Contacting King Dun greatly relieved Pei Yao and Fang Yun, as it confirmed their location and made the rescue operation easier. Despite his low profile, King Dun was not a fool. Upon learning of Pei Yao's plan to disguise as prisoners, he quickly set it in motion, coordinating with Chancellor Lu for support.
Prison carriages usually entered the city at dawn, taking prisoners to either the Ministry of Justice, the capital's judiciary office, or the Supreme Court, each with different escorts. The judiciary office, linked with the capital guards, was not suitable, nor were the Supreme Court's usually less serious offenders. Disguising among those destined for the Ministry of Justice prison would be the least likely to be searched.
The plan was quickly communicated to Pei Yao, who would be met and disguised the following night, ready to enter the city at dawn.
Though Fang Yun wanted to accompany Pei Yao in the carriage, he refused due to her pregnancy and the harsh conditions of the prisoner's transport.
Eventually, they decided that Chancellor Lu or Commander Hu Daixu would secretly escort Fang Yun to a safe place outside the city while Pei Yao traveled disguised as a prisoner.
Things were improving for Pei Yao and Fang Yun, but King Ming's frustration grew as another group of guards reported no success in finding them. Enraged, he overturned a table.
"Useless! All of you! I pay you to do what, exactly? You can't find two people, one injured and one pregnant? Have they vanished?" he shouted.
"Your Highness, the forests are dense and difficult to search. We've checked every nearby village and even the river but found nothing. They might be dead," a guard said, trembling.
"Dead or alive, I want their bodies!" King Ming raged, his fury almost bursting. "This is my chance to eliminate Pei Yao and become the future emperor. Do you understand?"
The guards, pale with fear, nodded and quickly left to continue the search.
Desperate, the lead guard ordered a second search of all previously checked areas the next day.
That night, Pei Yao and Fang Yun, escorted by King Dun's men, met Chancellor Lu, who insisted on verifying Pei Yao's safety himself, relieved to find him alive.
Pei Yao disguised himself as a convict and entered the prison carriage, while Fang Yun was taken away by Chancellor Lu, as planned, to wait outside the city.
Upon arrival, Fang Yun learned that Chancellor Lu's investigation had faced obstacles over the past few days. The perpetrators had covered their tracks well.
Initial questioning revealed that the carriage driver had been drinking before the incident, failed to check the horse's hooves, and assumed the horse was just acting up, leading to the disaster. Chancellor Lu and the Crown Princess were skeptical, planning to gather more evidence, but the driver, terrified after hearing about the Crown Prince's disappearance, committed suicide.
With the trail cold, further searches yielded no results.
Fang Yun pondered, "If this was a planned incident, it was likely aimed at me or Hu Liangdi. The Crown Prince sitting in my carriage was a last-minute decision. Those harboring such hatred could be the Third Princess or the Empress."
Her insight surprised Chancellor Lu. They had focused on King Ming, given his rivalry with Pei Yao, overlooking the possibility of a scheme driven by personal grudges among the women.
"Investigate the Third Princess and the Empress immediately," Chancellor Lu ordered his aides.
He then bowed to Fang Yun, "Thank you for the insight. I apologize for the inconvenience of staying outside the city. Once the Crown Prince is safe, we'll arrange for you to join him."
"It's no trouble," Fang Yun replied, then inquired, "What about my maids, Qingrong and Yanwei? Are they safe?"
"Don't worry, Liangdi. One maid didn't fall into the water and only had minor injuries. The other was rescued by the driver, who could swim. They're already waiting for you at the arranged place," Chancellor Lu reassured.
Relieved, Fang Yun boarded the carriage to the temporary residence, reuniting with her maids. They tearfully embraced, with Qingrong still bandaged and Yanwei in better condition. After ensuring Fang Yun's wellbeing, they settled down.
Fang Yun learned the Crown Princess had stayed for a day and night after the incident. Hu Liangdi and her maid Yantao were rescued, though they lost another maid, Xiaorong. Details were scarce, but Fang Yun was safe for now, awaiting news from Pei Yao.
The plan to enter the city in a prison carriage worked. King Ming never expected the Crown Prince to enter the city disguised as a filthy, shackled convict. King Dun's men received Pei Yao at the Ministry of Justice prison and discreetly relocated him to one of King Dun's residences.
Once in the city, Pei Yao's priority was to counter King Ming's attacks. Having survived such hardship, he was determined to ensure King Ming paid dearly, if not with his life, then at least significantly.
YOU ARE READING
The Beloved Concubine of the Eastern Palace (book 2)
RomanceAuthor: Huatang Xiuge Translator: Me (Xiaobai) 东宫掌娇 Upon entering the Eastern Palace, Fang Yun lived cautiously, burdened by the label of a substitute bride and daughter of a traitor. She knew well that, as a daughter of low birth, she had been cas...
