoys. Does that mean someone not an envoy is also missing?"
"Your Majesty is most astute. Indeed, there is one other person. This person is named Bai Yu. According to our detailed investigation, he is the illegitimate son of Bai Yu, the current head of the Bai family in Jiaozhou, and a close friend of Princess Pingning. Both Bai Yu and Princess Pingning were feasting at Peach Blossom Lane yesterday.
This matter has been verified with the Princess by your servant. The Princess said this person had already left before Minister Shen and the others entered, but we have not been able to locate him at his residence.
His household servants say their master left yesterday morning and has not returned."
"Minister Cai, have you heard what Minister You said? What is your view on this?"
The named Cai Xian thought: What view could I have? The person is locked up in Your Majesty's dungeon. Am I supposed to 'impartially' report on you or something?
That's what he thought, but neither the little immortal lord nor the divine artifact master had lent him any courage, so he dared not speak it aloud.
Cai Xian stepped forward and said solemnly, "Reporting to Your Majesty, in my humble opinion, Chonghua's disappearance may be inextricably linked to Bai Yu.
If we can find Bai Yu, we might uncover clues about Chonghua."
Emperor Mingxi nodded and asked Wei Ping, "Minister Wei, you are skilled in solving cases. What do you say? Is Minister Cai's reasoning sound?"
Wei Ping thought: Asking me to comment on a senior's words, Your Majesty, this is how I lose friends!
Cai Xian thought: He's skilled in solving cases, and I, as the Minister of Justice, am not? Your Majesty, please don't make the difference in favor so obvious!
Wei Ping lowered his eyes and said meekly, "Your Majesty, I also believe Minister Cai's words are reasonable. Bai Yu is the key to this case. Perhaps we should send someone to the Bai family in Jiaozhou. Maybe Bai Yu has returned to his family home in Jiaozhou; it is almost the New Year, after all."
That makes sense! Many officials secretly nodded in agreement.
Those in the know thought this was a perfect opportunity to openly send someone to investigate the Bai family. With about a month left before they were to lure foreign tribes in for raids, it was unclear if these people were already making preparations.
Those unaware of the inside story thought it was very likely he had gone home for the New Year, though they wondered why Bai Yu would take Chonghua with him.
Could it be this person shares the same preferences as the Third Prince of Beili?
Immediately, someone stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, I second the motion. Regarding what Minister Wei said, I have a bold conjecture. I wonder if I should speak it?"
Emperor Mingxi saw that his plan to divert attention was proceeding smoothly and naturally, with no trace of suspicion. His dragon heart was greatly pleased.
With a delighted wave of his hand, he said, "Speak freely! I pardon you of any offense!"
"I thank Your Majesty! My conjecture is that Bai Yu might share the same... preferences as that Third Prince. I have seen a portrait of Chonghua; he is indeed exceptionally beautiful. Perhaps Bai Yu, overcome by lustful intentions, abducted Chonghua from the banquet and directly fled with him back to his hometown in Jiaozhou."
Emperor Mingxi thought: Considering your merit in successfully steering the matter off course, I won't hold your praise for Chonghua against you!
Emperor Mingxi nodded with an appreciative expression. "Your reasoning makes sense, my dear minister. I entrust this matter to you, Minister Cai, to take charge!"
"I, Cai Xian, receive Your Majesty's decree!"
Having received the task, Cai Xian exchanged a glance with Minister of War Huo Ying, and both understood the situation perfectly.
[Could it really not be Emperor Mingxi crying thief?]
Yue Fuguang: Again?
Emperor Mingxi: Enough already!
[Perhaps Chonghua really got lost himself? It's just a bit strange. What was so special about yesterday? Why did everyone rush to Peach Blossom Lane all at once? That place might not be simple!]
[Of course it's not simple. There's a big pit there! But it has little to do with Chonghua's disappearance. I'll explain it to you in detail when I have time.]
Yue Fuguang: Is the system getting addicted to keeping people in suspense?
[Why isn't the court session over yet? We still need to go see the auction!] The system now sounded exactly like certain friends waiting to clock out.
[Well, these ministers are quite long-winded!] Yue Fuguang felt that the bitterness of office work she hadn't experienced in the modern era was now being savored in detail—it was all the taste of the daily grind! No, she had to think of a way; she couldn't go on like this!
The long-winded ministers: Shall we leave then?
Emperor Mingxi: I'm leaving too. If I don't go, the Divine Artifact will have my pants off!
Emperor Mingxi gave Eunuch Qian a look that said 'you know what to do.' Qian Gui immediately called out, "If there are matters to report, do so. If not, this court session is dismissed!"
Excellent. No one tactless came forward to say there were still matters, asking everyone to wait a bit longer!
Emperor Mingxi, the boss, also didn't say, "Let's have a meeting later!"
Yue Fuguang had just stood up when the Crown Prince walked over with a smile. He said, "I wonder if the Junior Mentor has any free time today?"
"What matter does the Crown Prince seek me for?" Whether I'm free depends on what you want.
This answer can be very flexible!
