All the special guards were searching for Gu Hui, unaware that she had already fled from there. Ignoring her hunger, thirst, and exhaustion, she hurriedly made her way back to her dynasty, eager to reach there as soon as possible.
Meanwhile, Lou Yao and the special guards were desperately searching for her, in the entire city but they found no trace of her. Lou Yao felt frustrated and angry. This was the first time they had failed to complete a task given to them by the crown prince.
"Let's search the city and its surroundings again. Send some guards along the way, she might have already escaped," Lou Yao suggested, hoping to find any lead.
In the palace, Jin Yuchen was desperate and tense, experiencing these emotions for the first time. He questioned himself countless times since the day he met Gu Hui, wondering why he was so desperate and eager to know about a mere slave girl.
He heard footsteps entering his chamber and grew furious. Without even turning to see who it was, Jin Yuchen snapped, "Get lost if you want to die."
Zhong Shanshan froze in his place, accustomed to the crown prince's cold behavior. "Your Royal Highness, I apologize for disturbing you, but this matter is truly important," Zhong Shanshan said with a trembling voice.
Jin Yuchen closed his eyes in frustration and finally turned to look at Zhong Shanshan, saying, "Speak. What is the matter?"
"Your Royal Highness, please look at this," Zhong Shanshan said, handing him a piece of paper.
As Jin Yuchen read the contents of the paper, his anger surged. He looked at Zhong Shanshan and asked, "Is this information accurate?"
"Yes, Your Royal Highness, the information is true. The Wang Dynasty is trying to take advantage of our Jin Dynasty's struggle against the virus. They plan to launch an attack on the Gu Province, as it has been heavily affected and is vulnerable. Our agents have also reported that the Wang Dynasty is reaching out to other dynasties to join hands with them," Zhong Shanshan explained, stating the seriousness of the situation.
Jin Yuchen smiled evilly upon hearing Zhong Shanshan's words and then said, "Do they think this virus can help them defeat the Jin Dynasty? What fools they are. Go and inform the emperor about this immediately. We shall head towards the Gu Province. Prepare everything."
Zhong Shanshan bowed his head further and left Jin Yuchen alone to carry out his orders.
Inside the emperor's palace, the emperor himself was angered . "How dare they? How dare they scheme against us?" he exclaimed, his anger evident. He ordered the summoning of all ministers, officials, and guards to gather in front of the palace gate.
Within half an hour, everyone had assembled, responding swiftly to the news. They shared the feelings that the Wang Dynasty was inviting destruction by challenging the mighty Jin Dynasty.
Jin Yuchen and the emperor arrived at the scene shortly after. Jin Yuchen had a horse and a few guards accompanying him, along with Zhong Shanshan.
Observing this, the emperor asked, "Yuchen, are you...?"
"I alone am capable of defeating the Wang Dynasty. Why should we waste our entire army and the energy of our army and generals? Just let me go with my small group of guards. I will return victorious," Jin Yuchen confidently declared.
Hearing his son's words, the emperor smiled with satisfaction, as he had expected nothing less from his son Jin Yuchen.
All the ministers, officials, and the emperor gave their blessings to Jin Yuchen as he departed from there.
Not far away, the empress watched her son's departure and felt a pang of heartache. She sensed that her son was moving farther away from her, and she worried deeply for his well-being.
She believed that her son could overcome any monster, creature, or force, but he couldn't fight against the virus. She feared for his health and safety. No mother would want her son to go to such a place.