Chapter 56

  The sedan curtain opened, and his eyes looked inside. His hand stiffened in mid-air, the usual icy calm suddenly cracked open, revealing an astonishing astonishment he had never experienced before.

  There was no one in the bridal sedan chair.

  The bright red wedding dress was scattered in the limited space, and what caught the eye was a dazzling red splendor. The entire sedan chair was filled with exaggerated festive atmosphere, but the bride was nowhere to be seen.

  His eyes narrowed, and the hand that lifted the sedan curtain quickly picked up the big red wedding dress. With his rapid ups and downs, a fiery red splendor floated in front of everyone.

  Everyone gasped in unison, seeing only the wedding dress but no person. What kind of situation is this?

  The people standing in front saw what was happening, their eyes wide with shock and amazement. Those standing at the side or back couldn't see but had already guessed what was going on.

  It was just a guess, but even more astonishing, the bride had disappeared. On the day of Hou Yi's grand wedding, the bride had vanished...

  Qing Zhu's body suddenly stiffened, this, how is this possible? She had just asked the master before crossing the bridge, and at that time, the master was still in the bridal sedan.

  How can it be gone now?

  Just crossing a bridge, how is it possible?

  Bridge? A faint flash in her mind, could it be on that bridge, but there was no hiding place on that bridge, right? Even if the master is capable, it's possible, right?

  Qing Zhu had been practicing martial arts since she was a child, and after waiting by the empress's side for so many years, she thought she was still calm enough. However, at this moment, her body couldn't help but tremble. Originally wanting to take a step forward to confirm, there was only one step away, yet her feet seemed rooted to the spot.

  Her eyes slightly lifted, and when they met the Seventh Prince's face, which was as cold as ice with a hint of blood, she was thoroughly shocked. The prince's expression was truly too terrifying.

  Although I knew that Seventh Highness was always a cold and icy person, but still wouldn't be so terrifying.

  If Master is caught by Your Highness at this moment, I'm afraid...

  She now wholeheartedly, for Meng Fu Ying Xuan started, because she knew that with the Seventh Prince's temperament, he would not vent his anger on others. The Seventh Prince was not the crown prince, and he had always been clear about everything.

  The master must have seen through Seventh's nature long ago, which is why he dared to do something like this.

  Su Feng's face also changed instantly, the prince specially instructed him to go and welcome the bride, but as a result...

  Looking at Xuan Yuan's icy profile, even Su Feng couldn't help but tremble slightly.

  Xuanyuan Ye's eyes stared rigidly at the bridal sedan, and when the veil was lifted, all that could be seen was a stone pressing down on a piece of paper. The bottom of the sedan had been cut open with a large hole, and she had obviously escaped from it.

  He took a deep breath, his hand reached out to the paper, just an ordinary piece of paper, but at this moment, he felt that his hand was somewhat heavy.

  The paper is flat and can be clearly seen with the words on it when held up in front.

  Seeing those few simple lines of poetry, Xuan Yuan's icy gaze that had reached the extreme point flickered slightly.

  "Life is dear, love is dearer; if you win freedom, both are yours."

  It's just these four sentences, simple and clear.

  Her understanding is that perfect love should be pure and simple, purely for the sake of loving, regardless of whether it's rich or poor.

  In pursuit of her love, for her freedom, she would rather abandon her life.

  So she won't marry someone in such an unclear situation, she wants to pursue her own true happiness.

  She believed that someone as intelligent as Xuan Yuan Ye would definitely understand, and if he could let go from now on, it would be for the best.

  A few simple words, yet they fully revealed her resolute and determined attitude.

  In Xuan Yuan Ye's slightly narrowed eyes, something flashed by quickly, but under that cold gaze, a surge of anger slowly rose. She ran away on their wedding day and still hoped to make him let go with just these few words?

  If it were so, he would not be Xuan Yuan Ye. In Xuan Yuan Ye's life, there are no words to let go.

