At Consort Fang’s Residence

    The night was quiet. Too quiet. A small movement can be heard a mile away. That was how quiet it was. And that was how lonely Consort Fang is; no one to accompany her loneliness. No one to hear her loneliness despite the quietness. Soon, her maid rushes in to inform her that Crown Prince Yan is heading towards her residence. Her face lit up with a light as she cheerfully smiled trying to groom herself before seeing him. The maid reassured her of her beauty as she quickly steps out to the entrance to see him enter.

“Greetings Crown Prince Yan” she curtsies.

“No need for formalities” Shen Qing said as he dismissed the maids out.

“What made Crown Prince Yan personally made a trip here?” Consort Fang said as she raised her head while he walks towards the table.

“Have a seat” he gestures as he sits, “It’s been long since I’ve visited you”

“You’re always busy, so it’s understandable that you don’t have time” she sat.
“How have you been?”

“I’ve been good. Thanks for asking, Crown Prince Yan”

“Your father sent me a letter this morning” Shen Qing pulls out the letter from his sleeve, “He stated that he’s fallen ill and is making me the military commissioner”

“What? How come they haven’t informed me?” Consort Fang immediately read the letter.

“It was me who told the servants not to tell you” Shen Qing said, reaching over to hold her hand, “I was afraid that the news would affect our newborn and your condition” he faintly smiles.

“Crown Prince Yan” Consort Fang looks up at his eyes, “I must go back”

“Don’t worry. We will go back” he embraced her.

Suddenly a maid rushes in.

“What is it?” Consort Fang asks.

“A’Li is asking to see Crown Prince Yan” the maid answers.

“Send her in”

As soon as A’Li enters, she gives her greetings and immediately reported,

“Crown Prince Yan, Crown Princess Xiang Yun went missing”

“What!?” Shen Qing instantly stood up so did Consort Fang, “How long ago was she gone?” he adds.

“About half the day now” A’Li answers.

“Do you know where she went?”

“I don’t know where she went, but I do have an idea where she might be”

“Quickly tell me then”

“Outside the palace walls”

“Immediately send soldiers to go find her” Shen Qing commands as A’Li nods, “No. I’ll go” he adds as he left.

A’Li gives her last bow to Consort Fang before dismissing herself, chasing after Crown Prince Yan who’s rushing to prepare to leave the palace.

    Throughout the whole night, Crown Prince Yan and his men searched the entire city for me but they couldn’t find me. Despite the failure, he keeps insisting that they keep searching considering that I can be in danger. Soon dawn gradually rises over the mountain peaks as his men suggests that Crown Prince Yan should return back to the palace to rest. Stubborn as always, he refuses.

Crown Prince Yan stops at the corner of a building to catch his breathe as his men gathers around him with worried expressions.

“Crown Prince Yan, please return back to the palace. I’ll personally search every building until I find Crown Princess” the head captain of his men said.

“No, I must find her” Shen Qing answers, “She’s been gone for one day already. We don’t even know if she’s safe or not” he adds, standing upright and suddenly collapse sideways as the head captain naturally caught him.

“Crown Prince Yan! Someone, get a carriage and send Crown Prince Yan back” head captain orders.