Yuan Xin ignored his warning. “Worry about yourself!” She gave him a shove and stalked off with her attendants.

Beitang Rui stared at her retreating figure with a brooding expression on his face.

Seeing the tension between the couple made Yuan Zheng sigh inwardly. Eventually, he said,”Please forgive Xin’er, Your Highness. She’s always been a bit spoiled, and she’s gotten even more temperamental because of the distress caused by her disfigurement. I hope you can be more tolerant of her.”

Despite Beitang Rui’s contempt for Yuan Zheng, he could not risk falling out with him right now, so he replied courteously, “Please don’t criticize Xin’er, Prime Minister. She’s a wonderful lady.”

Whether or not he was being sincere, all Yuan Zheng could do was give him a grateful smile. “I’m glad you think that way, Your Highness. If there’s nothing else, I’ll be going first.”

“All right.” Beitang Rui gave him a brief nod.

Meanwhile, both Long Chi and Yuan Xin combed the surrounding area but could not find Lu Liangwei at all.

Not a single trace of her had been left behind. It was as if she had vanished into thin air

Both parties returned empty-handed.

Unknown to them, Lu Liangwei was currently in a house with a courtyard, and before her were two people kneeling on one knee.

“Greetings, Royal Aunt!”

“Greetings, Your Highness!”

They were Long Xuan and Chu Jiu.

Lu Liangwei had already recovered from the elation of their sudden encounter, but the joy lingered on her face as she helped them up. “Both of you, please rise!”

The two were equally thrilled to see her, and even the usually apathetic Chu Jiu could not hide the catch in her voice. “I’m glad you’re all right, Your Highness! We finally found you!”

Having calmed down, Lu Liangwei smiled and asked, “Why are you here, by the way?” After hurling the medicine ball at Wanyan Jin’s guard just now, she had taken advantage of the momentary distraction to flee into a narrow alley nearby. However, the moment she stepped into the alley, two dark figures came racing in after her.

Thinking that Long Chi’s men had found her, she was about to run when the two figures darted in front of her before she could react.

Her astonishment when she realized who they were quickly gave way to excitement, which nearly brought tears to her eyes.

An alley was not a suitable place to have a conversation, so Long Xuan and Chu Jiu swiftly took her to a house with a courtyard.

“Long Xuan and I searched all the way here from the West Water Frontier. We thought we would need more time to find you, but while we were looking for clues earlier, we heard the sound of a medicine ball exploding. When we arrived on the scene, we saw you running into the alley. But because you were wearing a disguise, we thought we had the wrong person at first.”

Lu Liangwei exclaimed in realization, “So that’s what happened!” Touching her face, she said gratefully, “Thank goodness you made it in time.” Otherwise, she might not have been able to escape tonight.

Chu Jiu could not suppress her exhilaration. “I’m so glad you’re all right, Your Highness!”

Long Xuan’s shoulders slumped in relief as well. “Royal Uncle would have butchered me if I still hadn’t found you.”

Lu Liangwei chuckled, but the smile faded from her face when she remembered something else. Clenching her fists, she was silent for a while before finally asking hoarsely, “When you left the imperial capital, was Ji’er…” The light in her eyes dimmed, and she was somewhat afraid of hearing their answer for fear that it would not be the one she wanted.

“Don’t worry, Your Highness. We’ve found Princess Ji’er,” Chu Jiu said softly, knowing what she was thinking.

“Really?” Lu Liangwei looked up at her abruptly, her eyes shimmering with tears.

“Yes. His Majesty descended Thousand Feet Cliff and found Princess Ji’er himself,” Chu Jiu quickly reassured her.

Tears of joy streamed down Lu Liangwei’s cheeks, the heaviness in her heart finally dispelled. “Ji’er…”

Chu Jiu stepped forward and put her arms around her. There were tears in her eyes too as she smiled and said, “Princess Ji’er’s perfectly fine. You can finally relax, Your Highness.”