The Empress had disappeared from the palace. This was definitely a huge matter that could shake the entire court. Although she didn't know why, Mo Jingli had sealed this news within a certain range. However, this did not stop the people who knew the news from secretly discussing it. Therefore, when Duke Hua received the news and rushed into the palace, the people who met him along the way could not help but look at this old general with sympathy.
When the previous Regent Mo Liufang was still alive, and even when Duke Hua was still young, the Hua Family was extremely prestigious. Although the Prince Ding Mansion was not the number one family in Da Chu State, it was definitely one of the top families. However, ever since Mo Liufang passed away and Duke Hua became old, anyone with eyes could see that the Hua Family was gradually being suppressed by the Emperor. Even with the Empress' daughter, this situation did not improve. Now, the Empress who was about to become the Empress Dowager had disappeared. How could people not feel sympathy?
When Duke Hua arrived, Mo Jingli was in the side hall of the Empress' palace. After receiving the news of the Empress' disappearance, he quickly rushed to the palace to confirm the news. After all, after the Tenth Prince ascended the throne, the Empress and the Hua Family would have the easiest time taking the initiative. When that time came, it would be very disadvantageous for them. If the Empress really disappeared, the Hua Family naturally would not have any excuse to participate in court politics. Duke Hua was already old, and the remaining members of the Hua Family did not have the qualifications.
"This old official greets the Regent." Duke Hua trembled as he bowed.
Mo Jingli quickly went up and personally helped Duke Hua up, "I am very ashamed to have the old Duke personally come to the palace. I hope the old Duke will not blame me."
Tears immediately flowed down Duke Hua's old face, "Prince is too serious. How could this old man not come when the Empress suddenly disappeared. The poor Empress … … The Forbidden Palace is so strict, how could the Empress … … "
Mo Jingli's expression froze. He always knew that this old Duke Hua was not easy to deal with. In just a few sentences, he had already pushed the blame to him. Now that the guards of the capital and the palace were in his hands, it was fine if Duke Hua wanted to say that he was at a disadvantage. People might even suspect that he had done something to harm the Empress.
"Old Duke, don't be impatient. I believe that Imperial Sister-in-law is blessed by the heavens and will definitely be able to turn her misfortune into a blessing. Old Duke, please sit down and talk. " Even if he wished that the Empress would never return, Mo Jingli had to say a few words on the surface. However, this kind of consolation was obviously useless to Duke Hua. Duke Hua was still choking with sobs as he muttered about the Empress. The white-haired old man's face was covered in tears, and it was a pitiful sight.
At this time, there were many people in the hall. Not only the high-ranking concubines in the Empress Dowager's palace, but even the Prince of the Imperial Family had come. Looking at Duke Hua's miserable state, the others did not have the heart to ask any more questions. However, the Empress Dowager did not have such scruples. She raised her voice and said, "I heard that Duke Hua just came out of the Prince Ding Mansion. I wonder what you're doing at the Prince Ding Mansion at this time?"
Everyone present looked at the Empress Dowager in surprise. It was as if the Empress Dowager had changed into a different person after the announcement of the Edict. If the Empress Dowager originally had the demeanor of a scheming heroine, the Empress Dowager now looked more like an ordinary ignorant woman. Noble Consort Liu, who was sitting next to the Empress Dowager, had a faint smile on her lips. Compared to the Empress Dowager, she clearly had more advantages. Therefore, after the initial panic and shock, she quickly calmed down. She knew what to do to keep herself alive.
Duke Hua looked at the Empress Dowager with a sorrowful expression and said sadly, "Empress Dowager, please forgive me. This old official heard that the Empress had gone missing. In a moment of desperation, I went to the Prince Ding Mansion to ask for help from Prince Ding. This old official did not consider it thoroughly. Please punish me, Empress Dowager. "
Everyone was embarrassed. You've already said so, who could blame you? Moreover, before Mo Xiuyao passed away, he had restored all the status and reputation of the Prince Ding Mansion. Although Mo Xiuyao was unwilling to accept it, as the officials of Da Chu State, they could not pretend that they did not see it. With the status and status of the Prince Ding Mansion, it was not impossible for Duke Hua to ask for help immediately when the Empress went missing.
Mo Jingli frowned slightly. He looked at Duke Hua with a rare amiable expression and said, "Old Duke, you worry too much. Old Duke, you did not do anything biased in this matter. What crime have you committed? But I don't know what Prince Ding has to say? "
The Empress Dowager, who had been refuted by Mo Jingli, had a twisted expression but did not say anything more. Duke Hua sighed and said, "It happened so suddenly. Prince Ding just received the news and has already sent people to investigate. I think there will be news soon."
Everyone saw Duke Hua's anxious and worried expression and did not ask anything more. Only Mo Jingli and a few relatives of the Imperial Family comforted him. After so many years, the Empress had done things properly. She still had some reputation in the Imperial Family. Duke Hua only thanked them one by one and did not say anything else.
"Old Duke, please wait." At the palace entrance, Duke Hua was about to leave the palace and return to his residence when he was stopped by someone behind him. Turning around, Duke Hua looked at the unfamiliar palace maid in front of him and said calmly, "What is it?" The palace maid looked to be about fourteen or fifteen years old. Facing Duke Hua, who had spent his entire life fighting, she still had some status. She lowered her head and hurriedly said, "The Imperial Consort invites Old Duke for a chat." Duke Hua coldly said, "My Hua Family has no relationship with the Imperial Consort. Presumably, there is nothing to chat about. Moreover, these are troubled times. It is inconvenient for this old man to rashly enter the harem. "
The palace maid saw that he was about to leave and hurriedly said, "Old Duke, please wait. The Imperial Consort said … it is about the Empress. Old Duke Hua, please go. "
Duke Hua's face darkened. He coldly glanced at the palace maid and said with his hands behind his back, "Young lady, please lead the way."
Finally, she completed the Imperial Consort's order. The palace maid secretly let out a sigh of relief. She hurriedly turned around and led Duke Hua to see Imperial Consort Liu.
The palace maid did not lead Duke Hua to the palace where Imperial Consort Liu lived. Instead, she led him to an inconspicuous and remote palace in the Imperial Palace. They did not meet anyone along the way. Duke Hua knew that Imperial Consort Liu was completely different from the Empress Dowager. Even now, Imperial Consort Liu still had deep connections and power in the Imperial Palace. In this case … Duke Hua's heart sank. If Imperial Consort Liu really knew the truth about the Empress' disappearance …
"Greetings, Imperial Consort." Imperial Consort Liu sat under the eaves of the palace that had been deserted for a long time. She still looked high and mighty, like a fairy in the sky. Duke Hua had never liked Imperial Consort Liu. It was not because she was his daughter's rival in love. It was because when Imperial Consort Liu was still a young girl, she had a kind of indifference that came from her bones. It was as if no one in the world was worthy of her attention. He didn't know where Imperial Consort Liu got her arrogance from. She thought she was above all the other beauties in the world. However, that kind of arrogance made most people feel very uncomfortable. Therefore, Duke Hua had also noticed Imperial Consort Liu's feelings for Mo Xiuyao. However, he had never thought highly of her. Prince Ding was a proud and arrogant young man. How could he take a fancy to such an arrogant woman, no matter how beautiful she was.
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