Xuyu entered the palace through the small gate and went to Ziyun Palace. She saw that the night watchmen were gathered outside and did not dare to go in. Her father-in-law was awake late at night and was walking back and forth in the outer hall of the temple alone, with his hands behind his back, his brows furrowed, and he looked very angry.
Zhao Zhongfang asked Yang Zaien to drive everyone away and guard the palace gate. He did not even bother to wipe the sweat off his forehead and hurriedly reported: "Your Majesty, the princess is back!"
"Aye!" Xuyu also followed him in, spoke softly, and went up to hold his arm.
"It's all my fault! I made Aye worried! I'm back, I'm fine!"
The emperor looked at her for a few times, and his expression finally improved a little. He asked her where she went to spend the night last night and why she had not returned today.
Xuyu responded truthfully and said that he had stayed overnight at the home of a kind mountain villager in Xishan whom he had known before. He wanted to return early this morning, but unfortunately, heavy rain washed away the bridge and delayed his journey. He had just returned.
"I really can't help it. I didn't mean to make you worry. I'm really fine! It's getting late. I'll take you to rest!"
"It's okay, it's okay, you're scared, my dear."
After hearing this, the emperor heaved a long sigh of relief, patted his daughter's hand gently, and comforted her a few words. Then he turned to Zhao Zhongfang and his expression changed immediately: "Where is Pei Er?"
"General Han has already called him over and will definitely reprimand him severely!" Zhao Zhongfang responded hurriedly.
"This little thief from the Pei family!"
The emperor cursed angrily, "I wonder how Han Kerang can protect him this time! He is so bold that he even forged the imperial decree! Take Hao'er away in front of everyone! What on earth does he want to do?"
"Your Majesty, please do not be angry. Your Majesty's health is the most important thing! Pei Jiaer has always been steady. Allow me to speculate that there may be other reasons for this matter, which is why he acted so rashly last night. I hope the princess returns safely. Your Majesty has been worried all day, why don't you listen to the princess and go to rest first, and see what the general says tomorrow?"
The emperor nodded: "Great! Even you, an old man, are making excuses for him?" His eyes darted around the hall and finally fell on the incense burner on the desk, his eyes began to become fierce.
"I just can't sleep, so there's no need for Han Kerang! It's better to invite him here and ask him to tell me in person what the reason is." The emperor said sinisterly.
Zhao Zhongfang knelt down hurriedly and kowtowed: "Your Majesty, please calm down. You have misunderstood! How dare this old servant make excuses for outsiders? It is really too late tonight. If I call the child of the Pei family into the palace to punish him now, it will inevitably cause a stir even if it is kept secret. If the news spreads, I am afraid it will be bad for the princess..."
Last night, Pei Xiaoyuan braved the rain and rushed to the Fan family's courtyard outside the city. He took the young painter Ye Xuyu away in public, and then the two disappeared. Prince Yuwen couldn't catch up, and later he and Zhang Dunyi searched around for most of the night, but there was no sign of anyone. He was so angry that he almost vomited blood and cursed until dawn. Afterwards, I don't know what he was thinking, maybe he didn't want others to know about the embarrassment, or maybe he was no longer angry, he actually told Zhang Dunyi not to spread what happened last night, and gave up angrily and returned to Chang'an.
However, Zhang Dunyi's situation was not as simple as Yuwen Zhi's.
Han Kerang had repeatedly told him that the identity of the young painter surnamed Ye was extremely special and that he could not make any mistakes. He had to protect the young painter in the same way as he protected the saint. So at that time, if Pei Xiaoyuan had not said that the emperor had summoned the young painter for something, he would never have asked him to take him away. Later, he realized that something was wrong, but it was too late and he could not find the person. As day was approaching, he ordered Song Bokang and others from the painting academy to keep everything they saw last night secret. He hurried back, not daring to conceal anything, and reported everything to Han Kerang.