Abandoned Woman Busy Farming
Chapter 2601 - 2602: Imperial Family Secrets
Soon, the five colors representing gold, wood, water, fire, and earth in the magic array converged and surprisingly displayed a map in the air, pinpointing the star plate’s location.
Everyone leaned closer to look, and Jiang Yichun suddenly said, "This location seems to be the Imperial Palace."
Master Astrologer nodded, "The Northwest Corner of the Palace, I remember that spot is where the servants of the Washing Room live, it’s quite messy."
"Let’s enter the Palace now, to prevent him from running away again," Bai Ruozhu said.
Master Astrologer appeared somewhat worried, "Elsewhere would be fine, but since he’s in the Imperial Palace, such a large commotion might cause unnecessary misunderstandings."
Bai Ruozhu thought about Empress Yazi’s antics, coupled with She Zongyi’s inevitable desire for revenge, felt that it could indeed be troublesome.
"Wu Yunfeng must have considered this, which is why he deliberately hid in the Palace," Jiang Yichun said confidently. Wu Yunfeng knows him, just as he understands Wu Yunfeng. "I even fear that when we chase him, if something happens, he might have a way to escape, leaving us in a difficult position."
Bai Ruozhu pinched his chin, pondering, "If we could know his escape route, we would have arranged someone there earlier."
Everyone looked toward Jiang Yichun; only he might have some thoughts on the matter.
Jiang Yichun pondered for a moment, then shook his head, "In Danliang, I might have some guesses, but Fusang here I’m really unfamiliar with."
He didn’t know the escape routes within the Fusang Imperial Palace, nor did he know the arrangements that Wu Yunfeng and Song Yi might have in Fusang, making it difficult to guess.
"Why don’t I enter the Palace claiming I’ve sensed demon Qi, to catch a demon, naturally no one in the Palace will stop me. You can disguise yourselves as my subordinates, just don’t let the Palace people see through you." Master Astrologer suggested entering the Palace himself, but he was not confident to catch Wu Yunfeng, given Wu Yunfeng’s many trump cards.
"Alright, let’s do that," Jiang Yichun agreed.
Master Astrologer then instructed his subordinates to take off their clothes for Jiang Yichun and the others, Bai Ruozhu also donned a small-sized men’s outfit, and everyone put on human-skin masks sent by Gao Zhou, instantly transforming into ordinary-looking astrologer servants.
"You mustn’t speak; as soon as you speak, you’ll give yourselves away." Master Astrologer reminded them.
Everyone agreed; if someone needed to speak, Bai Ruozhu could manage, but others would reveal their Zhongyuan accent immediately.
This time Bai Ruozhu arranged Gong Feng to guard home to prevent anything from She Zongyi’s tampering.
The group quietly left the Posthouse, took a detour to Main Street, and headed toward the Palace.
"Master Astrologer, why are you entering the Palace now?" the guard asked.
"I sensed a trace of demon Qi and feared a monster might disrupt the Imperial Palace, so I need to check," Master Astrologer said sternly, prompting immediate passage from the guard who offered assistance, "Master Astrologer, should we send some people to assist you?"
"No need for now, if it’s a powerful monster, you lack the skills in Yin Yang Techniques and could easily be possessed." Master Astrologer said.
"Alright, I understand." the guard replied.
The group successfully entered the Palace, following Master Astrologer to the Northwest corner.
Upon arrival, there were still people washing clothes in the courtyard, Bai Ruozhu glanced around and noted some with hands swollen and peeling, unable to stop their tasks despite the discomfort.
Seeing Master Astrologer, those people exclaimed, quickly got up, and bowed; Master Astrologer hurriedly asked them to rise and inquire, "Has anyone new arrived here recently? Who might they be?"
A woman who wasn’t washing clothes stepped out, her attire slightly better, seemingly the one in charge there.
"In response to your question, Master, no newcomers have arrived in the past month," the woman said.
"Continue your work; we’re going to look around." Master Astrologer gestured to everyone to search in groups, releasing a signal immediately upon discovering the target.
About a quarter-hour later, the group reconvened, having found nothing; could it be that he had already fled?
Master Astrologer thought for a while and said, "Let’s search other parts of the Palace."
Thus, the group split up to search, Bai Ruozhu released Xiaomao, who had become faster after a nap; it claimed to be stronger, but to what extent Bai Ruozhu was unsure.
Bai Ruozhu headed towards the east of the Washing Room, not going far before spotting Empress Shangzi from a distance.
She didn’t rush forward because she was in disguise and naturally didn’t need to greet Empress Shangzi.
Yet from the other side, a familiar figure emerged, upon closer thought recognizing him as Princess Ya’an’s fiancé, Prince Wen De.
It was already twilight, why were these two meeting here?
Even if Prince Wen De wanted to see Empress Shangzi, a younger generation should visit an elder; why not go to Empress Shangzi’s Bedchamber?
Bai Ruozhu found it peculiar and immediately hid behind a tree.
"Why have you summoned me again?" Empress Shangzi seemed unhappy.
"I, I..." Wen De stammered, "Just wanted to, to see you."
Empress Shangzi’s face darkened, "Didn’t you see me during the day? Why do you create more trouble for me?"
"I just wanted to see you alone." Wen De looked pitifully at Shangzi, seemingly afraid of her.
Bai Ruozhu quickly tried to figure out their relationship; Shangzi is the Emperor’s sister, Wen De is the Emperor’s brother from the same mother’s son, so Shangzi is Wen De’s aunt.
"What happened last time was an accident, can’t you forget it? If discovered, none of us will survive." Shangzi was furious, "Yazi has wanted to harm me for a while, dragging you down, I feel sorry, but don’t come looking for me again. I just want a quiet life, without any chaos."
"But... but we’ve done things as husband and wife; I can’t let you go from my heart!" Wen De suddenly exclaimed, seemingly to prove his determination his voice grew louder.
Bai Ruozhu was startled, goodness, the Fusang Royal Family is indeed chaotic, the habit of marrying closely related kin was already surprising, yet an affair between an aunt and nephew? No, rather between an aunt and nephew?
So complicated...
Empress Shangzi abruptly covered Wen De’s mouth, angry, "Yazi drugged me intending to ruin my reputation; you just accidentally entered my bedchamber. Can’t we pretend nothing happened? Say no more; I’m leaving, don’t see me alone again."
Afraid Wen De might hold her back, she ran away as if fleeing, her maid in the distance keeping watch followed quickly as she approached, taking her arm, quickening their pace to leave.
Wen De stood still, his gaze lingering on Empress Shangzi’s retreating form, refusing to move away, muttering to himself, "But I’ve fallen for you; I can’t let go, what do I do?"