Emperor Yongning listened to the subordinates report the latest progress on the search for the little princess. When he heard they still had not found her, he overturned the table in front of him in anger and spat out a mouthful of blood.
Those around him were so frightened they knelt on the floor, not daring to breathe loudly.
Emperor Yongning simply wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth with his fist and cursed furiously, "A bunch of good-for-nothings, so much time has passed, and you can’t even find a little girl."
The minister who had just reported this matter stammered, "Calm your anger, Your Majesty. I... I will immediately assign more people to continue the search."
"Assign more people, assign more people, always just assigning more people."
Emperor Yongning strode up to the minister and kicked him in the shoulder.
The minister was knocked to the ground, and his hairpin fell off. He didn’t have time to pick it up, hurriedly got up, and continued to kneel properly.
Emperor Yongning said displeased, "In the past two months, every time you report the latest news about the princess to me, when you can’t find her, you pacify me by saying you’ll assign more people to search."
"Count on your fingers how many times you’ve said this. But have you got any results?"
"Do you think I’m a beggar, easily pacified? Hmm?"
Using the same excuse once or twice might pass if Emperor Yongning was in a good mood and chose not to count it against you.
But every time it’s the same excuse, it’s clearly just perfunctory. Who wouldn’t get angry?
Especially since this person is none other than Emperor Yongning, a supreme ruler with power over life and death.
"I, I... I know my mistake..."
The terrified minister kowtowed repeatedly, his head was bleeding, but he didn’t stop, continuously bowing, making loud thumping sounds on the ground.
Emperor Yongning, annoyed, held his forehead with one hand and ordered Xiao Lizi to drag the man out, telling him to kowtow outside. Let him die doing it, the useless thing.
"Would Your Majesty like some chrysanthemum tea to calm down?" Xiao Lizi hurriedly offered a cup of tea.
After taking a sip of tea, Emperor Yongning asked, "How is the search for that mischievous rascal going?"
Xiao Lizi’s heart skipped a beat. He thought His Majesty would be too occupied with the princess’s matter today to ask about that rascal. ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ꜰʀᴏᴍ 𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹•𝑓𝑖𝑟𝑒•𝙣𝙚𝙩
Unexpectedly, he still asked.
Xiao Lizi quickly wiped the cold sweat that had appeared on his forehead and said, "The Imperial Guard is searching every palace, and they’ll report back as soon as there’s news."
"Hmm!" Emperor Yongning responded with a grunt and reminded, "Make sure every palace and corner of the palace is searched, don’t overlook any place."
Since they hadn’t found anyone yet, Xiao Lizi was worrying about what to do.
Emperor Yongning’s reminder snapped him out of it.
It seemed like the Imperial Guard had only searched some obvious places.
As for those nooks and crannies where people rarely go, they seemed to have neglected them.
And aren’t those nooks and crannies where someone could easily hide?
Especially given that the rascal who tricked the emperor and the head chef of the Imperial Kitchen was so slippery and unconventional. So, the chance is very high that he’s hiding in such untrodden places.
Xiao Lizi thought it necessary to remind the Imperial Guard.
"Your Majesty, I’ll convey your words to the Imperial Guard now."
Emperor Yongning waved his hand, and Xiao Lizi left.
Half an hour later, the Imperial Guard began a new round of searches.
Their first target was the Cold Palace.
At that moment, Jun Ning was weeding vegetables with his mother when he suddenly heard a commotion outside the Cold Palace.
The leader of the Imperial Guard said, "Open the gates of the Cold Palace. We are going to search the palace."
The old matron responsible for guarding the Cold Palace didn’t quite understand: "Honored sirs, what’s happening? Why the sudden need to search the Cold Palace?"