Being an emperor is not something he can do, so he can only rely on his connections.

Chapter 319: Missing during Chinese New Year.

It was midnight, and Zhang Jingwei was quietly sitting in the spacious, bright hall, celebrating the New Year's Eve. He leaned back slightly in his chair, cradling an old book in his hands, absorbed in the text. Suddenly, the sound of light, yet hurried footsteps shattered the night's tranquility. Zhang Jingwei's heart tightened, and he quickly placed the book on the table beside him. He quickly turned his head, his gaze anxiously in the direction of the footsteps.

Huangfu Ling, draped in a lavender cape, approached with the airy grace of a blooming flower. A gentle smile graced her face as she softly called out, "Brother Qi." Her voice was as sweet as a nightingale's.

When Zhang Jingwei saw Huangfu Ling, he quickly stood up and walked over to her, asking with concern, "Madam, why aren't you sleeping yet? It's so late at night, don't catch a cold."

Huangfu Ling smiled and shook her head, saying, "I was tossing and turning in bed and couldn't fall asleep. I thought it would be lonely for you to stay up here alone, so I came over to keep you company."

Zhang Jingwei looked at Huangfu Ling with heartache and said softly, "Madam, you have been working hard all day and are very tired. Why don't you go back to your room and rest? You will fall asleep soon when you lie down in the warm quilt."

However, Huangfu Ling shook her head firmly and said coquettishly: "No, today is New Year's Eve, and it only comes once a year. Let me stay up with you, okay?" As she spoke, she gently pulled Zhang Jingwei's sleeve.

Zhang Jingwei smiled helplessly and had to agree: "Okay, okay, I'll listen to you, madam. In that case, I'll add some more charcoal, and we have to stay up until dawn!" After that, he turned and walked to the stove, picked up a few pieces of charcoal with tongs and put them into the stove.

Seeing this, Huangfu Ling walked over quickly and said, "The candle flame is shaking so much, it will hurt your eyes if you read like this. Let me hold the lamp for you!" As she spoke, she took an oil lamp from the table, lit it carefully, held the lampshade steadily with her hand, and shone the light towards the place where Zhang Jingwei was sitting.

Zhang Jingwei looked at Huangfu Ling gratefully, nodded and smiled, "Thank you, madam." Then, he continued to hold up the "translated scriptures" and read them with relish.

On weekdays, the couple didn't have many recreational activities to entertain themselves. In their free time, Zhang Jingwei enjoyed brewing a cup of hot tea and quietly flipping through various books. Fortunately, the imperial court's control over banned books was not very strict. Aside from the burned copies of Li Zaizhi's works, which were considered heretical, and some texts promoting the School of Mind, most books could be freely circulated.

The oil lamp on the table went out, and Zhang Jingwei called out twice: "Madam, Madam, Lingmei..."

Huangfu Ling had already fallen asleep on the side. Zhang Jingwei covered her with a blanket, continued to find lamp oil, picked up the wick and continued reading.

Zhang Jingwei looked at the reform theory written in the book, which talked about "universal learning and broadening horizons to benefit the people". Confucianism and rituals were not the only way, and people were often convinced by the rule of law and morality. The book also mentioned that one should accept strange ideas widely and practice them repeatedly to know the truth.

In the past, he would definitely fall asleep when reading this kind of books, but now there are no exciting novels to read. Sometimes he also wants to start his own book, but he has not read many classics. As a Chinese in the 21st century, he has not even read "Dream of Red Mansions". "Insignificant talent and learning" is the most suitable word for him.

……

The next day, Huangfu Ling woke up from her desk with a start. Because there was no night watch on New Year's Day, she looked at the dim sky and didn't know what time it was. She rubbed her eyes and found that Zhang Jingwei was gone.

The charcoal fire was still burning red, indicating that it was constantly being added. The oil lamp had gone out, but there was still some oil left, which was obviously blown out.

Huangfu Ling shouted anxiously, "Husband? Husband..." Her clear and pleasant voice echoed in the silent courtyard, but there was no response.

After a while, Douya came running over and asked with concern, "Madam, what happened? Why are you calling for the master so anxiously?"

Huangfu Ling frowned and said with a hint of dissatisfaction: "Have you seen the master? It's New Year's Eve, and we agreed to stay up together, but he disappeared."

Douya rolled her eyes, thought for a moment and said, "Don't worry, Madam. I guess the master is too sleepy, so he went back to his room to rest first!"

Huangfu Lingqi stamped her feet and said angrily: "Hmph! This heartless guy clearly said that he would stay up with me to celebrate the New Year, but he left me here alone and went to sleep!" As she said that, she quickly walked to the door, raised her foot and kicked it hard.

There was a loud bang, and the door was kicked open. However, the room was completely empty. Not only was there no one inside, there wasn't even a trace of anyone. The bed was still neatly made, clearly no one had slept there.

Huangfu Ling shouted unwillingly again: "Husband, come out now and stop playing!" However, apart from her own echo, the surroundings were still quiet.

At this moment, Douya beside her suddenly said, "Madam, in my opinion, the master might be afraid that the young lady will blame him, so he went to the East Courtyard to look for Mu Tou and the others!"

Huangfu Ling's eyes lit up, and he felt that Douya's words made a lot of sense, so he quickly ordered: "Okay, Douya, go to the East Courtyard and call the master back to me!"

Not long after, many servants from the East Courtyard hurried over. They all looked nervous, as if something big had happened.

Huangfu Ling spotted Zhang Liu in the crowd and quickly called out, "Uncle Liu!"

Zhang Liu hurried forward and said respectfully to Huangfu Ling, "Madam, the young master is not in the East Courtyard!"

Huangfu Ling's heart tightened when he heard this, and he asked anxiously, "Then where did he go?"

Mu Tou, who was standing by, scratched his head and guessed, "Maybe the young master has gone to the army!"

However, Liang Dahai shook his head and denied it, "Impossible. The military station closed down the day before yesterday. What could the young master do there?"

At this time, Liu Guanjin also interrupted and said, "That's right, the young master is such a big living person, it's impossible for him to disappear for no reason, right?"

Huangfu Ling stamped his feet in anger and ordered his servants, "Hurry out and look for him. Search carefully all the places he often goes to!"

He had never disappeared before, but he had to do this on New Year's Day. Huangfu Ling hadn't been angry for a long time, and he sent out all the remaining people in the mansion early this morning.

Huangfu Changshui patted Huangfu Ling and comforted her, "It's okay. This brat hasn't left the city anyway. If I see him, I will definitely bring him back."

Although Huangfu Ling was very angry, he felt a little scared as he held the book that Zhang Jingwei had not finished reading.