On that day, the imperial guards at the west gate of the palace found no suspicious people entering or exiting.
The craftsman responsible for repairing the furniture of Chunying Palace entered the palace early in the morning with a large toolbox and left after noon.
Others include merchants who deliver food to the door every day, officials who enter the palace through the west gate, and the queen's brother who comes to visit as usual, but leaves earlier than usual.
Afterwards, two maids said they would take leave to go home and would not return to the palace today.
This day is no different from usual.
"...No matter how much I think about it, I feel that there is something wrong with that toolbox!" Zhuge Qing said angrily, pacing restlessly in the room where the owner was missing.
"But, but those craftsmen have the city gate's access order, and the toolbox has been checked, and no problem was found..."
"How could the craftsman kidnap the queen? Someone who is qualified to issue the token must be behind the scenes. There should be a mechanism hidden at the bottom of the tool box."
The officials and imperial guards of Zhongshu Province were speechless. Qing'er, who hurried over, looked at the room that was usually greeted by Shui Xinyuan with empty eyes.
...Is this room so strange?
Qing'er saw that there was black vinegar mixed with wine in the teapot on the table. It was not difficult to imagine how Shui Xinyuan was taken away...
However, not many people know that Shui Xinyuan has a very bad drinking ability.
"...It's really spring tea?"
"Nine times out of ten."
Zhuge Qing answered briefly.
The two maids Chunxiang and Chuncha also disappeared.
Of the two, Chun Cha, who faked the Queen's order, was of course the more suspicious.
The maid should know that Shui Xinyuan is a poor drinker. What is even more worrying is that Shui Qiancheng, who loves spring tea, is also missing.
"...Doctor Tobe."
In the heavy silence, Li Yuezhen and the supervisory censor, Dr. Lu, walked in with solemn expressions.
"The father of the maid Su Chuncha is Huang Yi scholar Su Xinzhuo, and His Majesty's inspection schedule was also determined by his calculations."
"...Scholar Huang Yi?"
"There is also Shui Qiancheng, and Xu Gongchun, a fellow from Liuzhou who went to the same private school as him, has also disappeared. They all met people who looked like officials in Huajie. They are currently investigating where they are. I guess
He is also an official from Liuzhou."
Zhuge Qing smacked his lips and looked back at each other.
"How to get to Liuzhou?"
"You can go by land or water..."
"Separately investigate, and then summon officials from Liuzhou to find out who is behind it."
"Doctor Tobe..."
One of the officials stood on tiptoe and raised his hands.
"I'm from Chouzhou. In this season, I guess we should go by water."
"Why?"
"The Xuanliu River flows from west to east. In the current season...for about a month and a half, the river wind blows from east to west, making it easy for boats to travel upstream."
Zhuge Qing looked at Li Yuezhen, who nodded silently and walked out immediately.
"Doctor Lu, where is that scholar?"
"If you're not at home, you should have escaped."
"..."
This means that the father also knows what his daughter is doing.
Although it is unknown whether the scholar was traveling with him, the queen, two maids, and Shui Qiancheng should be together.
...if he learns that the queen has been kidnapped, I wonder what the emperor will do...
"Dr. Hubu...Dr. Zhuge!"
At this time, a young official ran in hurriedly.
"Just now, Hu Shui County sent a messenger... Starting two days ago, many people carrying weapons began to gather at Xishen Pass..."
"...Xishen Pass?"
The officials were talking a lot.
Xishen Pass is located near the border between Shenzhou and Liuzhou, and is the only way to travel between the two states by water.
Qing'er turned pale, stood up unsteadily, and grabbed Zhuge Qing's hand.
"Is she there?"
"Qing'er..."
"Are you there? Is she... Shui Xinyuan there?"
"Qing'er, you have to calm down."
Zhuge Qing held Qing'er's hand firmly and looked around at the officials of Zhongshu Province.
"...Do you know who is planning this?"
"It's not... I can't guess... the suspicious person..."
"That's right. Then I'll leave this matter to you. I'll go after the Queen and ask Lord Zhongshu Ling to issue a temporary edict. If it is really related to the Xishen Pass matter, the army may need to be seconded."
After the officials bowed and saluted, they ran out one after another.
"...Zhuge Qing..."
"Qing'er, you go home first!"
Zhuge Qing tried to force out a smile, but couldn't. He could only twist his face and look at Qing'er.
"Shui Qiancheng lives in our house, but this happened, which is my responsibility. The Queen's whereabouts are unknown, and it is impossible for Your Majesty to return to the palace like this. Therefore, I must go and fight alongside Your Majesty."
"If you want to talk about responsibility..."
Qing'er's hands trembled slightly
"I... also have a responsibility... If you want to go, I can't go home."
"Qing'er."
"This is Shui Xinyuan's home... I will wait here for her to come back."
Although Qing'er looked pale, she managed to squeeze out a smile, and Zhuge Qing's expression finally relaxed a little.
"...Monkey, don't mess around."
"You should also be careful."
Zhuge Qing made up his mind to leave the room, and other imperial guards and officials also followed him out.
The maids were all watching quietly in the corridor, annoyance written on everyone's face.
Qing'er smiled bitterly and waved to the maid to come in.
"Mrs. Qing'er, we..."
"You guys wait with me...even if Shui Xinyuan comes back, she won't be angry."
"..."
The maids still bit their lips and lowered their heads.
If he had not been locked up, the situation in front of him would not have happened.
These maids were still crying over this incident just now.
Qing'er pretended to be cheerful and patted the maid on the shoulder and said: "After a large number of men came, there is dust everywhere. Do we want to clean it?"
"...Mrs. Qing'er."
"It seems like something is broken there. It's too dangerous."
After hearing this, the maids began to tidy up one after another.
...I am not the only one who is uneasy, everyone is almost overwhelmed by uneasiness.
but……
The most painful thing is Shui Xinyuan...
Hope she is okay.
Qing'er gritted her teeth, blinked her eyes desperately, and held back tears.