  He still underestimated her, as there was a green bamboo following the sedan chair on one side, and he also ordered Su Feng to keep an eye on it, but she still managed to escape.

  Fine, very good, she wants to play, then he'll accompany her all the way.

  Her eyes turned back to the stone in the sedan chair, a stone that weighed over 40 kilograms. This woman was indeed clever, knowing that an empty sedan chair would arouse suspicion, so she used a stone as a substitute.

  But when was this stone moved onto the flower cart?

  The narrow eyes suddenly flashed, this stone?

  Her eyes quickly looked towards the bridge not far away, and this stone was obviously piled up on both sides of the bridge. Her eyebrows suddenly rose, so she was the one who had just escaped from the bridge.

  Indeed very clever.

  Even if the sedan carriers felt that the sedan chair was a bit lighter at that time, it still had weight and had already arrived at Hou Wangfu, so no one would think much about it. Moreover, when they came down from the bridge, the temporary force was also somewhat uncontrolled, but she was calculated to be seamless.

  "Order to surround the bridge from the south and search thoroughly..." The words paused for a moment, and suddenly he caught a whiff of the faint scent of medicine coming from the sedan chair. Although the scent was very faint and covered by an overpowering floral fragrance, he still detected it.

  Her eyes sank slightly, and she changed her tone coldly, saying, "Don't let anyone leave."

  That potion must be for disguise, this woman is quite formidable indeed.

  However, if she were to escape from the bridge, she could only do so on this side of the bridge. When the sedan chair was going downhill, it would tilt slightly, and the space in front of it would be larger, making it easier for her to escape. It really gave her a great opportunity, and also, only by escaping from the front could she completely avoid the green bamboo.

  So he guessed she hadn't left yet.

  The swift wind standing beside him was stunned for a moment, then responded in a low voice and ordered people to surround. The onlookers were somewhat panicked, but no one made any rash moves.

  At this moment, Meng Fu Ying had not left yet and was still hiding in the crowd. However, at this moment, she had already changed her appearance, wearing a plain men's outfit, and the black stuff on her face had also been removed. That black stuff was one of her most distinctive features, so it was definitely something that needed to be gotten rid of.

  The phoenix coronet and all other head ornaments were removed, leaving only a hair knot like that of an ordinary citizen.

  Her height is considered tall among women, but hidden among men, with that attire and grooming, it's hard to notice.

  Far away, through the crowd, I saw a large number of guards quickly surrounding the south side of the bridge, and also surrounding all these people between the river and the palace of King Yi, because one end of the river was passing through the palace of King Yi, and the other side was naturally filled with guards.

  So at this moment, no one dares to leave.

  Meng Fu's lips curled up slightly, revealing a faint smile. It was indeed worthy of Xuan Yuan Ye, his reaction was quick enough to guess that she had escaped from this side of the bridge.

  However, she didn't think of leaving so soon either, because the most dangerous place is often the safest place. So, in her opinion, the current Yiwang Fu was the safest.

  She had sneaked out after Qing Zhu fell asleep a few nights ago, observing the situation of Yi Wang Fu. Unexpectedly, Yi Wang Fu was indeed as Xuan Yuan Ye said, with not many people in the large Yi Wang Fu, and many courtyards were empty.

  However, this was a good thing for her. She had already chosen a room, one that wasn't too secluded but also not eye-catching. She believed that Xuan Yuan Ye wouldn't think of looking for her in his own palace for the time being.

  By the time he thought of it, she should have already left.

  She waited until nightfall and then found a way to leave the city. As long as she left the capital, it wouldn't be easy for Xuan Yuan Ye to catch her again in such a vast world.

  With a determined mind, the smile at the corner of his lips slowly unfolded again. Seeing those guards almost surrounding the Yufeng Wangfu, Meng Cuo Ying didn't show any tension, but instead quietly leaned towards the direction of the Yufeng Wangfu.

