The crowd kneeling on the ground were practically prostrate, no one daring to make a sound. If anything were to happen to Consort Shu, they would be unable to bear the consequences; ten lives wouldn't be enough to compensate.
Everyone had seen the Emperor's current favor towards Consort Shu. If Nan Zhiyun were to be injured because of this, with the Emperor's methods, everyone present would be held responsible.
"Fetch the horse!" Yu Jingchen had no time to deal with these people now. Fortunately, someone had anticipated that Yu Jingchen would go himself and had already had the horse brought over.
"All of you, search! If Consort Shu has any trouble, I will hold you accountable!" Yu Jingchen uttered this last sentence before spurring his horse and galloping into the woods.
The forest Nan Zhiyun had entered was the most treacherous. The hunting grounds were divided into three zones: small animals, medium-sized animals, and fierce predators. The forest where Puta and Nan Zhiyun had been was the most dangerous, filled with large animals, making it very easy to encounter danger.
Yu Jingchen couldn't articulate his current emotions. He was truly afraid, a terror permeating his heart. He only hoped that Nan Zhiyun would come to no harm.
The sky was already growing dark. Soon, it would be night. The longer it took, the more insecure Nan Zhiyun's situation would become. Yu Jingchen's heart felt as if it were being tightly squeezed by a pair of hands, making it difficult to breathe. kuAiδugg
The news of Nan Zhiyun's startled horse bolting into the hunting grounds spread quickly, mobilizing almost everyone. The overall atmosphere of the hunting grounds became tense and urgent.
"Startled?" Concubine Yuan was still seated in her palace residence.
"Yes, they say everyone in the hunting grounds has been mobilized to search," the maid replied.
"The hunting grounds are full of danger. Could something happen to Consort Shu?" Bai Yusheng asked, feigning concern.
"Where is Imperial Lady Jing?" Concubine Yuan suddenly inquired.
Bai Yusheng seemed to suddenly realize upon being asked that Yu Yan was not present.
"Perhaps in her own palace," Bai Yusheng said.
"Go find Imperial Lady Jing," Concubine Yuan commanded. The servant heard the order and left.
"Let's hope nothing happens," Concubine Yuan said, picking up a cup of tea and sipping it slowly.
"Consort Shu is blessed by heaven and will naturally be fine, Concubine Yuan can rest assured. Besides, His Majesty is there. I heard His Majesty himself is searching," Bai Yusheng offered comfort.
"His Majesty dotes on Consort Shu, so his concern is natural." Concubine Yuan's expression revealed neither joy nor anger. Seeing this, Bai Yusheng merely smiled and said no more.
What was the point of saying some things aloud? Everyone knew, and who could be truly kinder or more magnanimous than another? As for Consort Shu... among those in the inner court, there was likely no one who wished for Nan Zhiyun's safe return...
Bai Yusheng gazed outside, her eyes narrowing. The sky was already late. In another half an hour, visibility would be gone. Moreover, the dense forests of the deep mountains would surely make it even darker. She rather wished Nan Zhiyun would never return, or perhaps... a corpse would be of little use anyway, wouldn't it?
What did it matter how much His Majesty doted on her? These underhanded dealings, how many could Nan Zhiyun possibly evade? She refused to believe Nan Zhiyun could escape every danger.