Time Travel: Brothel Maid

Inside the Yangxin Hall, the lights are brightly lit.

Zhao Yunrong knelt down on both knees, bowed again, and raised his voice by three fen, "Your subject greets Your Majesty."

The emperor kept his eyes lowered, focused on reviewing the memorials, deliberately ignoring the people kneeling below. Finally, he slowly raised his head and looked at Zhao Yunrong.

"I heard that you mobilized troops and closed the city gates today, making such a great fuss and going to such lengths, just to find a woman. Is that true?"

The emperor's authoritative words contained not only a great deal of dissatisfaction and blame, but also a hint of disappointment that was hard to detect.

Upon hearing this, Zhao Yunrong, who always valued the emperor's trust and opinion above all else, remained completely calm.

He lowered his head, and from an angle where the emperor couldn't see him, his deep, bright eyes shone with a calm and confident light, as if he had everything under control.

But when he looked up to reply, his handsome and resolute face deliberately revealed obvious panic and surprise.

“Your Majesty, I am indeed searching for a woman, but not for any romantic relationship. It is only because this woman possesses a treasure, but she is extremely cunning. She tricked me into making a promise and then ran away. This treasure is something I intend to present to Your Majesty, and I fear that if she really leaves the capital, she will be difficult to find again. In my haste, I made a big fuss about the search. It was my oversight, and I beg Your Majesty’s forgiveness.”

His words were sincere and earnest, and the emperor's sharp gaze softened, though a hint of doubt and suspicion remained.

"Oh? What kind of rare treasure is it that makes you go to such lengths?"

Zhao Yunrong slowly raised her eyes, which had been lowered, and then said in a calm and steady tone a message that was like a bolt from the blue—"It's a treasure map."

The emperor, who had been relaxed and leisurely, was suddenly startled and stood up from his dragon throne, his tone filled with disbelief, "What did you say?"

"Father, you heard me right. It is the legendary treasure map left behind by the previous dynasty's royal family. I originally intended to present this treasure map to you to alleviate the national treasury's deficit over the years and relieve your worries day and night. I did not inform you before, firstly because I wanted to surprise you, and secondly because this matter is confidential, and I did not want to alert others before I had obtained it, thus leaving hidden dangers. But I did not expect that woman to be so cunning. I do not know where she hid the treasure map. I have dealt with her several times, but I have not been able to find out its whereabouts. Today, she even ran away while I was not paying attention."

By the end, his tone was tinged with a hint of frustrated resentment.

The emperor's attention clearly shifted to the treasure map. "Who is that woman? Why does she have a treasure map? Has she been captured?"

Zhao Yunrong looked troubled. "I haven't been able to find out the woman's identity yet, nor have I been able to find her."

The emperor paced back and forth in the silent hall with a hint of anxiety. The treasure map was indeed tempting, but more importantly, the national treasury was currently empty. If the treasure map fell into the hands of rebels, it would be a great threat to the Li Dynasty.

After a moment, the emperor slowed his pace and turned his gaze back to Zhao Yunrong, whose face was calm and composed. As he turned away, a hint of suspicion appeared in his eyes, as if he had thought of something.

The emperor sat back on the dragon throne. “Rise, my son Chunxiao. The treasure map is of great importance and should indeed be handled in secrecy. However, your ostentatious display today has already alerted the enemy. The most urgent task now is to find the treasure map as soon as possible and prevent it from falling into the hands of traitors.”

Although Zhao Yunrong had anticipated and prepared for the emperor's question, a slight unease still lingered in his heart as he effortlessly dealt with the naturally suspicious emperor. However, he was more anxious to find Xiao Guo'er at the moment, so he ignored the unease in his heart, only to regret it later when he recalled the situation.

"Yes, Father, I obey your command."

Zhao Yunrong bowed and took her leave.

The emperor on the dragon throne watched his son's departing figure, a shrewd glint in his eyes.

After Zhao Yunrong's slightly hurried footsteps had completely disappeared from the hall, he called out to summon his trusted eunuch who was waiting outside.

"Arrange for someone to keep an eye on the Prince Zunyi's residence, but do it discreetly so that no one notices."

"The slave obeys the order."