  "Swift Wind, take my token and mobilize the Imperial Guard. Every five steps, station a soldier to completely surround the outer city." Xuan Yuan Ye's slightly narrowed eyes gleamed with a dangerous cold light as he once again gave his orders in a cold, measured tone.

  His words paused for a moment, and his lips slowly curled into a cold smile. He spoke again in a cold voice, "Seal the city gates, no one is allowed to leave."

  He wanted to see how far that woman could fly. And his words at this moment also rose slightly, I don't know if it was intentional or not, whether he said it for Meng Fuying to hear.

  Meng Fu's body stiffened suddenly, his lips twitching violently as he mobilized the Imperial Guards to surround the entire city. Seal off all the city gates and do not allow anyone to leave!

  Can't he be more ruthless! It seems that Xuan Yuan Ye won't let her go until she's caught.

  Hmph, but she has always been that kind of stubborn and unyielding personality, so this battle should be just getting started.

  Who wins and who loses...

  Then let's wait and see.

  "Your Highness." Xing Feng heard Xuanyuan Ye's order, stunned, mobilize the Imperial Guard? He really doubted whether he had misheard at this moment. The Imperial Guard was used to protect the Emperor, although it was said that it was under the command of His Highness and could be mobilized by him, but for such a thing to mobilize the Imperial Guard, that was too...

  Moreover, Your Highness has ordered the city gates to be sealed off, and no one is allowed to go out. I'm afraid this won't work either.

  "What? Didn't you hear the king's order clearly?" Xuan Yuan Ye's eyes slightly turned towards Su Feng, and at this moment, amidst the coldness, there was still a hint of anger hidden within, and in that voice, there was also a chilling intent that made one tremble.

  Su Feng had been following him for many years and thought he was already used to the coldness of Wang Ye, but at this moment his body still trembled involuntarily.

  The emperor who was waiting at the Archery King's mansion, along with Consort Rou and the Crown Prince, as well as several other princes, also rushed out upon hearing the news.

  When the Emperor walked out, he happened to hear Xuan Yuan Ye's words. His eyes sank slightly, but he didn't say anything. He walked closer and said to Su Feng, "Go."

  At this moment, however, there was no strong emotion in the emperor's voice, making it impossible for anyone to guess what he was thinking.

  Su Feng saw that the Emperor had also agreed, and secretly let out a sigh of relief. He quickly left to mobilize the troops.

  The crown prince, who was following the emperor, suddenly sank his eyes, and a hint of ruthlessness flashed quickly in the depths of his eyes. The old man's bias is too obvious, isn't he treating him like a dead person?

  He can tolerate such things, but back then, he was expelled from the capital for just a minor mistake.

  "Hmm, Seventh Brother's marriage is quite interesting. However, for the sake of a woman, this move seems a bit too big, doesn't it?" The Crown Prince's sharp eyes stared tightly at Xuan Yuan Ye, his tone seemingly amused yet inquiring.

  "Is that so?" Xuan Yuan Ye's eyes also slowly turned towards him, the cold air in his eyes shooting straight at him without any concealment. "If it were the Crown Prince today, I'm afraid this place would already be awash with blood by now. This king's move compared to the Crown Prince's style is like a small trick versus a great magic, not even worth mentioning."

  Xuanyuan Ye couldn't help but understand the crown prince's thoughts. He came to attend this wedding today, and he didn't have any good intentions.

  The prince's eyes narrowed slightly, but he didn't get angry. Instead, a faint smile spread across his lips, "That's true, if this happened to me, I would wash away the shame with blood."

  He was even more unapologetic about his own ruthlessness, and by the time the Emperor ordered him to be exiled outside the capital, he had nothing left to hide. What he wanted to do was to make himself stronger, strong enough to make everyone fear him, dread him, and trample all over them.

  Over the past eight years, he had gradually developed the ability to no longer fawn all over the emperor like before, begging the emperor to pass on the throne to him.

  He will ascend to that throne with his own ability, and when the time comes, he will make everyone come to him for help. Including that old dead man, including Xuan Yuan Ye.

