Zhao Qian trembled to the core. Everyone who knew about this matter had to bury the information deep within their hearts, and as long as the youngest Princess was still missing, they had to bring this secret to their graves.

He quickly replied, “Don’t worry, Master. I’ve already delivered your orders.”

“Good.” Long Yang’s handsome face was stony as he continued instructing, “Keep the search going. I want to see them… dead or alive!”

Zhao Qian could hear the undisguisable tremor in his master’s voice.

He sighed to himself.

Master must be blaming himself.

Nevertheless, no one had wanted this to happen.

The situation at that time was just too chaotic.

The Emperor had lost his sanity after the Empress suddenly stopped breathing. With everyone’s attention on the Emperor, who would have realized that Manna was scheming to kidnap the Princess amidst the chaos?

“All the covert guards have been sent out,” answered Zhao Qian. He was not too hopeful about the search, but he did not dare reveal this sentiment in the slightest.

He could only pray for Chu Qi and the youngest Princess’s safety.

When Manna had been discovered taking off with the child, Chu Qi had given chase right away, followed by Chu Jiu and Chu Yi.

Chu Qi’s whereabouts were still unknown even now. Chu Jiu and Chu Yi had returned at one point after losing them, then set out once again to track them down.

“Call back Chu Jiu and Chu Yi first. If the Empress asks about Chu Qi, tell her that I’ve sent him to help Long Xuan in his campaign against the Prince of Xuyang.” After pondering for a moment, Long Yang gave more instructions.

“Yes, Master,” Zhao Qian replied respectfully. Before leaving, he cast one last glance over his shoulder and saw his master sitting down in his chair. The study was dimly lit by a single lamp, and in the shadows, his master’s figure seemed lonely and even a little helpless.

Zhao Qian’s heart ached for him, but there was nothing to be done at this point.

He was just grateful that the Empress had come back to life. Otherwise, he could not bring himself to imagine what things the Emperor would resort to.

Sigh!

Grand Phoenix Palace.

Lu Liangwei continued to watch her two children, and only when they were hungry did she reluctantly let the nanny take them away to feed them.

Her body had yet to recover after being in a coma for several days and losing all that blood, so she was unable to produce milk for the time being. Fortunately, Long Yang had been considerate enough to hire a nanny.

“Don’t worry about the children; someone will take care of them. All you need now is rest. When you’ve recovered, and if you can produce milk, you can feed them yourself.” Seeing how attached she was to her children, the Dowager Duchess reassured her warmly.

“I understand, Grandmother. Since everything here’s already settled, you and Aunt Lan should go back and rest early.” Lu Liangwei looked at the two old women in concern.

The redness in their eyes was particularly glaring, and it made her heart ache with guilt.

She had made everyone worry this time.

The Dowager Duchess was indeed close to collapsing and had only been hanging on by sheer force of will. Since Lu Liangwei was fine now, she did not refuse. “Very well. This ancient body of mine does need some rest. Just take everything easy, and I’ll come and see you again tomorrow.”

“Grandmother, I’m fine now. You can rest for a few more days and visit me after that,” Lu Liangwei persuaded her.

“All right then,” the Dowager Duchess agreed.

After watching the two elderly women leave, Lu Liangwei drew the covers around her, ready to lie down. Just then, she caught sight of the string of Buddhist prayer beads encircling her right wrist, which startled her.

Were these prayer beads not Grandmother’s? Why were they with her now?

Seeing her staring at the prayer beads, Long Qingzhi said heavily, “While you were unconscious, the Dowager Duchess put those prayer beads on your wrist. She even said that she would gladly reduce her lifespan if it could bring you back.”