That Imperial Concubine is both wicked and cunning! Your Majesty, wake up!

Xueqing's face was deathly pale. "Your Majesty, the old woman who was imprisoned in the Imperial Prison has suddenly turned against us. She recanted her testimony in front of the interrogator, saying that Consort Yuan was not the real murderer! What's worse, we have completely lost contact with the Madam. The people I sent to meet her have been waiting at the agreed intersection for a long time, but they haven't even seen a trace of the Madam. We have sent people to search everywhere, but there has been no trace of her."

Consort De felt a sudden panic, as if struck by a heavy hammer.

Two unexpected events struck in quick succession, catching her completely off guard.

It's one thing for the nanny to turn against her, but Xueqing had met her secretly at night wearing a heavy veil. The nanny had never seen Xueqing's true face and did not know her identity.

However, in the deep palace, the most taboo word is "what if". If even the slightest flaw is revealed, it could lead to utter disaster.

The disappearance of her mother was even more bizarre. This deep palace was heavily guarded, unlike the chaotic marketplace outside.

As the wife of the Marquis of Yongning, my mother would always be accompanied by attendants when she went out. How could she suddenly lose contact and not be able to send out even a single message?

She took a deep breath, dug her fingertips into her palm, and gave the order in a very fast voice:

"Have our Censorate take immediate action. They must finish off that old woman cleanly and swiftly, leaving no trace whatsoever! Also, you personally lead a team to eliminate everyone involved in this matter, leaving no one alive. Make sure no word of it leaks out."

She paused, a hint of anxiety flashing in her eyes, and then said, "Send another team of trusted men to expand the search area. You must find Mother's whereabouts! Also, write a letter to Father immediately and send it out urgently, asking him to find out Mother's whereabouts after leaving the mansion, and whether anything has happened to her."

One chaotic event after another came like a tidal wave, making her heart clench and almost unable to breathe.

She composed herself, suppressed all her panic, straightened her clothes, and turned to walk towards the banquet.

As soon as he sat down, Consort Shu turned her head and asked in a calm tone, "Did you leave your seat just now because of something important?"

Consort De forced a smile, trying to appear as natural as possible: "It's nothing important. I was just worried about the birthday gift I prepared for Hongyu. I was afraid the servants might not have done a good job, so I went to check on it before I felt at ease."

Consort Shu nodded slightly and did not ask any further questions.

Xiao Yan, seated at the head of the table, glanced at Consort De casually.

That gaze was light and airy, yet it carried a sharpness that seemed to see through everything.

He picked up his wine cup, took a small sip, his expression indifferent, revealing no emotion whatsoever.

Consort De felt that gaze upon her, as if she were being pricked by a needle.

At this moment, her biggest worry was still her mother. This was the imperial palace, and her mother was the Lady of Yongning Marquis; people would fawn over her and show her respect, so how could something have happened to her?

Perhaps they were delayed on the way, or perhaps they took the wrong turn and got lost.

She repeatedly reassured herself, trying to suppress the growing unease.

After the banquet, since it was the birthday of the eldest prince, Xiao Hongyu, Xiao Yan accepted Consort De's request and stayed overnight at Yong'an Palace.

The candlelight flickered in the hall, casting cool shadows, but Consort De remained restless, absentmindedly clutching the handkerchief in her hand. Even though she tried to appear calm, she could not hide a trace of dazedness and anxiety.

The eldest prince was having a great time playing with the birthday gift bestowed upon him by Xiao Yan, and Xiao Yan patiently stayed by his side, occasionally speaking a few words to him in a gentle voice.

The father and son were in a harmonious relationship.

Consort De gazed at the scene before her, her chaotic thoughts gradually calming down, but the unease in her heart still lingered like vines, difficult to eradicate.

She quietly got up, walked outside the hall, and turned to call her personal maid.

"Xueqing hasn't returned yet? And she hasn't sent anyone to deliver any message?" Her voice was very low, with a hint of barely perceptible urgency.

The palace maid stood with her hands at her sides and replied in a low voice, "Your Majesty, Sister Xueqing has not returned yet, nor has she sent anyone to deliver any message. I have already sent people to inquire at the intersection where she was supposed to meet her, but they found nothing."

Consort De's brows furrowed suddenly, and the unease in her heart amplified instantly.

So much time has passed, why hasn't Xueqing returned yet?

Even if things don't go smoothly or if there are any obstacles, you should still try to send a message back.

It was already late at night, and there was still no news from her mother.

Half an hour later, the eldest prince was taken to the inner palace to rest by palace servants, and Xiao Yan also got up and went to the bath room.

Consort De waited alone in the palace, restless and anxious, frequently walking to the palace door to look out, her expression extremely anxious.

Just then, a eunuch stumbled and scrambled into the hall, his voice trembling uncontrollably: "Your Majesty...something...something has happened!"

Another accident has occurred!

Consort De's heart sank, and she blurted out angrily, "What's happened now? Why are you in such a panic? What kind of behavior is this!"

The eunuch knelt down with a thud, stammering, "Your Majesty, all...all the people we've planted in various places have been arrested!"

Consort De's eyes widened suddenly. "What did you say? Explain yourself clearly!"

"It's the Imperial Household Department, the Department of Punishments, the Flower Room, the Imperial Kitchen... and brothers from other places, all of them have been arrested and are being interrogated right now! Even... even Sister Xueqing has been arrested, Your Majesty!" the eunuch stammered as he finished speaking.

Consort De stood frozen in place, her legs feeling unsteady, and a wave of dizziness washed over her, nearly causing her to fall. She instinctively grabbed the table beside her to steady herself.

The various unexpected events of the day flashed through my mind:

From the nanny's betrayal and the mother's disappearance to the current purge of all the trusted confidants planted in the palace...

She finally realized, belatedly, that this was a trap set specifically for her from the very beginning!

They deliberately created a loophole to provoke her into acting rashly, and then used her actions of searching for someone to silence as well as expanding her search to uncover the truth.

They uncovered all the spies she had planted in the palace, and even gathered all the evidence against her!

What a meticulous plan.

A chill ran from the soles of her feet straight to the top of her head, making her shudder.

These informants who were caught were her most reliable confidants whom she had carefully cultivated over the years. Which one of them hadn't done shady things with her?

Once they succumb to the torture of the Imperial Prison and confess everything, all her schemes and crimes over the years will be thoroughly exposed and revealed without any cover-up.

And what about the mother?

Is the mother safe?

Could she also fall into their hands and be taken away for interrogation like these people?

At this moment, the emperor emerged from the bathhouse.

His expression was so calm, as if he had already seen through everything, without the slightest surprise or ripple of emotion.

Xiao Yan's gaze fell on Consort De.

Consort De forced herself to remain calm.

Xiao Yan's tone was light and airy, yet it carried a power that pierced the heart: "Consort De, all these years, I have truly underestimated you."