  Upon hearing the Crown Prince's words, the Emperor's eyes flashed with a cold light. The Crown Prince has become increasingly cruel over the years. If he were to ascend to the throne one day, the people of the Xuan Yuan dynasty would be doomed.

  So, he was indeed biased, not just for himself, but also for the people of the Xuan Yuan Dynasty. He knew that only when Ye Er became the emperor would the Xuan Yuan Dynasty truly become powerful.

  If he were the crown prince, he would have ruined the Xuan Yuan dynasty.

  Meng Fu Ying still hid in the crowd at this moment, so she also clearly heard the conversation between the Crown Prince and Xuan Yuan Ye. Her eyes flashed slightly, yes, this was the difference between Xuan Yuan Ye and the Crown Prince. He would absolutely not kill innocent people indiscriminately, nor would he vent his anger on others because of her mistakes.

  She had to admit, it was because of Xuan Yuan Ye's this point that she made up her mind to run away from the marriage.

  Nowadays, even if he gets angry and orders a lockdown again, no one is punished, including Qing Zhu who has been following her.

  As for this point, Meng Cuo Ying really appreciates his work style.

  She knew that even if she couldn't escape in the end and was caught by Xuan Yuan Ye, the only one who would be unlucky would be herself, and it wouldn't implicate anyone else.

  Even if the emperor wants to vent his anger on her, she has nothing to worry about.

  After all, Father is the Marquis of the Xuan Yuan Dynasty, and His Majesty attaches great importance to Father. It's impossible for him to do anything to Father, especially since Father is currently in the border region.

  His Majesty would never bring Father back because of this matter.

  So if Your Majesty really wants to shift the blame, then the first ones to be unlucky should be Madame and Meng Ruxue.

  However, she really didn't expect that Xuan Yuan Ye would make such a big move. This move was indeed big enough for her, and it almost cut off all her retreats.

  It seems she wants to leave the city for a short time, but it's probably impossible now.

  But the King's palace, I don't know how long she can hide, after all, what she can think of, Xuan Yuan Ye will also think of, when he can't find her, he will definitely suspect this point.

  But now, it's no use thinking about that anymore. Seeing the guards surrounding the crowd, Meng Fu Ying took a deep breath and moved to the position she had previously found.

  There are no guards here because of the river, and Xuan Yuan Ye didn't expect such a sudden event, so there aren't enough people.

  Moreover, the guards' intention was to prevent her from leaving, and they would never have thought that she would enter the Wangfu.

  Everyone's attention was focused on the front gate of Hou Wang Fu, so no one noticed this side. Meng Cuo Ying took out something that had been hidden in the corner of the wall and quickly entered Hou Wang Fu.

  Then, without hesitation, he threw the tool in his hand into the water. The river water was not too urgent, so the somewhat heavy thing slowly sank to the bottom of the water, but the river water was a bit deep, and nothing could be seen from above.

  Outside the palace, people were in an uproar, but inside the palace, it was eerily quiet. At this moment, all the guests had heard the news of the bride's disappearance and had rushed outside, while all the guards had been mobilized to go out as well.

  Even those girls have quietly run out to see the excitement.

  So at this moment, the Houyuan Palace is almost empty. Looking around, not a single person can be seen, let alone Meng Cuiying's current location in the backyard.

  Meng Fu Ying's eyes sparkled, and she secretly smiled to herself. At this moment, there were hardly a few people in the entire Wang Fu, so she didn't have to worry about being seen by anyone.

  Taking a detour through a winding small road, Meng Bu came to the room he had found earlier and quietly opened the window before jumping in.

  She naturally wouldn't be stupid enough to touch that door, as the room hadn't been lived in for a long time and there were many spider webs in front of it. Once touched, it would be easy to be discovered.

  There was food she had prepared last time under the bed in the room, but only enough for one day, because she hadn't expected Xuan Yuan Ye to completely seal off the capital.