The Employed Empress

Witnessing this uncharacteristic action from the emperor, the whole place stagnant similar to someone clicking the pause button.

In this stilled silence, Wei Yi Yi is distinctly aware of a loud heartbeat.

Whether it is hers or his, Wei Yi Yi is at the point where she could no longer tell them apart.

Jiang Yu is in such close proximity that even their shadows entwined. As warm breath touch the nape of her neck, Wei Yi Yi jolted from the sensitivity she didn't know she had in her.

Suddenly, Wei Yi Yi who have a blurry sense of distance in regards to her close friends, is painfully conscious of Jiang Yu being a man.

Underneath the thick robes, like clear evidence of that proves the dominance of his gender, is lean muscles which bring comfort. Within his embrace, which envelopes her seemingly small body in contrast to his, is a fragrant smell that felt calming.

Wei Yi Yi reacted as if her body rejects the heat sipping between the exposed skin that touching hers.

The flags raising in her head are quite glaring. Adding the gongs to the equation, it's undeniably what we call a system meltdown.

And then, as her mind goes blank from the overdose of stimulation, Wei Yi Yi accidentally caught Ye Ai Ning's stare.

Seeing her ready to transform into a fire-breathing calamity, Wei Yi Yi eyes dilated.

She flinched and started to pray.

My will is strong.

I'm an immovable rock.

A rock that cannot be swayed.

I'm a statue!

Ah, for an unknown reason, Wei Yi Yi wanted to mourn and cry.

Sadly, Jiang Yu is still not done with his show.

Tearing away from Wei Yi Yi, he firmly holds both of her shoulders while he eyed her whole body.

Although Jiang Yu is still too close for comfort, Wei Yi Yi felt a bit relieved when their body is no longer glued together.

As if not enough just to see in front, he pulled one of her arms so that she'll move to the side then strictly inspect her back.

Wei Yi Yi rigidly followed his forceful action without complaint. If only she was not pretending to be a statue at the moment because of the woman who could turn 'yandere' at any moment, this guy here would have a black eye by now.

She'll claim self-defense later on of course.

"What happened?" Jiang Yu asked while staring her down. "There's too much dirt and mud on you that it seems you rolled into the ground."

They heard him but no one answered him.

This angered Jiang Yu even more.

"You have small injuries all over your body. Just where did you go?!"

Wei Yi Yi who has a mountain of wrongdoings, "...."

"Wei Yi Yi!"

The emperor shouted. The witnesses who stood silly in shock finally jumped awake.

This rare conduct of showing affection by the emperor came in as a shock for them. More so for Xiao Lin Xi who literally raised his majesty.

However, he couldn't completely say he doesn't understand.

The Emperor had thought he could spend the morning with his Empress.

Sadly, her majesty was no longer in her chambers when he returned from the Noble Consort's place.

Jiang Yu, who decided all by himself that Wei Yi Yi is always available for him, was left dumbfounded seeing he was left behind.

If it is only that then the emperor would have just harras his poor eunuch with endless questions of 'why' and 'give me an explanation'.

But then, after going to the Luminous Courtyard, all trace of the empress disappeared.

No one has seen her inside the villa or know if she went and visit some noble families. Yet, no one could also tell if she has gone out.

Everyone thought, 'The Empress is missing'.

The noblest woman; the mother of the whole nation; the one that holds the other half of the crown...

The empress is missing in one of the most dangerous places that can be!

The hunting grounds!

Regardless if it was assassination or an accident, once a body is left into the forest for the wild animals to eat, all evidence will be erased.

The hunting ground will be your grave without anyone knowing.

Adding Su Mei Fan who fanned the fire by panicking first, Jiang Yu has finally lost his cool and called for the guards.

When Wei Yi Yi returned, it was almost noon and Jiang Yu's patience has long been snapped.

Wei Yi Yi couldn't accurately tell the time so she didn't know while Tang Mei has been running for her life to even notice the raising of the sun.

"...Jiang Liu."

The sixth prince's name has been uttered in a growl.

No one would still answer Jiang Yu and so, he can only slowly vent. Done shouting at Wei Yi Yi, Jiang Liu become the next target. "You..!!"

"Roya--- Your Majesty---"

"Your majesty, may you allow this subject's son to explain on behalf of her majesty, the empress?"

Wei Lian stepped in to save his stone stilled sister.

He received an intense stare by the emperor but he did not back down. When Jiang Yu stayed silence and didn't erupt his anger into him, Wei Lian took it as a silent approval.